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Create a Chic and Stylish Entryway With These Pro Tips

September 20, 2016 by

Your entryway has the power to wow or bore guests as soon as they step into your apartment, so it's important to make sure you spend ample time on its interior design. If you're just getting started glamming up your entryway, here are a few tips that should help get the ball rolling.

  1. Create a vignette. First things first: find an entryway table. That's where you'll put your hallway vignette. It's part functional, part aesthetically pleasing. Include a tray to collection your keys and loose change when you walk in, but also add strictly decorative touches such as candles, flowers, and other odds and ends that reflect your style.
  2. Add a mirror. When you're working with a cozy entryway, you can really expand the space (without knocking down any walls) by just hanging a mirror. Find one that fits in with the rest of your aesthetic, perhaps a round, vintage mirror for last-minute touch-ups before you walk out the door, or maybe a more contemporary square mirror if that jives better with your minimalist decor elsewhere.
  3. Glam up your walls. Creating a gallery wall is a surefire way to engage your friends as soon as they walk through the door, especially if you create that gallery wall using personal photos in artfully mismatched frames. You can also use mirrors of different shapes and sizes, however, for the ultimate space-creating effect.
  4. Throw down a runner. When you're interior-designing, don't forget about the real estate underfoot, either. Spruce up your floor with a chic, colorful runner.

How to Style an Entryway [The Everygirl]
Small Apartment Entryway [Pinterest]
21 Ways to Enhance an Entryway [Real Simple]

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Create a Cozy, Chic Look in Your Bedroom With These Simple Steps

September 6, 2016 by

To improve your sleep, create a relaxing atmosphere, and add a chic look to your bedroom, all it takes are a few smart upgrades. From incorporating plush textures to changing up the color scheme, these simple tips will show you exactly what to do.

  • Replace your current bedding with crisp, white bedding. If your current sheets and duvet feel drab and outdated, upgrading to chic white bedding will give your bed a timeless look that's just like a four-star hotel.
  • Create storage for every loose item and stray article of clothing. If you constantly find yourself tripping over clutter, head to the home goods store and invest in additional drawers, bins and other storage items.
  • Frame some art to dress up your walls. Choose soothing nature scenes, neutral abstract prints or framed family photos that will make you feel calm and relaxed.
  • Add throw pillows and blankets that will add additional depth to your bedding. Choose one statement pop of color or something in a fun faux fur for some soft, eye-catching texture.
  • Update the lighting by replacing the current bulbs with muted lights or bulbs that imitate natural sunlight.

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Love Home Decorating? These 4 HGTV Shows Will Give You Major Design Inspo

August 2, 2016 by

If you consider decorating your home one of your favorite hobbies, then you're likely always on the hunt for new sources of inspiration. Tune into these four popular HGTV shows during your next lazy Sunday on the sofa!

  • Flip or Flop. With its high stakes gambles in the risky house-flipping market, this fun show is one of HGTV's most exciting. You'll love watching as married hosts Tarek and Christina bid on foreclosed houses and renovate them for resale.
  • House Hunters. This classic HGTV show is now in its 18th season, but you'll never grow tired of watching real people purchase homes in places around the country.
  • House Hunters International. If you love House Hunters, you'll especially love watching Americans purchase their first homes in other countries around the world. From France to India, this show gives you a glimpse into the housing market all over the globe.
  • Fixer Upper. Watch as married couple Chip and Joanna renovate houses all over the Waco, Texas, area. By purchasing older homes and renovating them on a budget, they give their clients a chance to live in their dream neighborhoods.

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Super-Simple Fixes for Kitchen Clutter

July 5, 2016 by

Out of every room in your home, the kitchen seems to be the space that gets used the most—and it's also the space that's first to attract clutter! Sound like you? Follow these tips to help maintain order in your busy kitchen.

  • Go through your cabinets and donate or toss out the items that are not frequently used. Your main goal is to have only the items that you love and use.
  • Create groups or categories for your items. For example, sort all of your baking items together in one section and your cooking items in another.
  • Use clear containers to store items and place them inside your cabinets. This keeps everything from being scattered all over the place.
  • Place hooks underneath your cabinets to hold mugs or use a stemware rack in the same spot to hold wine glasses. You could also use adhesive hooks inside of your cabinets to hang measuring cups or oven mitts.
  • Use rotating trays in your cabinets to hold oils, vinegars, or spices. You can also use them in your refrigerator for beverages.
  • Use a small bar cart to store some silverware or your coffee pot and mugs.

Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets [Container Store]
10 Kitchen Organization Hacks To Keep Clutter Contained [The Stir]
10 Steps to an Orderly Kitchen [HGTV]

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Decorate Your Walls On the Cheap With These Affordable Art Websites

June 7, 2016 by

While you may not be able to afford a priceless work of art for your walls, that doesn't mean that you can't decorate your home with beautiful paintings and inspiring prints. From works by independent artists to reproductions of well-known pieces, there are a number of smart ways to turn your home into your own personal gallery. Here are just a few great websites that sell affordable artwork online.

Society6
With art for everyone from the minimalist to the bohemian, Society6 is one of the most modern and varied art websites. Not only can you purchase framed and unframed prints in all sizes, you can also buy the same designs in the form of smartphone cases, T-shirts, and even tapestries.

AllPosters.com
If you still love the look of hanging a poster of your favorite movie or band on your walls, try All Posters. This expansive online store offers high-resolution posters of almost any pop culture icon, as well as reproductions of classic works of art.

Etsy
Etsy is well-known for its handmade jewelry and quirky vintage apparel, but you'll also find handmade art from little-known artists. Browse abstract paintings, original photography and colorful prints for very affordable prices.

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How to Squeeze Every Inch Out of Your Closet Space

May 10, 2016 by

If you have a messy closet, your whole room can feel off, and putting outfits together can be difficult when you can’t find what you’re looking for. Organizing your wardrobe can be a little overwhelming, so follow these tips to achieve an orderly, well-maintained closet.

  • Donate or get rid of any clothing items that you haven’t worn in more than two years.
  • Keep out-of-season clothes in large plastic bins and place them under your bed or on high shelves to make space for items that you’ll be reaching for during that time of year.
  • Use a shoe hanger to place over your closet door to free up some floor or shelf space.
  • Hang your most worn items at eye level where you can see them.
  • Keep your folded clothes and accessories neat and tidy by using shelf dividers.
  • Hang hooks inside your closet for extra storage space. These are great for jackets and will clear up a lot of space for your clothes.
  • Color-code your clothes so you’ll know exactly where everything is when you need it.

20 Ways to Organize Your Bedroom Closet [Apartment Therapy]
The Experts Spill Their Tips For A Clean, Well-Organized Closet [Who What Wear]
How to Organize A Lot of Clothing in Very Little Closet Space [Lifehacker]

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How to Give Your Bathroom a Spa Makeover

May 3, 2016 by

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a spa in the comfort of your own home? Your bathroom is a private, quiet space and it’s where you go to take a nice relaxing bath or shower to de-stress. All you need to do is add a few more elements to create your own spa atmosphere at home. Use these hacks and tricks to give your bathroom a spa makeover.

  • Use minimal decor and a clean, simple style to achieve a serene and spa-like setting.
  • Soften your lighting and get a relaxing feel by installing lights with dimmer controls.
  • Create a barrier, such as a dramatic shower curtain or large plants, to make yourself feel a bit transported
  • De-clutter your bathroom by keeping your toiletries well organized or hidden.
  • Keep your bath salts and soaps in attractive containers. The presentation of everything will really make a difference.
  • Invest in a towel warmer or use towel-warming bars.
  • Use lavender or jasmine scented candles or oil diffusers. Aromatherapy is a huge part of a spa atmosphere.
  • Create a playlist of relaxing and meditating songs to play while you’re soaking in the tub.

Bathroom Decorating Ideas: 5 Ways to Make Any Bathroom Feel More Spa-Like [Apartment Therapy]
6 Ways to Make Your Bathroom Feel Like a Spa [Popsugar]
10 Affordable Ideas That Will Turn Your Small Bathroom Into A Spa [Improvenet]

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How to Disguise Unsightly Cables, Cords and Wires

March 1, 2016 by

Nobody likes the sight of tangled, messy cords and wires, but these long cords are essential for operating electronics. If you want to tuck away unsightly cords to preserve your decor at Retreat at Cross Mountain, these smart steps will show you how.

  1. Mark each cord. First, begin by wrapping a piece of matte tape around the cord and leaving a bit of extra at the end. Label each cord with a marker to keep things organized.
  2. Clip the cords together. Next, clip the cords together in a smooth strip using a binder clip. For longer cords, you may want to add additional clips.
  3. Tuck cords away. Now that the cords are all clipped together, you’ll want to hide them as best as you can behind their corresponding piece of furniture. Try winding the cords into a loop if you have a larger piece of furniture. For desks and other items with slender legs, you may want to line the cords up behind one leg.
  4. Secure the cords in place. Once you decide where to place the cords, secure them using sturdy tape or Velcro strips. This will ensure that the cords stay hidden through daily use.

How To Hide Home Wires [Apartment Therapy]
36 Genius Ways To Hide The Eyesores In Your Home [Buzzfeed]
Hiding Cables [Pinterest]

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Revamp Your Bedroom With These Easy Decor Tips

February 3, 2015 by

Whether you’re a fan of vintage boudoirs or sleek, modern spaces, your bedroom should be a reflection of your own personal style. This is the place where you should feel your most relaxed and comfortable, and these simple design tips can help you to turn your bedroom into a hotel-inspired oasis.

  1. Add colorful throw pillows. Even if your bed already has a patterned comforter or a solid-colored blanket, you can always add more texture and color with the addition of some artfully mismatched throw pillows.
  2. Use a unique headboard. While headboards from a furniture store can be quite pricey, there are a number of DIY ways to create a headboard from unexpected items. An antique door, an old fireplace mantle, and some repurposed wood palettes can all be used as a headboard on your bed.
  3. Hang some drapes. Create a cohesive look throughout your bedroom by investing in some luxurious drapes that match the rest of your bed linens. Hang them above or to the side of the window frame for a more dramatic look, or search for light-cancelling drapes if you like to sleep in on the weekends.
  4. Add extra storage. If your bedroom lacks a proper closet, add storage in creative places throughout the room to keep it feeling organized. Frame the bed with cubby-style shelves, or add drawers underneath for seasonal clothing.

3 Bedroom Décor Ideas [Real Simple]
23 Decorating Tricks for Your Bedroom [Real Simple]
20 Design Tips for Small Bedrooms [Sunset]
Bedroom Hotel-Style How To [DIY Network]

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