Author

Lilly Miller

Lilly is a graphic designer and a passionate writer. Loves everything about home decor, art history and baking. Shares home with two loving dogs and a gecko named Rodney.
Based in Sydney, but world is her playground.

"Poetry creates the myth, the prose writer draws its portrait." - Jean-Paul Sartre

Revealing the Home of a Travelista: 7 Travel-Inspired Home Decor Ideas

July 28, 2021
Lilly Miller
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Being a travelista is not the easiest thing right now due to the pandemic that is still going on. However, if you can’t go to all the amazing places, then the best thing you could do is to infuse your home with decor that reminds you of all the previous trips you’ve taken, or the trips you plan to take once this whole thing is over. Therefore, if you’re someone who lives and breathes all things related to traveling, then here are some amazing tips that will inspire you to decorate your home to reflect the beauty of this world.

Accentuate your walls 

The easiest way to add some travel-inspired decors is to get some wall-art and place that on your walls. After all, we usually hang pictures and paintings anyway, so using your own photographs from various trips is a wonderful way to have those memories with you at all times. Other types of wall art perfect for travelistas are of course maps, whether new or vintage, it doesn’t matter. If you have collected a lot of souvenirs or decor pieces that can be hung on walls, feel free to include them as well. 

Don’t forget your kitchen 

The kitchen is where the family comes together to eat and spend some lovely moments in the company of one another. So if you love spending time in your kitchen, then decorating it in a travel-inspired style is definitely a great idea. And look no further than your own fridge, because fridge magnets are one of the most common types of souvenirs that you can even make by yourself to remember your travels. Other than that, you can use postcards or any cute pictures that you have. Besides, embellishing your kitchen space with some travel memories will definitely radiate warmth and cosmopolitan vibes, plus your children will always be able to learn about different cultures and traditions.

Vintage suitcases as decor 

There’s something uniquely charming about vintage suitcases: they’re elegant and rustic, so if you love all things vintage, then using them as shelves, or simply placing them in certain corners of your home will definitely add a special sense of elegance to your home. If you don’t own any, you can always browse your local vintage sellers or visit antique stores that sell unique or rare items. 

Your floors matter 

Floors tend to be neglected in favor of other spaces, but did you know that you can use them as well to infuse your home with some travel-themed decor? For example, getting rugs made of New Zealand wool will definitely add a special vibe to your space, especially if you love this country and its vibrant culture. Other styles of rugs that you may consider are of course Berber and Dhurrie, especially since they’re quite enriching and colorful, meaning your space will look much better once you decide to incorporate them. It will also add a special note of comfort to your interior, as it`s one of the most important features of a peaceful home. 

Polaroid photographs count too

Polaroid pictures are a perfect decor piece, as they’re so versatile and can be used in different ways. So if you’re a photography aficionado, then using Polaroids will surely be a nice addition to your home. You can place Polaroids on the walls, or hang them on a LED string. If you don’t own a Polaroid camera, then you can get a quality printer to print your existing photos to look like Polaroids. 

Use musical instruments

Music is a universal language understood all over the world. When everything goes silent, music speaks. And luckily, using musical instruments to decorate your space is a perfect idea for any music-oriented travelista. An acoustic guitar is a lovely staple of many road trips and camping experiences, however, if you own some exotic instruments from other cultures, feel free to use them as a lovely decor, however, make sure to be respectful about it. 

Add blankets, quilts, and pillows 

Coziness plays an important factor in one’s home, especially if you work a highly stressful job. Therefore, adding various blankets, throw pillows, quilts, or embroidery is a sure way to add some wanderlust-inspired atmosphere to your home. You can use Persian, Moroccan. South American or any other motifs, and also, feel free to mix them together to create a unique blend of different colors and patterns. If possible, try to purchase these items from authentic creators, and nowadays, there are many of them who ship worldwide. 

Conclusion

Your home deserves to look warm and stylish, and if you love traveling, then using decor pieces from your trips is a perfect way to cherish those memories. Additionally, feel free to purchase any similarly-looking items that you find, such as posters, musical instruments, globes, pillows, and blankets. Infusing your home with travel-inspired decor is a perfect solution for any travelista who is currently going through withdrawal due to the current situation with the pandemic. Finally, keep in mind that traveling is the only thing that you pay for that actually makes you rich, so feel free to decorate your home to reflect this lovely sentiment. 

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Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying Wooden Flooring

April 12, 2021
Lilly Miller
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Wood or hardwood is one of the most popular flooring materials for both residential and commercial properties. These wooden flooring have proven to be both aesthetic and durable. Hardwood flooring has many other advantages. Naturally, an increasing number of homeowners are opting for this as their flooring solution. 

However, you should be cautious enough while buying hardwood flooring for your home or commercial property. After all, you are not going to install a new one every year. It’s a long-term investment that needs extreme care while buying. Here are a few important aspects that need to be kept in mind at the time of buying hardwood flooring: 

The brand

The American market has several such brands of wooden flooring. To select the most appropriate one amongst them, you must carry out a detailed investigation of their brands. Find out how many years they are in the market, their certifications, the guarantee and the warranty they provide on their products and services, after-sales services, etc. It is advisable that before selecting a brand after going through their corporate website you must review what the previous buyers are saying about their products. 

Color, texture, and finish

Color, texture, and finish affect the looks of the final product and also the kind of convenient usage you make of the flooring. While selecting the color of the floor bear attention to the decor of the rest of the room. Take notice of the color of the furniture and the walls before selecting the color shade. Choose from whites, browns, greys, etc. Go for lighter colors if you have a pet. Some of the textures you can select from are that of deep brushed, burnt, brushed, smoked, sawn, and stained. The texture will depend on the kind of usage you will make of the floor. For example, if the flooring is for a children’s room then the texture must be clean. It is best to go for a lacquered finish for the flooring. You can have it in matt or gloss. However, a matte one will offer more friction and hence is safer. A glossy one will look better.

The thickness

The thickness of the flooring will have a great impact on its strength and durability. Ideally, these floorings come with a 2- or 3-layer format that has an HDF core. The plank thickness ranges 7 to 21mm. The top layer comes around 2.5 to 8mm. 

Installation

This is just an important aspect that must be taken into consideration at the time of buying a wooden floor. It is either glued or is kept floating. Ask the brand regarding the best way they will take up in your cases.

Maintenance

This is possibly one of the most important questions you must have in mind at the time of buying wooden flooring. Never forget to ask the brand from where you are buying about the guidelines to be kept in mind for maintenance of the floor. Ask them about the solutions you must use and the chemicals that must be avoided at all costs. 

Wood flooring is a wonderful idea but it needs an expert team to install. Besides checking what you are buying, take care of these aspects too. 

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Layered Lighting for a Functional, Adaptable and Illuminated Kitchen

March 30, 2021
Lilly Miller
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Lighting is one of the most important elements of your kitchen. After all, the kitchen is usually full of knives, sharp cooking tools and hot surfaces that you don’t want to handle in the dark. However, besides boosting the functionality, your lighting can also improve the aesthetics of your kitchen. So, here’s how to properly layer lighting for a functional, flexible and bright kitchen. 

Recessed lighting 

General lighting is a must-have element since it gives you illumination for general kitchen tasks. It comes from above and provides lighting to the entire kitchen area. One of the best options for general lighting is recessed lighting. It provides plenty of light without cluttering the space and it looks quite minimalist and contemporary. Recessed lighting can even be used as task lighting if placed above the workstations like the sink or countertops. Wherever you put it, recessed lighting should be your first layer of kitchen illumination. 

Task lighting 

Task lighting is the next most important step towards the illuminated kitchen. If you’ve ever caught yourself almost mixing up a carrot and your finger, good task lighting will prevent these accidents from happening ever again. The best way to boost task lighting is with under-cabinet lights (that are often super affordable and quick to install). There are LED strips or light tapes that will provide you with the uniformly lit area where you do most of your cooking tasks. 

Illuminate the accessories 

One great way to boost interest in your space is to pay attention to accent lighting. It’s one of the hardest lighting tasks to pull off, but if you aim for quality instead of quantity, you’ll do a great job. This type of lighting sets the mood of the room, provides accents and dictates the atmosphere. You can draw attention to your art, accessories and statement pieces while “masking” some of the less attractive sides of your kitchen. For instance, if you have some decorative pots, vases, or figurines on top of your cabinets, put them in the spotlight with strip lighting, or illuminate wall artwork with individual picture lights. Pro tip: if you’ve just moved into your new home and want to properly illuminate your kitchen, make sure to install all of the new lighting fixtures before you get your electricity connection working. This way, you’ll be super safe while you or your electrician conduct wiring. 

Add a lighting focal point 

Improve both the illumination and style of your kitchen with a statement lighting fixture. Yes, recessed lighting is practical, but it doesn’t add much aesthetic appeal to the room. That’s why introducing a focal point might improve your kitchen’s style. Today, hanging pendants above the island (especially when grouped in twos or threes) are all the rage right now. They offer extra illumination, come in all imaginable styles and give a gorgeous final touch to the room. 

Light up your cabinets 

If you have gorgeous cabinets with glass doors, you might as well make the best use of them and give them some illumination. Place some lights inside the cabinet and you’ll not only improve the aesthetic appearance of your kitchen but also make it easier to locate stored items. Another great cabinet lighting idea is to place a light strip above the cabinets to give your kitchen a romantic glow. 

Install dimmers for a touch of atmosphere 

Speaking of the romantic glow, you can also install dimmers on your lighting. They are perfect for quick dinners over the island or a glass of water in the night. 

Illuminate your floors for maximum safety 

Safety in the kitchen shouldn’t be reserved only for the countertops. Installing “toe kick” lights under the base of the cabinets will prevent those nasty stubbed toes and add a stylish visual layer of light. You can even experiment with different lighting colors for a stronger effect! 

All of these different layers of light will not only make your kitchen more functional and flexible, but they will also make it more attractive and comfortable. So, layer your lighting and enjoy your beautiful kitchen today!

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5 Tips To Cut Your Home Electricity Bill In Half

February 8, 2021
Lilly Miller
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There are always ways to save money; especially in a society like America or Australia. We just become so used to creature comforts we forget we don’t need a majority of the things we spend money on.

There are options for saving money you may never even have considered. Here we’ll cover five ways to cut down your electric bill in a practical way that doesn’t involve anything too extreme, but a few things you may not have considered.

Carefully Monitor Electricity Use To Find Eliminate Waste

Where is the highest draw for your electricity? Is it in heating, in A/C, among the electrical devices you use? Look at the things in your home that use electricity, monitor how long they regularly operate, and calculate out what percentage of your monthly bill they represent. Toasters, washers, dryers, dishwashers, HVAC—these tend to be the high costs.

That said, lights can be expensive, too. It’s much like a leaky faucet. Sure, it’s only a drip every two seconds; but you’re losing a gallon a day. Well, leave the lights on all day and night, and that costs you money. When you leave a room, turn off the lights.

Invest In “Low” Or “No” Energy Appliances

There are actually low-energy lighting fixtures that use motion sensors to illuminate a space when someone walks through, only turning on when people are in the room. Additionally, you can buy low-energy appliances built to use a minimum of electricity. Beyond that, certain products exist that use no electricity at all.

For example, there are gravity lamps that work sort of like a cuckoo clock, where weight in conjunction with a fulcrum provides energy. When the weight hits the ground, you just reset it, and off you go.

Lights like these being used as alternatives to primary lighting can pay for themselves over time. Beyond gravity lights, consider LEDs as a replacement for incandescent bulbs. These provide high levels of light for low levels of electricity, and may even be more energy-efficient than things like gravity lamps owing to initial purchase expense and overall lifetime.

Explore Local Energy Rates—That Alone Might Halve It

The larger your community, the higher the likelihood you’ll have more than one choice for electricity. The way that electricity is produced, and the way the company producing the electricity runs itself, will do much to impact the price. Sometimes people buy a property with utility bills that they never question, they just keep paying.

Well, if you go to the following website, you may find that cutting the electrical bill in half every month is as simple as switching providers. Some energy operations use wind and solar, and the result is it costs them more to produce electricity. Traditional methods are often a lot more cost-effective.

Change Your Expectation On Levels Of Comfort

Electricity overuse often has to do with creature comforts. Maybe you’ve got a room in your house with a little fountain that plugs into a wall. It’s beautiful, and provides a fine ambiance—but it’s on 24/7; meaning it’s a constant drain costing you a predictable amount of money every year. Perhaps find another way of getting that ambiance, or eliminate it.

Off-Grid Alternative Energy And Associated Tax Relief

A solar array will cost about $100 per 100-Watt solar panel. A full family house will want about 50 panels; so you’re looking at $5k for those alone. You’ll probably spend another $5k on mounting equipment, cables, surge controllers, power inverters, and battery arrays—if you go the DIY route, which most folks can figure out.

For another $5k, you can install a wind-turbine as a backup. For $15k, you can be grid-independent. Add a diesel generator in the garage in the event the sun goes away or the wind stops, and you’ve always got energy when you need it in a way that’s totally independent of grid-based electricity.

Americans use about 10,909 kWh (kilo-Watt hours) of electricity a year, at about 13.31 cents per kWh. That’s a little under $1,452 a year. Spend $15k on grid-independent power, and in less than 10 years, you’ll be making money on your investment—you’ll have totally eliminated the bill; that’s a bit more than halving it! Also, some states offer tax incentives for green energy, which can offset installation costs.

Energy Reduction Options To Consider

Explore alternative solutions and tax breaks, change comfort expectations, seek cheaper electrical options in your area, invest in low-energy devices like LEDs or gravity lamps, and monitor how you use electricity to trim the fat. Moves like these cut your electrical bill in half, and may almost eliminate it.

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Cozy Living Room Fireplaces That Will Keep You Warm All Winter

December 28, 2020
Lilly Miller
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It is difficult to even imagine winter without a fireplace warming up the living room and presenting a focal point and invitation for get-togethers. The typical cold outdoor setting is calling for a warm room enriched with a sizzling fire. Incorporating a fireplace into a living room shouldn’t be very difficult, but it does require some consideration when it comes to the design of the entire room, the very piece, and its surroundings. So, here’s everything you need to know about adding a cozy ambiance to your home by designing a beautiful living room fireplace for the warmest winter ever.

The focal point

When a fireplace is in the room, all eyes are looking at it. It is the area where you will place your seating arrangement, and where you will direct your décor efforts. However, a fireplace can share the spotlight with another feature, such as a big-screen television, an antique Argentine mirror, or an artwork. Also, a fireplace can serve to divide an open concept space into the living and the cooking/eating area. Various styles of fireplaces can fit into various interior design styles.

The modern room fireplace

We usually associate these decor pieces with nostalgia and vintage-looking rooms. However, there are plenty of styles that can be incorporated into a highly-modern room. For example, you can go for a fireplace surrounded by sleek heat-resistant tiles with a matte finish. As for the rest of the room, stick with the minimalist look. The mantel should remain clear of clutter, but you can hang a simple artwork above the fireplace.

Fireplace extravaganza 

Another option that goes oddly well with modern and minimalist rooms is a statement-making fireplace. They can’t be designed without the help of professional designers. These fireplaces do not fit into the traditional rectangular or square shape norm and they use different materials and colors. Since they are a statement on their own, they don’t require additional decorative elements.

Chimney in the first plan

Chimney breasts are a nice thing to add if you are designing a room from scratch. However, you have to think about how the chimney breast will integrate with the fireplace and with the walls. It can be set in the corner or in the middle of the room, and the décor and color of the chimney should be a different tone from the rest of the room.

Rustic charm

If you are in for a traditional fireplace appearance, you can choose to build a stone or brick fireplace with a wooden mantle. Not only will a fireplace like this emit true warmth, but it will also bring visual warmth into space. Rustic, vintage, and organic design styles fit in well with such a fireplace. Wooden furniture and warm neutrals on the wall will blend in well with such an interior and provide an irresistibly cozy feel.

Plain, white, and beautiful

The most classic fireplaces are simple, minimalistic, and complemented with plain white corbels and matching lintels. They are simply calling for some charming Christmas décor and precious family time. The mantel can be traditionally decorated with family photographs, candles, and other details. For decorating the surroundings of the fireplace, search for beautiful pots online and plant houseplants that can stand the heat, such as aloe vera, areca palm, and Boston fern.

On the beach all year long

There is nothing warmer than the sun warming up the picturesque white stretch of sand while the waves are hitting it. Translate that ambiance into your cold winter home by designing a coastal-style room with a fireplace decorated with noticeable pieces of shells. Other design elements to include are sun-bleached woods, sisal, oceanic blues and sandy shades. 

Winter is often cold and harsh, and all we want to do is cover ourselves with a soft blanket, have a cup of hot chocolate, read a good book and listen to the wood crackling in the fire. Choose the style of your fireplace and make your winter days a warm dream instead of a cold nightmare.

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Helpful Hints for Displaying Family Photos on Your Walls

November 24, 2020
Lilly Miller
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Displaying family photos is a fun way to showcase your personality and turn your house into a home. With careful planning and intentional placement, you can showcase your images in a way that looks designer-inspired without being tired or cliche. Here are some helpful hints for displaying family photos on your walls. 

Avoid Sunlight

Before you hang your family photos, note how the sun moves through the room throughout the day. Consider placing your photos in a shadowy corner or wall that doesn’t get direct sunlight through the windows.

Placing family photos in direct sunlight will cause them to fade and disintegrate over time. While this may not be a significant concern for newer prints that you can redo at any time, it should be a huge concern for heirloom photos from the pre-digital era. If you’re displaying old family photos, consider having your family photo film and negatives digitized and stored safely in the cloud. 

Use Cut Outs for Spacing

It can be difficult to conceptualize how your photos will look on the wall, even if you organize the frames on the floor beforehand. It’s best to get the spacing and layout right before you start putting nails in the drywall. 

Trace your frames on craft paper and cut out the silhouettes. Use some tape and paper versions of your photo frames to organize your display on the wall. This strategy allows you to take a step back and see how all of the images will look together. Then, you can quickly move some blocks around until you’re ready to make it real.

Create Balance

When hanging photos in a gallery format, try to create a sense of symmetry. This aesthetic consideration doesn’t mean hanging all of your photos evenly spaced or in a grid formation. Instead, consider how you’ll balance smaller and larger frames— perhaps offsetting one large photo with two smaller ones on the other side. 

Creating a sense of balance will help you find that fine line between creativity and chaos.

Add Other Decor Elements

Consider mixing other decor elements into your family photo display. There are endless options for making this feature more personal and sentimental. For example, you could punctuate photos of your grandparents with framed recipe cards from their kitchen. Pictures of your children could be set alongside imprints of their footprints from the hospital and some of their art from over the years.

The decor elements don’t have to be personal in nature. You can use color blocks, plants, or geometric sculptures to add dimension to the display. 

Consider Alternatives to Framing or Hanging

Instead of framing and hanging your photos, consider some of the other ways you can create an eye-catching display. One modern approach is to install floating shelves and lean the photos, layering smaller ones over the larger ones for a more casual look. You can also leave the prints unframed, using string and clips to hang them artfully along the wall.

Standing frames are another great alternative to consider. These floor structures are perfect for larger prints. You can get simple stands or room dividers with space for your favorite family pictures.

Create Consistency

Try to create a sense of consistency between your photos, especially if they feature different color schemes or time periods. You can accomplish this by matting them with similar colors or frames. 

Make it Versatile

Finally, consider making your family photo display versatile and easy to revise. This strategy allows you to keep things fresh and change out your photos for updated versions without having to rethink your display.

With these simple tips, you can create a stunning display of your family photos to make your home feel warm and personal.

 

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5 Ideas for Decorating a Superhero-Themed Kids’ Bedroom

October 9, 2020
Lilly Miller
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All kids get obsessed with their favourite characters and quite often never really grow out of it. Even though it’s not a rule of the thumb, girls usually gravitate towards fairy tale princesses and boys towards superheroes from pop culture and comics. However, there is no real division here and their choice of a hero can range from powerful female characters such as Wonder Woman and Catwoman to those cool male protagonists such as Captain America, Superman, Batman or Spiderman.

Decorating your child’s room in a superhero theme is one of those cool kids interior ideas that will create a fun, cool and educational environment where they can develop their imagination.

Here are several ideas to help you incorporate your child’s favourite superhero characters into their bedroom design.

Superhero walls

Consider the bedroom walls as empty canvases and utilize that space to showcase your kid’s superhero of choice. As an elegant solution, frame pictures of characters and hang them up, or to be more original if your kid can draw well, have them draw their favourite character and then proudly display it!

Another solution could be putting up movie posters, real-sized figure wall stickers, a mural or go full force, and do a feature wall with a superhero-themed wallpaper. You can also mix and match: do the bottom part of the wall in comic-inspired, black-and-white wallpaper and the upper part can feature coloured figures of a particular character.

Shelving and storage

Every kid’s bedroom is brimming with toys and it can be challenging to keep it tidy and organised. The key is having lots of shelving and practical storage. Moreover, if your child has a favourite superhero, they love to have them displayed and distinguished from the rest of the mix. They come in all shapes and forms all around the world and kids love collecting them. In the US, action figures and dolls are particularly popular, as are pop vinyl bobbleheads in Australia. No kid’s room is truly complete without their favourite superhero collection!

A great solution could be a hanging bookshelf shaped like Batman’s logo where you can put all the books, comics and figures, or it could even be shaped as Mjölnir or the Captain’s shield. For a more spacious solution, you can opt for a simple standing shelf with storage boxes that you can either paint or wrap in felt paper and add your kid’s favourite character’s logo.

The bed

Your child’s bed is another great place where you can incorporate their favourite superheroes. One option is to create a headboard with the superhero’s logo, or simply go with the superhero bedding, pillows or bedspread. In that way, you can even change it weekly, if your kid has several favourite characters!

Bedroom furniture

A unique way to incorporate superheroes into your kid’s bedroom is to customize different pieces of furniture by decorating them with comic book pages. You can do it on drawer fronts, desk tops or chairs. There are various techniques and they’re quite inexpensive. All you need is a bit of patience and creativity!

Unique superhero details

If you prefer to keep your kid’s room more neutral but still have their favourite superhero present, incorporate a few unique details and accent pieces. You can make letter cut-outs of your kid’s name and decoupage them with comic book pages and then hang them up on the wall. You can do the same with lampshades and wall clocks as well.

Finally, one of the most original and educational ways to utilize your kid’s obsession with superheroes is to add their famous quotes in frames and use them to create motivational messages, such as all superheroes are honest, kind, generous and tidy, which might get your kid to clean up their room more often!

With these tips, some goodwill and creativity, any room can easily be transformed into a real super kid’s room!

 

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4 Ways to Improve the Look and Feel of Your Bedroom

May 12, 2020
Lilly Miller
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The average American gets roughly 6.8 hours of sleep each night. Getting quality sleep each night will make you a more productive and positive person. The key to getting a good night’s rest is having a bedroom that is optimized for relaxation. If you are having problems getting to sleep each night, now is the time to assess the cause of this issue.

The main thing you need to do is assess the condition of your bedroom. Luckily, there are a number of changes you can make to make it more appealing and comfortable, besides getting a regular spring clean of the bedroom. Below are some ideas you may want to consider when trying to make your bedroom look and feel better.

A New Mattress is a Good Idea

When trying to figure out what changes need to be made to your bedroom, be sure to take a good hard look at your mattress. Is your mattress old or unsupportive? If so, you need to find a new mattress quickly to avoid prolonging your problems with a lack of rest each night. With all of the different mattresses on the market, choosing the right one will not be easy. The type of mattress you choose will depend a lot on the way you sleep.

For instance, the mattresses best for side sleepers tend to be sleep surfaces that are firmer. Great mattress options for side sleepers like the Leesa Original are classified as a medium-firm sleep surface. This mattress features many layers of memory foam designed to make the distribution of body weight more efficient and successful. If your existing mattress is causing shoulder or back pains, you need to swap it out for one of these medium-firm sleep surfaces.

Remove Mobile Devices From Your Bedside Table

The average consumer owns a number of mobile devices. Whether you have a phone or tablet, keeping these devices charged is essential. However, you need to be selective about where you have your phone or tablet charger. Most people make the mistake of putting their phone or mobile device on their bedside table each night to charge.

In most cases, you will spend a lot of time laying in bed playing on your phone or tablet. This can result in you losing a lot of sleep. Rather than letting your sleep suffer as a result of technological distractions, you need to move your devices away from where you sleep. Charging these devices in another room can help you avoid getting distracted when you are trying to wind down for the night.

Pay Attention to Your Window Coverings

The main goal you should have when designing your bedroom is making it a place you can rest and relax with ease. While having a comfortable mattress is important, you also need to focus on other items in this room. If you are tired of having your sleep interrupted by sunlight or headlights from outside, it is time to rethink your existing window covering options. Windows that are covered with sheer material will allow a lot of light in.

If you are attempting to sleep longer each day, then you probably need to invest in curtains that can block out this light. For years, people have used blackout curtains in their homes due to the benefits they provide. Not only can blackout curtains keep sunlight out, but it can also help you to keep the interior temperature of your home down. The lower the temperature is, the less energy your HVAC unit will have to consume.

New Sheets Are a Great Investment

Over time, the sheets on your bed will start to wear out. Old and worn sheets are usually rough and uncomfortable, which is why getting new ones is a great idea. When shopping for new sheets, be sure to pay attention to the thread count. Sheets with a higher thread count are usually softer and far more durable. With some research, finding quality sheets for a reasonable price will be a breeze.

Bedroom Upgrades Come in All Shapes and Sizes

As you can see, there are a number of things you can do to make your bedroom more comfortable and appealing. By investing money in bedroom upgrades, you can improve both the quantity and quality of your sleep.

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Make Your Backyard Come to Life With Unique Features for Your Patio

December 5, 2019
Lilly Miller
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Spending time on your patio is one of the best ways to relax and recuperate after a long week. This is where you can welcome your guests, hang out with your family, or regain your inner peace. However, not just any patio will be good enough for all these things, which is why you need to spice up your patio from time to time. Doing this might not always be easy or simple, but it’s something you just have to do. Introducing unique features might be one of the ways to go and a solution that will take your patio to the next level. If this is something you’d like to do as well, here are a few ideas you could explore.

Unique patio furniture

If you want to be able to spend time on your patio, you’re going to need some furniture first. There are lots of materials, designs, and ideas you could explore, and finding your perfect fit could take some time. But, it’s all going to be worth it in the end, and your patio will become the most comfortable spot at your home. Start with some comfortable chairs that will allow you to spend hours on your patio without risking lower back pain. After that, find some matching sofas, and finish everything off with a unique coffee table. Don’t forget to maintain your furniture in the future as well, and try to keep it as good as new in the years to come too.

Unique patio lighting

If you want to be able to use this space in the evening as well and throw dinner parties on your patio, you’ll need some proper lighting too. There are lots of lighting ideas you can explore, and not all of them will work for you. That’s why you need to think outside the box and find solutions that are unique and cool. String lights are among the most popular and appealing ideas at the moment, so look into that idea first. Also, check out those solar lights that are perfect for patios and other outdoor spaces. Finally, don’t be afraid to install a massive chandelier above your patio, and making it more appealing than it’s ever been.

Unique patio décor

Even though most people focus on interior space when decorating their homes, the fact is that their patio deserves some love and attention as well. Your simple everyday décor won’t be good enough, though, so start thinking outside the box. Adding a water feature might be a great start because a small fountain could do wonders for the appeal of your patio. Also, adding some greenery is crucial as well, especially if you’re a fan of nature. From a few simple pots to decorative plantation shutters that will take the entire space to a whole new level, there are lots of ideas to consider. Finally, add some scented candles and light them before your guests arrive.

Unique patio flooring

This is probably not an idea all homeowners are going to love, but investing time and money into your patio flooring is one of the best ideas you could explore. Again, there are lots of different ideas you can look into, depending on the size of your patio and your aesthetic preferences. Painting your patio, installing new concrete, replacing the tiles, applying a new stencil or introducing some reclaimed wood into the mix are just some of the ways to make your patio welcoming and appealing.

 

Exploring various unique features that will make your patio more special than ever isn’t hard at all. It’s all about finding the right designs and ideas, and turn them into reality as soon as possible!

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French Country Decor: Incorporate Some Rustic Chic in Your Living

October 21, 2019
Lilly Miller
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Casual, natural, laid-back, yet elegant, sophisticated, and refined – French Country design style strives to seamlessly blend old and new while still retaining a note of elegance. It is a style that celebrates natural elements, embraces the items from the past and puts them in harmony with modern pieces, with special emphasis being put on comfort and creating a warm, homely feel. With that being said, it is easy to see why many homeowners are totally smitten with French Country decor – it strikes the right balance between elegance and practicality, urban and rustic, old and new. If you’re one of the homeowners looking for a way to capture the beauty of French countryside houses, here, we are listing a couple of decor tips that you can use as a guide for introducing this popular design style into your interiors. Read on to get inspired!

A soft, muted colour palette for subtle elegance

If you take a look at interiors designed with this particular style in mind, you’ll notice that they all rely on a soft, muted colour palette in order to create the perfect backdrop for their antique furnishings and well-worn fabrics. Pastel colours such as warm cream, rose quartz, and baby blue perfectly captures the love for the countryside, and they all work to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere in the living space. Drawing inspiration from the natural landscape, French Country decor also makes use of earthy hues such as sage green and summer yellow as a way to breathe life into the interiors while keeping them looking elegant and refined.

 

Detailed patterns for an effortlessly layered look

Since the neutral colour scheme this decorating style often employs needs to be broken up somehow, rich fabrics and textures are incorporated into the home decor as a way of adding visual weight and enhancing the visual interest of the living space. Achieve an effortlessly layered look by adding detailed components and pieces with different textures. French Country decor wouldn’t be the same without its traditional, signature toile, so consider introducing this quintessential print on your headboard, bed linen, or your curtains. Mix it up with printed wallpapers and throw pillows with stripes and a gingham pattern just to add that extra something and achieve the perfect French Country look.

 

Natural elements for a touch of rustic charm

When it comes to decorating in French Country style, natural elements are something you should definitely implement into your interiors. Polished wood floors and detailed woodwork are essential components of this decorating style as they perfectly capture its essence, and that is – the humble comfort and homely atmosphere. Wooden chairs with a gingham print on them would certainly add a touch of rustic charm in your dining area, while country-style barn doors made from natural timber will add character to your living space and create a warm, welcoming vibe. A natural stone wall can be used to add a countryside feel to your interiors, while a coffee table with patina would certainly add to the rustic look of your living space.

Antique decor elements for a refined rustic style

Designing a space that is influenced by this decorating style means implementing items that have a story to tell. Antique items play a vital role in decorating in French Country style, and blending them with contemporary elements is key to adding the vibe of this design style into your interiors without going over the top. Sometimes, you won’t even have to spend much money on getting antique decor elements from expensive stores. Flea market finds and pieces from thrift shops can be quite helpful in achieving the rustic vibe in your living space, and won’t set you back a lot. Hang antique frames on your walls to enrich your vertical spaces and add gilded candlesticks and bird cages to create the perfect mix of old and new.

Vintage furnishings for bringing in French country flavor

This decorating style heavily relies on the use of vintage furnishings as a way of embracing and celebrating imperfections that come with age. One way of bringing in French country flavor into your interiors through furnishings is to include pieces that add to the rustic grace of the interiors while still retaining their small imperfections. A vintage, distressed armoire will go a long way in transforming your living space while still serving a purpose. Use this vintage furniture piece to store all your clothing in your bedroom, or introduce one into your kitchen as a storage solution for keeping your kitchenware on display. Include a big, vintage dining table in your dining room and add a couple of antique chairs to complement the whole rustic, old-world look.

Now that you’re familiar with the basics of French Country decor and all the different ways you can incorporate it into your interiors, attaining this design style shouldn’t be a difficult thing to do. Use these tips as a guide for making this decorating style a part of your home and you’ll be well on your way of turning your home in to a dwelling that possesses the charm and grace of a French countryside cottage.

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