Tag: home tips

Posted on

Home Tips: Brighten The Mood During Winter

Just because residents of the Los Angeles and the Valley don’t have to winterize their homes against ice storms and nor’easters doesn’t mean the season can’t take a toll. For one thing, nothing saps the soul like shortened, grey days – especially when you’re accustomed to the blazing sun and blue skies. With a few weeks of winter left, here are some simple steps you can take around the home to keep winter gloom at bay as we all await brighter days ahead.

COLOR CORRECT

Switching up the palette of your home – from the walls and furniture to the window coverings and artwork – is a sure-fire way to jolt you out of a wintery-funk. Try coordinating the color of the space with its function. For example, add bright reds or yellows to active rooms like the kitchen. Conversely, warm tones of green or blue in the bedroom should soothe you to sleep.

LIGHTEN THINGS UP

When sunlight is spare, make sure you make the most of it. Ditch dark window coverings and blinds for clear, pale ones, keeping them open for as long as possible. And when night falls early, flip a switch. Make sure you have enough lamps and internal lighting to illuminate your surroundings. Just because it’s dark outside doesn’t mean you have to live in darkness.

MAKE IT PERSONAL

While decluttering always feels satisfying, don’t store away the things you love. Instead, display them in prominent places where they can bring into focus what you’re most proud of and what you’ve accomplished in life. Cherished memories and possessions with sentimental value can generate positive feelings as powerfully as unvarnished sunlight.

TAKE A LOOK IN THE MIRROR

We all remember the question: “Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?” But as a decorative choice, mirrors aren’t about vanity at all. Rather, they act to play tricks with light: reflecting what little there may be, as well as creating the illusion of greater space. You’d be surprised at how much brighter and bigger a room feels when you add a mirror to it.

EXPLORE WINDOWS

A little (or a lot of) glass cleaner can go a long way in illuminating your home. Wipe them down and watch the sunlight pour in without dirt, dust, and grime muddying the way.

POWER DOWN BEFORE YOU GO TO BED

Nothing makes you feel like you can tackle the world like a good night’s rest. One simple way to help you sleep? Keep the personal electronics out of the bedroom. (We said it was simple, not necessarily easy.) Embracing your sleeping space as a technology-free zone will let your mind unwind. And yes, that includes avoiding watching TV before your head hits the pillow.

Posted on

Home Tips: Hosting a Housewarming Party

Hosting a housewarming party is a great way to bring your friends and family together for a few hours of laughing, eating, and drinking while showing them your new digs. Below are a few tips and tricks to set you up for success in hosting a housewarming extravaganza.

Figure out how much you want to spend

Before you make any decisions about your housewarming party, you need to know how much money you have to work with. Don’t feel any sort of obligation to spend big—a great housewarming party can be a totally casual affair. Most important is knowing what you’re comfortable spending, be it $50 or $500. From there, you can dive into all of the other details.

Set a reasonable date

Many people wait a few months in-between moving into their new home and throwing a housewarming party. Planning a housewarming party on a budget is all about working within parameters that you’re comfortable with. That applies to timing as much as money. Figure out a date that will give you enough time to recover financially from the move, letting go of the pressure to do it within the first month or two of settling in.

Be realistic

Party planning usually starts out with grand ideas that gradually get edited into something more reasonable. That’s totally okay! Nobody is going to come in expecting a Pinterest-worthy soiree or something out of the pages of Martha Stewart Living. Set realistic goals for your housewarming party and don’t worry about meeting some sort of idealistic, unnecessary standard.

Use washable plates and utensils

It’s always tempting with a party to go the easy route and purchase paper plates and plastic utensils, but ultimately that just ends up being a waste of money. Use your own plates, utensils, glasses, etc. instead, which will cost you in time when you eventually have to do the dishes, but won’t put a hole in your wallet. If you’re planning to have more people than kitchen items, go out and buy special hosting plastic plates and cups instead of paper, since they can be washed a reused – keep the environment in mind.

Play games

If you want to offer a little bit more in terms of entertainment, create your own free housewarming party games, like a scavenger hunt of items in the house, trivia about your town or city, the in-app game: heads up, or a scramble with words related to your new place. You can find game printable online or just make your own.

Congrats on your new home! Hopefully, these tips and tricks help keep you organized during a time a transition!

Posted on

Home Tips: Organizing Into the New Year

Home Tips: Organizing Into the New Year

Each New Year inspires resolutions of change and growth with organization of life at the top of mind. Start gradually with attainable intentions, and eventually you will find yourself in an organized oasis of a life. Check out our tips below! 

USE A CALENDAR

Create calendar reminders to stay organized important events, appointments, anniversaries and birthdays ahead of time to prepare. You can even use a datebook to avoid overbooking yourself!

DE-CLUTTER

Everything has a home, including you! Find a place to designate items to maintain cleanliness in your space. Anything without a place to be can be donated to your community.  

COLOR-COORDINATE

When choosing baskets, bins, and buckets for organizing, choose similar colors to the style of each room for a clean, consistent look throughout. use this tip to organe your closet for further color coordination.

UPDATE FILING SYSTEM 

Start small! organize files with broader file names, store old files, and have copies of important documents prepared.

STAY ON TIME

Allow extra time for appointments and events requiring travel. You can also set your clocks at home a few minutes faster to stay ahead all year long!

USE CHECKLISTS

Life gets busy! organize checklists by type. errand checklist in the car, a morning checklist, what to get at the grocery store, etc. Keep them on your phone or computer to avoid losing your sticky note!

MONITOR SPENDING 

Create a budget and stick with it. Stay on top of organizing your bills with calendar reminders, and mark them as they are paid. Don’t forget about automatic withdrawals!

Posted on

Home Tips: 3 Design Tips To Maximize A Small Space

Looking for ways to get creative with a small space in your home? Low on square footage and just want to find ways to make your space feel big? Don’t worry, we have some solutions for you!

Choose an ideal paint color

Being thoughtful in your paint choices is very important! Traditional colors like white, cream, and light gray are great choices and will instantly give the impression of more space. These colors will provide a clean look and will make your room feel more expansive.

You can also create a visual openness overhead by simply painting the ceiling white. You’ll have a welcoming space in no time!

In addition to the traditional colors, you can also go bold with dark colors. Highlight a small room by making a cozy-like environment with navy, black, and dark gray colors.

Get creative with storage

Small spaces hardly come with great storage. Creating clever storage solutions can help keep clutter out of sight. The kitchen is one place you can get clever with when it comes to storage. Hang wine glasses beneath your cupboards. Keep cleaning supplies out of sight by attaching holders to the backs of cabinet doors. Consider an adjustable cooking area with roll-away islands and pantries.

Consider multitasking furniture

When your floor space is limited, it’s important to choose furniture that have multiple functions. Consider pieces that have hidden storage or that you can store when not in use. For example, if you can’t fit a dresser in your bedroom, try adding crates under the bed for clothing. An ottoman is also a great piece that can easily transition to a bench or even a coffee table. Limited space doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. With creative solutions, you can go from a cramped space to an inviting space with room for all.

 

Posted on

Home Tips: Protect Your Home While Out of Town

Protecting your home while on vacation is just as important as protecting the items you bring with you. This must-read guide will help keep your home safe! To fully enjoy your trip, plan appropriate home security and maintenance with this checklist. Of course, it is impossible to cover all the bases as life is unpredictable, but at least you can leave town knowing you did all that you could.

Get a Home Monitoring System

Home security is absolutely essential and there are many options (varying in cost) to choose from, so make sure you opt for one that fits your home/ needs. Some home security systems allow you to view live video remotely from your phone, so you are able to see what’s happening in real-time. This small investment is well worth your peace of mind!

Leave a key with a friend or family member

While you can put a hold on newspapers and mail (which you should do), you can’t predict when random flyers or forgotten Amazon orders will be left at the front door. By having a trusted friend or family member stop by every day or two, you can avoid unexpected deliveries being left out. This trusted individual can also maintain your normal routines such as watering plants, bringing trash cans to the curb, etc.  Don’t forget to compensate them with love and appreciation for their help!

Install an outdoor sensor light

It’s simple install for those of you who aren’t tech-savvy, and you can pick one up on Amazon for less than $20. Motion-sensor flood lights prove to be useful year-round for general home security whether you’re home or not, and often are equipped with technology to have them turn off and on at certain times of the day.

Disconnect your garage door

It’s no secret that technology can be easily hacked, especially by more experienced or motivated criminals. Garage door openers (depending on what brand they are) can sometimes be opened by universal remotes. Yep, you read that correctly. You must be proactive! Disengage your garage door opener and opt for a manual lock.

Advertise Your security

Having a security system will most definitely deter burglars, so advertise it! Post these stickers near your most obvious and accessible entry points like your front and back door, as well as side doors off your garage. You can even buy a pack of stickers online (Amazon has many options) if you haven’t been able to implement your security system before your next trip.

Use lights to create the illusion that someone’s home

Darkness is another trademark of an empty house — it also allows thieves to sneak in undetected. Nix that vulnerability by leaving a few lights on. Better yet, use motion detector lights to illuminate any intruders, or opt for smart lighting so you can set the lights to a timer and control them remotely.

Don’t broadcast your plans online

One of the most popular green lights for those savvy burglars are social media. Yes, you read that correctly. Avoid posting about your vacation on social media until after you return (make sure your kids avoid doing so as well). By sharing travel plans, you’re advertising that your house will be empty. You can never be completely sure who sees that information, especially if you have many followers or a public profile.

Adjust the thermostat

Adjust the thermostat to prevent the HVAC system from needlessly heating or cooling empty rooms. Programmable smart thermostats make this a lot easier, and you can remotely adjust them to comfortable temperatures for when you get back.

 

Posted on

Home Tips: Incorporate Pantone’s Color of the Year in Your Home

The “it” color of the year has been announced, and it is Pantone 19-4054. Otherwise known as… Classic Blue. Classic Blue is a color that is both genderless in look and seasonless in endurance. It is a color that we respond to viscerally as being trustworthy. Because of this, it is the ideal color to incorporate into any home renovations, home re-designs, and more in 2020. Check out a few ways to include Pantone’s color of the year in your home!

Paint an Accent Wall

A fun thing to do every few years is spruce up the color energy your home creates. Classic Blue is a great choice of an accent wall color because of it’s tradition and elegance. Unexpectedly, it is an incredibly bold color as well.

Get a new couch

How long have you had the couch that is currently sitting in your living room? Is it time for a new one? If so, this Classic Blue couch is incredibly clean and inviting. Your living room will be sure to include an everlasting impression on your guests.

Add a rug into the mix

Whatever decor you currently have in your home, a rug will always tie in the furniture in any given room. Elevate your home with a Classic Blue rug that even your furry friends will love!

Get Crafty through Art

Include pops of Classic Blue through prints on your home’s gallery wall. If you do not already have a gallery wall, this is the perfect chance to incorporate Classic Blue in your home. For those of you who already have a gallery wall, switch out the prints that are currently in the frames to inject creative confidence onto your wall.

Pops of color through statement pieces

If you can’t commit to painting a wall, or purchasing new furniture, you can purchase Classic Blue decor like flower vases, pillows, etc. This way you can incorporate the “it” color of the year without commitment. Transform your space through creating unique color combinations and tonal statements by intertwining Classic Blue with pieces you already own.

 

 

Posted on

Home Tips: Level Up Your Holiday Door Decor

Holiday door decor is not necessarily at the top of your list of things to decorate during the holidays.  However, a well put together door speaks volumes to those who pass it by. There is some sort of energy influence that a well-decorated doorway has over those who acknowledge it.  Using decorations like wreaths, garlands, lights and decorative window art will have your whole neighborhood in awe. There’s no better way to welcome family and friends to your home this season.

Frost The Glass

Visitors will be in awe of these instant etchings – vines and fauna. As intricate as it looks, this artwork is easy to create! Start by printing out a template of choice, which comes in sections, onto paper. Trace onto the back of white vinyl using transfer paper, cut out designs with scissors, and align to form the larger design. Static holds the pieces in place on a glass or mirrored surface without the need for adhesive, so you can reuse this snowy silhouette for years to come. Talk about eco-friendly.

Dazzle with Evergreen Stars

Think of the front exterior of your home as a blank canvas. Pictured here, these eight-point stars are staggered, making the front door its focal point. Evergreens are formed on simple bases made from wooden strips; using varieties like rosemary, juniper, cedar, boxwood or white spruce. (Tip: When choosing cuttings, opt for cedar, which can withstand wintry weather). You can also gather trimmings from your backyard.

Keep it Pretty and Practical

Even the smallest front porch and its door can be an efficient use of space. On this front porch are the most important items: sturdy boots, firewood, extra pinecones, and moss for the weekend projects. The lush wreath requires no complicated tools for assembly – just floral shears and wire.

Upcycle Your Treasures

Among all the holiday guests who come flocking to your door, none are as charming as the feathered ones who already inhabit your backyard. An idea that caters to them is easy: Prop a weather-worn basket onto the door with a bundle of greenery and perhaps a pinecone or two coated with peanut butter as a special treat for the birds? Sit back with a cup of hot chocolate and watch the show from your window.

Add Greenery and Shine

Wreaths are considered the darling of any front door, but why not exaggerate its grandeur with a trailing greenery of laurel branches and silver baubles. For a cohesive look, you can enliven an urn or potted planter that’s empty for the winter with any leftovers of laurel and a gazing ball.

Invite Familiar Characters

Charm and tradition go hand in hand for the holiday season. At this holiday open house in Wilmington, North Carolina, the front door is decked out in merry red and green colors. On either side: ribbon-tied topiaries with poinsettias, glass lanterns and a larger-than-life Nutcracker standing at attention.

Craft a Whole New World

The most well-decorated front door offers your house guests a few telling clues about what awaits them inside. Outside, a welcoming sight of mushrooms, woodland gnomes and bottlebrush animals greet those who approach to enter.

Get the Party Started

If you’re playing hostess to a crowd, here’s a sweet idea to greet your guests: roll out a bar with your signature cocktail and a few decorative elements. At this whimsical holiday party, a life-size Nutcracker stands nearby, offering a fun photo-opp as people enter the party. And if you didn’t the transformative power of paint, just check out that cotton-candy pink hue.

***Most of these projects have an added advantage: the structural underpinnings can be saved and reused. After the holidays, you can dismantle the displays, discard the faded greenery and save the base decoration. Next year, when winter returns once more, you can unpack your creations and dress up your doorway for the holiday season. Ideas sourced from Martha Stewart.

Posted on

Home Tips: Easy Decoration Ideas That’ll Holiday Up Your Home

This holiday season, consider these charming touches when decking out your own halls. Classic in inspiration and modern in execution, they bring cheer to nearly every room in the house and are as easy to implement as one, two, three.

Cue the Conifers

Make your mantel look amazing with a colorful assortment of vintage and inexpensive evergreens. The bottle-brush variety are readily available online and at craft stores; the miniature ones were plucked from a model train set. Votives make the snow-dusted landscape sparkle.

Jingle all the Way

To make comings and goings much more festive, gather a variety of craft-store bells and string them onto two loops of wire. Mold them into a cluster shape, twist the ends of the loops together and tie a big bow. Hang the ornament from a doorknob with a piece of cord.

Fake a Flame

Enjoy candlelight without the fire hazard by placing LED votives on windowsills, mantels, and stairs!

Stock up on Stockings

Nope, they’re not just for kids. These John Robshaw beauties add texture and color to any space and can be put to new use. Fill sachets with fallen pine needles, tuck them inside the stockings and perfume your home in a stealth way.

Go out with a Bang

Christmas crackers date back to mid-19th– century Great Britain. These crackers are prettily wrapped cylinders that hold tiny gifts and emit a loud pop when pulled apart. Place a pile in a bowl by your front door and send guests home with a jolly, fun party favor.

Spread the Love

Rather than tucking mistletoe in a doorway, make family meals warn and fuzzy with an overhead centerpiece. Wrap wreath frame with fresh eucalyptus and faux mistletoe (toxins in the real berries can harm kids and pets) and attach ornaments with floral wire.

Light the Way

To set up this modern menorah, arrange eight bud vases in a row, with a taller one in the middle, and place tapers inside. For added stability, put a bit of candle glue in the bottom of each vase. Post-holiday repurpose the vessels for greenery or small garden clippings.

Count Down TO HOLIDAY OF YOUR CHOICE

The whimsical Advent calendar comes together in a few basic steps. First, paint a two-by-four foot pegboard slat; let dry overnight. Using stencils, craft paint and a brush or sponge, paint the numbers you would need on muslin gift bags; let dry overnight.

The next day, evenly space small wooden pegs in the board; fill the bags with little toys, candy and handwritten messages and hang the bags in order. Then, just place it on a console table or ledge, lean it against the wall (or mount it, if you have small children), and let the anticipation build to your favorite holiday.

**IDEAS Sourced from MarthaStewart.com
Posted on

10 Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Home

Now that spring is officially here the time to tidy up around the home has also arrived. As cliche as it sounds to “Spring Clean” there is no better time to clean house and spruce up in and around your abode. That’s why we have rounded up 10 of the best tips to clean your home for the Spring Equinox!

 Bye, Bye Dust Bunnies!

  • Use a sticky lint roller to clean dirt and pet fur off the lower parts of drapes. For a deeper clean, take the drapes down, remove the hooks and run them through an air-fluff cycle in the dryer with a damp towel for 15 minutes. Rehang immediately after.
  • Dust blinds often with a microfiber cloth, swiping left to right and blade by blade from top to bottom on each window.
  • Spring is allergy season so dust end tables and shelves in your home thoroughly to keep allergies at bay.

The Rinse Cycle

  • Wash out trash cans. To really clean garbage cans, spray them thoroughly with a hose and then dump the water out. Afterwards use a disinfectant spray on the inside, then scrub the trash can with a handled brush and rinse it out again. Leave the trash can upside down to thoroughly dry.

Kitchen Kleanse

  • To clean glass, chrome or steel appliances, fill a spray bottle with a mixture of 50 percent rubbing alcohol and 50 percent water. Then use a dry cloth to polish and clean the surfaces to remove spots and fingerprints.
  • The refrigerator can become an unexpectedly cluttered place. Organize it once it’s had a thorough cleaning. Keep highly perishable food front and center and sort the longer-lasting ingredients and toppings by category.

 Scrubba-Dub the Tub

  • Maintain the tile surfaces of your bathroom, especially the shower by spraying the surface with generous amounts of cleaner. Allow the cleaner to sit while cleaning the rest of the bathroom, then go back to start scrubbing. If the grout is dirty with mold or mildew, make a paste of washing soda and peroxide to deep clean and disinfect.

Bedhead

  • On average we spend about 3,000 hours a year in our beds, almost the equivalent of four months to be exact! With that in mine, keeping our mattresses clean is as easy a flip of a coin. Rotate your mattress a few times a year and vacuum the surface. Afterwards sprinkle a mixture of baking soda and a few drops of essential oil. Let the mixture sit for a couple hours then vacuum the mixture away.

Office Space

  • Spend the day getting your files organized and space decluttered. Aside from going through papers on your desk, you should also take the time to back-up files on external or cloud devices so they’re secured. Have a lot of documents to toss? Make sure to shred anything personal before throwing it in the bin!

Outside and over Yonder

  • Cleaning your outdoor furniture is incredibly simple, but easily forgotten. While the rain can wash away some dirt and pollen, a thorough wipe down with a mild detergent goes a long way. Make sure to check your furnitures manufacture guidelines if a special care routine is required.

 

 

 

 

Posted on

10 Simple Curb Appeal Secrets

Boost your home’s curb appeal without draining your wallet. These simple, budget-friendly fixes—like adding a wreath, painting the front door, or tending to the landscape—will make your home look like a million bucks.

Refresh a Planter

Pay attention to your planters. Add character and interest to your home by planting flowers in salvaged or repurposed containers, like barrels, birdbaths, and wheelbarrows. Look for inspiration in items you already own and at flea markets.

Have a Seat

Seating can add major curb appeal without much cash. Look for something simple and eye-catching, like a pair of chairs found on Craigslist or a repurposed wooden bench. Add color with cushions and bright pillows—just be sure to use durable, weather-resistant fabrics.

Lantern Light

 

Flea market finds—like these majestic lanterns—add rustic beauty at little cost. Keep your eyes open at thrift stores, flea markets, and garage sales for statement pieces that can flank a front porch.

Add a Wreath

Wreaths aren’t just for the holidays. Dress up your front door year-round with wreaths in a variety of fun textures and designs. Snag decor at a discount by planning ahead and buying items well in advance. Fall wreaths, for example, go on sale in November and December, so buy at a reduced price, then store until September rolls around.

Keep It Bright

Make a statement with a colorful front door. A fresh coat of paint can work wonders on any surface, and a bright hue ensures that your home will stand out in a sea of neutral colors. Simple materials you likely already have on hand—paint, primer, and brushes—keep costs low.

Light It Up

Warm lights and lanterns give off a homey vibe without much effort. You likely already have some sort of porch lighting, but consider adding a spotlight on a favorite tree or lanterns along a walkway.

Simple Symmetry

Symmetry is pleasing to the eye, but it can be difficult to obtain in home design—especially if your home wasn’t built with balance in mind. Capture the effect without a remodel by creating a symmetrical front porch or walkway. Matching potted plants flanking a set of stairs or identical rocking chairs on each side of your front door will do the trick.

Build Character

High-end curb appeal lets your home stand out—in a good way. The key is to play to your home’s strengths and architecture. If you’re on a budget, pick one feature to home in on—like shrubbery, lighting, or the front door—and make it the focal point of your exterior.

Courtesy of: Better Homes & Gardens
Proudly powered by WordPress