How to Make Your Shower Door Sparkle

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Your shower gets you clean, but what is keeping your shower door clean? It is easy for your shower doors to get stained with water buildup and soap particles, and unfortunately, a dirty shower door can affect the overall look of your bathroom. You may be wondering, how can I effectively clean it so that it sparkles like the rest of the space? There is no need to worry because we have the perfect guide for you. Let’s take a look! 
 
How to Make Your Shower Door Sparkle:
1. Get Rid of Buildup. 
Many people swear by vinegar and a grease-cutting dish detergent to clean the shower doors; however, this method does not work if your shower is made from stone. The vinegar solution could actually damage the material. Instead, stay on the safe side by opting for liquid soap (no dye) with baking soda. When creating the solution, make sure it is thick and frost-like before using it. Lastly, you will want to use a non-abrasive sponge to assist you in cleaning the shower doors.
 
2. Citrus Cleaner. 
You can also get your shower doors sparkling clean with a citrus-based solution. Start off by taking a lemon and cutting it in half. Dip one half of the lemon into baking soda and rub it against the shower door. You can also take some of the lemon juice by itself and wipe it against the glass door. This citrus solution will help prevent soap particles from drying on your shower’s glass doors. 
 
3. Multi-Purpose Tools.
Try using a toothbrush to clean and polish the metal frame around the shower door. You can also take a paint scraper to remove gunk from the hard-to-get areas such as where the metal meets the door or in the very corner of the shower and the door. Also, a razor is effective at removing mineral spots from flat glass doors.
         ** Please be extremely cautious and careful while using any sort of sharp objects. 
 
4. Prevention Is Important.
Prevention is key to keeping the shower door clean and free from soap particles and water buildup. For the best results, try keeping a squeegee or a sponge nearby so that you can wipe down the shower door after each use. You can even apply a daily shower spray to the doors consisting of a small amount of dish soap (gentle; no dye formula) and your favorite essential oil. This homemade remedy will keep your shower door looking great between deep cleanings! 
 
Voila! Your shower doors are now sparkling and beautiful. 

The Summer Entertainer

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Summer is the season for entertaining. From backyard barbecues to poolside parties, your summer can be jammed packed with activities. Make your summer parties the best in the neighborhood with these six easy tips for becoming an amazing summer entertainer. 

How to become The Summer Entertainer: 

  1. Plan a Mental Layout. Close your eyes and imagine your summer bash. Who are you planning on inviting? Where will it take place? Now open your eyes. You will want to make sure that your backyard can accommodate everyone you want to invite and that you have enough seats available to your guests. Plan a mental layout of what your backyard will look like that day to help you in the decision process.
  2. Make It Happen. Put all of your dreams for the party into a reality by creating a list of the things you will need. Write down how many tables and chairs you will need, how much food and what kind of food you will be serving, what activities you will have, and where they will take place. Once you have a game plan, it is time to go to the store! 
  3. Shop Like It’s Your Job. When planning a get-together, you want to make sure that you are being frugal. Dollar stores have a lot of items that are cute yet affordable. You can get inexpensive mason jars for decorative pieces and paper plates at an inexpensive price. 
  4. Dec’ It Out. You do not need to purchase new decor for your party because you can use your decor from the inside of your home. Take vases, candles and small decorative pieces outside to decorate your tables. You will be surprised by how little you will need to buy for the party if you use this trick. 
  5. Let There Be Light(s). Do not be the host that forgets to light up the night. Make sure that your guests can see well into the night. You can hang string lights outdoors to add a charming, rustic look. If you are looking to save money, use your white Christmas lights in the backyard. 
  6. Think Like a Kid. Make sure you are the hostess with the “mostess” by having a kid-friendly party. If you do decide to invite children, think of fun activities for the kiddos. Having occupied kids can help the adults have more fun then everyone wins. Try to make little stations for the kids to do various activities throughout the night and have a movie ready for when it gets dark. 

 How do you plan to entertain guests this summer? Let us know in the comment section! 

The Greatest Bedroom Organization System

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You have had a long day of work and you are just plain tired. The last thing you want to think about is the mess that you have slowly created over the week in your bedroom. You push it off in your mind saying you will get to it when you get to it but you know that you never follow through with that plan. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could spend a maximum of five minutes on cleaning and your bedroom would look spotless? Wishful thinking, you are probably saying. Well before you write off the thought, we want to help you organize your room to save you time in the future. That is right, the original organization of your space will take longer than our five-minute dream but once everything is in order, you will not have to spend endless hours cleaning your bedroom because you have a system. 

The Greatest Bedroom Organization System: 

  • Stash it: If you are like the average person, you have a lot of items that need a place to call home in your bedroom. Storing items can become one of the most difficult tasks for people who have small bedrooms. When you are thinking about storage, instead of buying more bulky furniture think of other areas of your room: 
    • Store last season’s clothes in bins underneath your bed. 
    • Place your book collection on a shelf you have attached to the wall to save space on your desktop. 
    • Buy furniture that has optimal storage inside of it. For example, get a chair that has hidden compartments for storing all your little treasures or a mirror that opens up to storage for your accessories. 
    • Incorporate stylish baskets and bins that look like decor, but hide your belongings. 
  • Make your mother proud: Each morning, you need to force yourself to make your bed. This step is extremely important but it emphasizes that you are determined to keep a clean room. If your bed is made, it will make it more difficult to throw clothes on the floor. 
  • Learn the word “NO”: When you are out shopping, you may think that you need that item for your bedroom but do you? Do you really NEED that item? Probably not… Just say no. Walk away and if in three days you are still dreaming about that specific item, you can go back and buy it. Our bedrooms can become extremely cluttered if we just buy everything from that cute store.
  • Stick to a routine: When you come home from work or the gym, do not just leave your clothes wherever. Force yourself to either hang it up or put it in the dirty pile. Especially when you are getting ready, it is easy to just throw clothes around your room. Try to maintain a clean, organized room.

Do you have any tips that you use to keep your room organized? We would love to hear your advice in the comment section. 

Quick Organization Tips for Your Garage

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The organization system in garages can be easily forgotten. A lot of homeowners use their garage as a place to store miscellaneous items that do not have a proper home. Do not let your garage get out of hand by placing item after item inside of it. Summertime is the perfect time for you to tackle your garage’s mess. To help you get started, we have created quick and easy tips for easy organization. Let’s take a look! 

Tips for organizing your garage: 

Make it mobile.

The place where you store your tools should be mobile to help with the ease of completing projects. 

    • Utilize any glass jars for storing your smaller items like screws and nails. You can use old baby food jars or mini mason jars to accomplish a vintage look. Be sure to remove all stickers from the containers before using them as decor. 

Work it out.

Create a workspace for yourself that combines storage with functionality. Also, you will want to have a proper workbench for your space. Experts recommend buying a workbench that is at least six to eight inches long.  

AP in Appliances.

A lot of homeowners decide to store extra appliances in their garage. Keep the space clear in front of refrigerators and freezers for easy access. If you are not utilizing some of your small appliances, store them on higher shelves to keep the lower spaces available for frequently used items.

    • Keep appliances free of dust by storing them in plastic bags. 

Get it covered.

Garages tend to have a lot of heavy dirt and residue from cars. Homeowners may choose to cover their garage flooring with a heavy duty coating. The coating helps to protect the garage floor from oil, salt, and grease and is easy to clean. 

Succeed in storage. Cabinets can be extremely helpful for storing important items in your garage. Pet and cleaning supplies can be easily accessed in your garage. Plus, cabinets give a nice, clean look to the space without having to leave things on the countertops. 

    • If you are on a budget, plastic storage bins can replace cabinets in your garage. Be sure to label each box with the items that are inside. 

Start summer off right with a clean, organized garage. Once you organize your garage, you will feel a breath of relief. It will feel amazing to step into your garage and find whatever you are looking for right away. 

Organizational Success

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Are you tired of living in a clutter-filled, unorganized home? If you said “I have had enough,” then stayed tuned because we have five organization solutions for you.

The key to organizing is setting yourself up for organizational success. If you go in with the wrong mindset, you will not accomplish much and it will become more of a hassle than a fun project. Here are our five tips to help you have organizational success in your home:

Tip No. One: Set The Tone.

Cleaning and organizing is not everyone’s idea of a “fun night,” but you can make the most of it with the right music. Create a playlist before you get started! Have songs that you love to jam out to and the time will go by much faster than just sitting in silence. 

Tip No. Two: Set a Schedule. 

If you do not do it now, you will never do it. These words have never been so true. You need to actually set aside time to organize your home or else it will never happen. Take some time each weekend to get your life in order. 

Tip No. Three: One Step at a Time.

You will not complete your organization project in one day; therefore, you will have to do it one room at a time. Create a rule that you cannot move onto another room until you have finished the room you are currently organizing. 

Tip No. Four: Ask “Does This Go Here?”

While organizing, you may notice that some items just do not belong in this room. It is a good idea to take inventory of items that need to be moved and/or replaced. 

Tip No. Five: Sort by Use. 

As you are organizing, divide your items into different piles. Each pile will be a different category. You will have your: daily use, occasional use, and never use. It will be your decision whether or not you store your never used items or give them away to charity. After you have sorted your items, place occasionally used items into storage and items that are used daily in an easily accessible location. 

We hope that these tips help you have an organized home! Let us know what you think in the comment section. 

 

Inexpensive Curb Appeal Ideas

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You are driving through a new neighborhood, what is the first thing you notice? You are probably looking at the neighborhood’s homes. The beauty of your house is not the only thing that sets it apart, but in fact, your curb appeal does. Curb appeal can be one of the biggest selling factors for a home. If you are looking to spruce up your home’s exterior on a budget, we have five tips for you! Because, we believe that creating great curb appeal, should not cost a fortune. 

Inexpensive Curb Appeal Ideas:

1. A Bold Entrance.

Your home’s front door says a lot. If you are looking to update it on a budget, you can begin by hanging a door wreath and adding a doormat. These simple decor pieces can help say “welcome home” without breaking the bank. 

2. You’ve Got Mail.

Make sure your mailbox is making a statement by replacing your current one with an updated, modern one. If you are on a tight budget, you can try repainting it and adding new numbers to its exterior. 

3. Can I Have Your Number?

Guests will be searching for your house numbers; therefore, it is important to make a good first impression. Make sure your house numbers look clean and fresh. If you are planning on replacing them, consider all the different places you could put your house numbers:

  • Painted on flower box. 
  • Placed on a tree. 
  • Hung above your front door. 
  • Installed next to your garage.

The options for displaying your house numbers are endless! Be creative with your house numbers and they will get more attention. 

4. Pretty Please.

Nothing adds beauty like fresh flowers and plants surrounding your home’s exterior. From garden beds to flower boxes, you can instantly upgrade your home with a few added plants. To make sure your plants thrive, be sure to ask your local nursery for plant suggestions. You want to make sure you choose plants that are appropriate for your climate and seasons. 

5. It’s Lit.

The exterior lighting of your home can be an important curb appeal factor. A well-lit home can help guests find your house at night and even deter burglars. 

6. Welcome.

Greet your guests with a welcome mat outside of your door. You can pick up an inexpensive doormat at your local store or customize your own with spray paint and stencils. 

We hope you enjoyed these six types! Check out our other posts at https://proudtobuild.com. 

Embracing Summer in Your Home’s Design

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Most of us live for the longer days and the warm weather that summer brings. Summer is all about relaxing and having as much fun as you can. So how can you bring such an energy into your home? Rest assured, you do not have to own a beach house to get those summer vibes in your home. Here are some summer-filled decor ideas that you can try in your own home. 

Embracing Summer in Your Home’s Design: 

1. Add Some Color to The Room.

Dark colors are great for the fall and winter; however, in the summer, you want to create a light and airy look. In order to capture this look, you will have to take advantage of bold, bright colors to add some brightness into the room. Adding new colors to a room does not have to be expensive or a permanent change. For instance, you can transform your dark neutral color couch into something bright and fun with removable slipcovers or blankets. You can even add emphasis to the look with colorful throw patterns with exotic patterns. If you are scared to go too bright, you can stick to neutral colors such as bright whites and beige to create an airy feeling in your home. 

2. Get Rid of The Drapes. 

In the summer months, you can store your more heavy draperies. They tend to weigh down the room. Instead, during the summer months, you will want to opt for something light-weight and maybe even sheer. These light-weight curtains allow the warm breeze to flow inside of the space while letting the sunlight glisten into the room. 

3. Bring in The Outdoors. 

Summertime is all about enjoying the outdoors. Bring the outdoors into your home by incorporating flowers and plants into your design scheme. You can let fruit arrangements serve as your centerpieces and incorporate plants around the room. Adding a hint of nature to your design strategy will add a homey feel. If you do not want to commit to real plants, you can always opt for faux pieces such as a plastic bamboo tree. 

4. Spruce up The Outdoor Area.

Whether you plan on entertaining outdoors during the summer months or you simply plan on retreating to your favorite outdoor space, you will want to keep it clean and fresh. Be sure to cut the grass, clear away old leaves and wipe down your outdoor furniture. Make sure your outdoor furniture is comfortable by adding pillows and throw blankets.

How do you embrace summer? Let us know in the comment section.  

 

Decorating with Throw Pillows for Any Style

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What Type of Throw Pillows are Trendy?
Whether you are searching for throw pillows for the living room or your bedroom, it is helpful to know what is trendy right now. Loose linen pillows have become popular because they complement both classic and contemporary interiors. Also, pastel-colored pillows are on trend now which is perfect for a soft setting room that embraces white and gray palettes. Fur, embroidered and velvet pillows are also a fresh and current choice. 
 
What Size Pillows Should I Choose?
Creating the perfect arrangement requires choosing the right size pillows. When shopping for throw pillows, you should try and mix different sizes. For examples, for a large couch, you can mix 24-inch pillows with a 22-inch pillow. The smaller pillow should always be arranged in front of the larger one. For a smaller piece of furniture, you can opt for 18-inch and22-inch throw pillows.
 
Styling Pillows for a Traditional Look…
If you have a more traditional style living room or bedroom, you will want to keep things simple by incorporating two or four large throw pillows that are arranged on both opposite ends of the bed or sofa. In a classic setting, velvet or silk pillows create a chic look. You can use colors and patterns to keep things fresh and interesting. 
 
Styling Pillows for a Modern Look….
For a modern look, pair pillows in odd numbers such as three or five. Opt for slightly bigger pillows because they look much cleaner than a bunch of small throw pillows. In such a space, you might want to try limiting the color palette and instead focus on pillows that embrace large geometric prints. You can pair a busy pillow with a more simple one or coordinate a print with a solid color accent pillow.
 
Styling Pillows for an Eclectic Look….
For an eclectic room that does not play by the rules, do not be afraid to use a mix of throw pillows of a variety of sizes. You can arrange them in odd pairs to create interest. Be open to different fabrics, patterns, and colors but you want them to have some harmony; therefore, make sure there is at least one common color found throughout the arrangement.
 
We hope you enjoyed these tips for decorating with throw pillows. Be sure to check out our other blog posts at https://proudtobuild.com. See you next time! 

Decorating on a Budget

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Do you have big dreams but you are working with a small budget? While we would all love to have access to extra cash for designing the home of our dreams, sometimes it is just not possible at the moment. If you are in this situation, know that you can still improve the look of your place without having to drain your bank account. In fact, you can make lots of small changes without launching a major remodeling project. We are going to show you how you can update your space with the things that you already have.

Decorating on a Budget (Designing with What You Already Have):

1. Less is More.
You do not have to be a minimalist to appreciate the fact that sometimes “less is more.” Sometimes what a room really needs is more space. That means it may be time to remove clutter by clearing out excess furniture and finding a better place to store things like extra clothes and books. It is always good to have somewhere in the room where the eyes can rest even if it is for a moment. If a room’s decor is in need of a refresher, you should consider moving a piece of furniture or accessory that has been in the same spot for awhile. Try looking around a room with fresh eyes to determine what items you can do without and put in storage.
 
2. Get Creative.
You may be surprised at how the items lying around your house can be used to create a unique style in your home’s decor. For example, you can showcase a nice greeting card as a piece of artwork by encasing it in a nice inexpensive frame. You can even use a special greeting carding that holds sentimental value or purchase one that grabs your attention.
Also, you can create artwork out of anything, whether it is your favorite album or book cover. They can be displayed as standalone pieces or part of a tabletop vignette.
 
3. Change the Scenery.
The bedside tables that you are so used to seeing in your bedroom can be brought into the living room for a new look. Reconceptualizing furnishing in a space breathes a whole new look into the piece. You can also score all kinds of pieces through thrifting. Introducing something visually unexpected into a room is a great way to add interest.
 
4. Switch out The Lampshades.
Is your space lacking color? Consider replacing the lamp shades throughout your home with ones featuring a vibrant hue. Lamp shades are inexpensive and they can be purchased at any home goods store.
 
5. Reupholstering Furniture.
Another way to add style with your current items is by reupholstering the sofa or other pieces of furniture yourself. Reupholstering a piece of furniture will completely transform it. Start with a simple frame and use minimal fabric to create a chic, timeless look. 
 
We hope you enjoyed these tips! Let us know what you think in the comment section. 

Let There Be Light – Adding Light to A Dark Room

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Who does not love waking up to a room beaming in sunlight? Unfortunately, there is always that one room in the house that feels uninviting due to the lack of light. Yes, getting some light into that dark room is necessary to help it look more visually appealing and the light will provide just the right amount of warmth you need to feel comfortable and cozy.

Not everyone has the option of making structural changes to add or bring natural light into a room. Rest assured, that you can achieve the desired effect without having to launch an expensive renovation project by adding in additional windows. You can brighten up a dark room by using a variety of techniques.

Make The Most Out of Natural Light

Start off by making the most out of the natural lighting that the room does get. You can do this by adding mirrors throughout the room. Mirrors can help make a room appear bigger and it can also reflect light all around the space. Try installing a large mirror or mirrored tiles directly across the windows in the room. The mirror will reflect the light from the window and cast it all about the room.

You can also maximize natural light by opting for sheer curtains as opposed to dark curtains and heavy drapes. Such window treatments can eat up sunlight. Sheer curtains allow the sun to stream right through the room without any barriers.

Layering Artificial Lighting

Of course, adding in artificial lighting seems like the most logical solution to brightening a dark room. While you may already have a central or overhead lighting fixture, you should try to add additional lighting to the space. Use accent lighting such as strip LED lights in the dark corners and towards the back of the room if you are working with a large space. Also, do not forget task lighting and be sure to switch out dull bulbs and opt for the highest recommended wattage. Steer clear from frosted and dark lampshades because they can engulf artificial lighting.

For more tips and tricks, visit our blog hub at https://proudtobuild.com.