Home Organizers that Add Color to Your Space

If you love bright color, you’re probably always looking for ways to add shots of bold color into your home. An easy way to add color is to keep it in mind while you’re organizing. After all, who says home organizers have to be boring? Many organizational ideas can be easily modified to add color to any room.

These ideas are also so easy, they’ll typically take only one afternoon to implement. Some ideas are as simple as buying colorful cloth home organizers and bins, and others require some paint. So take a look below to find some easy ways to add color while using home organizers.

Home Organizers Cloth Style

A stacked system would add plenty of color. Image: Michael Kraus / Shutterstock

Colorful Cloth Home Organizers

One of the easiest ways to get some color into your space is to go for simple colorful cloth home organizers. You can use a stacked style, like the organizer in the photo above. These do well hanging in corners. Another idea is to place a bright cloth organizer on a shelf for a splash of color.

These also tend to come in any style or color you can imagine, so there’s sure to be a cloth home organizer that fits in with your tastes. For a more funky and artistic style, try one with a bright pattern. A solid bright color can work well in more traditional spaces.

Home Organizers Colorful Shelving

Bright shelving adds a fun accent. Image: Photographee.eu / Shutterstock

Colorful Shelving Displays

Another idea is to select a colorful shelving option, like in the photo above. You can get this look by using cloth box home organizers, as we touched on above. Also, you could consider panting a shelf directly.

You can see in the photo above how well a colorful shelving option goes with the rest of a funky, artistic space. Simply pair a colorful shelving system with wild accents like throw pillows, picture frames or poufs. Your home organizer can easily fit in with the rest of the room that way.

Colorful home organizers also work great as part of an accent color theme. Consider choosing one accent color for your home organizers and using that throughout the room. For instance, your shelving might be a bright cherry red. And then you can place other elements of cherry red around, like an accent chair or a throw blanket.

Home Organizers Painted Boxes

Create your own organization with a bright display using wooden crates. Image: Africa Studio / Shutterstock

Creative Displays Using Paint

Another option is to get creative with paint and some organizational displays, like in the photo above. You can see how easy it would be to simply paint some wooden boxes. Then you stand them on one end and put colorful decorative accents in them. As the photo shows, you can also combine them with colorfully painted chairs and end tables for an eclectic look.

It’s a fun idea for when you need to organize your decorations in a space. This style also shows that home organizers don’t have to be all cloth boxes and traditional shelving. Feel free to get creative.

Home Organizers Bin System

Plastic bins come in many bold colors. Image: Africa Studio / Shutterstock

Colorful Bins

Another mainstay in home organizers is plastic bins. And this option is easy to find in a colorful style. You can see in the photo above how some exposed colorful bins add a playful feel to this children’s room. The bins do a great job of matching the colorful rugs in the space.

This space goes to show how colorful home organizers were made for children’s spaces, too. Children’s spaces can get pretty messy, with all the toys and art supplies about. So you can easily organize the space and add some bright tones using a colorful bin system.

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How to Get a Stylish Laundry Room

Normally, when we picture laundry rooms, we see these dank spaces shoved to the side of basements. Laundry rooms are traditionally strictly utilitarian. They don’t have to be pretty, they just have to be a place to do the laundry. But if you’re tired of looking at that dank laundry room, there are some classy ways to update it.

Depending on how you decide to update your laundry room, it could require anything from some inexpensive reorganization to a whole remodel. For instance, if you want a real overhaul of the space with professionally installed wall paneling, it can cost in the low hundreds of dollars all the way to the low thousands of dollars. That price depends on materials, square feet covered and local labor costs. A full remodel of the room costs thousands of dollars, on average. And redoing a laundry room can take anywhere from an afternoon of organizing to a few days to weeks for a heavy remodel.

However, it might be worth it if your laundry room is severely old and gross, or somewhere people can see it. And a real creative update could turn the laundry area into a mixed-use space.

Laundry Room Wood Panel

Small accents like textured wood can add a natural feel to a laundry room. Image: Evgeny Atamanenko/Shutterstock

New Paneling and Flooring

If you want maximum impact with limited cost, simply try getting some new paneling in the laundry area. You can see how the textured wood on the walls of the space in the photo above adds some visual interest and a more natural look. The textured wood flooring gives the same feel. And the added accent of the creative floating shelving gives this space a more modern vibe.

After all, the problem with laundry rooms is that they tend to be shoved in the basement or off to the side as a utilitarian afterthought. That means cement floors and exposed concrete block walls. So new flooring and wall paneling could be an easy way to comprehensively update the space.

Laundry Room Kitchen Space

Some homes combine the kitchen with laundry functionality. Image: romakoma/Shutterstock

Combine Spaces

With people living in smaller spaces, a laundry room might not be a luxury for which you have space. Maybe you need to convert that laundry room into a bedroom or spare office.

That’s where an unconventional idea like the mixed-use space in the photo above comes in. Basically, this involves installing a washing machine where you’d normally have a dishwasher under the kitchen counter. While unusual in the U.S., this laundry/kitchen combo is common abroad.

You can also look into designs where the laundry room itself becomes a mixed-use space. For instance, it’s common to see a laundry space in the corner of a children’s play area, workout area, game room or by an all-purpose table space. These are common ideas for open-concept basements, in particular.

Laundry Room Zen Area

Rich wood pieces and minimalism make this laundry space look updated. Image: New Africa/Shutterstock

Keep the Laundry Room Minimalistic and Zen

You can also update your laundry room in the way you organize and decorate it. This is perhaps the easiest way to update your laundry room. The space above shows how simple accents in the laundry room can give a relaxed, zen vibe.

The greenery on the floating shelf gives the space a more natural feel. Rich wood accents like the clothing rack, small table and divider add warmth to the space. And they’re also useful items in the room. All these elements are placed far apart to give the space a sense of minimalism. By doing something similar, you can create an updated and relaxing laundry room.

And remember, laundry machines often have specific needs for parts like drain hoses. If you’re doing a major redesign, make sure to talk to a remodeler about how the washing machine will empty and any necessary components like nearby drains to handle potential machine leaks.

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How to Use Room Dividers in Small Spaces

If you have a small space, you may think that the last thing you need is an element like a room divider, which was literally made to close off and separate spaces. But room dividers are a great addition to any small space. They are a good way to section off and organize small spaces, which often have more of an open floor plan. And open-design dividers mean that you can get a more organized space visually without closing areas off from each other completely.

Room dividers are also a budget design addition to a room. They can cost anywhere from $60 up. And as for time, it can take as little as a couple of hours to decide on the right divider for you, bring it home and place it in the room. So whether you are looking for a fun style accent or need to add functional organization to your space, take a look below for different ways to use room dividers.

Room Dividers Open Design

Visually separate a space without closing it off by going with an open room divider design. Image: New Africa/Shutterstock

Visually Open Room Dividers

As touched on above, room dividers don’t have to visually close off a space. The photo above shows a room divider that has an open pattern. Designs like these are perfect for adding some conceptual organization between areas in small, open-plan spaces. And they don’t make the space feel claustrophobic.

Designs like these also come in a wide array of patterns. A pattern like the room divider in the photo above adds some interesting geometry to the space. Other open room dividers have more curved and free-flowing patterns to them. There’s a pattern for any design taste.

Room Dividers Rope Design

Your room divider doesn’t even have to be a traditional divider. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Go Conceptual

The photo above shows that a room divider can be made of just about any material. You can get creative with the types of materials you use. For instance, a simple textured wooden post and some heavy vertical rope give the appearance of a room divider in the photo above. It adds visual organization to this artsy, relaxed space without visually closing the areas off from each other.

The idea above also shows how you can add greenery to your room divider. The vines on the rope add more of a visual block but, again, without completely closing off the spaces. And the vines add a natural feel that matches the potted plant in the background. It’s also common to see vines added to solid room dividers.

If you’d like to go for a conceptual idea to separate your space, here are a few ideas for unconventional room dividers:

  • Shelving where you can see from one side to the other
  • A full clothing rack
  • Sheer tapestry or curtain
  • Open shelving with fish tanks placed on the shelves
  • A line of tall plant life

These are just a few ideas to get those creative juices flowing.

Room Dividers Blue Accent

A boldly colored room divider makes a great accent in a corner. Image: Africa Studio/Shutterstock

Use Room Dividers as Accents

It’s also common to see room dividers used as decorative accents. If you have a smaller space you’d rather not close off, think about putting a room divider in a corner. You can see the concept in action in the photo above, where a bright blue room divider adds a shock of color to an otherwise boring corner. You could do this idea with any bright accent color, like cherry red or bright purple.

Also, you don’t have to stick to solid colors. There are room dividers with bold art printed on them (like this item here). And a room divider with a full art scene on it gives the optical illusion that your small space is larger since it feels like you’re looking into a window to another world.

And remember, take your time to weigh your options. There are many different types of room dividers out there.

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5 Ideas for Home Office Color Schemes

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When designing a home office, it’s common to get completely focused on what you’ll put in it and where everything should go. You might worry about what kind of desk you should get, how many chairs you should have, if you need a sofa and how the shelving will work in the space. These are all important considerations. However, another large part of your home office is the color scheme. The color scheme will define the look and feel of the space, so it’s important to think about it as you plan or redesign a home office. Below, we’ll look at home office color schemes for some inspiration.
Home Office Color Schemes White Office

White is a classic go-to for any room. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

White Monochrome in Home Office Color Schemes

If you want your office to look modern, you can’t go wrong with a white monochrome color scheme, like in the photo above. White monochrome color schemes give an open feeling of airiness, making them work well in home offices. Since you might be spending so much time in there, the last thing you want is for the space to feel cramped after a while.

And because white opens up a space visually, it’s also a solid choice for small space home offices. Also, white has a clean look that tends to not go out of style. If you want something basic and clean, white might just be your choice in home office color schemes.

Home Office Color Schemes Wood Style

The neutrals in rich woods match other neutral elements in the space. Image: pics721/Shutterstock

Rich Wood Neutrals

Another option is rich wood and other neutral shades in home office color schemes. You can see in the photo above how rich wood gives a feeling of luxury. If you want one of those home offices that looks like an executive suite, consider going with wood textures in the flooring, paneling and furniture.

The photo above also shows how well rich woods combine with other neutral tones in the carpet and furniture. Wood layers well with rich visual textures, as you can see in the floor rug and chair off to the right. Also, small accents like the wrought iron lamp and wall sconces add classic appeal.

Home Office Color Schemes Blue Neutrals

Blue really does go with anything, including this home office space. Image: Artazum/Shutterstock

Blue and Neutrals

Yet another idea for home office color schemes is to combine neutrals and blue shades. You can see in the photo above how doing so creates a transitional home office, meaning it isn’t likely to go out of style. Stark black cabinetry creates a modern appeal against the open white walls and ceiling.

The blue shades help round out the space by giving it some color. However, it’s a muted gray-blue, so it doesn’t overwhelm the space. It also shows that blue can go with anything. In this case, you might notice how the blue shade fits with the textured carpet and rich wood piece in the center of the room.

Home Office Color Schemes Colorful

Get a classy, colorful look by combining bright neutrals with bold colors. Image: Africa Studio/Shutterstock

Bright and Colorful

If you enjoy plenty of color in a space, you can achieve that without looking like your office is a child’s bedroom. You can see in the photo above how bright colors combine with a white neutral backdrop. The colors pop all the more, while the white adds a modern appeal.

The photo above also shows how you can incorporate color into a home office in easy ways. You simply need to add some bright pieces to some open shelving, like the picture frame, file box, binders and cactus pot. You basically create one of the monochrome home office color schemes, then layer on colorful objects spread throughout the office.

Home Office Color Schemes Deep Red

Get a burgundy shade in a home office by choosing an accent wall. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Deep Red

There’s something about a deep burgundy that just screams home office or study. You see the shade in classic libraries often, so that might create the shade’s connection with spaces where you’re ready to focus. It’s both bold and grounded, so it adds a nice sense of balance to a space. There’s little to hate about burgundy in home office color schemes.

The photo above shows how easy it is to incorporate this shade into a home office. A simple accent wall with the shade can define the whole space. Combining burgundy with neutrals like white and black shades keeps other elements from competing with the accent wall. A nice touch is the added pink rug, chair and curtain, which complement the red wall without overpowering it.

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How to Light Your Hallway

light your hallway 5

Don’t let hallway lighting be an afterthought. Use this guide to light your hallway well. Image: Svet_Feo/Shutterstock

Lighting is important. Interior designers, real estate agents and staging pros will all tell you it’s true. If you want your home or apartment to feel inviting, it needs to be well lit. That’s pretty straightforward in most of your home. You put a lamp on your nightstand. You hang a pendant above your dining table. But what about the smaller, trickier spaces? Specifically, how do you light your hallway well?

Because hallways are so narrow, they present two problems. First, the minimal available floor space necessitates a certain kind of light. And, of course, it’s the harder type of light. You can’t simply place a lamp here. When you need to light your hallway but keep walkways clear, mounted lighting is your only option.

The other hallway lighting challenge results, again, from the hallway’s narrow design, which can make it feel claustrophobic. Your hallway needs to be thoroughly and brightly lit. Otherwise, it risks feeling too confined.

But don’t worry. There are solutions to both of these problems. The need for maximal free floor space might force your hand in choosing certain types of lighting, but there are still plenty of good options available. And you can easily fend off that claustrophobic feeling by mounting lights at strategically placed locations throughout your hallway. Use this guide to get all the details you need to light your hallway beautifully.

light your hallway 3

The style of lighting you choose will shape the feel of your hallway. Image: Jodie Johnson/Shutterstock

Choosing your lighting

Most hallways are designed to be wide enough to allow a single person to move through them comfortably — and not much else. If your hallway is wide enough to accommodate a console table, count yourself lucky. For those of us with hallways that need every available inch of width to feel comfortable, wall- or ceiling-mounted lighting is the way to go. With these options, you keep the walkways open but can still wash your hallway in a warm and inviting glow.

Pendant lighting

Pendant lights can make a statement in your hallway. Find one that really catches your eye and hang it to transform what would have been a very forgettable space. Pendant lighting is best for hallways with high ceilings. Otherwise, a low hanging fixture could induce that sense of claustrophobia you’re trying so hard to avoid.

Wall sconces

You don’t necessarily have to rig something to your ceiling to light your hallway. Sconces can help you provide ample lighting without ever needing to pull out more than a step stool to change the bulb. This type of lighting is best for wider hallways, though, since the sconces will protrude from the walls, encroaching on the space of your hallway walkers.

light your hallway 1

Can lighting may be simple, but it’s effective. Image: Svet_Feo/Shutterstock

Can lighting

Sometimes the simple solution is the right one. Can lighting is an easy and effective way to light your hallways. Since the fixtures themselves will probably go largely unnoticed, this lighting style works with virtually any home style.

Track lighting

If you want to add an architectural feel and give yourself highly customizable lighting, track lighting delivers. This style is ideal for industrial and contemporary spaces.

Mixed lighting

Who says you can’t have it all? You can mix and match these lighting types to find the ideal way to light your hallway.

light your hallway 4

Place lights strategically to make your hallway feel bright and open. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Placing your lights

Now that you’ve chosen your light style, you need to make sure you have enough of the light itself to make your hallway feel sufficiently lit. Here are a few quick and easy tips to help:

  • Place lights every eight feet, at least. Smaller lights with lower-wattage bulbs should be placed more frequently.
  • Draw the eye down the hallway by placing a light close to either end.
  • If you’re choosing sconces, place them high on the wall to draw the eye up and make the space feel open. Otherwise, you risk that whole medieval, torch-on-the-wall-of-a-castle vibe.
  • Stand at both ends of the hall and check for dark spots. Make sure the light stays consistent and doesn’t dip in brightness between light fixtures. Brighten shadowed parts of the hallway as needed to keep the space feeling open and inviting.

That’s it! You’re now ready to light your hallway like a total champ. And, sure, your guests may never notice what a great job you did. But they’ll also never feel like they’re traversing through a cavern when they’re walking down your hall.

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20 Fab Hammocks and Hanging Chair Styles for a Summer Siesta

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Hammocks are hot right now. It’s partially because the boho-chic trend is so popular (and a hammock chair is a great boho accessory). And what better time to enjoy some gentle swinging or a siesta in a hanging chair?

There are endless styles on the market so we’ll focus on ones that are comfortable and incredibly stylish. Here are our favorite hammocks right now:

Swing chair with stand styles

If you don’t have space to hang a hammock, a modern swing chair with a stand is a great option. Place it in a corner or near a window and add some pillows to make the swing chair inviting and comfortable.

modern hammocks, hanging chair and swing chairs

Hammocks

The classic hammock is normally hung between two trees or posts. Or you can buy one that comes with a hammock stand. Many styles are lightweight and portable, making it possible to have a siesta nearly anywhere.

hanging chair and hammocks

Manaus Majesty Hammock at Amazon, click for price

hanging chair and hammocks



Modern hanging chair styles

Hanging basket chairs or hammock chairs are one of the most popular hammock styles because they work in small spaces.

swing chairs, hammocks and hanging chair styles
swing chairs, hammocks and hanging chair styles
swing chairs, hammocks and hanging chair styles
swing chairs, hammocks and hanging chair styles




You can hang most of these hammocks and hanging chair styles indoors or outdoors. Find a favorite spot, set one up and enjoy the relaxing summer ahead!

The post 20 Fab Hammocks and Hanging Chair Styles for a Summer Siesta appeared first on Freshome.com.

How to Decorate with Neon Lights Indoors

Are you looking for a way to add a fun, artsy twist to your home? Then you might want to consider neon lights.

At first, this can feel like a tacky idea usually reserved for bars and the windows of tattoo parlors. But you can actually make neon lights work right in your home in ways that are classy and add a unique style. From accenting wall art and word art to more extreme uses like making a futuristic game room, you may be surprised to learn just some of the possibilities of neon lights in a residential space.

This is also a fairly easy way to get a new look in your home. Many custom neon fixtures can run around a couple hundred dollars or more from a shop. But you can also find neon-style signs for residential uses on sites like Amazon. Take this “dream” sign, for example. These tend to run around $10 to $80 depending on the size and complexity of the design. And generally, neon-style signs take just a few minutes to hang. Lighting a whole room with neon lights, however, might take the help of a professional remodeler or electrician.

Neon Lights Home Sign

For a cozy, welcoming feel, choose neon words with a domestic connotation. Image: JY J/Shutterstock

Use Words to Create Ambiance

The most common way to use neon lights, or even neon-style LED lights, is to use them to spell out certain words that create a specific mood in the home. For instance, the sign in the photo above creates a comfortable feel by literally just spelling the word home. Some other ideas for neon word signs that would look great in living rooms or bedrooms include:

  • Welcome
  • Family
  • Dream
  • Inspirational quotes, like “do what you love”
  • Hello
  • Be happy
  • Goodnight
  • Good vibes only
  • Your favorite song lyrics

Along similar lines, you could also go with different images, like moon outlines.

Neon Lights Accent Colors

Neon lights can also accent the elements that are already in the room. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Accent Items with Neon Lights

Another great use for neon-style lights is to use them to accent items you already have in the home. You can see in the photo above how you could use a neon lighting style around art on the wall, as is the case with the red lighting on the wall hanging. It really makes the bright art pop all the more.

You could also use neon lights to add a glow from under major pieces of furniture. An example is the light that glows from under the cooktop island in the photo above. People often place colored lighting under cabinets for some accent lighting, so why not go neon?

Neon Lights Game Room Design

Vertical neon lights can create a massive statement look. Image: Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

Create a Futuristic Space

A more involved idea comes in the form of the game room in the photo above. By adding neon vertical lighting, you can create a room that has a futuristic element to it. As the photo above shows, this is the perfect setting for a gaming room. But it could also work in artsy bedrooms, den areas and man caves.

For this idea, you would need thick neon lights sold in straight bars. You might also have to hire a professional remodeler or electrician to hook up the lighting properly.

And remember, properly installed and constructed neon lighting should never run warm. If you find one that is, you will want to invest in a higher quality light.

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How to Create the Ultimate Game Room

It’s nearly everyone’s dream: the ultimate game room. Whether you’re into classic pool hall games, retro arcade cabinets, card games or the latest in video games, you can’t beat having a place to go in your own home where the only thing to think about is having fun.

Also, the beauty of a game room is that one can fit in almost anywhere. If you have a spare bedroom, an unused den, a corner of the basement or even space above a garage, you can fit in a game room. And if you’re thinking about building a home, a game room is easy to work into a floor plan. So below we’ll cover how to design the perfect game room around your individual interests.

Game Room Pool Table

You can plan for multiple game types. Image: krsmanovic/Shutterstock

Assess What Types of Games You Want to Include

The first step is, of course, deciding on what games you want to have. The photo above shows how you can have more than one type of activity. Combining a pool table with table tennis is a very common game room idea. Foosball is also common. And there’s the classic standby of professional card tables.

You might also find other smaller games to include, like a dart board on the wall. Small-scale games are great both as additions to larger game rooms or when floor space is a concern.

You can also elect for modern video games, classic arcade cabinets or pinball machines. And a less common idea could be indoor bocce ball or shuffleboard courts.

Game Room Foosball Table

Gaming additions like this foosball table can fit almost anywhere. Image: zhu difeng/Shutterstock

Think About Combining the Game Room with Other Areas

As mentioned above, you might be surprised to learn what you can make into a game room. An example is the gaming addition to the spacious modern home in the photo above. If you have some extra space just off of a living room, you can add something like a foosball table or a corner with arcade cabinets.

This is also a great idea for small space homes, where turning areas into multifunctional spaces can help save room. Some other ideas might be adding a dart board into a den, setting up a pool table next to a home bar area or placing table tennis in a converted loft area.

Game Room Home Bar

Remember to create ambiance in your game room by choosing appropriate themes. Image: Richman21/Shutterstock

Pick a Theme

Another aspect to keep in mind is picking a design theme. Some game rooms go minimalistic and simply have the game tables with little to adorn the room. That can be its own modern style. However, other game rooms go for a whole design theme, right down to the building materials. An example is the photo above, where the foosball table and pool table are part of an industrial bar theme.

Based on the games you choose, you could go a number of different directions. You could make the area look like a classic arcade if you choose video games or pinball machines, with retro posters featuring classic games on the walls. Or you could go with a classic billiard room full of rich textures and elegant lighting fixtures. These are just a couple of examples. The area should reflect your tastes and interests first and foremost.

Game Room Focal Point

Make sure your game room is well-organized around a focal game or two. Image: Stelmakh Oxana/Shutterstock

Organize Your Game Room

When it comes to planning a game room, there is one key design principle to keep in mind. The game room itself should be designed around the largest game or two, which serve as your focal point. The photo above shows how the pool table is in the center of the room and draws the eye. A large wall hanging sits next to the pool table, with lighting fixtures above the table. A sitting area is also off to the side.

Everything in the room is arranged out from the largest game in the room. For other game styles, the focal point might be a big screen television if it’s a video game room or a set of pinball machines along the wall.

The post How to Create the Ultimate Game Room appeared first on Freshome.com.

HGTV’s Andy Williams: Celebrate Father’s Day With the Perfect Man Cave

Andy and Ashley Williams, hosts of HGTV's Flip or Flop Fort Worth.

Andy and Ashley Williams, hosts of HGTV’s Flip or Flop Fort Worth. Image courtesy of Almond Board of California.

Father’s Day is a perfect time to celebrate that special dad who works so hard and always puts family first. What better way to show your appreciation than to start thinking about creating a space that he can call his own: a man cave? This may entail transforming your basement, renovating your garage or even creating usable space in your attic.

Andy Williams of HGTV’s Flip or Flop Fort Worth gave Freshome several great tips to help us all design the perfect man cave.

Expect the man cave to be loud during sporting events.

Expect the man cave to be loud during sporting events. Image: Jon Feingersh Photography/Shutterstock

Creating a sports-themed man cave

When Williams conceptualizes and creates a man cave, he takes the same approach as purchasing a custom suit or a set of golf clubs. “There are so many great options and so many things that you can do, but the first thing you have to do is understand the ‘man’ in the cave,” Williams says.

For a sports-themed design, you should start with the history of the cave owner. “If he has trophies or personal memorabilia, it is nice to have a corner or shadow box that pays tribute to his glory days.”

The next part of the theme is generally affiliations: what college did he attend or what are his favorite local teams?

A sports theme can also be stylish.

A sports theme can also be stylish. Image: Hoxton/Tom Murphy/Getty Images

“I often advise not to go overboard in this area because we still want it to be classy and more about the cave owner rather than being a shrine,” Williams says. And that’s why he likes universal sports ideas. “Whether you opt for some of the cool trends in pool tables, a dartboard setup, a poker table or chess boards, this aspect of the cave shows versatility and more of the renaissance man approach, if that is what you like.”

A man cave for a Renaissance man.

A man cave for a Renaissance man. Image: Hemul75/Getty Images

Man caves for men who aren’t sports fans

Of course, the man cave doesn’t have to incorporate a sports theme. “For some, this area may serve as part home office and part hobby area. It can also be part workshop and part lounge.” Williams says there is no better place for him to keep his collection of music or his home library than in the place where he takes his respite and can be focused on the things he enjoys. “More and more, we see man caves that reflect the intellect and style of the individual, rather than their allegiance to a sports team.”

A man cave that simply revolves around entertainment is another good choice, “especially for those spaces that are external to the home,” Williams explains. “There can be a lot of versatility built in so that the former external garage has movie projection capabilities both inside the structure and externally for an outdoor movie night.”

A tastefully-designed man cave.

A tastefully-designed man cave. Image: Eric Audras/GettyImages

Making sure the man cave doesn’t look like a frat house

A man cave is not a dormitory or a fraternity house. To avoid this feel, Williams says the space should define who the cave owner is today and who that person is becoming – not who he used to be. “For me, that goes all the way down to the beverages and snacks that I keep on hand. For example, instead of a bowl of candy and soda, I always have an abundant supply of healthy choices, like nuts and bottles of sparkling water.” Williams says he doesn’t plan on crashing or passing out in his cave. Instead, he goes there to be his best, be alert, share ideas and invite deep conversations.

You can't go wrong with wood and leather.

You can’t go wrong with wood and leather. Image: archideaphoto/Getty Images

Materials to use in a man cave

“Again, this is a very personal choice. But, usually, we start with what exists and merge — if possible — with the vision.” Williams says it’s almost always a good idea to use wood. Your colors choices are important since they can affect your emotions. “I prefer lighter colors to brighten the room and allow for smoother lighting.” He also recommends stone and split-face rock for accents, especially when there is a fireplace. “Flooring is also important based on what will be going on in the room. Instead of carpet, I prefer to use area rugs and provide different textures and looks.”

Include space for entertaining friends.

Include space for entertaining friends. Image: Hemul75/Getty Images

Furnishings to use in a man cave

To truly relax in the man cave and avoid having to go back and forth, Williams recommends furnishing the space as though the cave owner would spend a couple of uninterrupted days in there. “Having a refrigerator is a key element. Also, provided the space is large enough, it’s good to have at least a few ‘refuel’ stations with snacks and beverages.” And from a signature design perspective, Williams says there should be at least one furnishing that is a conversation piece.

A man cave should reflect the cave owner's taste and style.

A man cave should reflect the cave owner’s taste and style. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Final tips

A man cave is the perfect place to use one of those cool roll-up garage doors or maybe a sliding, stackable glass door. However, the most important element is the cave owner’s personality. “Designing a personal space is, in many ways, creating a portrait of the cave owner,” Williams says. “It allows you to create something that is in all ways a representation of him and what matters the most to him.”

The post HGTV’s Andy Williams: Celebrate Father’s Day With the Perfect Man Cave appeared first on Freshome.com.

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

bad living room cleaning habits

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.

bad living room cleaning habits 2

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 3A 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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