It is officially the new year and with the new year comes a lot of change. To start things off on a good note, your resolution may be to declutter your home. After the holidays, your home may be especially messy and overwhelming. To help you fight back against the clutter, we have created five tips for assisting you in your new year resolution. Let us take a look! 

New Year Resolution: Decluttering Your Life: 

Tip #1: Knock, Knock.

One of the most underused, but brilliant storage areas is behind your door. Over-the-door storage containers can be a life-saver when you are in a pinch for extra space. Plus, it leaves extra room on the floor and does not get in the way of your other items. 

Tip #2: Measure Up. 

A rookie mistake for first-time organizers is buying the container before measuring the space. If you plan to use containers, be sure to measure the area before you buy. This can save you a lot of room and money in the future. 

Tip #3: Inexpensive Finds. 

Organizing your home does not need to be expensive. For great inexpensive finds, be sure to check your local variety store. They typically have organizational items available at a reasonable price. 

Tip #4: Little Containers for Your Little Ones. 

Many homeowners struggle with organizing their child’s playroom. To help you get things in order, we recommend buying several different bins for their toys. This will help them find and put away their toys easier than having one large toy bin. To keep things organized and efficient, we recommend labeling the box with what is inside or placing a fun picture on the outside to represent the items. 

Tip #5: January’s Spring Cleaning. 

Cleaning out your closets is not only in the spring! Take advantage of the new year by going through your closets. Plus, with all of your new gifts, it may be a good idea to get rid of some old stuff to make room for the new items. 

What resolution have you made for the New Year? We would love to hear from you in the comment section! 

If you are not an avid reader, you may find yourself with a lot of empty bookshelf space. Bookshelves can be a fantastic decor piece for homeowners who do not own a lot of books. Decorating your bookshelf can be a challenging process. There may be a lot of designs and ideas already running through your head, but before you dive into decorating, we have nine brilliant tips to help you! 

9 Tips for Beautifying Your Bookshelf: 

1. Less is More. When decorating anything in your home, you always want to keep in mind that less is more. It is easier to add later than it is to take away items you just purchased for your space. Try to keep your design simple then add more as you go. 
2. Add Purpose. Your bookshelf’s design can be whatever you desire. From a place to display your personal photography to a place to store your books, your shelf can have a solid purpose. Display whatever you are passionate about and the rest of the design will follow.
3. Display The Room’s Style. One of our best piece of advice for you is to use the room’s style in your bookshelf design. Let your bookshelf continue the flow of the room’s design by incorporating similar pieces. If you decorated with gold fixtures in the room, continue that style choice by adding gold decor pieces to the bookshelf. 
4. Create Depth. An easy and beautiful way to add depth to your bookshelf is to place wallpaper or a different color paint on the back wall. This will add a creative twist to the bookshelf and instantly adds design and depth. 
5. Get Seasonally Inspired. Let the holiday seasons inspire your bookshelf design. Instead of adding more each holiday season, swap out current decor for holiday items. For example, you will want to take away one item for each piece of holiday you add. 
6. Layer Photos. Layering photos is a trendy design that we love. You basically take your current photo frames and overlap them on top of one another. It creates a unique design that pairs well with the wallpapered background. 
7. Visual Appealing. Try not to use items of the same scale and size. To create the ultimate bookshelf display, you will want to incorporate decor pieces of all sizes and varieties. Also, be sure to not use the same items over and over. You want to include different items that play off of one another’s features. For example, you could use a light blue vase that pulls the blue color used in one of your picture frames. This will help create a more visually appealing bookshelf. 
8. Hang in There. A lot of homeowners will only focus on the shelf space available, but there forget about all of the wall space. For a unique and creative twist, try hanging certain items off of the bookshelf’s wall. Items like mirrors and picture frames will do just the trick! This idea will help add depth to your bookshelf without distracting from the other decor pieces. 
9. Monochromatic. Using different shades of one color can create a clean and visual-appealing bookshelf. If you are a fan of one particular color in your space, try to use it throughout your entire bookshelf’s design. 

Looking to take your creativity to the next level? Try adding a customized backsplash to the back of your bookshelf’s wall. To help you complete this design, our expert staff is ready to work hard and get the job done professionally and efficiently. Contact us today for more details.

Aiming for the most comfortable nights’ sleep? Then you probably know that quality sheets can contribute significantly to a good night’s rest. What many people don’t know is that when shopping for high-quality sheets, the thread count isn’t the only important factors.  While a high thread definitely makes for better sheets it’s the quality of the thread that really matters. In fact, sheets with a lower thread quality but higher quality fiber will be much more comfortable than bedding with high thread count. Let’s break it down.

It’s About the Fiber

Polyester and cotton blend sheets are popular because they are an inexpensive bedding option. Polyester blend sheets are durable, generally, wrinkle resistant, and they are less expensive.  However, blended fibers are not quite as comfortable as real cotton bedding. If you’re searching for sheets that feels super soft against the skin, invest in sheets that are made up of 100 percent cotton.

What sets cotton fiber apart from a polyester blend? First, you can say goodbye to waking up on clammy sheets since cotton tends to absorb moisture from the skin. Also, cotton is more stain resistant than polyester-cotton blends which means that they look cleaner than their less expensive counterparts.

The Weaving

The weave of the material also affects the way sheets feel against your skin. This also affects the aesthetics and the longevity of your sheets. Basic, plain sheets use horizontal and vertical yarns and are generally less expensive than bedding with patterns, designs, and colors. Percale weaving is more upscale and usually comes with a thread count of at least 180.  Sateen weaves are the most expensive. It utilizes more vertical yarns resulting in a higher thread count with a softer feel but with a longer life since it is not as susceptible to tears and rips.

Final Finish

Most sheets have been chemically processed with chlorine, silicon and other types of substances to prevent wrinkling, shrinking, and to keep them from losing their shape. If your skin is highly sensitive than you may want to consider purchasing organic pure finish sheets that haven’t been chemically enhanced. Pure finish sheets can be more expensive but they are definitely worth the price. Always remember to wash new sheets before using them for the first time.

As the cold weather begins to make its way back, homeowners can begin storing their gardening tools and supplies. There is nothing quite as nice as opening your shed in the springtime and having a completely organized, well-kept space. Before you dive right into the project, we gathered several tips for you to use while you organize and store your belongings. We hope you find these tips and tricks helpful! 

Storing Your Gardening Supplies:

Tip One: Create a System. 

Map out what you would like your shed to look like. Add function by putting in adjustable shelves and a shelving system on the walls.

Tip Two: Get Hooked. 

A great shed storage idea that we love is hanging your gardening hose on a wall hook. Be sure to purchase a large enough hook to hold your entire hose. But once you add this genius trick, you will never have to worry about a tangled hose. 

Tip Three: Magnetized. 

Are you looking for the perfect way to store your tools? Try adding a magnetic strip to one of your shed’s walls. Most of your tools will be magnetic, but if they are not, you can add a small magnet on each of your tools. Once the strip is added, you can properly hang all of your tools for quick access and have an easy clean-up.  

Tip Four: Ramp It Up.

Storing your larger items can get tiring. By adding a ramp to your shed, you can help make organization less work. Wheel barrels and lawn mowers can be easily stored and accessed with this ramp! 

Tip Five: A Good Cleaning. 

While storing your supplies for winter, it is a good idea to focus on cleaning your tools and supplies. This way dirt and grim will not be left on them while they sit unused during the winter months. For help cleaning your gardening tools, we have created a simple three-step system: 

• Step One: In a large bucket, pour in dry sand. Moisten the sand with vegetable oil. 
• Step Two: Remove dried-on gunk from your tools with a putty knife. Afterwards, you will want to submerge your tools inside of your sandy mixture. Make sure that the wooden handles are outside of the sand for easy access. Let your gardening tools sit inside this sandy bucket for approximately ten minutes. You will want to keep putting the tools back in the bucket until all the residue is gone. 
• Step Three: Once all of your tools are cleaned, wipe them off with a piece of burlap. After they are wiped down, you will want to store them on your magnetic strip. They will be cleaned and ready to use once spring arrives. 

How do you prep your outdoors for winter? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the section below. We look forward to hearing from you!

The holidays are the most joyful time of year. The holidays reunite the family and bring seasonal cheer. With the holidays, some homeowners can become stressed and overwhelmed trying to get their house in sorts. Luckily, we have created a guide to help you through this busy season! Here is how you can get your home ready for the holidays:

Getting Your Home Ready for The Holidays:

1. Focus on Your Main Rooms. 

During the holidays, your main rooms will do most of the entertaining. The spaces like your living room and kitchen should be your main focus. Before your guests arrive, begin clearing the clutter out of these spaces. Make room for your company by providing extra chairs and storing bulky items. While you declutter your space, this is a great time to create a donation and discard bin. As you go through all of your stuff, you can begin placing items in their appropriate bin. This will help make cleaning up after the holidays faster and more efficient. 

2. Decorating. 

Once the clutter is cleared away, you can begin decorating your rooms. Design experts recommend replacing current decor with decorations instead of adding more to the room. For example, you have a clock and some picture frames on your mantle. Instead of adding decorations in between and around these items, store the clock and picture frames. Then you will want to add your seasonal decor in place of those items. 

3. Know Your Space. 

It is important for homeowners to recognize the amount of space they have before the holidays. Make sure you are not biting off more than you can chew. You want to be assured that you fit all of your guests with a good amount of wiggle room. Once you have assessed your space, you will want to begin to factor in your gifts. How much room will your gifts take up? Where will you store your gifts? 

4. Make a Holiday Game Plan. 

The best way to get ready for the holidays is to create a game plan. Make a list of everything you want to accomplish. From baking cookies with your kids to caroling with your neighborhood, you will have everything laid out for the holidays. Just remember to add a little bit of wiggle room for unforeseen circumstances and new activities. 

We hope you enjoyed these tips on getting ready for the holidays! We wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season! 

Some homeowners have the magic touch when it comes to growing plants indoors. Other homeowners may struggle a little bit with letting plants flourish and grow to their full potential. We have three tips and tricks on how to keep your plants alive and well this fall! Let us get started:

Tip No. One: Water only when needed (not necessarily when you think): Watering plants can be one of the most tricky things for homeowners to get right. Homeowners tend to lean towards overwatering their plants rather than under watering the soil. If you want an easy trick for watering, stick your finger into the plant’s soil. You will typically want to place it near the edge of the pot to get a good read on its dryness. If the soil is dry, you can water your plant! Experts recommend doing this until you understand your plant’s watering schedule. When you water your plants, lift up the leaves and, using a watering can dampen the soil. You can have a little bit of water underneath your plant, but clean up any excess water that may have occurred. 

Tip No. Two: Use something to help with drainage: From pebbles to gravel, there are solutions for you to help your plant with its draining system. The key to proper drainage is to keep water from your plant’s roots. The excess amount of water can lead to rotting and that means bye-bye plant. If the pot for your current plant does not have holes, you will want to replant in a pot with holes to avoid rotting.

Tip No. Three: Understand what your plant likes: Whether you bought it from a local florist or at a grocery store, you will want the rundown on your plant. You will want to research your plant to the best of your ability to learn things like: does it prefer direct sunlight? Once you understand its lighting and eating preferences, you will be set up for greater success. Say that you do not know what type of plant you own, you can always take it into your local nursery and ask them. They may even give you some tips and tricks that are personalized to your plant type. 

We hope you enjoyed these three easy tricks. Make sure to check back weekly for more blogs and updates. 

Clutter can overtake our lives. Sometimes, we grow so accustomed to it that we do not feel like we do need to do anything about it. It is a scary thought to think that we are okay with the clutter-filled lives that we live. Let us be honest, we are not minimalists and we are not saying you need to be one. But reducing clutter can lead to a happier lifestyle, a healthier home, and reduced stress.

Before you jump into reducing clutter on your own, we have five tips that we think will be useful for you: 

Tip One: Make a Difference. Getting rid of stuff can be difficult, especially when you get in your head. Thoughts like “what if I will need this for ___ one day” or “I have always wanted to use this, but I just have not gotten around to it.” There will always be an excuse or a reason to keep something. A good way to look at it is that you will be making a difference through donations. Donating can help the less-fortunate find items they truly need. While going through your belongings, think of the families in need that you will be helping. You can make a difference right from your own messy garage. 

Tip Two: Only One. The rule of “only one” will help you in rooms like your kitchen, bathroom, and living room. You only need ONE of each thing. For example, you only need one spaghetti strainer or one bottle of bubble bath or one television remote. Once you have reached one, donate the others. 

Tip Three: It Needs a Place to Call Home. A great way to reduce clutter is to only keep items that have a place to be stored. No more storing a massive load of untouched boxes in your garage. Go through all of the items and if you do not have a place to store it, pitch it or donate it. There will definitely be exceptions like if you are housing something for someone else, the items are seasonal decorations, etc. 

Tip Four: Tackle The Untackled. Typically, we avoid sorting and cleaning out areas of our home that are unorganized and messy. That ends today. You want to take a good look at the areas you are ignoring and avoiding and start with those areas. There may be a ton of stuff that you did not even realize you owned! It is a great time to get a fresh start and donate these unused items. 

Tip Five: It Will Not Happen Overnight. A lot of homeowners get stressed and overwhelmed during this process. To reduce stress, give yourself breaks. Whether you go out for a walk or watch a television show, you want to be able to walk away from the project and come back at a later time. Do not over-frustrate yourself. It will get done. It just takes time. 

Getting rid of items that you own can be difficult and we understand that. As a reward, you should treat yourself with something special. You worked hard! Go on, you deserve it. 

Hanging artwork can be very time consuming, frustrating and expensive if you damage the sheetrock. Just like everything else, there is a right and wrong way to hang artwork. We will share a few tips below that reveal how to hang the picture properly.  Follow these tips to help hang almost any frame and make your wall the perfect focal point in the room!

• Placement – I know you find yourself standing there staring at a blank wall and are unsure of where to hang your artwork. If you have only one or two pieces to hang, stand back and visually place in your mind where you want the art to hang.  Often people hang art too high, hang art at eye level! Physically take the art and place on the wall in your desired spot. With a pencil, draw a centered short line on the wall at the top of the frame. If your frame has a wire on the back of the art, simply measure from the top of the wire in the center to the top of the frame. Go back to your line on the wall and measure down from the top line to the distance of the centered wire hanger and mark. Erase the original top line, so you don’t get confused about the proper placement mark. If you have multiple pieces of art, start out by placing the pieces on the floor for a symmetrical or asymmetrical look, whichever fits your taste. As you stand back at look at the items on the floor you can visualize how they will look once hung. You can also move and mix until you get the desired look!
• Techniques for Strength – If possible, drive the nail into a wall stud for the most strength. Invest in an inexpensive stud finder.   Although in most cases, where you want to hang the art, a stud will not be present. Generally, studs are every 16 inches on center and are 1 ½ inches thick. For small and medium art, a 1 ½ or 2-inch nail in the sheetrock will suffice and hold securely. Always drive the nail into the wall at a 45-degree angle. This technique ensures a stable and secure hold. For large pieces of art, purchase hollow-wall anchors with screws.  Anchor sets will match the weight of the artwork. Use a small drill and choose a drill size to match the size of the anchor. Once you drill the hole, tap the anchor into the sheetrock and simply screw the screw into the anchor.
• Straightness – If your artwork is not hanging level and straight, simply purchase some small plastic bumpers that attach to the back of the frame with self-stick tape. What a simple fix!

Have fun turning your home into your personal art gallery!

Rugs can transform a cold, stiff room into a comfortable, cozy getaway with the touch of your toes. If you are looking to transform your room, look no further because we have four easy tips on how to decorate with an area rug! 

How to Decorate with an Area Rug: 

Tip No. One: Begin the design process with your area rug. 

Choosing your area rug first can help with a load of design questions like wall colors and color scheme. But some and even most of you, will not have the luxury of choosing an area rug first. If you find yourself picking out a rug last, just try to pull colors from your room and look for it in your rug. You can have the same color in different values and hues, but try to stay in the same ballpark when choosing a color. 

Tip No. Two: Follow the 6 to 2 rule. 

A rug can be placed as little as 6 inches away from your wall, but no more than two feet. This will help your room feel just right; therefore, you will want to take measurements of the room. Once you understand the measurements, you can decide on different rug shapes and styles. You want to make sure that the rug is not too big or too small for your room.

Tip No. Three: Doorways and front entrances are different. 

If you plan to place a rug in front of your door, you want to make sure that is the exact size of the door or just a few inches less. For your front entrance or foyer, you can place the rug underneath wherever the main light fixture is placed. 

Tip No. Four: Know how to place furniture. 

Furniture on rugs can go one of three ways:

1. All furniture legs are on the area rug.
2. All furniture legs are off the area rug.
3. The front legs of your furniture are on the area rug. 

Imagine falling into a soft cloud at the end of your long work day. Now imagine that the cloud was actually your bed this whole time. Creating a soft place to rest your head is easier than you may think. With the colder months approaching us, a warm and cozy bed sounds more and more appealing to the average folk. Transform your bed this season with our six tips for creating a cozy bed:

Tip One: Soft to The Touch. 

A perfect bed begins with soft sheets. The higher the thread count, the softer your sheets will be. That being said, the higher your thread count, the higher the price tag. Do your research and you will be able to find good, quality sheets for an affordable price! 

Tip Two: We Can Top That. 

If you are looking for a little extra support, you may want to think about buying a mattress topper. Depending on your needs, you can find mattress toppers that will add more firmness or more softness. 

Tip Three: Heat Zone. 

An easy way to add warmth and comfort to your bed is to buy a heated blanket. Heated blankets are perfect for when nights get extra chilly. 

Tip Four: No More Bed-Head. 

Treat your head like royalty with silk pillowcases. They help prevent bed-head and they are soft to the touch! 

Tip Five: Diffused. 

If you are having difficulties sleeping, you may want to try using an essential oil diffuser while you sleep. You can diffuse oils like lavender or roman chamomile for a good night’s rest. Also, you can buy pillowcases that allow you to add some drops of essential oil to them. This way you are breathing them in all night long. 

Tip Six: Meant to Comfort. 

Finish off your cozy bed with the perfect down-comforter. This will add an unreal amount of comfort and coziness to your bed, we promise.