Tag Archives: Home Decorating

Gap Under the Deck: Hide It or Use It!

“Knowing what to do ‘under’ your deck, can be a challenge. To do storage, or not to do storage.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

At last your ready to install the deck of your dreams. Before you begin construction, it’s important to consider how to address the underside of the deck and accompanying staircase. If the deck will extend from the second story, this can be quite a lot of potentially usable space. There will be less space to address if the deck will extend from the ground-level story, but the eye will still be drawn to that dark (often weedy) slit of earth.

So how do you maximize this awkward space? Whether you want to completely hide this area, create a semiprivate screen or turn it into storage, here are six ideas to help transform what’s often a landscape eyesore into a landscape feature.

ecodesign Pty Ltd

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1. Soften the edges with plantings. If you don’t feel the need to completely obscure the deck’s underside, try surrounding it with plants. They will soften the deck’s edges and in the absence of railings will act as a natural barrier to keep people from stepping off into the surrounding bed.

Tip: Be sure to include some evergreens so there will be screening year-round. Agaves surround this Australian deck.

Kikuchi + Kankel Design Group

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Depending on your home’s style, mixing boulders with plantings can work well for obscuring the underside of a deck as well.

D-CRAIN Design and Construction

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2. Terrace with planters. If you want to completely block the underside of the deck, one option is to build a planter around the deck’s perimeter. It is a great way to soften the deck’s edge with plantings and is an interesting alternative to railings.

Tip: It’s standard that a deck 30 inches or more above grade level must have a railing at least 36 inches tall. Be sure to check your local building codes.

Step Up Your Garden Game With Terraced Plantings

Gardner/Fox Associates, Inc

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3. Screen artistically. A screen can be a perfect solution if you want to obscure the underside of a deck or staircase while still allowing light to pass through. This is a good option if the space underneath the deck will be used for storage or as a separate entertaining space. A trellis for this purpose is both functional and economical.

Keith Willig Landscape Services, Inc.

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Tip: A trellis surrounding a deck or staircase is a great place to grow vines or an espaliered tree. It helps break up the space and provides seasonal interest and color.

Mark English Architects, AIA

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The underside of a staircase can be especially tricky. Try horizontal slats. This is definitely a modern look, but it’s a great way to turn an awkward space into a feature that ties in with the home’s architecture.

Eclectic Landscape Global Garden, San Carlos

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Why not use this space to showcase your creative side? Laser-cut metal panels allow light to pass through in beautiful patterns while providing ample screening and privacy. These panels have a fabric backdrop and are backlit at night for drama.

Goodman Landscape Design

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4. Build a solid wall to blend the deck with the house. If you want to completely hide the area under your deck, create a wall that extends from the base of the deck to the ground.

Tip: Use materials that match the style of your home. Here wood shingles on the side of the deck mimic the wood shingles on the home. Matching materials is a great way to create a cohesive look between your home and its surrounding landscape features.

Sam Crawford Architects

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5. Extend steps the entire length of the deck. By extending the steps the length of the deck, you not only will successfully hide the underside of the deck, but you’ll also create an open, graceful transition from the deck to the garden beyond.

RDM Architecture

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Tip: Create wide steps with a run of 1½ feet or more. By doing so, you’ll lessen the angle of descent, making them safer as well as creating an inviting place for casual seating.

PLATFORM design studio

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6. Add storage. Creating ample storage around the home is a challenge for most of us, especially when it comes to our yards. Just like indoors, the underside of a deck or staircase is a perfect space to convert into storage; use it for items such as garden tools, empty pots and outdoor recreational equipment.

Tip: Even if your deck is only 2 or 3 feet off the ground, creating a hatch for access to the crawl space is a good idea if you have utilities or pipes that run under your deck.

Tate + Burns Architects LLC

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Make sure the items stored under your deck are weatherproof. If not, place them in watertight bins, as rainwater and runoff from pots will seep through deck boards onto whatever is placed below.

Regardless of the size of the space under your deck and stairs, there’s a creative solution for every situation that will suit not only your needs but also the style of your home and garden.

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Courtney Olander

Pegboard Ideas for Your Whole House

“It’s amazing how useful pegboard can be all around the house, and it doesn’t have to be a dingy ‘board’ color.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Pegboard is an old-fashioned material that today’s savvy homeowners are using in rooms throughout the house. I’ve spied items as disparate as kitchen utensils, baseball mitts, hammers, necklaces and even paintings and sock monkeys pegged to walls featured on Houzz. If you have an area that needs some organizational help and you’ve run out of shelf and closet space, check out these clever ways to make pegboad work hard for you.

Wyndhamdesign

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Over the workbench. When my family was house-hunting years ago, my father kept saying, “But where am I going to put my [work]shop in this house?” My mother replied, “Danny, all you do in your ‘shop’ is hang your tools on a pegboard and open paint cans!” Which sent us all into fits of laughter, picturing the carefully hung tools that never seemed to leave his pegboard. But I digress. Pegboard’s classic spot is above a workbench, with all those myriad tools hung within easy reach.

Liv By Design Interiors

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In the kitchen. Julia Child famously appropriated the workbench staple for her kitchen, hanging copper pots and utensils on it. Today you can see her kitchen at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

More: Boost Your Kitchen Storage With Pegboard on a Wall

Valerie Wilcox: Photographer

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In the study or drafting studio. Pegboard is a material that architects, interior designers and others have been using in their studios for a long time. It’s a great place to hang the compass, T-square and other drafting tools and art supplies. It also provides space for inspirational artwork.

Bright Bold and Beautiful

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In the art studio. Watercolor artist Laura Trevey uses this pegboard to display her work. Notice how she painted the pegboard a lovely pale blue and framed it with molding. Also worth noting is the easy solution of hanging unframed (perhaps even wet) artwork with binder clips.

The Home

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In a child’s room. Art, utensils, supplies, even a stuffed monkey can be hung and moved around with ease on pegboard. Covering the entire wall gives the objects a cohesive look.

Safety note: Be sure to keep the objects out of the reach of tots who are able to pull themselves up to a standing position.

The Home

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Here’s a closer look at the variety of things the pegboard holds in the nursery. With shelves like these, pegboard near a changing table could hold lots of supplies, such as baby powder and wipes.

Mitchell Wall Architecture & Design

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A triptych of blue pegboards serves a similar function in an older child’s room.

Light: Ikea

Bickford And Company

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In the craft or sewing room. If you make regular trips to fabric and craft stores such as Michaels and Jo-Ann, you’re probably in dire need of pegboard. Keep hoops, ribbon, pliers, thread, tape, scissors and other tools organized so you can find everything you need when you need it.

JALIN Design, LLC

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At a gift wrap station. Long pegs can hold all of your ribbons, while standard ones will hold scissors and tape. Hanging baskets can corral gift tags and pens.

Clos-ette Too

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In the dressing room. There’ll be no more tangled necklaces if they’re hanging from pegboard. There’s plenty of room for hats, scarves and headbands too. If you aren’t lucky enough to have a walk-in closet or dressing room, this idea can also work well on a bedroom wall.

ZeroEnergy Design

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In the bathroom. I know whenever I need to reach for my hair dryer, I’m going to knock over every other object in the cabinet as I pull it out. A pegboard insert in this clever medicine cabinet has a special place for everything, keeping counters clear and cords untangled.

Wanda Ely Architect Inc.

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In the playroom. Hang canisters from pegs to hold crayons, markers and safety scissors in the art area. This will provide a place for everything and help keep the area neater when it’s not in use. Pegboard also provides a spot to hang fresh artwork from binder clips, as previously seen.

Front Studio Architects

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In the entryway. This New York City couple covered two walls and the ceiling in simple pegboard from Home Depot. In terms of function, they wanted a place to hang all their kids’ gear and their own bags and hats before the stuff made its way into the living spaces and cluttered things up. In terms of form, covering two walls and a ceiling gave the space a unified look.

Hunkydory Home

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At the landing strip. If you’re not ready to cover a wall in pegboard, that’s OK. Even a small pegboard can hold keys, tickets, sunglasses and those other important items you need to grab as you go out the front door.

Joseph Sandy

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In the garage. More expansive sheets of pegboard and heavy-duty pegs can hold large tools and keep floor space open for the car.

diamondLife

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If you think pegboard might look too old-fashioned for you, check out new options in steel. They’ll fit right in if the room is sleek and contemporary.

Pegboard: PegBoard X2 in stainless steel

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Becky Harris

Have More Fun Decorating Your Home

“In an effort to make our homes look nice, we sometimes forget how to have fun as adults. Take a few tips from these fun loving decorators.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Building or renovating a house is serious business — as it should be. But once the important stuff is done, the bills are paid and the dust has settled, you can let the fun begin. It’s clear from Houzzers’ comments that you enjoy putting your personalities on show in your homes. Expressing ourselves through humor is one of the most enjoyable parts of personalizing our castles.

There is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that physical, emotional and social blessings flow from looking at life in a lighthearted way. Today’s world is not always easy to come to grips with, but at least we can give one small patch of it a warm and happy glow. Our homes are not only about beautiful design; they are about us and about how we live. Here are some ways to enhance your lifestyle and your home through the best medicine of all.

Michelle Fries, BeDe Design, LLC

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1. Start at the front gate. Let the gate to your paradise hint at what is in store beyond. An entrance that announces, “Fun within” is a great way to set an informal tone. Give it character with a quirky sculpture, wrought iron design or sign.

A giant fish as a welcomer says, “Sense of humor ahead.” Corrugated iron is a popular material for gate art — it is relatively cheap and develops rusty battered charm as it weathers. Can you see EE I EE I O Sid the Sheep, handmade from 44-gallon drums, as a guardian for your gate?

Robson Rak Architects Pty Ltd

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2. Put a grin on your front door. Carry the easygoing vibe to your door. Thanks to the exciting and whimsical door hardware now on the market, visitors can be smiling by the time they step inside. I would be, after seeing this fabulous custom-designed handle.

BARRETT STUDIO architects

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3. Post funny house rules. Humor helps put people at ease. Sometimes there are things you’d like to remind visitors about, but you want to do it nicely. There’s nothing like making a joke to get the message across without offense.

Luci.D Interiors

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A lightbox moment gives good family advice — don’t be a complainer — with a humorous edge.

Trend Alert: Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign

Inspired Interiors

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4. Laugh while you lather. Remember that “soap is to the body what laughter is to the soul.” Enhance your aqua therapy with humor — it will add an extra dimension to the pleasures of the bathroom.

The blissed-out elephant on the shower curtain here (reflected in the mirror) is sure to cause bath-time giggles for water babies of all ages. Just looking at it makes me want to splash and sing.

Jennifer Kesteloot

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5. Get a pet. Dogs are the natural clowns of the pet world. The humor they bring to a home is infectious and can diffuse arguments and distract us from stress. We feed them and keep them safe, and they reward us with laughter and joy.

This family has put a giant photo where it’s impossible to miss the gorgeous, funny face and beautiful brown eyes. Most print shops will make stretched canvas prints of your photos.

Michelle Hinckley

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6. Share humor with family. Shared humor strengthens relationships and encourages teamwork. As well as providing a place to organize household appointments and activities, a big chalkboard like this one gives all family members their say and can be a great source of running jokes.

Make a place where everyone is free to express his or her inner comedian, such as a giant pegboard or a wall, tabletop or kitchen cupboard door painted with chalkboard paint. Chalkboard paint isn’t just black anymore — it comes in all kinds of colors, and you can even make your own.

See how to make chalkboard board paint in your favorite color

Rhonda Knoche Design

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7. Put the “fun” in “functional.” Take a basic object — like a kitchen cabinet handle — and be a little funky with it. Look at the way ordinary things are designed to work and do something creative and different. Using this object daily will give you pleasure.

These custom-made copper cabinet handles add a frivolous touch to the kitchen — the arrow on the end is pointing out the wine refrigerator. I recently splurged on two bronze kitchen cabinet drawer knobs in the shape of brussels sprouts, which have caused much commenting and mirth.

Louise Lakier

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Every cat owner knows that cats rule, OK? So a boring old cat door is out of the question.

An original mind with a great sense of humor saw the potential in an old ship’s porthole and gave the family cat, Gobi, a witty way to go in and out. A friend of mine has adorned her cat door with a gorgeous over-the-top picture frame — fitting for her uppity cat.

Geek Lab: How to Build a Steampunk Cat Transit System

Touch Interiors

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8. Relax your office. Routine chores are more enjoyable in a lighthearted environment. A sterile cubicle is a depressing place in which to face the realities of life, like paying bills, dealing with correspondence or meeting deadlines. Introduce some humor to make it user friendlier, such as a funny screensaver or photos of friends and family enjoying themselves.

Martha O’Hara Interiors

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9. Use designer humor. Humor in design can come from an injection of the unexpected. A seriously polished room often benefits from the inclusion of something not so serious, like this flamboyant feathered lampshade. It reminds me of a flirty fan dancer and offsets beautifully the refinement of this room.

Francis Amiand Photographe

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Why is it that bottoms always make us laugh? This is derriere humor, Paris-style — c’est très drôle, oui? An impeccably sleek room can be intimidating, but not this one!

Jennifer Bishop Design

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10. Cement friendships. Make memories with silly fun. Have a Dab-a-Deer party. Invite friends to bring a(faux) deer or another animal head and sequins, glitter, paint, ribbons, make-up, buttons, costume jewelry, colored paper, fabric scraps and other decorative paraphernalia. Provide hobby glue, paintbrushes, scissors, aprons … and wine. Then stand back! You’ll all come out of it with some very entertaining wall art and a feel-good memory.

Luci.D Interiors

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11. Find the child inside. We sometimes forget we all started life as children. Remind yourself by hanging kids’ art where you will see it every day. Why can’t the sky be orange or the dog blue? Taking a bit of childish lateral thinking into your adult life may brighten how you see things. Children teach us all there is to know about laughter — they are the experts.

Originally Published on HOUZZ, by Janet Dunn

Get Your Broom Closet Just Right

“Is your pantry or hall closet overflowing with stuff and you don’t know what else to do? Here are several ideas that you can try in your home.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

The Broom Closet (or cupboard) may be tiny, but it can cause major frustration when it’s not designed well. Whether you’re looking to incorporate a new broom closet into your remodel or want to better outfit your existing utility zone, these ideas can help.

Hardworking space: The broom closet.
The challenge: This compact space has a very specific purpose: storing the tools you need to get household jobs done. But with brooms, mops and unwieldy vacuum hoses tumbling out, and a jumble of cleaning products in the way, what should be quick and easy can be a real headache. These tips will help you choose the right spot for storing housekeeping necessities and organize them well.
Good to know: If you’re having trouble fitting all of your cleaning tools and supplies in the kitchen, consider spreading out. Put the big vacuum in another closet and store only the broom and dustpan or a slim stick vacuum in the kitchen cupboard.

Oakville Kitchen and Bath Centre

Design idea: Shallow broom cupboard.

Why: The appeal of a shallow cupboard for storing brooms and cleaning supplies is that everything can be easily reached, which means no tumbling bottles!

Planning tips: If you are planning a kitchen remodel, it’s ideal to figure out which cleaning tools and products you need to store beforedeciding on a broom cupboard. If the only tools that need storing are a broom and a basic mop, you may be able to do a broom cupboard as shallow as 6 inches deep. Even a very shallow cabinet can hold a broom, a stepladder and essential cleaning supplies, as shown here. If you have a stick vacuum or bulky mop, you may require 12 or 16 inches.

MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc.

Extras: Customize your broom cupboard with a wall-mounted holder designed to keep long-handled items like brooms, mops and dusters upright and out of the way. A separate upper cabinet for heavy-duty cleaning supplies allows for latching, which is especially important if there are kids in the house.

Layout tip: The area beside the refrigerator is a good place to look for a few extra inches of space for your slim broom cupboard.

Cost: Starting at around $100 (plus installation) for a no-frills Ikea model; $500 and up for finer finishes and better materials; more for a custom design. Be aware that most professional kitchen designers will do a piece like this only as part of a larger job — and estimating the cost of one component can be complicated.

Nicholson Builders

Design idea: Subdivided cabinet.

Why: If you have the space, a tall cabinet with a partition in the center is a great way to store a lot while keeping everything in its place — vacuums and sweepers on one side, cleaning products on the other.

Extras: A tall, slim basket unit with pullout drawers is a good way to organize supplies. Install a few hooks in the cabinet or on the inside of the cabinet doors to hang a step stool, dusters and other tools. If you use a cordless stick vacuum, having an outlet installed inside the cabinet will make it easy to charge it between uses.

Leicht Küchen AG

More ideas for extras: A vacuum hose guide is a worthwhile (and sanity-saving) investment that wrangles that unwieldy hose. In a smaller cabinet, wall-mounted wire baskets are a good option for keeping small items at hand.

Cost: Around $550 to $1,500 for a tall cabinet with a single partition; more for a custom design. If you want to add an electrical outlet inside the cabinet, you may need a permit. Wall-mounted basket units and vacuum hose guides cost around $10 and up each; a basket unit with pullout drawers costs $100 and up.

Carmel Builders

Design idea: Pullout broom closet.

Why: To take advantage of a narrow but deep space in your kitchen.

Hardworking details: A space accessible from both sides is handy for stowing a small garbage can or recycling bin. Choose adjustable shelving whenever possible, since this will allow you to get just the right shelf height for what you’re storing. And if you really don’t want to let an inch go to waste, use the inside top of the cabinet to install an old-fashioned pencil sharpener — look closely and you can see one here.

Cost: From around $250 plus installation for a basic ready-made pullout cabinet from Ikea; more for a solid wood or custom design.

Small-space organizing tip: Use the back of the door.

How: Houzz user Kara Gilbert sent in this photo of her organized broom closet with a shoe rack on the back of the door — perfect when you need to make a closet work as hard as possible. The shoe rack holds first-aid supplies and toiletries in labeled pouches, while bins on open shelving provide ample storage. A small wall-mounted holder keeps cleaning tools out of the way, and a vacuum with a small footprint sits on the floor.

LLG Residential Design LLC

Alternate idea: If you don’t have a dedicated broom closet, install a holder on the back of your pantry or kitchen door to stash brooms, mops and dusters.

storeWALL

Design idea: Storage wall in a utility room.

Why: If you have the luxury of more space for storing cleaning tools and supplies, make sure it’s put to good use by installing a versatile wall-mounted storage system that can handle anything from mops to hammers.

How: Choose from ready-made wall storage systems, like the one shown here, which can be customized with shelving, baskets and other features. Or craft a DIY version using basic pegboard from the hardware store and outfit it with hooks and baskets.

Cost: Wall storage systems can cost from $200 to $600 (and up), depending on size and features. You can install a pegboard for $100 or less, using materials from the hardware store and your own labor.

Smart Solutions for Clothes Closets

“Ever struggled with how to store your clothes in the space you have? Looking for some new ideas? These just might work for you.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Whether yours is spacious or practically pocket size, the clothing closet is a space that can nearly always use some improvement. Here are tips for adjusting the layout, choosing the right closet components and finding extra space.

Hardworking space: The clothes closet.
The challenge: When the clothes closet is working well, it makes getting ready (and getting on with your day) a breeze; when it’s not, mornings can become a hassle. These ideas can help you find the right storage and organizing plan for your space.
Good to know: It helps to measure your stuff before investing in a closet system — that way you can be sure you’re getting exactly the right storage for your wardrobe.

Neat Method San Diego

Design idea: Double up on hanging rods and make room for narrow shelving.

Why: Having enough room to hang your crisp shirts is a must, but using a sliver of extra closet space for a tall, narrow shelving unit can be worth sacrificing a bit of hanging space — shoes, jeans and sweaters can all fit on shelves 12 to 16 inches wide (measure your belongings to see what size you need).

Cost: From $100 for a simple freestanding shelving component; more for a semicustom unit with integrated shelving and hanging rods.

Neat Method San Diego

DIY idea: Bookcase as closet storage.

Why: A simple bookcase with adjustable shelves is often just the right size for holding shoes, boots, bags and more.

Extras: To use your bookcase as storage for sweaters, add shelf dividers to keep piles from toppling over. If you keep your shoes in their boxes, label the outside with a photo of the shoes so you can tell what’s what at a glance.

Cost: From about $150 for a simple bookcase. Or repurpose a bookcase from elsewhere in your home for free.

Sims Hilditch

Design idea: Wardrobe behind the bed.

Why: Get more function out of a spacious master bedroom by using free space for a dresser and wardrobe. Positioned in the same zone, these pieces act like a dressing room, with everything you need to get ready in one place.

How: Position the master bed in the center of the room instead of on a wall to allow room for a dressing area behind the bed. This works best with a large (king- or California king–size) bed with a solid headboard, as shown here. Place your dresser behind the headboard, facing the closet or a freestanding wardrobe.

Layout tip: This arrangement works well onlyin large bedrooms — once everything is positioned, you should have 3 to 4 feet (or more) between the dresser and closet doors.

Gregory Davies Photography

Design idea: Sliding shoe shelves.

Why: This smart space saver can pack dozens of pairs of shoes into a relatively small space.

How: Many cabinets and closet systems can be customized with sliding shelves. If you already have a closet system, purchase components from the same manufacturer to ensure that they fit. If you are creating a closet from scratch, work with a closet designer toget exactly the shoe storage you need.

Planning tips: Note the measurements of the shoe shelves you will be purchasing, and tape out the dimensions on your floor. Then fill the space with shoes you want to store — this will allow you to know precisely how many pairs each shelf will fit. Pay attention to the height of the shoes you want to store, too — flats and sneakers can go on shelves positioned closer together; heels and boots need more space.

Cost: From $50 to $150 and up per shelf.

Jason Snyder

Small-closet tips: Make the most of a small, shallow closet by outfitting it with components that make sense. Instead of one long hanging rod, go with a pair of shorter valet rods to hang clothes boutique-style. Fill in all the extra space above and below the rods with shelving for shoes, accessories and sweaters, and install hooks under the shelves to hold bags or scarves.

BHSDesign

Design idea: Pullout accessory cabinet.

Why: Sneak a lot of storage into a sliver of space with a slim pullout closet component for shoes, bags and more.

How: This is best worked into a larger closet design plan. Look for pullout shelving in a ready-made closet system, or work with your closet designer to create the perfect slide-out shoe shelf for you.

Planning tip: Take the time to measure your shoes, bags and anything else you hope to store before choosing a piece like this — it won’t do you much good if your favorite shoes are too big to fit inside!

Cost: Around $500 and up, with higher costs for better materials, more intricate details, additional shelving and custom designs.

Nanette Wong

DIY project: Make your own scrap-wood closet components.

Why: Handy folks can save cash by building their own shelving and hanging rods. Doing it yourself also will allow you to customize the pieces to fit your space perfectly.

How: Use scrap wood and simple brackets to create shelves to store clothes, shoes and accessories. To make a hanging rod, drill a hole near each end of a wooden pole. Thread rope through each hole and knot it securely before attaching to the ceiling — an improperly tied knot, an insecure connection or too much weight on the rod can cause it to fall. If you’re at all unsure, get a handyperson to install it for you.

Cost: If the components are purchased new from a home improvement store, a project like this could cost from $200 to $500. To keep costs lower, search locally for free or low-cost scrap wood and supplies.

My Houzz: 2 Tools + 1 Resourceful Guy = Lots of Great ‘New’ Furniture

Architecture Architecture

Design idea: Ceiling-mounted curtain track.

Why: Hide a wall of clothing storage with the sweep of a curtain — a great solution for studio apartments and other small spaces.

How: Hang ceiling-mounted curtain tracks along the length of your closet storage wall.

Planning tip: Measure carefully before ordering curtains to ensure they are long enough to reach from ceiling to floor — you can always have them hemmed a bit shorter, but if they are too short, there’s not much you can do.

Cost: $5 to $50 for a ceiling-mounted curtain track, plus the cost of the curtains.

Design idea: Outfit a spare room as a dressing room.

Why: If you’re short on closet space but lucky enough to have a spare room, turning it into a spacious walk-in closet and dressing area can make getting ready a pleasure. Using closet components that can be removed will give you the flexibility to use the room for another purpose (guest room, nursery, office) down the road.

How: Houzz user babacon, who shared this photo with us, used pieces from the Hemnes line at Ikea to transform a small spare room into a highly functional dressing space. Dresser drawers and shelving hold folded clothes and shoes, while storage above hanging rods holds items used less frequently.

Cost: $400 to $800 for dressers and basic closet components, installed yourself.

Turn That Spare Room Into a Walk-In Closet

Extras: Houzz user pmartinezv used Ikea’s Pax closet components to turn a spare room into a walk-in wardrobe — and kicked it up a notch by adding a sparkling chandelier and a comfy stool for perching while putting on shoes.

3north

Design quandary: Open or closed storage? If your closet is visible from the master bedroom, consider going with closed storage— an open closet can be less-than-restful to look at when you’re trying to unwind. A few doors with mirrors will save you from needing to hang a full-length mirror elsewhere. If you have a walk-in closet, you may want to leave off the doors. It will cut costs and allow you to see your wardrobe at a glance.

C+M Studio

Design idea: Open hanging and accessory storage space in the bedroom.

Why: Supplement limited (read: overstuffed) closet space with a hanging rod, a bench and woven bins for accessory storage in the bedroom. Give outfits for the upcoming week room to breathe and keep favorite shoes and accessories close at hand with this setup.

How: Install a ready-made hanging clothes rod or create your own using plumbing pipe and fittings from the hardware store. A bench positioned beneath the hanging rod (purchased or made to fit) can be a perch for putting on shoes or can act as a shelf. Tuck a few baskets beneath the bench to hold accessories or sweaters.

Clutter-busting tip: This setup runs the risk of looking messy if you store too many clothes on the rack. Instead of thinking of this as a second closet, treat it as a weekly display area where you can keep your current seasonal favorites within reach and come up with new outfit combinations. Pay attention to what you bring into this zone — things that don’t make the cut could be items to consider culling.

Cost: From around $20 to $75 for a hanging rod or plumbing pipe and fittings, depending on materials and size, plus the cost of the bench and baskets.

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Laura Gaskill

7 Deer-Resistant Flowering Trees

“Tired of deer munching on your trees. But not sure what they ‘won’t’ eat? Here are some tree that you can plant that deer don’t seem to care for.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Deer love to browse the tender, succulent growth of most young trees and will sometimes strip the bark from them as well. As the trees mature, it’s not uncommon to see deer up on their hind legs yanking down tasty leaves. There are very few flowering trees that deer don’t enjoy, so we’re offering a list of seven of the best.Fall planting season is just around the corner, so we’ve decided to provide a comprehensive guide for deer-resistant species. Just as you’d expect with any good planting guide, we’ll break it down by specific plant categories — here with flowering trees. Whether you’re gardening in USDA zone 2, 10 or somewhere in between, there’s a tree here for you.

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1. Fringetree
(Chionanthus spp.)Fringe trees aren’t a household name, but they should be. The dainty, fringy flowers appear in early spring, just as the leaves unfurl. They’re quite shade-tolerant and are commonly planted as an understory specimen in a shade garden, where they really light up the space when in bloom. They will also tolerate full sun.

The Chinese fringetree (C. retusus) is particularly deer-resistant, though the Eastern U.S. native white fringetree (C. virginicus) is also a worthwhile choice where deer are an issue.

Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 5 to 9; find your zone)
Light requirement: Shade-tolerant but will also tolerate full sun
Water requirement: High
Mature size: 15 to 20 feet tall and wide

See how to grow white fringetree

Creative Environments

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2. Crape Myrtle
(Lagerstroemia indica)Crape myrtles are one of the most popular flowering trees in warm climates. They have smooth, exfoliating bark and their brightly colored, paper-textured flowers make a stunning midsummer display — few trees flower for as long as crape myrtles. These sun lovers are tough, easy to grow and quite unpalatable to deer.

Many varieties of crape myrtle are available with different flower colors and sizes. Shades of pink, purple and white are most common, and sizes range from 18-inch dwarves to 40-foot giants.

Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 7 to 9)
Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Moderate
Mature size: Varies by species

See how to grow crape myrtle

Acton Construction, Inc.

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3. Saucer Magnolia
(Magnolia x soulangeana)With their delicate pink blush and teacup size, the flowers of saucer magnolia are a real head-turner when they emerge on the tree’s bare, gray branches in late winter. Despite their delicate appearance, these flowers are fairly resistant to deer damage. Plant these small- to medium-sized trees in full sun in a fertile bed of topsoil to encourage good health and abundant flowering. Saucer magnolias grow slowly to 20 or 25 feet, though there are related magnolia varieties, such as M. ‘Ann’, that stay under 10 feet tall when mature.

Most magnolias are quite deer-resistant, so you can also consider star magnolias (M. stellata), with large, white, star-shaped flowers; southern magnolias (M. grandiflora), with white, cup-shaped flowers on a large evergreen tree; and many others. Saucer magnolias are hardy in zones 5 to 9, but some magnolia varieties survive down to Zone 3.

Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 5 to 9)
Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Moderate, but prefers moist, fertile soil
Mature size: 20 to 25 feet tall

See how to grow saucer magnolia

GardenArt

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4. Serviceberry
(Amelanchier spp.)Serviceberries are native throughout North America and are known for their delicious blueberry-like fruit, as well as the profusion of white flowers that appear when the trees break from dormancy in early spring. They tolerate partial shade to full sun.

There are numerous species of serviceberry, all of which show good deer resistance. They are a popular choice in cold climates; one species, commonly referred to as a Saskatoon (A. alnifolia), is hardy all the way down to Zone 2. The same species can be suitable all the way up to Zone 10, making it one of the most widely adapted flowering trees. The cold- hardiness of other serviceberry species falls somewhere in between. Most varieties grow about 15 to 20 feet tall, though the downy serviceberry (A. arborea) grows up to 40 feet.

Where it will grow: Hardy to -50 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 2 to 9), depending on species
Light requirement: Varies by species
Water requirement: Varies by species
Mature size: Varies by species

See how to grow serviceberry

Monrovia

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5. Flowering Quince
(Chaenomeles spp.)This type of quince is known for its spring flower display, not for its fruit.The flowers are most often seen in shades of pink or red, but white cultivars are also available. Flowering quince is a true dwarf that rarely grows more than 6 feet tall and wide. The variety pictured here is called ‘Pink Storm’.

Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 5 to 9)
Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Moderate to regular
Mature size: 6 feet tall and wide, depending on species

Golightly Landscape Architecture

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6. Hawthorn
(Crataegus spp.)There are many species of hawthorn available, and on the whole they are tough, adaptable trees, tolerating both wet and dry sites. The white flowers are often tinged with pink, like an apple blossom. They are, in fact, closely related to apple trees and produce a small crabapple-like fruit that is edible but usually very bitter.

Hawthorns vary in size, but most are in the range of 15 to 30 feet tall and wide. They are cold-hardy trees, with some species growing as far north as Zone 3. Other hawthorns tolerate warmer regions up to Zone 9. ‘Winter King’, the variety pictured here, is hardy in zones 4 to 7.

Where it will grow: Varies by species
Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Moderate
Mature size: 15 to 30 feet tall and wide, depending on species

Wallace Landscape Associates

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7. Chinese Dogwood
(Cornus kousa)Chinese dogwood is absolutely covered in white flowers in spring. It is also known for its ornate shape and 1-inch red berries that ripen in summer (they’re edible but bland).

Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 5 to 8)
Light requirement: Full sun or part shade
Water requirement: Consistent moisture
Mature size: 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide

7 Inky Colors to use instead of Black

“We love accent colors and accent walls. But some of these take it to another level. Great looking ideas that could be used in many homes.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Want a deep inky color that brings the high-fashion appeal of black but without the attitude? Try one of these soft and sumptuous alternatives with plenty of personality to suit your mood and your space.

The Wee House Company

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NavyFor inky appeal with a nautical twist, classic navy can’t be beat. It makes white look especially bright and fresh. In fact, the two of them together can be all you need. Plus, it balances masculine and feminine appeal, making it a great choice for a bedroom, especially a guestroom.

City Homes Design and Build, LLC

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Despite having a large amount of navy surface, this study doesn’t feel dark and depressing the way it might if the walls were black. Rather, it’s studious and sophisticated.Navy is a great shade for spaces where you need to concentrate, because it’s not too somber and not too stimulating.

Paint: Hale Navy HC-154, Benjamin Moore

See more on decorating with navy

For People design

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Charcoal and Warm GrayGray is the truest “off-black.” It’s essentially black mixed with white. Warm gray, with a slight hint of brown, is an excellent choice for making a bedroom feel peaceful and cozy when black is too stark and dramatic for your taste.

Paint: Rogue Blue, Valspar

L&E (Lofts and Extensions)

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Warm grays can help make a modern space feel more inviting, even when mostly hard materials are used. They mix well with nearly any hue, but especially warm metal tones and soft shades like yellow and peach.See more on decorating with warm gray

Chad Jackson Photo

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ChocolateDeep chocolatey brown has been a little off the radar in the modern gray-obsessed world, but it’s more than possible to make this classic shade work for traditional or modern spaces. It pairs well with espresso woods, allowing the sense of warmth to carry through the entire space, and it helps tone down wild shades like orange.

Paint: Beluga, Behr

Ruard Veltman Architecture

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Chocolate also works quite well on dramatically textured surfaces like velvet or tufting, which keep it looking modern and elegant. Mix it with a little warm gray for contrast and you’ve got the look of a high-end boutique or cafe.

Adam Butler Photography

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Cool GrayIn kitchens and bathrooms, a cool gray with slightly blue and green undertones is a smart choice because it carries a sense of cleanness. It still works well with hot colors like vivid red, and it suits the glossy finishes typically found on appliances and fixtures. That it is less stark than black also helps the space feel a little more open, especially when used just on lower cabinets to anchor the space.

Base cabinet paint: Mercury, by Fired Earth

Grace Blu Designs, Inc.

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This bathroom feels calm and spa-like with the mid-dark cool gray. Look for a cool gray with hints of lavender or aqua to give an extra sense of freshness to white fixtures, similar to the effect of navy but with much less undertone, for an even more “clean and serene” atmosphere.See how to pick the right gray

J. Hettinger Interiors

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Forest and EmeraldDeep forest or emerald greens are trendy new off-black shades with a classic upscale appeal that can feel traditional or modern depending on what they’re mixed with. Paired with a variety of warm colors and materials, they feel neutral while adding an extra layer of complexity, making them a great upholstery color for must-sit sofas.

Sofas: Swaim; chairs: Lexington; wall paint: Sandy Brown, Benjamin Moore

Tom Stringer Design Partners

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Forest green is especially effective as a worn-in paint treatment for woods. This chair appears almost black at first glance, but the rustic green gives it a much softer, cottage-inspired vibe that looks beautiful even in an urban apartment.Curtains: Robbins Hill paisley admiral fabric, Ralph Lauren

Keramostone

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Vivid emerald is a great option for bathrooms. It creates a moody shower space that cocoons you while maintaining that clean and fresh appeal, and not shocking you awake in the morning like a deep black might.See more on decorating with emerald

S. B. Long Interiors

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BurgundyPossibly the ultimate in stately appeal, burgundy is no shy shade. But despite its red undertones, it can be just as easy, if not easier, to decorate with than true black. By pairing it with white, browns, golden metallics and woods, you can create a moody but welcoming scheme without the extreme contrast of black, for a true curl-up-by-the-fire vibe.

Handman Associates

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Burgundy may not match with every shade, but if you choose it for upholstery, you won’t need any accent pillows. Pair it with warm neutrals in clean lines and classic materials and you’ve got a timeless look that will outlive color trends.See more on decorating with burgundy

Coffee table: Bradley Hughes; wallpaper: Sinkiang, Wolf Gordon

SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C.

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ChalkboardIf you want to soften the look of black without settling for a different shade, try a chalkboard finish. It gives an opportunity to add plenty of white and provides a more touchable, casual feel that cuts black’s seriousness and brings a sense of you back into the space, offering the best of both worlds.

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Yanic Simard

15 Bright Ideas for Kids’ Bathrooms

“Have some fun and make the Kids’ Bathroom, look and feel like a Kids’ Bathroom.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson

Whether you have a dedicated kids’ bathroom or share space with the pint-size set, keeping track of whose soggy towel is whose can be made easier — and more fun — with a few smart design moves and cheerful touches. From double (or triple!) sinks to tub-side seats and rainbow-inspired color palettes, see which of these ideas appeals to you and yours.

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1. Label with letters and colors. Make each child’s towel or toiletries easier to keep track of with colorful monogram labels or hooks (even the littlest ones can remember which color is theirs). Repeat the color coding by assigning a differently hued towel to each child — so helpful for telling whose is whose when the towels are off the hooks.

LDa Architecture & Interiors

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2. Brighten up the vanity with rainbow stripes. It might feel like too much for the master suite, but in the kids’ bathroom, a few bold strokes of color feel fresh and modern. For a subtler but still peppy take, choose shades of a single hue for an ombré effect.

Flegel’s Construction Co., Inc.

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3. Roll out a colorful mat. For a simple change, try rethinking the bath mat. As long as it’s washable or easy to wipe down, anything goes: colorful cotton stripes, a vibrant indoor-outdoor mat or even carpet tiles.4. DIY tip: For a personal touch, get a plain white flat-weave mat and some fabric markers or paint, and let your kids go to town decorating it themselves.

BDR Executive Custom Homes

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5. Make room for one more at the sink. If one bathroom must serve a crowd of kids, fitting in a double — or even triple — sink can be a great help. Get those teeth brushed and hands washed in record time! If you can’t add a sink, moving some of the activities usually done sink-side (like brushing hair) to another area can help free up space for kids who need it.

Silestone USA

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6. Put a bright kids’ chair near the tub. A little chair can come in quite handy in the bathroom. It’s perfect for holding towels or a basket of bath toys within arm’s reach, and can provide a perch for a sibling or parent at bath time. Scoop up a single stray chair at a yard sale and paint it to match your bathroom color scheme.

Hal Kearney, Photographer

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7. Build in a tub-side seat. If you’re planning a bathroom remodel, why not include a built-in seat? Like a fancier version of the tub-side chair, a built-in seat gives the parent a place to sit during bath time and offers ample room for a burgeoning collection of bath toys and stacks of fluffy towels.

yamamar design

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8. Swap the medicine cabinet for a personality-packed mirror. This one simple change can make even the most basic bathroom feel personal and fun. Go for an ornate frame or a porthole-style round mirror, or take a plain frame and paint it an eye-popping color.

Pinney Designs

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9. Stow necessities in drawers instead of in a medicine cabinet. Stash extra soap and toothpaste in drawers instead of a cabinet, where they will be easier for little ones to reach. Actual medicines shouldn’t be stored in the bathroom anyway — keep prescriptions and over-the-counter medications in a cabinet secured with a childproof latch in the hall or kitchen instead.

Axiom Design Build

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10. Double up on (petite) faucets. Even if space is tight, you might be surprised to find you can fit a small-scale double-faucet sink in the same space as a bulkier single-faucet model. If you have more than one child sharing the space, that extra faucet can be well worth the cost of putting it in.

Axiom Design Build

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11. Go bold with a bright wall color. Painting a single bathroom wall doesn’t take much time or money, and it can always be painted over. And if you’re inclined to let your wee ones pick a color, a single (small) wall is a good place to test it out.

SDG Architecture, Inc.

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12. Let them draw on the walls. Keep siblings waiting for a turn at the sink occupied with sketchable chalkboard-painted walls. The ever-changing display of notes and drawings is sure to keep everyone amused. Covering the lower portion of the wall in beadboard or tile will help keep the room from feeling too dark or chalky.

Jennifer Ott Design

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13. Personalize the space with decals. For an instant update your kids can help with, order a set of fun, removable wall decals and let little ones stick them on the bathroom walls and cabinets. Make sure the decals you are choosing are suitable for use in the humid conditions of the bathroom — most vinyl decals should be fine, but fabric ones are better used in bedrooms.

Rikki Snyder

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14. Have a little fun. A cardboard moose sculpture and railing filled with plastic animals bring major personality to this petite bathroom. The functional can be fun, too — even a jumble of colorful hair elastics becomes a bright addition to the decor when placed in a clear glass container.

Kathryn Long, ASID

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15. Put a partial bath near the back door. If you have the space and the renovation funds, installing a sink and shower near the back door can be a lifesaver, especially in the middle of a fun, sandy, muddy summer of play. Even better: Add a washer and dryer so dirty clothes and wet bathing suits can get tossed right in.

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Laura Gaskill

Guide to Selling Your Home and Moving

“It can be a daunting task to get ready to sell your home and move. Having a list of steps to follow makes things easier. Work with your Real Estate agent to make sure which ones of these apply to your situation.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson

From finding a real estate agent, prepping, staging and selling your home to packing up and moving, the entire process of getting out of one home and into another can be overwhelming. Whether you are still debating if you should remodel your home or just move, or feel ready to put up a for-sale sign, this guide is a good place to start — it’s packed with advice and articles from Houzz covering just about every aspect of selling and moving. It can’t do the work for you, but perhaps it will at least help you feel more organized in the middle of this inevitably messy process.

LINCOLN BARBOUR PHOTO

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Find the right real estate agent. A good real estate agent is one you not only trust to help sell your home quickly and for the best price, but also to support and educate you throughout the selling process. As you are searching for an agent, look for someone with a realistic but tactful approach. A good agent will be able to name a few drawbacks of your home — as well as the selling points.

Francesca Owings Interior Design

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Make a plan to prepare your house for sale. As soon as you make the decision to sell your home, start a master list (or several lists) to keep track of potential home repairs and other tasks, from tiny to major. It’s easy to let the to-dos make your head swim, and having everything on paper (or a note on your phone) can help you stay on track. Decide on a timeline for the “launch” of your home sale, and work backward from the date of your first open house to figure out when you need to complete tasks.

Tip: If you need to get a lot of furniture and accessories out of your home while it’s on the market, consider renting a storage unit. It could be worth the expense it if it helps your house show better and sell faster.

Annette English

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Decide what to fix and what to leave be. The sad fact is, it is unlikely you will be able to recoup the full cost of home improvements in the sale of your home — so make the most of your money and choose fixes wisely. One criterion to use when deciding whether to fix something before the sale is to ask if the item gives the impression that the property has not been well cared for. Leaky faucets, cracked tiles, a broken doorbell or anything that doesn’t work as it should can raise a red flag for buyers.

Tip: Always ask yourself if you can you find a less expensive fix before committing to a big-ticket item. Can you repaint the cabinets rather than replace them? Clean and polish the wood floors instead of refinishing?

More: Fix It or Not? What to Ask When Prepping Your Home for Sale

Highland Homes, Inc.

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Boost curb appeal. There’s much ado about curb appeal in the real estate world with good reason — many potential buyers make a first drive-by trip to see your home and decide then and there whether attending the open house is even worth a visit. Draw people in with big, bold house numbers, a freshly painted front door and blooming flowers.

Tip: Don’t forget the garage door. If your garage is positioned near the front of your home, any flaws in this area can detract from the overall impression.

More: 17 Ways to Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Eric H. Gjerde AIA

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Tweak your home to help it sell. Budget-friendly fixes often have the biggest impact, so it makes sense to start there. Quickly clean the exterior and landscape, steam clean the carpeting, replace worn area rugs and fix any scuff marks, nail holes and paint cracks. If your bathroom needs updating, give it a quick makeover with a new showerhead, faucet and fluffy white towels.

More:
10 Low-Cost Tweaks to Help Your Home Sell
10 Ways to Boost Your Home’s Resale Value

nicole helene designs

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Get a fair home appraisal. Avoid being shocked by a home appraisal that comes in below what you think your home is worth by doing some homework in advance. Before your appraisal, make a list of recent improvements to your home, including everything from renovating the kitchen to painting your deck. And ask if your real estate agent can tag along on the appraisal — he or she may be able to offer some insight about the unique benefits of your home.

The Dos and Don’ts of Home Appraisal

Smith & Vansant Architects PC

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Stage your home to sell. Before you start buying new throw pillows, stagers agree it’s best to get your house sparkling clean and decluttered. Aim to make as much room as possible on surfaces and inside closets and cupboards to show off your space. Make sure each room has a clearly defined purpose. There’s no shame in having a room that’s a bit of a mishmash, but no one wants to see it like that during an open house. Buy, rent or borrow inexpensive furnishings to make a clearly defined room out of the mess, and enjoy a big payoff.

Tip: Don’t forget to stage the outdoor areas, too. A shined-up stainless steel grill and a hammock in the backyard help potential buyers imagine enjoying summer weekends hosting barbecues and relaxing.

More:
Sell Your Home Fast: 21 Staging Tips
How to Stage Your Kitchen for a Home Sale
10 Tricks to Help Your Bathroom Sell Your House

Webber + Studio, Architects

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Save money on staging. Showing your home at its best doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money. Pare back what you already own, and borrow items from a friend or relative if you need to fill in gaps. If you do end up making a few purchases, choose things you would like to use in your new home, too.

More: Save Money on Home Staging and Still Sell Faster

Brian Watford ID

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Get listing photos right. The listing photos of your home will be responsible for drawing most people into that first open house. When the photographer comes to take pictures, make sure every lamp is turned on, all the window coverings are pulled open and the floors are shiny and clean. In the listing, make sure your real estate agent only includes photos of your home’s most attractive rooms, plus written descriptions of the other spaces. Potential buyers will be attracted by your home’s best features — don’t wreck it by including a photo of that dated powder room.

Tip: The more flooring that can be seen, the larger the room will appear, so consider removing area rugs before having photos taken.

More: Attract Home Buyers Easily With Great Photography

Polhemus Savery DaSilva

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Prep your home for an open house. You’ve put in a lot of work to get your home ready for showtime, so don’t drop the ball by skipping important details on the day of the open house. Cleanliness ranks number one in importance, so be sure to sweep up every last breakfast crumb and smear of toothpaste on the bathroom sink, and sneaky dust bunnies in the corners. Also make a quick run through the house, removing any personal items (party invites, mail, school projects) that have migrated onto the fridge and counters.

Tip: For your own security and peace of mind, remember to shut down and password-protect all your computers, and hide small valuables.

More: 7 Must-Dos on the Day You Show Your House

Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

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Downsize without losing your cool. If you’re going to be moving into a smaller space, figuring out what to keep and what to get rid of can be a massive headache. Start by listing your must-have, nonnegotiable items, and commit to bringing these things with you. Measure carefully and bring only the items you know will fit in the new space. Get rid of duplicates and invest in storage solutions for the new place.

More:
Tips for Moving Into a Smaller Space
Downsizing Help: Choosing What Furniture to Leave Behind

Corynne Pless

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Take time to say goodbye to your old place. Leaving a home, especially one you have lived in for many years, can be an emotional event. Consider taking some photos of your old home before you pack up, when your rooms are not clean and tidy, but just as they are on a normal day. Having a small photo album can be a comfort when you’re waxing nostalgic about your old house, and can be a wonderful keepsake for kids. And if you’re in the mood for some fun, throw one last party in your old place amid the boxes and packing tape.

More: Saying Goodbye to One Home and Hello to Another

yamamar design

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Be a savvy buyer. When looking for your new place, the home inspection can tell you only so much. Keep your own list of items of personal importance to you, and check them off each time you look at a potential home. For instance, you may want to consider indoor-outdoor flow, layout, size and placement of windows, natural light and closeness to neighbors.

More: Home-Buying Checklist: 20 Things to Consider Beyond the Inspection

Coates Design Architects Seattle

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Pack smart for a smoother move. If you remember only one tip to make moving easier, make it this one: Purge before you pack. The more stuff you have to move, the more it will cost, the longer it will take and the more challenging it will be, both to pack and unpack.

Tip: Keep a master packing list. Number each box as you pack it and mark the number on all four sides. Instead of listing the contents on each box, write down what’s in each numbered box on your master list. Make things even clearer by color coding boxes with basic label stickers to indicate which room they should go to in the new place.

More: Relocating? Here’s How to Make the Big Move Better

Sapia Builders Corp.

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Tackle key tasks before you move in. If your timeline allows, it can feel so much more civilized to take care of certain tasks before you move in, instead of hassling with little things right after moving in. Change the locks on all the doors, get mechanical equipment cleaned and serviced, hook up utilities and install window treatments.

Tip: Double check that your pets’ tags have the new address and your cell phone number on them.

More:
7 Things to Do Before You Move Into a New House
Relocating? Here’s How to Make Moving In a Breeze

Shoshana Gosselin

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Put together a moving-day kit. Having essentials on hand — toilet paper, toiletries, an overnight bag of clothes, coffee and a coffeemaker, some trash bags and a Leatherman tool or Swiss Army knife — will make those first few nights a lot saner. Think ahead and include whatever you know you’ll want at your fingertips in a moving-day kit.

Originally Published on HOUZZ, by Laura Gaskill

How to Handle Carpet Stains

“Ever had a spot on your carpet that you couldn’t get out? You probably waited too long to clean it. The key is to act fast and follow these notes depending on the type of stain.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

If you’ve ever had a carpet freshly cleaned or rolled out a new area rug only to watch in horror as it became a stain magnet for everything from pet accidents to spilled wine and dirty shoes, you know the feeling: part panic, part action hero that transforms even the mildest-mannered among us into grime fighters.It’s an occurrence that experts in the area of carpet care know well. In fact, when it comes to spot removal, pros like the ones at Coit carpet cleaning and the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) are nothing short of stain-fighting superheroes. The best part? You can be one, too. Cape optional. Here’s how.

Anthony Baratta LLC

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Scene of the GrimeAct fast. When a stain happens, act quickly. The CRI says since most carpets today are made to be stain-resistant, many accidents can be remedied if you get to them in time. The longer the delay, the higher the chance of something becoming permanent.

Blot, don’t scrub. Using a white cloth or ink-free paper towels (to avoid the danger of additional dyes bleeding into the carpet), blot the stain. Avoid using a scrubbing motion, which can cause the spot to spread or work the problem deeper into the carpet fibers. Keep blotting until the area is completely dry.

Scrape. If semisolids are part of the problem, scrape them off the floor carefully with a rounded spoon. Vacuum the solids until they’re completely removed.

Alexander Johnson Photography

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Spot OnBefore treating a rug stain with a spot-removal product, test it out on an inconspicuous area first. The CRI says this is an important step, because some cleaning solutions can cause damage. Its advice: Apply several drops to the testing area and hold a white cloth on the wet area for 10 seconds. Next, check the carpet and the cloth for color transfer or visible damage to the rug. If you notice color coming off onto the cloth or discoloration on the rug, test another product.

Once you have identified a safe cleaning solution, the CRI advises applying a small amount to the stain and letting it sit for about 10 minutes. Next, working from the outside edges of the stain inward, gently blot the spot. Repeat as needed.

Grace Home Design, Inc.

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The CRI says in many cases, patience is the most important superpower, and it may be necessary to repeat the same step several times.After the stain has been completely removed and a brief happy dance has ensued, it’s time to rinse the treated area thoroughly with lukewarm tap water and blot dry (again with the blotting!) until all the cleaning solution has been removed. The CRI warns that some products will cause staining and spotting of their own if they are not rinsed completely.

To dry, stack a half-inch layer of plain paper towels on the spot and weigh it down with a flat, heavy object (or stand on it). Continue the process, changing paper towels as needed, until the excess water has been absorbed and the carpet is dry.

If you feel the need for speed, the CRI suggests using a dry, absorbent cleaning compound (such as Capture) to accelerate the drying time.

Debbie Basnett, Vintage Scout Interiors

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Dirty TricksKnowlege is power. Knowing what kind of stain you are dealing with will determine the best course of action. Here’s how to attack some of the most common rug and carpet stains.

Coffee, tea, cola. One of the CRI’s most recommended methods for cleaning a variety of stains begins with a combination of ¼ teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of lukewarm water. According to the experts, although you may be tempted to add more dish soap, don’t do it. The less soapy residue you have to rinse out at the end, the better.

To create the solution, use a mild dish soap, never a laundry detergent or an automatic dishwashing detergent, since those often contain optical brighteners or bleaching agents, which can harm carpet dyes and fibers.

If the stain is stubborn, follow the dish soap solution with a mixture of 1 cup of white vinegar per 2 cups of water. The CRI says that since white vinegar is a 5 percent acetic acid solution, it acts as a solvent that will work on both the stain and the dish soap residue.

Finally, when it’s time to rinse the area, the CRI advises using lukewarm tap water in a spray bottle.This precaution is aimed at avoiding oversaturating the carpet and harming the layers beneath. Blot with paper towels and pat dry after each rinse. Several rinses may be necessary to thoroughly eliminate the residue.

Melanie Stewart Design

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Pet potty spots. It’s not just the carpet stain but the lingering odor of pet accidents that concerns most homeowners. After the mess has been cleaned up, treat the stain with a product dedicated to pet stains or use the DIY dish soap solution. Blot until almost dry.The Humane Society suggests that after you remove the stain, use a high-quality pet odor neutralizer, which can be found at most pet supply stores. It cautions against using cleaning agents with strong odors, such as ammonia or vinegar, which it says may encourage your pet to reinforce the scent of urine in that area.

One DIY method for neutralizing the scent, recommended by the experts at Coit: Mix ½cup of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with 1 teaspoon of a mild liquid dish soap, and put it in a spray bottle. Then sprinkle one to two handfuls baking soda (depending on the size of the stain) over the area and spray with the soapy solution. Gently massage the dissolving baking soda into the carpet and allow the spot to dry completely. Finish by vacuuming.

As with all stains, test the process on carpet in an out-of-the-way spot first.

Rikki Snyder

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Blood. If blood gets on your carpet, I’m guessing the first thing that comes to mind isn’t how you’re going to clean the rug. Once the emergency has passed, however, it’s time to address the mess — and quickly.If the blood has dried, gently loosen it with a wire brush to remove surface debris. Then use the dish soap solution with cold water to clean and blot.

It’s important to note that bloodstains should be treated with cold water, not hot, because heat may cause the stain to set permanently.

If repeated cleaning and blotting with the dish soap solution doesn’t do the trick, Coit suggests an alternative option: Mix ½ cup of water with 1 tablespoon of ammonia. Using a cloth or sponge, apply the ammonia solution on the blood stain. Blot until the liquid is fully absorbed. Finally, apply a sponge dipped in cold water to the stain and blot until dry.

Benjamin Moore

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Chocolate. The professionals at Coit offer this advice for removing chocolate stains: First scrape off as much of the dried chocolate as you can. Next vacuum the stained area to remove any remaining flakes.Once the area has been cleaned, cover the spot with paper towels and set an iron to the lowest nonsteam setting. When the iron is warm, move it slowly over the paper towels. The chocolate should melt and stick to the paper towels. Keep the temperature steady, and as the paper towels absorb the chocolate, replace them with clean ones. Repeat until the stain has disappeared.

Another approach: The CRI recommends using a solvent, a nonflammable spot solution or a dry-cleaning-type solvent on chocolate stains as the first line of defense. It advises to never pour a solvent directly onto the carpet, since it might permeate the layers and damage the latex that binds the primary and secondary backings. The recommended solvents are Carbona, Energine, K2R and Goof-Off.

Pal + Smith

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Wax. The experts at Coit advise attacking candle drippings on the carpet first with a bag of ice. Place the ice over the spot and let it freeze for a few minutes. Next, remove the bag and scrape off the dried wax with the edge of a butter knife. Vacuum up any remaining pieces. If wax residue remains, place a brown paper bag or clean cloth over the spot and, using a warm iron on a low nonsteam setting, move gently over the bag or cloth. The heat will cause the residue to be absorbed into the bag or cloth. Repeat with a fresh bag or cloth until the residue is gone.If a colored candle leaves a stain, pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a clean white cloth and gently dab at the stain. Blot the carpet until it is dry.

Josh Partee | Architectural Photographer

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Ink markers. Everyone loves a good art project, just not on the carpet. If a petite Picasso has left a mark on your rug, there are several options for taking care of the stain.Coit recommends dabbing the ink stain with either rubbing alcohol or a cheap lacquer hairspray. Use a white towel to blot the spot — the pros say you should see the color transferring from the carpet to the cloth. Once the area is stain-free, dab the area to rinse away residue with a damp towel. If color remains on the carpet, repeat the process using more hairspray. The bad news: Although you may be able to lighten or reduce the stain in some cases, permanent markers are in fact permanent. Still, it’s worth a try.

Heidi Pribell Interiors

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Tomato sauce. Mamma mia! To get a tomato sauce stain out, act quickly. Work from the outside of the stain toward the inside, and use a spoon or the edge of a knife to remove any excess sauce from the carpet, according to Coit. Next, pour a generous amount of club soda onto the affected area of the carpet and use a damp sponge to blot up the stain. Then, take a clean paper towel and press it onto the area to absorb moisture or residue.Finally, treat the spot using the dish soap solution, then blot, rinse and dry.

Motiani Design

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Grease stains. Cheese pizza hit the floor facedown? Fried chicken slipped off the platter? Coit advises the following:Blot up as much of the grease stain as possible, then apply something like cornmeal, which will act to absorb the grease. After a few minutes, use a brush with stiff bristles to brush away the stain and break it up. If the spot is still there, Coit suggests trying a dry-cleaning solvent, such as Afta cleaning fluid, and applying it with a clean sponge according to the directions.

Next, create what Coit calls a dry spotter, made by combining 8 parts liquid dry-cleaning solvent and 1 part coconut oil. Mineral oil works too, but not as effectively. Apply the mixture to the stain. Blot with a dry, absorbent towel or pad and repeat as needed.

As with all spot-cleaning remedies, be sure to test on an out-of-the-way piece of carpet first.

Arent&Pyke

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Spots on Sisal and Sea GrassSisal and sea grass complement a variety of interior design styles, but they can also be tricky to spot clean, which is why the pros at Sisal Carpet have posted a comprehensive spot removal chart on the company’s website that addresses everything from alcoholic beverages to vomit.

As an example, here’s what they suggest for cleaning a wine stain on sisal:

To begin, immediately blot (do not rub) the spill with white paper towels or a clean, absorbent cloth. Sprinkle on an absorbent powder such as salt or talc, then add cold water and blot. Finally, dab on the mild detergent solution, being careful not to saturate the sisal. Work inward from the edge of the spot to prevent the stain from spreading. Wait a few minutes to give the detergent time to work, then blot the moisture with paper towels or an absorbent cloth. Rinse with clear water applied to a clean cloth. Do not pour the water directly on the carpet. Finally, remove excess moisture by applying pressure with paper towels.

Teri Thomas Interiors

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Professional Help

Sometimes, in spite of our best efforts, stubborn stains or spots on vintage or delicate rugs may require the attention of a hired gun, in this case a carpet-cleaning professional.

Originally Published on HOUZZ, Bonnie McCarthy

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