Tag Archives: Clutter

9 Tips for Setting Up a Home Office

“Trying to set up an effective Home Office can be tough.  Location, Lighting, Supplies, Organization, all go into the planning process.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Who’s the best boss ever? You are, of course.

If you plan to begin your own business soon or have already experienced the joys of self-employment, you need a dedicated place to work. You look and feel more professional and you’ll be more productive in your own space. It’s also a great way to separate work and home life.

(Credit: gpointstudio/Shutterstock)

We’ve broken down the steps you need to take to create the most efficient and comfortable workspace.

1. Decide on a Location

Converting an extra bedroom into an office makes the most sense, but never locate your business in the room you sleep in. Experts say that’s a sure way to encourage insomnia. If all the rooms are in use, try a large closet or as a last resort, a quiet corner of the dining room, kitchen or recreation room. Look for a place with some degree of privacy, a good source of natural light and a low noise level.

(Credit: Qiwen/Shutterstock)

2. Make a List of Work Tasks

This itemization helps you determine the furniture you need – a desk and chair for sure – but will clients meet here, as well, and need their own sitting space? If you generate paperwork, you’ll require files and file cabinets. Do you need storage space for the products you sell?

(Credit: pics721/Shutterstock)

3. Organize the Space

Place your furniture and equipment by frequency of use. Computers and printers used everyday should be close together and within easy reach. Also, have a designated space for papers or bills that need processing immediately. Put office supplies like pens, pencils and paperclips in small containers or on trays on top of your desk.

(Credit: Iriana Shiyan/Shutterstock)

4. Remember Your Health

An ergonomic chair makes sitting a little less fatiguing. Place your computer so the top of the screen is at eye level and your feet rest flat on the floor. Add a foot pad if you’re short.

(Credit: Patryk Kosmider/Shutterstock)

5. Lights and More Lights

If you can, move your desk close to a window to absorb more of that natural light. You still need lamps because the overhead light won’t shed enough brightness on your work area. Add table lamps and floor lamps until you have what you works best. When the sky turns gray for most of the day like it does in the Pacific Northwest, you might invest in alamp especially designed for Seasonal Affective Disorder.

(Credit: MR. INTERIOR/Shutterstock)

6. Add a Planning Zone

Enhance the room with a recliner, comfortable chair and ottoman or even a sofa if you have the square footage. Getting away from your desk spurs your creativity, solves problems and lets you power nap.

(Credit: MR. INTERIOR/Shutterstock)

7. Personalize Your Space

Hang family photos, favorite works of art or certificates of accomplishment. Bring in house plants. They improve your health by purifying the air and helping you breathe better. Burn a scented candle made of essential oils to help you handle certain tasks. Lemon advances clear thinking, lavender calms and peppermint boosts energy.

(Credit: Iriana Shiyan/Shutterstock)

8. Stock Up on Supplies

Nothing makes you lose your train of thought or focus like having to run to the office supply store for something. Keep a backup supply of what you use regularly like copy paper, envelopes, pens, staples, stamps and ink cartridges.

(Credit: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock)

9. Change the Paint

To refresh your home office, change the colors of the walls. Choose green for a balanced and restful room, orange for an energetic feel or purple if you need to frequently call on your creativity.

(Credit: Iriana Shiyan/Shutterstock)

Originally Published on Pro.com

Powder Room Vanity Styles With Personality

“Coming up with ‘different’ ideas for a powder room can be challenging.  Get some ideas on how to make that small space as unique as any other space in the home.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
From traditional to contemporary, approaches to the powder room vanity allow for lots of creativity. And because of the modest scale, this is a place where you can indulge in higher-end materials and design solutions that might be too much for the budget in larger rooms. Let these 11 delightful examples of beautifully combined colors, shapes and details inspire your own powder room project.
Traditional Powder Room by Marie Meko, Allied ASID
Marie Meko, Allied ASID
Richly Toned Traditional

Vanity: 36 inches wide by 18 inches deep by 35 inches high

Everything in this space is richly expressed in dark, intimate tones. The extraordinary Trumeau mirror by E.J. Victor, the integrated picture frame and the sumptuous tile flooring make the room particularly interesting.

A dark-stained wood cabinet from Hooker Furniture has been converted to a vanity,making a lavatory out of a beautiful piece of furniture. (The cabinet is no longer available, according to the designer, but the company is continuously coming out with new designs.) The oval white porcelain sink undermounts to a black solid-surface countertop and backsplash, and its two-lever handle faucet is in oil-rubbed bronze.

The branch detail in the wallpaper reflects the detail of the unique towel bar. Finishing things off are two metal-shaded sconces with brass details, mounted at 60 to 66 inches above the floor.

Traditional Powder Room by Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC.
Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC.
Asian-Influenced Transitional

Vanity: Approximately 32 inches wide by 20 inches deep by 34 inches high

The nearly black wallpaper with sheen gives this small space drama and highlights the detail in the vanity cabinet, detail that’s further emphasized by the coordinating trim of the mirror and the finish on the sconces. The diagonal cabinet face detail repeats in the travertine tiles set at 45 degrees. The scheme is otherwise simple, with a single-lever faucet on a solid countertop with an oval undermount sink.

Traditional Powder Room by Design By Lisa
Design By Lisa
Neutral-Toned Traditional

Vanity: 30 inches wide by 22 inches deep by 35 inches high

Though this room employs a conservative color scheme, the detail in the finishes makes an unforgettable impression. The painted vanity cabinet is custom, though similar types are available from a variety of sources. An onyx countertop, called Delicato, the Zoffany Cordoba wallpaper and the quarter-sawn white oak flooring make the space luxurious. The sink is a porcelain rectangular undermount.

The mirror was custom-made, the designer says, but the key is its beveled edge, which achieves a finished look without the need for a frame. Brushed nickel hardware is equally elegant. The small Hudson Valley Lighting chandelier, mounted to the center of the ceiling, adds lots of charm. Notice that the crystal cabinet pulls match the doorknob, which completes the detailing in this space.

Shabby-chic Style Powder Room by Shannon Ggem ASID
Shannon Ggem ASID
Boldly Colorful Traditional

Vanity: 37 inches wide by 18 inches deep by 37 inches high

This powder room quickly transports you to a vacation spot all on its own. The Thibaut wallpaper adds dimension and boldness, and the handpainted distressed cabinet from Cole + Co. gives the space an unexpected rustic twist. The luscious taupe-colored marble countertop, sometimes called Athens gray, holds an undermount oval sink. The silver-framed oval mirror coordinates with the playful Currey & Co. sconces, which in turn mimic the swirls in the wallpaper.

Craftsman Powder Room by Mahoney Architects & Interiors
Mahoney Architects & Interiors
Rounding It Out

Vanity: Approximately 26 inches wide by 20 inches deep by 32 inches high

Rounded fixtures and furnishings can make smaller spaces function more smoothly and give the illusion of a larger space. This 3-foot-wide powder room could easily be overwhelmed by a large, square cabinet, but this rounded solution, along with the wainscot, nicely details the space. The 2-inch hexagonal floor tiles allude to traditional mosaics found in older homes, but the size gives them a fresh feeling.

Notice that the sink type serves as a countertop as well, eliminating the need for a separate piece of material. The mirror frame, custom-made for this project, matches the cabinet material and finish. Similar premanufactured configurations are available from many sources.

Traditional Powder Room by Kathryn Long, ASID
Kathryn Long, ASID
Wallpaper Focus

Vanity: Approximately 25 inches wide by 19 inches deep by 32 inches high

As with the previous example, you can find vanity configurations that have the sink integrated into the cabinet design, like this one. Some come with a faucet already installed. Their detailing gives the look of a piece of furniture rather than a traditional cabinet with a toe kick.

A custom decoupage wall treatment sets this room apart. A local artist installed a collection of maps, menus, articles and pictures collected by the owner as part of a trip to Italy, and the theme is enhanced by the candle sconces. The room is otherwise quite simple.

Key Measurements to Help You Design a Powder Room

Beach Style Powder Room by kelly mcguill home
kelly mcguill home
Open It Up

Vanity: 31.5 inches wide by 18.75 inches deep by 34 inches high

This vanity, the Weathered Oak Single Console Sink from Restoration Hardware, is available in seven wood finishes, depending on your location. Once again, the sink acts as the countertop. The mirrored cabinet is also from RH but doesn’t currently show up on its website, though there are similar options. The wainscot paneling adds greatly to the theme of the space. The ceramic floor tiles resemble brick and are laid in a running bond pattern.

Contemporary Bathroom by Peter S. Balsam Associates
Peter S. Balsam Associates
Contemporary Curves

Vanity: 20⅝ inches wide by 21 inches deep by 34 inches high

This Camber petite vanity by Kohler is available in several finishes, but the sink, called the Camber drop-in, is a separate product and must be bought specifically for use with this configuration. This solution may be a great fit if you have a really tight space and the circular shape fits your design.

With the mosaic tile seen here, this will be a more expensive scheme than most. You will also need to purchase a faucet; the one shown here is in a satin nickel finish. The sink is available in three versions. The first has no opening for the plumbing, meaning you would use it with a wall-mounted faucet. The other two have openings for the plumbing fixtures, either a single-handle faucet or the two-handle type seen here.

Contemporary Powder Room by josh wynne construction
josh wynne construction
Custom Creations

Vanity: Approximately 26 inches wide by 18 inches deep by 30 inches high

If you know a very good carpenter, you may be able to create your own custom design, as has been done here. This contractor custom-fabricated the concrete countertop and placed a vessel sink atop it, with the bronze faucet set at an angle. Varying sizes of Porcelanosa tiles line the wall, and a coordinated mosaic tile covers the floor. The mirror, found at an estate sale, floats on the chartreuse-painted wall above the tile wainscot.

Contemporary Powder Room by Bill Fry Construction - Wm. H. Fry Const. Co.
Bill Fry Construction – Wm. H. Fry Const. Co.
Contemporary Lines

Vanity: Approximately 30 inches wide by 22 inches deep by 34 inches high

This semi-custom solution uses a Kohler product, or similar, for the sink. The contractor custom-built the base to complete the vanity. Ann Sacks Clodagh shield tiles line the back wall, adding dimension, shade and shadow to the scheme. The teardrop pendant provides lighting, and a framed beveled mirror, also custom, completes the contemporary theme.

Midcentury Powder Room by David Heide Design Studio
David Heide Design Studio
When in Doubt, Float

Vanity: 30 inches wide by 21⅜ inches deep by 19 inches high (mounted about 14 inches above the floor)

This Kohler product, called Traverse, requires a selection of the cabinet, sink and faucet. With the hexagonal multicolored mosaic wall tile, this is also going to be a more expensive solution. The floor tiles are a rectangular shape about 6 inches wide and 24 inches long, laid in the running bond pattern. The dramatic internally lit round chrome mirror suits the modern design. This scheme could easily be replicated in less expensive finishes.

By Steven Randel, originally published on HOUZZ

Design Your Closet for the Real World

“Tired of digging through your closet to find things?  Get organized and speed up the morning process.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
A poorly designed closet costs the same to build as a well-designed closet. It’s how you design and use the space that makes the difference. If you’re starting with a clean slate, this guide will help you decide what to build, what to store and how to get the most out of every inch of space.
Transitional Home Office by Clever Closet Company
Clever Closet Company
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Only build what you need. Decide how big or small you need your closet to be before you start on the design. It’s tempting to see a big, blank wall and sacrifice it to a closet without considering what the contents will be.

By building your closet based only on how much hanging space you need, even a small bedroom can retain a feeling of spaciousness, with room for a large bed, a desk and maybe more. You can also end up spending less than half the money you would if you opted for a full-wall closet.

by Clever Closet Company
Clever Closet Company
Get organized. If you want to maximize space, group clothes of a similar size together — don’t waste an inch. If you have a group of similar items that amounts to at least 20 inches in width when hung together, it’s worth giving them a separate section.
Traditional Closet by Clever Closet Company
Clever Closet Company
By being that specific, in this closet I have managed to squeeze in an extra drawer between the double hanging sections, as well as some handy shelves.

Tip: Hang the top rod high enough so you have enough space between the bottom of the hanging clothes and the second rod underneath.

by Clever Closet Company
Clever Closet Company
Focus on ergonomics. Nobody wants to crawl on the floor to find their summer shorts, and who can be bothered bending down to put bags or scarves on a shelf at knee height? Design your space more ergonomically and you’ll notice things are far easier to find. It will also be much easier to keep your closet tidy.

Positioning shelves above the hanging space is a smart move ergonomically, and making your shelves just 14 inches deep ensures you won’t lose things at the back. Space the shelves only 10 inches apart and things won’t migrate to the never-never. You can stack right to the top of the shelf because there’s no need to reach to the back. Do it this way and you’ll hardly ever need to reorganize your wardrobe — things have nowhere to go.

Tip: Shelf widths at 12-inch increments are best because folded clothes average 12 inches across and 14 inches deep.

Traditional Closet by Ardesia Design
Ardesia Design
Skip the drawers. Drawers add significantly to the price of a built-in closet, restrict the layout and waste space. Be resourceful with your space instead. If you already have a dresser or bedside tables in the room, perhaps that’s all you need for underwear and socks. Sweaters and T-shirts are best placed on open shelves where you can see them easily.
by Clever Closet Company
Clever Closet Company
Add storage elsewhere. When you have a small space, the trick is using every bit of storage fully. I often achieve this by not having anything but hung clothes in the closet. There’s little point in storing folded clothes on deep closet shelves — it ends up a mess. Instead, use deep space for hanging clothes, then put folded clothes and shoes elsewhere.

In my son’s room, seen here, we have deep drawers under the bed for shoes and sports gear. This is great because he can just dump them in and then open the drawers and see them easily when he needs them (although apparently not as easily as he can see them on the floor!). This is a much better option than storing the items at the bottom of a closet or under the bed.

See more of this bedroom

Traditional Closet by Design 13
Design 13
Get smart with your shoes. If space is tight, storing all your shoes in the closet may not be possible. If you can fit them in, however, aim to stash them on shelves at mid-height so you can see them.

Whether you choose regular shelves, slide-out shelves or drawers, there’s no need to give shoes too much room to move — they’re usually only 12 inches deep and will fit into some pretty tight places.

This drawer method allows you to use the full depth of the closet, and makes shoes easy to see and access.

by Clever Closet Company
Clever Closet Company
If you can’t fit shoes in the closet, a shallow, purpose-built cabinet is a good alternative.
by Clever Closet Company
Clever Closet Company
Don’t waste your money on ‘clever’ accessory storage. Storage devices for accessories can be useful, but be selective. If a gadget involves more than one action to perform its role, you’ll probably grow tired of it. I find most closet accessories are a waste of money and space in a small closet.

What does work well are racks for belts, ties and scarves, which slide in and out. Or if you don’t mind things flapping on the back of a hinged door, you can install racks there.

by Clever Closet Company
Clever Closet Company
Go for flexibility. The great thing about this closet is that the hanging rods insert into the same holes as the shelf supports, so you can switch them around as needed. In summer, you could use rods to hang blouses, and in winter swap in shelves to hold sweaters. Store the off-season gear out of the way on the top shelf.
Closet by FormFunctionNT
FormFunctionNT
Don’t forget to make use of the rest of the house. Your bedroom closet doesn’t have to bear the brunt of your your life’s clutter. Store as much as possible in the utility areas of your home to save on the cost of a built-in closet.

A shelving system such as this stores just as much as a standard built-in closet and for a fraction of the price. I installed something similar to this in my laundry rather than putting a built-in closet into a temporary bedroom for my daughter. Now that my daughter has left home, I have excellent versatile storage in the laundry room. The system is easily adjustable, so I can use it for anything and add shelves if needed.

Originaly published on HOUZZ, by Sally Hart

13 Storage Solutions to Banish the Clutter

“It’s amazing all the ‘stuff’ we accumulate over time.  And then you realize you have no place to put anything any more and your home is looking cluttered.  It might be time to get creative.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Don’t worry.  I’m not going to tell you to throw out your stuff or give it away. And I’m not going to give you advice on how to part with it. Instead, I’m going to give you design tips on how to get it out of sight, quickly and easily. The trick to living without clutter is to make it super easy for you and your family to clean up fast. Follow these tips, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly your home can go from chaotic to calm in no time.
Modern Dining Room by WORKSTEAD
WORKSTEAD
Save Photo
1. Closed storage. Everyone likes the look of open shelving when everything is lined up just so, but the truth is, it’s not always practical to keep everything in perfect order. Closed storage can look just as great, when it’s well thought out. If you have lots of stuff, stay away from open shelving whenever you can, and conceal your stuff behind doors and drawers.
Contemporary Kitchen by Bunker Workshop
Bunker Workshop
2. Kitchen. Keep your counters clear. Dedicate a space for small appliances that’s easy for you to access. Pullout shelves make it easy to store heavier appliances, like blenders and coffee makers.

Discover more kitchen storage solutions

Contemporary Kitchen by JACK ROSEN CUSTOM KITCHENS
JACK ROSEN CUSTOM KITCHENS
If you don’t have the luxury of space for a dedicated appliance cabinet, consider creating an appliance nook or an appliance garage on your counter to tuck them out of the way and out of sight.
Traditional Staircase by Ben Herzog
Ben Herzog
3. Stairs. Under the stairs is always a great place to hide stuff, but it’s easy for that space to turn into a black hole if it’s just an open area. Use pullouts to organize and make that space easy to access.

Browse more clever uses for the space under the stairs

Contemporary Entry by Affecting Spaces
Affecting Spaces
4. Foyer. This is the one space where open shelving really makes sense, so shoes and boots can properly air out. Stinky shoes that share storage with coats will inevitably make the coats smell a little funky.
Modern Bathroom by Wende Woodworking LLC
Wende Woodworking LLC
5. Bathroom. The same rules apply for the bathroom as for the kitchen. Keep your counters clear of stuff. Use a vanity with drawers. Don’t even consider a pedestal sink or a vanity with doors if you tend to be a hoarder. Get the most convenient, easy-to-use storage with drawers. (The drawers can even be organized.)
Modern Bathroom by Bill Fry Construction - Wm. H. Fry Const. Co.
Bill Fry Construction – Wm. H. Fry Const. Co.
And don’t stop at vanity storage. Maximize your storage by using your mirror as a medicine cabinet as well. If you don’t like the feel of a bulky medicine cabinet at your sink, recess it into the wall. This can often create even deeper storage.

Should you go with a recessed or wall-mounted bathroom mirror?

Contemporary Kids by Scott Weston Architecture Design PL
Scott Weston Architecture Design PL
6. Kids’ room. You may have to remind your children a hundred times that they actually have storage under their bed, but a bed with built-in drawers can help them clean up after themselves.
Modern Family Room by Patrick Perez Architect
Patrick Perez Architect
7. Living room. Even if you try to keep stuff out of the living room, it will eventually migrate back to your more commonly used spaces. Build or buy storage (at least 24 inches deep) with large doors and deep drawers. It’s all about the ease of throwing stuff in there quickly.
Modern Garage And Shed by Closet Factory
Closet Factory
8. Garage. If your house is designed to be accessed from the garage, this is a great idea for keeping more stuff from entering the house. Invest in a well-constructed storage unit to make the most of this space.
Traditional Family Room by S.A.N Design Group, Inc.
S.A.N Design Group, Inc.
9. Bay window. As a designer, I’m always struggling with how to best deal with a bay window when I’m laying out a space. I love this idea of squaring off the wall and using that space as trunk-style storage.

Note: It’s really important that your window storage has locking hardware to keep the lid open. It makes it much easier to clean up faster.

Modern Dining Room by Ogawa Fisher Architects
Ogawa Fisher Architects
10. Indoor furniture. It’s such a bonus when furniture does double duty. If you are having a bench built for seating, I recommend you ask the millworker to build drawers into the face of the bench. It’s a really easy and clean way to add more storage.
Contemporary Landscape by C.O.S Design
C.O.S Design
11. Outdoor furniture. When planning your outdoor space, always create a storage space that is large and waterproof. You don’t want to have to bring all your outdoor stuff indoors when the weather changes.

How to keep your outdoor furniture looking new

Traditional Basement by Case Design & Remodeling Indy
Case Design & Remodeling Indy
12. Basement. This is another area that doesn’t always need closed storage, especially if it’s a space dedicated to storage. Stock up on budget racks and store everything you don’t want to part with but don’t actually use. If you apply the Pareto principle, you probably use only 20 percent of your stuff. So that means you can store the other 80 percent.
Contemporary Basement by C3 Design
C3 Design
If you want to use your basement as living space, then use the closed-storage method to hide that other 80 percent of your stuff.
Contemporary Closet by Organized Living
Organized Living
13. Final tip. If you are working on decluttering, don’t let the state of the inside of your cabinets or drawers deter you from clearing the stuff out of your living space. Once you get a sense of what it’s like to live without clutter all around you, the urge to organize your closets and drawers will come. The first step to clutter-free living is to get the stuff out of sight.
Originally posted on HOUZZ, by Gillian Lazanik

How to Care for Your Home Library

“Got a lot of books, but struggling with where to put them all?  Check out some creative ideas!”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
I’ve Harbored a passion for books as long as I can remember (my first job, in fact, was as a page in my hometown library), and I can spend endless hours perusing bookstores and library stacks. Whether you swoon for rare first editions or romance novels, keeping track of your beloved books will ensure that they will be easily found when you need them and will remain in good condition for years to come. Here are a dozen ideas for organizing, caring for and enjoying your home library.
Scandinavian Family Room by Agence LALM
Agence LALM
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Find your library style. No matter your reading preferences, the books you choose to keep in your home should hold special meaning for you — books that are only so-so aren’t worth making room for on your shelves. Once you’ve decluttered your library, it’s time to decide on a sorting method. Here are a few to consider.

  • Bookstore-style. Sorting nonfiction books by subject and fiction alphabetically by author works especially well for larger book collections, for which other organizing methods would fall short.
  • By theme. This fun method of sorting will appeal especially to creative types. To try it, pick a broad theme (like “water”) and shelve all books related to this topic together, from cookbooks (coastal cooking and fish recipes) to fiction (Like Water for Chocolate, The Old Man and the Sea) to nonfiction (beach houses, water-wise gardens).
  • Rainbow order. As sorting methods go, this controversial idea works best for visually oriented people. If you learn best visually, you may be surprised at how easy it is to find a certain book based on the color of the spine.
Eclectic Family Room by RedAgape Blog
RedAgape Blog

Try it: Sorting by color. If sorting your books by color sounds appealing to you, I urge you to give it a try — there is something soothing about looking at shelves arranged by color, and it never fails to impress guests. If you want to try it, you will need to dedicate an hour or more (depending on how many books you have to sort) to the initial process. Here are a few color-sorting tips.

  • You don’t need to stick with rainbow order; books in blocks of color look great no matter the order.
  • Depending on the colors in your decor (and your personal preference) you may want to limit the color blocking to certain hues. Books that don’t work with the scheme can go in baskets or be moved to shelving in a different room.
  • Even one color-sorted shelf can have a big impact. Try it with your cookbooks!
Contemporary Staircase by ACRE Goods + Services
ACRE Goods + Services
Take care of oversized tomes. Books like to be supported, and proper shelving is one way to ensure that they are. If you have a large collection of oversized art and design books, consider laying them flat instead of standing them up — it will reduce wear and tear on the spines. Just be sure to stack them in ascending order, with smallest books on top and largest on the bottom, so each book is completely supported by the one beneath it. And if you want to be able to easily access your books, don’t let the stacks get too tall.
Contemporary Family Room by Forsythe General Contractors, Inc.
Forsythe General Contractors, Inc.
Add a stand for heavy and oversized books.Doorstop-size art monographs and the infamously hefty Oxford English Dictionary can be more fully appreciated (and more easily flipped through) when cradled on a stand designed for the purpose. Selecting a different book to place on the stand every week or two is also a good way to feature lovely books that might otherwise be overlooked.
Eclectic Living Room by Burnham Design
Burnham Design
Rotate books to spark new interests. Once your bookshelves are neatly ordered, whether by subject, color or another method, it can be all too tempting to leave the books alone (they do look nice!) — but what’s the point of having a wonderful collection of books if you don’t get them out and read them? One suggestion for making the most of your home library is to periodically walk through and pull from the shelves a pile of books that currently interest you. Place these books around the house where you will notice them — on the coffee table, in a little pile beside your bed, etc. — and enjoy!
Eclectic Living Room by Martins Camisuli Architects
Martins Camisuli Architects

Try it: Add cover appeal. One of the reasons it’s so much fun to browse in a good bookstore is the visual nature of the book displays. To increase engagement with your home library, try to find a few places in your home where you can display books with covers facing out. Here are a few ideas:

  • Top a round table with short stacks of interesting books.
  • Install picture shelves and use them to display books instead of artwork.
  • Top a credenza with a few favorite books, either lying flat or standing upright.
Rustic Family Room by Don Welch Architecture
Don Welch Architecture

Special care for rare books. If you have a passion for collecting rare first editions or antique volumes, it is important to take some precautions to protect your investment. To keep your most treasured books in good shape, be sure to:

  • Keep books out of direct sunlight, as it can bleach the covers.
  • Shelve books neatly, with bookshelves snug but not overcrowded.
  • Lay very large and heavy books flat.
  • When looking at a book, set it on a table, and don’t open the spine farther than it wants to go.
  • Wash your hands before handling!
Contemporary Kids by Fusion D
Fusion D
Take one off the rack. It seems to be a law of nature: Kids love things that spin, and bookshelves are no exception. Place a bookstore-style spinning book rack in a reluctant reader’s bedroom and fill it with appealing titles (like the Captain Underpantsseries or comics) to inspire a love of reading for pleasure.
Contemporary Living Room by Amy Aswell Interior Design
Amy Aswell Interior Design
Go vertical. A small space does not have to equal a small library — invest in some vertical shelving to maximize available square footage. When choosing a vertical shelf, check to make sure it contains a counterweight in the base to prevent tipping, and stack heavier books on the bottom shelves.
Eclectic Kitchen by Aesthetic Outburst
Aesthetic Outburst
Put a bookend on it. Perfect for adding a small collection of favorite books to a space without bookshelves, bookends can be a lifesaver when it comes to keeping random piles of books neat and orderly. In the kitchen, keep a seasonal selection of cookbooks within reach on the counter, held between a pair of heavy crocks. Or keep favorite picture books handy beside a comfy reading chair.
Scandinavian Home Office by Claudia Georgi Photography
Claudia Georgi Photography
Get inspired while you work. When you feel motivation and creativity lagging at work, flipping through a stack of inspiring books can be a quick and easy way to spark new ideas. And think beyond your profession when choosing books to shelve near your desk: If you’re a lawyer, try some architecture tomes; if you’re an engineer, stash a few slim volumes of poetry. Shaking things up is a great way to boost creativity.
Midcentury Home Office by Front Studio Architects
Front Studio Architects
Leave room to grow. Ideally, every bookshelf in the house should have a little room on it. Otherwise, where will your new books go? Painting the backs of your bookcase in vibrant hues, as shown here, is one creative way to stay motivated to keep some open space on those shelves. If shelf space gets tight, take that as a sign that the time has come for another purge. If you find yourself reluctant to part with any books, why not donate them to your local library? Then if you have a change of heart, you’ll know you can always check them out!
Originally published on HOUZZ, by Laura Gaskill

Mastering Your Morning Routine

“Streamlining your routine and making it easier to get out the door is always a good thing.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
With the first weeks of school underway, and most adults settling back in to work (however grumpily) after vacations, mornings are bound to be more hectic. From searching for missing shoes, backpacks and important papers to remembering all of the minute details of shifting daily schedules, the tasks of the early hours of the day can put everyone out the door in a sour mood (not to mention late). A well-choreographed morning routine, on the other hand, can help start the day on a positive note, and can give you the opportunity to connect with your family or gain some extra personal time. Take a deep breath — tomorrow is another day, and with a bit of planning (and these 10 strategies), it can start off without a hitch.
Midcentury Exterior by Regan Baker Design
Regan Baker Design
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First figure out what’s holding you up. If you find yourself running late (or nearly late) in the morning, the first step to taking control of your time is to identify how you are spending it. Where does your routine tend to veer off track? Look over this list and see if any fit.

  • Hitting the snooze button repeatedly, or sleeping through the alarm, then rushing to get ready
  • Getting the kids ready takes forever
  • Just sipping coffee, reading and browsing online make the time get away from you
  • Can’t find anything to wear
  • Can’t find essential items (keys, phone, bag) as you’re about to head out the door
  • Forgetting about things you need to bring (lunch, signed papers, gym bag) until the last second
Scandinavian Bedroom by House of Beatniks
House of Beatniks
The Strategies

1. Get dressed first. Instead of sipping coffee in your PJs, try making a practice of getting dressed first thing. Whether or not you have kids, if you leave your own getting ready to the last minute, mornings will always feel crunched for time. If choosing an outfit tends to eat up a lot of time, select it the night before, including accessories — then you can just put it on in the morning, and you’ll already be a step ahead.
Contemporary Kitchen My House
2. Review the calendar over a cuppa. Make a habit of looking over the day’s schedule while you sip your first cup of coffee or tea — knowing what’s on deck will help ensure that you don’t forget any key papers or supplies. Whether you prefer old-school paper or an app, be sure to use one calendar for the entire household so you can sync activities. And if checking the day’s schedule reminds you of some key item you need to bring with you, grab it right then and put it in front of the door where you won’t miss it.
Eclectic by Claudia Georgi Photography
Claudia Georgi Photography

3. Use a big wall clock to stay on track. Sure, you can always glance down at your phone,but there’s something about having a nice, clearly marked wall clock that makes it easier to keep schedules running smoothly. Plus, if you tend to get distracted by your phone when you check the time, this can help cut down on aimless browsing.

If you’ve been underestimating how long it takes to complete morning tasks, keeping track on the clock can give you a clearer picture of how much time you need to get ready and leave. You may find you need to get up earlier, or shift some activities to another time of day (like prepping lunch the night before), to get out the door on time.

Shop for wall clocks

Midcentury Dining Room by Regan Baker Design
Regan Baker Design

4. Use a timer. If there is a particular part of your morning routine that you either (a) dread or (b) spend too much time on, using a timer can help speed things along. For instance: Set a timer for 10 minutes to enjoy your coffee and catch up on email, but when the timer goes off, immediately get up and move on. Or set a timer for five minutes and see if you can pack all the lunches before it goes off.

For kids, using a stopwatch can be even better than a timer, since it turns getting ready into a race — use it to time them putting on shoes or cleaning up toys, and see if they can beat their own record. Just don’t make breakfast a race … no one wants to start the day with a stomachache!

Contemporary Entry by Rusk Renovations
Rusk Renovations

5. Dangle a carrot. It was impossible to get my son motivated to get ready for school in the morning, until we started leaving early enough to play on the playground or have a scooter ride before the start of school. Now (most days, anyway) all it takes is a reminder about the extra playtime to get him to cooperate.

And if you’re the one who has trouble getting out the door on time, find a treat worth leaving the house early for, whether that’s a refreshing walk by the water or a cup of coffee at your favorite place.

Traditional Kitchen by Angela Todd Designs, Portland, OR
Angela Todd Designs, Portland, OR

6. Have a precise place for every single thing you need in the morning. The more specific, the better. A dish for the car keys, a tray for your phone and wallet, wall hooks for backpacks and jackets, and a wall-mounted letter sorter can all be useful additions to the entryway, if used consistently.

Papers can be especially problematic, so it helps to be a stickler about sorting — letter sorters are great, but only if each slot is labeled and used as intended. Sort in a way that makes sense for your household. Just make sure to have a way to keep important outgoing papers (like school forms that need to be returned or bills to be payed) separate from the rest of the onslaught.

Traditional Bedroom by apartmentjeanie
apartmentjeanie

7. Add little conveniences to the entryway. For instance, I’ve started keeping a hairbrush in a drawer by the front door to give my son’s hair a swipe before we leave, which saves a last-second trip back upstairs to search for it. Other items you might find helpful:

  • A pen for signing school papers
  • Sharpie and name labels for sticking on things before they go in the backpack
  • A spare phone charger
  • A stash of clean kids’ socks
  • Nonperishable grab-and-go snacks
Industrial Bedroom by Regan Baker Design
Regan Baker Design

8. Try some alarm clock tricks. If all the strategies in the world won’t help because you simply can’t seem to get out of bed on time, you may need to change your waking-up routine. Here are a few tricks to try.

  • Put your alarm out of reach, so you have to actually get out of bed to turn it off.
  • If you’ve been using your phone as an alarm, try an old-fashioned alarm clock — they tend to be louder and more annoying.
  • Pretend you have something super important to do. Have you noticed that it’s easier to get up early on an important day, like your wedding, or the first day of a new job? Before going to sleep the night before, take a moment to think about what time you need to get up and why it’s important that you do. In my completely personal and unscientific research (on myself), this does seem to help.
  • Get up earlier gradually. If you’ve been waking up way too late, start shifting the time you get up by no more than 20 minutes earlier each day.
  • Get to bed earlier. If you’re short on sleep, mornings will continue to be hard.
Contemporary Entry by Clean Design
Clean Design

9. Unpack first thing. Your getting-home routine is just as important as your morning routine in ensuring that you get out the door on time. When you arrive home, don’t just fling your things down anywhere. Take the time to unpack all of your bags, hang up coats, file papers and put your keys and phone in their places. If your children are having trouble following a getting-home routine, hold off on an after-school snack or screen time until their stuff is away, and pretty soon it will be second nature.

Kid-friendly tip: Add a few low hooks. Starting young children on positive, doable habits, like hanging up their own backpack and coat, paves the way for more complicated responsibilities later on — not to mention makes your life a bit easier! Hang a few sturdy wall hooks within reach to make the job easier for little hands.

Contemporary Kitchen by Olivier Chabaud Architecte
Olivier Chabaud Architecte
10. Set your routine in stone. The great thing about a routine is that the more you do it, the less you have to think about it. It’s like how a dancer learns a complex routine. When you practice the same movements over and over again, your body remembers. So, while it may feel a bit regimented at first, deciding on a certain order of business for your morning (and sticking to it) will make things easier in the long run.
By Laura Gaskill, originally published on HOUZZ

Can You Spot the TV?

“Where to put the TV?  You’re going to have one, but you don’t want it to dominate the room.  These creations offer up lots of new options you may not have considered.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
By Grace Chamia, originally published on HOUZZ
Sometimes a room design doesn’t seem to allow for a 60-inch television — maybe it disrupts the aesthetic flow and clean lines the designer worked so hard to achieve. Cue these now-you-see-me, now-you-don’t entertainment systems that blend in with their surroundings so well, they rival chameleons with their camouflage.
Contemporary Family Room by Eoin Lyons Interiors
Eoin Lyons Interiors
Winston Churchill has my attention … so much so that I almost missed the TV behind him. Slidable artwork is a striking way to conceal a flush-mount TV.

Here’s Looking at You: Supersize Portraiture at Home

Contemporary Living Room by Wolveridge Architects
Wolveridge Architects
Where you don’t want to make a feature of a wall-mounted TV, a sliding floor-to-ceiling panel that blends in with the wall is clever at discreetly concealing it. In this Melbourne, Australia, living room by Wolveridge Architects, the good looks of the lower-level cabinetry, which can double as a bench seat, further distracts the eye away from the panel and, just as a magician never reveals secrets, physically distances the viewer from getting a peek at its nuts and bolts.
Contemporary Home Office by Howden Homes
Howden Homes
You can minimize the impact of a TV simply by surrounding it with framed prints.

How High Should Your TV Be?

Contemporary Living Room by Kurt Krueger Architect
Kurt Krueger Architect
The custom wall unit in this Los Angeles living room has a certain je ne sais quoi, with sleek white glossy cabinetry set against dapper walnut wood. The TV goes unnoticed behind the cabinet above the fireplace, with its sliding cover.

Walnut Wows in Traditional and Modern Settings

Modern Living Room by Kurt Krueger Architect
Kurt Krueger Architect
Contemporary Living Room by Tom Stringer Design Partners
Tom Stringer Design Partners
This cozy cabin might look like the type of place in which you’d shut out the outside world — no phones, computers or television. But it boasts a huge TV screen that rivals the stone fireplace. Hidden beside the chimney, it is out of eyesight when not in use, and slides out to cover the windows when the mood for a movie kicks in.
Contemporary Living Room by Tom Stringer Design Partners
Tom Stringer Design Partners
Scandinavian Living Room by Corben Architects
Corben Architects
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In this Sydney home, by Corben Architects, a black wall in open cabinetry camouflages a free-standing TV and fireplace set in front of it. Integrated this way, the high-shine TV screen acts almost as a lustrous finish.

See more of this home

Contemporary Living Room by Despina Design
Despina Design
A TV that doubles as a multifunctional room divider — how’s that for state of the art? This timber structure, which features an ethanol-burning fireplace and a rotating TV, divides an open kitchen-dining-living area and allows the homeowners to enjoy the warmth of the fire and a view of the TV from any part of the room.

The transparency of the fireplace and stunted height of the structure keep the piece from intruding on the space or blocking the flow of light.

Industrial Living Room by C O N T E N T Architecture
C O N T E N T Architecture
Sometimes you just want to be able to pack away your television like you would a PlayStation. Cue this Houston loft and its custom wall unit with tempered glass sliding doors in a satin finish. When the doors are closed, the eye shifts to all of the homeowner’s interesting pieces — artifacts from her travels and a book collection.
Contemporary Pool by Sandkamp Woodworks
Sandkamp Woodworks
That is indeed a rooftop hot tub with what must be a weatherproof television. The industrial steel frame mimics the silver in the skyline, blurring the line between the city view and what’s on TV.
Modern Living Room by Ad-Notam Miami
Ad-Notam Miami
Here we have a TV unit that can seem to vanish into thin air. One minute the viewer is staring at his or her reflection in a mirror, and the next it’s replaced by a live stream of the Grand Prix.

TV mirrors like this have come on the market as consumers look for entertainment systems that won’t disrupt their room designs. You simply select a frame that suits your decor or choose no frame at all. Just think, now you won’t have to worry about getting your laptop or tablet wet when watching a movie in the bath. Just direct your attention to your bathroom vanity mirror, sink in deeper and say, “Ahhh.”

Contemporary Living Room by Bacic Group
Bacic Group
Mastering minimalist design, this built-in TV floats above a frameless fireplace and completes the floor-to-ceiling wall feature without affecting the simplicity of the space.
Contemporary Living Room by Patrick Meneguzzi Interiors
Patrick Meneguzzi Interiors
A luxe piece of cabinetry can elevate a space, and this one in particular has a highly effective multifunctional purpose: Not only does it create a feature, lining the wall with something that catches your gaze, but it also stores and displays items and subtly accommodates the TV.
Contemporary Family Room by Forsythe General Contractors, Inc.
Forsythe General Contractors, Inc.
Who needs a dedicated media room when you can combine it so beautifully with a library? This San Francisco home nails the combo with a mammoth built-in floor-to-ceiling bookcase that sets aside just enough space for a flush wall-mount TV, which can disappear with a simple sliding panel. Should you tire of anything else on display with a unit like this …
Contemporary Living Room by Forsythe General Contractors, Inc.
Forsythe General Contractors, Inc.
… you know what to do!
Traditional Home Bar by V6B Design Group - Kitchens & Fine Cabinetry
V6B Design Group – Kitchens & Fine Cabinetry
A TV in the kitchen is quite a treat, especially when it has its very own cupboard. Guests in search of a drinking glass will be particularly taken aback.

14 Ways to Put a TV in the Kitchen

Traditional Family Room by Frame My TV
Frame My TV
You might not believe me when I tell you this, but that framed piece above the fireplace … yeah, that’s the TV, disguised by what is called a TV art cover. With the simple push of a button, the canvas painting rolls up into the decorative frame to reveal the relatively large, can’t-miss-it TV.
by Canvas Gallery
Canvas Gallery
A windowless bedroom shouldn’t be denied a view. Here, the designers cleverly created a sense of an outlook with pseudo curtains, which open to reveal a flat-screen TV.
Eclectic Living Room Eclectic Living Room
You can’t fit much in cupboards this size, surely …
Eclectic Living Room Eclectic Living Room
Oh, but you can. How about your DVD collection and a flat-screen TV that swivels on a panel and slides into a cavity when not in use? That’s media storage, display and TV viewing all in one.
Traditional Living Room by Lindy Donnelly
Lindy Donnelly
Like something straight out of a Nancy Drew novel, the middle section of this custom-made bookcase swivels to reveal a built-in TV, so as not to disrupt the cozy, scholarly vibe of the room.
Traditional Family Room by Lindy Donnelly
Lindy Donnelly
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Fall Maintenance Checklist

fall-checklist-maintenance

 

“When Fall Arrives, it’s the perfect time to start getting ready for the colder months ahead.  Get these things done while it’s still nice out side.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

 

 

 

 

By John Riha, Originally published on Houselogic

1. Stow the mower.

If you’re not familiar with fuel stabilizer, you should be. If your mower sits for months with gas in its tank, the gas will slowly deteriorate, which can damage internal engine parts. Fuel stabilizer ($10 for a 10-ounce bottle) prevents gas from degrading.

Add stabilizer to your gasoline can to keep spare gas in good condition over the winter, and top off your mower tank with stabilized gas before you put it away for the winter. Run the mower for five minutes to make sure the stabilizer reaches the carburetor.

Another lawn mower care method is to run your mower dry before stowing it.

1. When the mower is cool, remove the spark plug and pour a capful of engine oil into the spark plug hole.

2. Pull the starter cord a couple of times to distribute the oil, which keeps pistons lubricated and ensures an easy start come spring.

3. Turn the mower on its side and clean out accumulated grass and gunk from the mower deck.

2. Don’t be a drip.

Remove garden hoses from outdoor faucets. Leaving hoses attached can cause water to back up in the faucets and in the plumbing pipes just inside your exterior walls. If freezing temps hit, that water could freeze, expand, and crack the faucet or pipes. Make this an early fall priority so a sudden cold snap doesn’t sneak up and cause damage.

Turn off any shutoff valves on water supply lines that lead to exterior faucets. That way, you’ll guard against minor leaks that may let water enter the faucet.

While you’re at it, drain garden hoses and store them in a shed or garage.

3. Put your sprinkler system to sleep.

Time to drain your irrigation system. Even buried irrigation lines can freeze, leading to busted pipes and broken sprinkler heads.

1. Turn off the water to the system at the main valve.

2. Shut off the automatic controller.

3. Open drain valves to remove water from the system.

4. Remove any above-ground sprinkler heads and shake the water out of them, then replace.

If you don’t have drain valves, then hire an irrigation pro to blow out the systems pipes with compressed air. A pro is worth the $75 to $150 charge to make sure the job is done right, and to ensure you don’t have busted pipes and sprinkler head repairs to make in the spring.

4. Seal the deal.

Grab a couple of tubes of color-matched exterior caulk ($5 for a 12-ounce tube) and make a journey around  your home’s exterior, sealing up cracks between trim and siding, around window and door frames, and where pipes and wires enter your house. Preventing moisture from getting inside your walls is one of the least expensive — and most important — of your fall maintenance jobs. You’ll also seal air leaks that waste energy.

Pick a nice day when temps are above 50 degrees so caulk flows easily.

5. De-gunk your gutters.

Clogged rain gutters can cause ice dams, which can lead to expensive repairs. After the leaves have fallen, clean your gutters to remove leaves, twigs, and gunk. Make sure gutters aren’t sagging and trapping water; tighten gutter hangers and downspout brackets. Replace any worn or damaged gutters and downspouts.

If you find colored grit from asphalt roof shingles in your gutters, beware. That sand-like grit helps protect shingles from the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun. Look closely for other signs of roof damage (#5, below); it may be time for a roofing replacement.

Your downspouts should extend at least 5 feet away from your house to prevent foundation problems. If they don’t, add downspout extensions; $10 to $20 each.

6. Eyeball your roof.

If you have a steep roof or a multistory house, stay safe and use binoculars to inspect your roof from the ground.

Look for warning signs: Shingles that are buckled, cracked, or missing; rust spots on flashing. Any loose, damaged, or missing shingles should be replaced immediately.

Black algae stains are just cosmetic, but masses of moss and lichen could signal roofing that’s decayed underneath. Call in a pro roofer for a $50 to $100 eval.

A plumbing vent stack usually is flashed with a rubber collar — called a boot — that may crack or loosen over time. They’ll wear out before your roof does, so make sure they’re in good shape. A pro roofer will charge $75 to $150 to replace a boot, depending on how steep your roof is.

7. Direct your drainage.

Take a close look at the soil around your foundation and make sure it slopes away from your house at least 6 vertical inches over 10 feet. That way, you’ll keep water from soaking the soils around your foundation, which could lead to cracks and leaks.

Be sure soil doesn’t touch your siding.

8. Get your furnace in tune.

Schedule an appointment with a heating and cooling pro to get your heating system checked and tuned up for the coming heating season. You’ll pay $50 to $100 for a checkup.

An annual maintenance contract ensures you’re at the top of the list for checks and shaves 20% off the cost of a single visit.

Change your furnace filters, too. This is a job you should do every two months anyway, but if you haven’t, now’s the time. If your HVAC includes a built-in humidifier, make sure the contractor replaces that filter.

9. Prune plants.

Late fall is the best time to prune plants and trees — when the summer growth cycle is over. Your goal is to keep limbs and branches at least 3 feet from your house so moisture won’t drip onto roofing and siding, and to prevent damage to your house exterior during high winds.

For advice on pruning specific plants in your region, check with your state extension service.

10. Give your fireplace a once-over.

To make sure your fireplace is safe, grab a flashlight and look up inside your fireplace flue to make sure the damper opens and closes properly. Open the damper and look up into the flue to make sure it’s free of birds’ nests, branches and leaves, or other obstructions. You should see daylight at the top of the chimney.

Check the firebox for cracked or missing bricks and mortar. If you spot any damage, order a professional fireplace and chimney inspection. An inspection costs $79 to $500.

You fireplace flue should be cleaned of creosote buildup every other year. A professional chimney sweep will charge $150 to $250 for the service.

Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/seasonal-maintenance/fall-checklist/#ixzz3nJfKQ200
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Healthy Home: 8 Ways to Add a Standing Desk

“We’ve all heard that sitting all day is not good for us, but how do you add a standing desk at home?  Here are some interesting ideas….”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
By Becky Harris, originally published on HOUZZ

Studies showing that sedentary lifestyles are killing us have launched a thousand headlines. By now you’ve probably heard the catchphrase that “sitting is the new smoking,” in terms of danger to our health. The notion has even invaded pop culture. On sitcoms, the forceful corporate female character has swapped her power suit’s shoulder pads for a treadmill desk.

Switching things up from sitting to standing keeps the blood flowing and, according to studies, can help prevent illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Here’s how to incorporate some standing room in your office space at home.

Transitional Home Office by Howells Architecture + Design, LLC
Howells Architecture + Design, LLC
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1. Think like an architect. As anyone who’s attended architecture school knows, drafting tables give you great options for standing and sitting. While most occupations don’t require a Mayline, electric eraser and tilting desk, the option of sliding over on a drafting stool or standing up helps you switch things around while you work. Frankly, I’ve never found a drafting stool that was at all comfortable, so they always inspired me to stand after about 20 minutes of sitting.

See the rest of this writer’s studio and garden

Modern Home Office by Incorporated
Incorporated
2. Place the standing desk outside the home office space. If you can do the bulk of your work on a laptop, there’s no need to clutter up your stand-up station. You can easily integrate it into a room outside of your office — and it’s nice to shake up your environment during the day and get in those extra steps while you’re moving between spaces. Also, you may be able to take advantage of a view you don’t get from your office, motivating you to get up, move around and stand more.
Contemporary Home Office by The Tiny Project
The Tiny Project
3. Think like a tiny-house owner. This simple flip-down surface tucks right up against the wall when not in use.
Eclectic Home Office by Nanette Wong
Nanette Wong

4. If you’re short on space but not into a flip desk, mount a desk to the wall. This makes adding a second desk possible in a small space. I recommend using adjustable brackets so you can get the height of the desk just right.

Speaking of which, it can be tricky to fine-tune a standing desk’s height. There are online calculators to help you figure out what’s best ergonomically based on your body measurements. Be sure to wear shoes that give good support when standing and factor those into your height measurement. You may also decide to add a supportive mat, like the ones commonly used in kitchens in front of the sink. If you do, you’ll need to factor this into your height measurement as well. If more than one member of the household will be using the desk, you’ll want one that is height-adjustable.

Contemporary Home Office by Jeffers Design Group
Jeffers Design Group
5. Incorporate a bilevel solution. I don’t know many people who want to stand all the time; having a place to sit when the mood strikes is a good solution. This high credenza shelf doubles as a standing work surface, but a more traditional built-in desk allows for seated work.
Traditional Home Office by Zuri Custom Homes & Renovations
Zuri Custom Homes & Renovations
This home office arranges the traditional desk and the standing desk in an L-shaped configuration.
Contemporary Home Office by ZeroEnergy Design
ZeroEnergy Design

6. Create a perch with a view. In this Boston loft, a desk cantilevers off a railing, providing a view down to the main living space and out the windows to the city. The spot draws the family over for some stand-up work.

See the rest of this loft

Industrial Home Office by Emily Winters
Emily Winters

7. Go for a mad-professor look. The mix of wood and iron on the tall French table, the anatomical chart, the lamp and the other accessories all give this home workspace vintage academia-style appeal. No doubt the discomfort of sitting on that stool boosts the user right out of his or her seat and into a standing position.

See the rest of this home

Transitional Home Office by Emily Griffin Design
Emily Griffin Design
8. Incorporate standing for craft time too. Big, messy projects often require spreading out and standing up. This clever station has sitting and standing options thanks to the tall stools. Placing the island in the middle of the room leaves space all around it for working and spreading out. I’d even be tempted to hoist my foot right up there and stretch like I was at a barre. Whatever gets you lunging, squatting or doing a plié is a good thing. Throw in a few as you transition from standing to sitting.

11 Smart Decorating Ideas for Wall Niches

“Do you have an interesting little cubby or niche and not sure what to do with it?  Here are some ideas that just might help you out.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Originally published on HOUZZ, by Yanic Simard
Sometimes a wall niche has an obvious purpose — a cubby for firewood, for example. Other times, not so much. Either way, if you’re not sure what to do with your functional niche or awkward alcove, here are foolproof ways to fill, conceal, feature and otherwise turn that negative space into a positive.
Eclectic Living Room by Two Ellie
Two Ellie
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1. Firewood. A classic, and obvious, use for a niche near a fireplace is to store clean, uniformly cut firewood, which creates a beautiful rustic effect even if you don’t actually burn logs in your fireplace. Generally small logs can fill any shape of niche, turning a rounded edge or an odd angle into a fun feature.

See more on firewood storage

Contemporary Living Room by ACRE Goods + Services
ACRE Goods + Services
2. Firewood and art. The look of stacked wood works even in a modern setting. Feel free to get creative with it and add some art, or paint the ends of some logs in a bright shade to add graphic pops of color.
Contemporary Living Room Contemporary Living Room
3. Plants. For an organic touch similar to wood, use a hardy live plant (one that can survive away from sunlight), and let the leaves softly spill out of the niche to play against the hard lines.

See 10 of the top plants to grow indoors

Contemporary Living Room by MPD London
MPD London
4. Shelves. Spanning shelves across a shallow wall niche is one of the most efficient uses of these spaces. It gives you extra storage and display space, and can turn what seems like an awkward area into something that looks planned and organized.
Scandinavian Living Room by Shift Interiors
Shift Interiors
The horizontal lines of shelves can also visually correct awkwardly uneven walls (narrow or wide). Meanwhile, painting the backdrop elevates the niche to an architectural feature instead of a problem.

See 8 ideas for floating shelves

Paint by Benjamin Moore: Street Chic CSP-45 (backdrop); Balboa Mist 1549 (walls)

Industrial Entry by Regan Baker Design
Regan Baker Design
5. Bright hues. Of course, an alcove doesn’t have to be shy. Consider making one the center of attention with a coat of bright paint. If a niche doesn’t have a physical border, simply tape off a 1- to 2-inch edge before painting to give it a stronger physical presence.

See more bold colors for niches, nooks and crannies

Similar paint color: Rumba Orange 2014-20, Benjamin Moore; bike racks: CB2

Contemporary Living Room Contemporary Living Room
6. Mirrors and glass. Filling an alcove with glass shelves and a mirrored back adds a lot of layered depth, making the niche feel almost like a window or a passageway into a distant room. Here, the overall effect extends the apparent eaye line so the niche and room feel bigger.
Contemporary Home Office by Toronto Interior Design Group | Yanic Simard
Toronto Interior Design Group | Yanic Simard
7. Grating. Rather than filling the unusual niche between this front room and the adjacent foyer with drywall, I added decorative faux wrought iron grating to add structure while keeping the open feeling. Now the spaces are better defined without the foyer’s being closed in.

Light: Yves, Nuevo; sconces: Elte

Asian Bathroom by Gayle Wainwright
Gayle Wainwright
8. Carved panels. Similarly, the designer of this bathroom filled the pass-throughs between the shower and main space with decorative panels, but in a more opaque way that preserves a sense of privacy.
Modern Bedroom by Found Associates
Found Associates
9. Built-ins. Sometimes the best way to deal with a really unusually shaped niche or bulkhead is to build it out to make a flat wall. Here, the built-in storage also acts as an interesting headboard, giving the room a more structured feeling without wasting space.
Modern Living Room by Nova Tayona Architects
Nova Tayona Architects
A similar effect has been achieved here, in a more minimalist modern look, with built-ins used at multiple depths to turn the whole wall into a subtle feature.
Traditional Entry by Case Design/Remodeling, Inc.
Case Design/Remodeling, Inc.
10. Reading nooks and open storage. The alcove under a stairway is often turned into closed storage due to the unusual shape, but it can also make a great reading nook or open storage for attractive coats, bags and other accessories that don’t need to be stashed behind closed doors.

See 8 clever ideas for the space under the stairs

Cabinets: Crystal Cabinets

Traditional Bedroom by Kelly Rogers Interiors
Kelly Rogers Interiors
11. Furniture. When filling a niche with a furniture piece, you can opt for something subtle that blends in with the walls, or take the opportunity to make the furniture a feature, like a jewel in a case.

Chest: Butler Specialty Co.; wall paint: Cool Breeze, Benjamin Moore; carpet: Delmar in Iris Green, Prestige Mills; bed: Pottery Barn