Tag Archives: Clutter

How to Make Your Kitchen a Sociable Space

“When you entertain, you almost always end up in the Kitchen. Why not decorate and design with that in mind?”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Do you want your kitchen to be the heart of your home and more than just a place to cook and eat? Here are the key ingredients for creating a welcoming space where family, friends and guests will love to spend time.

Contemporary Dining Room Putney, Loft Conversion

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Keep it cozy. On the whole, people aren’t keen on hanging out in stark rooms. If your kitchen feels comfortable, it will draw people to it and make everyone in it feel at ease.

Here, generous seating, an array of comfy cushions and a rustic wooden table with a big bowl of fruit help to give the room an inviting, lived-in feel.

Flik Design Ltd

Include a casual seating area. Once people flop down on a comfy sofa in your kitchen, they won’t be in a hurry to leave. Whether it’s in your main living space or part of an extra seating area, a sofa creates a welcoming atmosphere, and you don’t need a huge kitchen to fit one in.

Here, putting the sofa perpendicular to the peninsula subtly divides the cooking, eating and chill-out zones.

Compass and Rose

Combine kitchen and dining areas. If the kitchen includes your dining area, it’s more likely to feel like the hub of your home, especially when you’re entertaining. You may be surprised at how many people you can accommodate even in a relatively small space.

Here, the kitchen cabinets run along one wall, freeing up the opposite wall for a large table that’s ideal for entertaining. Bear in mind, though, that you’ll have to be a confident cook and not get distracted by your guests’ banter for this arrangement to work!

Morph Interior Ltd

Build in a breakfast bar. If you don’t have space for a dining table in your kitchen, you can still create a spot where family and guests can perch and chat to you while you prepare a meal.

A breakfast bar at the end of an island or a peninsula is the ideal solution. The overhanging lip of this counter provides a comfortable place for people to tuck in their knees as they sit, and the bar stools can be neatly pushed under and out of the way when not in use.

Fancy having a kitchen island? Find out if you have room

Fine House Studio

Make it a room with a view. When you’re planning your kitchen, think carefully about the view you’ll have when working and eating in it. An attractive one will make it much more inviting.

Try to avoid having to do the dishes while facing a brick wall, and don’t position the dining table so that it looks directly at your washing machine. If your kitchen has windows or glazed doors that look out on your garden, terrace or balcony, try to ensure that this is, for the most part, what everyone will see.

Kitchen Stori

Go for an island combo. If you have young children who are out of highchairs but not yet tall enough to climb and sit safely on a bar stool, consider lowering one end of your island to create an informal seating area that little ones and their friends can sit around comfortably.

Different levels identify the different functions of this island, and the standard-height table area is perfect for children to eat supper and do their homework.

Cayford Architecture Ltd

Open onto the garden. If your kitchen opens directly to your outdoor living space, it will feel like the center of your home. Here, bifold doors open the entire room to the terrace, blurring the distinction between the outdoors and inside.

Higham Furniture

Brighten it up. No one wants to spend time in a dark and dingy room, so make your kitchen feel as light and bright as possible — you want people to feel uplifted as soon as they enter.

Painting the space white or in a pale shade is one way to do this, but think about your window treatments too. Here, shutters cover only the lower part of the windows, allowing natural light to flood in at the top.

Also consider whether you can open the space by removing walls, and include a mirror or two, as these can be useful in reflecting light around a room.

Empire Builders (London) Limited

Focus on the TV. You may not want to admit it, but the TV is probably a big draw when it comes to your home’s social spaces. In this kitchen, it’s unashamedly out on display, but if you don’t want the TV to be a distraction all the time, conceal it behind the doors of a purpose-built unit.

Originally Published on Houzz, by Anna Tobin

10 Home Hacks for Every Room in Your House

“Everyone can use some ‘Home Hacks’ around the house. It’s amazing all the little things we should have thought of before.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Our list of top home hacks will help you organize your home and get the most out of each room.

Photo by: Shutterstock

Life is a lot less hectic when you find ways to keep your home organized, simplify storage and find DIY solutions that are affordable and easy. Here are some of our favorite clutch tips for your home.

via The Sweetest Occasion

1. Kitchen

Add personality to every meal with customized dishware that you can make yourself in minutes. You don’t need to be an artist or have special art supplies. Just grab a Sharpie® and draw your design freehand (or use a stencil for more intricate patterns) on your dishware or mug. Clean, white enamelware works well. You can personalize your creation with a name, signature monogram or even a favorite quote. To make it permanent, bake your finished design at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Tip: Start with a cold oven to allow the dishware to gradually come up to temperature. Also, hand washing will help your artwork last.

via Storage Talk

2. Family Room

Family rooms often have to do double duty as a playroom and entertainment hub. But finding room to store all your playthings without compromising your sophisticated style can be challenging. This hack meets that challenge head on: Simply store your puzzles, dice and other game pieces in decorative jars. They’re even fun to look at and provide a unique storage solution so you don’t have to make room for bulky game or puzzle boxes. Choose jars in different sizes, shapes and colors to add visual interest and to match your decor. Mason jars, apothecary jars, etched glass jars or pressed glass jars are all great options.

via Buzzfeed

3. Bedroom

Seems you can never have enough storage, especially in the bedroom. This hack lets you add storage and a decorative wall detail at the same time. Just create instant shelves from old drawers. Vary shapes and sizes for an eclectic look. Line the bottom of the drawers with patterned paper or paint for added color. Look for dressers with unusual curved drawer fronts or undulating profiles. Tip: You can often find reasonably priced dressers/drawers at garage sales, resale shops, vintage stores or estate sales.

via Make Space

4. Clothes Closet

It can be frustrating fighting to find your favorite jeans in a cluttered closet. If you’re not ready to slim down your wardrobe, have no fear. This hack lets you retain all your perfectly worn-in pairs, but in a more organized manner: Hang your jeans on shower hooks. Saves a ton of closet space and makes finding your favorite pair a snap!

via Buzzfeed

5. Bathroom

Sure bathroom hooks are essential for hanging wet towels or robes, but no one says you have to use standard hooks that are purely functional without any decorative appeal. Instead, use old doorknobs as hooks. This super simple hack adds a ton of character to your bathroom while it maximizes wall space. Tip: For a cool shabby-chic vibe, use a grouping of vintage doorknobs that have finishes with a little wear and tear.

via Green Idea Reviews

6. Laundry Room

Bet you didn’t know that you could easily conquer dryer static with just some ingenuity and aluminum foil. It’s true! It turns out balled-up aluminum foil can minimize dryer static. Here’s how: When you’re ready to dry your washed laundry, just throw three aluminum foil balls (about 3 inches in diameter each) in your dryer and tumble dry your load as normal. These anti-static wonders are easy to make, economical, reusable for up to 6 months, recyclable and help you avoid toxic chemicals found in dryer sheets. Tip: Heavy-duty foil works best. Wrap a tennis ball in foil. This will help you use even less foil to make a sizable ball and the tumbling tennis ball helps fluff your laundry as it dries.

via Mashable

7. Home Office

Smartphone accessories, like a phone stand, can be kind of pricey…unless, of course, you know how to make it yourself with inexpensive office supplies. This hack makes good use of binder clips, which you probably already have at home. When positioned in just that right way, your binder clips can make a quick and functional phone stand. When you’re done using your ingenious phone stand, just slip the clips back in your desk drawer. Job well done!

via House Logic

8. Garage

Rusty tools are the bane of any true handyman or handywoman. Here’s a great way to make sure you won’t have to worry about that: Use blackboard chalk to prevent your tools from rusting. Just place several pieces in your toolbox. The chalk traps dampness, which helps keep your tools rust-free, giving you one fewer excuse to not be handy around the house.

via Childhood 101

9. Playroom

Playrooms can be a messy prospect, but they don’t have to be with this awesome household hack. Just use an over-the-door shoe organizer for toys or art supplies. The clear compartments make for easy access and easy clean up. So simple, it’s like child’s play.

via Olives ‘n’ Wine

10. Dining Room:

Chances are if you’re hosting and elegant party in your dining room, you’ll want to break out the good china and silver. That means making sure your silver sparkles and shines. Here’s how with just some baking soda and hot water. Line a pot or your kitchen sink with foil. Fill it with very hot water and mix in about 1 cup of baking soda. Add your tarnished items and let soak for about 30 minutes or until you see the black residue lifting off the surface. Then just rinse and dry (or first clean with a mild dish detergent) to use right away! Et voilà, dinner is served!

Originally published on AHS.com (American Home Shield)

10 Tips for Creating a Welcoming Entryway

“Been wondering how you could dress up your foyer or entryway? Lighting, colors and light decor may just do the trick.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

You have only one chance to make a first impression. So it’s important that the entry to your house is welcoming to guests, reflects your personal style and makes you feel happy and comfortable as soon as you walk through the door. This space sets the tone for the rest of your home.

KuDa Photography

1. Layer in light. In this relatively small space, a beautiful lantern, table lamp and sconce create different lighting options for different moods. The Moroccan lantern, chinoiserie lamp and iron sconce each add a unique style to the space in addition to the glow.

Mendelson Group

2. Provide an artful story. In most apartments, the entry space is small, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a big statement. This home is bold and chic right from the entryway. A Jackson Pollack-like wallcovering, plush stools, a statement mirror and a geometric rug welcome guests and let them know they are entering a stylish home.

Hudson Interior Design

3. Get the scale right. A grand foyer with one tiny table is a sad state of affairs. In this beautiful entryway, a large console table, a bench, a mirror and sconces stand up to the large space and architectural elements such as the columns. In addition, accents like the antique crock, bin of flowers, umbrella stand and throw pillows add personality.

Jeannie Balsam Interiors

4. Foreshadow your home’s style. Interior designer Jeannie Balsom used wood, iron and other rustic textures throughout this relaxed retreat. Using this mix at the entry sets the tone and lets visitors know exactly what they are walking into from the front door.

Echelon Interiors

5. Add a rug. Sometimes the dimensions of an entry seem tricky for a rug. But the floor is a great place to add pattern, color and softness. Because an entry is a high-traffic area, pick a rug that’s durable enough to stand up to heavy use.

Fox Design Studio

6. Go bold. Primary colors provide an exciting entrance in this Vancouver beach house. While a basket of oars nods to nautical style, the geometric rug and bright colors are unexpected and playful.

Taste Design Inc

7. Dazzle with wallpaper. This entryway to a circa-1900 house in Providence, Rhode Island, needed to respect the architecture but also to suit the homeowners’ chic personal styles. The designers at Taste Design chose a bold grass cloth wallcovering with vertical lines of acanthus leaves, giving the classical ornament a modern twist. The wallcovering also suits the client’s art collection and easily transitions from the foyer up the staircase.

Susan Nelson Interiors

8. Provide a place for stuff to land. A dresser, chest or console table with drawers will help you keep the entry from becoming cluttered whether you need to ditch mail, keys or gloves.

Dan Ruhland Designs LLC

9. Provide a transition. In this entry, plants, a stone floor, outdoor furniture and rich wood provide an easy transitional zone between indoors and out.

Herlong & Associates Architects + Interiors

10. Add local flavor. In this Kiawah Island, South Carolina, home, the spectacular staircase railing depicts local flora and fauna. While I usually try to avoid writing the overused phrase “bring the outdoors in,” this is the epitome of accomplishing that in a beautiful and unique way.

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Becky Harris

To-Dos: Your April Home Checklist

‘Springtime is here and with it an opportunity for a fresh start around your home. Time to take stock of what Winter has done to your home, and see what needs some attention.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

With lengthening days and milder temperatures in many parts of the country, April is a wonderful time to freshen up the home inside and out. From windows that sparkle to a clutter-free garage, here are 13 tasks to make the most of the first full month of spring.

Strand Design

Clean gutters and downspouts. Having your home’s gutters and downspouts cleaned (and repaired if necessary) is one of the first important tasks to schedule this season. Clogged gutters during a rainy spring can cause water to pool, potentially damaging the roof and siding.

Wash siding. Using a regular garden hose, attach a siding cleaning kit (available at most home improvement stores) to clear away winter grime from your home’s siding.

One Girl Interiors

Spruce up the front porch. Clean the porch floor, exterior windows, windowsills and front door. Wipe cobwebs from the ceiling and high corners. Lay down a fresh doormat and plant a pot of flowers. If you have porch furniture, clean it off and wash the cushions.

Inspect paths and driveway.Repeated freezing and thawing can take a toll on asphalt and concrete. Check your driveway and paths for cracks and schedule repairs as needed.

Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design

Boost curb appeal. Spring is a wonderful time to make upgrades to your home’s exterior, and even small changes— like putting up bold house numbers and a shiny new mailbox — can make a big impact. If you’re planning to put your house on the market this spring, boosting curb appeal can help lure in potential buyers, making it especially important.

Jamie Keskin Design

Wash windows. Welcome the spring sunshine by clearing dirt and grime from windows inside and out. After cleaning the glass, take an extra moment to wipe the sill.

Check screen doors and windows for tears. Before putting up window screens and screen doors, inspect each one for holes and rips — even small tears can let in mosquitoes! If you find any holes, pick up a screen patch kit (available at most hardware stores) and repair them.

Studio McGee

Clear clutter. Create more space in your home by clearing out unloved items. If you have a lot to get rid of, set a date to hold a yard sale. Or contact a local charity to schedule a pickup — some will send a truck free of charge if you’re donating large items like furniture. If you have a lot of one type of item (for example, books or baby clothes), look for a consignment shop in your town where you may be able to sell them.

Schedule cooling-system maintenance. If you have central air conditioning, be sure to schedule professional maintenance before the start of summer. A properly maintained system cools better, uses less energy and lasts longer.

Organized Living

Clean the garage. Can you park your car in your garage? If not (or if it’s a tight fit), it may be time to make some more space. Clear out the junk, and schedule time to take unused paint, motor oil and other hazardous items to a recycling center that accepts them. (If you’re not sure where to go, search Earth911 to find a center near you.) Once your garage is cleaned out, consider adding wall-mounted storage to keep things neat and off the floor.

B. Jane Gardens

Test sprinklers and irrigation system. Don’t let the first sign you have a malfunctioning irrigation system be a drooping garden! Take the time this month to test each part and adjust or repair as needed.

Keep mosquitoes at bay. Having warmer weather and longer days means we’re entering mosquito season. Take preventative measures by regularly checking your property for standing water and emptying it. Any open containers (empty flowerpots and saucers, a wheelbarrow) can become mosquito-breeding grounds when filled with rainwater, so store items like these upside down or in a shed.

Westover Landscape Design, Inc.

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Maintain wood decks and fences. Keep outdoor woodwork in top shape by staining or resealing each spring. Check gates, fencing, decks, railings, pergolas and other outdoor structures, and make repairs as needed.

Originally published on HOUZZ by Laura Gaskill

9 Hacks for a Clutter-Free Home Office

“If you have a Home Office or any other work space in your home, clutter is usually a constant challenge. Check out these tips for putting things in their place.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

The home office is often prone to clutter, as tidiness tends to fall by the wayside when deadlines are looming and you’ve got a million and one things to do. But let’s face it: You can’t do your best work if your work space is a disaster. Save your sanity and make your home office a more organized, pleasant and productive space by adopting these strategies. From conquering piles of paper to clever cord-taming tricks, these hacks will help you whip your work space into shape in no time.

John Donkin Architect Inc.

1. Make space for a multitasking message board. A message board will ramp up the efficiency and appeal of any home office. Not only does it act as a quick reference guide for important appointments, to-do lists and must-revisit ideas, but it alsoserves as a visual muse that boosts creativity and productivity.

For added practicality, choose a board you can write and display papers on, such as a whiteboard or magnetic chalkboard, like the one that lines this compact office nook.

Magnetic primer and chalkboard paint: Rust-Oleum

Farm Fresh Therapy

2. Create order with drawer organizers. Are your desk drawers in total disarray? Divide and conquer the clutter by kitting them out with drawer organizers to keep small, loose items tidy and contained. If you can’t find an insert that fits your drawer perfectly, create a custom setup by lining the drawer with a selection of small containers, trays and bowls that slot in next to each other like a jigsaw puzzle.

Michael K Chen Architecture

3. Corral chaotic cables. Unruly wires that snake across and down your desk not only get in the way but create visual clutter too. Adding a cable management system to your home office will allow you to regain control over your cords.

This picture-perfect work zone features an integrated cable management and power system, which is hidden inside the white oak cabinets below the desk. The computercords run along the base of the desk into the cupboard, which also houses peripheral devices, keeping the desktop free of distracting, dust-collecting wires.

Cablox Aps

If you’re a renter and require a temporary solution that’s fuss-free and won’t leave any damage, try a stick-on cord organizer such as this one. Alternatively, use velcro strips to affix your cords to the underside of your desk or cable ties to wrangle excess lengths of wire together. Remember to label each plug so you know which cord belongs to which device.

10 Ideas for Keeping Your Tech Organized

Claudia Stephenson Interiors

4. Or go cord-free.
If you want to eliminate unsightly cables from your home office completely, invest in rechargeable Bluetooth- or WiFi-networked electronics. Working wirelessly will make your office look less cluttered and more streamlined, and cleaning will be a breeze — you won’t have to fight pesky cables when dusting or vacuuming.

Organised Chaos Ireland

5. Get color coding. A color-coded organization system is a smart (and visually punchy) way to bring a sense of harmony to your home office. After all, visual cues are easily read, which makes locating and retrieving items categorized by color quick and fuss-free.

A color-coded approach is especially effective for filing systems. Assign different hues to different file categories — this will ensure you can find specific documents with ease. For example, you might like to use green folders or labels for financial paperwork, red for medical documents, blue for household bills and other property-related papers, and yellow for personal items.

Lane Williams Architects

6. Establish zones for maximum efficiency. Take cues from this immaculate space and divide your office into task-related work zones. This activity-driven approach will maximize space and make the area easier and more efficient to use.

As you can see, this study features three distinct sections: the work zone (with the desk and computer), the reference zone (home to manuals, reference books, binders, filing cabinets, etc.), and the supply zone (where office supplies are kept).

Kim Pearson Pty Ltd

This approach is just as effective in offices that are more modest in size. Case in point: this pocket-size work zone. Here, overhead cube shelving serves as the reference center (and a display nook for bright, funky decor), while the space below comfortably accommodates the work and supply zones.

Organized Living

7. Set up a paper-processing station. A small stack of paper can quickly spiral out of control. The trick to combating clutter is to adopt a paperwork action plan and follow it diligently to prevent mail and other items from piling up.

The simple yet effective setup seen here has the right idea and is easy to implement in any home. It consists of three baskets: one for papers that can be archived; another for correspondence, bills and forms that require immediate action; and a third for documents that can be thrown out.

Claire Clerc

Another solution is to reduce the amount of paper coming in. Signing up for online statements, bills and renewal notices will reduce paper waste and, because many companies now charge a fee for sending paper bills, might save you money.

The Container Store

8. Go vertical. If your home office is on the small side, think beyond bulky filing cabinets, cupboards and bookcases and transform your wall space into a storage hub. Think floating shelves, hanging filing systems or a panel of wall-mounted caddies, like the modular system seen here. Besides being space-savvy, wall organizers are practical and convenient because all your files and supplies are visible and easily accessed.

Urbio magnetic modular system:The Container Store

Heather Merenda

For wall storage that wows, choose an attention-grabbing organizer, shelving system or message board that’s as visually appealing as it is practical. This chic geometric pinboard arrangement gets two big thumbs up. It provides ample surface area to attach notes, bills and other important papers and also makes an arresting accent wall.

deco & living

Common Bond Design

9. Schedule regular maintenance. So you’ve finally whipped your home office into shape — now it’s time to make sure it stays that way! The easiest way to ensure your study doesn’t slide back into chaos is to do daily or weekly maintenance. Allocating a few minutes at the end of each day (or a larger block of time once a week) for a quick tidying up and paper purge will help keep the clutter at bay for good.

The Hunted Interior

Once your study is shipshape, don’t forget to dedicate some time to cleaning up files on your computer, tablet and smartphone. Emptying your trash, removing unused add-ons and apps, deleting temporary files, installing updates, and running a full antivirus and system utilities scan are a few of the things you can do to free up space on your devices. This will also improve their performance, allowing you to work more efficiently.

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Natasha Saroca

To-Dos: Your March Home Checklist

“Now that it’s starting to warm up outside again, take the time to tidy up inside, and check on the outside to see if there are any maintenance issues after a long cold Winter.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

March can be unpredictable when it comes to the weather, but no matter what Mother Nature is doing outside your window, it’s natural to crave a fresh start this time of year. The first official day of spring is March 20, so usher in the new season with a bit of spring cleaning, fresh flowers and — if you can get outdoors — a little dirt under your fingernails.

Amy A. Alper, Architect

Plant a tree. Spring and fall are the best times to plant trees because wet weather and cooler temperatures make it easier for root systems to get established. Be sure to check with your local nursery to determine which species will do best in your microclimate and to get detailed planting instructions. If your area has a late date of last frost, you may need to wait until all threat of it has passed before planting.

Inspect your home’s exterior. Once winter storms have passed, carefully inspect the exterior of your home for damage. If you had an ice dam on your roof during the winter, now is the time to repair any damage it caused, and make changes to your roof to prevent ice dams in the future.

Touijer Designs

Simplify the table. Cupboards feeling overstuffed? Simplify your life by paring back on dishes and glassware, letting go of mismatched and chipped pieces and sets you no longer love or use often. Keep a basket of fresh cloth napkins within easy reach of the table to make it more convenient than grabbing paper napkins, and invest in a living centerpiece (potted succulents work well) that will stay fresh and green with little maintenance.

Kandrac & Kole Interior Designs, Inc.

Spring-clean the kitchen. Give your kitchen a fresh start by cleaning some of the areas we often skip during quicker daily cleanup sessions: Clean small appliances; wipe grease and grime from the range hood, backsplash and light fixtures; clean grout; and vacuum hard-to-reach places (like under the stove) using an attachment.

Arkitekturfotograferne / Martin Tørsleff

Clean slipcovers and soft furnishings. Smaller slipcovers and washable rugs can be laundered at home; drop off larger pieces with professionals. When laundering items at home, be sure to check the instructions carefully and err on the side of caution. Most items like curtains and slipcovers can be put back while damp — for the best fit and to prevent wrinkles.

Atelier 616 Interiors

Get ready for tax time. Tax deadline isn’t until April 18, but getting your ducks in a row this month will make things a lot less stressful. Sort through paperwork, update your files and gather all important documents in one place so you’re ready to go.

Simply Home Decorating

Treat yourself to spring blooms. Spring flowers such as daffodils are plentiful and inexpensive this month, so keep an eye out for bargains. And if you have blooms popping up in the garden, why not snip a few to enjoy indoors?

Danielle Sykes

Make a garden plan. There’s still time to get your garden growing! Sketch out a plan and jot down ideas for this year’s plantings, as well as any ideas you have for changes to the hardscape, like putting in a new path or fence. Start some seeds indoors, or pick up seedlings at your local nursery. Check botanical gardens for spring plant sales too, as these can be great places to find native plants that do especially well in your region.

Mailen Design

Tidy the entryway. Put away any lingering mittens and wool hats and make room for those mucky spring boots. A clean boot tray lined in river stones will help water drain away from your footwear. Clear off the hooks (or hangers, if you have a coat closet) and be sure to put out an umbrella holder stocked for spring showers.

James Hardie Building Products

Clean up patio furniture. Outdoor furniture can get really grimy over the winter, so be sure to give everything a good scrubbing before you start using it for the season. Launder washable outdoor cushion covers, and replace worn-out pieces if needed.

Tune up lawn and garden tools. Sharp tools get the job done. Take your lawn mower and clippers in for a sharpening and tuneup before you begin work in your garden.

Originally post on HOUZZ, by Laura Gaskill

11 Things You Didn’t Think You Could Fit Into a Small Bedroom

“Most of us have at least one small bedroom that you feel can’t hold much more than a bed, side table and maybe a small chest of drawers. So we end up scrimping on everything. Here are some ideas on what ‘else’ you could consider putting in your small room, that aren’t expected.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

While it’s fun to look at photos of spacious bedrooms complete with sitting areas, fireplaces, large armoires and more, the reality is that most people sleep in much tighter spaces. Personally, I love a small, cozy bedroom — it adds to the snuggled-up feeling. But often we also want a piece of luxury to go with that practicality in our modestly sized bedrooms, even if there is barely room for a bed.

Liquid Design & Architecture Inc.

1. A chandelier. So long as you meet code and place it so you won’t be bonking your head, an elegant light fixture can really make a small bedroom room feel special. Be sure to put it on a dimmer so that you can adjust the mood.

i3 design group

2. Plants. By using a custom living wall system, these designers were able to bring in life on the headboard wall.

Plant mounts: custom, The Floral Fixx

Cabbages & Roses Ltd

3. Twin beds. These beds are U.K. single beds, which are approximately 35 inches wide, as opposed to American twin beds, which are usually 39 inches wide. Those precious extra 8 inches leave a comfortable space between the two. Also worth noticing is the smart reading-light strategy — sconces mounted to the wall save space.

Hart Associates Architects, Inc.

4. Room to stash plenty of bedside reading material. There is ample room for dozens of books and magazines in this narrow bedroom, thanks to clever built-ins tucked behind the headboard. Note the nightstand surfaces and cabinets built in as well.

Right Meets Left Design LLC

5. Privacy. Sometimes a bedroom is so shallow that a bed barely fits between the walls, and there is no clearance for a door to swing. A pocket door allows plenty of room to close the space off, even though the end of the bed is very close to the opening.

Jeffrey Dungan Architects

6. Yards and yards of textiles. The long drapes in this room add softness, pattern and color while providing privacy. They really make the room.

Jen Chu Design

7. A large statement piece of art. With the walls taken up by handy shelves, a window and an upholstered headboard, you would think there wouldn’t be room for a big piece of art. But designer Jen Chu cleverly adorned this vinyl roller shade with a message stuck on with cut contact paper letters. (By the way, this quote is from Apocalypse Now.)

Sarah Fortescue Designs

8. An office. This bed flips up into the cabinet, leaving plenty of room to get work done at the desk during the day.

Mark Jordan Architecture & Design

9. A TV. If you love to catch up on your DVR right before bedtime, there are clever ways to tuck in a screen. This TV screen can be tucked right up into the ceiling when not in use.

ColeBuilt

10. Deep drawers. Precious drawers under these beds offer plenty of space for clothing, linens and other items.

InDesign / Lori Ludwick

11. The Lincoln Memorial. OK, not literally the Lincoln Memorial; let’s make that “a mural.” You shouldn’t give up on a large design element just because a space is tight. In fact, a small room is one of the best places to make a big statement. The wallpaper behind this bed is an image of the large stately columns of the Lincoln Memorial.

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Becky Harris

8 Ways to Arrange Artwork

“Creating a wall of art, is an art in itself. We’ve all seen it done well…and poorly. Take a few tips from here and we’re sure your ‘Art Wall’ will look great!”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Can’t wait to display that collection of pictures or artwork but stuck on how to hang it? Don’t feel bad. There’s a lot to consider in terms of symmetry, picture size and frame style. To get started, take a look at these eight different approaches to displaying your art and photos.

Kenneth Brown Design

1. Linear

What it is: Pictures are hung in a line – either horizontally or vertically. This style emphasizes rhythm and balance.

Benefit: A linear configuration works especially well with pieces that are the same size and are framed with the exact same frame.

Size of wall space: When the artworks are hung horizontally, this is a good choice for a larger wall or to emphasize another horizontal element in the room, such as a rectilinear dining table or seating group.

Limitations: You’re limited by the wall width or height and the quantity of pieces you want to hang. If you have five pieces you want to hang this way but room for only four, this approach won’t work.

This dining room features a gallery-style hanging system to maintain uniformity and add an industrial edge.

Bria Hammel Interiors

While a linear style works for identically sized frames, it’s not imperative that the frames be the same size. Here, designer Bria Hammel overlapped frames in two sizes.

D’Cruz Design Group Sydney Interior Designers

2. Grid

What it is: Pictures are hung in precise rows and columns that emphasize order and symmetry.

Benefit: Similar to the linear approach, the grid configuration also lends itself to artworks of the same size and with the same frame. The grid method works especially well for collections with numerous pieces. A grid installation is particularly striking.

Size of wall space: The grid system is more flexible, as it works well for walls with little or a lot of wall area. You can hang pieces as high, low and wide as desired. Pieces can be hung either close together, as in this design, or farther apart.

Limitations: Like the linear system, architectural dimensions are a limitation. Also, you need to have enough pieces to create full rows and columns — no stragglers!

A grid installation may be tricky to hang because all of the frames must align exactly vertically and horizontally. It’s unlikely the back hanging wires will be the exact same length, so you’ll have to measure each individually.

Sarah Greenman

This grid installation is smaller and has more breathing room between each frame.

Transitional Hall Chelsea Park Gardens | London | SW3

3. Clustered

What it is: A clustered configuration is freer; artworks are arranged within a loosely defined, more organic space. Although asymmetrical, a clustered configuration is still balanced.

Benefit: A clustered approach is ideal for artworks of various sizes and with various frame finishes. It’s also possible to add additional pieces without dismantling and rehanging the entire installation.

Size of wall space: With the clustered approach, you have complete freedom to use up an entire wall or just a portion of it. It depends on whether you’re trying to maximize your installation size or draw attention to a furniture piece, like the credenza shown here.

Limitations: Besides architectural barriers and the wall size itself, this approach comes with perhaps the fewest limitations. However, you should try to maintain a fairly consistent distance between the frames. Otherwise it can look messy. Also try to strive for frames of similar thickness. A medley of thin frames mixed with one fat, curvaceous frame can be unsettling.

See more on creating a gallery wall

Elizabeth Metcalfe Interiors & Design Inc.

Here’s a clustered wall-size installation of pieces all matted and framed in the same material.

ILevel

This installation brings together diverse artwork pieces finished in a variety of different frames. Despite being a visual melting pot, this scenario works because of the close proximity of the pieces to create a harmonious unit.

Katie Rosenfeld Design

4. Salon-Style

What it is: Salon style is truly old-school.Think of 18th-century Academic paintings on display at the Louvre. Salon style is characterized by a floor-to-ceiling wall-to-wall frenzy of artworks hung tightly together. The method has been gaining popularity lately.

Benefit: Salon style is romantically dramatic. Like the clustered style, it’s a good way to showcase pieces of art of different sizes and with different frame materials, especially if you have a sizable quantity of pieces. The framing materials define the space with hard, reflective surfaces, so this tends to make a room feel more closed-in. This isn’t a bad thing — think intimate and cozy.

Size of wall space: You can pull this approach off in small or large rooms, but it’s best used in spaces with high ceilings.

Limitations: Confirm your furniture placement before starting to lay out your configuration. That way you can work around furniture pieces. You don’t want to hang the entire wall and then realize a dining room chair back hits a painting or the sofa back doesn’t clear the bottom of a frame.

Adrienne DeRosa

This salon-style installation is joyously full of life.

Turner Pocock

5. On Shelves

What it is: Pictures aren’t hung on the wall but leaned on an architectural feature, such as a shelf.

Benefit: If you like to change your artwork frequently, but aren’t handy with a hammer or have space constraints, this is a good choice. The shelf approach also offers an added opportunity to layer smaller frames in front of larger ones.

Size of wall space: Depending on whether you want a single shelf or multiple shelves stacked upon each other, you can pull this look off with a large or small wall.

Limitations: The size of your wall is a limitation in terms of the shelf size but, as mentioned above, this is a flexible approach allowing for moving and changing pieces. If you’re considering stacking shelves, you need to make sure the height of your largest picture on each shelf will fit.

Sarah Greenman

6. Leaning Against a Wall

What it is: Placing artwork on the floor and leaning it against the wall offers the same flexibility as the shelf approach. However, it does have a somewhat calculated sense of casualness.

Size of space: You need enough wall space and floor space clearance to accommodate the piece.

Benefit: No holes to drill or nails to hammer, and it’s a great option if you have a large piece of artwork and insufficient wall space to hang it. Leaning artwork is unusual and, like salon style, can be dramatic.

Limitations: If you’re clumsy or you have small children or pets, this is probably not the best route to choose. You need to be able to move the artwork to clean behind it. Leaning also tends to look strange with wall-to-wall carpet because it looks like you just moved in and are in limbo. Somehow, this scenario really looks good only with hardwood floors.

Janel Holiday Interior Design

If you like the leaned look but aren’t sold on the floor idea, place the art on a piece of furniture against the wall. Just make sure it’s nothing you use frequently and are liable to bump, like a make-up vanity or bar cart.

Ehrlich Architects

7. Singles Only

What is it: Hanging up a single large artwork.

Benefits: A single artwork creates a strong focal point or zone in a room. It’s also easier to hang one piece than align several pieces, such as in a grid arrangement.

Size of wall space: For a large artwork, you’ll need ample wall space — enough for the piece and breathing room around the perimeter so it doesn’t look cramped.

Limitations: You’ll need to take into consideration the weight of the artwork and how to anchor it into your wall material in the desired location. Logistics are tricky too — is this something you want (or are able) to tackle on your home stepladder, or do you need professional help?

Most large single artworks are centered either on a wall, as shown here, or in relationship to another component, such as above a fireplace.

Christopher Elliott Design

Another option besides centering the artwork is aligning it with a seemingly unrelated architectural detail. In the example shown here, the top edge of the painting aligns with the corner of a perpendicular wall surface. If the painting were otherwise moved up or down, the relationship with the corner would look bothersome.

Turner Pocock

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8. Channel the Spirit of Your Artwork and Break All the Rules

You’ve gotta love this installation. Not only does it defy any attempt to be symmetrical, but it really pushes the envelope. Because of that, I find it delightful. The butterfly theme clearly helps this unconventional arrangement work, as if the butterflies are fluttering away before your eyes. However, without the right subject, this approach is hard to successfully achieve.

Originally published in HOUZZ, by Karen Egly-Thompson

11 Ways to Create a Beautifully Styled Bookcase

“Books, Nick Nacks & Tchotchkes all need a way to be displayed. Stylish and interesting bookcases can do that.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Bookworms, rejoice. The options for lining your walls with books are nearly limitless. Whether you are a stacker, sorter or color-coordinator, we’ve got you covered. Learn how to leave your mark and create your very best “shelfie.”

Jamie Keskin Design

1. Pair it with paint. Try painting the back of your bookcase to provide a hit of color. Add a letter for your initial, vases or your favorite knickknacks to give it a personal touch.

Vicki Simon Interior Design

2. Maximize space. Fit a bookcase wherever you can. If the wall is slender, as pictured here, you’ll gain some shelf space without giving up too much square footage. This is one of the best ways to take advantage of overlooked or hard-to-decorate spaces.

Chloe Warner

3. Go all the way up. If you want to add dramatic floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, make your dreams a reality. Add a library ladder to reach the highest levels while creating a classically cool look.

kim scodro interiors

4. Mix your media. Built-in bookshelves are a great way to frame a flat-screen television. It says: “Sure, I watch TV, but I also like to read too.” They’re also a great way to add functionality to an often wasted space.

Transitional Home Office Transitional Home Office

5. Integrate a desk. A desk and your books in one place make for a great pairing. By leaving a flat surface in your built-in bookcase to set up a computer and space below to slide in a chair, you can deftly create a home office.

Cory Connor Designs

6. Add a reading nook. A window seat between two bookcases makes for an easy reading setup. For extra storage, choose a window seat that can be opened as if it were a large trunk.

Webb & Brown-Neaves

7. Add a splash of color. If you prefer white walls and furniture, you can still add some color to your room by filling a bookshelf with colorful books. Switch out the books for more or less color depending on your mood.

Whitten Architects

8. Highlight the hallway. If you have a wider hall, lining it with bookshelves frees up walls in other rooms. Try filling all the shelves with only books to reinforce your bookworm status.

Design Manifest

9. Remember that sometimes smaller is better. If you don’t have the money or space for a large built-in bookcase, a small, low shelving unit can do the trick. Style it with your favorite vintage treasures. Stack books both vertically and horizontally for an effortless sense of style.

Lucy Call

10. Be open to the possibilities. If you want a less traditional look for your bookshelves, consider a series of open shelves. They provide just as much space for storing books, but feel lighter and tend to work well in modern homes.

Redo Home & Design

11. Get the best of both worlds.Why choose between a bookshelf or art on a wall, when you can have both? Leave an opening on the wall and display art in it to add dimension and visual interest.

Originally posted on HOUZZ by Michelle Gage

Those Built-Ins Are Going to Look Smashing in Color

“Usually, built-ins are painted white or stained natural. However, here are some really interesting uses of color to really bring attention to your built-in.”

Denise Buck & Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Adding color is one of the fastest and easiest ways to stamp our personality on a room. We usually do this through the choice of wall color, followed by color on furniture, drapes, rugs and finally accessories. Seen far less often is color on built-ins and cabinetry, a more daring surface for a hue besides white since these are among the more expensive elements to install in a home. As a result, we tend to play it safe here. But the following examples convincingly suggest that white isn’t the only option to consider.

Adrienne Chinn Design

The decision to add color, and in particular a bold shade, strikes fear in many. But the payoff can be a space brimming with personality that’s unique to you and your home. The key is to apply color selectively. Rather than painting everything in sight, strategically cover a contained area, such as this built-in hutch painted a brilliant blue. Most of the cabinetry remains white, allowing the hutch to become a balanced focal point. Adding accessories and art in a similar blue is a smart move that helps integrate the hutch into the design.

Exquisite Kitchen Design

But don’t worry, the color doesn’t have to be quite that bold to have a big impact, as illustrated by the muted blue-gray built-ins flanking the fireplace in this living room. An upholstered ottoman and accessories continuing the color theme complete the design.

W Design Interiors,LLC

In a strikingly similar living room, nearly identical dusty-blue built-ins add significant character, with the blue tones repeated on the fireplace surround and pillows for an elegant look.

Carolina Kitchens of Charleston, Inc.

Painting built-ins with a distinct color seems somehow less daring when they’re surrounded by white millwork. And when the cabinetry to be painted comes as a pair, this classic symmetry gives license to introduce color without visually upsetting the cart.

Traditional Entry The Happy Home Project

In other instances, it pays to just go all out. The purple covering an entry built-in is happily vibrant mixed with green walls and white trim.

Lucy Interior Design

Bright orange is taking bold color to the extreme, but it’s absolutely wonderful here. Lucy Penfield ofLucy Interior Design shares the specifics. “This was a fabulous old pine cupboard original to the house. We repurposed it with a splash of coral enamel and relocated it from the kitchen to the lower level to use as a bar.”

Jaffa Group Design Build

If bringing bold color into the living areas continues to put fear in your heart, how about trying it out on built-ins in a child’s bedroom or bonus room? The use of color is generally more expected in these spaces, which are also typically self-contained rooms not visible from the main areas of the home.

Wick Design

Bookshelves are a wonderful item to consider painting since they provide the option to break up the expanse of color not only with books and decorative items on the shelves, but also with artwork. The gorgeous blue here is Pratt & Lambert’s New Moon in a satin finish.

Caisson Studios

To ensure that built-ins boasting color visually make sense with the adjacent areas, one tactic is to extend the color from one space to another. In this example, the navy blue on a pair of corner hutches in a dining nook shows up on lower cabinets in the adjoining kitchen.

Caisson Studios

While the lower cabinets are navy, the upper cabinets, walls and appliances remain white to keep things light and fresh.

Christian Rice Architects, Inc.

In another example of extending color from one room to another, the gray-blue on these built-ins repeats in the entry on the front door and sidelights.

Christian Rice Architects, Inc.

The color looks a shade darker here, and it certainly could be, or it may simply be due to lighting differences. Carrying accents of color from one room to another is an effective way to bring visual harmony throughout a home.

Laura U, Inc.

OK, so you love the idea of painting built-ins with a rich color but are thinking, “Why stop there?” Good for you! Yet another approach is to continue the color from the cabinetry on the surrounding walls.

Laura U, Inc.

Here, a deep shade of eggplant covers the bookcases and walls — particularly effective since both the cabinetry and wall sheen are the same. The color’s volume is balanced by ample white trim, white window coverings and furniture, and the bright light filling the room.

LDa Architecture & Interiors

And if one color is good, add a second complementary hue in an adjoining room. In this home, a light turquoise, Benjamin Moore’s Spectra Blue, covers the shelves and walls in the living room, while the library next door benefits from the same treatment in a different color.

LDa Architecture & Interiors

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The beautiful pale yellow, Benjamin Moore’s Golden Tan, covers built-ins and walls for a cozy reading environment.

Rikki Snyder

Is all this color a bit too much, but you’re intrigued nevertheless? As an alternative, start with a small surface to cover. A good spot to test your color tolerance could be the back wall of open cabinetry, or perhaps the back of cabinetry and built-in hutches featuring glass doors where a peek of the color will show through. Just pick up a small can of your favorite paint color and give it a try.

Originally published by Janell Beals, HOUZZ

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Tag Archives: Clutter

How to Make Your Kitchen a Sociable Space

10 Home Hacks for Every Room in Your House

“Everyone can use some ‘Home Hacks’ around the house. It’s amazing all the little things we should have thought of before.”

Our list of top home hacks will help you organize your home and get the most out of each room.

1. Kitchen

2. Family Room

3. Bedroom

4. Clothes Closet

5. Bathroom

6. Laundry Room

7. Home Office

8. Garage

9. Playroom

10. Dining Room:

10 Tips for Creating a Welcoming Entryway

To-Dos: Your April Home Checklist

9 Hacks for a Clutter-Free Home Office

To-Dos: Your March Home Checklist

11 Things You Didn’t Think You Could Fit Into a Small Bedroom

8 Ways to Arrange Artwork

11 Ways to Create a Beautifully Styled Bookcase

Those Built-Ins Are Going to Look Smashing in Color

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“Everyone can use some ‘Home Hacks’ around the house. It’s amazing all the little things we should have thought of before.”

Our list of top home hacks will help you organize your home and get the most out of each room.

1. Kitchen

2. Family Room

3. Bedroom

4. Clothes Closet

5. Bathroom

6. Laundry Room

7. Home Office

8. Garage

9. Playroom

10. Dining Room:

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