There’s a new interior design trend circulating on TikTok, and you probably didn’t see it coming. Enter: the “unexpected red” theory.
Introduced by creator Taylor Simon (@intayriors) in a viral TikTok video, the unexpected-red theory is the idea of “adding anything that’s red, big or small, to a room where it doesn’t match at all, and it automatically looks better.” Whether it’s vibrant red pedestal sinks in a moody blue-green bathroom or a red suede headboard against a purple accent wall, Simon suggests that the color is a foolproof addition to any palette. She even makes the case for red as a neutral.
At first, that concept might seem surprising. Red doesn’t seem like the best color to refresh your bedroom with, and typically, neutrals skew more muted and subtle — light shades of white, cream, and gray, or dark variations of black, brown, and charcoal. In other words, they’re universal colors that pair with anything. But with that logic, the unexpected-red theory might be onto something. If red really looks good in every room, in any scenario, why shouldn’t we call it a neutral, too?
We asked a pro to weigh in. Ahead, New York City-based interior designer Emma Beryl helps break down the unexpected-red theory and shares additional decorating tips on how to incorporate red at home.
What Is the Unexpected-Red Theory?
The unexpected-red theory is the idea that an added pop of red — in a piece of furniture, like a sofa, or a smaller accent, like a table lamp — will make any space look better. But where these red accents really shine? In areas where they supposedly don’t belong or shouldn’t look good based on the color of the room or the items they’re near.
Beryl doesn’t necessarily think this makes red a neutral color, like the theory also nods to. Instead, she believes that the color is simply vibrant enough to stand out and capture your attention, no matter the context. “[Red] goes well with almost everything, but don’t be fooled,” she tells POPSUGAR. “It goes well, but it is striking and usually the star of the show when added as a surprise element like the unexpected-red theory suggests.”
If you’re still stumped on how or why the unexpected-red theory works, it’s important to consider tones and the color wheel. “I feel like there is no other color like red on the color wheel, so adding it to any space really draws your attention to that object,” Beryl says. “It is both warm and cool at the same time. It goes well with cooler colors like blues and greens, as well as warmer colors like oranges and yellows.” Although red may never officially be called a neutral, it has similar qualities that make it both versatile and unique.
How to Implement the Unexpected-Red Theory Into Your Own Space
There are no hard and fast rules for decorating your own space, but if you’d like some tips for trying the unexpected-red theory at home, Beryl has a few suggestions.
Start small. “Incorporating any color you aren’t 100 percent sure about is easiest done through decor since it is smaller. Adding a pop of red through a vase or a lamp shade can be an eye-catching moment,” she says. And if you want to go bigger? Try a larger piece of furniture, like a lounge chair or daybed. “The unexpected-red theory is pointing toward one item being red in the space, so choose something in your comfort zone.”
Consider your color palette. Although red can pair with anything, Beryl is especially fond of using it with all neutrals: “Red becomes the focal point and excites the eye even more,” she says. She also likes using it in streamlined color palettes. “I like seeing [red] in a room that is very tailored with a strong color palette of two or three colors, like a room with blue and green and patterns, or yellow and orange, so the pop of red really stands out.”
Try something other than red. Not into red? The theory can work similarly with other colors, like pink and green. “Pink being close to red makes sense since it pulls similar emotions, but green reminds people of nature, so adding a pop of green can calm the mind,” Beryl says.
If you find yourself falling in love with the little pop of red in your space, don’t be afraid to add the unexpected-red theory to other facets of your life too. For example, you can pair a neutral outfit with a pop of red lipstick or red heels with an otherwise all-black ‘fit. Chances are, you’ll quickly realize why red just may be the most superior color of them all.
Carrie Carrollo is a POPSUGAR contributor and was formerly the brand’s associate branded content beauty editor.
Picture this: you’re immersed in a world of pixels and virtual adventures, surrounded by the perfect blend of comfort and cutting-edge tech.
Creating the ultimate gaming space at home isn’t just about slapping a console on a coffee table; it’s about curating an experience, one that matches your passion and helps you level up your game, pun intended.
With the right setup and ambiance, you can transform any ordinary space into a gamer’s paradise. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, having your own gaming room — or even just a corner of the house dedicated to your hobby — can make your gaming sessions infinitely more fun.
If you’re looking to take your gaming experience to the next level, here are some easy home decorating tips for you to transform a corner of your home into the perfect gaming haven.
Choosing the right room for your gaming setup
When it comes to choosing the right spot for your gaming setup, there are a few factors to consider. First, assess the available space in your home. Write down all possible locations you have to work with, then evaluate them based on some crucial criteria.
Ideally, you want a room that is spacious enough to accommodate all your gaming equipment and accessories. It should also have good ventilation and lighting to create a comfortable gaming environment.
Next, consider the location of the room within your home.
If possible, choose a room or space that is away from high-traffic areas to minimize distractions. You don’t want people walking in and out of the room while you’re in the middle of an intense gaming session.
Additionally, consider the proximity to power outlets and internet connections to ensure easy setup and connectivity.
Lastly, think about the noise level in the room. Gaming can sometimes get loud (and even foul-mouthed), especially during intense moments or multiplayer sessions. If you live with others, you may want to choose a room that is away from bedrooms or common areas to avoid disturbing others.
And if you think your options are severely limited, take inspiration from other gamers who have found a way to fit their gaming setup into small spaces. Some have even turned their closets into dedicated gaming nooks.
Setting up your gaming PC or console
To create an epic gaming room, you’ll need the right equipment and accessories, of course. But those vary wildly from one person to the next.
Let’s start with the basics -– a high-quality gaming PC or console. Depending on your budget and preference, choose a system that can handle the latest games and provide smooth gameplay.
Next, consider your display setup. A large, high-resolution monitor or TV is essential for an immersive gaming experience.
Look for a display with a high refresh rate and low input lag for smooth and responsive gameplay. Consider mounting your display on a wall or using an adjustable monitor arm for optimal positioning.
Have some older computer screens collecting dust in the basement? Bring them up and use them to line your walls — they could be an excellent display for your Esports games that you can run in the background and cheer for your favorite team while playing your own game on a separate screen.
In addition to the essentials, there are a few accessories that can enhance your gaming experience. A gaming headset with surround sound capabilities allows you to fully immerse yourself in the game’s audio.
Gaming keyboards and mice with customizable RGB lighting not only add a touch of style to your setup but also provide additional functionality and customization options.
Comfort is key: You’ll need the right gaming chair
Can’t forget about the throne — the gaming chair.
Time to say goodbye to the stiff office chair; a proper gaming chair is an investment in your gaming endurance. Look for ergonomic designs that support your posture during extended sessions. Some even come with built-in speakers for that surround-sound feel.
The gamer in my household is a Secretlab fanatic, but there are countless gaming chair brands to choose from. From Corsair to Kaiser, NeueChair, or ThunderX3, and significantly more affordable dupes that you can get in big stores, there’s no shortage of options.
And while comfort is key when picking your gaming chair, you have to keep in mind that the chair’s design — and overall color scheme — will set the tone for your gaming space decor, so make sure to factor that in when making your purchase.
You might think the color scheme is just a small detail, but to achieve that cohesive look, paying attention to the colors used throughout is crucial. Especially since gaming chairs tend to have bright, colorful designs that may not work well with other decor elements — if you pick them before finding the right chair.
Mood lighting: Set the ambiance
The next step would be to transform your space from a boring corner into a playful battle scene with smart lighting.
You’ll want to have the option to dim the lights for a horror game, bathe the room in ethereal blue for a sci-fi adventure, or go full RGB disco mode — just because you can.
Smart lighting not only sets the mood but also minimizes eye strain during those marathon gaming sessions.
To take things one step further, consider installing some ambient LED strips or smart lighting systems to add a touch of ambiance to your gaming room. And it’d be silly not to.
LED light strips are the most affordable way to add a wow factor to your gaming room setup. You can always find them on sale, and even paying full price is a minor expense — with a big payoff.
With customizable colors and effects, you can create a lighting setup that matches the mood of your game and enhances the overall gaming experience.
Personalizing your gaming space with decor and themes
Make your gaming room truly yours by personalizing it with decor and themes that reflect your gaming style and preferences.
Consider creating a feature wall with gaming-themed wallpaper or artwork. Display your favorite gaming posters, figurines, or collector’s editions on shelves or wall-mounted display cases.
Incorporate your favorite gaming franchises or genres into the overall theme of your room. Whether it’s a futuristic sci-fi theme or a retro arcade-inspired design, let your creativity shine through. Add touches of color and personality with gaming-themed pillows, rugs, or curtains.
Are you into World of Warcraft? Throw in a metal Lich King poster on the wall or proudly display your Frostmourne Sword replica. More of a League of Legends fan? Or maybe Overwatch? Showcase your action figures prominently, this is the perfect space for them.
Incorporate other connected passions to personalize the space even more. Think race cars, LEGO collections, trophies, etc. Bring your other hobbies (photography, cinema, anime, you name it) into your fun space — I promise they’ll go nicely, even if they have nothing to do with gaming, and will only make the space more welcoming for you.
Many hardcore gamers take things a step further and even add old-school arcade games like Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, Pac-Man, or Street Fighter II. Others turn their gaming room into the real-life equivalent of a feature-laden online casino, with slot machines and a poker table. Whatever your other fun interests might be, they can find a place here.
Additionally, consider adding a gaming-inspired desk setup with RGB lighting, custom keycaps, or a gaming mousepad. These small details can make a big difference in creating a visually appealing and engaging gaming space.
Organizing cables and managing clutter
A cluttered and messy gaming room can hinder your gaming experience and make it difficult to maintain and upgrade your setup. Take the time to organize your cables and manage clutter effectively.
Start by using cable management solutions such as cable clips, cable sleeves, or cable trays to keep your cables neatly organized and out of sight. Label your cables or use color-coded cable ties to easily identify and manage them.
Invest in storage solutions such as shelves, cabinets, or storage boxes to keep your gaming accessories, controllers, and games organized. Use cable management solutions or Velcro straps to secure your controllers and prevent them from getting tangled.
Regularly clean and dust your gaming room to ensure optimal performance and longevity of your gaming equipment. A clean and well-maintained gaming room not only looks better but also provides a more enjoyable gaming experience.
Creating an epic gaming room at home is a surefire way to level up your gaming experience. By choosing the right room, investing in essential gaming equipment, optimizing lighting and sound, prioritizing ergonomics and comfort, personalizing your space, and managing clutter, you can transform any ordinary room into a gaming paradise.
Remember to consider your own preferences and gaming style when designing your gaming room. Let your creativity shine through and make it a space that reflects your passion for gaming. With the right setup and ambiance, your gaming room will become the envy of all your friends.
So, power up your space and embark on a gaming adventure like never before. Your epic gaming room awaits!
*Featured image credit: ELLA DON on Unsplash
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This dining room is full of eye candy, starting with the personal library that’s its centerpiece. Sarah Stacey of Sarah Stacey Interior Design says, “For this bookshelf, we made sure to balance the styling of them not only on each shelf, individually, but throughout the entire bookcase so that your eye moves around.” The result, she adds, “showcases a refined taste and love for a curated life.”
Manifestation practices—or rather, the routines and rituals you can use to turn your thoughts into reality—can luckily be done anywhere. But as someone who has a soft spot for interiors and is hyper-aware of her surroundings (I am a home and living writer after all!), I believe that your living space plays a crucial part in supporting your dreams. Whether you live in a tiny dorm room or your very own dream home, your environment can help keep you focused, calm, and positive—which is key to achieving your goals.
To learn more about the link between our homes and manifestation, I chatted with manifestation expert Haley Hoffman Smith, and her tips are sure to get your creative ideas flowing. If you’re ready to level up your living space, here’s how to make sure your home supports your ideal lifestyle and the best version of you.
1. Start with gratitude and appreciation.
“You can manifest anywhere at any time, and so much of it is about appreciating where you are,” Hoffman Smith said. Practicing gratitude for what you already have is a huge part of manifestation, and if you’re struggling with where to begin, start with the roof over your head. Even if you’re not living in your dream home (yet!), focus on the things you love about your current space and express your appreciation for them. Whether you simply look around your space and make mental notes or write your thoughts down in a journal, having gratitude for your current home will help you stay positive and uplifted.
Hoffman Smith, for instance, moved into her dream New York City apartment a few years ago, but before that, she was living in a modest home in Colorado. “I focused so much on what I appreciated in that home and the fact that I had a home and a front door and that it provided safety and comfort,” Hoffman Smith said. Focusing on the positive attributes of your surroundings will help you stay in a high vibrational state, or in a state of contentment and peace, which makes you a magnet for whatever it is that you desire. As Esther Hicks, another manifestation expert, famously says, “As you think, you vibrate. As you vibrate, you attract.”
2. Know what your vision is, and keep it in sight.
Vision boards are a go-to practice for manifestation. While you can easily use your vision board as a phone background or laptop wallpaper, strategically placing images and positive affirmations around your home is another sneaky way to keep your vision in front of you. Consider displaying reminders of your vision on your fridge, the bathroom mirror, or your coffee table. “What matters most is having them someplace where you’ll see them all the time,” Hoffman Smith said.
For example, Hoffman Smith decorated her coffee table with a book on the Amalfi Coast, one of her favorite travel destinations. “It’s nice to be able to flip it open to a page and have it be like a vision board on my coffee table,” she said. This is great advice if you have a dream destination you’d like to visit—in addition to a coffee table book, you could also frame pictures of places on your bucket list.
Other easy ways to keep your vision in sight include placing sticky notes with positive affirmations around your home or using everyday items that remind you of your dreams. Hoffman Smith also has a collection of coffee mugs that all reflect things that make her happy. If you’re trying to manifest something specific (like a new job or a dream vacation), find a mug that has a design or words that relate to that goal and can help you imagine that it’s already a reality.
3. Maximize the space you have by keeping it tidy.
A clean, clutter-free home can help you stay focused and at ease as you work toward your goals. Even if your current space is less than ideal, keeping it tidy will help make the most of the space so it can best support your dream lifestyle. If there’s a room in your home that feels off even after cleaning and organizing, however, Hoffman Smith recommends rearranging the furniture. “If you’re about to embark on a new chapter of your life, or if the energy is just stagnant, shifting around the placements of certain things can really help,” she said. Keep rearranging until your space feels right.
4. Fill your home with things you love.
Additionally, be sure your home includes items that reflect your desires and passions. Adding beauty, like flowers for your kitchen table or art that inspires you, can have a big effect on your mood and make you feel like you’re already living your best life. For Hoffman Smith, seasonal decor helps her add joy to her space. “Changing things up with the seasons can make it feel really cozy,” she said. Consider this your sign to light a candle or hang those twinkly lights if those things make you happy. At the end of the day, manifestation is about keeping your vibration high, so be sure to sprinkle items throughout your space that bring you joy, no matter how small.
5. Set up your home for your morning and nighttime routines.
“Manifesting really comes down to the routines we do, such as meditation, gratitude, and journaling,” Hoffman Smith said, “and having a space for each in your home can help it become a ritual that you get used to and can look forward to.” Whatever you want your morning and evening routines to look like, create a dedicated space that supports those activities. If you like to start each day by journaling while you sip your morning tea, place your journal and a pen near your tea kettle and mugs. If you want to meditate each night before bed, outfit your bedroom with soft lighting and a meditation pillow. Creating the space for the routine will make it that much easier to settle into the habit, Hoffman Smith said.
6. Prepare your space for your ideal lifestyle.
Even if you don’t feel like you’re living your dream life yet, you can prepare your space for those dreams to become a reality. Does your future self like to host dinner parties? Spruce up your dining area, tidy up your kitchen, and gather up a few recipes you’d like to prepare for friends or family. Does your future self have a consistent meditation practice? Create a cozy meditation corner with a floor cushion and a small table for candles or an essential oil diffuser. By creating space for your goals, you can prepare yourself for all of the abundance that is no doubt already on its way to you.
7 Easy Decorating Tips to Instantly Boost Your Mental Health
There’s something about opening a new calendar that makes us want to feel our best. So this January, POPSUGAR is giving you everything you need to hit the reset button on your health, your habits, your beauty routine, and more. To find more articles about resetting your home, click here.
The past few years have been full of lessons. For a homebody and serial (re)decorator like me, here’s a big one: never underestimate the value of creating a home you like spending time in. (In some cases, a lot of time.)
Actually doing that is easier said than done, and there’s far from a one-size-fits-all approach. Some things — certain features of your space, or maybe your current circumstances — might make it tough to take on major changes or pricey reno projects. But one place we can all start? Finding (or creating) a home decor style that resonates, and then taking the steps, big or small, to bring it to life.
I’ve lived at 11 addresses in my life (a good chunk of those thanks to the New York City rental market), and made some questionable decor choices along the way. But my ninth home, a 350-square-foot studio apartment and my first solo adult space, was a significant turning point in understanding the power of making an empty box my own. Importantly, it allowed me to discover my eclectic and colorful decor style in the process.
Now, a few years and two places later, I’ve created a home that feels more personal — more like me and the partner I share it with — than ever. It’s an evolution of the style I established in that tiny studio that’s grown with me and that I know will only continue to.
So if you’re feeling inspired to rethink your space in the new year, or just looking for some advice to refer back to later, maybe I can help. Here are some decor tips to make your home feel more like you, so you can enjoy it to its fullest.
1. Get familiar with what you like.
We do it with food, fashion, and even dating. So why does it seem so much harder to nail down an interior style (or styles) that we like? I have a hunch. Furniture and decor isn’t the same as fashion; it’s bigger, more expensive, and takes up more space. Aside from accruing blankets and tchotchkes, it’s much easier to own multiple coats or change a lipstick than it is to swap out your sofa or have another set of dining chairs in rotation. The pieces in your home are designed to be lived with every single day, and you want to like what you’re sharing space with. In this case, decision paralysis can be very real.
So, where to begin? You’ve got options. For some, an interior-design-style quiz can point you in the right direction (especially a thoughtful one from a designer, like this). For others, scrolling through Pinterest and Instagram are the best ways to find variety at your fingertips (and save what you like). Don’t overthink it; you’ll know what you’re naturally gravitating to.
I take a hybrid approach: saving and pinning while also snapping photos of things (hotel lobbies, wall and furniture color combinations in restaurants) I see in real life. I also browse online stores like AllModern, vintage furniture resale sites like Chairish, and even Facebook Marketplace.
When browsing, don’t ignore the small stuff — even if you don’t love the big picture. For example, you may not like the way a whole room looks, but you might love a particular side table. Or you might spot a pairing of textures you love in a lamp but find a way to use that combo in a mirror. I recently saw an aged, almost-black brown wood stool on Pinterest that inspired me to buy a similarly colored bar cabinet on Facebook Marketplace. It’s now one of my favorite pieces.
2. Find a style sweet spot.
You may want your home to look like a magazine, or even the set of a Nancy Meyers film. But a few things you might be less keen on? Creating a carbon copy of someone else’s home or a time capsule of a hyper-specific decor style — early 2000s Olive Garden-style kitchens or Y2K bedrooms. (We can bring back blow-up chairs and lava lamps, though.)
While this can be hard to avoid as trends cycle in and out of style, mixing and matching can be a smart way to maintain a transitional look. Whether it’s pairing vintage with modern, incorporating family heirlooms into the mix, or laying trending patterns and textures (think: checkerboard or bouclé) over more subtle fabrics, this can help your space feel balanced and versatile.
Wherever you ultimately land may help define your decor style tastes even further. And that spot might sit somewhere between a few distinct decor styles, or many — coastal and Scandinavian, preppy meets French country, industrial with hints of art deco and glam. There’s no pressure to fit neatly into a box.
Let my space be an example: my living room is home to a mix of Chinese and Japanese accents, a Moroccan rug, a postmodern coffee table, a modern CB2 credenza with clean lines, a ’70s lamp, and curtains I found at Ikea. It’s eclectic and varied, exactly the way I like it.
3. Embrace the evolution.
All good things must come to an end, or at least change and grow. You’ll know when it’s time to let your space — or your tastes — evolve.
Maybe you’re moving into a bigger space and need the furniture to match, or maybe you’re entering a new phase of life and ready to replace an old table with a sturdier investment piece. In cases like mine, you might be transitioning from living alone to with a dog, a roommate, and eventually a partner. Or you might just generally be ready for something new.
Whatever the reason, trust your instincts about what stays and what goes, and take your time. You might want to keep sentimental artwork, statement furniture, and your sofa. But it might be time to change a rug, a table lamp, or your bedding.
And if you like what you’ve already created but just want to iterate on it, find replacement pieces with familiar qualities like colors, silhouettes, or patterns. Black-and-white patterns have become a staple of my spaces, as have bold uses of green in different shades. I interpret them a little differently each time — on a rug and then a headboard, or on towels and then a lamp — but now, they’re a signature. Wherever they are feels like home.
With the
holiday season officially underway, West Virginia University Extension experts are offering simple, low-cost decorating tips to help you save
money while creating meaningful experiences with friends and family.
Alex Mathias, assistant
professor and Extension 4-H agent in Grant County, and Luci Mosesso, Extension
4-H agent in Pocahontas County, enjoy taking advantage of opportunities to use
simple items and the beauty of nature to create unique home decor and gifts. Both
say the holidays offer the perfect opportunity to experiment with “found”
objects and natural items to make a fun, festive home for all to enjoy.
Quotes:
“Dried oranges are not
only economical but also back in style when decorating. They are a simple way
to make garland, decorate gift boxes or add pizzazz to your tree as ornaments,
and you can even use them for stovetop potpourri or ciders. Make sure to dry
them fully and properly to ensure they won’t mold. It’s a great way to create
coziness and save money. Additionally, with supervision during the slicing
process, it is a great way to involve kids, too.
“Make your home smell
like the holidays with a stovetop simmer pot. There are many ways to do a
simmer pot, including using fresh or dried fruits as well as mixing and
matching your spices. For a simmer pot to be prepared that day you can add several
orange slices, a stick of cinnamon, one-half cup of cranberries and a sprig of
pine. Dried oranges can be substituted for fresh and usually last longer. Dried
apples, cloves, star anise and more can be added too. Add enough water to cover
all items in a small pot and turn on low on a stovetop. It will take 20 minutes
or so to start to smell the simmer pot. You can leave it on the lowest setting
all day, if you are home to check on it. Refill water as needed and enjoy.
“Salt dough ornaments
are an age-old tradition that are super affordable and fun. Salt dough can be
stamped, painted, molded and more. Let your artistic side show without breaking
the bank. When properly dried, salt dough ornaments can last decades.
“If you want a true throwback and inexpensive way to make all the garland you
need, make a popcorn garland. All you need is embroidery floss or even waxed
dental floss, a needle, scissors and unbuttered popcorn along with and shellac to
make it last longer. Make sure you pop plain popcorn to avoid flavor or salt
residues. To make it more festive and colorful, add cranberries. Take time to string
your popcorn garlands. Garland can be used on trees, mantels and around windows
inside the home. While these usually only last the season, you can make it a
tradition of stringing popcorn garland each year.” — Alex Mathias, WVU
Extension assistant professor and 4-H agent, Grant County
“Fresh greens are the perfect, budget-friendly accent to make a cozy home
around the holidays. Many of our everyday decorations can become holiday or
winter decor simply by adding holly, boxwood or pine. Add in natural or painted
dried flowers and seed pods for accent pieces. As the days get shorter, we tend
to spend more sedentary time indoors, so foraging for greenery is a great way
to get back outside for a little sunshine and exercise when we need it the most.
When it’s time to clean up, the greens can be composted, used for fires or
taken back to the woods to decompose.
“Pine boughs are a staple foraged decoration in our house. When trimming your
tree, save the bottom branches for the foundation of the boughs. I like to
start with pine and add boxwood for texture followed by juniper or holly for a
little color. Green zip ties blend in perfectly and are an easy way to hold it
all together. Pick out your favorite ribbon to finish them off. I put boughs
under the windows and even on the mailbox post. If you have any old sleds or
ice skates, they make the perfect winter complement to fresh pine boughs.
“Bringing greens indoors is a great way to fight off the dark days of winter. I
like to use ground pine, holly, eucalyptus and rosemary for indoor decorations.
The rosemary and eucalyptus smell fresh and dry nicely for extended periods of
time. The ground pine provides volume and the delicate holly berries are a
perfect pop of color. Use these greens to spruce up grapevine wreaths, advent
wreaths or create a mantel display with candles or lights, but be sure to watch
candles or choose the battery-operated ones.
“Pine cones are another
fun, budget-friendly winter decoration. Fill up antique baskets with cones, a
few springs of greenery, battery-operated fairy lights and a ribbon for a quick,
cozy indoor or outdoor display.
“If you have a fireplace that no longer works or is not being used, the
holidays are the perfect time to show it off. White birch logs, pillar candles or
lights are a perfect way to make it cozy without the actual fire. Add some
greenery to the mantel for the finishing touch.
“Solar lights are
affordable, long-lasting and conveniently turn themselves on and off each day.
Solar lights come in all shapes, sizes and colors, and the best part is they
don’t add to the power bill.” — Luci Mosesso, WVU Extension 4-H agent,
Pocahontas County
West
Virginia University experts can provide commentary, insights and opinions on
various news topics. Search for an expert by name, title, area of expertise, or
college/school/department in the Experts Database at WVUToday.
-WVU-
tec/11/28/23
MEDIA CONTACT: Tara Curtis Director of Communications and Marketing WVU Extension 304-293-7996; [email protected]
Call 1-855-WVU-NEWS for the latest West Virginia University news and
information from WVUToday.
Decorating is one of the more exciting aspects of moving into a new apartment home. Before you begin unpacking, you’ve mentally already placed your various pieces of wall art or are thinking about what you’d like to buy.
Better Homes & Gardens suggests you tackle empty wall space by, “infusing it with warmth and personality,” using creative artwork, mixed media and vintage pieces that bring out who you are.
Of course, hanging pictures on drywall is tricky. You’ll need to know if you’re hanging pictures on drywall or studs, for starters, and you’ll need the right equipment — such as drywall nails and drywall anchors.
Check out these apartment decorating tips for creating a space you love while working with the materials you have.
Hanging pictures on drywall or studs
The most secure way to hang a coat hook, wine rack, picture or any piece of wall art is to attach a screw to a stud.
What is a stud?
Not exactly sure what a wall stud is? Let us clarify — its beams of wood beneath the drywall that act as the wall’s frame. In most homes or mixed-use buildings, studs find themselves typically spaced 16 inches apart. They can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally. Although most home builders follow these guidelines, it isn’t a guarantee — so your first step in finding a place to hang pictures on drywall is to find the studs.
How to find a stud
The easiest way to find a stud in your wall is to look for electrical outlets and light switches. Standard electrical outlets and light switches typically attach to studs.
All you have to do is remove the cover plate of the electrical outlet or light switch and confirm there’s a vertical wooden support beam — stud — behind it. Once you’ve found one stud, begin measuring outward, marking off every 16 or 24 inches based on the spacing between studs in your home.
You can also buy a stud finder. They let you find studs under the drywall without having to measure. Residential stud finders are fairly inexpensive, with prices ranging between $10 and $50. Don’t go buy yourself an industrial deep-scanning stud finder, though — you won’t need all the bells and whistles and a residential stud finder will do fine. The studs in your drywall are shallow enough for detection via a stud finder sensor.
When you don’t have any other options, you can sometimes tell where a stud is by knocking on the drywall. A dense, muffled knock means there’s a stud behind the section of drywall you’re knocking on, whereas a more hollow sound probably means that there’s no stud behind the drywall.
Hanging pictures on drywall with a stud
Once you find the stud, it’s time to break out the tools and start hanging. Make sure you’ve reviewed your lease first and you have the green light to put holes in your walls. Drilling into a stud will create an obvious hole you will need to fill before you move out.
Drilling into a stud
Use the drill bit to slowly drill into the drywall and then the stud — creating a hole in the location you marked. Always look out for plumbing and electrical cords when drilling into a stud.
Apply gentle pressure while you’re drilling to know when you’ve hit the stud. Trust us, you’ll feel it.
Keep your drill at low speed, and make sure to choose the right bit for the job. A large bit isn’t necessary when drilling into a stud.
Insert the drill and pull it out slowly once you’ve drilled your hole into the stud.
Hanging your picture
If your electric drill has a screwdriver bit, swap it in. Otherwise, a manual screwdriver will work. Place your screw into the small hole you created, and use the screwdriver to screw it in. Then, you can hang your picture.
When you don’t have a stud
Because drywall isn’t very sturdy, be careful about hanging pictures and art from a spot that doesn’t have a stud. If you’re able to make holes in your walls, here are some options to consider for hanging pictures on drywall without a stud.
1. Drywall anchors
Drywall anchors look like hollow plastic screws. They’re a great ally when working with drywall since they’re designed to lodge directly into it. It’s like a one-way valve. The anchor slides into the wall, then the hook deploys and you can’t pull it back out. The design of drywall anchors ensures that your art remains on your wall. This is especially important if you’re hanging a heavy framed print or painting.
2. Expanding plastic sleeves
These drywall anchors have a design complete with wings that spread out to help keep it — and what you hang from it — in place. It should fit snugly into the hole you drill, to the point that you might need to tap it with a hammer to get it all the way into the drywall. Intended for hanging lightweight and medium-weight items, expanding plastic sleeves work best for securing heavy picture frames, bulletin boards, lightweight framed mirrors, lightweight shelving and wall-mounted mirrors to the drywall.
When shopping for expanding plastic sleeves, check the packaging since only ones intended for drywall will let you put a screw into them. If you don’t know the composition of your walls, ask your leasing office or landlord. Definitely check because you may not even have drywall and other expanding plastic sleeves for different materials exist.
3. Drywall nails
Drywall hangers and nails work in two different ways. The nails drive into drywall and plaster walls at an angle, which allows them to use the wall surface as leverage and support. These are perfect for hanging items up to about 20 pounds. If you have a picture that is heavier than that, use a flat-mounted hook and anchor.
Drywall hangers and nails come in a variety of sizes, sold separately and in kits. Grabbing a simple picture hanging kit from your local hardware store is always a good idea too. You’ll then have all sizes of drywall nails and hooks you may need on hand.
4. Tap-in expanding anchors
For hanging loads less than 10 pounds, use a handy little tap-in expanding anchor. Tap the pointed end and flat shank into the drywall until it’s flush. Once your shank is flush with the wall, expand the anchor by driving a #6 screw into the hole.
5. Toggle bolts
Toggle bolts work for super heavy loads, like a coat rack. They’re a little more difficult to install, as they require a larger hole, proper insertion into the drywall and careful screwing to expand the toggle and bring it flush to the inside of your drywall.
To use toggle bolts, drill a hole large enough for both the screw and toggle to fit into your drywall. Fit the item you wish to anchor over the bolt, insert the toggle and tighten. This will anchor the toggle to the inside of your drywall, creating a very sturdy place to hang heavy loads.
6. Anchor wire/monkey hooks
Anchor wire, a.k.a. “monkey hooks,” are curved pieces of metal that look similar to the hook on a dry-cleaning hanger. The big difference is that they’re very sharp and pointed at one end. On the other, anchor wires have a divot and this is where your picture goes. These are great for mirrors or artwork hung with a wire that runs across the back of the framed item.
To use an anchor wire, press the sharp end into the wall at a downward angle, rotate the anchor wire 180 degrees and gently pull it back out until it doesn’t move. Once situated, you’re ready to hang your object.
7. Adhesive strip or hooks
Hanging pictures without nails is possible too — you don’t always need to make holes in your walls. If you’re not allowed to use drywall nails and don’t have the equipment you need to make a lot of holes in the wall, you can still hang your wall decor using adhesive strips or hooks.
These products stick to the wall without damaging the paint (as long as you follow the instructions properly). Adhesive strips also stick to the art for even more security. Products come in different sizes and use different glue strengths. Make sure to check the packaging before purchasing to ensure a sturdy hang.
Get the right décor up no matter what
The types of walls you have and the rules within your lease for hanging pictures on drywall need not limit what you can do. With the right tools and accessories, you can fill your walls with items that reflect your personality and passions — creating a space that’s truly yours.
Lesly Gregory has over 15 years of marketing experience, ranging from community management to blogging to creating marketing collateral for a variety of industries. A graduate of Boston University, Lesly holds a B.S. in Journalism. She currently lives in Atlanta with her husband, two young children, three cats and assorted fish.
DuBois native Emily Kelley’s passion for “making a house a home” has been recognized by a national publication. A spread on her kitchen and dining room is featured in the September 2023 issue of Country Sampler magazine.
Kelley, who currently resides in Pittsburgh, graduated from DuBois Area High School in 2000 before leaving the area to finish college. She moved to Pittsburgh in 2009 after her husband, Ryan Kelley, finished his tours in the U.S. military.
After working mainly for nonprofit organizations doing social work, Kelley transitioned to being a stay-at-home mom in 2014, where she currently homeschools her children.
Country Sampler, “a resource for any country decorator,” features country-lifestyle articles, as well as a catalog of decorating products that “provide all the tips and tools you need to make your house a country home,” according to its website. The publication takes viewers inside the homes of country enthusiasts, featuring “room by room home tours,” home decorating tips and authentic and unique styling ideas.
Kelley has always loved to decorate their rental homes over the years, she said.
“When my husband and I bought our home in 2012, I could really make things ours,” she said.
Around four years ago, Kelley says she restyled their home, transitioning from a more “boho-style” to “farmhouse, leaning towards a vintage/antique” theme.
She began posting photos of her home decor work on Instagram, and was contacted by photographers with Country Sampler magazine in September 2022.
In October of last year, Country Sampler did a photo shoot at the Kelleys’ home of her fall decor. The photos feature a rustic, farmhouse-style atmosphere, with various items in autumn colors and accents.
For Kelley, decorating their home has been somewhat of a blank canvas she could make all her own.
“I absolutely love making our home a cozy space,” she said.
She also enjoys the thrill of “junk hunting,” and finding pieces to repurpose, then “styling different spots for different seasons.”
“I’ve always loved art and being creative. Our home has just turned into my canvas to create with.”
The issue featuring the Kelleys’ kitchen and dining room hit the newsstands July 25. Seeing her work in a national publication, she said, feels like a dream.
“I obviously love looking through decor-related magazines,” she said. “Never in a million years would I have expected to see our home featured. It’s an honor to have had them recognize my style and share (it) nationally.”
Visit www.countrysampler.com for more on Country Sampler.
As parents, we all want the best for our children — from the best nutrition to keep them strong, healthy, and sharp, to catering to their safety and giving them all the things that keep them happy and peaceful. We want them to sleep as tight and peaceful as they can and wake up brimming with energy for the day.
So the question is, how do you make your kid’s bedroom as peaceful and safe as it can be?
There are plenty of ways to do so, but one of the best among them is to soundproof their room. It’s basically keeping internal and external noise from distracting our kids while they sleep, play, read, or do whatever they please in their territory.
The best thing about this is that soundproofing is easy to do. And cheap! If you’re looking to improve your kid’s bedroom’s soundproofing, here are 6 easy ways to do so.
#1 Install soundproof art panels on the walls
You can turn to soundproof art panels for help, both for soundproofing and for interior design needs.
These stylish panels are made with sound absorbing and soundproofing materials to control noise from entering and leaving your kid’s bedroom. They also come in different colors and styles, so you’ll have plenty of options for panels that match the interior of your child’s bedroom.
Fortunately, there are soundproof art panels readily available on Amazon. But if you’re picky about the style of the art panel you’re installing, you can opt for custom-made panels instead.
They’re as easy to install, maintain, and remove as acoustic foam panels, so you won’t run into any problems when placing these soundproofing aids in the bedroom.
#2 Get a white noise machine
If you’re looking for the easiest and instant way to block noise completely from your kid’s bedroom, a white noise machine is the solution you’re looking for.
A white noise machine drowns the distracting noises for your kids by producing sounds that make them subconsciously ignore all other distracting sounds and noises. As a result, white noise can help your child get a peaceful good night sleep you’re looking for.
However, you must use a white noise machine with caution. Use it only when the situation calls for it, say when a sudden loud commotion erupted outside during your kid’s sleeping time.
When you use them to comfort your kids during their sleep, they’ll develop the habit of relying to white noise to drift to sleep. Not to mention that other children don’t respond well to white noise. Some may actually prefer a little noise playing in the background as assurance that they’re not alone at home.
You can check out this guide to learn when to stop white noise for babies.
#3 Double-glaze the windows
Double glazing your windows means placing one more windowpane, separated by a vacuum or gas-filled space.
Not only does this add some soundproofing for the bedroom, but it also improves the overall insulation of the room. The extra glass layer traps heat from coming in and out, saving you from relying too much on the air conditioner during the summer or the heater in the winter. Soundproofing and savings off the electricity bill, all in one go.
The only downside to this is the remodeling needed to install the new layer of glass window panes. You’ll also need to spend a little more on the installation.
You can also hang soundproof curtains to adore your new double glazed windows. These curtains are made with tightly-woven fabric to help keep noise out.
#4 Lay more rugs or carpets on the floor
Children are just full of energy. They love to run, jump, and play around in their bedroom whenever they feel like it, and that’s a good thing.
Well, except when their bedrooms’ on the second floor and you can’t concentrate on what you’re doing with all the thumping on the ceiling. Or when it’s the middle of the night and you suddenly hear lively footsteps and thumping in their bedroom.
In that case, you need more rugs or carpets in your child’s bedroom. These can help deaden the noise produced by the thumping, especially if their bedroom is made of hardwood or vinyl. The thicker the rug is, the more noise it can absorb, so feel free to layer those rugs on the floor.
Rugs and carpets can also add more security to your kid’s health while they’re playing in their room. When they accidentally stumble, fall, or trip, the thick rugs or carpets can serve as a cushion for their bodies, lessening the impact of the fall.
#5 Soundproof your doors
Noise from other rooms can still sneak through your door, even when it’s tightly shut. Those small gaps are more than enough for noise to penetrate, so you need to fill them up too. You can do this through weatherstripping.
The most common type of weatherstrip used for soundproofing doors is adhesive-backed foam type. They’re easy to install – you just measure how long you need, remove the adhesive, and stick it around your door frame where the gaps are located.
If you’ve got the budget to spare, and you’re already planning to do some remodeling, you can replace your hollow-core door with solid ones, preferably those made with 27.5-inches-thick wood.
You can also paint your new door with a plywood coat or soundproofing paint to make the bedroom door perfectly fit for soundproofing.
#6 Place more soft furniture in the bedroom
We don’t want our kids to play in their bedroom only to get hurt by bumping into corners of the furniture. But the lack of furniture in their room allows noise to keep roaming around since there are no surfaces to deflect them around.
To fill the white space in your room, provide more surfaces for noise to deflect around, and prevent your kids from getting injuries, soft furniture items are your best friends.
Fluffy, overstuffed sofas, bean bags, and other soft furniture also help balance the ratio of hard and soft surfaces in their bedroom.
More tips for homeowners
These are ‘Queer Eye’ Bobby Berk’s Top 6 Choices for Wall Décor 10 Beautiful Tiffany-Style Floor Lamps to Light Up Your HomeBe the Envy of Your Friends this Holiday Season with These Top Christmas Decorating Tips 10 Unique Picture Frames for the Perfect Photo Wall