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‘Tis the season for holiday decor. Getting your home prepped and ready for the festivities is a joy and really, as will any home decor, there’s no right or wrong way to go about it. That being said, if you want your Christmas decor to look beautiful and reflect your personal style and traditions, there are loose rules to be abided. Meaning there are also mistakes to be made.
We asked designers what common Christmas decor mistakes we should all be avoiding this year. From going OOT with new decorations to not sticking to a cohesive theme, here are the holiday decor faux pas best to avoid if you want to create a chic and timeless display.
5 Christmas decorating mistakes
Christmas trends. Just like with interior design trends, you want to be inspired by these styles but don’t let them overcome the looks you really love and that have meaning to you no matter how kitsch they may be. Luckily nostalgia is a designer-approved trend this year anyways.
‘In any given year, my biggest piece of advice is not to feel pressured to do any decorating you don’t love!’ says designer Kathy Kuo. ‘The holiday season can be stressful and the decor aspect is supposed to be fun – if a so-called ‘Christmas decor trend’ is adding to your stress, just say no! If you love simple white twinkle lights in the windows and a few vases of greenery instead of a humongous tree, go for it!’
‘Going over the top with colorful lights can also lead to visual clutter rather than creating a warm, inviting aesthetic that compliments your existing décor. Buying everything new and matching can look contrived or sterile and doesn’t honor the meaning and traditions of the holiday.’
‘Instead, consider taking a trip down memory lane this Christmas. Bring out your grandmother’s china and napkins that have been carefully stored away in the attic. Mix ornaments from your relatives, or things you’ve collected over time or DIY Christmas decorations. Not only does this approach help to honor the past and keep the memories alive, it is also a sustainable choice, utilizing what we already have instead of purchasing new items. This can evoke a sense of nostalgia and create a warm and homey atmosphere that truly embodies the spirit of Christmas.’
Kati Curtis
maximalist holiday decor, there should still be something that ties it all together like a color scheme or a reoccurring pattern.
‘A significant Christmas decorating mistake is deviating from a theme or failing to follow a cohesive decorating plan. Without a guiding theme or plan, decorations might clash or lack a unified vision, resulting in a hodgepodge of styles that just looks messy.’ explains designer Jennifer Davis.
‘Sticking to a specific theme or design scheme helps tie everything together, ensuring a polished and inviting holiday setting that resonates with a consistent style and charm throughout the space.’
4. Not blending faux and real folliage
While there are now so many incredibly realistic faux Christmas garlands, wreaths, and greenery, you can really elevate them by adding in real foliage or dried fruits. This will make and faux greenery look fuller and more convincing. You could ditch the fake evergreen all together and have a go a making your own garland.
Designer Bethany Adams believes it’s going real with your evergreen that ensures the most effective Christmas decor; ‘The wrong faux greenery can be a major faux pas. Instead, reach for dried, real evergreen boughs for your mantle or wreaths. The look is far more luxe, and just as reusable.’
Little Valley Large 4 Cup Bag of Dried Orange Slices
Faux Winter Evergreen 6′ Garland
Flock Pine Garland
5. Creating too much visual clutter
The whole point in Christmas decor is for it to add something beautiful and visual and creative to your home. But bringing in all this extra decor and Christmas lighting and a full-sized Christmas tree can risk looking cluttered, so to avoid this just ensure you have focal points within your rooms. Nothing should be competing.
So for example in a room where you have the tree, keep the rest of the decor minimal – candles on the mantle, lights at the window but no large pieces of decor that will distract from the main event, and ensure to include some negative space.
‘When diving into Christmas decorating, it’s essential to consider the aspect of proportion, especially concerning height. Neglecting to do this can lead to an unbalanced display where items of varying heights compete for attention. A smart approach involves creating visual interest by varying the heights of decorations while maintaining a sense of cohesion and harmony.’ advises Jennifer Davis.
Avoiding these holiday decor mistakes, while also still following your own traditions and style, will ensure your Christmas decor feels both chic and characterful. Just remember to go with your tried and tested formulas, have something cohesive flowing through the scheme, and don’t go over the top with bringing a load of new decor into your home and really crowding your room. And of course, have fun with it, potentially the biggest mistake you can make is getting so carried away with aesthetics that the once-a-year activity of decorating your home for the holidays becomes a stress, rather than a joy.
Source: homesandgardens.com
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A surefire way to wrap up the year in style and bring your home to life for the holidays is to deck your halls — and living room, entryway, dining room and the exterior of your home.
We asked the owner of Digs Home and Garden, 3905 Chenoweth Square, for ideas on what holiday decorating ideas will be on-trend in this holiday season, especially if you live in the Louisville area.
“Louisville is pretty traditional when it comes to decorating for the holidays but it’s also fun to add a few new things into the mix, ” Ben Palmer-Ball, owner of Digs Home and Garden, told the Courier Journal. “Some customers come to the store and buy the entire Christmas tree; lights, ornaments, garland and all. But it’s more realistic to take an inventory of what you already own, decide on a theme, and update your tree by adding some trending colors in ribbons, garland, and sprigs.”
almost 3,000 U.S. homeowners by the home improvement website House Method, most Americans, including those of us in Kentucky, start to decorate for the holidays on Thanksgiving weekend. The beginning of Advent, which begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, is another popular day to put up the Christmas tree. This year, Advent begins on Sunday, Dec. 3.
Decking the halls can do more than simply add a festive flair to the look of your home. If you were thinking of putting off your holiday decorating in 2023, here are a couple of positive reasons to reconsider. According to experts, it can make your spirits bright by boosting your mood and can contribute to social activity, which has proven mental and emotional benefits.
Journal of Environmental Psychology shows that when people see a home decorated for the holidays, they tend to view the residents as more social and approachable.
So, what are you waiting for? From the newest ideas in lighting to stylish color combinations, here are six holiday trends that will be popular in Louisville for the Christmas of 2023.
Light your tree for maximum twinkle
A well-lit tree needs about 100 lights per foot. For instance, a 6-foot tree requires 600 lights. Palmer-Ball likes to use Rice lights which are small round LED bulbs that look like large grains of, you guessed it, rice.
Additionally, he likes LED lighting over incandescent bulbs since, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, they use up to 75% less energy and last 25 times as long.
change colors simply by pushing a button.
Bold and beautiful blue tones will update your 2023 Christmas tree
It’s no surprise the color blue is welcome to the Christmas party. Blue is the world’s favorite color and is commonly included as one of the five main colors on Christmas lights.
For 2023, Palmer-Ball has decorated a number of trees in his store with pops of blue accessories in various hues.
“Blue is a trending color this year, “he said. “When you pair the blue ornaments with red ornaments it becomes a festive and fresh look.”
Plush ornaments are a fun and colorful Christmas tree accessory
Brightly colored soft ornaments are a popular and unbreakable trend that adds a soft and whimsical touch to your Christmas tree.
Great for families with small children or pets, these vibrant ornaments can be cartoonish and clever and are easy to store at the end of the holiday season.
Sweet petite tabletop Christmas trees are in big demand
In 2023, Palmer-Ball is selling a lot of small trees that can sit on top of a coffee table or chest of drawers.
“I think some customers don’t always want the big commitment of a full-sized tree,” he said. “Plus adding a smaller tree to your decor like in the kitchen or the den can give you another space to display specific ornaments or a theme.”
For instance, if you have collected a lot of the ornaments your kids’ have made through the years, rather than clumping them in on your main tree, display them on their own tabletop tree. The kids will love it!
On display at Digs, we also discovered a bright tabletop tree for the kitchen filled with food-themed ornaments and another covered in nothing but adorable dogs.
Classic colors are updated with a twist on the 2023 Christmas trees
The classics, red, green and white will always spell C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S, but we’re excited to see how the new Christmas decorating ideas for 2023 push the envelope.
“Red and green are always traditional at Christmas but maybe this year you focus more on the red accents and ornaments and find things that accentuate that,” Palmer-Ball said. “The next year twist it up and focus more on the green accessories.”
A tall white flocked tree at Digs is a centerpiece and a tradition at the store. Stocked with red and white glass balls, red plaid ribbons, and ornaments in the shape of Cardinals and cranberry sprigs, the red and white color palate could easily be flipped next year to variations in green and white.
Modern frosted Christmas trees are a popular trend in 2023
We know one way to guarantee it will be a white Christmas. Flocked or frosted Christmas trees have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their ability to create a winter wonderland-like atmosphere in your home. Palmer-Ball said today’s trees are better made than the clumpy flocked tree your grandmother displayed.
“These trees today are light and subtle and many have a lot of space between the branches so you can really see the ornaments,” he said. “The colors really pop against the artificial white snow.”
Digs Home and Garden, which opened in 2000, has become a year-round home decor and gift destination in St. Matthews. The store is especially festive leading up to the Christmas holidays when Palmer-Ball and his staff spend hours transforming the large space into a winter wonderland for the holiday season.
“Take a look around and you can tell, I don’t know when to stop,” laughed Palmer-Ball.
Luckily Palmer-Ball’s overindulgence means more creative tree-trimming options and holiday home decor ideas for you. Happy holidays!
Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at [email protected]
Source: courier-journal.com
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The winter holidays are one of the best times to visit Walt Disney World. The parks and hotels are decked out in fresh decor and there’s no shortage of holiday-themed entertainment. Characters turn up for photos wearing winter garb while some rides get festive overlays (for example, the Jungle Cruise becomes the Jingle Cruise).
But the season also makes for one of the most crowded — and most expensive — times to visit the Disney resort, as Disney engages in variable pricing where tickets cost more on high-demand days. If you’re headed to Disney World this winter, these lesser-known tricks can save money and time.
1. Find the least busy day to visit
Disney trip planning site Touring Plans collected 43 million average wait times for rides over the past 13 years to best predict crowds by day. After rating days on a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being the least busy and 10 being the busiest), here are Touring Plans’ crowd predictions for the six days before and after Christmas 2023:
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Tuesday, Dec. 19: 7.
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Wednesday, Dec. 20: 7.
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Thursday, Dec. 21: 6.
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Friday, Dec. 22: 5.
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Saturday, Dec. 23: 7.
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Sunday, Dec. 24: 7.
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Monday, Dec. 25: 8.
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Tuesday, Dec. 26: 8.
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Wednesday, Dec. 27: 9.
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Thursday, Dec. 28: 9.
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Friday, Dec. 29: 9.
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Saturday, Dec. 30: 9.
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Sunday, Dec. 31: 8.
If there’s one best day to visit, it’s Friday, Dec. 22. And in general, the week before Christmas is less busy than the week after.
2. Consider Disney’s dining promotion deal
If you’re staying at a Disney-owned resort, a limited-time dining promotion might sweeten the deal. You’ll receive a Dining Promo Card (for use at most Disney restaurants) when you book a minimum five-night stay, worth up to $1,000.
The card’s value is correlated to the price of your hotel room, so travelers who book rooms in the Deluxe tier of Disney resorts receive $200 per night, while rooms booked at Disney’s lower-cost hotels receive $60 per night.
Depending on the room you book, this promotion could be a deal. For example, NerdWallet found availability at one of Disney’s top-tier hotels, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, for under $500 per night on some nights in December.
While the package requires a minimum five-night stay plus park tickets, receiving a dining gift card ($800 if you book four nights at the Animal Kingdom Lodge) worth about 40% of the overall room cost might be appealing.
The promotion covers stays on most nights through March 5, 2024, including Thanksgiving week and the week before Christmas (arrival dates between Dec. 26 and Jan. 8 aren’t eligible).
3. Order small plates at the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
If you’re not staying at a Disney resort long enough to qualify for the dining promo, dine at the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.
Between Nov. 24 and Dec. 30, temporary food stands serve seasonal international dishes in line with the park’s global theme. For example, the Japanese-themed Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen serves cranberry boba and the L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen serves potato latkes.
Epcot festival dishes are typically smaller than traditional restaurant entrees, but prices are lower. Many food items cost less than $5, and almost all are less than $10.
4. Replace theme park visits with free activities
Rather than buying a theme park ticket, take a free, self-guided tour past the massive and intricate gingerbread houses on display in the lobbies of six Disney-owned hotels. Among the largest displays is at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. According to Disney, the hotel’s pastry team spent 500 hours baking gingerbread and 480 hours decorating the house, which features 10,000 pieces of gingerbread.
Getting to each hotel can be an adventure in itself. Two hotels, Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, are located on the resort’s monorail line, which doesn’t require a ticket to board. Almost all the resorts are also accessible by boat (again, no ticket needed), which can be a scenic and relaxing way to get around.
If you want another free Disney World activity, visit the resort’s entertainment district, Disney Springs. During the holidays, you might want to stroll past the shopping center’s 19 Disney-themed trees or visit Santa Claus.
5. Consider an after-hours party instead of a theme park ticket
Walt Disney World offers two sets of after-hours parties this year (both run a handful of nights throughout the season): Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park, and Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Party ticket prices aren’t cheap, as both start at about $160 (and can cost more than $200 on peak nights). In fact, they often cost more than standard theme park tickets. But for certain travelers, they might be a better deal. That’s because capacity is more limited than during the day, typically resulting in shorter ride wait times (eliminating the need to pay for upcharges like Disney Genie+, which offers paid, express line access).
The parties also offer entertainment you can’t find anywhere else, and — at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party — you get complimentary cookies and cocoa.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:
Source: nerdwallet.com
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We know Trader Joe’s for its fun and unique grocery items (hello, Everything But the Bagel Seasoning). It’s everyone’s favorite grocery chain for a reason.
But Trader Joe’s doesn’t just offer food items to enjoy, it also has some really cute home decor items we can’t shy away from. And there’s one new item in particular on our list that’s perfect for sprucing up your home this holiday season: limited-edition Felted Ilex Berries exclusively for the holiday season.
Trader Joe’s is no stranger to handmade felted wool decor for the home. Between its Handcrafted Felted Wool Pinecones ($4) and Handcrafted Felted Woold Holiday Trivets ($8), this store loves festive furnishings that are soft to the touch.
The handmade berry branches are made with New Zealand wool. Each bunch comes with six branches dotted with red and white holly berries to brighten up just about any room and help get you in the spirit of the season.
However, not everyone is happy with the price tag at $20 per branch. Some customers think these are too pricey for Trader Joe’s.
The Instagram account @traderjoesaficionado posted about the find, saying they “picked some up to put in the office” and they are “perfect decor the holiday season!” While others weighed in about their concern over the price. One user said “Cute but too $$$” while another agreed by stating, “These are sooo cute in person!! They are a little $$$ tho.”
While there may be room for argument about the price, it doesn’t look like it will stop everyone from running out to purchase some of these colorful branches. On that same Instagram post, other commenters said they would purchase these felted Ilex berries for the holidays with one claiming they already did and were “happy” with the outcome. “Everyone has pointed them out and loves them!”
Whether you choose to grab your own set or not, one thing is for sure, you can’t disagree that they are pretty darn cute. And since they are made with wool, they should last a long time, and you won’t have to worry about them wilting. Either way, we love to see new holiday decor out there because it gives us inspiration to start decorating our homes for the holidays.
Source: realsimple.com
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You’re on the apartment hunt and know you want something on the smaller side. It’s just going to be you, or you and your significant other, so one bedroom is all you’ll need. You start looking around. You see some great one-bedroom places, but they’re a little on the expensive side. Then, you see your first studio apartment. It’s a little different as far as layout goes, but the price looks good and you could make this work … maybe.
It’s not an uncommon debate to have, studio vs. one-bedroom apartment when looking for a new home that’s the right fit for your lifestyle. Before deciding which one is right for you, it’s good to understand how each place is different.
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What is a studio apartment?
Unlike an apartment with bedrooms, a studio is going for a more compact design. “A studio apartment is basically a self-contained unit and houses everything in the single room space except the bathroom,” says Stefan from homedit.
With a studio apartment, you’re getting some variation of a single large room with attached kitchen or kitchenette, and a separate bathroom. It’s a limited area to work with if you want to create the feeling of separate rooms without walls to break up the space. Your design strategies and furniture placement can help establish defined space. You can make it clear which part of your studio is for sleeping, eating or hanging out with friends.
Studio apartments usually max out at a total of 600 square feet but can get as small as 300 square feet. The smaller the space, the more creative you’ll become in finding storage and places for all your things.
Rental prices for a studio apartment, according to the Apartment Guide 2019 Annual Rent Report, average around $1,065 a month. However, which part of the country you call home directly affects this number.
What is a 1-bedroom apartment?
There’s one essential difference between a studio and one-bedroom apartment, and that’s the bedroom. You also get a few more walls and a distinct separation of spaces. There’s a clear division between your living room, bedroom and kitchen. You may also have a few more closets and a dining space.
Square footage in a one-bed has a decent range. Smaller one-bedrooms can equal the size of a large studio. Even with the same square footage, a one-bedroom can end up feeling larger since you’re not looking at all your space in a single area.
One-bedrooms often have a monthly rent that’s a little higher, averaging around $1,140.
Studio vs. 1-bedroom: Factors to consider when selecting your apartment
Understanding the benefits of living in both a studio and a one-bedroom apartment can help you decide which option is best for your next home. The two biggest differences between your options are the obvious ones — size and price.
Not only will you pay more for rent, on average, for a one-bedroom, but utilities will cost more. You’ll have more space to heat or cool. There’s also more rooms with more lights, and more outlets to suck up electricity. When budgeting for a one-bedroom, it’s helpful to take into account your monthly costs of living on top of the rent. You can ask the property owner of the apartment you’re considering to get estimates on utility costs.
The difference in size can mean a little or a lot more room, but it’s really all about what space you need to feel comfortable at home. Some people do better in a more cozy home, while others need room to stretch out.
Beyond the cost and the square footage, there are a few other ways studios and one-bedrooms compare. These key areas should also get factored into your apartment selection.
1. Privacy
In a studio, where you sleep is also where you eat, work and hang out. A one-bedroom gives you the dedicated space of both a bedroom and a living area. It offers more privacy overall because there’s a door to close between rooms. This is especially important if you have friends or family visiting, crashing on the couch or if you need some time away from your live-in significant other.
If you live alone and don’t use your apartment as a place for social gatherings, you may get all the privacy you need in a single room. Without guests sitting on your bed, because there’s nowhere else to sit, you can retain the privacy of your sleeping space without needing a separate room.
2. In-unit amenities
With the extra size of many one-bedroom apartments, there’s the potential for amenities that couldn’t fit in a studio. Your one-bedroom could have in-unit laundry hookups, more than one sizable closet, full-sized appliances and more storage in general. These are great amenities, but not necessary.
The laundry room in your apartment building could be nice enough that you won’t miss having laundry in your studio. Maybe you prefer to send your laundry out so don’t care if there are machines in your apartment or your building. Having a smaller refrigerator is fine while you’re living on your own, so the space-saving appliance in your studio is great.
Amenities, by definition, are bonus items in your home, and many people have different must-haves.
3. Lifestyle
How you like to live can impact what kind of apartment you’ll need. If you like to have friends over for potluck dinners, watch a favorite TV show or sample some wine at a happy hour, you may need an entertainer’s amount of space.
If you’re planning on living alone or with a significant other you’re very comfortable with, you might not feel compelled to have as big of a place. The important thing is to find an apartment with enough space to allow you to keep being you.
The space you need also relates to your professional lifestyle. If you have a job where you’re always traveling and are never home, why get a big place to sit empty? Having a studio that’s compact and easy to care for might be the right step for your lifestyle. If you work from home, it might be more comfortable setting up a desk in its own space and not on top of everything else.
4. Location
The price will once again impact your apartment decision when it comes to apartment location. If you want to live close to a city center or right near work, you can end up in an area of town where the property is more expensive. It might not be affordable to have a one-bedroom, but studio prices could be low enough to get you into your ideal location.
On the flip side, if you want a bigger space and can handle living outside of town, you may find an affordable deal on a one-bedroom right outside the city. According to Forbes, rent can be 31 percent cheaper if you’re living outside of an urban area. You’ll need to factor in the cost of commuting back into the city for work, but you can still come out ahead with the right apartment.
5. Studio vs apartment upkeep
Both decorating and cleaning are easier when you have less space. It’s faster to clean a studio apartment. There are also fewer walls to decorate. That said, the smaller space can lend itself to more clutter since you’re without a lot of storage options. Either way, you’re going to have to clean a bathroom, and nobody likes doing that.
Is a studio or one-bedroom better?
There’s actually no simple answer to this debate since the better place for you revolves around your own needs and budget.
“Deciding where to live is a choice that impacts your lifestyle in many ways. Take the time to compare the cost of living and determine what’s best for you,” says Roger Wohlner from KeyBank. This is sound advice to keep in mind as you consider the pros and cons between studios and one-bedroom apartments.
Source: apartmentguide.com
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As far as home décor options are concerned, candles have always been preferred. It is because they are ideal for creating a vibe of serene ambiance while adding some mystic appearance and smelling amazing at the same time. Beautiful votive candle holders, paired with fragrant candles, help in creating a relaxing atmosphere while serving as welcoming.
In addition to this, votive candle holders are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes. At the same time, candles of varying fragrances and sizes used individually or in clusters can serve as decorating pieces in several ways.
Votive Candle Holders in Bedrooms and Living Areas
Light some candles on elongated decorative candle holders or place the candles of varying sizes in a cluster, and voila, your place attains a dressed-up look. Look for a perfect corner in your room and place the candle holder suitably to light up your favorite nook.
You can consider placing floating candles in metallic silver or gold hues on console tables, or on a cabinet to create a warm glow while adding notes of freshness to uplift the overall senses. You can also consider adding colorful beads in water to bring about the creative touch. Yet another creative idea is to place fragrant candles in decorative lanterns or brass candle holders indoors for the perfect elegant look.
Designer Candle Holders on Kitchen Slabs and Dining Table
Candles in transparent glass can appear immensely attractive. Prepare a beautiful, organic atmosphere by keeping candles on the dining table or across decorative mirrors such that they reflect even more elegantly. The presence of crystal or reflective candle holders appears luxe while help in displaying the actual pattern or color on the candles. On the dining table, blend designer candle holders with flower vases, hard-cover books, and you have achieved the perfectly-looking dining table.
Elaborate Candle Holders in Bathrooms
Wish to impart your bathroom an eclectic, decorative touch? Fragrant, designer candles in bathroom décor can make your small space appear aesthetic effortlessly. Group your favorite candles in a candle holder in a corner and freshen up your area in no time.
You can consider using pillar candles in bright hues to add some classic style statements. Candles placed in assorted heights by your bathtub can be the ultimate shining star. Opt for votive candle holders in bathrooms to enhance the overall look.
Creating Candle Centerpieces
Centerpieces in any home décor help in adding a touch of unmatched charm. Whether you are revamping the sofa table or your dining table, you can leverage pillar candles in varying heights and shades, candles in tins, or candles in decorative glass candle holders that complement the overall color scheme. Additionally, you can think of utilizing candles that appear like balls or square-shaped, or even stars to add immense character to the existing space.
Moreover, you can think of placing a tray for framing the centerpiece while finishing the look with decorative pebbles or dried flowers. You can also infuse fragrance to the space by using fragrant candles.
Candles, in the form of dining table centerpieces, appear immensely decorative. At the same time, these also help in adding an inviting feel to the existing space. The entire look is simple to put together and can be easily changed by removing or adding decorative pieces to the arrangement.
Pleasant Porch Lighting and Decorative Candles
A beautiful candle arrangement on a patio table is ideal for your perfect time outdoors. Nothing will beat the vibe of a starry night within the warm glow of the candle as you sip your favorite drink under the moonlight.
Dangling Candle Lights to Elevate Your Home Interiors
Dangling lights in your home décor can infuse a stunning effect to any space. Whether you consider buying them from a store or designing them yourself, you have multiple options. You can also consider purchasing decorative candle lanterns to create the look you want. The idea is not just for interior decoration. You can also consider creating your oasis outdoors with the help of dangling candle lighting.
Window Appeal with Fragrant Candles
Do you enjoy spending your leisure time sitting by the window watching people, reading books, or relishing nature? You can consider adding warmth by placing candles across the window pane. There is nothing more appealing than the warmth of the hanging candles, preferably in decorative candle holders.
Conclusion
Decorative your home beautifully with candles while creating the right ambiance and mood throughout. Explore the distinctive range of exotic fragrant candles and unique candle holders at Pure Home & Living. It is a one-stop destination for exotic and luxurious home décor items and interesting accessories for enhancing your home interiors in no time.
Source: hometownstation.com
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This wall art set comes with a hanging kit, but reviewers say the included frames are light enough to hang with Command Strips! 👏🏾
Sign Win is a New Jersey-based small business that provides tons of beautiful posters and art prints, making decorating your home easy as heck.
Promising reviews: “It is exactly as pictured! It’s really helped to tie our living room together. We went with the recommendation of keeping the installations 1.5 inches away from each other and they line up well. Even just the middle sun part looks cool, but the extensions of the sun rays truly make it a statement.” —chelsea0421
“Great experience with this seller. Art was packed well and came with all the hardware to install easily. The art itself is gorgeous! It is exactly as pictured (though it’s much more impressive in person). I would and will shop with this seller again. I am so happy with the way it turned out!” —hoviousa
Get it from Sign Win on Etsy for $44.99+ (available in two sizes, three frame colors, and three art styles).
Source: buzzfeed.com
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As a Homes writer and interior design obsessive, I love nothing more than spending my downtime decorating or sprucing up our family home. And whether you live in a cozy apartment or palatial house, we all want to create our ideal abode. Trouble is, when you don’t know where to start, it all can all seem rather overwhelming.
While pulling a room together may seem easy on Instagram or social media, there are some basic rules and tips I’ve learned over the years. These top tips will help you achieve the right balance of functionality yet still look stylish. What’s more, these clever design ideas will instantly transform your space, regardless of size, without having to spend a fortune on an expensive renovation!
I’m obsessed with home makeover shows — and these are the 3 mistakes people always make.
1. Go big with mirrors
One of my favorite tricks is the power of mirrors. I absolutely love using mirrors in my home, and the bigger the better. Mirrors are a great way to reflect the natural light across the room, make a small room look bigger, and feel airy and more open. For effective results, lean a large mirror against a wall opposite a window so the light will bounce off it. In small spaces, opt for mirrors that go from floor to ceiling to maximise the light.
In addition, if you want to brighten a dark room, a mirrored wall will also do the trick. Wall-mounted mirrors work well to reflect light, give the illusion of a bigger space, and instantly make your room feel open and airy. More importantly, it will give your blank wall a stylish and contemporary makeover.
While glass can often be problematic if you have children and pets running around, you can choose plexiglass acrylic mirror. Bendable acrylic wall mirrors much like this Shatterproof Wall Mirror ($29, Amazon), are designed to be safer and won’t get accidentally broken or damaged.
Alternatively, if you don’t have a mirror, any reflective surface such as stainless steel, glass and metallic accessories will do the job.
2. Buy the right-sized furniture for the space
Have you ever bought something for your home, only to find out that it’s way too big (or small) for the room? That’s why it’s important to always check the dimensions of furniture before buying, and find a style that’s in proportion to the room. So if your space is too compact for a conventional, rectangular dining table, a circular table will take up less room.
Getting the proportion right can be tricky if you’re buying furniture/decor online, and the reality is far different from the pictures! You may find it helpful to use an AR app such as IKEA Place to get a better idea of how an item of furniture will fit into the space you have.
Another top tip is to elevate your furniture. Instead of heavy-set pieces of furniture, and cumbersome sofas — especially in compact rooms, choose sofas and armchairs with narrow arms, and raised on taller legs. The trick here is when you see more floor underneath, it will give the illusion of a bigger room, and allow natural light to flow better.
In fact, buying the wrong-sized furniture is one of the top decor mistakes that are making your home look smaller than it is.
3. Make use of vertical space
Furniture doesn’t always have to be spread out. Another top tip is to utilize vertical space — especially if you lack floor space or have a compact room. Depending on how strong your walls are, you can easily wall mount floating wall shelves, vertical cabinets, or clever storage units to free up valuable floor space.
For home offices, hanging smaller things on wall-mounted rails can be handy, as you’ll have more desk space making it less cluttered. And for small bathrooms, wall-mounted storage is one of the things organized people keep in their bathrooms. Just don’t forget to check what’s behind the wall before you start drilling holes everywhere!
There are also plenty of stackable storage ideas to keep everything in order. For instance, if you want to keep children’s toys tidy, storage organizers like this Humble Crew Extra-Large Toy Organizer ($79, Amazon), will save you valuable space.
4. Layer your fabrics
There’s nothing better than coming back to a warm and relaxing home to snuggle in. And layering up with chunky throws, soft blankets and plush cushions on sofas and beds work well to achieve that cozy factor.
In addition, it’s good to mix-and-match the textures and color scheme so that everything doesn’t look the same. You want to create an inviting feeling that is also aesthetically pleasing.
Interestingly, soft furnishings are one of the clever ways to reduce noise in your home. Plush furniture like an upholstered sofa, bench or even plump cushions work well to ‘soften’ an area — diffusing unwanted sounds. Thick rugs on hardwood floors can also help to block out some noise, and also prevents furniture from making much noise when it’s moved around. So it’s a win-win!
5. Conceal the clutter
When designing a space, we often forget about functionality, and practical storage solutions. To avoid cluttered spaces, conceal the clutter with multi-purpose furniture such as ottoman benches, blanket boxes or woven baskets. These are clever ways of hiding clutter, as well as doubling up as extra seating or a handy footstool for your guests. Plus, if you have cluttered shoes piling up by the front door, here’s 7 space-saving ways to organize shoes in your entryway.
In addition, if you have unsightly cables or items lying around, there are plenty of creative ways to disguise ugly items in your home. These include things like cable management organizers or sleeves, soap dispensers, or attractive tissue box covers.
And if you have one of the best TVs for family entertainment, cozy movie nights or a decent gaming session, check out these clever ways to decorate around a TV.
6. Don’t overcrowd your walls
Whether it’s family photographs, abstract wall art, or stylish posters, pictures on the walls can add a personal touch. However, there is a danger of going overboard with the gallery wall — making your walls look like an eyesore.
When learning ways to decorate a blank wall, it’s advisable to stick to the ‘odd number rule’ when displaying pictures. So rather than hanging in even numbers, stick to three or five on one wall, or even one large frame. This rule is considered to be more visually appealing, and looks less cluttered. If you want to hang two pictures side by side however, make sure the frames are identical, and hung at the same height. Although this should really be 57 inches, generally, pictures should be hung at eye-level.
Secondly, if you just want to hang one large wall art, position it so that the center of the artwork is approximately 48-56 inches from the floor. However, if it’s positioned above a sofa or table, the bottom of the frame should begin at least 6-12 inches above the back of the sofa or tabletop.
7. Don’t go overboard with trends
If you follow decor trends on social media or TV shows, it can be easy to get carried away with buying things on impulse. By definition, trends come and go, and just because everyone is doing wood panelling, doesn’t mean it will look good in your home!
Define your personal style, and keep your interior scheme simple and classy. After all, less is more! It’s always best to stick to neutral styles, tones or accessories, and incorporate bursts of bold color in soft furnishings, accessories or even lush houseplants. This way, you can change it up whenever you feel like it, or style your home according to the changing seasons.
What’s more, splurging on the latest trends and new furnishings just for the sake of it can make your home look cheap, according to interior designers.
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Here’s a bright idea — it’s time to work smarter, not harder on your holiday lights this year. Smart LED lighting not only allows you to create festive lighting you can control, but it can also save you money on your electric bill.
We’ve found top-rated, customer-loved smart holiday lights that can be used to showcase the colors and lighting effects you want on your Christmas tree, Christmas wreath, outdoor holiday decor and more. Plus, most of our smart light picks can be controlled using your smartphone. How genius is that?
Christmas home decorating ideas using smart lights
Transform your entire home into a holiday wonderland that your family, friends and neighbors will love. Let’s take a look at amazing smart lighting options that make decorating your home for the holidays super simple.
Philips Hue Christmas Festavia 65′ string lights
Even Santa would approve of decorating your Christmas tree, as well as the inside and outside of your home, using Philips Hue Festavia 65-foot smart string lights.
Each string includes 250 individual mini smart LEDs that are app controlled and can work in conjunction with all other Philips Hue smart lighting products that use a Philips Hue Bridge (sold separately or as part of a smart lighting kit).
The Festavia string lights are also available in a 130-foot length that includes 500 individual mini lights ($360). Both sets can be set up to sync with your favorite holiday music.
A smart Christmas tree: Mr. Christmas Vermont Spruce
One of the best decisions you can make this holiday season is to adopt smart lighting in all aspects of your Christmas decorating, starting with the Christmas tree. The Mr. Christmas Vermont Spruce is seven feet tall with a 48-inch diameter. It comes with 400 mini-LED smart lights built into the artificial tree, allowing for quick and stress-free setup. The lights can be voice-controlled via Alexa, enabling you to instantly change the lighting color or lighting mode
In addition to all white or multi-colored lights, you can opt to have all of the lights display just red, green, blue, light blue, yellow or purple. Lighting modes include steady, sparkle, firefly, flip and fade. You’re also able to create a schedule for the lights to turn on and off, or switch between colors and scenes automatically.
A flexible and customizable decorative light string: Govee Christmas lights
For your indoor or outdoor holiday light decorating, the Govee Christmas lights are an affordable alternative to string lights. However, these offer just as many customization options.
This 66-foot-long string light set includes 200 mini-LEDS that are fully programmable. Because it’s IP65 rated, this light strip can be used indoors or outdoors. The flexible string can be wrapped around a tree, staircase, fence or pillar. It can also be hung around the edge of a ceiling, around a doorframe, or on any wall. Use your creativity to discover unique ways of using these bright and colorful smart lights throughout your home.
Once set up, the Govee Christmas lights can be programmed to display your choice of 16 million colors, using a variety of pre-programming lighting effects. The lights can even sync with whatever music is playing. There are 99 pre-set lighting scenes to choose from. You have full control over these lights (and all other Govee smart lighting products) using Alexa voice commands or the easy-to-use Govee mobile app (for iOS and Android-based devices).
App-controlled Christmas string lights: Twinkly Strings
If you’re looking for more traditional holiday string lights, but want to control them using a smartphone app, we suggest these Twinkly Strings smart lights. The 65.5-foot string includes 250 mini-LEDs, each of which can display more than 16 million colors, so you can decorate your home with beautiful light and color.
Using the Twinkly mobile app, it’s easy to control one strand of string lights or multiple strands at the same time. This means all of the lighting can sync perfectly within each room or area of your home. Using the app, you’re also able to create a schedule to turn the lights on and off, have the lighting change colors or patterns at predetermined times, have the lights sync with the music that’s playing, or instantly switch to a light color and pattern that you want. The lights also accept voice commands. Because they’re waterproof, you can set them up indoors or outdoors.
While it’s possible to set up multiple 65.5-foot Twinkly Strings lights to work together, there’s also a cluster version of the lights that includes 400 mini-LEDS on a 19.5-foot strand. This variation allows you to create different visual effects using a larger number of smaller LED lights (within a smaller space) that can also display over 16 million colors.
Permanent outdoor smart lights: Govee permanent outdoor lights
Offering yet another way to decorate the outdoor areas of your home, Govee offers its permanent outdoor lights package. Throughout the year, these lights can brighten a porch, terrace, or front door area of your home with bright decorative white lights. During the holiday season, these same lights can transform your outdoor space with holiday colors and animated light sequences.
These smart lights come in 100-foot strands that contain 72 LED eaves lights that are waterproof and controllable using the same Govee mobile app that works with all of the company’s smart lighting products. The lighting set also responds to voice commands via Alexa or Google Assistant.
Each of the lights can alternate between 16 million user-selectable color options and together showcase any of the 75 pre-programmed scenes that are accessible via the app. Each light has a maximum brightness of 26 lumens. Since these lights are designed to be attached permanently to the outside of your home, special VHB glue and clips are provided.
Holiday wreaths with integrated smart lighting: Twinkly pre-lit wreath
Using the same mobile app that controls other smart lighting products from Twinkly, you’re able to control the 50 mini-LED lights that come pre-wired within this artificial holiday wreath that has a two foot diameter.
The smart lights within the wreath can display more than 16 million colors in a variety of customizable or pre-created lighting patterns. The app is available for iOS and Android mobile devices.
The wreath’s lighting responds to voice commands via Alexa or Google Assistant. To coordinate perfectly with this wreath, your Christmas tree and other holiday decor, Twinkly also offers a nine-foot, pre-lit garland ($115). It utilizes 50 fully controllable smart mini-LEDs and works with the same app.
Decorative smart lighting you can use all year long: Nanoleaf Shapes
Nanoleaf offers a variety of decorative smart lighting products. Most come in a collection of flat tiles that get hung on a wall in whatever pattern you choose. This LED lighting kit includes nine hexagon-shaped tiles that are app-controlled. Each tile can display more than 16 million colors. Using the Nanoleaf app, you’re easily able to choose from hundreds of pre-created animated light patterns, have the lights sync with music, or display whatever color(s) and patterns you want.
Throughout the year, Nanoleaf Shapes can add decorative ambience to any room, but during the holidays, the lights can mimic the Christmas lights strung throughout your home or on your tree.
If nine hexagon-shaped titles isn’t enough, expansion kits with hexagonal and different size triangle-shaped titles are sold separately. What we love about these smart light products is that you can mix and match the Nanoleaf tiles and create whatever pattern you desire on your walls. Then you can choose the colors and animated light patterns that are displayed at any given time. Each tile sticks to the wall using removable mounting tape that’s supplied.
Use regular light fixtures to display holiday lighting: Philips Hue A19 LED smart bulb starter kit
One of the great things about the Philips Hue home smart lighting ecosystem is that there are literally dozens of options to choose from, including stand-alone light fixtures with color-changing smart bulbs built into them, smart light strips, decorative lights and replacements for recessed ceiling lights.
The expansive Hue product line also includes standard A19 LED light bulbs that can replace the traditional light bulbs within your existing light fixtures. Doing this transforms those light fixtures into smart lights within minutes.
To take advantage of the Philips Hue smart lights, you need to either purchase a Hue Hub (that’s sold separately) or acquire the necessary hub as part of a Hue Starter Kit.
We recommend the Philips Hue A19 LED smart bulb starter kit because it includes the required hub, along with four standard size (A19) light bulbs that can be used within any of your existing light fixtures. Once this starter kit is set up, you can easily add any additional Hue smart lighting products (including more A19 bulbs, which are sold separately) to your home and control them all using the same Hue mobile app.
Each A19 smart bulb can display many shades of white, as well as more than 16 million colors. And in addition to selecting the colors, you’re also able to set each bulb’s brightness. The lights can be controlled one at a time, in groups within a single room, or you can use the app to control all Hue lights at once. Using a few on-screen taps or voice commands, it’s possible to create customized lighting scenes or choose from thousands of pre-created animated scenes –- including many that are holiday-specific.
Upgrade your artificial Christmas tree: Fraser Hill Farm 12-foot flocked Christmas tree with smart lights
This holiday season, make things easier on yourself with two simple moves. First, swap out the real tree for a super-realistic artificial Christmas tree – no more fussing with the live ones. Second, bring some smart lighting magic to your tree to make it the ultimate holiday showstopper.
Meet the Fraser Hill Farm 12-foot flocked Christmas tree with built-in smart LED lights. It’s a breeze to set up, and it stands at 12 feet tall with a 76-inch diameter. If that’s too big for your space, don’t worry – Fraser Hill Farm offers similar artificial trees in 6.5′, 7.5′, or 9′ heights.
This tree has 5,483 lifelike, flocked tips that give it the charm of a traditional cut tree. It’s designed to last for years and dazzle you every holiday season. Plus, it comes with a bunch of cool lighting options to suit your mood.
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Jason R. Rich
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