If you're searching for some modern and minimal ways to style your dining room table this spring, then look no further! Whether you're in search for a day-to-day look, hosting an afternoon tea or fun dinner party, we have three simple ways you can style your dining table with pieces you might already have kicking around the home!
Just because you live in a rental apartment doesn't mean that you can't rework it to fit your own taste - there are so many easy ways to customize it to reflect your personality. You just have to get a little creative! Here are ten great tips for making your rental living room feel like home. Your home.
Renting your home has some perks (no mortgage, no maintenance costs, no headaches), but there are downsides: apartment decorating can be a challenge, and limited storage space makes it hard to stay organized.
Many apartments are too small or don't offer much storage. Maybe the landlord won't let you paint or put nail holes in the wall. And rental properties are usually...
All home improvement stores sell big indoor/outdoor rugs. They’re cheap and they’re not attractive–dare I say ugly? Well, here’s a way to make one of those utilitarian things look fabulous.
What you need:
One indoor/outdoor rug. Mine is an Ozite, 6' x 8' rug in bark. It cost 12 bucks and I had a 2 dollar rebate. If this size is too big, you can cut them down with a scissors to any size or shape you desire–probably even puzzle pieces...
When we moved into our current apartment, we decided to mount our TV on the wall. Mainly, this was because our cats liked to stand in front of it, but we also just liked the look! Now, it's over a year later and there's nothing on that wall except a TV, which is the eyesore of the room. I'm a BIG TV fan, but I don't like the look of a giant black screen singled out on my wall. Because I was in need of some eye candy myself, I rounded up my favorite ways to decorate around your TV to incorporate it into your decor, or completely transform it into a hidden TV. Now I can't wait to finally decorate around my TV to make the room look a million times better!
Lately, I've been loving all the colorful furs I've been seeing in magazines, Pinterest, and my favorite interior decor sites. But when I saw how expensive it was to buy a few ... I knew the only way I'd be able to incorporate them into my home was to make them myself. So, I figured out this super simple technique to add some color and character to the common faux fur ... without creating a whole mess and spending a ton of money
I love my cat. I'm not shy about admitting that (I even mention it in my bio). I'm also not ashamed to say I think she's the best cat in the world. Her name is Donut, but I also refer to her as "Angel Face" or "Precious Baby Kitty" (which drives my fiancé crazy, I'm sure). The cat drinks filtered water and has a basket full of toys. She's one of the more spoiled cats out there, and leads a pretty cushy life (as evidenced by this plushy DIY cat bed I made especially for her).
The widespread appeal of nautical and coastal decor makes a lot of sense when you consider the primal and ancient connection humans have to the sea. Being attracted to the water is hardwired into our very cells. Scientific studies have proven what we already know anecdotally: spending time near, on, or in lakes and oceans make us happier and healthier. It's no wonder that so many of us respond to the colors, clean lines, and natural elements of coastal, beach, and nautical decor. It makes us feel good to be reminded of the sea.
If your initial reaction to the term "coastal decor" is negative, it's probably from witnessing too many cutesy and heavy-handed thematic rooms. We are not advocating buying and displaying any and all items that have a sailboat or seahorse on them. Good decorating never grows out of an overly simplistic theme, and, "Put an anchor on it" is not a valid design philosophy!
Whenever I look at Christmas fireplace décor ideas, I always see mantels adorned with beautiful fireplace garlands and a few oversized stockings. They look amazing!
But what if — like me — you don’t have a mantel to work with?
A fireplace is the focal point of any room. Knowing how to decorate a fireplace without a mantel for Christmas will help you create the perfect festive design for the heart of your home!
Looking for mantel-less Christmas décor ideas? Here’s our take on fireplace decoration. We went with a natural, simple and Scandi feel. And focused on creating the warmth and comfort that Christmas is all about.
Follow these steps and adapt them to your own Christmas décor style for your own unique fireplace design.
We love the festive season! It’s the perfect time to get creative. If you’ve already got your tree trimmed and you’re ready for a new and exciting holiday project — or even if you’re keeping your Christmas décor minimal this year — this DIY wooden tabletop Christmas tree will bring a little extra festive cheer to your home.
These trees are super easy to make and to personalize. What’s more, they’re so durable. Bring them out year after...
Christmas trees aren't for everyone. They can be pricey when you're on a budget, tricky in a small apartment, and nearly impossible with pets.
This year we came up with a super affordable, easy to assemble, clever tree that only requires a wall, a roll of tape, a stapler, dexterous fingers, and about an hour of your time. Right? Right! Let's make one.
If someone mentions Christmas colors, red and green probably instantly come to mind. But though they're the default, they're far from the only choice for a Christmas color scheme. If you're not a fan of the color combination, or it just doesn't look good with your existing regular decor, why not get creative with your Christmas colors? Check out these ideas for alternative Christmas color palettes for decorating your home.
No matter how many trends come and go, there are a few classic home decor elements that never go out of style. Think of a simple round mirror, the Eames lounge chair, a quality Persian rug - designers come back to these pieces again and again.
Another essential decor item that every interior designer seems to have in their back pocket? White curtains. Versatile and classic, well-tailored white curtains can dress up literally any room; no matter the style. And here's the secret - we've noticed a lot of designers are getting their curtains at IKEA!
Now that the weather is getting cooler in most places, you may be pulling your sweaters from last year out of the back of your closet. And maybe there are a few that you decide won't be making it into your wardrobe rotation. Before you get rid of an unwanted sweater, consider whether it could have a new life as a sweater pillow. Here's how to add a bit of knit texture to your decor by sewing your own sweater pillow.
There are lots of reasons why you might not want to wear an old sweater any more. Maybe the fit, color, or style is off, or perhaps there are stains or holes that developed while it was sitting around unworn (thanks, moths!). Especially if the stains or holes are on the sleeves, you may be able to salvage the rest of the sweater by turning it into a pillow. And if you don't already have a suitable sweater, you should be able to find one at a thrift store.
I loved the stitch pattern on this dusty pink sweater, but the color and fit just didn't suit me. When I realized that it would look much better in my living room than on me, I started figuring out how to turn it into a sweater pillow. Here's how I did it:
Turn the sweater inside-out, and place the pillow form inside it. Pin around the form so that the sweater fits it snugly, but don't stretch it out.
Cut the sweater outside the lines you pinned, leaving about a 1/2-inch seam allowance.
Sew around the perimeter of the sweater on the lines you pinned. Be careful not to stretch the sweater as you sew, or you'll end up with wavy seams. I like to round off the corners and trim them, so that my finished pillow won't have pointy, empty corners. Be sure to leave an opening for inserting the pillow form! The exact size of the opening depends on your pillow size, but the one here would have been easier to deal with if it had been an inch or two larger.
Hand sew the opening closed using an invisible stitch/ladder stitch/blind stitch/slip stitch.
Sewing a sweater pillow is much faster than knitting a pillow cover from scratch! Do you have any old sweaters that would make good throw pillows?
I have boxes upon boxes of Christmas decor, but do you know what I always wish I had more of? Halloween decorations! Most of the spooky decor associated with this ghoulish of holidays doesn't last for more than one season (I'm talking to you, weird bag of spider webs!). Rather than buying stuff to throw it away on November 1st, I wanted to make something I can decorate with this year and the years after. Boosting your own stash of spooky decor is easy enough - keep reading to see how I made these glossy bookends from wood, spray paint, and spooky bobbles.
I have boxes upon boxes of Christmas decor, but do you know what I always wish I had more of? Halloween decorations! Most of the spooky decor associated with this ghoulish of holidays doesn't last for more than one season (I'm talking to you, weird bag of spider webs!). Rather than buying stuff to throw it away on November 1st, I wanted to make something I can decorate with this year and the years after. Boosting your own stash of spooky decor is easy enough - keep reading to see how I made these glossy bookends from wood, spray paint, and spooky bobbles.
Maybe it's my childhood spent catching garter snakes, but I've never been afraid of snakes. I know I'm in the minority in thinking that some of them are even downright cute, so I won't be surprised to hear that this snake wreath might evoke slithery nightmares for many. If plastic snakes don't creep you out too much, you can whip up this DIY Halloween wreath in no time.
September is a transitional time of year... the kids are going back to school, the weather is getting cooler and the landscape is changing. Which means that it's a great opportunity to give your living room a refresh too. One of the best ways to do this is by adding texture - so take a cue from Scandinavian decor and add some beautiful layered texture to your space this fall.
It may or may not feel like it yet where you live, but I'm sure you don't need to be told that summer is nearing its last days. After a long, hot season, many of us are ready for cooler weather, colorful leaves, hay mazes, and apple picking. It can be fun to bring some of that fall flair into your home decor, too. So whether you want just a touch of fall decor, or want to kick summer to the curb and go all in with your fall decorations, we have tons of ideas for ways to turn your home into a celebration of autumn.
Bathroom windows are unique, both in form and function. They need to let light into a small space, while at the same time, afford you privacy. Here's how to get the best of both worlds.
Every bathroom in my home has a window, some of them quite large. Our current master bathroom even has one in the shower. That doesn't seem so bad (hooray, natural light!), except the window looks directly out onto the porch right next to our front door.
Hello Mr. UPS man, don't mind me, I am just standing here taking a shower...
Obviously, we had to remedy these problems. Bathroom windows are a good thing! They let in light and help ventilate the bathroom when needed, but they can be inconvenient when you need to go about your bathroom business. Here is a wide variety of solutions for your bathroom privacy that fit a variety of budget needs.
Grab some painters tape and this can of frosted glass spray paint for less than $4 and you have got a pretty easy privacy fix.
You can use the contact paper "as is" or you could use a cut out to make a fun pattern like this tutorial over at Thrifty Fun. This would be a great fix for a rental but my guess is the humidity from your bathroom would cause peeling. This might not be the best permanent solution but a great inexpensive temporary solution costing less than $10.
A more permanent option would be to spend a little more to purchase vinyl cling film for your bathroom windows. The cost depends on the size of the window but a 17 X 78 inch piece from Amazon costs around $14.
A creative option would be to make a privacy screen to place in front of the panes of your bathroom windows. All you need is a wood frame and a remnant of lace. Check out how to make this lace window screen here. If you need a little more privacy use a more patterned lace or a sheer piece of fabric.
Many people hang art in their bathroom, so why not use that art to cover a window? I know the photo is not a bathroom but a piece of art could cover a lot of window. For a smaller window positioned high, a small piece could cover the bottom window pane. If you want to keep it budget friendly head to the thrift store to find a treasure.
A short cafe-style curtain can create bathroom window privacy and still let in light from above. These bathroom window curtains fit perfectly in humid environments, as they actually repel water. Find them on Amazon for under $14.
Can't find any bathroom window curtains that fit your style or size? All you need to make your own is a tension rod, a bit of fabric, and some needle and thread. Check out this easy tutorial for the step-by-step instructions.
Want to make your own bathroom window curtains, but don't want to sew them? Find out how to make no-sew curtains by following this tutorial.
Why over-think it when simple bathroom window curtains will create usable and durable privacy. This is what we use for my master bathroom window.
If you have a larger window use thicker drapery panels to cover the bottom part of the window. You would need to buy a curtain panel and a curtain rod putting this project over the $25 mark, unless you have a small window and can use a tension or cafe rod. Another budget friendly option is using kitchen towels for curtain panels.
This is such a great fix for smaller bathroom windows. You can find these at Lowes or other home improvement stores. If you have a standard size window you can often find paintable wood versions at local salvage stores or Habitat for Humanity Re-stores.
Turn your window into a tinted mirror with two-way window film. You will be able to see outside but they will not be able to see into your bathroom. The cost of this depends on the size of your window but a small window can definitely be covered for under $50.
You can use a tutorial like this one to make a roman shade using a fabric shower curtain.
These simple shades go up and down without the use of cords, meaning they're ideal for homes with pets or small children. Let light in as you please for under $50.
Privacy is key when you're in the bathroom, but it's also important to let as much natural light in as possible. Hanging a macrame wall hanging in the window (especially one in a light color), adds beauty and privacy. We love this one from Amazon!
Block the view through your bathroom window with a large mirror. It works even if its not over your sink as well. It can be a great dressing or make-up mirror.
You can find vintage stained glass for under $100 at flea markets and antique stores. Hello, architectural detail!
I am actually not sure if the window above is window film but I have always wanted to try this leaded glass window film from Wall Paper for Windows. I also like the tudor style leaded glass. They have the blurred glass and the privacy frosted glass as well. The cost depends on your window size but its pricier and more durable than the less expensive window cling.
Bamboo shades are great options for privacy while also allowing light to filter through. Bamboo can also hold up to humidity pretty well as well. You can find many options under $50 at home decor stores or department stores.
These plantation shutters can be custom made to fit any window. You can order then at most home improvement stores in their special order area.
If you are remodeling this might be a good fix but it will be the most expensive.
There are companies, like Hunter Douglas, that make shower grade plantation shutters and trim to install over existing bathroom windows in your shower.
Indow Window is a window insert company that has a wide variety of uses for their window inserts. This is much less expensive than installing a new window. They have frosted privacy options that can be easily installed by any homeowner like the pictures shows above.
Most custom blind stores sell bottom-up/ top down roman shades. By just using the cord attached they can work like roman shades or they can raise up from the bottom to shade the lower part of your bathroom windows.
In conclusion, there's no need to expose yourself. Hopefully one of these bathroom windows solutions will work for you!
