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
Using Sherwin-Williams 2018 Color of the Year
Recently, Sherwin-Williams announced the 2018 Color of the Year is Oceanside (SW 6496). Their decision was inspired by wanderlust, or the urge to travel and experience all of the beauty the world has to offer. Oceanside is a beautiful, opulent greenish-blue that will work well in a variety of mediums throughout your home. Discover how to incorporate 2018’s Color of the Year into your home design!
- Mix and match. Oceanside is a versatile color, which means it plays well with a plethora of other colors, from bright neon pinks to natural sandy beiges and desert taupes. Whether you’re looking to do a total room renovation or you’re simply looking to upgrade the color of your walls, it’s easy to pair Oceanside with your existing decor or whichever colors and textures you have laid out in your plans.
- Bring in the calm. Oceanside was chosen for the sense of wonder and adventure it evokes, but the cool undertones the color is based on, making it the perfect shade for living and bedrooms. The hue evokes a tranquil sense of peace, making you feel as though you’re relaxing in a watery oasis.
- Incorporate accents. If you’re not sold on Oceanside as a wall color, you can still utilize it throughout your decor. Find Oceanside chevron print curtains to pair with the neutral walls and dark furniture in your living room. Dress up a neutral couch with an Oceanside throw pillow or blanket. Incorporate the shade into your dining room tablescape with Oceanside flowers or a printed tablecloth. The possibilities are endless!
Use Oceanside in your home to remind yourself that adventure is out there. For more tips on using the Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year in your decor, contact Mary Paul, a Leander interior decorator.
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.
How To Remove Crayon From Surfaces
Is there a toddler running around your house? If the answer is yes, the chances of having a work of art drawn on your walls, flooring, furniture or clothing is rather high. Children like to express themselves in any way that they can – this includes using their art supplies on your home’s surfaces. In honor of National Crayon Month, we rounded up the best ways to remove crayon from surfaces around your home. just in case your child’s masterpiece ends up somewhere other than their paper.
Here’s how to remove crayon from the following surfaces:
- Walls: The experts of Englewood, FL painters recommend heating the crayon marks with a blow dryer. Next, use a wet, soapy wash cloth and scrub the surface. If this doesn’t work, make a paste of equal parts baking soda and water and scrub the stain with the paste. Another tried and true method is Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. Though it’s not DIY, it still works wonders and can be used on multiple surfaces and for various stains. Use with caution – scrubbing too hard can remove the paint from your walls.
- Hardwood Floors: There are a few solutions for removing crayon from hardwood floors. One option is to use mineral spirits. This is a type of solvent used for cleaning grease and grime, but it works well with crayons on hardwood floors, too. You can also use Goo Gone, which cleans up stains and sticky substances. If you don’t have mineral spirits or Goo Gone available, scrub the area with dishwashing detergent and water.
- Countertops: One of the easiest ways to remove crayon from your countertops is to spray an all-purpose cleaner on the stain and scrub away. Once again, warm water and dish soap or a Magic Eraser will also do the trick.
- Carpets: Start by removing crayon from your carpet by scraping off as much of the wax as you can. Follow that with a carpet cleaner. You can also place a paper towel over the stain and heat it with a blow dryer. Any spots that aren’t absorbed into the paper towel can be dabbed with hydrogen peroxide.
- Clothes: Similar to the carpet, first scrape off as much as you can. Then, throw the clothes in the wash on a high setting. If there’s an entire pile of crayon covered clothes, wash the load with hot water using laundry soap and one cup of baking soda.
- Furniture: As an interior decorator in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, Laura Maxwell has seen it all when it comes to furniture stains, particularly amongst families with young children. Like other fabric based surfaces, start with a scraping. Then make a mixture of dish soap and warm water. Use a brush to scrub the stain away.
When removing any crayon marking, make sure to test a small hidden space with your desired cleaning method to make sure it’s not going to further damage the surface. A little elbow grease goes a long way when removing crayons from surfaces. Most methods are DIY, saving you a fortune on home cleaning costs! Remember these tips the next time your child’s masterpiece ends up somewhere other than the drawing board.
How You Should Be Choosing Patio Furniture
No matter the season, having a place to sit and relax outside of your home has many benefits. You get to breathe fresh air, up your Vitamin D intake, reduce stress and generally feel happier. The patio is the perfect space to optimize for maximum outdoor comfort and pleasure. When designing your patio, there are few things to consider throughout the process. Furniture is at the top of that list! After all, it’s what transforms your patio into the ultimate place to relax. Here are tips on choosing patio furniture:
- Think about the elements. When purchasing patio furniture, keep Mother Nature in mind. Rain can cause metals like wrought iron to rust. Dry air can cause wood to splinter, and the wind can cause light items to blow away. To avoid these problems, consider your geographic area and the bones of the furniture you’re going to invest in, as well as any cushions or pillows. Look for fabrics that can withstand different weather conditions so you don’t always have to run outside and bring them into the house.
- Make sure it’s comfortable. There’s nothing worse than sitting down to unwind and not actually being able to because of the furniture. With that in mind, a good rule to follow is: make hard things soft. No matter what type of chairs, benches, or chaises you buy, get cushions to accompany them. Whether you’re lounging in the sun or enjoying a meal al fresco, you’ll want comfort to be a priority.
- Look for more possibilities. If you don’t have a garage, shed or room anywhere inside your house to store the furniture, think about ways the patio furniture itself can act as a storage unit. An easy solution is a bench or ottoman with a removable top. Inside you can store cushions and accessories when it’s raining or during the offseason. Place cushions on top and you have extra seating too!
- Don’t be afraid of color. While most of your chairs and tables will come in black, white or a neutral color, you can incorporate pops of color in the cushions, pillows, and rugs. Look for bright solids or fun patterns that go with the vibes of the rest of your home. You can also use the colors of the nature surrounding you to compliment the decor. Surrounded by greenery? Throw some red in the furniture. Is your view an ocean or lake? Nautical patterns are perfect!
- Invest in UV protection. Have you ever stepped outside for a moment only to wind up sitting out there for hours? In times like these, it’s easy to forget sunscreen. Make sure you invest in a sturdy umbrella or awning for those spontaneous moments or particularly sunny days. Even when it’s scorching outside, a little shade will go a long way.
Your patio is your outdoor oasis. When it comes to choosing your patio furniture, weather resistance and comfort are key factors to take into consideration. For more help designing your patio, contact Mimi Wilson, a Northern Virginia interior decorator.