Check Out These Creative Uses for Wallpaper

If the thought of adding wallpaper to your home makes you cringe, you may want to rethink your opinions on this seemingly outdated wall covering. There are a number of creative uses for wallpaper that have nothing to do with your walls, and don’t worry: there’s no outdated paisley print here.

  1. Line a bookcase. If you have a hand-me-down bookcase that’s a bit of an eyesore, dress it up with a fun, colorful wallpaper backdrop. Simply remove the shelves and stick on a solid or printed wallpaper that goes with the rest of the room’s decor.
  2. Line drawers. Instead of lining your drawers with plain old drawer liners, get a bit more creative by lining them with leftover wallpaper.
  3. Dress up a dresser. Cover an entire dresser, the sides, or just the drawer fronts to bring a bit of color and a pop of pattern to your bedroom.
  4. Transform tray tables. If you want to add chic side tables to your living room but you’re on a bit of a budget, make over affordable tray tables using wallpaper. Simply stick the wallpaper to the tops of the tables, then create an attractive vignette using books, a lamp, or a few romantic candles.
  5. Frame it. If you have a very small amount of wallpaper that you love, turn it into a piece of DIY art using a simple, store-bought frame.

12 "Off the Wall" Places to Put Wallpaper [Bob Vila]
Unexpected Uses for Leftover Wallpaper [Real Simple]
9 Unexpected Ways to Decorate With Wallpaper [Good Housekeeping]

How to Decorate Your Home With Tapestries

While tapestries may remind you of your college dorm room, newer versions of these eclectic wall hangings are anything but frumpy. Updated tapestries are chic and modern, and they can be used throughout your home in a number of different ways. Here are just a few great ways to temporarily change up your wall color by using large tapestries.

  • Use a tapestry as a focal point. The first thing you should remember when decorating with a tapestry is that it will instantly become the focal point of the room. That means that should anchor it behind the headboard of your bed, as the backdrop of your sofa or on a bare wall in the hallway so that it doesn’t overpower the room.
  • Choose a complementary color scheme. No matter how wild and crazy your tapestry, you want to make sure that the colors used throughout pair well with the rest of your room.
  • Drape it over furniture. If you don’t want to hang it on the wall, you can drape your tapestry over an old armchair or small futon to breathe new life into its tired upholstery.
  • Hang it from the ceiling. For an even more unique effect, secure your tapestry to the ceiling and leave the rest of the walls blank.

How to Decorate With Tapestries [SF Gate]
Chic Room Divider [Martha Stewart]
decorate and wear: tapestry [Mr. Kate]

How to Choose the Right Throw Pillows for Your Home’s Decor

Incorporating throw pillows into your bedroom or living room is a cheap and easy way to update a home’s decor, but with the overwhelming number of options, it may be intimidating to choose the perfect ones. Here are a few tips to help you choose the best throw pillows for your space.

  1. Consider the size. Are you purchasing throw pillows for a standard-sized couch or your king-sized bed? The size of the space makes a big difference when choosing the perfect pillows, so be sure to consider sizes before purchasing. Eighteen-inch square pillows are best suited for a bed or sofa, while oversized pillows of 24 inches or larger create a more lounge-style feel in a living room.
  2. Choose a color scheme. Black and white throw pillows create a mod effect, while bright shades of pink, green, or blue liven up a drab space. Even if you plan on purchasing patterned pillows, stick with one singular color scheme for a designer-worthy look.
  3. Don’t be afraid to mix and match. Get creative by mixing and matching different sizes, shapes, and patterns. If you stick to your chosen color scheme, it’s easy to pull off a more eclectic look.
  4. Add pillows in unexpected places. Toss some large, cushion-style pillows on the floor, add some in a window nook, or place one on a desk chair for a cozy feel.

Decorating With Throw Pillows [Real Simple]
Tips On Choosing Throw Pillows [Décor Love]
How to Choose Decorative Pillows for the Living Room [Overstock]

Three Interior Design Rules Everyone Should Know

While you may not be an interior designer yourself, there’s no reason why your home shouldn’t look like you are. Even if you live in a rental, there are a few simple things you can do that will completely transform the look of your home. Here are three interior design rules that everyone should know.

  1. Move slowly. It’s very tempting to buy furniture all at once when you move into a new space, but that’s actually one of the most common interior design mistakes. Be thoughtful about the things that you incorporate into your home to ensure that you like them a few months (or years) down the line. Even if this means living with a bare living room for a while, it’s almost always worth it.
  2. Avoid buying sets or furniture all in one place. If you purchase furniture in a set or buy an entire room’s decor from one store, it’s always very easy to tell. To avoid creating a monochromatic room that looks like a child’s bedroom, mix and match materials, colors, and textures from a few different sources.
  3. Don’t fight against the quirks. Many spaces, especially rentals, have built-in architectural details that you simply can’t change. Rather than trying to hide them or “fix” them, purchase furniture that works with your home’s little quirks. For example, add a window seat against a bay window to maximize the views rather than covering it with a large sofa.

6 Basic Interior Design Rules [Suite]
The 3 Principles of Interior Design [HGTV]
The 7 Rules of Interior Design [Zillow Blog]
5 Rookie Mistakes You’ll Never Make Again [Apartment Therapy]

3 Uncommon Uses for White Vinegar

If you want to make some steps toward a more natural, chemical-free household, a good place to start is with the cleaning products you use. Simple white vinegar makes a great replacement for many of your most frequently used cleaners and beauty products, and it’s completely natural. Check out these uncommon uses for white vinegar!

  1. Static Remover. To remove static cling from your clothing, add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to your washing machine along with your usual detergent. The acid in the vinegar will work against the static.
  2. Sweat Stain Remover. If your white t-shirts or gym socks are riddled with unpleasant sweat stains, don’t throw them away quite yet. Soak them overnight in a solution of one cup white vinegar and boiling water, and rinse them out the next morning to find your clothes clean and bright.
  3. Teeth Whitener. Brush your teeth once a week with white vinegar, and you’ll be left with pearly whites in just a few applications.

45 Uses for Vinegar [All You]
150+ Household Uses for Vinegar [Reader's Digest]
1001 Uses for White Distilled Vinegar [Vinegar Tips]

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