Must-Have Decor for a New Home
Spring and summer are peak moving seasons, as millions of people find themselves taking advantage of the warmer months to move into their new apartment or home. If you are one of those people, decorating your new space may seem like an intimidating task, especially when it’s on top of the arduous moving process. If you don’t know where to start with decorating, read on to discover seven must-have decor items for a new home.
Wall art
Artwork truly speaks to your tastes and preferences and makes for excellent decor. You may choose to create a gallery wall with your framed art or decide to make one painting or photo the centerpiece of a room. Don’t shy away from statement pieces or different textures, such as a woven piece or metalwork. These types of art add dimension and visual interest to your space.
Mirrors
Mirrors are an excellent decor choice if you don’t have any wall art or cannot find any that fit your style or budget. They brighten up dreary spaces by reflecting light and can make small spaces appear larger than they are. You don’t even have to hang a mirror for it to make a statement; mirrors propped up against a wall look just as stylish. Depending on the frame, a mirror can fit into an assortment of different styles, such as modern, vintage, or eclectic.
Window treatments
Most people would agree that a room seems cold and incomplete without window treatments. Drapes and curtains are a vital addition to any room and can really tie a space together. You can be bold with your window treatments and choose bright colors or patterns, or keep it neutral and let the room speak for itself. Be sure to consider lighting when choosing window treatments, as thicker drapes will not let in as much light as thinner curtains.
Rugs
Rugs can cover any floor you’re not crazy about and add style to boot. If you choose a colorful rug, the tones can provide inspiration for the rest of the room’s color palette. When all of your colors complement each other, your space will feel cohesive and put together. Rugs can also make your home feel cozier, especially if your flooring is stone or tile.
Throw pillows and blankets
Throw pillow and blankets instantly make a room feel more welcoming and intimate. Blankets add texture to your space, while pillows can add color and visual interest. A Prospect, KY, interior decorator recommends purchasing different covers for your pillows so your decor never remains stagnant and can be switched out depending on the season and your preferences.
Light fixtures
Good lighting is critical for any living space. You don’t have to match every light source in every room completely; choosing complementary styles and finishes works beautifully. When choosing light fixtures, try to vary between floor lamps, table lamps, and overhead lighting. Lighting at various levels and locations throughout the room will help create an evenly lit space that looks cohesive and well designed.
Trays and baskets
Trays and baskets are a must-have for creating an organized and beautiful space. Trays can be placed on any table to hold items. Think at the front door for keys or on top of a coffee table for magazines and books. Baskets provide space for bulkier items, such as blankets and board games. With less clutter, your home will feel more spacious and visually pleasing.
Decorating can seem overwhelming, especially when moving into a new space. Use these must-have items as a guide, and your home will be well on its way to looking its best.
How to Style Your Coffee Table
Coffee tables are one of the unsung heroes in any living area. While immaculately decorated coffee tables are frequently pictured on our social media feeds, the reality is that they are often strewn with cups and forgotten magazines. Read on for tips on how to elevate your coffee table from simple to sophisticated.
Keep function in mind
When decorating your coffee table, it is essential to keep in mind how you use it. After all, a perfectly stylized coffee table is useless if you can’t utilize it in the way you want. Do you tend to set your drink on the coffee table? Do you sit at the table to do work? Do you actually flip through and read the books you have displayed? Do you enjoy using it as a surface to play games with friends and family? Keep all this in mind when styling your coffee table so that it remains usable.
Stacking knick-knacks
If you are caught between displaying books or knick-knacks on your coffee table, you need not choose between the two. Placing small decor items on top of two to four stacked books allows for a stylish way to show off both. Stacking also provides visual interest, especially if your coffee table setup was mostly flat. You can stack candles, vases, and other small items to complete the look.
Keep it organized
Coffee tables often feel like the focal point of clutter in living areas, but it doesn’t have to be that way. First, take stock of what is currently on your coffee table and get rid of any books you don’t want or magazines that are well past their relevant date. Once you’re left with the items you want to keep on display, a Pasadena, MD, interior decorator recommends using decorative trays to keep things organized. Depending on the tray’s size, you can place remotes, coasters, or books inside, minimizing the appearance of clutter.
Experiment with shape and size
While there is nothing wrong with a simple coffee table stacked with a book or two, it provides little visual interest. Consider decorating your coffee table with items of varying height, shape, texture, and size. This can look like a tall plant flanked by flat stacks of books or a ceramic bowl paired with potted plants. Varying the shape and size of the items on your coffee table will help your decor feel more dynamic and visually appealing.
Make it personal
Since people tend to gather around a coffee table, it presents the perfect opportunity for you to add a few conversation starters. Instead of displaying curated decor, consider using one of your own collections or personal items. Some examples include shells from a beach vacation or other trinkets from your travels. This way, your coffee table decor is one of a kind and perfectly unique.
Reclaim your coffee table! Long gone are the days where your coffee table serves as a catch-all for your cups, keys, and mail. If you follow the tips above, you can style a coffee table that reflects your interests and taste, while still leaving space for you to rest your coffee in the morning.
Ideas for Your Kid’s Playroom
If you’re stuck at home and find yourself at your wit’s end trying to entertain your child, you’re not alone. Millions of parents now find themselves juggling the roles of teacher, entertainer, and parent alongside their own work responsibilities. If you want to keep your child distracted for longer, consider revamping their playroom. Read on to discover the best ideas to improve your kid’s playroom.
Make storage a priority
If you are working with a small space, finding places to fit all of your child’s belongings might be a challenge. Vertical cubbies on the wall work well because they don’t take up too much room and allow your child to see the toys without rummaging through a storage bin. You can even add fitted containers or bins to your cubbies to make it look neater. An Ankeny, IA, interior decorator recommends utilizing furniture that doubles as storage space — such as seats or benches — to optimize your space.
Weigh your wall options
Bright colors are a great addition to any child’s playroom, especially when you don’t have to commit to repainting the walls. Decals provide an easy way to add individuality and fun to your child’s playroom. You can choose a single sticker of your kid’s favorite movie character or a pattern that serves as a wallpaper (think: crowns for a princess fan). If you have a child who is notorious for writing on the walls, consider painting one wall with chalkboard paint. This will allow your budding Picasso to draw on the wall while saving you hours of frustration and cleaning.
Reel in reading
A playroom can serve as your child’s space to have fun as well as a place to wind down. Encouraging your child to read in between all the fun gives them time to calm down and gives you a break from any potential noise. You can create a special corner just for reading. Consider adding new shelves to house all of their favorite stories. If that’s not possible, simply add a comfortable cushion in your reading nook and place a couple of books beside it.
Include your child in the design
Most children have artwork that they would love to see on display. An easy way to showcase their art is to use it as decor in the playroom. Frames are relatively cheap, and it is easy to change out the designs as your child grows and creates more. You can forego a frame altogether and opt to hang wire or string and clip up your child’s artwork for a budget-friendly option. Including your child’s artwork is a personal touch that will make your child feel that the room is their special place.
Cultivate craftiness
Most kids enjoy working on art projects filled with glitter, glue, macaroni, and the like. If you have a crafty kid on your hands, consider dedicating a space to their crafts. A low table provides an excellent spot for your child to work on any art project or puzzle. While there are special tables designed for children, a coffee table also works fine since it is low enough to the ground. Keep labeled containers of supplies so your crafty kid knows where things are and can work on their projects without asking for help. It’s a good idea to avoid rugs around your craft area, as glue and sparkles can get stuck and be difficult to remove.
We may be inside, but that doesn’t mean your kid cannot have fun. Follow the tips above, and you can create a playroom for your child that keeps them occupied and allows them to have a good time during their days inside.
How to Choose a Headboard Style
A headboard is often the focal point of a bedroom. Choosing a headboard depends on your style and needs. If you are looking to replace your headboard or perhaps add one in altogether, read on to discover tips on how to choose a headboard style.
Keep size in mind
It is tempting to choose the most visually appealing headboard you see, but some assessments need to happen first. Before you go shopping for a new headboard, whip out the measuring tape and take a close look at your bedroom. How high are the ceilings? How long is the wall against which your bed rests? You don’t want a long headboard on a short wall or a tall headboard with a low ceiling; otherwise, your room will look unbalanced. Keep these measurements in mind to choose the best headboard for your space.
Stay on trend
If comfort and style are important to you, you can’t go wrong with an upholstered headboard. Though they went out of fashion for a bit in favor of more minimalist styles, an interior designer in Plantation, FL, says they are back on-trend in 2020. Upholstered headboards are any headboard with soft padding covered in fabric, so you can really make it your own. You can find headboards upholstered in a variety of materials, such as velvet or leather. Whatever you decide, you can be sure you’ll be stylish and comfortable while you sit in bed.
Consider contrasting
When deciding what type of headboard you want, look around your room. Contrasting your headboard with the rest of your room is a good way to draw attention to it and create visual interest. If your furniture is mostly dark wood, consider choosing a softer, upholstered headboard. If your furniture is mostly cushioned, introduce contrast with a wooden headboard. Besides texture, you can also use contrasting colors. If you have a light-colored room, a dark headboard will act as a stunning contrast, and vice versa.
Refinish what you have
If you don’t feel like investing in a new headboard or you have an old piece that needs some TLC, consider refurbishing it. A headboard can look entirely new and reflect your current taste with a fresh coat of paint or stain. Be sure to clean your headboard properly and sand it if necessary. House painters in Dunwoody, GA, recommend applying multiple, thin coats of primer before going in with paint on wood. Once you’re done painting or staining, you will have a fresh headboard at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a new one.
Get unique
A headboard doesn’t have to be traditional wood or metal. You can make a headboard out of anything, and your individuality and interests will shine through. If you have any reclaimed wood, you could potentially make a headboard out of it. Other ideas include old door panels, collages, latticed wood, or picture frames. Pinterest has plenty of ideas, so don’t feel confined by traditional headboards.
A headboard can elevate the style of your room while providing functionality as back support while lounging. By following the tips above, you can choose the best headboard for your style and needs.
Fresh Color Palettes for Spring
Spring brings more than just the promise of new life; spring is a time to restart, refresh, and prepare for the warmer months ahead. While pastels and florals are the first things that come to mind when we think of spring, there are many different color combos you can introduce to your home. Read on to discover tips on the best color combinations for spring.
Yellows and white
While it may be obvious, yellow and white is a beautiful combination for the springtime. Think a freshly hatched chick still in its egg. You can choose a bright canary yellow or a more mild tone, such as a lemon yellow. Accenting with green amps up the natural vibe. To implement this color combination, a Warrenton, VA interior decorator recommends accenting your white backgrounds with yellow. For example, you could add a bright yellow pillow to your white couch. Or, you can hang yellow dish towels in an all-white kitchen.
Greens and pinks
Green and pink is an extremely versatile color combination. The warmth of pink perfectly complements the cool, earthy vibe of green. For a spring twist, pair shamrock green with hot pink. If that is too bright for your tastes, consider combining mint with bubblegum pink. Whatever tone and shade you decide, you can be sure that your green and pink color combination will look lovely.
Greens and gold
Green is the color of the season, and pairs beautifully with many other colors. Gold pairs exceptionally well with deep, earthy greens. The metallic nature of gold perfectly balances and contrasts with the natural quality of the green. It also brightens up green tones, evoking a look of the sun shining on leaves. There are many ways to introduce this color palette into your home, from potting your plants in gold to framing green-toned artwork in gold frames.
Shades of blue
Blue is the color of the sky on a clear spring day, and maybe the next color of your living space. Since it is so versatile, blue is the perfect color to paint a large room, according to professional Ohio house painters. Pale blues pair beautifully with white countertops in your kitchen and silver or stainless steel appliances. Robin’s egg blue walls look wonderful paired with deeper blue furnishings, such as navy or indigo.
Blues and friends
Not only does blue work well with itself, but it also pairs well with others. Violet goes with a more subdued shade of blue, such as robin’s egg. Lavender and cerulean are another winning blue-purple combo. You can also pair blue with deeper shades of yellow, such as mustard or honey, or with green for a match made in spring heaven. Consider pairing a bright green with a greenish toned blue, such as aqua or turquoise.
Spring is a time for renewal. Whether you plan on completely refreshing your house with a new coat of paint or are looking to add some fresh decor, these tips will surely help you pick the color combination that suits your tastes best.