Category: Home Decor

7 Interesting Things Found in Old Homes

May 10, 2021

Older homes are full of one-of-a-kind features you won’t find in today’s new builds. Maybe your home’s retro elements are even why you chose to purchase it in the first place! Below are a few of our favorites, some rarer than others. Do you still have any of them around your house? 1. Conversation PitsGaining popularity in the 1950s and holding strong until the 1970s, the conversation pit is easy to recognize. Often found in the living room, pits were intended to get people talking–perhaps inexplicably, in a sunken nook a few steps below the regular floor. While it seemed like a cozy idea, conversation pits faced harsh criticism, mainly for the fact that they’re a falling hazard. Yet, some modern designers are reviving pits for the current homeowner. 2. Phone NooksBack when phones didn’t fit in your pocket, you’d need a central, out-of-the-way place to put them. Enter the phone nook or “niche,” as it’s sometimes called. This little cutout in the wall served as a hideaway for that otherwise bulky landline. If you don’t want that awkward blank opening, try converting it instead of covering it up. A few plants, some photos, or your favorite books can make

Throwing the Perfect Backyard Get Together

April 26, 2021

Before we know it, summertime will be here, and there’s nothing better than having your friends and family over for a backyard cookout. But if you’ve ever thrown a party, you know it can also be quite a bit of work to pull off the perfect gathering. Here are some tips to create an entertaining night without a hitch. Bring Your Yard Up to Par Your yard can say a lot about you and what you think of your guests, so you definitely don’t want them to get the wrong impression. If your lawn is looking a little shaggy, a quick once-over with the lawnmower will get it in shape. Use your bag attachment (if you have one) to collect the clippings and dispose of them so your guests don’t kick them everywhere. Don’t forget to pick up after your pets as well. The last thing you want is for someone to step in a “present” left behind by your furry friend. To give a welcoming look to your guests, spruce up your front yard too. Decorate to Keep Things Private It’s not only important to be thinking of your partygoers, but also your neighbors. While you may be having

How to Keep Your Oven Clean and Safe

March 22, 2021

Being inside for the majority of last year may have given you more time to try new things. Perhaps you found a new hobby, binged your favorite shows, or polished your cooking skills by trying new dishes. If you did work on your culinary abilities, your oven might be in need of some TLC. Knowing how to clean your oven the right way will let you extend its lifespan and get the best possible cooking results. “When should I clean my oven?” The obvious answer to this question is: when your oven is noticeably dirty. If there are grease spots around your burners, charred food on the racks, and other signs that it’s been a while since you last cleaned, it’s time. For active chefs, cleaning every couple of months is best to prevent debris buildups that can lead to fires. As for those that aren’t using their kitchen much, cleaning once or twice a year should suffice. Again, it all depends on how frequently you’re cooking and how messy you get when you do. “Can’t I just use the self-clean feature on my oven?” While the self-clean option on most ovens is nice, it isn’t a perfect solution. Normally

Using Circadian Lighting to Help Your Mental and Physical Health

March 15, 2021

Natural lighting in your home provides numerous benefits for your well-being. It gives you crucial Vitamin D, helps ward off seasonal affective disorder (SAD), reduces stress, and much more. Natural light also ties in to your sleep schedule and how well you fall and stay asleep. If you aren’t getting enough light in your home, you might be able to artificially substitute it. Circadian Rhythms You may have heard about a circadian rhythm before, but if you haven’t or aren’t quite sure what it is, here’s a quick rundown: A circadian rhythm is essentially your body’s internal clock that carries out different functions during a 24-hour period. The most commonly discussed rhythm is the one that controls your sleep-wake cycle. Your body uses cues such as the intensity of daylight to know when it needs to energize you or when it needs to begin the sleep process. It’s important to maintain a consistent cycle, or else you can experience conditions like insomnia. The production of melatonin, a key “sleep ingredient,” can be hindered if your body’s rhythm becomes disrupted. How Rhythms Get Interrupted Now that you’re more familiar with your circadian rhythms’ various purposes, you need to identify what could

Picture Perfect: Hanging Art in Your Home the Easy Way

January 18, 2021

Your favorite artwork or family pictures can brighten up your home and turn it into your own personal art gallery. However, trying to get the right layout and preventing your walls from getting damaged by nails and hooks can be a hassle. These tips can help you get things right the first time and save your walls. Plan Before Your Hang If you have several pictures that you’d like to hang together, plan out your arrangement before you put it up. Make paper cutouts of your different pieces, and use tape to place them on your wall. Also mark with a pencil or tape on your wall where the center of each frame is so you’ll know where to place the hook or nail. This way you’re free to rearrange and position your art how you’d like, without puncturing your walls unnecessarily. Use Adhesive Strips and Hooks Want to preserve your walls and secure your pictures? Then adhesive hangers are just the tool you need. They’re easy to apply to the back of a frame and quickly stick to wherever you place them. While you can apply them to larger frames, they tend to work the best with lighter ones.

10 Ways to Keep Your Calm in 2021

December 28, 2020

To say that 2020 was a stressful year might be an understatement. According to recent studies, almost a third of Americans and Canadians say they experienced high levels of stress during the year. For a more laid-back 2021, try these home design tips to let go of your worries. 1. Let the light shine in.Dark or dimly-lit spaces in your home can negatively impact your mood. Letting in more sunshine can boost your emotions and help you unwind after a long day. Sunlight is especially important during the shorter days of winter, which can cause Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Plus, Vitamin D is key for your immune system and natural lighting can increase your focus and take the strain off your eyes when reading or looking at screens. 2. Get your green thumb in gear. Whether they’re fresh, dried or even faux, incorporating plants and flowers in your home can have a calming effect. It’s been found that greenery can significantly lower your stress levels. Their leaves also act as a natural humidifier that enhances your indoor air quality. If you don’t have enough sunny spots, there’s lots of plants that will be fine in lower lighting. 3. Better bedding,

Handmade Haunting: Bringing the Tricks and Treats to Your Home

October 5, 2020

Halloween is normally the time where all the local ghosts and goblins make their way door to door in search of goodies. However, much like the spooky season itself, this past year has proved to be anything but normal. If you’re looking for a fun way to have your candy and eat it too, then making an at-home haunting is just what Dr. Frankenstein ordered. Get the whole family involved in the construction. While your kids may be saddened that they won’t be able to travel the neighborhood, having them create their own house of horrors will cheer them right up. It’s also a good idea to get your little ones involved in the creation since they know their own scare-level. You don’t want to create a house that scares them too much, and definitely don’t want to make a “house of snores.” Decorate with DIY spiders, ghosts and other monsters. You don’t need to head out and buy expensive animatronic spooks that will just sit in storage most of the year. You can easily create your own freaks and creeps from items around your house, with a few additional supplies from the craft store. Some grotesque guests to get

5 Tips for Making the Perfect Remote Learning Space

September 14, 2020

Back-to-school season is now in full swing, but classrooms look much different than they did last year. As schools across the country adjust to social distancing guidelines, many are moving courses online to help keep students and teachers healthy. While remote schooling means you won’t need to pack lunches or rush your kids out the door in the morning, it does come with its own unique set of challenges. Designing the perfect study spot will help keep students of all ages on task and ready to learn. 1. What space is the best?When you start out designing your new “classroom,” it can be hard to narrow it down to one single spot, especially if you have multiple students at home. Lounging comfy beds all day may seem perfect, but just about anyone might be more inclined to take a nap than to read that next chapter. Natural lighting is good, but it can take willpower not to stare out the window all day. To avoid students constantly moving around and losing focus, make a list of what you need to best replicate their classrooms at school. In the end, after a little trial and error, it’s important that you pick

Adding Value to Your Home with a Weatherized Porch

August 18, 2020

A screened porch can be the perfect place to relax and entertain guests during the warmer months of the year. But if you live in an area with freezing winters or muggy summers, your porch may sit empty the majority of the time. If this sounds like a problem you currently have, then it might be time for an upgrade. An all-weather porch will allow you to better utilize this part of your home, while adding both beauty and value. DIY or Hire Once you’ve made the decision that changing to an all-weather porch is right for you, you have two options. You can either hire a contractor to do all the work, or you can try and do it yourself. While you might manage to save some money with a DIY, hiring out may better fit your remodeling timeframe. The biggest factor when making your choice is ultimately how confident you feel in your own handiwork. You could even try and merge the two options by doing what best fits your skillset and leaving the rest to a professional. Layout The next step is trying to configure the layout of your new enclosed porch. You will want to stay

Upgrading to a Finished Basement? Here’s How to Get the Basics in Place

April 21, 2020

A finished basement could be just the upgrade you need to create more living space and add value your home. Whether it’s a man cave or a lounge area, that cold and dark lower level of your home can be transformed into functional space. If you have been thinking about revamping your current basement, here are some things to keep in mind while remodeling. 1. Clear OutThe first thing that you will want to do is clean out whatever you may have stored in your basement. Even if you know the layout like the back of your hand and want to start planning right away, hidden foundational items could force you to change that. Having a clear field of view will expose anything like molds or cracks in the foundation that need to be immediately taken care of. If you do happen to run across an issue that looks serious, having a professional examine it will give you the best course of action to repair it. Clearing out your clutter will even allow you to sort through and get rid of unnecessary junk you have. 2. Sketch a DesignOnce you have your basement cleaned and cleared out, it’s time to