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Clean Up Your Home at Prospect Tower Naturally With These DIY Household Cleaners

August 18, 2016 by

Looking for a way to save a bit of cash while also removing chemicals from your home? Make your own cleaning products! It’s easy to duplicate of the most common household cleaners using all-natural ingredients, and they’ll even help to turn your home at Prospect Tower into a green household.

  • Glass Cleaner: Combine 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 cup of water and 1/4 cup of fresh-squeezed lemon juice to create a DIY window and glass cleaner. You can even add in your favorite essential oil for a fresh scent.
  • Laundry Detergent: While many store-bought laundry detergents are filled with chemicals, this homemade version is made using only natural ingredients. Combine a box of Borax with a box of baking soda and 1 bar of organic bar soap (such as Dr. Bronner’s). Then, blend it all together in a food processor until it reaches a powder form.
  • Bathroom Tile Cleaner: Remove grime from tubs and sinks using this all-natural bathroom cleaner. Simply mix baking soda with liquid castile soap and use it as a scrub.
  • All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar, 1 tablespoon of Borax, 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide, and 2 cups of hot water to create an all-purpose cleaner that you can use anywhere in the home.

Make These 69 DIY Cleaning Products For Pennies [Popsugar]
The Original Homemade Laundry Detergent DIY Natural]
27 Chemical-Free Recipes for DIY Spring Cleaning [Greatist]

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How to Choose the Right Furniture for Your Apartment

August 4, 2016 by

Purchasing furniture is a big investment, and for most people, it’s something that requires a little bit of planning. If you want to make sure that you’re getting the best bang for your buck on furniture that really suits your space at Prospect Tower, there are some simple rules to follow. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing new furniture.

  1. Measure everything. You always want to measure your space before purchasing large furniture pieces such as a sofa or an area rug. Measure the entire room first, and then determine how much of that space you want the furniture to fill. Finally, take a measuring tape with you to the store and measure the furniture before purchasing.
  2. Consider the doorway. Be sure that you can fit the furniture through hallways and into the apartment itself before purchasing.
  3. Think of its uses. Will you use your sofa mainly for watching television, or will it be a gathering space for large groups of people? Keep the functionality in mind before making any furniture purchases.
  4. Choose high-quality materials. You might be okay with purchasing bargain furniture for your first apartment, but if you really want your furniture to last, it’s best to pay a bit more for high-quality construction. Look for pieces made with real wood, and if it’s a sofa, inspect the seams and cushions to test their quality.

How to Determine Furniture Proportion to a Room [SF Gate]
Choosing the Right Size Sofa: Four Key Questions to Ask Yourself [Apartment Therapy]
Choosing the Right Furniture [Moving.com]

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How to Take Your Couch From Furniture to Focal Point

March 17, 2016 by

Your couch is one of the most important pieces of furniture in your home. It provides a space to curl up and watch a movie, to catch up with a longtime friend, and even to share a meal during those weekend take-out nights. If you want to make your sofa more of a focal point, these smart tips will show you how.

  1. Update your throw pillows. The easiest way to take your sofa from basic to stylish is by adding fun, vibrant throw pillows. Choose a few in complimentary colors, mix and match patterns or even go with a geometric, black and white scheme for a hip, retro, look.
  2. Add a blanket. Take a tip from the pros and casually drape a throw across the ottoman or folded on the back of the sofa. Choose something that pairs well with the rest of the room’s color scheme, or go with a classic knit throw for a cozy feel.
  3. Switch up your rug. Choose a vibrant area rug that extends a few inches wider than your sofa, and make sure that it’s large enough to tuck under the sofa’s front legs.
  4. Add a gallery wall. Finally, create a designer-worthy gallery wall directly behind your sofa by framing your favorite family photos, wallpaper swatches, and art prints.

Before & After: How to Style Your Sofa [Elle Décor]
Style a Sofa 5 Different Ways [HGTV]
How To: Style A Sofa [Glitter Guide]

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How to Decorate Using the Principles of Feng Shui

February 18, 2016 by

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese belief that states that the way your home is organized will, in turn, influence everything else in your life. From your finances to your inner happiness, the aspects that feng shui influences are limitless. If you want to decorate your home in a way that better serves your feng shui, use these basic principles.

  • Keep things minimal. First and foremost, improve your home’s feng shui by getting rid of everything that you don’t need—including furniture, clothing and even kitchen supplies. This will leave you with more space for movement, creativity, and positive energy.
  • Maximize natural light. Take down heavy drapes and blinds and replace them with sheer curtains that allow in as much natural light as possible.
  • Add plants. Feng shui emphasizes the importance of having green plants to clean your home’s air and add a peaceful look to every room. Try options like jade plants and aloe plants that require little maintenance.
  • Leave entryways clear. Feng shui says that the doors allow positive energy to flow into your home, so be sure to leave yours clear.
  • Face the doors. Important pieces of furniture, such as your desk and your bed, should always face the door of the room without sitting directly in front of it.

Feng Shui 101 for Your Living Space [Wonder How To]
10 Easy Feng Shui Rules You Should Follow [Kris Carr]
Feng Shui Decorating Tips [Real Simple]

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Beautify Your Bathroom With These Easy Tips

July 23, 2015 by

Did you know that by adding a few homey touches, you can make your bathroom feel much more luxurious? Here are a few ways to transform your rental bath into a spa-quality retreat.

  • Add fluffy towels. Investing in a new set of thick, plush bath towels is one of the best things that you can do for your bathroom. If you don’t have a set color scheme, classic hotel white always looks great.
  • Incorporate baskets. Add attractive wicker baskets or wooden crates to clear away clutter and add a soft, rustic effect.
  • Add fresh flowers. Don’t overlook the bathroom when it comes to greenery. Add a vase of fresh flowers or a low-light plant to help clean the air.
  • Add floating shelves. If you still need additional storage, add small floating shelves along a bare wall.
  • Light candles. Finally, light some great smelling candles along the bathtub or toilet and settle in for a relaxing bubble bath.

10 Ways to Give Your Bathroom a Quick Facelift [Oprah]
50 Cheap and Chic Ways to Perk Up Your Bathroom [Style at Home]
Freshen Your Bathroom with Low-Cost Updates [Better Homes & Gardens]

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How to Help Make Your Rental Home Your ‘Happy Place’

June 18, 2015 by

As the saying goes, "There's no place like home!" Your home is your retreat, your sanctuary, your oasis — your happy place! Here are a few tips to help you make your space even more inviting.

  1. Add potted plants. One of the easiest — and most fun — ways to bring a bit of life into your home is by adding potted plants. Many lush houseplants help to clean the air in your home, while low-maintenance succulents are great for the renter lacking a green thumb.
  2. Switch up the lighting. Add removable stick-on lighting underneath kitchen cabinets or inside of closets, incorporate shaded lamps into your furniture, and even switch the bulbs in the bathroom to something a bit less fluorescent.
  3. Add textiles. A surefire way to add a cozy, homey feeling to any room is by adding rich textiles. Hang curtains, add a plush rug, or even toss a throw blanket over a chair for an instant designer-inspired look.
  4. Incorporate a color scheme. Tie a room together in an instant by using a set color scheme throughout. Choose a sunny yellow for a dark kitchen, or rely on chic grays and whites to make your bedroom relaxing.

7 Reasons Your House Is Making You Cranky [Woman’s Day]
10 Ways to Make Your Home Happier [House Beautiful]
5 Lovely Ideas for Adding Ambiance & Cheer To Your Life [The Inspired Room]

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How to Add Texture to Your Decor

May 21, 2015 by

Even if you have all of the essential furniture, a room can still feel "off" without the warm, cozy textures that really make a house a home. Here are a few smart tips for adding designer-inspired textures to any space!

  1. Toss in some throw pillows. If your sofa (or your bed) is looking a bit bare, dress it up using a mishmash of throw pillows in varying textures. Luxurious silks, faux furs, and simple cottons are all great options, and don’t be afraid to combine colors and patterns, as well.
  2. Add a blanket. One way to make your room look magazine-worthy is by draping a blanket across a bare surface. Think the arm of a chair, the back of the sofa or the foot of your bed.
  3. Add woodgrain to the walls. Even if you live in a rental, you can add the rustic look of woodgrain to any room in your home by creating a large-scale art piece made of recycled wood.
  4. DIY a tile backsplash. If your lease permits it, adding a tile backsplash is a great way to add texture in the kitchen. There are a number of temporary options that can even be removed when you move out.
  5. Hang curtains. Any interior designer will tell you that no room is complete without some type of window treatment. Make a room feel cozier with elegant curtains hung a bit higher than the window frames.

Make an Impact with Texture [Better Homes and Gardens]
Ten Ways to Add Texture to a Room [Apartment Therapy]
Home Décor: 10 Tips to Add Texture [Right @ Home]

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Simple Ways to Add Color to Your Kitchen

May 7, 2015 by

Your kitchen is the heart of your home, so you want to make it feel as bright and cheerful as possible. Turn your kitchen into a happy, welcoming gathering space by following these easy decorating tips:

  • Add a large, graphic art print. People often overlook the kitchen when it comes to adding art to their home, but it’s actually the perfect place for a large statement piece. Choose something with bright splashes of color in a large, simple frame.
  • Tie in the linens. Instead of using mismatched towels and a stained tablecloth, update your linens to something chic and modern. Choose options with lots of texture, and don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns.
  • Use plants. The kitchen is the perfect place for houseplants, since it often gets a lot of natural light. Add lush greens to the top of the refrigerator, a bare windowsill, or even hanging from the ceiling in retro-style macramé hangers.
  • Cover the cabinets. Give your cabinets an instant makeover by covering them in a temporary wallpaper in a fun color or pattern.
  • Add a rug. Place a multicolored area rug just in front of the kitchen sink, and if you have an eat-in kitchen, add another underneath the dining table, as well.

5 Ways To Bring Color To Your Kitchen Without Painting [The Kitchn]
15 Ways To Bring Color To the Kitchen [Elle Décor]
10 Unexpected Ways to Add Color to Your Kitchen [House Beautiful]

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Laundry and Clothing Care Basics Everyone Should Know

January 22, 2015 by

Doing the laundry is a necessary annoyance, but modern amenities have done a lot to make this weekly chore a less daunting. Here are the basic rules for properly washing and caring for your most essential articles of clothing.

  1. Sort by color. You’ve likely heard that you need to separate your lights from your darks, but this step is especially important when washing denim or new clothes that have yet to be washed.
  2. Use the right water temperature. As a general rule, wash delicate clothing that could shrink or bleed in cold water. For heavily soiled items, whites, and towels, use hot water instead.
  3. Use the proper detergent. Not all detergents are created equal, so choose a type specially formulated for cold water, hot water, or even a brand made with color-safe bleach to remove stains from colored clothing. As a bonus, using the right type of detergent can even extend the lifespan of your clothes.
  4. Secure buttons. Dab a bit of clear nail polish in the center of shirt buttons to help prevent them from loosening. Even better, learn how to replace one yourself if you frequently wear button-down shirts.
  5. Keep zippers smooth. Rub zippers with wax every few weeks to keep them from catching or sticking.

Laundry Basics – Sorting it Out [For Better Living]
How to Care for Your Clothes [How Stuff Works]
Keep Your Clothes Clean and Bright [She Knows]
4 Clothing Care Skills Millennials Probably Don’t Know (But Need to Learn) [Real Simple]

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Craft Websites to Inspire Your Creative Side

February 20, 2014 by

Have you ever looked at something in a store and thought, “I could make that”? If you’re an aspiring DIY-er or you already love to make things at home, there are a large number of websites to help you find project inspiration. These clever DIY blogs are some of the best.

Martha Stewart’s The Crafts Department  
There’s no one better to take craft advice from than Martha Stewart herself, and her website’s craft page certainly won’t disappoint. Full of crafting ideas for hosting parties in your home, making jewelry to wear yourself or give as gifts, and even knitting and crocheting patterns, this beautiful website will leave you feeling motivated to make something of your own.

SheKnows
Dedicated to helping stay-at-home-moms or busy mothers “stay busy and creative”, SheKnows is a fun website with information about scrapbooking, sewing, and crafts for the whole family. Decorate your home for upcoming holidays, learn different sewing techniques, and even keep the kids busy with the creative projects you’ll find on this site.  

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