Clutter is the bane of a well-curated home. It’s all too easy to let unnecessary objects pile up in your home. These 10 items are so easy to say goodbye to, you won’t believe you ever let them stay in your home in the first place.
Expired Toiletries
Makeup, lotions, and other toiletries can begin to harvest bacteria and simply go bad as time goes on. Toss expired or old items lurking in your bathroom drawer.
Old Spices
Spices lose their flavor and potency as time goes on. If you sniff your spice and the smell doesn’t come through, it’s time to toss it.
Extra Flower Vases
If you have a small vase collection as a result of delivery floral arrangements, pair it down to your favorite two. (You’ll likely get another the next time a special event rolls around.)
Old Charging Cables
Toss or recycle old charging cables-especially if you no longer know what they go to. You will likely don’t need them if you haven’t used them in the last year.
Take Out Menus
You are likely using a food delivery service for take out at this point. You don’t need the paper version-it’s all online anyway.
Promotional Tote Bags
Vendors love to give out promotional swag, but you likely have your favorite totes already. Donate the leftovers, free items aren’t always worth the space they take up.
VHS Tapes
You’re not actually going to take the time to pull out your dusty VCR so you can work out to that 80’s aerobics tape.
Expired Medicine
Get rid of your expired medicine; ask your local law enforcement on how to do it safely.
Past Prescription Glasses
Sure, you could technically reuse the frames, but you wanted a change. Donate your old pair to someone in need.
Puzzles or Games with Missing Pieces
If you really loved the game or puzzle, plan to get a new one.
Old Paint
House paint never looks the same over time. Consider simply buying new paint when the time comes to keep everything looking fresh.
Broken Items
You swore you would repair them, but it’s been over a year. Chances are, you didn’t need it too badly if you never got around to fixing the item. It’s time to let it go.
Keeping your home calm and clutter-free can be a chore, but getting rid of these items is a no-fuss method to be on your way to a decluttered and well-curated living space.
10 Items You Can Declutter Right Away
Clutter is the bane of a well-curated home. It’s all too easy to let unnecessary objects pile up in your home. These 10 items are so easy to say goodbye to, you won’t believe you ever let them stay in your home in the first place.
Expired Toiletries
Makeup, lotions, and other toiletries can begin to harvest bacteria and simply go bad as time goes on. Toss expired or old items lurking in your bathroom drawer.
Old Spices
Spices lose their flavor and potency as time goes on. If you sniff your spice and the smell doesn’t come through, it’s time to toss it.
Extra Flower Vases
If you have a small vase collection as a result of delivery floral arrangements, pair it down to your favorite two. (You’ll likely get another the next time a special event rolls around.)
Old Charging Cables
Toss or recycle old charging cables-especially if you no longer know what they go to. You will likely don’t need them if you haven’t used them in the last year.
Take Out Menus
You are likely using a food delivery service for take out at this point. You don’t need the paper version-it’s all online anyway.
Promotional Tote Bags
Vendors love to give out promotional swag, but you likely have your favorite totes already. Donate the leftovers, free items aren’t always worth the space they take up.
VHS Tapes
You’re not actually going to take the time to pull out your dusty VCR so you can work out to that 80’s aerobics tape.
Expired Medicine
Get rid of your expired medicine; ask your local law enforcement on how to do it safely.
Past Prescription Glasses
Sure, you could technically reuse the frames, but you wanted a change. Donate your old pair to someone in need.
Puzzles or Games with Missing Pieces
If you really loved the game or puzzle, plan to get a new one.
Old Paint
House paint never looks the same over time. Consider simply buying new paint when the time comes to keep everything looking fresh.
Broken Items
You swore you would repair them, but it’s been over a year. Chances are, you didn’t need it too badly if you never got around to fixing the item. It’s time to let it go.
Keeping your home calm and clutter-free can be a chore, but getting rid of these items is a no-fuss method to be on your way to a decluttered and well-curated living space.
How to Design with Art Deco
3 Tips for Low-Maintenance Landscaping
Having a beautifully landscaped property makes your home instantly more welcoming and can also increase your home value by boosting your curb appeal. However, unless you are willing to get down-and-dirty, or want to budget for a consistent landscaping team, a beautiful yard can seem like a daunting undertaking. Thankfully, there are some excellent options for low-maintenance landscaping for any home that you will love.
Go For Mulch
Whether you opt for an expansive lawn with easy to care for foliage surrounding it, or you opt for an even lower maintenance option to cover the expanse of your yard, you will no-doubt want to create a few planting beds to add visual appeal and variety. In these areas, keep it simple by covering the bed with a barrier cloth and mulch for weed control. You can opt to replace organic mulch (which will provide your garden with nutrients) annually, or select rubber mulch for a truly hands-off option. There are pros and cons for both options depending on your climate, so consult a local garden expert to find out what is best for your needs.
Choose River Rock
While river rock requires a larger upfront investment than mulch, it can be used in areas where mulch may have been used. Its benefits are similar to that of inorganic mulch-it will not decay over the course of the year and will not need to be replaced. Large river rocks can serve as an accent or focal-point in an otherwise plant-based yard, while smaller river rocks can take the place of full lawns.
Low-Maintenance Plant Choices
Native or Xeric plants are the perfect options to ensure that your yard has greenery without needing to be constantly tended to. Plants that grow locally are less-likely to need excessive care to flourish in your yard and climate, making them a logical inclusion in your landscaping. Alternatively xeriscaping your yard by adding Succulents like Aloe Vera, hearty ornamental sages, and Artemisia is an excellent way to add texture and beauty while remaining relatively drought resistant. This can allow you to conserve water and reduce your need to water often, but still have a visually appealing yard.
Having curb appeal doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your hard-earned weekends on the yard. A little knowledge of your local climate can do a lot to ensure that your landscaping is low-maintenance and lasts for years to come.
6 Items to Upgrade Your Backyard
Making your backyard perfect for the spring and summer seasons is more important now than ever. With social distancing still here to stay and outdoor gatherings remaining the best way to enjoy close friends and family, now is a great time to elevate your outdoor space. Upgrade your backyard with these six items.
Raised Herb Garden
Whether you have a large garden already, or no garden at all, adding a small raised planter on your deck or patio is an excellent choice. Keep shade-loving herbs close by for added appeal and greenery in your seating area. Not only will your space look lovely, but your outdoor dinners will get a huge boost of flavor with fresh herbs ready to be used.
Fire Pit
Stay out even on chilly spring or summer nights with a fire pit. Choose a gas fire table or pit that follows your municipal fire safety laws and your whole family will enjoy the warmth and ambiance all night long. Adults will enjoy the relaxing conversation focal point and kids will adore the promise of smores in summer.
Wall Decor
You would never call a space finished indoors before adding a few art and decor pieces on the wall, don’t make the mistake of thinking your outdoor space is any different. Whether your seating area is surrounded by a fence or your home’s exterior, add a few of your favorite outdoor-safe decor items to truly enhance your aesthetic.
Hammock
Few things are more comfortable on a sunny day than resting in a hammock with a good book or a glass of lemonade. Find a good spot for a hammock or do some research to select your favorite lounge chair and ensure that everyone has a spot to engage in a little relaxation outside this year.
String Lights
Whether you opt for large bulb string lights or classic white Christmas lights, give your backyard the feel of a tropical resort in the evening. Make sure that your evenings outdoors are truly magical with an assortment of lighting options to boost the appeal of your personal backyard oasis.
Extra Foliage
A good space will be well-landscaped, but a truly upgraded outdoor space will feature additional foliage for an oasis-like feel. In addition to your yard’s natural landscaping, add plants and flowers in your seating area in the form of hanging planters and nearby pots. Opt for vibrant flowers and cascading greenery to truly boost your outdoor aesthetic.
5 Types of Gardens to Beautify Your Home
Fresh spring lawn with blooming pink and white spring tulips flowers
These five gardens will add natural charm to your home…
Formal Garden
Though they require effort to keep perfectly manicured, they recall a bygone era of grandeur that always impresses.
Container Garden
A low-key option that works anywhere, fill pots, planters or reclaimed materials with greenery and flowers.
Japanese Rock Garden
Also known as a Zen garden, if you enjoy meditating, this will be your new favorite place.
Kitchen Garden
Grow your own fruits, vegetables and herbs right outside your home and live sustainably.
Flower Garden
From a classic rose garden to overgrown wildflowers, flower gardens can be designed to suit any personality.
Design Tips for Your Home Bar!
How Changing Wall Colors and Lighting Can Make Your Home Feel More Spacious
Small rooms can feel cramped and uninviting. Incorporating the right paint colors and selecting appropriate light fixtures can create an optical illusion to make a tight space feel larger than it really is.
How to Choose the Right Color for Your Walls
Lighter colors, such as off-white and light shades of green and blue, can reflect more light than darker colors. That can help you capitalize on natural light and can make a small space seem more open. In a room that receives a large or moderate amount of natural light, painting the walls in a shade of white, light taupe, grey or pink can create an impression of space.
A dark paint color can be overwhelming in a large room, but it may work perfectly in a tighter space. Using a darker color, such as charcoal or black, on the walls can make a small room seem cozy. If you decide to use a dark paint color, balance it out by incorporating furniture and accessories with lighter hues.
How to Use Accent Colors to Make a Room Seem More Spacious
You may want to paint one accent wall in a different color than the rest of the space or use a lighter color for the trim and moldings than for the walls. Painting the walls and trim the same color is another way to make a small room seem more spacious. The lack of a visual difference from one area to another will make the ceiling seem higher. Painting the doors, trim and ceiling in a single color can also unify a space and make it feel larger and more open.
How to Choose the Right Light Fixtures
Don’t rely on only one source of light in a small room. That can cause the room to be bright in the center and darker in other areas. Instead, use multiple light fixtures and lamps to illuminate the space. You can incorporate a combination of overhead lights, wall fixtures and lamps to brighten the area and make it seem roomier.
If the room has a relatively high ceiling, take advantage of the vertical space by installing a light fixture that will hang down. That will draw people’s eyes upward and take their focus away from the room’s small footprint. Recessed lights, backlighting and light fixtures that draw attention to artwork and other focal points can brighten the entire space and make it feel larger and more open.
Consult a Design Professional
Choosing the right paint and lighting for your home can be complicated. Many variables can come into play, including the size and layout of the space, the locations of windows, the amount of natural lighting, your personal preferences and how your family will use the room. If you need advice, get in touch with a local interior designer.
5 Design Ideas to Tackle Blank Walls
Nearly every home has one. Unfit for furniture, yet too conspicuous to leave bare, it’s the dreaded blank wall-dun, dun, dun!
Do you need inspiration to tackle this design disaster? These five ideas, suggested by the editors at Better Homes and Gardens, can help you fill that vacant space:
Book It. Draw inspiration from literature you no longer have a use for—matte the covers of books or periodicals with eye-catching artwork (National Geographic covers could be particularly striking), and arrange in groups to scale on the wall.
Float On. Floating shelves can help fill a void without weighing down the room. Stagger shelves of varying widths, and adorn them with accessories you already own. To really make the display pop, paint the shelves a color that contrasts with the shade on the wall.
Go to the Dark Side. Personalize the wall with shadowboxes or silhouette art—both can be customized to suit the overall theme of the room. You can repurpose old cookbooks into a gallery of culinary-inspired silhouettes, mount unused dinnerware in a series of shadowboxes, or do a reverse silhouette with silk plants and spray paint.
The Bigger, the Better. Center one oversized statement piece—think a typograph print, a floor-to-ceiling canvas, or an extra-large mirror—to define the space without adding visual clutter.
Take Up a Collection. Cluster together collections of small-scale prints. Look for ones with soft, muted palettes—think calm seascapes or tranquil forests—to add visual interest without overwhelming the space.
If you’ve just moved into a new home (or have stared at that blank wall for far too long), use these design ideas to fill it.
Short on Light? These 4 Houseplants Are For You—
If you’d like to add some greenery to your indoor life, but your home is lacking in natural light, don’t worry—there are many varieties of houseplants that thrive in low-light environments. Select wisely, and you’ll have an indoor garden thriving in no time, not to mention a host of natural air purifiers making for a healthier living environment. Here are some plants that will be healthy and happy in not-so-sunny situations:
Snake plant. This plant is known for its striking tall, skinny leaves, and small, fragrant lily-like flowers that bloom along a single stem. Snake plants also offer versatile design options for your home—ranging anywhere from 3-4 in. tall, to 3-4 ft. tall, they can perch nicely on a shelf or side table, or make a dramatic statement as a floor plant. An added plus—snake plants are very drought tolerant, making them the perfect option for busy (sometimes forgetful!) plant parents.
Peace Lily. While lovely peace lilies do require regular watering, they can thrive in less light than other plants in the tropical family. Place your peace lily close to, but not directly in front of, a window in a warm room in your house—North or West-facing windows are best for avoiding direct sunlight. Water your plant at least once a week or whenever you see the leaves drooping, and mist it from a spray bottle as well. You’ll enjoy both the peace lily’s stunning white blooms as well as its major air-purifying properties.
Philodendrons or Pothos. Also known as Devils Ivy, philodendrons or pothos, are one of the most popular, easy-to-grow, low-light plants. Known for their long, trailing stems that can reach 15-ft. long or more, these plants offer a variety of foliage options, from dark green to chartreuse or variegated shades of white and green. They’re perfect for positioning on a high shelf or from hanging pots in any room of the house.
Chinese Evergreen. If you’re looking to add a little color to your interior design, consider a Chinese Evergreen, which offers either multi-colored green or red-and-pink foliage. Another excellent choice for air purification, these plants can tolerate slightly dry soil as well. Certain varieties can reach 2 – 3 ft. in height, making for a striking statement in any corner of your home.
How to Choose the Best Houseplants
Just like picking paint and furniture, it’s important to spend time choosing the best plants for your interior space. Not only should you be considering the care your new plant friends will need, but also how they will impact your space as they grow to their full forms. Below are several tips for picking the best houseplants.
Understand sun exposure. The quickest way to shrivel a houseplant is by giving it the improper amount of sunshine. Take the time to get to know the sunniest and shadiest areas of your interior, and pick plants that thrive in that environment.
Consider maintenance. If you’re choosing houseplants that need a good amount of TLC—water, trimming, etc.—make sure you have the time in your schedule and bandwidth in your brain to take this on. If not, pick a plant that needs minimal attention, like a succulent.
Pick proper containers. Learn the root length of the plant you’re choosing, and how big it’s likely to grow, pick a container that can accommodate it—consider drainage, too!
Choose plants that compliment your space. Have tall ceilings? Consider a plant that grows tall, not wide like a palm. Looking to make your room look a little wild? Pick a climbing plant, like a golden pothos or some form of ivy.
Consider color. While varying shades of green can feel gorgeously lush, no need to stop there! Add color to your interior botanics, like orchids, peace lilies or prayer plants.