Repurpose Pallets

Posted on by

Do it yourself projects can be a super fun way to be interactive with the design of your home. Repurposing old and used pallet boards is a great economical solution for adding style to your space. Nowadays, designers are always looking for ways to repurpose valuable wood and bring it into the design of a home. Plus, you do not even have to be an engineer or a designer to integrate these simple pallet tricks in your home. Here are four great ideas to use an old pallet board and incorporate it into your living space.
 
1. Coffee Table
Our first idea is to take a pallet and turn it into a coffee table. Adding wooden crates or bins to give the pallet height is great for adding storage beneath the coffee table. Finding a pallet with smaller gap spacing may be critical to this project so you can sit cups and coasters on the coffee table with ease. If not, you can also get a piece of plexiglass at your local hardware supplies store to create a surface on your coffee table.

2. Planter
Install a pallet against your wall with a decorative pallet board. You can make different tiers of the pallet into plant beds. You can even install herbs or flowers to make it personalized to your needs. This is a great way to bring distressed woods and vibrant, lively plants into your home decor. 

3. Headboard and Bedframe
A large pallet can place against the wall to make a headboard. Cut the boards to the shape you want if you want to get creative. Also, extra pallets are perfect to create your own bed frame. You can even loft yours by stacking pallets to acquire the height you are trying to obtain. Pallet boards work great for keeping your bed low profile or lofting it high to have additional storage.

4. Radiator Cover
Radiators can be such an eyesore in the room. Since they cannot be removed from your home, some homeowners have begun to get stylish covers. Use a pallet to cover your radiator by knocking the boards off the back of the pallet; you can also put décor on top and use it as additional shelving.
 
Using pallets is a cost-effective resolution for adding to the design of your home. Wood is a simple, timeless design staple that has always been incorporated into different room themes today. 
 
If you are working with a gnarled pallet, take the time to sand it and even stain it. The more time you put into prepping the pallet, the more professional the end project will appear. Pull any nails that are holding the pallet together; you can even mix and match pallets to create your own design. 
 
Be creative with your space and try adding these projects into your home. For more great tips and tricks, visit us at Fulton Homes. 
 

Tips for Filling out Your Shelves

Posted on by

Display shelving is a great way to add character and charm to your home design. With so many shelving designs available today, shelving can be an effective way to help enhance your room’s design. Not all shelving units are the same; however, there are some simple tricks to make sure that your display shelf looks professional and not chaotic. Try adding these simple elements to your display units to make a weak storage area of a room feel like a strong focal point. 
 
Tips for Filling out Display Shelves: 
 
  • Theme
A display shelf is a perfect spot for applying your design theme. Whether modern, classic, rustic, or even eclectic, this is your chance to add character and elements to the room; try to pick décor that matches your theme and helps amplify the space. Be cognitive that every feature added to the shelf does not feel out of place yet helps enhance the atmosphere and overall design. 
 
  • Color
Most rooms will have a color theme. The rule of thumb is an area’s color theme should be divided into 60-30-10. Sixty percent of your room should follow a primary color. This is your main color throughout the area. The secondary color will influence thirty percent of the space. This adds a nice contrast and can be reflected in the room’s theme. Lastly, you will use the last ten percent as the accent color. Try to keep this rule of thumb in mind when adding décor to your display shelf.
 
  • Variety
Diversity is vital to make a display shelf not feel monotonous and boring. Think of your display shelf as the perfect opportunity to add character to the room. By incorporating visual elements that are not only intricate but also complex, it will help build a relationship of a robust variety. Mix hues, lines, textures, and shapes to help add different levels of visual elements to reflect your design theme.
 
  • Balance
Your display shelf should have a sense of unity and balance. How you arrange your décor can make the display shelf feel cluttered and chaotic or can make it look well-planned and very visually pleasing. The rule of three is a powerful but effective interior decorating trick. The practice implies that objects arranged in odd numbers will always seem more visually appealing. Using this when placing objects near each other on the shelf is a great guideline to keep your shelving looking top notch.
 
Decorating your shelves is a fun way to put your personal touch in your home. Keep in mind these simple four tricks, and your shelves will be looking crisp and clean. For more great interior design tips, visit us at Fulton Homes.

Top Style Rugs to Add to Your Home

Posted on by
Top Style Rugs to Add to Your Home
Adding a rug to a room’s design is a great way to make a hard surface room feel cozier and homier. With so many options available on the market today, it can be tricky to know which rug you may want to add to your space. We gathered a list of our top four rug styles that you should consider incorporating in your design theme when you move into your new place. We chose to take a look at more unique styles and some less common rug choices that you may want to consider putting in your space: 
 
  • Wool Dhurrie Rug
 

Wool dhurrie rugs are flat-woven rugs that are most commonly affiliated with Indian flooring. These rugs hold the heat and while looking great. These rugs are knotted wool and wrapped around a thread and then cut to height. This design gives the carpet a unique feel and different texture than most pile woven rugs.
 
  • Vintage Design

Vintage rugs are great for giving your home a warm, antique feel. The elegant, rich patterns make a strong statement and look great in almost any room. Do not stress about fading in these handspun rugs. This adds great character, and generally, there can never be too much fading.

  • Animal Skin

No rug makes a stronger statement than the classic animal skin rug. Though this design is not for everyone, these fur rugs come in different beautiful patterns and sizes, and they are super warm and cozy, making them ideal for country home lovers.

  • Artisan

These durable, seagrass rugs are usually woven and extremely durable. This makes them the perfect solution for someone who wants a rug in a high traffic area. Not only are the durable but the textures and patterns are great for creating a traditional look in your home.

No matter what statement piece you decide, any of these styles will help personalize your home to your needs. Decide what rug best depicts your interior design style and what you want the atmosphere to represent. Each unique rug type can quickly strength the room’s general feel. 
 
For more tips and tricks, visit us at Fulton Homes.

Storage Opportunities

Posted on by

If you are seeking extra storage opportunities in your home, but do not know where exactly to begin looking, we have gathered five storage spaces you have probably been overlooking. Let’s take a look! 
 
1. Headboard
If you are running out of space in your bedroom, consider the headboard as a storage opportunity. Headboards are often a missed opportunity for most homeowners. Different headboard designs allow for multifunction storage compartments. Using these headboards can grant you the extra room you may need in your bedroom. Plus, you can even design and build your own with Do-It-Yourself tutorials available online.
 
2. Ceiling
Hanging storage compartments from your ceiling is another excellent way to free up space. Place items up there so that you do not need items laying around all the time or blocking valuable flooring space. You can store a wide variety of odds and ends up there and keep it low-profile, so it does not take up much of your valuable room space.
 
3. Under Your Washer and Dryer
Underneath your washer and dryer may be another opportunity, you have overlooked. You can raise your washer and dryer off the floor and put storage cabinets or drawers beneath them. This can be helpful for storing towels or clean clothes and have them conveniently right below the washing machine.
 
4. Behind Doors
If you have different doors in your home that primarily stay open, consider them as another opportunity for storage. Step ladders, brooms, and dustpans can be tucked away behind a mudrooms door and stored for later. This is a great spot to keep your quick-to-get-to house cleaning supplies and maintenance tools. Also, consider getting a door hanger with baskets to keep your cleaning supply in as well.
 
5. Behind Cabinet Doors
Your cabinet doors can also take doors hangers made for them. This is great for tucking away spices and canned food in your kitchen. These low-profile hangers are affordable and can help add more storage where needed. They even have some neat, handy ones with chalkboards for recipes and hooks for your measuring cups and spoons.
 
We hope you found these five storage ideas useful. Be sure to check back weekly for more expert tips and tricks. Thanks for reading!

5 Best Wood Species for Furniture

Posted on by

Wood furniture can be considered a prized possession in any home; it instantly adds texture, comfort, and style to your home’s decor. As a natural product, you can expect wood to have different in texture, color, and grain. Such variations are what make wood furniture pieces beautiful and unique. Have you ever wondered what wood species make for the best furnishing? Check out these five popular wood species that are commonly used in furniture: 

1. Beech

Beech is a type of wood that is heavy and strong. Beech usually has a tight grain with a smooth and even texture and has a natural light color. This type of wood is often used to make furniture that requires a bit of flexibility or bending like chairs. Beechwood furniture provides a natural, organic look and it has a solid density. Like most wood furniture, beech wood ages gracefully if it is maintained properly. 

2. Walnut

Formed by a beautiful, dark brown hue, walnut a very popular choice for furniture. With its distinctive grain, walnut is known for its hardness, durability and shock resistance. Authentic walnut furniture is generally more expensive than most types of wood furniture because walnut trees do not grow as often. Walnut is commonly found in furnishing that features dark stained finishes. As walnut furniture ages, you will see that it gets lighter and can turn into a rich honey hue.

3. Maple

Maple is another type of wood that is dense yet durable. This wood species is often used in cabinetry and furniture. Its straight-grain contributes to its uniform texture. Maple wood has different variations in color including reddish brown, white and lighter brown. Maple’s grain takes paint color well which is why it is used in painted wood furniture projects. 

4. Cherry

Natural cherry is pricey and a trendy choice for furniture and cabinetry. It is ultra-durable, and it has a distinct yet attractive grain. Cherry has medium brown color with pink undertones and can age into a reddish brown. 

5. Mahogany

Mahogany is a tropical wood species with medium hardness. The great thing about this grain is that it is resistant to moisture which means that it is less likely to warp or shrink. Mahogany has unique grain patterns that can take on swirls and other types of shapes. It is used to make more exceptional furniture pieces. This species has a light pinkish hue that quickly transforms into a reddish brown color.

Which wood species do you prefer in your home’s decor? We would love to hear your opinions below in the comment section. Thanks for reading! 

Tips to Make Your New Home Feel Like Home

Posted on by

When you move into your new house, several elements make a house feel like home. A house is generally a building in which one lives in, but a home provides comfort, security, and pleasure. Knowing that you are home has the context that your dwelling establishment and you have an emotional connection. There are many ways we build a relationship with our homes. When you first move in, you may have a connection by helping with the design and the construct. Here are several easy ways to quickly turn your new house into your cozy home:

Implement Emotionally Attached Furniture
When you move into your new home, bringing in all your other home’s old goods can quickly make it feel more intimate. Adding your already-loved furniture can have a significant impact on the feel of the space. There is nothing wrong with adding new furniture to your home, but even including your personal design and taste can help make your house feel more tailormade for you. Hang pictures of loved ones and add splashes of your favorite colors to your décor for more personalization. Designing your rooms can quickly establish a bond between you and the house.

Create New Memories
Your old home had memories which will be there forever, but your new home will have many to come. Start by inviting over family and friends. Hosting events is a great way to break in the comfort of your new home. You can obtain a more personal connection with your house when you begin to create a more welcoming environment for others. You can open a world of possibilities and memories when you start to host events and catering to friends and family.

Enjoy Your Surroundings
Home is where the heart is. Your home is not limited to your dwelling but the surrounding environments. Fulton Homes has located all their homes in conveniently-placed spots from easy freeway access to nearby shopping. Take advantage of the neighborhood and explore your new area. Change can be difficult at first but the sooner you adapt to your new accommodations, the quicker you will build a stronger love for your new home.

Developing this bond will not take long at all. The longer you stay, the stronger your bond will become. Enjoy your new living experience and home. Take advantage of the new amenities your space provides and get cozy. Adding different attributes of hygge will help add comfort and strength to the warm feeling your home will provide.

Decorating The Dining Room

Posted on by

Since the dining room is where you share meals and quality time with your family during the week and where you host your dinner parties, it is essential for this area to be inviting and full of warmth. As you take a look around your current design, is it time to breathe a new life into your dining room? If you said yes, you would want to consider several factors such as color, style, and function. Below are some tips that can inspire you: 
 
Lighting Scheme
Modernize the dining area by updating the lighting scheme. If you are interested in trying something edgy, try installing industrial-style lighting. You can then balance the look by using furnishing that embraces natural materials such as a distressed wooden dining table combined with wicker chairs. 
On the other hand, if you are set on embracing a more classical look, then it is time to go chandelier shopping. Chandeliers are a great way to create an area of interest. The width of the chandelier should be approximately ½ to ? the width of the table and at least 30-34 inches above the table. You will find that chandeliers help create a focal point in underwhelming spaces and instantly add elegance with their charming demeanor. 
 
Chairs
If you already have a set of chairs, you can merely freshen them up by adding slipcovers overtop of them. Chair slipcovers allow you to easily change the look of a chair without taking away from the design. If you want to get fancy, you can have custom slipcovers made with monograms on them. You can even purchase standard slipcovers in all kinds of styles from popular furniture shops. 
 
Add Just A Pop of Pattern
A touch of a pattern is great for brightening up dull spaces. You can add a bit of pattern to the windows with some modern Roman shades that feature a modest pattern. You can also opt to add a design to the walls with a striped paint or even consider installing a wallpaper. Today’s wallpaper is a far cry from your grandmother’s dull wallpaper. These days they are manufactured in fun graphics and geometric patterns to add flair and creativity. 
 
Colors
Do not be afraid to use bold colors. In fact, by doing so, you can make a big statement. Dark colors can help portray an elegant feel whereas softer, neutral tones can create a homey atmosphere. Whatever look you are trying to achieve, you can accomplish it with the right paint palette. 
 
For more tips and tricks, check back weekly!
 

Area Rugs 101

Posted on by

Believe it or not, but rugs can actually invite conversation into a space. The way you set up your rug in a room can make or break the design and the flow of conversation. When choosing a rug, there are four main ideas you will want to keep in mind: the colors, the use, the size and the placement. For your convenience, we broke it down for you. Let’s take a look! 

Area Rugs 101:

  1. The Colors. When choosing an area rug, you are choosing a piece of decor for your room; therefore, you want it to tie in well with your theme. Pulling colors from your room’s design is essential. All of the colors in the rug do not necessarily need to be found in your room. You will just want a few of the colors to have been pulled from your rug’s design. Also, you want to make sure that your area rug is not too distracting. The rug should tie into your overall design, not take away from it. Try to select a subtle pattern or design rather than a bold, overwhelming design for your area rug. 
  2. The Use. Before you choose your rug, you will want to take into consideration the use of it. What room will you be buying a rug for in your space? If it is in a room that is only used for decorative purposes, you can buy a less durable and more expensive rug. If you are placing the rug inside a constantly-used living room, you will want to choose a more durable rug. Also, you will want to consider the amount of foot-traffic in the room. The more dirt that will be tracked into the room, the darker the rug should be. 
  3. The Size. You want to make sure that you do not choose a rug that is too big or too small for your space. For guidance on selecting the appropriate size, you will want to consult a sales representative at your chosen flooring store. Give them dimensions of the room and your general design plan to help them make an accurate suggestion for you. 
  4. The Placement. The way you place your rug should invite conversation. There are two main ways that you can set up your rug to encourage discussion: 
    1. The furniture should be placed in an “H” shape with the rug in the center. 
    2. The furniture should be placed in a “U” shape with the rug in the center.

      While placing your furniture on your new rug, you will want to  follow these rules: 

      1. All of the furniture’s legs on the rug. 

      2. The front furniture’s legs on the rug. 

      3. None of the furniture’s legs on the rug. 

We hope that you found these tips helpful. For more expert advice, be sure to visit our blog hub. Thanks for reading!

Furniture Makeover

Posted on by

Sometimes you inherit old furniture or have pieces in your homes that do not currently go with your theme. Just because the color does not match or may feel too contemporary or too antique, we tend to put these useful pieces of furniture into storage. Well if you have an old coffee table or dresser in which you are underusing in your home, consider giving it a quick makeover. Here are some easy, cost-effective tricks to turning old furniture into new pieces that you will love:
 
Repaint and Re-Upholster
Furniture, which does not follow a room’s color scheme, can quickly become an eyesore in the room. Consider sanding and repainting furniture so that it can match your rooms color theme. If you have chairs in your room that are outdated, you can try re-upholstering them. Upholstery and paint are excellent because you can add them to multiple pieces of furniture and make your room feel uniformed. Consider applying a clear coat to furniture you paint as well to give it a gloss finish and a layer of protection.
 
New Handles
Take your outdated handles off and consider getting new ones. This can quickly transform an antique into a more modern piece of furniture. Also, if furniture does not have handles, consider adding some for a stylish twist. It not only makes opening it more convenient but can add a sleek design as well.
 
Apply Unique Additions
You can apply new additions to furniture or remove parts as well. Take outdated legs off to create a lower profile couch or add texture to the paint scheme when painting your furniture. Be creative and add vinyl designs to dressers or coffee tables to help amplify character. You can even help improve furniture aesthetics by what you place on them. Look into decorative floral or lamps to help tie your furniture theme back into your room.
 
Do not let old furniture be a downfall to your room décor. Always consider different options to modernize your furniture or help redesign it to fit your room theme. Creativity is vital when repurposing and making over furniture. Consider all these tips to see what can help take that old desk and make it look brand new.

Decorating Tips for any Skill Level

Posted on by

Decorating can be considered a form of art. It is, after all, expressing one’s creativity through design. If you find yourself struggling for inspiration, we have seven decorating tips that can be used by a person of any skill level. Let’s take a look. 

Decorating Tips for any Skill Level: 

1. A Splash of Color. 

Determining the color palette for a room can be a bit of a challenge. While there are literally thousands of colors out there, homeowners have the challenge of selecting just a few and making them all successful work in the design. To help beginners and even experts, we recommend building from a base color. The base color typically is a neutral, although if you feel quite confident in your designing abilities, it could be any color. Once you have chosen your primary color, you will want to elaborate off of that shade with other colors that pair well. If you find it difficult to find your base color, you can gain inspiration from the color wheel. What colors pop for you? 

2. The Magnificence of Mirrors. 

Mirrors are quite honestly, the best piece of decor. No matter what your skill level, you can probably agree that a mirror brings a lot to a space. Mirrors reflect natural light which in essence, brightens the area and opens up the room. When in doubt, add a mirror to the room. You may be pleasantly surprised by its effect. 

3. Accessorize. 

Accessories are an excellent asset to room decor. They tend to be the finishing piece of decor, but they serve a great purpose. Accessories help to build off of the current design while adding interest and sometimes, purpose. The accessories can help create a cohesive environment that projects “homey” vibes. 

4. Bring The Outdoors, In. 

Any design expert will tell you that plants have a lot to offer. Their green features help to add life and freshness to the space. While plants can add a special touch, be sure not to go overboard with incorporating them. It can be easy to get carried away with adding greenery, but you still want it all to flow. Try adding a plant or two in each space then build from there. 

5. Flaunt It. 

If you are blessed enough to have an ample amount of natural light, you should flaunt it. Incorporate sheer curtains and leave the windows open during the day to create a beautiful look. 

6. Senses.  

The five senses can play a huge role in your home’s decor. When people enter your space,  you want to captivate their senses. Whether it is music humming in the background, a warm vanilla candle filling the air, or a cozy rug to rest your feet, senses can take your space to the next level.

7.   Clear Clutter. 

Clutter can completely kill a design. Be sure to have your counters clear and clutter free. This way guests will be able to see the design in its entirety.  

We hope you enjoyed these seven decorating tips. Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments with us in the provided section.