Author Archives: FultonHomes

Easy Tricks for Bedroom Organization

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Has your bedroom’s organization gotten out-of-hand lately? Are you struggling to find a place for everything? Do not worry! With our top five tips, you can reclaim your space and have it looking great. Let’s take a look! 

Easy Tricks for Bedroom Organization: 

1. Start off The Day Right. 

There is nothing better than coming home to a freshly made bed. Make your mother proud by setting aside time in the morning to make your bed. Not only will it help you to keep the rest of the room organized, but it will also feel great to lay down in a made bed each night. 

2. Declutter Your Life. 

You cannot begin the organization process until you have removed excess clutter from your bedroom. A good rule of thumb is to remove anything that you do not need or use. Whether it is old clothing or shoes you never wear, put it in a box to donate. Not only will someone benefit from your donation, but you will have far fewer items to organize once you remove unwanted/unused items. 

3. Every Square Inch.

There is a lot of extra space to be utilized for storage purposes. The space, underneath your bed and over your doorway, can be taken advantage of for extra storage. We even recommend adding shelving and hooks on your walls for the maximum amount of storage. If you currently do not have space under your bed, you can purchase a bed riser to accomplish this elevation. 

4. Out with The Old. 

Once you have decluttered your room, it is time to organize your closet. You want to only have items inside of your bedroom closet that actually belong in there. This will help the closet to stay organized and efficient. Afterward, we recommend buying a couple of closet organizers and even a shoe rack to tame the mess. You can even store last season’s clothing items in a box underneath your bed for extra room inside of your closet. 

5. Bedside Dreams. 

Your nightstand’s organization should be taken into consideration when you are purchasing it. If it only serves as a decorative piece, pass for now and move onto a more functional piece of furniture. Ideally, you will want a nightstand that has drawers for organization and storage. You can remove the clutter from the stand’s surface and store it inside of the nightstand. Items like tissues, notepads, books, and beauty essentials should be stored inside of the drawers for a more organized look and feel. 

We hope you enjoyed these five easy tricks for better bedroom organization. Check back weekly for more expert advice! 

Organizing Your Refrigerator

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While whipping up a fast family dinner, your refrigerator can get messy and out of sorts. To help keep things looking crisp and clean, you can follow our five tips for maximum fridge organization. 

How to Organize Your Refrigerator: 

Tip No. One: Let’s Make it Clear.

An easy way to find the things that you are looking for is to put the items in clear bins. Your fridge probably already has a few clear drawers installed, but it is never too late to add more clear bins. They can help you organize and maintain your food system without breaking the bank. Add the bins on top of your shelves to help organize any clutter. 

Tip No. Two: Groupings.  

To navigate quickly throughout your refrigerator, you will want to organize items by category. Place fruits in one bin/drawer and dairy items in a different bin/drawer. Make sure your family is clear on the system and encourage them to put things in the correct spot. 

Tip No. Three: The No-No Zone.

Dairy should not be placed in your refrigerator’s door, because the air and temperatures fluctuate a little too often for comfort. To keep your dairy products safe, make sure you have a place on the shelves for them.

Tip No. Four: The Safe Zone.

Meats can contaminate your other food products if they come into contact. A good way to prevent any dripping or contamination is to place your meat products on the lowest shelf possible. 

Tip No. Five: Labeled. 

Keep track of eggs, milk, and meat expiration dates by writing them on the product. You will only need to write on one egg and it will be the last egg you use. For example: if you buy a dozen eggs and they expire on August 17, you will write “August 17” on one of the dozen eggs. Throughout the week, you will use every egg except for the “August 17” egg. You want that to be the last egg that you will use. This will help you efficiently keep track of your egg’s expiration dates. Your other products you can simply use duck tape and a permanent marker to write down their expiration dates on their packaging. 

Have you found any personal organization tips that work for you and your family? We would love to hear about them in the comment section! 

Bedroom Hacks for a Better Night’s Rest

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A good night’s rest is essential for a happy and healthy lifestyle, but is your bedroom affecting the quality of your sleep? If so, here are seven hacks to help you have a better night’s rest. 

Bedroom Hacks for a Better Night’s Rest: 

1. Embrace a Calming Color Palette. 

Believe it or not, but color can truly impact the way we feel and the amount of energy we have. By selecting the right shades for your room, you can completely transform the way it makes you feel. Expert designers recommend choosing relaxing hues like earthy tones, light blues, and subtle greens to help create a more calming oasis. 

2. Escape The Disruptions. 

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things inside of a bedroom that can disrupt your quality of sleep. Things like electronics, bright lights, and loud noises. To avoid these disruptive characteristics, we recommend following these simple tips: 

    1. Try to remove all electronics from your bedroom. We understand that this can be difficult and in some cases, unfeasible. But if you have the chance, try to remove as many electronics as you can. You may be surprised by the restful night of sleep you have after you do. 
    2. Loud noises can be another disruptive characteristic in bedrooms. If you are looking to drown out unwanted sounds, you can invest in a white noise machine or even utilize a fan. 
    3. Lastly, having too much lighting in a room can really affect the quality of your sleep. To help ensure that you are not bothered by the heavy lighting, we recommend getting an eye mask or even blackout curtains. These two items will help reduce the amount of light in your eyes while you try and fall asleep. 

3. Clear Clutter. 

A cluttered life can lead to a cluttered mind. After a long, stressful day of work, the last thing you want to do is clean your bedroom before you go to sleep. To help reduce the stress after work, we recommend keeping your surfaces clear of clutter. A good rule of thumb to follow is that you can only have three items on each surface at a time. For example, your bedside table may hold your phone, glass of water, and a light fixture. By following this simple tip, you will be able to unwind and clear your mind from a long, hard day.  

4. Discover The Right Temperature. 

Your bedroom’s temperature can truly affect your quality of sleep. In fact, sleep.org recommends homeowners to keep their thermostat between 60 and 67 degrees at night. This cool temperature can help your body transition into the sleep cycle. 

5. Find The Perfect Pillow.  

Have you ever slept somewhere that did not have the best pillows? It probably affected the quality of sleep you had for the night. Be sure to buy pillows that are best suited for yourself and always replace them when it is time. 

6. Smell Relaxation. 

Breathing scents of relaxation can help put your mind and body at ease. To help encourage relaxation, we recommend trying to incorporate scents like vanilla or lavender. You can purchase these scents in lotions, linen sprays, fabric softeners, candles, and diffusers to help you become more relaxed. 

7. Unwind.

You want to be sure that you give yourself some time to unwind each night. Whether it is taking a warm bath, reading a good book, or writing your thoughts in a journal, decompressing can be an essential part of a good night’s rest. 

We hope you enjoyed these hacks and have a good night’s rest! 

First Home Decorating Tips

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Congratulations! This is a monumental moment for you. You are officially a first-time homeowner. With owning a home, you will learn that there will be a lot of up’s and down’s (hopefully, mostly up’s). This is finally your chance to make your home unique and personalize it to fit your unique style. While you have always dreamt of the day, it has finally come for you to make your mark on your place. We are here to help you make your mark without breaking the bank. That is why we have created a guide with four tips for decorating your first home. Let’s take a look! 

First-Home Decorating Tips:

1. First Things, First.

Typically, the bedroom is where homeowners spend a majority of their time. Also, it is the least expensive room for you to redecorate. Depending on your budget, you have several options for decor ideas. If you are tight on a budget, we recommend starting with the bed. The coziness of your bed is definitely a top priority. You want your bed to be an escape from everyday life. We recommend starting with your comforter and working your way down to the sheets. If you have leftover cash, you can begin working on the room’s overall decor. Pieces like the curtains, rugs, and decorative finishes can turn your bedroom into a wonderful retreat. 

2. Pace Yourself.

It is exciting to own a new place and we are sure that you have a lot of dreams in place. But before you get too excited, you will want to budget yourself. It can be a great idea to create a check-list of your needs and wants. Before you make any purchases, you want to make sure that you are checking off your “need” list before your “want” list. 

3. Do Not Go Matchy, Matchy.

Design experts recommend steering clear of all matching furniture. Having a completely matching set of furniture can look nice, but it tends to make your home look dull and even staged. Whenever you have the chance, try to incorporate different pieces to spice up the place. 

4. Replace vs. Repurpose.

If you are trying to budget yourself, you will want to focus on making temporary adjustments to your home. By repurposing items, you can save a lot more money than replacing the item completely. For example, if you do not have the budget to replace all of your cabinetry, try repainting it and replacing the hardware until you can afford for a complete update. This is a simple hack to save you more money for a greater investment.

We want to help guarantee that you get the home of dreams. For more information on Fulton homes and check out our main website at http://www.fultonhomes.com. 

Expert Tips for Mixing and Matching Patterns

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Using multiple patterns within a space can seem like a daunting task. With so many choices out there, you do not want to make the wrong selection and end up having an overwhelming design. To help you, we have created a guide consisting of four tips that experts use to mix and match patterns. Let’s take a look!  

Expert Tips for Mixing & Matching Patterns: 

1. Odd Groupings = Success. 

Interestingly enough, odd groupings work well in the design world. We are not sure why, but this concept creates an interesting and well-balanced look that is loved by all. While searching for the perfect mixture of patterns, you will want to start off with groupings of three, five, seven, etc. To help you understand the concept a little better, you will want to choose three pattern pillow designs from the options below: 

1. Pattern One: Large Scale; Organic Design. 

2. Pattern Two: Medium Scale; In-Organic/Geometric Design. 

3. Pattern Three: Small Scale; Organic or In-Organic Design. 

  • A geometric (inorganic) pattern would be things like chevron, stripes, plaid, etc. 
  • An organic pattern would be things like vines, flowers, swirls, leaves, etc. 

2. Same, Same. 

When incorporating different patterns, you will want to have one similar color that is found in both designs. For example, if you have a floral pillow matched with a vertically striped pillow, you would want one of the colors from the floral design to be found in the vertical stripes. This will help create congruity and consistency throughout your mixing and matching. 

3. Balanced Out. 

The placement of your patterns can play an essential role in the design. You want to watch where you put your patterned objects because misplacement can weigh down a side of the room. Ideally, you will want the patterns to create a balanced-out look in order to create a visually appealing design. 

4. Be Wary of Whites. 

Mixing and matching whites can cause a bit of an issue. With so many differences and undertones, you may find yourself trying to mix an off-white with a bright white, and this look is not flattering. To help avoid a mismatch, we recommend veering away from whites as often as possible. 

We hope you enjoyed these tips and tricks. Let us know what you think in the comment section. 

The Ultimate Guest Bedroom

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Guest bedrooms are one of the most exciting rooms to decorate in a home. You can explore your creativity and make it into an incredible space. No matter where your guests are visiting from, a guest room offers them an escape from their everyday life and routine. For tips on decorating your guest bedroom, we have created four steps towards making the ultimate guest bedroom. Let’s take a look! 

How to Create The Ultimate Guest Bedroom: 

Step One: Get The Mindset. 

When you are traveling, you are bound to forget something at home. Whether it is a cell phone charger or a toothbrush, you left it and you are struggling to figure out a plan. Be your guest’s saving grace by preparing a basket or drawer for their travel needs. You can add things like: 

    • Toothpaste
    • Toothbrush
    • Towels
    • Deodorant
    • Cell Phone Charger
    • Hairbrush and Hairties

Step Two: Consider Your Routine. 

When you get ready in the morning, what are some of the things you cannot live without in your bedroom? Add these items into the guest bedroom that you typically use every day to help them will they are staying with you. You can add: 

    • Alarm Clock
    • Full-length mirror
    • Desk 
    • Nightstand with a Lamp

Step Three: Create Comfort. 

A guest bedroom is meant for sleeping and getting ready; therefore, the bedroom should be comfortable and functional. Make sure to provide extra pillows and blankets for your guests in case it gets cold at night. Also, you will want to leave space in between furniture so that they do not bump into things with their suitcases. Lastly, buy a nice bed and comforter for comfort. It may take some time to save for a quality bed but your guests will appreciate a good night’s rest. 

Step Four: Always Entertain.

You may not be there to entertain your guests at all hours; therefore, the bedroom should provide some entertainment. You can add

    • Various books 
    • Magazines
    • A Television (Plus, a Gaming System) 

How do you make your guest bedroom special? We would love for you to share your tips and tricks with other readers. Thanks for reading! 

Things to do in Tempe, Arizona

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The Grand Canyon State of Arizona is a gorgeous assortment with miles of impeccable sand dunes, red painted gullies, breathtaking mountains, and immaculate craters.  With this incredible oasis, it is no surprise that it has been exponentially populating over the last decade as people retreat to this desert paradise.  Tempe, Arizona is located in a suburb just out of Phoenix and the East Valley.  With so much to offer in Tempe, this has become a destination spot for many tourist visiting Arizona.  Whether visiting or living in Tempe, here are five entertainment ideas you have to try during your time in Arizona. 

1. Desert Botanical Garden

This is a must-see while in Tempe!  This beautiful desert botanical garden offers different trails, allowing unique experiences for everyone.  The Desert Botanical Garden also has fun events like Electric Desert, Flashlight Tours, and Dining in the Desert.  If you love all the plant life Arizona has to offer, this is perfect for you!

2. Phoenix Zoo

Just outside of Tempe is the Phoenix Zoo.  Zoos are perfect for people of all ages keeping the children and adults entertained for hours.  With fun activities and adventures, the Phoenix zoo has so much to offer.  This zoo offers over 3,000 animals and 30 endangered species.  This easily makes the list of places you must experience near Tempe.

3. Hall of Flame – Museum of Firefighting

The world’s largest firefighting museum commemorating fallen heroes is a fantastic and memorable experience.  With five grand exhibit displays with firefighting equipment used throughout the years, you will not be disappointed with your visit.  The museum was originally in Wisconsin in 1961 but was moved to Arizona in 1974.  Check out these artifacts when you get the chance in Arizona.

4. Hole in the Rock

Being quite the tourist attraction, people love to see the Hole in the Rock.  Arizona’s landscape has so much to offer but this one is worth noting.  Check out the Hole in the Rock and admire the beauty this State has to offer. 

5. Tempe Marketplace

The Tempe Marketplace is more than just a mall.  With over 1.3 million square feet of retail space, Tempe Marketplace is an interactive shopping experience you will not forget.  This high-energy outside marketplace is a spectacle you cannot get anywhere else.  You must experience the Tempe Marketplace when in Tempe. 

Tempe has so much more to offer. You will fall in love with the city and Fulton Homes. Be sure to check out our site at http://www.fultonhomes.com. 

Embrace The Softer Side with Velvet Curtains

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Are you ready to turn up the dial on your home’s glamour? Then you might want to swap your traditional sheer window treatments for velvet curtains. Velvet curtains have a special quality that can bring great balance into a room full of rigid surfaces. The way it captures light and emits color makes it the perfect material to use in order to set the stage in a space. Take a look at some of the ways you can take your decor to the next level with velvet curtains! 

Embrace The Softer Side of Your Space with Velvet Curtains: 

Dressing up Big Windows

Are you searching for the perfect window treatment for your big and substantial windows? Velvet window treatments are a worthy contender. Dressing up such windows can become a challenge because it is important for the window treatment to match the intensity of the architectural feature. While velvet curtains are pillowy, they are a heavy statement piece, and the way it drapes and its hue demands attention against the glass of the window.

Brighten A Room

Velvet curtains are often purchased in darker shades, but to lighten up a space, opt for one with punchier color such as mustard or Picasso blue. Using velvet curtains that feature vivid colors can create an uplifting mood. Just be sure to select velvet curtains that create a deep pile at the floor for a dramatic appearance. 

Keep it Classic

Deep red curtains are traditional and timeless. Opting for such a classic look is bound to create an opulent look. You can make deep red velvet curtains work in a modern contemporary room by using a lot of fresh, pure white throughout the space for a soft contrast. 

Go Regal

Want the royal treatment? Purple is a natural choice when it comes to shopping for anything velvet. As a regal hue, what better way to introduce luxury to a space than by dressing your windows in purple or dark wine velvet curtains. 

Select a Material

If you are considering investing in velvet, it is important to keep in mind that it can be produced from a variety of materials such as polyester, cotton or silk. Silk provides the ultimate shine in velvet while cotton and polyester rein in softness. Artificial velvet also provides a beautiful sheen and it is stain resistant. 

Be sure to check out our other blog posts for more design inspiration. Thanks for reading! 

Outdated Design Rules: Part Two

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Previously, you read three design rules that are outdated and meant to be broken. We are here to continue with three more rules that you can absolutely use in your home’s design. Let’s take a look!

Design Rules That Are Outdated: Part Two 

No. One: Neutrals are Bound to go with Everything. 

Unfortunately, this is not necessarily true. While decorating with neutrals can be easier than with other colors, it can also be kind of difficult. The issue with neutrals is their undertone. Sometimes the undertone can be so obvious that it smacks you in the face whereas other times, it can be extremely difficult to see the undertone. The problem with not being able to recognize the undertone starts when you begin pairing it with other colors. To help make sure that everything goes, we recommend keeping it simple with a warm tan or greige (gray + beige). These two colors truly go with everything and their versatility cannot be matched by all of the other neutrals. 

No. Two: Do Not Paint Your Ceilings. 

Having color on your ceilings is actually becoming a huge design trend. Your ceiling harvests an ample spot for color and design inspiration. While white is the most common color, we recommend taking it to the next level with a pop of color. You can showcase anything from black to bright pink. The options are truly endless, but we recommend utilizing a neutral wall color if you decide to do a colorful ceiling. This is where our favorites: warm tan or greige can come in handy! You can use one of these two neutral tones on the walls then match it with your favorite color on the ceiling. Voila, you have a beautiful and unique design. 

No. Three: Never Mix Patterns. 

Mixing patterns is actually one of our favorite design tricks. You can create a harmonious design with different patterns if mixed properly. We recommend giving yourself some time to get used to the concept. Mixing and matching patterns is easy once you learn the basics. Take some time to play around with different shapes, lines, and designs until you get the perfect mixture. 

Do not let a rule hold you back from your home’s potential. Everyone’s design is unique to their home. Do whatever makes you happy and everything else will fall in place.

Outdated Design Rules: Part One

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Most homeowners try their best to follow the basic design rules in order to accomplish a beautiful, well-liked design. But what if we told you that a lot of the rules you are still following are outdated? That’s right! We have three popular design rules that you should definitely not follow and are worth breaking. Let’s take a look! 

Design Rules That Are Outdated: 

No. One: Matching is a Must. 

While matching can help keep consistency and make the room look put together, we completely disagree with the idea that everything must match. Instead of worrying about finding the exact wood species or same color fabric, we recommend searching for similar undertones. The undertones will help keep that consistency in the design that you desire without causing a ruckus to find everything in the exact shade. Plus, your colors also do not have to match. If you are putting a pillow on your couch that contains the color blue, you do not have to find that exact color blue for your lampshade. A similar blue tone will do just the trick. The one color to be wary of is white. Off-whites and pure whites are not interchangeable; therefore, you want to be careful when mixing whites. 

No Two: Mixing Metals Causes Chaos. 

If you want to mix metals, do it! Designing gives homeowners the opportunity to express their uniqueness and personality and no “rule” should hold you back from doing so. Design experts do not recommend mixing metals, but if we look closely at the rule, they really just want homeowners to avoid mixing metal finishes. The difference between a matte and shiny finish can create a little less congruency than we desire, but you can most certainly mix rose gold with gold.

No. Three: Never Use Dark Colors in Small Spaces.

We definitely do not want you listening to this rule; you can absolutely use dark colors within a small space. A long time ago, homeowners were encouraged to use only light colors in smaller spaces because they help to open up the space. But on the other hand, dark colors help to hide how small the space is and creates the illusion of a bigger space. To ensure that you do not overwhelm the space with dark colors, we recommend adding the colors in one at a time to make sure that they flow properly. Also, lighting is key when using dark colors. Just make sure that you provide adequate lighting in a small space and you will be fine! 

Are you interested in learning more rules that are just meant to be broken? Be sure to check back for part two!