A little clutter goes a long way towards spoiling the beauty of your living space. So why not decorate your rooms while hiding away the mess? Here are eight charming storage container ideas that will solve your clutter problems, large and small.
Hand-Painted Wooden Chests
Ideal for storing clothes, shoes, toys and blankets, wooden chests are easy to find in craft stores, garage sales and flea markets. You can decorate a plain chest yourself using craft store stencils, which come in floral and curlicue patterns. Or write a child's name on his storage chest using an alphabet stencil.
Galvanized Buckets
You'll find cheap galvanized buckets at container and craft stores in a range of sizes. Store your garden tools to keep your shed tidy. Tuck away toys in a child's room. Keep rolled towels stacked upright in your bathroom. And in your kitchen use galvanized buckets to store onions, potatoes, or apples.
Wicker Baskets
You'll find a wide range of wicker basket styles and
...Read More »When the refrigerator stops cooling, the dishwasher stops washing, or the dryer stops drying, you have two choices: repair the existing appliance or buy a new one. The appropriate choice depends on a number of factors, each of which should be evaluated based on your unique circumstances.
Repair Easy Fixes
Our dryer went on the blink just a few months ago, and when I called a repairman friend, he informed me that the likely culprit was the heating element. Just $28.50 later, I had a running dryer again.
The problem, of course, is diagnosing the problem with a broken appliance. If you aren't familiar with how your freezer or dishwasher or water heater works, you might not be able to tell what exactly is broken. Fortunately, many repair companies will diagnose the problem for you. Then, after pricing the parts that need replaced, you can determine whether it is worth it to repair the damage.
Replace older appliances.
Just like computers and television sets, appliances a
...Read More »An accent wall is the focal point of a room. This is usually the wall our eyes are drawn to when we first enter a room. The most common way to highlight an accent wall is to paint it in a bright, bold or contrasting color to the other walls in the room. However, there are many different ways to decorate an accent wall. Here are some more ideas.
1. Choose a wall with a unique feature. Most rooms have at least one wall with some sort of architectural feature, such as a picture window, a fireplace or an archway. Showcase this feature by surrounding it with an accent color or an interesting material, such as tile or brick.
2. Go for an element of surprise. An accent wall doesn't have to be the most obvious wall in a room. Do you have a recessed niche? Accent that area with a contrasting color; brighten a dark corner with something colorful.
3. Paint with a color that really pops. It can be something bold--lime green, for example. Or, it could be a rich burgundy. Just make sure
...Read More »As quickly as Christmas morning flies by, that's how fast summer vacation seemed to go this year. Usually I don't mind, since summer can be exhausting with three young children. But suddenly, back-to-school gear's out and it's time to start thinking about fall again, and I'm not quite ready. Don't let summer days and nights go by without a celebration. Before the leaves start to fall, get that backyard ready for the perfect end-of-summer barbeque.
Consider a new grill.
Our grill is falling apart after 10 years, but we never think to replace it until the start of summer, when everyone is out purchasing their grill. Instead, purchase yours as summer draws to a close, where stores don't want to store the item for next year's summer season. Look for sales and you'll be able to get just what you want to barbeque your way out of the summer and into the fall. Your guests will love their burgers, hot dogs, and Italian sausage straight off your brand-new grill.
Examine the state of
...Read More »Ever wonder what makes those designer rooms look so good? It's not always the expensive furniture or the brilliant vintage finds. It's the little touches that a designer adds that elevate a regular room to the living spaces you see on the pages of glossy home magazines.
Here are some easy ways you can dress your rooms for success:
Look for the focal point. If a room has a fireplace, a stunning view or large bookcase, build your layout around it. If there is no natural focal point, pick out a spectacular piece of artwork or a dramatic piece of furniture. Arrange the future around the focal point. You want your guests to see what you've decided should catch their eye.
Pillows come in pairs. Having one pillow in each corner of the couch or cropped up against a chair seems like something is missing. Use two pillows in different patterns, colors or textures. Balance is extremely important, when it comes to pillows, chairs, and table lamps.
...Read More »Embrace whites and neutrals. You simply can't go wr
It is sometimes the smallest detail that sets apart a kitchen design. Choices in appliance finishes, cabinet doors, and backsplash materials are all important, but if you neglect smaller areas, your kitchen can feel unfinished. So when it comes to cabinets, cupboards, and drawers, which is best: knobs or handles?
Advantages of Cabinet Knobs
Knobs are classic and elegant. They are easy to install and available in a wide range of styles and finishes. They are the most common pulls for kitchen cabinets, so the greater selection provides homeowners with a better chance of finding the ideal style.
One of the main advantages of knobs in the kitchen is the single attachment point. Knobs use one screw to fix them to the cabinet or drawer, which means fewer holes than if you were using handles.
Furthermore, knots are easier to install because of that single attachment point. The installer doesn't require a lever or other device to ensure that two holes are properly aligned. For
...Read More »It's late summer and your house is in desperate need of a pick-me-up. How do you decorate the home this time of year? This is the time when summer is nearly over, but it isn't quite autumn yet. So, do you decorate early with fall accents, stick with summer hues or just leave your house as it is until autumn finally arrives? Try some of these decorating tips for your home when we are in-between seasons.
1. Decorate with yellow during any season. You don't need much--a little yellow will go a long way. Recently, I placed a cream candle with a spring of yellow flowers on my dining table. It is small, simple, but it provides a cheery pop of color to the otherwise-drab dining room.
2. Bring a little glamour to any room. Something sparkly, for example, freshens and brightens the bedroom, or even the bathroom, but it doesn't necessarily represent either summer or autumn (or any other season, for that matter). A simple silver picture frame amongst darker, earthier colors creates drama.
...Read More »
