Ways to Refresh Your Home for Spring
Spring Refresh Tips
Adding a touch of spring to your decor doesn’t have to be a complicated task. Small changes can have a bigger impact on your space than you may think.
- Florals and Greens
Bringing fresh flowers and greens into your home is a classic springtime look. This can be as easy as putting a few sprigs of lilac from your garden in a vase or adding a florist’s arrangement to fill a larger space. Don’t overlook adding floral patterns to a room either. This can be done though pillows, rugs, curtains, or wall art. Botanical prints and designs, especially flowers, are a beautiful way to evoke spring. - Update Your Colors
Another way to refresh for a new season is to update your colors throughout the house. Just a few small touches can make a big difference, so don’t think that you need to buy an entirely new couch or all new throw pillows for spring. Even if you just change a few things, such as replacing a dark red candle on the shelf with a pale green figurine, you’ll be surprised at how much it can lighten up the whole room. Look around for saturated, dark colors in your rooms and find ways to swap them out for light tones. - Pack Away Heavy Blankets
To bring in a lighter, airier feel, put away heavy, chunky blankets. This goes for the bedrooms, naturally, because you don’t want to sleep in the stifling heat of a blanket that’s too heavy for the season. Also take a look at things like living room throws. You’ll probably still want to keep a throw on the back of the couch for when you’re curled up with a book and the air conditioning gets a little chilly, but pack away the fuzzy, thick lap blanket and replace it with an airy, lightweight one. - Use Lightweight Fabrics
Lighter weight fabrics all around the house will also signal a change in seasons. Switch out dark, heavy curtains for lighter weight choices in gauzy silks, linens and sheers. Their floaty weight will not only look breezier, but it will literally let more light into your home. Even something as simple as swapping dark, thick kitchen towels for ones with a bright, light weave will give your house a refresh. - Spring Cleaning
Finally, don’t forget your spring cleaning. It may not seem like the most exciting way to welcome the warm weather, but it will be worth every minute of effort. The truth is that most of us spend far more time dreading this kind of task than we would ever spend doing it. So set aside a block of time, put on some energizing music, and tackle those cleaning tasks you never seem to get to. The payoff is much larger than the effort, and you will be able to enjoy the pleasures of warmer weather with a newfound sense of satisfaction.
Spring is an inherently hopeful time, and it’s a great time to bring some of that optimism into your house. You don’t have to make huge design changes to feel the difference in your surroundings. So throw open the windows, breathe in the fresh air, and give yourself the gift of a spring renewal for your house. It’s a wonderful way to truly appreciate the energy and beauty of this time of year.
Tips to help you plan your life on paper
- Mix up analog and digital
We’ve explored the differences between paper planners and online or digital tools. But who said it had to be either or? Why not take the best from both worlds and combine digital and paper tools in a way that suits you?
For example, you could set a daily alarm on your phone to remind you to update your journal. Just set it up as a daily recurring event on your calendar app. Or you might run a digital to-do list alongside your notebook planner. This could be a promising option if you often have tasks that have a component online. - Embrace the beauty of bullets
The appeal of the notebook planner is obvious when you take a look into the online world of bullet journaling. Fans of this trend, which was developed by Ryder Carroll, fill their blogs and Instagram feeds with inspiring page spreads from their notebooks, and use luxurious stationery and tools to create planners that are functional works of art.
Anatomy of a bullet journal
A typical bullet journal starts with an index page, which is a numbered contents page for your notebook. After that there are a series of logs, or lists. These are usually based around time periods, like month, week or day, although you can also have ‘custom logs’ for specific tasks or events such as wedding planning or vacation research. - Try a new notation style
There’s no question that the bullet journal is the definitive 21st century productivity journal. But it’s not the only analog notation style in town. There are other options too, such as Strikethru. This system is interesting because it shares some characteristics with the Kanban board, a digital to-do-list focused on moving tasks from one place to another.
With Strikethru, your notebook is divided into 3 parts:
Live list
Your current to-do-list, which will live in the front part of your notebook. Each day, fill a new page with a list of tasks, which you get to cross out (hence the name) when they’re complete.
Vault
The middle section of your notebook, which contains longer-term goals or ideas which can be moved into the Live list when you’re ready to tackle them.
Dump
The back third of the notebook, which is reserved for quick notes, ideas you need to jot down in a hurry, phone numbers, doodles and whatever else you like. - Schedule your notebook planner time
One of the biggest challenges people seem to face with productivity notebooks or planners is actually using them.
Notebooks that were started with enthusiasm can end up gathering dust on a shelf unless you’re able to successfully form the habit and stick to it. Regular use will also maximize the benefits of the process, as you’ll build up a record of your activity over time.
Routine = habit
Adopting a regular journal schedule is one way to make sure the journal habit sticks with you. Decide on a ten-minute window each day when you’ll sit down with your notebook planner. It may be first thing in the morning while you drink your coffee, or last thing at night when you’re concluding your day and thinking about your goals for tomorrow. - Get creative with the notebook format
You don’t have to be a crafting genius to physically transform your notebook and extend its productivity powers. Here are a few simple hacks you can make using everyday items from your stationery drawer.
Dutch door
A smart way of looking at two pages at once. Dutch door modifications involve cutting or folding some of your pages so that you can see the other pages behind them.
Some people make a horizontal dutch door spread that allows daily pages to be turned while a weekly or monthly spread stays visible at the top. Others do it vertically, by either cutting or folding a single page in half down the center so it forms an insert within a weekly or daily spread.
Pocket
Just attach a piece of stiff card on three sides to the inside of your journal using glue or washi tape, and you’ve added a handy pocket. It’s great for safely storing business cards, stamps, coupons or whatever you like.
Bookmark
Save a few moments finding the right page with a handy bookmark. You can take advantage of the built-in ribbon bookmark in your notebook, or attach one with tape to the spine or inner cover.
How to turn your notebook into a productivity goldmine.
We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again – learning how to be more productive is one of the best ways to invest your time, whatever profession you’re in.
There’s a wealth of knowledge out there, from time techniques like the Pomodoro method to psychology hacks like habit-stacking and temptation-bundling. But what if a simple notebook and pen could revolutionize your personal productivity levels?
Say hello to the analog productivity trend
There’s a growing movement of people who are shifting away from apps and digital productivity solutions and embracing the world of pen and paper. From luxurious notebooks and stationery to the enjoyment of the hand-written word, there are plenty of reasons for choosing to add a good old-fashioned notebook planner into your modern lifestyle.
For one thing, as our lives become more entwined with technology, going analog answers the need to switch off. Working with a paper productivity system is a neat way to perform a digital detox without putting your life on hold. There’s no blue light, so you can update it at night without risking your sleep hygiene. And it’s a great way to focus for a period of time without the interruption of notifications or the temptation of more-ish mobile games.
Digital or paper? Pros and cons
The pen-and-paper lifestyle has an undeniable appeal. But is it right for you? To help you decide, here are some of the ways paper productivity solutions are different from their digital counterparts.
Space and capacity
A digital productivity organizer, such as a to-do list app or Kanban board, isn’t limited in terms of the space it offers you. You can add as many tasks or sections to it as you like without having to buy a new one.
However, a paper product only has so many pages, which means you need to choose a format that’s got all the room you need or to have more than one volume of your notebook journal. For those who enjoy stationery or love to ‘collect the set’ this can be a definite advantage.
Deleting mistakes
If you make a mistake on your smartphone, computer or other device, it’s simple to hit the backspace key and try again. Nobody – not even you when you read it again – needs to even know you didn’t have it right first time.
On paper, there are ways to undo what you’ve written such as rubbing out pencil or erasable pen marks, or scribbling out words written in ink. But there’s usually an indication you’ve made a change. This isn’t a drawback necessarily, it just means you need to be comfortable with a more mindful approach to note-writing, or with embracing little imperfections when they come up.
Uniqueness
Digital information can be backed up, replicated or stored in the cloud for access on multiple devices. Your notebook planner is one of a kind, the only copy in existence, which makes it a precious possession. Accidents do happen, so if you’re using a notebook, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of photographing your pages regularly so you have a digital backup of your information.
Personality
A notebook planner becomes a little world all of your own, as creative as you want it to be and completely personalized. There are so many ways to express yourself, from your choice of page layouts to your ink color to the little doodles you make in the margin. Then there’s your choice of notebook, the kind of paperstock you favor and whether you go for lined or dotted rule.
Availability
Having a notebook planner around gives you a physical reminder of your schedule and your commitment to yourself to be organized and productive. It’s right there on your desktop or in your bag, unlike an app or software tucked away inside your phone. It’s also really easy to get an overview of what’s current and to flip the pages and find out how far you’ve come since you started – great for building motivation.
Running Tights: What to Wear Under Them
It’s always important to make sure you’re wearing the proper running gear – and that you’re wearing it correctly. But in some cases, it can be really awkward to ask for advice. “How should I wear this?” might seem like an embarrassingly simple question. Running tights – especially for men (and sometimes for women!)- are one of these cases.
In this article, we’ll cover some basic tips about what to wear under running tights. Then you don’t have to feel awkward about asking your best friend who’s a runner! We’ve got you covered (literally).
Commando vs Underwear
If you’re new to running, you might not know the proper procedure for wearing tights—am I supposed to go commando (i.e. no underwear)? Typically, most people wear athletic underwear, although it is up to your personal preference.
For some women, though, going commando is a game changer because it feels more comfortable to them, especially in the summer when the last thing that they want is another layer.
If you think you’d prefer going commando, but are curious about the sanitariness of it, you’re probably just as safe going commando as you would be with undies. Yeast infections tend to happen when it’s moist down there, but that’s going to be the case after a sweaty workout even if you’re wearing underwear.
But you do need to be careful about chafing when you go commando. This can lead to infection or at the very least discomfort, especially if you keep everything shaved or waxed. In this case, wearing underwear will keep these issues at bay.
If you decide that going commando is just a little too out there for you, grab the underwear—both brief or boxer style will work. If it’s cold, you might want to consider wearing merino wool.
Tips for Men
So, men wearing running tights is a pretty new thing, and there really isn’t a societal norm as to what is acceptable. The big question for many men is do I wear shorts over tights? Really, either option works, although there are strong opinions on both sides of the issue.
I personally have known more guys who wear shorts over their tights (which they typically wear in the winter anyway, so the shorts give them an extra layer), but it’s up to you. If you do wear shorts, you’ll be more comfortable if you wear shorts without a liner (or cut out an existing liner).
But wear whatever you feel most comfortable in. You can even wear a longer, tunic-length shirt if you’d like to wear tights without shorts but still feel a little weird.
Tips for Women
As we all know, running tights and leggings for women have caused quite the discussion in the media about the appropriateness of wearing leggings in public. While typically the focus isn’t the gym, since leggings/tights are seen as athletic wear, people still discuss if it’s appropriate for women to wear leggings.
If you feel self-conscious in tights, you can always wear a longer shirt or jacket so that your behind is more covered, but you can still get the benefit of clothing that is more fitted.
What to Wear Running for Women
Heading out for a run can be a great way to stay fit. However, finding the right outfit to wear throughout the year can be a little bit of a challenge. From a jog in January to a sprint in September, there is perfect athletic wear for the occasion. If you’re not sure what to rock while out for a cardio session, you have come to the right place. With these workout ensembles, you’ll be ready for a marathon, all year round
What to Wear Running
What to Wear When Running in the Cold Winter
When it’s cold, it may seem wise to rug up a lot. However, when you’re going for a run, you’ll definitely warm up without really trying. Opt for a pair of warm leggings, a long-sleeved compression top and a vest. If it’s incredibly cold, swap into a lightly padded jacket and gloves. Keep your ears warm by wearing a thick headband, and you’ll be jogging all day.
Running in the Snow
Don’t let the snow stop you from keeping active. When the temperature drops, opt for a padded jacket or vest, worn with a compression and heat-trapping top underneath. Fleece-lined leggings work well in freezing temperatures. Make sure you’re wearing a pair of runners that have a good grip. Avoid cold fingers by wearing gloves, and protect your ears by rocking a beanie.
Running in the Rain
Even when it’s raining outside, you can get active and start your day feeling right. Depending on the temperature, wear 3/4 or full-length compression tights, with non-slip runners. To avoid soaking right through, opt for a light waterproof running jacket with a hood. Be sure that you keep your hair up in a ponytail, so you can avoid having cold and wet strands of hair sitting on your neck.
Running at Night
Running at night may seem daunting, but it’s a great way to get yourself outdoors and keep active. If you’re a fan of dark shades, wear brightly coloured shoes that glow in the dark, even if they just have an illuminated logo. Many pieces of athletic wear have reflective fabrics, so it’s essential to utilise them when you’re outside. Always be sure that you keep safe when you’re jogging late at night, make yourself bright so everyone can see you
Running in Summer
Running along the beach or in a park feels best when it’s warm outside. To prevent becoming too hot and sweaty a singlet and shorts are always a good idea. If you’re heading out for a long run, opt for a light T-shirt and compression leggings. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen before you head out to protect your skin.
What to Wear When Running in 30 or 40 Degree Weather
Although summer is a beautiful season to get active, it can be hard to dress appropriately for sweltering weather. For the days where it gets above 30 degrees, be sure that you wear a piece of clothing that allows you to breathe and keeps you cool. Options include a singlet, sports bra and shorts, or light-weight compression leggings. It’s essential to keep yourself hydrated during these days, so keep a water bottle with you, and wear lots of sunscreen to avoid heat-stroke.
What to Wear to a Mud Run
Let yourself get a little messy when heading to a mud run. This occasion best suits activewear that you won’t mind getting a little dirty, so opt for something in dark colours. Mid-length leggings work best in these environments, and depending on the weather, a singlet or lightweight t-shirt can keep you feeling fresh.
What to Wear to Colour Run
If you’re a fan of bright shades, this is the race for you. As the name suggests, the Colour Run is an activity where you can throw tinted powder at each other, have lots of fun and keep fit all at once. For this event, it’s best to wear clothes in the paler variety, so you can really see the results afterwards. If you’d prefer to dress up, wear something fun like a tutu or rainbow patterns. Opt for athletic wear that you’re not afraid to get dirty – the bolder, the better
What to Wear to a Long Run
Heading out for a long run can be a bit daunting, but not when you’re dressed for the occasion. No matter how far the distance is, make sure what you’re wearing is ultra-comfortable. Depending on the weather, bring along a light jacket or hoodie so you can stay warm. To avoid chafing or cold legs, opt for compression tights in either full or 3/4 length, and don’t forget to bring a water bottle and wear supportive runners.
What to Wear with Grey Running Shoes
Combine sport with luxury in a pair of grey running shoes. You can wear them to almost any occasion, and they make you look cooler instantly. Pair them with pastel shades such as powder blue, mint or baby pink to make the outfit pop, or neutral tones such as camel, gold and mustard to create a deeper combination. Watch as everyone’s eyes stay on you as you run past!
Space-saving ideas for amazing home offices
With these space-saving ideas, you can establish your home office in even the smallest of homes.
Cupboard love: the closet office
We know it’s important to draw a clear line between work and leisure time. Ideally, that means shutting the door of your home office at the end of the working day. But what if you don’t have a spare room to use? Well, you could use a closet instead.
Closet offices are converted walk-in cupboards or wardrobes that are just big enough for a desktop, drawers and some shelving. They often have folding doors you can push out of the way while you’re working, so you get the benefit of natural light and warmth from the wider room. Your work chair doesn’t have to fit in the closet – you just need enough space to be able to shut your desk out of sight when you finish work.
If you have space for a closet desk but not much left for storage, you could adapt the approach and tuck away your filing system, printer and other equipment in a home office chest. Once you close the lid, nobody will know it contains the secrets of a business genius.
Desks that you can downsize
A drop-leaf desk is an excellent space-saving idea to magic workspace out of thin air. Attached directly to the wall, it can be lifted up and secured in position for work and then folded down into an unobtrusive shelf when your workday is over.
If a foldaway desk appeals, you may not even need to go shopping – a drop-leaf dining table makes a fantastic desktop and may already be sitting folded away in your home or attic. Failing that, an exploration of eBay or local second-hand furniture spots should lead you to some bargains.
Desks that fold upwards into a cabinet are another smart option that packs some extra storage in. As with all folding options though, it’s best suited for people who can clear everything away with ease – definitely not for lovers of desktop ornaments, stacks of paper or other creative clutter.
Under the stairs, and other nifty niches
Landings, corridors, underneath staircases and even porches can be turned into home offices through sheer force of will. If you have a few feet of space in your home that isn’t regularly exposed to foot traffic, you can use decoration and furnishing to make it into an office nook. Our top home office tips: painting the area a separate color and blocking it off using furniture can emphasize its identity as a dedicated workspace.
When selecting your spot, make sure you’re going to have enough peace and quiet – a corridor leading to a regularly-used room is a recipe for interruptions, especially in a household with young children. Also think about electrical points. With computers, screens, printers, lamps and chargers to take into account, it may be worth getting power outlets installed in your nook rather than dealing with trailing wires.
Portable office space aka the ‘Home Hotdesk’
The key ingredient is a mobile storage trolley you can easily trundle along with you to wherever there’s space and light. It should hold equipment, a laptop, paper, paints and brushes, craft kit or anything else you need. Kitchen trolleys or hostess trolleys can also be great for this type of solution. Or, if you want something sturdier, small workshop tool trolleys might suit your needs. A clever home office idea.
What to choose – leggings or jeans?
The sentence “I have got nothing to wear” is something that every woman in this world says almost on a daily basis. And usually, it is not true, but they all feel like that. There are so many different pieces of clothing for each occasion, from elegant suits and dresses to shorts, skirt, blouses and everything in between. However, in this text, we are going to focus on two items that every girl possesses and discuss leggings and jeans.
Some women would argue that leggings are not pants, but we believe it all comes down to one’s preference. Let’s start by discussing the difference between these pieces of wardrobe.
Leggings are usually made of cotton or polyester and spandex blend and this is what makes them extremely comfortable which is why girls just love them. They come in a variety of colors, patterns, and prints – you just have to pick your favorite one. The most important thing when buying them is to choose the right size that fits you perfectly. If you get a pair that is too small, they will stretch and become transparent which is something that you don’t want. On this website, you can find numerous styles you can choose from. Furthermore, they can be incorporated into many different outfits. You can wear them with a tunic, under a dress or with a simple long shirt, which makes them perfect for warm July evening in Kansas. Plus, since there are a variety of colors, meaning you can use them to create your own style and express your personality.
On the other hand, there are skinny jeans. They were first introduced in the 1950s and have come a long way from slim-fit denim to skin-tight version they are today. They are usually made of stretchable denim, so they could trace all your curves tightly. The main difference between them and leggings is the material. The denim is just not as soft and comfortable as cotton is. Since they are basically tight pants, they can be worn with any kind of crop top or a blouse. Moreover, since denim is thicker, skinny jeans are a great choice for cold Dallas winter nights.
So how should you wear them? Keep in mind that skinny jeans are casual wear, which means you can wear them while running errands or pair them with a crop top and interesting accessories for a night out in a bar with friends, but you cannot wear them to any elegant event. There is no need to point out that they are not a piece of clothing you can wear to a workout session in a gym.
Leggings can be versatile, meaning they can be pair with anything, depending on the material and pattern, of course. You can wear them with a long t-shirt for a day spent shopping in a mall, or if you get leatherette ones, you can incorporate them into a more formal outfit. Simply pair them with a classy top, add some jewelry, and you are ready to go. If you like leggings with a bold pattern, make sure to combine them with a top in neutral or similar color to make them the center of your outfit.
How to Get Chocolate Out of Clothing in 5 Steps
Whether you’re a parent of small children or simply the victim of a melted-chocolate fiasco, getting chocolate on clothing can feel like a disaster. Fortunately, returning clothes to their original, chocolate-free state may be easier than you think. If you’re hoping to rescue your favorite pair of jeans, a beloved T-shirt, or just about anything else, here’s a quick guide to how to get chocolate out of clothing in just a few simple steps.
- Remove Any Excess
Using a dull butter knife or spoon, carefully remove any excess chocolate that’s resting on the surface of the clothing. Be careful not to spread the chocolate during this step and use a gentle scooping motion to avoid pressing chocolate further into the fibers of the fabric. - Rinse
Taking care not to spread the stain, turn the garment inside out, and then place the back of the affected area under a stream of cold running water. This will help flush out the chocolate while preventing it from becoming further embedded in the fabric. It may be tempting to wring or rub the fabric during this step, but resist the urge—thoroughly rinsing the fabric prior to more detailed washing is essential to removing chocolate from clothing. - Apply Detergent
Focusing specifically on the stained area, gently place a few drops of laundry detergent onto the tip of your finger, and then rub it into the stain. (Gentle, nonchemical dishwashing liquid can work too.) Allow the liquid to fully saturate the fabric, and then let the garment soak in cold, clean water. Every three minutes or so, gently massage and rinse the stain, repeating about five times or until the stain fades. - Launder as Usual
Once you’ve got the chocolate out of your clothing, it’s time to go ahead and wash your garment as usual. For especially tough stains, it may be a good idea to start off with a bleach-free stain remover. Stick to cold water only and avoid the dryer until the stain has been 100% removed. - Or Opt for Dry-Cleaning
For fabrics that you wouldn’t normally machine-wash, the best way to remove chocolate may be to leave it to professionals. Fabrics like silk, wool, and rayon tend to respond best to dry cleaning when it comes to difficult stains. Always check the care label instructions and do your best to act swiftly—the sooner you can get to work on a stain, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to remove it completely.
How to Get Paint Out of Clothing in 4 Steps
Unless you’re going for that intentionally paint-splatted look, odds are you’re not thrilled when you get paint on your clothing. Since paint is made to stain, this can feel like a disaster on par with spilling red wine on a white sofa. There’s good news, however: Spilling paint on your clothing isn’t quite the calamity you’re envisioning. In fact, restoring your clothing to its original status is fairly straightforward with the right tools. There’s one thing note before we dive in: If this is a particularly pricey or cherished garment, professional dry cleaning may be the safest route to take.
Read on to learn how to get paint out of clothing in just four simple steps.
What You’ll Need
The most important item you’ll need to have on hand is isopropyl alcohol. This nearly magical cleansing agent is also a good idea to keep stocked for disinfecting cuts and scrapes, treating most fabric stains, and keeping your workstation clean.
You’ll also need some warm water, a clean cloth, and an old toothbrush.
Note that the following fabrics cannot be cleaned with this method—take them to the dry cleaners instead: silk, wool, acetate, and rayon.
What to Do
- Wet the Fabric
There’s no need to soak the garment, but you’ll want the affected area to be fully damp before proceeding to the next step. Be sure to use clean, warm water. - Apply the Isopropyl Alcohol
Thoroughly saturate the paint-stained section of clothing with the isopropyl alcohol. Note, the higher the concentration the better: Aim to use 99% alcohol if possible. - Scrub the Paint
Using your brush, get to work scrubbing the paint. As the alcohol works its magic, you should see the paint begin to dry, flake, and crumble. When bits of paint loosen, remove them with your cloth or by hand, and don’t be shy about periodically flushing the area with additional alcohol as you go. - Wash the Item
Once you’ve thoroughly removed the paint, complete the process by laundering your article of clothing as usual. Unless the garment has special care instructions, machine wash on warm, and then dry it however you normally would. Do not run the garment through a warm wash or dry cycle if paint still lingers, as this process will “bake in” stains.
Small Master Bedroom Design Ideas, Tips
Ideas for Decorating a Small Master Bedroom
There is no reason at all that a small bedroom—even a really tiny bedroom—can’t be every bit as gorgeous, relaxing, and just plain full of personality as a much larger space. (As proof, check out the elegant bedroom from Laura Stein Interiors shown here.) The trick to creating a lovely bedroom when square footage is limited is to make smart use of the space you do have, keep furnishings scaled to the room, and most of all, not be afraid to show off your decorating chops.
Brown and White Bedroom
Looking for a sophisticated palette that manages to be both masculine and glamorous at the same time? Then consider the combination of chocolate brown and white. Amp it up further with a small chandelier, a patterned rug, and white bedding, and the result is pure splendor.
Save Floor Space With Built-Ins
Most of the time, a small bedroom means an equally small closet. A great solution to this common concern is incorporating built-in storage around the head of the bed, as in this serene space designed by Chris Ebert of Normandy Remodeling. If built-ins aren’t an option, look for bookcases that fit in the space instead.
An Elegant Master Bedroom
If you thought a small master bedroom couldn’t be every inch the equal in elegance to those huge rooms you see on Pinterest or in glossy interior decorating magazines, one look at Steven Ford Interior’s gorgeous navy blue, cream, and gray bedroom will change your mind. Stunning.
Neutrals Done Right
Think neutral bedrooms have to be boring? Then take a look at this masculine, relaxing, and anything-but-dull bedroom from architect and designer Patrick Brian Jones. When the palette is quiet, clever use of subtle pattern adds interest without overwhelming the small space. A folded throw blanket in a contrasting hue adds extra oomph to the foot of the bed.
Vintage Touches in a Bedroom
Weathered shutters add a touch of shabby chic flair to this cozy gray and white bedroom. It’s easy to work a vintage vibe into even a small bedroom—use an antique chest as a nightstand or footboard, set an old door in place of a headboard, or adorn your walls with framed vintage embroidered handkerchiefs, maps or botanical designs.
Soothing Green and White Bedroom
Most people want their bedroom to be a soothing, restorative retreat. If that’s your goal, then consider green and white for your palette. Add in botanical touches in the bedding, as in the room from Viscusi Elson Interior Design shown here, along with a showstopper sunburst mirror, stylish Roman shades, and cottage-casual white furniture, and the result is a room that calms your mind and refreshes your senses. Beautiful.
Carve Out a Headboard Nook
This lovely—but tiny—home was once a library. Now it’s a testament to good use of small space, thanks to the designers at The Works. Notice the built-in cabinets and the recessed, upholstered “headboard” nook—beautiful and genius.
Match Furniture and Wall Color
While it’s generally true that oversize furniture doesn’t work in a small room, there are always exceptions. For example, the canopy bed here is nearly as large as the tiny bedroom, but instead of cramped, the space looks perfect. The secret is in the clean, simple lines of the bed, along with its color—white—matching the walls to eliminate contrast.
Attic Bedrooms
Your first impulse might be to think of the sloped ceiling and cramped space of an attic bedroom as a minus, but instead, embrace it as a plus. When the bed is piled high with quilts, pillows, and shams, and surrounded by simple, yet lovely furnishings as in the adorable country bedroom shown here in work by DigsDigs, the sloped ceiling and limited square footage adds to the cozy vibe.
Let Furniture Do More
Make the most of your small bedroom by using furniture to provide the storage that many undersized rooms lack. Case in point: this lovely, shabby chic bedroom by DigsDigs substitutes a small dresser for a traditional nightstand, and makes the most of a recessed nook with a china cabinet to hold linens, sweaters, and other bulky items. That’s smart and beautiful.
Wow With Bedroom Wallpaper