Spring Home Decor

Spring is a time when the weather gets warmer, the flowers start to bloom, and we bring back the bright colors to decorate with in our home! There are tons of wonderful ways you can spruce up your home for the season, and bright colors are just the beginning. From storage solutions to wall decor and room accents, the possibilities are endless when it comes to spring home decor. Check out these fun ideas you can use in your home this spring. 

  • Spring Colors: A fresh pop of color is an easy way to bring a sense of joy into your home, right in time for spring! The expert painters in Greenville, SC recommend sticking to the lighter side of the color spectrum. Hues like blush pinks and pastels are a great choice and will blend well with neutral colors you have in your home like beiges and whites. Whether you paint an accent wall in one of these color options or simply include them in your decorative pieces, like cushions and throw blankets, adding pastel colors to your home will create a welcoming feel for any family or guests you entertain this spring.
  • Patterned Window Accents: Floral prints are a great way to add cheery vibes to any room in your home. Start with your drapery. Look for curtains in fun floral patterns to encourage positive, festive vibes throughout the room. The bright colors and busy patterns will bring a bit of the outdoors in, helping the room to feel more light and airy. If floral accents are too busy for you, consider less busy patterns that still feature exciting colors. You don’t have to go too bright with your choices, but you want to select a color or pattern that will elicit the happy feelings that come with the changes in weather and seasons, as well as dress up your space for spring.
  • Bring Nature Inside: The best parts of spring are the natural aspects, like blooming plants and flowers and plenty of sunlight. Embrace the season and bring these aspects indoors! Potted plants and flowers make great tabletop accessories, and you can add to these pieces to create a beautiful Easter dinner centerpiece. Simple potted flowers, such as tulips or daisies, bring a freshness to any room. For a more crafty idea, take a small birdbath and fill it with plants that are easy to maintain, such as moss and daffodils, for a miniature indoor garden.

The most important thing to remember about spring decor is to incorporate bright colors that are indicative of the natural beauty that comes with the season. Whether you freshen a room with a coat of paint or add simple accents to rooms throughout your home, let the season inspire your creativity and your home decor. For more spring decorating tips, contact the Valley Design Team, a group of Chagrin Falls, OH interior decorators

7 Quick & Easy Home Upgrades

Maintaining your home is one thing, but home improvement projects are important for retaining its value. Plus, upgrading your home helps to make it more aesthetically pleasing. While most of the time this is easier said than done, there are some quick fixes that you can work on to keep your home modern that won’t cost you a ton, brought to you by Amy Ahearn, a Williamsburg, VA interior decorator.

  1. Freshen up your paint. Repainting the walls in your house is a simple way to make your house appear more modern and lively that won’t break the bank.
  2. Pick up some new furniture. Simply getting rid of the old and incorporating new pieces into one or all of your rooms will make a huge difference in regards to how contemporary your home appears to be. Something as small as an ottoman can make all the difference.
  3. Invest in a smart thermostat. A programmable thermostat makes dealing with fluctuating weather throughout the seasons much more tolerable. Smart thermostats let you program your preferences – for instance, you can set a temperature but have it rise or lower based on the time of the day. If you’re in the market to sell your home, this small addition to your home makes it much more attractive to potential buyers.
  4. Add a backsplash to your kitchen. A backsplash can give your kitchen a more polished look. It also makes maintenance easier. If you spill anything on your walls while cooking or prepping food, cleanup on a tile backsplash will is a breeze when compared to trying to scrub down your bare walls.
  5. Install a low-flow showerhead. Low-flow showerheads are beneficial not to just the environment, but to your water bill as well. The flow rate is slower than standard showerheads, thus cutting back on how much water you are actually using. This leads to savings on your water bill each month!
  6. Create a landscape or garden. Whether you are looking to grow your own vegetables or just plant a few flowers, landscaping or gardening will help liven up your home’s outdoor appearance. In addition, gardening has proven to be great for relieving stress and clearing your head.
  7. Choose new window treatments. Adding new window treatments in your home is an easy way to revive the appearance of any room. With blinds, drapes, curtains, and shades to choose from, it’s easy to achieve the look you are going for in no time.

Follow these suggestions for a quick and easy way to revive your home this year! For more home improvement suggestions, contact the experts at CertaPro Painters of Southern New Hampshire.

Creating An In-Home Yoga Studio

If you need a place to practice your sun salutations but can’t always find time to make it to the studio, you may want to consider creating a space for yoga in your very own home. What could be better than a multi-functioning room where you can practice yoga, meditate, or just relax whenever you please? It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a trained yogi – the room itself will exude peace and simplicity. Here’s how to create an in-home yoga studio.

  • Choose the room. In order to get the most out of your practice, set up shop in a room that’s free of distractions. An empty, open space will allow you to keep a zen mindset while you go through your Vinyasas. If you don’t have a spare room available, use an area in your home where you can shift furnishings around. Maybe you have a walk-in closet capable of fitting a yoga mat, or maybe you can move a few pieces around in your home office. No matter where you find space in your home, ensuring you’re comfortable is essential.
  • Set the atmosphere. Adjustable lighting is paramount in any home yoga studio, according to Jennifer Jones, an interior designer in Conroe, TX. If the room features a window, let the natural light pour into the space. Use double bracket curtain rods so that you can hang sheer and room darkening curtains to control the light as needed. If the room you’re using as your studio is windowless, install a light dimmer so you can adjust the lighting. Another variable you’ll want to be in control of is the temperature. Some people love a hot yoga session, while others may want a breeze blowing through the window. Consider this factor when choosing your in-home studio.
  • Acquire the equipment. You can’t have a functioning yoga studio without the proper equipment. For starters, you’ll need a mat. If the room you chose is carpeted, you can place a wood board underneath your mat for a firmer surface. Use a yoga towel so you don’t slip and slide on your mat once in your in the thick of that day’s practice. You may also want to invest in blocks and straps to help stay grounded and with flexibility. Lastly, place a portable speaker in the room so you can do your flow with a yoga-inspired playlist.
  • Pick out the décor. Though minimalism is best in a yoga studio, there are ways you can add décor without going overboard. Choose elements that are going to jive with your vibe. If your practice focuses on meditation, hang tapestries on the walls and incorporate various candles and incense into your decor. If you enjoy checking your form while you practice, line one wall with mirrors. Color is another important consideration for your at-home yoga space. Lehigh Valley painters recommend soothing colors in shades of lilac, cerulean, or a vibrant white. If neutral is more your style, various shades of gray can create a tranquil yoga space.

It doesn’t take a lot to create your own yoga oasis. You can push aside furniture or create an entire studio –  when it comes to designing the space of your dreams, it truly comes down to your personal choices!

Interested in becoming a trained yoga therapist so you can help people right within your home (or their own)? Breathing Deeply offers yoga therapy classes to become a yoga therapist, where you can earn your certification to help those with chronic pain disorders, anxiety, depression, and more.

Home Upgrades: A Romantic Touch

Home upgrades are fun ways for individuals to add a personal touch to their home, which can vary based on a person’s style needs and preferences. At some point, however, we all long for a little bit of a romantic atmosphere within our home. From warm color options to simple accessories, check out these tips on how to add a little romance to your home decor. 

  • Roses are Red: With so many color options to choose from, it should be no surprise that one of the easiest ways to achieve the ideal mood and tone for your home is through a color scheme update! If you’re looking to build on a romantic setting in just one room, the expert Flower Mound painters recommend a simple upgrade to the color of your walls. Combine warm reds, soft pinks, and deep neutral beiges to enhance the atmosphere in the best way possible. Paint an entire room deep red to add warmth and comfort, or add in an accent wall to a dark beige color scheme for a fun pop of color that will make your heart flutter. Lighter colors, such as pinks and whites, can be added in as accents or within the furniture, such as through pillows or bedding.
  • Accent Your Heart Out: Accents are the most universal way to liven up any space. In the case of turning your room or home into a romantic getaway, the accents you choose must match this aesthetic. Sticking with the warm red, light pink and deep beige color scheme, look for accents that enhance this palette. Blankets and throws are a comfortable choice and, with the right material, provide a relaxing, snuggly option for watching a movie or reading a book. In addition, accents that offer an uplifting feeling to your sense of smell, such as candles or diffusers, will tie everything together from the moment you walk through the door. Scents such as lavender and jasmine are perfect for those relaxing thoughts and feelings after a long day.
  • Wooden Details: When you think ‘romantic’, the idea of wood doesn’t come directly to mind. However, worn wooden details will add an unexpected romantic touch to any home design. Find a chair with a carved wood back and add a whitewashed finish to achieve the worn look, which will be a conversation piece as well as a beautiful ‘antique’ looking seating option. Find antique wood pieces at thrift shops or yard sales that you can give new life to throughout your home design. Often, these types of furnishings are unique, amplifying their romantic qualities. 

 

Adding a romantic touch to your home doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. By finding a beautiful color option, including warm accessories, and customizing pieces to offer a more rustic look, you can turn your home into the romantic getaway you’ve been dreaming of!

For more help bringing romantic accents into your home, contact Sandra Burroughs and Allison Fikejs, Overland Park, KS interior decorators.

Creating A Budget A Home Improvement Project

Home renovations can be stressful, take more time to complete than you anticipate, and wind up costing you a fortune if you aren’t careful. To ensure that your home improvement project doesn’t become a money pit, it’s essential to create a plan before the remodeling begins. More importantly, you should come up with a budget. Not sure where to start? Here are tips on creating a budget for your next home improvement project.

  • Come up with an estimated figure. Imagine your dream renovation and how much it would cost. Now, come down to reality and decide where you’re going to begin. Will it be a single room? An entire floor? Just a paint job? If you can’t determine how big or small the renovation is going to be, work backward. Think of a dollar amount that makes sense for you to spend at this time – that will help you figure out what your priorities are.
  • Consider taking money from your savings or financing. Once you have a number you’re comfortable with, you must decide if you can afford to pay for the renovations out of pocket or if you need to finance the project. If you have the money saved and can pay with cash up front, that’s great- no interest! If you don’t have the money, talk to a financial advisor and decide what the best option is for you. The three most common borrowing options are: a cash-out refinance, a home equity loan, or a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Choose a plan that has a low-interest rate and one that you will be able to keep up with month-to-month.
  • Find a contractor that fits the scope of the project (and your budget). Now that you’re getting to closer to the number you are going to spend, it’s time to start getting quotes from contractors. When interviewing potential contractors, make sure they’re licensed, have reviews and references, and a portfolio of their work. With a contractor, the work will get done quickly and efficiently, but it will cost more than if you were to go the DIY-route. If the estimate prices you’re receiving seem outrageous, it may be smarter to do the work on your own.
  • Itemize what you need. Start from the beginning. What’s it going to take to complete this home improvement project? Create a spreadsheet and include everything from inspection costs to a roll of duct tape. When you have everything written down and in one place, it’s easier to see where your money is going. Whether you’ve hired a contractor or are doing it yourself, you should still create this list to keep your budget on track.

Is the home improvement you imagined bigger than what you can afford? Consider tackling a smaller portion of the project first like simply painting a room. You should also leave room for mistakes. You never know when an unexpected problem is going to occur or if something winds up costing you more than you had hoped. Leave room in the budget for these mistakes and you won’t be surprised along the way.

This post brought to you by Bohnne Jones, an interior decorator in Brentwood, TN.

Keeping Your Bathroom Organized In 2018

Picture your bathroom – the place where you clean and prepare yourself for everyday life – a place many homeowners tend to ignore on the list of “places to clean.” Many people’s bathrooms quickly become cluttered with hair product, makeup, razors, and bath toys in the blink of an eye. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get organized, take a look at these ideas to help remove and prevent clutter in your bathroom.

  • Under Sink Storage:  Many disregard the area right under the sink, considering it as a space that won’t quickly become cluttered due to the lack of space from plumbing.Many homeowners forget that there is still plenty of space there that can quickly fill up with cleaning, personal care products, and other bathroom accessories. To avoid clutter, install a shelf or pull-out bins for storing items. When you need something, you’ll be able to find it!
  • Wall Storage:  Never underestimate the power of wall space in your bathroom! Try adding a narrow cabinet above your sink to store washcloths, hand towels, and everyday toiletries. Medicine cabinets are a popular choice, as they often double as a mirror and serve as discreet bathroom storage. If you’re still in need of extra space, add shelving to your walls. Sleek, minimal and functional floating shelves provide the right amount of space without looking bulky. Storing your toiletries on exposed shelving has become a very popular trend, as long as you keep them organized! Use decorative baskets to disguise items usually left out in the open on shelves and a hamper for placing dirty towels or laundry clothes.  Don’t forget about the space above your toilet – take advantage of it by adding shelves or a small cabinet.
  • Tiered Storage:  Layering has become a popular trend within interior design. Try incorporating this trend into your bathroom with tiered towel rods or bath caddies. Instead of using a single towel rod, try using a tiered one that allows for variously sized towels to be stored in one place. For added storage, keep all of your shampoo bottles and soaps under control in one area of the shower with a tiered bath caddy. If you’ve utilized all of your wall space for storage, consider your bathroom door! Mount a towel rack over the door to hang robes and towels, or hang a shoe organizer to store various toiletries.

Whether you are a new homeowner or have lived at your residence for years, be aware of your bathroom and how quickly it can become cluttered. Maintain organization in your bathroom this year with these awesome tips!

Trending In Home Design: Barn Decor

The rustic barn look has become increasingly popular in home design. Homeowners in the city and beyond crave the welcoming country vibes this style gives off. Here’s how you can achieve this style in your home, no matter where you reside.

  • Play around with natural elements. The key to any rustic decor are the natural accents and features you incorporate into the room. Elements found in nature like stone, wood, leather, and linen, are utilized to give that comfortable, natural feel. Wood accents are a major component to any rustic home. Whether it’s wooden wall panels, hardwood floors, or exposed ceiling beams, the appearance of wood amplifies all that is warm and welcoming in modern farmhouse design.
  • Add a focal point. Barn doors are an extremely popular accent that homeowners want to feature in their farmhouse design. Install them as sliding doors to create room dividers or on larger walls to create the look of more depth. Barn doors can also be repurposed into coffee or end tables, chairs, or window shutters. Using this element as your focal point will tie the entire barn look together!
  • Accessorize with rural fundamentals. Accents are a homeowner’s best friend, particularly when it comes to barn décor. Compliment hardwood or stone floors with a woven rug. Dress your walls up with photos in frames made of reclaimed wood. Treat your windows with natural layered fabrics like canvas or cotton. Other accessories in fabrics like burlap and striped or checkered patterns make for great accessories that will give your home the feel of an old farmhouse.
  • Create harmony with color. Loud, vibrant colors aren’t used throughout barn house design. According to the color experts at Glenview painters, light neutrals like white, linen, cream, and beige create a backdrop that pairs well with the accessories and country-style elements incorporated into barn décor. Play around with variants of these colors, like caramel and cream, to bring even more warmth to your decor. Adding pops of color in shades of rust red or navy blue can tie the look together and add personality to the space.

Try something new in your home with these rustic barn looks. For all the best in home décor and design, stay tuned to Jaron’s Furniture blog.

Home Decor Ideas: Shelving

Looking to add depth to your home decor? Have an idea for a wall display but not quite sure how it should be organized? One of the most versatile ways to improve any room in your home is shelving. Whether you add floating shelves to a wall or incorporate a standing bookcase, there are many ways to dress up these displays in order to achieve your desired look. Here are some shelf styling tips that will help you organize and create a noteworthy layout.

  • Vary shelf heights. If you are adding shelves to a wall, make sure to vary their heights and locations. Having your shelves in a perfectly straight line is both boring and inefficient. When you place your shelves at differing heights, you are opening up the space for larger and more intricate pieces to be put on display; in comparison, having your shelves too close together limits your decorating options. There is no ‘set’ pattern for how shelves are supposed to look, but asymmetric arrangements offer a greater sense of balance than a calculated, equal visual.
  • Take pride in your display. It can be difficult to find the perfect object or item to put on display in your home, but creativity is key! Factor in your passions and interests when determining what to place on a shelf. If there is something you’ve been collecting for a while, a shelving arrangement is a perfect way to show it off. This is an opportunity to personalize your space and customize a display that allows others to enjoy the wonderful memories and experiences you and your family have created together.
  • Incorporate books. Regardless of the type of shelving you’re working with, books are a great way to add depth and layers to your design. A bookshelf is the simplest type of book display, as you can easily line them up in an organized manner. If you’re looking to mix it up, try organizing books by color instead of traditional methods, which makes for a visually pleasing array. With regards to other shelving styles, such as wall shelves or standalone options, adding books will create a sense of organization. Stack books on top of each other, or display them up and down, similar to a bookshelf style, for a unique display.

Shelves are a fun way to add variance throughout your house, and the styling methods you use should reflect your personal interests. Don’t be afraid to try something new and break away from familiar ideas! These tips are just a few ways you can put together a stunning shelf display, but always be open to new decorating suggestions.

For more shelving tips, contact C&J Interiors, Montgomery, TX interior decorators.

How To Use Oceanside In Your Home

Creating A Baby-Safe Playroom

When your baby gets old enough to move around on their own and decide which toys they’re going to entertainment themselves with, it’s time to designate a space in your home for them to play. Doing so will not only protect your baby from injury, but it will help keep your home organized as well. Here’s how you can transform a room in your home into the perfect play space for your baby.

  • Choose the right room. The ideal playroom will be in an area of your home that doesn’t have access to stairs. Designate a room on the ground floor to be the play space. This will serve as a catch-all for your baby’s toys, helping to keep the rest of your home organized, as well as a space you can dedicate time and resources to transforming into a neutral, baby-proof zone.
  • Keep furniture at a minimum. Furnishings should be as low to the ground as possible to avoid tipping issues. Many children can be injured or even killed in furniture tipping accidents. To ensure furniture never tips over, anchor large pieces to the wall with L-brackets. This will give the furniture the strength to withstand the weight of your child should they decide to climb the shelves or hang onto any ledges the furniture has. Find more information on anchoring furniture here. The less there is for your baby to bump, scrape, or bruise themselves against, the better!
  • Cover electrical outlets. You can use traditional plastic coverings or invest in the outlets that come equipped with the automatic coverings. Whichever route you take, these coverings will prevent your baby from sticking their fingers or unwanted objects into the outlets and causing electric shock.
  • Maintain cleanliness. A sanitary play space is a safe play space. Even a thin layer of dust can end up in your curious baby’s mouth. Clean the playroom on a regular basis, using microfiber cloths to wipe surfaces and vacuuming the floor to remove debris. Sanitize toys on the top rack of your dishwasher to remove any surface germs, especially after play dates.
  • Give your baby a soft landing. The flooring of your baby’s playroom should be carpeted. This is the softest surface for your baby to crawl, tumble, and occasionally topple over on. From broadloom to plush, you’ll find carpeting in a variety of styles and colors to match your existing home decor. If you prefer the look of hardwood, use foam mats and a baby gate to designate a safe, soft play area.
  • Always supervise. Whenever your baby is at play, an adult should always be present, whether it’s a parent, a responsible sibling, or babysitter. This will help ensure baby doesn’t get into anything they aren’t supposed to and limit their chances of climbing on furniture or playing with outlets.

With the right planning, designing a neat and stylish playroom that is safe for your baby is easy. For more decorating tips for your baby’s playroom, reach out to Janet Bertin, an Arlington interior decorator.