What better way to welcome the new year with a positive start than decluttering your space. Reorganize the rooms in your home and take advantage of stylish furniture pieces that can help neaten up different areas. From modern coat hooks to rustic desks, the design possibilities are endless.
Photos courtesy of WOODENDOT.
Spruce up the Entryway
To ensure that coats, keys, and purses aren’t strewn all over the kitchen table or living space, consider installing coat hooks. Choose options that also double as a cabinet or shelf. These contemporary coat hooks by Woodendot have the hooks hidden and provide extra space for other items to be stored or decorative space.
Need a place to keep shoes? A shoe nook is a great way to avoid the mountain of shoes that can pile up as guests (or kids) come into the home. Try and find one that doubles as a storage unit and a place to sit.
Photo courtesy of Bombay Duck.
Photo courtesy of Oak Furnitureland.
Office Organization
Arguably, a home’s office has the most clutter. Between unfiled papers and jumbles of wires, this space can induce a lot of stress. Start by going through old papers and getting rid of documents that are no longer needed. It’s recommended to shred any important documents.
When it comes to furniture, the main focal point will be the desk. Desks don’t have to be clunky and boring. A nicely finished or painted desk brightens up the space, creating a peaceful mood.
Photo courtesy of Oak Furnitureland.
Choose a desk that has plenty of storage for filing and office supplies. Keep the top of the desk clear, only allowing a computer, calendar, keyboard, and small organizers to remain on it.
To expand organization space, find a bookshelf with a lot of shelving and room for filing. Like the desk, a bookshelf does not have to keep to a classic style. A modern one updates the room. For all those wires on the floor, use twist ties to keep them separate and attempt to hide them from view.
Photo courtesy of SONGMICS.
Love Your Living Room
Continue the organizing flow into your living or family room. Recycle any old magazines or newspapers and keep the ones you want in a magazine rack for easy access. A stylish modern magazine rack enhances the look of your living room. Make clearing out the rack part of your daily routine to keep everything organized.
Photo courtesy of Melody Maison.
Toss out any broken or unused items in the room. Take the opportunity to reorganize the furniture and take the opportunity to clean under the couch or other pieces of furniture. Invest in feng shui books to further change the feel and energy of the room.
Just like the shoe nook in the foyer, purchase new furniture that can act as extra storage to reduce the amount of space used. An ottoman acts as a place to keep blankets or extra pillows. Some couches also have a place under the cushions to keep extra items. A coffee table or side table can hide remote controls, books or other small objects that can be tucked away. Adding a bookshelf in the living room is always a nice touch. If there is enough wall space, go for a bookshelf that can be hung up on a wall, allowing the chance to keep the floor clean and dust-free.
Photos courtesy of WOODENDOT.
Photo courtesy of Chaplins Furniture.
A Peaceful Bedroom
The first place to start: The closet. Donate any lightly used clothing and keep the closet as neat as possible. Beds with drawers underneath create more space to store clothing as well. On a tight budget? If the current bed doesn’t have drawers, baskets are a fun and appealing way to store any extra items in your room.
Photo courtesy of Sweetpea & Willow.
Photo courtesy of Garden Trading.
For women, jewelry wall organizers take the place of a bulky jewelry box. Men can utilize organizers for watches, rings or other jewelry they may own. Chargers for phones, laptops or tablets can be kept neatly on an organizer as well.
Take off any unnecessary items from a dresser or nightstand and go for something that allows for smaller items to have their own place without the worry of something getting lost. A practical addition to a bed is a bedside pocket for easy access to books, remotes or a laptop.
Photo courtesy of Woodyoubuy.
Photo courtesy of Einrichten Design.
Photo courtesy of Woodyoubuy.
Photo courtesy of Gyrofish.
For some tips on how to furnish and organize a small space like an apartment click here.
Now is the time of year where people’s homes becomes the center for entertainment. Between the holiday get togethers and New Year celebrations, a home must be kept in party-ready shape. One room not to neglect: the guest room. Give this extra space a much-needed upgrade and create a memorable stay for guests, whether it be friends or family. Below are some tips to take a guest room from a drab bonus room to a five-star accommodation.
Photo courtesy of Darlings of Chelsea.
Maximize Space
Guest rooms are typically on the smaller side when it comes to the size and amount of space is available. For that reason, skip the queen-sized bed with minimal to no extra seating and go for a couch that can turn into a bed.
A traditional sofa bed will do or go more modern and purchase a futon that flips to a nice-sized bed.
Provide guests with nice sheets, pillows and blankets to make them feel more at home.
Photos courtesy of KSL LIVING.
Storage, Storage, Storage!
Living out of a suitcase is never fun. Whether people are staying for one night or 10, give guests enough storage space to organize their belongings. A dresser provides a good amount of drawers and the counter space allows people to keep track of smaller belongings.
Limited on space? A trunk at the foot of the bed or along the wall. The trunk allows for some extra seating as well.
Storage baskets are a great space-saver and can be tucked away under the bed or in a closet. Select some that have a pop of color or an interesting pattern.
Photo courtesy of SONGMICS.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
A mirror is a must when it comes to upgrading the space. Not only do mirrors make smaller spaces appear bigger, but it is a nice feature to have for guests so they can get ready in the comfort of their own space. Sharing bathrooms becomes a hassle, but a full length mirror and a wall mirror give people the opportunity to prepare for the day or night in the room.
Photo courtesy of The French Bedroom Co.
Photo courtesy of Melody Maison.
Light it Up
Don’t skimp on lighting and skip the boring choices. Have fun with the various selections that are out there and pick out some creative pieces that add to the room. Install a lamp that rotates so guests can read or choose lighting with different settings so your guests can determine how much light they want before they go to bed and when they slowly wake up.
Photo courtesy of KSL LIVING.
Photo courtesy of Astro Lighting.
It’s the Little Things
Small details and amenities can give the guest room a Ritz-Carlton feel. Provide them with cozy slippers and magazine to read.
A breakfast tray or cart with some welcome treats, glassware or flowers makes the space welcoming.
Personalize the space with extra items for the people staying in the room, giving the space a warm touch.
Above two images and featured image courtesy of Garden Trading.
Give your home a new spring in its step with colorful windows and doors that will draw the eye and boost curb appeal.
Replacing white window frames with colored ones, and a matching or contrasting door can make your home stand out from the crowd and give the impression that you have specifically chosen them to suit your property, rather than just sticking with what is currently in situ.
All of Evolution’s timber alternative windows and doors are highly energy-efficient and virtually maintenance-free.
Follow these tips if you are upgrading your windows or doors.
Color matching
Evolution offers 10 standard, timber-effect finishes (including white, black and three shades of gray) to complement traditional and contemporary properties. Alongside these colors, Evolution offers a bespoke color-matching service with over 200 RAL colors to choose from. Aside from the current trend for gray, homeowners often choose pale green or cream to give country cottages a classic look.
Fifty shades of gray
Gray doors and windows are leading the way in the popularity stakes and the trend doesn’t seem to be showing any signs of waning. There are infinite shades of gray, but Evolution’s most popular choices are olive-gray, agate gray and anthracite gray. The lighter olive and agate grays add an elegant feel to character properties, while anthracite creates a more contemporary finish.
Black or white?
Whilst white gives a clean, contemporary finish, black window frames are becoming more popular. Often thought a contemporary choice, black window frames can also enhance traditional properties, particularly those with leaded windows, such as Tudor-style homes.
Timber colors
Timber colors are still a popular choice for doors and windows. Timber colors, such as oak, natural wood or rosewood, can enhance traditional properties, but also look fabulous on contemporary homes.
Inside out
One of the advantages of Evolution’s timber alternative doors and windows is that you can choose to have a different color on the inside. While many love the idea of having colored frames or doors to enhance a property’s exterior, white is still the most popular choice internally to avoid clashing with interior décor.
Photos courtesy of Evolution Windows
Lovers of Scandi’s enlightened sense of style will rejoice at the discovery of the beautiful Farringdon and Dorset collections of reclaimed wood furniture from Modish Living.
Modish Living was founded by husband and wife, Chris and Hellen Barlow in 2012 with an idea born around a wooden kitchen table to create an online boutique selling a handpicked collection of beautifully crafted, reclaimed, rustic and sustainable wood furniture.
Renowned for its simplicity and beauty, Scandinavian style shows no sign of losing its popularity in homes and interiors. Its pared-back and minimal style have evolved into a more cozy feel, focusing on sculptural organic shapes, earthy pigments, natural materials and textures, such as wood.
Everything from tempting trestle dining tables and family-friendly extendable tables to a welcoming wood bench and seriously stylish sideboards, these naturally rustic additions will add an instant Nordic vibe to your dining space. Made using aged reclaimed wood rescued from old buildings, Modish Living’s Farringdon and Dorset collections are the perfect fit for Scandi design devotees. Skillfully crafted to enhance the natural tones of the wood and given a renewed sense of purpose and style, these pieces evoke a sense of comfort, style and happiness.
As well as providing essential storage, this sideboard has a natural beauty and character. The natural markings of the reclaimed wood shines through the white painted finish, giving it a lived-in authenticity perfect for a Scandi feel dining room.
The distressed white base of the Dorset Extendable Trestle Table keeps the aesthetic neutral while adding warmth. Accessorize with a sheepskin rug and the large white bamboo pendant is styled here.
Three central drawers and two large cupboards offer plenty of storage for your kitchen essentials. The subtle lacquer accentuates the natural markings and history of the wood, whilst giving it a distinct Nordic feel.
The large pendant above the Farringdon extending table is made out of biodegradable woodchip; the perfect pared-back accessory to complement this 100-percent reclaimed wood collection.
Photos courtesy of Modish Living
Whether you live in a modest studio or a trendy loft, it can prove challenging to design and organize a small living space. Luckily, there are simple and creative ways to make a tiny apartment feel [almost] like a penthouse.
Photo courtesy of Original Style.
In the kitchen, a large, rectangular dining table takes up most of the space. Opt for a small, round table so you can maximize the space to move around in when cooking or entertaining guests. Cabinetry tends to have extra space at the top and bottom. Go for cabinets that go all the way up and down, making the room feel higher. Mirrors create an allusion that a room is larger than it seems. The oldest trick in the design book, mirrors expand the space and add dimension.
Photo courtesy of Oak Furnitureland.
Photo courtesy of Essential Home.
Day-beds double the size of a bedroom. Try and find a day-bed that is multi-functional, providing storage space or an extra bed when a guest stays over for a night. Don’t have a spot for a desk? Install a wall desk, which takes up less room compared to a regular one. Mount shelves about it for extra storage.
For studio apartments with less area and no defined rooms, create zones by using dividers or other furniture. This design strategy helps designate where people can go when they visit and what is more private.
Photo courtesy of Noa and Nani.
Photo courtesy of Einrichten-design.de.
Photo courtesy of Go Modern Furniture.
Utilize pieces of furniture for more than one use. A coffee table can be used as a dinner table, an extra chair means a nightstand. Sofa beds are a great way to take advantage of a location for people to sit and become a place to sleep at night. Murphy beds keep where you sleep hidden and some come with shelving for storage.
Cheerful, bright colors open up space and liven it up. Pick out colors such as turquoise or pink hues. Cool, even tones make the room feel as if it’s larger than it is. If bright colors aren’t your thing, try neutral, even tones such as tans or grays. This color scheme tricks the eye into thinking the room is bigger than it is.
Photo courtesy of PLACE TO BE.
Tropical decor is a bold statement that can be difficult to balance. Avoid over-the-top details and learn how to embrace muted accents and elements that elevate a space without making it too whimsical.
If tropical brings to mind luxurious retreats and dream vacations, you may want to incorporate the look into your home. Here are a few tips for bringing tropical to a high-end level that you’ll love throughout the seasons.
Photo courtesy of English Blinds
Bold Wallpaper
Most tropical decor involves a playful wallpaper or large piece of art. There are a variety of quality wallpaper brands that can help create an oasis of color and charm for your space. Have fun with your wallpaper, there are many to choose from and it is the quickest way to transform a space.
Photo courtesy of Wallsauce.com
Add Foliage
Tropical prints are just the beginning. If you are looking for an authentic feel and want to avoid a staged look, incorporate real tropical greenery that will play off accents, prints and other details in your decor. A snake plant or peace lily truly capture the tropical feel, yet they are low maintenance and easy to care for. Greenery can also bring out muted tones that might appear in prints.
Photo courtesy of Mindthegap
Try Traditional
Fun details can be luxurious. Black and white, monochromatic, or muted prints can still embrace tropical imagery. A palm tree wallpaper or a pink flamingo statute can be toned down in terms of color, allowing more flexibility in your decor. Don’t shy away from traditional items but the balance between just enough and too much is delicate.
Photo courtesy of Brabbu Design Forces
Keep it Neutral
Neutral tones help to balance bright colors and bold shapes that appear in tropical wallpapers and prints. If you’ve decided on a statement wallpaper and you’re worried about overwhelming your senses, it helps to choose natural accents such as wood furniture and flooring. Light grays and white also tone down the intensity of a space.
Photo courtesy of Essential Home
Mix and Match
If you want to truly embrace the tropical sentiment, be bold and confident with your choices. For an earthy tropical feel, mixing a variety of prints that play off of each other with color palettes that work together will bring your space to life. Mixing and matching prints, designs and elements can come together to create a luxurious balance.
Photo courtesy of Essential Home
Check out these articles with simialr content; Bold Wallpaper, Wallpaper That Will Stick Around, How To Weather The Decor Dilemmas of Modern Farmhouse, Tropical Modernism Makes a Comeback in Hawaii.
Trends and styles traditionally fade out of the limelight only to resurface a few generations later, usually with a few twists and fresh perspectives. But retro themes and designs remain popular and are now making an appearance in the realm of luxury.
Photo courtesy of DelightFULL
Photo courtesy of Essential Home
Incorporate Brass
Overall, brass contributes to a classical ambiance and can complete the vintage look you’ve been searching for.
A vintage floor lamp will fit perfectly in your mid-century modern living room or vintage retro design hallway. With a structure made in polished Estremoz marble and with multiple lampshades made in brass and aluminum, this floor light is a modern lamp full of grace and charm.
The Monocles Screen is a refined room divider. The folding brass structure holds three walnut panels with brass holes that let you glimpse into the other side. Stylish and functional like no other.
Photo courtesy of The French Bedroom Co
Photo courtesy of Smithers of Stamford
Rattan and Recycled is Retro
This Retro Rattan Console blends craftsmanship and texture with a little bit of artisan vintage into your space. Cane wickerwork and teak framework work perfectly together to reinvent the 70’s furniture trend into a more refined, elegant shape, styled more for modern homes.
Made from solid recycled boat hardwood, the satin hand-painted finish has been added to bring out the beauty of this retro speedway range. It’s retro, unique and a lifetime buy that will never go out of fashion.
Photo courtesy of Yellow Octopus
Photo courtesy of Lights4fun
Props that aren’t Played Out
The GPO 200 classic, British Rotary Telephone is a one-stop communication portal for all your conversation needs. Touch base with friends and family, then buzz, dial and connect with a classic design of modern technology. Bring a piece of iconic phone technology right back into the present.
Retro Cinema Lightbox is the perfect opportunity to customize your decor. Create a fun message that suits your mood and enjoy the classic element that will elevate your space.