June, 2019 - SkirtingBoards.com®

Galley Kitchens: Pros, Cons, and Tips

June 13, 2019 by admin

Whether you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen or searching for a new home and weighing your options, the kitchen setup is extremely important. And if you cook a lot, the layout of this room really matters.

Quite a few homes have galley kitchens — and the owners either love them or want to take a sledgehammer to them. But what is a galley kitchen, and how do you know if this style is right for you? Freshome rounded up several experts to help you understand the pros and cons of a galley kitchen. They also provided tips for designing a galley kitchen that you’ll love.

A galley kitchen is great for one cook at a time. Image: Ran Kyu Park/Getty Images

What is a galley kitchen and why is it used?

“A galley kitchen consists of two parallel runs of units forming a central corridor,” explains Ariel Richardson, a San Diego-based interior designer and the founder of ASR Design Studio. The name “galley kitchen” is derived from the kitchens on ships, in which everything is in a straight line.

It’s a great solution when you don’t have a lot of space, or if a house tends to be long instead of wide. “A galley kitchen is generally considered a solution for smaller apartments. We’ve also done some as second kitchens in larger homes, like a mother/daughter set up,” says Michael Radovic, CKD at Showcase Kitchens. “You can achieve a functional and nicely integrated kitchen, one that works seamlessly with the rest of the decor, with a length of about seven to eight feet.”

You can save money creating a galley kitchen

You can save money with a galley kitchen. Image: Hoxton-Martin Barraud/Getty Images

A galley kitchen is cost-effective

One advantage of a galley kitchen is that it won’t blow your budget, according to Nathan Outlaw, President at Onvico, a general contracting and design-build company in Thomasville, GA. “A galley kitchen will usually be more cost-effective than a large, open kitchen,” he says. “You only have two sets of cabinets with simple rectangle countertop slabs.” That leaves more money to splurge on the latest faucet trends.

You can save steps — if it’s not too wide. Image: hikesterson/Getty Images

A galley kitchen is efficient

But a galley kitchen isn’t only cost-effective. It’s also efficient. “The appliances are easily accessible. Galley style provides a very efficient kitchen work triangle,” says Joan Kaufman, an interior designer and President of Interior Planning & Design in Naperville, IL.

It’s a sentiment echoed by Erin Davis, Owner and Lead Designer at Mosaik Design & Remodeling in Portland, OR. “Because it’s smaller, fewer steps are required in between work areas,” Davis says. “In some galley kitchens, the sink, refrigerator and range are all along the same wall. This can work well as long as there is enough prep space in between work areas.”

However, if the corridor is too far apart — more than 6 feet wide, specifically — Richardson warns that it will lose its efficiency.

In lieu of 2 walls, a galley kitchen can have one wall and one long island.

In lieu of two walls, a galley kitchen can have one wall and one long island. Image courtesy of Case Design/Remodeling.

Chelsea Allard, VP of Design at Case Design/Remodeling in Charlotte, NC, agrees that a galley kitchen can be efficient. “The galley kitchen is made up of two parallel work surfaces. In a small condo, it may be two walls. Or it could be one wall of cabinetry parallel to a long island,” she explains. “Galley kitchens can be incredibly efficient because they allow a linear path to organize the major work zones: food storage, prep and cooking, clean-up and non-perishable storage.”

Two cooks will probably bump into each other. Image: photographee.eu/Shutterstock

A galley kitchen isn’t the best style for multiple people

However, a galley kitchen isn’t typically designed for a lot of — or even a few — people. “Due to size constraints, a galley kitchen really can only fit one or two cooks at a time,” Outlaw explains. “It will be harder to move around anyone in the kitchen.”

Allard agrees and says that unless one of the sides is an island, a galley kitchen doesn’t handle traffic well. “Proper spacing between each counter is critical to making sure there is comfortable space for people to cook and pass by each other,” she says. “A galley kitchen is great for small spaces, but can feel like a runway if it’s too long.” On the other hand, if you have hardwood floors in the kitchen, you may enjoy walking the runway.

You might not have a window view. Image: Contrastaddict/GettyImages

There may not be a lot of natural light

And if you’re in the habit of looking out the window as you wash dishes, this may not be the kitchen for you. “Views of the outside may be sacrificed,” says Kaufman. “There’s usually not a sink directly in front of a window. And sometimes, there may not even be a window in the kitchen.”

Make sure appliances will fit correctly. Image: Martin Deja/Getty Images

Consider your appliances

If you’re planning a galley kitchen, plan for your appliances as well. “You should know the specs of your appliances and make sure that the main appliances — sink, refrigerator and stove — are either in a triangle or close to one another in a row,” advises Linda Hayslett at LH.Designs.

“Because galley kitchens are used for smaller spaces, the specs of the appliances are important, especially the fridge and stove.” Hayslett says that many people don’t think about the spacing of these items, but larger sizes can create issues during installation.

Add lights wherever you can. Image: Mint Images/Getty Images

Making the galley kitchen feel larger

Even though a galley kitchen tends to be small, there are ways to make it appear larger. “Use light or high-gloss finishes to create a more open feel,” says Richardson. “Placement of light fixtures is essential in creating an illusion of more space.”

A light and open galley kitchen. Image courtesy of Dawn Totty Designs.

Interior Designer Dawn Totty of Dawn Totty Designs in Chattanooga, TN, recommends using a monochromatic color scheme in a light color to give the illusion of a larger, more open space. “I always say the best kitchens are the most well-lit kitchens. But don’t just rely on recessed lighting,” Totty says. She suggests hanging a lantern, chandeliers or some other type of light fixtures to add some personality to the room.

Since space is limited, Totty also recommends placing cabinets as high as the ceiling and utilizing baskets and labeled bins.

“In addition, implement at least two glass-front cabinets for a pretty shine and to break up the heaviness of all-wood cabinets,” she says. “You can have a galley kitchen and an island, too.” Totty recommends either a custom or store-bought island with casters. “It’s a perfect way to create more prep space. [Islands] are also fun to use as a bar or dessert cart for entertaining.”

You may be able to enlarge the footprint. Image courtesy of Joan Kaufman — Interior Planning & Design.

Modifying the kitchen

If you’re really sold on the idea of a galley kitchen but you don’t have the necessary width, there are ways to make it work. “You can open up the walls on both sides of the kitchen, which can add up to 12 inches of cabinet and countertop space,” explains Shawn Breyer, owner of We Buy Houses Atlanta. If you don’t want to remove walls, he has another suggestion: add a glass door or a large window at the end of the wall. “Adding larger windows is a tactic used in smaller homes. It provides the perception of more space, making it feel less cramped,” Breyer says.

Some galley kitchens are quite spacious. Image: Contrastaddict/Getty Images

The post Galley Kitchens: Pros, Cons, and Tips appeared first on Freshome.com.

Home-Buying Millennials are Obsessed with Lawns and Gardens

June 13, 2019 by admin

The U.S. Census Bureau says homeownership is up over last year. In their words, “the national homeownership rate has risen to 64.4 percent.” And Realtor Magazine says that jump is “largely attributed to the rise in new, first-time homebuyers.”

These first-time homebuyers are millennials and they don’t care about a fancy eat-in kitchen. Instead, they’re obsessed with lawns and gardens.

A survey from the National Association of Landscape Professionals found that 79 percent of U.S. homebuyers agree that a spacious and manicured lawn is an important feature in a home. And here’s the kicker: millennials, who currently make up the largest percentage of homebuyers, ranked the lawn as the top priority when house hunting.

Lawns, gardens, patios and outdoor living are the #1 priority for house-hunting millennials. Image: Artazum/Shutterstock

Sure — a large, open kitchen and a huge master bedroom with custom his and hers closets are all nice. But for a large portion of the buyer’s market, it’s all about the perfect lawn and a spacious, landscaped backyard.

If you’re listing soon, make sure you set aside some money to make sure your patio and gardens look their best. Here are four quick landscaping tips for selling your home:

Set the stage outdoors with a furniture setting that enhances your outdoor space. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

1. Don’t Just Stage Indoors; Stage A Small Outdoor Setting, Too

Buyers like to envision what their life will be like in your home. Find a spot in your backyard or patio and add a small outdoor table setting or lounge area. Complete the look with hanging lights, an outdoor area rug or colorful outdoor throw pillows.

A fresh, vibrant lawn adds a new home feel to yours. Image: nazarovsergey/Shutterstock

2. Freshen Up Your Turf

If your lawn isn’t the best one in the neighborhood, it may be a very good investment to renew or replace your old lawn before listing your house. A fresh, green lawn looks inviting and gives your home a “new” feeling. Depending on the size of your outdoor lawn area, fake turf may be in your budget and would be a low-maintenance option for year-round green curb appeal.

Planted flowers are an easy way to add pops of colors to your garden. Image: 1000 Words/Shutterstock

3. Plant Flowers

Flowers are inexpensive and easy to plant. They add a splash of color to your garden and last long enough to get your home sold.

Add LED lighting to your stairs, pathways and terrace areas. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

4. Add Lighting To Your Garden And Outdoor Spaces

You don’t have to spend a lot on electrical and wiring to light your lawn and garden. There are plenty of solar-power LED outdoor lights that are as simple as inserting a stake into the dirt. Focus on lighting a path, uplighting a large tree and lighting a sitting area or patio table setting.

Even if you’re not selling a home, get ready to embrace the outdoor living trend. Millennials have spoken and it looks like gardening and outdoor entertaining will be hot topics for a while.

The post Home-Buying Millennials are Obsessed with Lawns and Gardens appeared first on Freshome.com.

How to Share a Bathroom (and Keep the Peace)

June 13, 2019 by admin

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As far as house drama goes, the bathroom has got to be one of the most common key players. With real estate at a premium and more people than bathrooms, sharing can definitely land you in hot water — and not the soothing kind. Whether you’re sharing with a roommate, spouse or your kids, you can take some of the stress out of splitting the space. With the right organization, you can take the drama out of the bathroom routine and save it for more important places. (Don’t even get us started on the kitchen!) Try these tips to learn how to share a bathroom and restore the peace.

Cut down on clutter by keeping stuff off-site. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Invest in bathroom caddies

When you keep all of your gear in the bathroom, the problem is two-fold. First, it clutters up a space that might already feel too small. Second, it makes it hard to get to your stuff if someone is using the bathroom. If possible, keep your bathroom stuff with you using a caddy system. Assign each person in the house their own caddy, which keeps their soap, shampoo, toothbrush and all the rest of their goodies close at hand. Growing up, I shared a bathroom with my four brothers and a caddy system was invaluable in keeping the peace. The caddies can be carried into the bathroom and right back out again. This keeps the space neat and everyone’s paws off of stuff that isn’t theirs.

Color coding towels makes laundry day easier. Image: Jodie Johnson/Shutterstock

Separate towels

I’m lucky enough that I don’t have to share a bathroom with my three kids. Still, they have a way of migrating into my master bathroom every so often. One way I keep everything organized is to assign a specific color of towel to each bathroom. This makes sense whether you have several bathrooms or several people sharing one bathroom. Assigning a color to each person or each bathroom makes laundry super simple. It also can give you an idea of who’s been leaving their towels on the floor.

With color-coded towels, you don’t need to divvy up towel bars or add hooks to the walls. Each person is responsible for their color, their laundry and keeping their towels neat.

Save the bathroom for specific activities only. Image: Breadmaker/Shutterstock

Limit time

We recently finished a master bathroom renovation that was so extensive, it required we move our stuff into the kid’s bathroom for a few weeks. In sharing with five people instead of two, we quickly learned that the best way to learn how to share a bathroom and keep the peace was to limit bathroom time altogether. Instead of my daughter doing her makeup and hair in front of the bathroom mirror, our new rule was this: the bathroom is for showering, brushing teeth or going to the bathroom only. Everything else could be done in other rooms without tying up the bathroom for other people. A strict bathroom-stuff-only rule means it stays open for the important stuff.

Get creative: you can take contacts out at the kitchen sink or set up a makeup mirror at your desk. No need to use the bathroom for stuff that can easily be done somewhere else.

Skip the morning rush by resolving to get up earlier. Image: Artazum/Shutterstock

Schedule around peak times

Let’s face it: no matter how sensitive you are about sharing a bathroom, there’s always going to be certain times where you feel the crunch. With everyone rushing around first thing in the morning, it’s peak bathroom time. This can definitely cause spats and stress, so it’s best to plan around those times. If some of the household members can shower at night to relieve the pressure, make sure to schedule that time. Or resolve to get up a half hour earlier to get in and out of the bathroom before the rest of the household starts stirring. Take note of when bathroom usage seems to be the highest and schedule your day around times when it’s not so crazy.

Assign cleaning days to keep the peace. Image: Robert Kneschke/Shutterstock

Assign the cleaning

You hope that all of your roommates — be they spouse, friend or child — will clean up after themselves. Bathrooms can get cluttered, messy and downright dirty and, unfortunately, not everyone is willing to keep the bathroom as tidy as you are. Instead of just hoping the bathroom stays clean, be proactive. Schedule cleaning times and assign the cleaning to someone specifically. Without assigned cleaning, it’s all too easy to blame that toothpaste on the sink on someone else.

Skip the cleaning drama and make sure everyone takes a turn. That way, if the bathroom remains messy, you know exactly who isn’t pulling their weight.

Hey, we put a lot of pressure on bathrooms. The small space is everything from a spa to a makeup chair, catwalk and quiet place. Make sure that it doesn’t become the main source of stress in your home. While the bathroom in your home might not be perfect, knowing how to share it can help everyone stay organized and reduce the daily squabbles in your space.

The post How to Share a Bathroom (and Keep the Peace) appeared first on Freshome.com.

Organic Pest Control for the Garden

June 12, 2019 by admin

You put in all this effort getting your garden to finally sprout. Then you go outside one day and all of your plants are chewed to the ground. Sometimes it’s so extensive that it looks like you never had any flowers in that bed at all. But rather than running out and buying the harshest pest control on the market, there’s a gentler way. Try using organic pest control.

The EPA has a laundry list of major types of symptoms when exposed to pesticides, including increased risk of cancer, headaches, nausea and muscular weakness, to name just a few. In fact, the EPA recommends you use non-chemical methods of pest control where possible. So below we’ll cover different ideas for organic pest control in the garden.

These options for organic pest control tend to be low for expense and time investment, as well. For instance, you can buy organic deer repellant sprays for around $15 a bottle or some methods require items you may already have around the home.

Organic sprays are made to be less toxic. Image: ArtCookStudio/Shutterstock

Organic Methods Using Applied Products

Purchasing your organic pest control can be as simple as buying a safer, more natural product instead of a chemical-laden one. Some ideas include the following:

Many biopesticides use safe, naturally occurring protozoa, bacteria and fungi to keep out unwanted species.
Botanical insecticides are made from plants, as the name suggests. For instance, neem oil is a common all-natural insecticide, fungicide and miticide. You can find it in a concentrate for these purposes.
Low-toxicity fungicides also count as an organic method.
Organic scented sprays can repel pests, like deer repellant.
Irish Spring soap has a very strong smell that might repel certain pests. Hang bars of the soap from trees in mesh bags.

Many online and local retailers in the organics, natural and eco-friendly industry sell these types of products.

Bug traps are a safe, low-impact way to control pests. Image: bblitz/Shutterstock

Physical Organic Pest Control Methods

In some cases, you can easily keep pests away from your garden with physical means. Some ways to engage in this type of organic pest control include the following:

Traps and lures like bug traps or live traps can work.
Try physical barriers like putting up a wire or electric fence around the garden. Copper tape and flash tape are even sold to capture or scare pests like snails and birds.
One common way to keep animals away is to put up statues, like deer decoys, to make the pests think another animal is already in that territory. Move the decoy around to make it look convincing.
Find plants that repel the animal you are looking to keep out. For instance, deer tend to not like overly potent plants, so you might plant items like mint, rosemary or sage around the perimeter of the garden.
You can buy strobe lights or flashing lights that can scare off pests. Automated water sprinklers sold as animal repellants can have a similar effect.

A main benefit with barriers, decoys and traps is that you don’t have to continually reapply solutions, which could save on the garden budget.

And remember, don’t be afraid to try multiple organic pest control methods. Once a pest munches your garden, it’s hard to regrow, especially late in the season.

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Steal these 3 Home Design Trends for Wedding Decorating Ideas

June 12, 2019 by admin

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Some of the most popular home decor trends make their way to wedding decorating. Whether you’re getting married at home or having a destination wedding, check out these home trends and the wedding decorating ideas you can use to get the look in your own wedding.

1. Joanna Gaines-Inspired Farmhouse Chic Wedding Decorating Ideas

Painted vintage doors decorated with flowers and plenty of candle lanterns set the stage for a farmhouse-style wedding. Image: Wedding and Lifestyle/Shutterstock

Are you a fan of vintage farmhouse style? Why not add it to your wedding decorating theme? You can pick up affordable decor pieces from Joanna Gaines’ Hearth & Hand with Magnolia home collection at Target. Or do a little flea market and vintage shopping to find one-of-a-kind items.

Once you round up your key vintage pieces, add a little polish with some gold accents and plenty of eucalyptus sprigs to complete the look.

Here are more wedding decorating ideas for a vintage farmhouse wedding:

Eucalyptus and brushed gold accents create a botanically inspired vintage theme. Image: Andrej Rutar/Getty Images

Layer plenty of light sources including candles, pendants and string lights. Image: Vadim Pastukh/Shutterstock

Transform a simple white table with this centerpiece featuring a linen runner, lots of fresh greens and eucalyptus, tea light votives, a candle in a hurricane vase and a painted glass photo frame. Image: Alex Gukalov/Shutterstock

A vintage summer wedding is elevated to elegant with the use of mercury glass candle votives. Image: loonara/Getty Images

2. Blush Wedding Decorating Ideas

A table featuring blush tones and gold cutlery looks elegant and modern. Image: Vadim Kuzubov/Getty Images

Millennial pink, dusty rose, blush. They’re all names for pink — and it’s still one of the hottest colors of the moment. A pink wedding theme done in the right shade is elegant and timeless. Flowers like orchids, peonies and roses are great options if you choose this theme.

Here are more blush-toned wedding decorating ideas:

Layer pink glass and rose gold accents with silvery green succulents to get this look. Image: Alex Gukalov/Shutterstock

Tie blush-colored fabric to your guest chairs to add a splash of color. Image: Biggunsband/Getty Images

Pale pink hanging fabric and flowers create a garden wedding look. Image: PH888/Shutterstock

A dessert table in pink features a Parisian Eiffel Tower theme. Image: Dina (Food Photography)/Getty Images

3. Hanging Wedding Decor

Baby’s breath in lightbulb-shaped glass vases is hung at different heights. Image: IVASHstudio/Shutterstock

The boho-chic home trend has people hanging things creatively and everywhere. Hanging rugs on the walls and creating a collection of hanging dreamcatchers are some popular hanging trends.

Regardless of your wedding theme, you can hang flowers, candles or other objects to get a look that’s whimsical and memorable. When hanging items, choose objects of different sizes and shapes and hang them at different heights. Add string lights or candles to create more dimension and a warm glow.

More wedding decorating ideas you can hang:

Paper chrysanthemums and crystals hung over the wedding table add a magical look to this garden wedding. Image: knape/Getty Images

These glass terrariums can hold candles or flowers. Image: Olena Ilchenko/Shutterstock

Hanging lights and terrariums add shine and sparkle to this wedding. Image: dfrolovXIII/Shutterstock

Hanging dreamcatchers add a bohemian feel to the wedding banquet. Image: blackliz/Shutterstock

The post Steal these 3 Home Design Trends for Wedding Decorating Ideas appeared first on Freshome.com.

6 HGTV Secrets They Don’t Want You to Know

June 12, 2019 by admin

If you’re like me, there’s nothing you love more than unwinding with HGTV. At the end of a long day, there’s something soothing about watching other people make high-stakes decisions. Whether it’s buying a beach house, renovating a kitchen or choosing a family home, HGTV has a total lock on homeowner-based entertainment. But how much of what you see is real? As it turns out, HGTV secrets influence the way you watch.

While on-screen house hunts and renos seem to go smoothly, appearances can be deceiving. Don’t get discouraged if you feel like your house situation is less than picture perfect. Much of what you see is good, old-fashioned smoke and mirrors. Here are some of the HGTV secrets that keep you watching.

Some of the “hunted homes” might be off the market. Image: Andy Dean Photography/Shutterstock

1. Home hunting is already complete

If you’ve ever searched for a new home, you know that viewing three properties probably won’t cut it. And even if you’re lucky enough to decide on a new place, it’s not a guarantee you’ll be able to secure financing, win a bidding war and actually move in. So how is it that every owner on House Hunters is able to view, buy and move in what seems like a week?

The secret is that homeowners are usually already under contract for their chosen home before they’re cast on the show. They already know which home is theirs and view other homes to increase drama. It’s less of a hunt and more of a confirmation that they chose the right home. In some cases, they’ve already purchased the home and even moved in before filming starts. Creative filming and staging the home to look empty make it seem like prospective hunters are seeing their home for the first time.

2. Some homes aren’t even for sale

Feel like HGTV always has the best homes to choose from? That’s because they don’t limit hunted homes to those that are currently on the market. To ensure compelling content, House Hunters will lead prospective buyers through homes that have already been purchased by other buyers and even the homes of nearby friends and family. Not only have the hunters already chosen their home, but some of the places they see aren’t even an option. It’s all in the name of creating a narrative where you, as the viewer, become more invested in the process.

Staged homes might be more Photoshop than interior design. Image: Breadmaker/Shutterstock

3. Homes are virtually staged

Staging homes isn’t exactly one of the most protected HGTV secrets. It’s a well-known practice among realtors, homeowners and those in the industry. But what HGTV doesn’t tell you is that some of the staging you see is done virtually. They’ll utilize computerized models to make a home look more put-together than reality. Even grass can be painted and edited after the fact to make it look lusher. So when they say that the grass is greener on the other side, remember that it might be the result of Photoshop over fertilizer.

4. Construction is contracted

Anyone who’s ever renovated a home knows it never goes as smoothly as they show on HGTV. What’s more, many of the projects seem like they’re completed singlehandedly by a charismatic host and a plucky sidekick. A week under construction by a do-it-all TV star and voilà! The big reveal shows a home that has been renovated top to bottom.

In reality, most shows contract out the heavy lifting to local construction crews. The stars come in and demo a couple of cupboards or paint a few strokes before handing off the project to the real pros. Just remember that real renovations are the result of time, effort and expertise.

Contemporary master bedroom with metal accents

Not every room is renovated as part of the contract. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

5. Rooms are left out

The show Property Brothers is a ratings smash for HGTV, and why not? What’s not to love about a couple of attractive identical twins showing homeowners they can have their dream home for a little elbow grease and a small investment? The show doesn’t, however, make it clear what is left undone at the end of the big reveal.

The show actually only contracts for four rooms to be designed and renovated. Usually, homeowners pick their highest-traffic areas, like the kitchen and living room. But there is still a lot of work left once the brothers offer up the dramatic finish. Sure, renovating a cheaper home can be a sound investment, but remember it’s much more complicated than what’s show on HGTV.

6. Homeowners don’t keep decor

You might wistfully watch your favorite shows to see the gorgeous rugs, furniture and decor used in each show. Most HGTV shows finish with a before and after, with homeowners’ previously tired furniture replaced with updated, expensive decor.

Don’t get too envious, though. In most cases, the decor is used for staging only and doesn’t belong to the homeowners. After the “after” shot is filmed, that stuff gets put back into HGTV storehouses for the next before and after. In some cases, the owners get the chance to purchase the decor, but only if it’s in their budget. Usually, the renovation budget is long gone to pay for expensive staples like flooring and repairs. Those magazine-worthy finishing touches? They’re a short-term illusion.

Hey, I get it: HGTV is, at its best, pure escapism. No matter what your home is like, you can forget some of its challenges by watching other people deal with the ups and downs of homeownership. Still, it’s important to remember that as much as it’s billed as reality TV, most shows use HGTV secrets and have huge production budgets, directors, assistants, high-paid stars and behind-the-scenes experts. You don’t expect your home to always look like a professional movie set, so don’t make the mistake of comparing your place to what could be a TV mirage.

The post 6 HGTV Secrets They Don’t Want You to Know appeared first on Freshome.com.

Break These Bad Living Room Cleaning Habits & Transform Your Living Space

June 12, 2019 by admin

Are bad living room cleaning habits keeping you from your best home? Image: NelleG/Getty Images

Cleaning is a hassle. But you might be making it harder on yourself than is absolutely necessary. Whether you’re tidying up your bedroom, kitchen or bathroom, banishing your bad habits can make it easier to clean — and easier to keep your place clean.

And nowhere will a truly good clean be more apparent than your living room. It’s your space for relaxing and it’s where you entertain guests. It’s where your most statement-making decor will most likely live. So it deserves some TLC. And you can deliver it with a little help.

Break these five bad living room cleaning habits and you can get your space pristinely clean. So clean, in fact, that it might just stay that way for good.

Living with piles

Look around your living room. What’s the state of your stuff? If you’ve got piles, it’s time to reconsider. That stack of magazines and that heap of throw blankets aren’t doing your aesthetic any favors. Plus, do you know what piles invite? Bigger piles.

Now, that’s not to say that your stuff might not benefit from being gathered in groups. But there’s a difference between having your kids’ toys piled loosely in the corner and neatly stored in a bin. If you can’t part with your pile because it makes sense to keep the items gathered that way, invest in a storage system for those items to keep your living room neat. As an added bonus, it can clue your family members or roommates into where that stuff should go when it’s not in use, helping them put stuff away so your living room stays tidy.

Keep your surfaces streamlined so they’re easy to wipe down. Image: Breadmaker/Shutterstock

Cluttering surfaces

How often do you dust and disinfect all the surfaces in your living room? If it’s not often, you might be facing one of the most common bad living room cleaning habits: too much clutter. You’re never going to wipe down your mantel if you have to move over a dozen items off it to cross that chore off your list.

Streamline what you keep on your surfaces to make it easier to keep everything near looking and sanitized.

Not dusting first

The living room tends to accumulate dust. So when you start by vacuuming without addressing the dust on your surfaces first, you’re just moving the problem around. Instead, start by dusting. And do your highest ledges first, then work your way down. Wait to clean your floors last so you’re catching all of that dust and getting your space truly clean. Bonus: making sure all of the dust is completely gathered throughout the course of your clean will help you space stay cleaner over time.

Also, don’t forget about the items that aren’t easy to knock free of dust, like throw pillows and blankets. Launder them regularly to catch those dust mites.

bad living room cleaning habits 3 A sparkling living room requires clean tools used on a regular basis. Image: FollowTheFlow/Getty Images

Using dirty tools

Cleaning your living room takes some elbow grease. Don’t waste it. One of the most common bad living room cleaning habits is starting with tools that aren’t clean themselves.

If you haven’t cleaned your vacuum filter in a while, this is the time. The same goes for your cleaning rags, sponges or whatever else you use to disinfect and dust.

And speaking of disinfecting, don’t forget this part. It’s easy to give your coffee table a quick wipedown, but don’t forget to get those frequently touched items like remotes and light switches.

Not having a place for everything (and everything in its place)

Where is that remote supposed to go? What about that throw pillow? How about that board game? If you’re not sure, odds are no one else in your house knows either. And that’s why you end up with stuff just floating around, creating visual clutter and making it hard to keep your place looking clean. It also leads to the problem of piles we discussed above.

Because living rooms are generally spaces for relaxing, it’s easy to get relaxed about how they’re maintained. But that can lead to junk accumulating. And not only does that leave your place looking messy, but it also makes your to-do list that much longer when it comes time to clean.

Collect all the stuff in your living room that doesn’t have a place. Then, find a place for it. Then, keep it in its place. Easy-peasy.

Do any of these bad living room cleaning tips sound familiar? If so, it’s time to reconfigure your space so it can better serve you. Break these habits and you can enjoy a cleaner space for longer!

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Florals: How to Use This Classic Pattern in a Modern Way

June 12, 2019 by admin

Floral prints are a classy addition to any space. However, they have the reputation of being a type of pattern associated with older home styles. Country kitchens tend to use florals on wallpaper. Victorian styles have floral prints on everything. Even retro spaces sometimes go for funky and artsy floral prints. But if you want a modern space, you don’t have to give up on florals completely. You can incorporate florals into the most contemporary of spaces.

With a few tips, anyone can start working with florals. The trick is understanding how to work with them in terms of pattern, color, texture and scale. Then you’ll be able to purchase decor items like floral-patterned bedspreads, furniture, wallpaper and vases to place this pattern in your home with ease. And by learning how to strategically place the right items, this task should only take a few hours on average.

Realistic floral prints make amazing accent walls. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Focus on Pattern

At the core of the floral trend is the fact that it is one about patterns. And when it comes to floral prints, you have a wide variety of patterns from which to choose. Which is part of what makes decorating with florals such a daunting task. But when going for a more modern take on floral prints, you basically have two ways to go about it: big and bold for a statement look or smaller flowers for a more accented look.

If you go for a big and bold print, you’ll want to find a style that veers towards creating an accent wall using wallpaper. The print should have close-ups of big, detailed flowers. Use that print on one wall, while keeping the rest of the walls solid colors to not overpower the space. You can see an example in the photo above.

The other option is going for prints with smaller flowers. In order to keep it modern, however, try to find prints that are more abstract. Older country homes were known for smaller floral prints with a natural flower design. Going even slightly abstract will keep the look more modern. Smaller prints work well on accent items, like pillows and vases.

Bold floral colors can pair well with sleek textures like metallics. Image: 3523studio/Shutterstock

Pay Attention to Color with Florals

Like the point above, you can typically go two ways with floral color in a modern style: bold and sassy or neutral.

If you go for a bold color, use it as more of an accent item. For instance, you might do one wall with bold flowers while leaving the other walls neutral. Combining florals with neutral tones will also impart a more modern sensibility. You can also incorporate the colors from the floral print into the rest of the room as smaller accent pieces, like the flowers on the table in the photo above. Another option is to use bold flower prints in items like throw pillows, which will work as smaller accents themselves.

The other option is to go for neutral prints. These usually feature some type of gray or black flower print over a white background. That will give you the neutral color and stark geometry of more modern spaces.

Florals are a good way to add some visual texture to a wall. Image: OSORIOartist/Shutterstock

Think About Texture

Another key way to play around with floral prints is to incorporate them into the room’s natural texture. For instance, you might place florals on a tufted headboard, a throw pillow with a fringe around the edge or a geometric vase. Flower patterns already have plenty of visual texture to them, so they’re a natural fit for already textured items.

Another way to work with florals is to use them to create texture in a monochrome space, which is a popular color scheme in modern homes. For instance, you might use a neutral floral wallpaper to get some visual texture, like in the photo above. More high-contrast neutral spaces also do well with neutral-colored floral patterns for added visual texture.

If you choose florals for a large-scale item, like a bedspread, use mostly solid shades in the rest of the room to avoid clashing with the floral print. Image: stockfour/Shutterstock

Focus on Scale

Another key aspect to look at is the scale of the floral print you are using in terms of the room as a whole. For instance, if you are using wallpaper or a bedspread with a floral print, that means the print is on a larger scale. Or you might just have some small floral accents on the headboard, meaning they’re on a smaller scale.

If your floral print is of a larger scale, you’ll want to design the rest of the room to have a clean look using solid colors so that nothing clashes with the floral print. But smaller-scale floral prints can get away with being used across similar items throughout the room, like different pillows or vases in the chosen print.

And remember, half of picking a floral print is how it speaks to you. If you feel one has a more modern vibe but can’t quite explain why, it might just be the pattern for you.

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