Learn how to make a beautiful living room & get inspired to re-do your space with our expert design ideas. Find the 2017 trends for popular colors & decor.
From bedrooms to living rooms, today’s bachelor pad apartments, studios and homes are warm, inviting and somewhere everyone should appreciate hanging out.
Bedroom Ideas, Home Accessories Ideas, Home Decor & Furniture
How To Make Lights And Darks Work Together In A Room
There’s no need to choose between adding lights or darks to a room. We’ll show you easy ways to mix these two hues together to create a beautiful look.
Bedroom Ideas, Home Accessories Ideas, Home Office Ideas
How to Find The Rug That Fits Your Personality
Find the perfect rug based on your personality. Explore various style offerings to find the one that best suits your future rug needs.
Mother’s Day is around the corner! If you haven’t started getting ideas for her already, then now is the time to find that perfect piece she will adore.
Not sure between leather and fabric? Here’s a general comparison chart of the advantages and disadvantages of most leather and fabric upholstery.
Home is where the heart is, and it’s where our most precious memories are made. It’s also where we make some of the most important investments of our lives. Purchasing leather furniture is oftentimes one of those investments. It can make your home look and feel high end. Follow these easy tips to help leather survive throughout the decades and memories to come.
Weekly cleanings keep leather gleaming.
Dust often and use a vacuum cleaner crevice tool to clean seams. Clean weekly using a damp sponge or soft, lint-free cloth. Do not rub; instead, wipe gently. Follow instructions for any gentle leather cleaner you might use. Additionally, leather conditioners provide a barrier to stains and help extend the life of your leather. Before using any cleaning/conditioning product on leather, test it in a hidden area first.
Just [don’t] do it.
Do not use or place sharp objects on leather goods. Leather is very durable; however, it is not accident or damage proof. Do not place newspapers or magazines on leather furniture. The ink from these items may be transferred onto the leather. Do not use abrasives; harsh chemicals; saddle soap; leather cleaners that contain any oils, soaps, or detergents; or common household cleaners on leather furniture. Only use recommended leather cleaners. When in doubt, call a professional leather specialist.
No sun, hun.
Keep leather furniture out of direct sunlight and at least two feet from heat sources to avoid fading and cracking.
Visit Ashley Furniture for more information on caring for leather.
Do you have a vintage vase or bottle that you’ve been holding onto for years? Maybe it’s time to put those accents to work. Follow these easy step-by-step instructions for turning your ancient artifacts into a breath of fresh air.
Supplies:
- Any narrow-necked vase or bottle that is essential-oil safe
- 1 cup light, unflavored oil (corn or canola work best)
- 1 tsp essential oil (scent of your choosing)
- ½ cup alcohol (or unflavored vodka)
- Tan, black or brown rattan reed diffuser sticks
Step one:
Combine ingredients in a glass measuring cup.
Step two:
Stir gently to ensure the scented oil mixes with the other ingredients.
Step three:
Pour into your vessel until about 1/3 full (save remaining mixture in an airtight container until needed).
Step four:
Place reeds in the vase or jar. Make sure they’re long enough to extend several inches above the opening to allow the fragrance to escape.
And that’s it! Place your diffuser wherever a touch of fresh air is needed. Periodically flip the reeds to release the fragrance anew.
What combination of essential oils do you prefer? Let us know in the comment section.
Health & Wellness, Home Decor & Furniture, Living Room Ideas
New Year’s Resolutions Part 3: Getting Fit with Your Furniture
The intention to get in shape is a common New Year’s resolution. What many people don’t realize is that it doesn’t have to take a lot of time and money spent at the gym to do so. Walking often is a great way to keep your metabolism up, and there are many body weight exercises that can be done from the comfort of your living room furniture. The following are a few suggestions on how to multipurpose your living room set for exercise.
Bedroom Ideas, Dining Room Ideas, Home Decor & Furniture
New Year’s Resolution #2: How Do You Want Your Home to Feel?
Carry the energy of new beginnings with you by creating a home that reflects your personality and how you want yourself and your guests to feel when they walk through your front door.
Colors
Wall colors are a great and fairly simple way to create a mood. Tranquil pastels cultivate the feeling of a calming sanctuary, while brights like red, yellow, orange or lime will give off a more exciting, energizing vibration. If you’re a fan of multiple colors or just have a style all your own, go ahead and experiment with color combinations or even wallpaper styles that reflect your unique personality. Every room in the house can have its own unique vibe – there are no limits to the possibilities!
Textures
Textures are another aspect to take into account when decorating, and are not just limited to textiles. While there are many styles of pillows and throws that will add a finishing touch to a room, subtler textures like the fabric of your upholstery and even your solid pieces like living room tables and entertainment centers inevitably add to the feeling your home gives off. For a relaxed entertaining space, incorporate elements like natural wood-finished furnishings. For a more sophisticated entertaining space, choose pieces with clean lines and polished finishes.
Layout
You might be surprised at how much the placement of furniture affects the feeling of a room. If a room feels small, try rearranging the furniture to open up walking paths.
Now that you have an idea of how you want your home to feel as you walk through the door, you are on the right track for starting the year off with new year resolutions for your home. What other goals do you have this year?