Even though we are stuck in the middle of winter, there is no better time to start planning your outdoor projects. With spring just a couple of months away, you can begin to get a head-start in your backyard with our top nine tips. Let’s get started! 

Ways to Spruce up Your Backyard on a Budget: 

Hang in There.

Whether you love plants or decorative pieces, hanging decor/plants are the perfect addition to your backyard. They add style and interest to your space without breaking the bank. Plus, you can bring them indoors when it begins to get cold outside. 

Eyes on The Prize.

For a stunning backyard, be sure to create a “focal point.” This point of interest should be a piece that you are proud of and a piece that you want to be recognized. Items like a fireplace, outdoor patio set, pergola, trellises, or arbor can be great additions. 

Nature’s Finest.

With your backyard being in the outdoors, you want to embrace nature’s beauty by adding plants and flowers around your yard. Adding a garden, potted flowers, and hanging plants can make your backyard beautifully finished. 

Pull up a Chair.

Seating is one of the essential parts of backyard living. Be sure to provide cozy seating for all of your guests and family. 

Color me Bold.

Spice up your outdoor space with colorful decor and finishes. Items like blankets, pillows, and decor can embrace bold colors for a stylish twist on backyard decor. 

A Tranquil Retreat.

Create a relaxing retreat with a tranquil fountain and/or cozy hammock. Little touches of zen can transform your backyard into a relaxing paradise. 

Hot in Here.

If you have money in your budget, try and install an outdoor fireplace. If you are looking for a budget-friendly alternative, creating a table fire pit is easy and low-cost. Outdoor fires are great for company and unwinding from a stressful day after the sun has set. 

From The Inside Out. 

Your home’s interior can be great design inspiration for your backyard and patio. Pull pieces that you use throughout your home and incorporate them into your outdoor area. Items like artwork, pillows, and candles can transform your back patio into a dreamy oasis. 

With these ideas, your backyard has never looked so good. To take your backyard to the next level, talk to one of our expert sales associates about installing porcelain tile. Porcelain tile is weather-proof which means it is perfect for your outdoors. Contact us today for more information and pricing. 

A master bedroom can be a homeowner’s oasis from the busyness of everyday life. What you bring into the bedroom can reflect on your mood and behavior; therefore, a clean, clutter-free bedroom means a stress-free environment. To help you maximize your bedroom’s stress-free potential, we have created six tips for eliminating clutter in your bedroom. We hope you enjoy. 

Tips for Eliminating Clutter in The Bedroom:

Tip No. One: Limited. 

Space can be extremely limited on your nightstands; therefore, you want to only keep a few essential items on there. If you are currently reading a book, you can keep your new read as a piece of decor. Try to limit to your nightstand to three to five items including your light fixture. This will help keep you organized and your room looking clean and pristine.

Tip No. Two: Gathered. 

If you need to store multiple items on your nightstand, you can use a vintage bowl or basket to hold the smaller items. This way you can have easy access to your things without creating a bulky, heavy look. 

Tip No. Three: Hidden. 

Electronics and electrical cords can be quite the eyesore for a master bedroom. To help reduce the clutter caused by electronics, we recommend storing them in an easily accessible basket or bin. For your electrical cords, you can try and work them behind your furniture to reduce their bulky appearance. 

• Pro-Tip: If you have a lot of excess cords, try using a zip tie to keep all of your cords tidy.  

Tip No. Four: Organized. 

If your nightstand has drawers, you are in for an extra treat. Try buying drawer organizers to get your space in tip-top shape. The organizers will help you stay organized and reduce the clutter you accumulate in your drawers. 

Tip No. Five: Stored.

We recommend that you move your heavy, bulky items underneath your bed. Items like extra pillows and blankets can be stored in an under-bed container for later use. 

Tip No. Six: Personalized.

Even though we recommend having out the essentials, there is still room for fun decorative pieces. Be sure to add things that make you feel good throughout your room. Maybe you love candles or artwork, whatever your personal taste be sure to include it in your design. 

We hope you enjoyed these six quick tips for eliminating clutter in your bedroom. Let us know what you think in the comment section below.

Decorating, furnishing, designing, and styling a home can get expensive, quick. From the floors to the walls, your home needs it all. With homeowners worried about the expenses of decorating, we have created six ways to help you. With these tips, homeowners can transform their home with items that they already own. We hope you enjoy! 

Ways to Restyle Your Home with Items You Already Own: 

1. Embody Artistry. 

A lot of people hold the capability to be an artist and do not even realize it. Whether you are gifted at photography, painting, building, or creating, your home can be personalized with your work. From pictures you posted online to doodles you drew, you have the capability to create something wonderful. Begin decorating your home with your personalized work and build from there. 

2. Reimagine. 

Do not let the “intended purpose” of a piece of furniture hold you back from using it differently in your space. Furniture can be used in all different ways rather than its specific purpose. You can use a wooden stool as a end table or a dresser as a bedside table; the possibilities are endless. Just remember, before you get rid of your old furniture, try and reimagine it. 

3. The Layout. 

If you are getting bored of your current layout, you can reconfigure your room to make it feel fresh. Play around with your furniture and try placing it in different areas throughout the room. 

4. Nature’s Inspiration. 

When you are running out of decor ideas, pull items from your backyard. Try using plants and flowers throughout your space to add some visual appeal. Plus, this idea is timeless and free! 

5. Lovely Lights.

Holiday lights are not just seasonal anymore. You can use the string lighting to add a beautiful ambience to your space without spending money. Try hanging the lights in your bedroom or living room to create a relaxing oasis. 

6. Pull from Other Spaces. 

To help mix things up, you can take decor pieces from your other rooms and mix and match them in different areas. This will help if you are getting bored with your current decor and do not want to spend more money. 

For more tips and tricks, be sure to visit our blog page. We post content to help inspire your design dreams.

Red is a bold color that when used appropriately can inject loads of warmth and make a living room feel well put together. If you’re interested in using such a powerful hue in this space than know that the design options are numerous. There are many different shades of red that can best complement your living room’s design. Here are a few design ideas you might want to try.

Using Hints of Red

Red doesn’t have to be the dominant color in the living room to make an impact on the design of the space. In fact, small doses of red used throughout the space are guaranteed to catch the eye. For instance, a lacquered red coffee table, paired with red patterned pillows on the sofa and dark red vases on the sides tables is a seamless design.

Statement Sofa

If you’re looking to really make a statement than liven things up by opting for a bold red sofa. Whether it’s orange-red, burgundy-red or just plain red such a sofa featuring this hue will definitely add a pop to your living room. Add pillows with bold prints to further enhance the look. Accent with gold accessories for a luxurious look.

Bold Red Rug

Tie the entire living room around a bold red rug with a chic pattern.  Arrange the sofas around the rug so that your space feels much more intimate. You can tie in other hues like yellow and orange to really bring the design together. For example, you might opt for orange drapes and couch pillows with specks of golden yellow.

You can also keep the rest of the room neutral so that the area rug becomes the focal point. Then add small doses of red all around the room for cohesiveness.

Geometric

A pattern goes a long way when you’re using red. A red and cream geometric pattern when paired with solid red creates a look of harmony. Using brick red in geometric patterns will create a sense of warmth and togetherness in a big living room.

Patterns

Mixing red in different patterns and prints also work since you’re sticking with a hue that’s in the same color family.

If you have put a little more statement into a room, be sure to post pictures here!

Transforming your living room doesn’t require a  big budget or huge chunks of your time. By implementing a few simple strategies you can turn your living room into drab to fab. Designing a room is much like preparing a meal. To get the best results you’ll need to follow a good recipe. We’re going to show you living room design methods that every homeowner should know!

Trendy or Timeless

Perhaps the biggest challenge of decorating your living room is furnishing it with pieces that you love and that you plan on having for a while. So should you go with furniture that is trendy or timeless? Since trends and style change just as fast as the season do then it’s best to invest in quality furniture that is classic and that you can envision being in your home for many years to come. Yes, a timeless sofa or chair can be accessorized with almost any trend you wish to use in your design.

Use pillows, area rugs, and different fabrics to inject interest. These elements can be rotated or swapped out for something different whenever you are ready.

Using Patterns

The pattern is a design element that adds both texture and visual interest to the living room. From traditional stripes to modern geometrics you can mix almost any type of pattern within one space. However, there are a few rules:

• Vary the scale of the patterns used in the space – Mix large, medium and small patterns together so they don’t overwhelm each other.
• Opt for patterns that will complement your living room color scheme 

Functional Furniture

Remember when shopping for furniture think about the functions that you will need the piece to perform. Don’t be afraid to mix it up. You can select furniture with modern sleek silhouettes but still purchase pieces that double as additional storage.

Window Treatments

Of course, every living room needs at least two layers of window treatments whether it’s for light control, privacy or for its thermal properties. Curtains and drapes can add style to a bland living room. Just make sure that you hang them right. 

No one likes a boring wall. Spice up your home’s walls with these ten genius wall decor ideas! 

Ten Ideas to Spice up Your Walls: 

1. Artwork. If you are a collector of fine artwork, what better place to display your art treasures than at home? Artwork can be an amazing decor piece because it shows the homeowner’s personal style while letting the piece of art be displayed. This decor idea would work perfectly in your master bedroom!
2. Photo Collage. Gallery walls are the perfect opportunity to display your favorite family photos in a unique way. This decor idea would work perfectly in your dining room or living room! 
3. Floating Shelves. Having a floating shelf system is not only unique, but it is super useful. You can store items on your floating shelves by placing them in baskets. This wall decor idea would work perfectly in your bathroom to help stash all of your items! 
4. Message Board. Cork boards are a great decorating tool for busy homeowners. It provides homeowners with a stylish space for memos, scheduling, and photos. This wall decor idea would work perfectly in kitchens, entryways, and home offices! 
5. Chalkboard Wall. Who does not love an opportunity to express their creativity? With chalkboard walls, you can express it daily! You can create new drawings and messages each day while adding to the room’s decor. Need a place to write your grocery list? This will decor idea would work perfectly in your kitchen! 
6. Mirrors. Mirrors are a timeless decor piece that we will never get tired of using. Mirrors can be great in entryways to see yourself one last time before you leave the house! 
7. Clipboards. Are you looking for an interesting wall decor piece that will stand out? Using multiple clipboards on your wall will do just the trick! You can click on some of your favorite family photos or other art prints and hang the clipboards right on your wall. This wall decor idea would work perfectly in your home office! 
8. Tapestries. Looking for a fun way to spice up your space? Tapestries are an amazing decor item for bedrooms and dens! 
9. Decorative Hooks. There is nothing wrong with a little extra storage! Decorative wall hooks can provide you with the extra storage you always needed. Plus, you can go to a local antique shop and find one-of-a-kind hooks for your space. This wall decor idea would work perfectly in your foyer or mudroom! 
10. Hanging Plants. Who does not love plants? We sure do! Hanging plants are not just for the outdoors, but you can use them to decorate the inside of your house. Try adding hanging plants inside of your kitchen, bathroom, or even home office! 

How do you decorate your walls? We would love to hear from you in the comment section!

Starting off with a gray palette, whether it be on the walls or from the furniture, may seem a little dull but with the right imagination, you can take it to the next level. It just takes a little extra thought and effort. 

Mixing things up depends on how subtle or dramatic you want your surroundings to be. While pops of color like yellow, green, pink and orange will draw the eye, not everyone is looking for such a striking contrast. If you want to inject some color, try these shades in a softer tone and use them sparingly in the room. That way you won’t have to worry about one or two pieces taking over the whole arrangement. Without having to use dramatic colors, you can still bring some excitement to the room. Gray pairs well with black, white, cream and beige. You can still enjoy all the neutral colors you love while having a little bit of distinction sprinkled throughout the room. However, if you are a fan of dramatic contrasts, feel free to display this through a brightly patterned rug, wall art, throw pillows and decorative flowers.

In addition to color, another way to make a gray room pop is through decoration. An arrangement of black and white photographs above the sofa or playing up the gray with antique finished furniture are both great ways to add visual interest. A clear glass coffee table that provides a view of the area rug below is an easy way to add a bit of style. To add warmth, use some items that contain earth tones to creating an inviting environment you’ll want to linger in. This can be as interesting as adding a sliding barn door to your entryway or as simple as showcasing your hardwood floors. Whatever style your home favors, grays and browns can work well together in it.

Additional ideas for sprucing up the room would be through texture. A good example of this would be the incorporation of an upholstered chair or richly toned floor length drapery for the windows. From fluffy throw pillows to a large oil painting, there are plenty of ways to add texture and bring a soft touch to a cool, gray room.

When incorporating Feng Shui principles in the design of the interior of your home you need to give thought to what type of colors you’re going to paint each room. Yes, using colors, based on how they mesh with your energy, is crucial to creating a home that promotes well-being and balanced energy. 

The key to effectively using colors that harmonize with Feng Shui principles is to balance out the color scheme. Too much of a dominant color will have your energy in disarray. Here is a guide to finding the right Feng Shui colors for your home!

Yellow: In Feng Shui, yellow is associated with sunlight and energy from the Earth. It infuses energy, hope and it increases mental clarity. By using yellow as part of your color scheme you create a sense of stability. Try using yellow in an area of the home such as the office area, living room, or your bedroom.

Red: Red is a fiery color which is associated with fire. This color has the power to increase the heart rate and blood pressure. Red also helps alleviate depressions and stimulates activity. You can use this color in areas of the home such as the living room and bedroom.

White: White is a pure color that’s often associated with serenity. White and metallic colors are also associated with metal which is one of the five elements of Feng Shui. White can be used in any area of the home.

Green: In Feng Shui, green falls under the element of wood. It is a color that promotes growth or action and inspires internal change. Use this color in rooms where the whole family gathers to promote positive energy.

Black and Blue: Black and blue represent the element of water. Black can increase mental activity and inspire creativity. On the other hand, blue is good for the body because it decreases accelerated heart and breathing rates while lowering the blood pressure. These colors are ideal for private areas in the home where you retreat to for privacy and solace. 

By using these ideas in your home, the Feng Shui of your space should be more harmonious!

Using ancient Feng Shui can do more than just improve the flow of energy in your home but it will also enhance your quality of life.

Five Elements of Feng Shui

Water, wood, earth, fire, and metal are the five elements of Feng Shui. You should try to incorporate at least one of these Feng Shui elements into each room in your home.  Plants or ceramic accessories can represent earth while candles or lamps can stand in for the fire.  Each of these elements will inspire a different mood.  Here are some additional tips for incorporating each element into your decor:

Wood –  Wood harnesses creativity. Traits like strength, birth, flexibility, and growth are a representation of wood. Too much wood in a design scheme will make a room feel rigid. Too little shows a lack of creativity. When using wood in your decor be sure to include some of the following.

• Plants
• Natural fabrics
• Wood furnishing
• Hardwood flooring

Fire – Fire increases enthusiasm. It also encourages leadership and expressiveness. Using too much of this element will come off as aggressive and shows irritability. To expand fire elements in a space try the suggestions below.

• Add candles or allowing more sunlight to flow into your room
• Accent with animal prints
• Use shades of red, purple and pink

Earth – Earth invokes physical strength while generating an overall sense of stability. Too much of this element in a room will give off sensations of sluggishness and boredom. On the other hand, not enough can make you feel disorganized and unfocused. You can incorporate elements of the earth in several ways.

• Use earth tones such as brown, green and sandy colors
• Hang paintings of landscapes or nature scenes
• Add potted trees and green plants
• Incorporate flat surfaces

Metal – Metal encourages mental clarity and logic. When this element is used within a space it produces characteristics such as organization and righteousness. When used generously in a room it can be perceived as over critical. You can enhance a space with metal used judiciously.  

• Use iron, gold, or silver fixtures
• Include rocks and stone
• Decorate with colors such as white, silver, gray, and light pastel colors

Water – Water is the final element in Feng Shui. Water brings inspiration, wisdom and it balances emotions. You can incorporate it into your design scheme through the use of water-like items.

• Use deep and dark tones
• Incorporate objects with reflective surfaces such as mirrors
• Find items that are irregularly shaped

Create a home that both balances energy and promotes overall well-being by implementing Feng Shui home design principles. In interior design, Feng Shui is based on the beliefs that our homes should be a reflection of our what’s inside us. Yes, the purpose of Feng Shui is to align our environment with our inner energy. How can this be done?

Implementing Feng Shui home design principles involves giving some thought to what type of accessories you bring into a room as well as furniture placement. According to Feng Shui principles, everything holds energy including inanimate objects. Such principles will help you bring in good vibes and enable the flow of energy.

Furniture Placement

One basic concept of Feng Shui you should apply when arranging the furniture of your home is to “command the position.” Commanding the position involves feeling more secure in the room that you’re in and taking charge of the room.

If you have a home office, you may be tempted to place your desk in a position that allows you to look out the window and take advantage of the view outside. However, according to Feng Shui concept “commanding the position” you should place your desk in a position that allows you to see most of the room including the doorway Therefore, your workstation should be set up with the window behind it. Remember, the primary function of this room is to get work done and you don’t want to send creative energy out of the window. This would be a more efficient layout.  If you’re set on getting a glimpse of your beautiful view you can angle the desk sideways so that you can still view the entire room while enjoying the view.

Living Room

What about the living room area? Ideally, you’ll want to place the sofa against the wall and away from the entryway. However, be sure to leave a few inches between the couch and the wall. One of the biggest Feng Shui mistake that homeowners make when designing the layout of their living room is creating an awkward seating plan that prevents the flow of conversation.

Often, in the living room, the television becomes the focal point of the room. Since the living room is the place where the family gathers you should set the television up in a less central spot. According to Feng Shui, you want to avoid letting electronic devices dominate the room.

Bedroom

The bedroom should be balanced especially if you’re in a relationship. When designing the layout of the bedroom apply the same concept of “commanding the position”. Your bed should be placed in view of the door but not directly in front of the entryway because this is considered unlucky. Be sure to include bedside tables on each side of the bed. This will represent equality in the relationship.