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Wednesday, April 10th, 2019
Hooker Furniture Home Office Office Wall System
Did you know that there is now as much as 1 in 4 Americans who value the benefits of setting up a home office? This is especially useful when they own a small business or when they work as remote employees. Of course, this is an activity that comes with many challenges.
A checklist could help you jump-start your home office set up.
First, a Business Line
Keep in mind that working from your own home means the boundaries between your family life and work could get blurry. You have to set up some degree of separation. You can do this by having a separate business line. All the business calls should go there – no personal calls please.
Implement Office Hours
As important as setting apart a space for your home office, you also need to allot the hours when you’ll be working in that space. This should be the hours that have been personalized to suit your work requirements and interests.
You could be a work-at-home mom who looks after her small kids and who does all her work online. In such a situation, you could just set up a corner desk where there’s a Do Not Enter sign that you could hang when you’re busy and not to be disturbed.
Create Boundaries
Yet again. But this time, you have to learn to separate the business and personal finances. The savings accounts for these should be kept separate. This will save you lots of tax money and time.
Another issue that you could run into when you’re in a home office setup is giving in to interruptions so you have to make it clear to everyone that when you’re working in your office, that you’re not to be disturbed unless it’s already an emergency.
Another way to make boundaries is to set a schedule. Do not get sidetracked by anything. Tell yourself that you’ll stick to this schedule no matter what.
Ascertain the Insurance Coverage
Never assume that the renters or homeowners policy already covers your home office. Take a look at your current policy to see if you have liability coverage especially for accidents. Make sure that your delivery people, even your business visitors, should be covered.
Stand for Better Health
It’s comfy to sit once in a while but it’s also good to get up – once in a while – to regain focus. You also ease up the tension on your neck and back as you do this.
So go ahead, sit then stand and then sit and stand again alternately during your work hours. Keep doing this and you’ll see that you’ll become more productive.
Also a Comfy Chair and Desk
For those alternate hours when you would need to be seated, you have to make sure that you have a comfy chair to sit in. this should have adjustable arms and seat. Preferably, it comes with casters a swivel tilt, and lumbar support.
The ideal desk is one that is ergonomically designed. You wouldn’t want to work in just about any flat surface so it is best to shop for the right desk from the outset.
Of course, the Computer
All businesses need this nowadays. Pick a computer that you researched online. This has to have the features that you need for your small business or for your employment.
Find a laptop, too, so that you could be have a mobile office.
High-Speed Internet
Dial-up connections are long gone. Every office now has to have its broadband connection so that you could work efficiently.
Ample Lighting
Just like shopping for a good chair or an ergonomic desk, you also need to make sure that the lighting is correct. You would like a lighting fixture that won’t leave you squinting or one that won’t allow you to read.
Desk lamps look great in a workplace. They improve the office aesthetics plus they also provide the lighting that you need on your desk. Use LED light on your lamps so that they give off more illumination while costing less on your bills.
Tags: home office design, home office essentials, home office furnishings, home office furniture, home office setup, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Home Office Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Home Office Setup: A Quick Guide
Tuesday, April 9th, 2019
Hooker Furniture Living Room Zen Power Recliner
What is the so-called spirit of Zen? To its practitioners, this is the spirit with which they live in peace everyday or the very spirit of Buddha. There must be harmony and an interconnection of nature with one’s life. This intuitive wisdom is the very spirit that embodies Zen.
Zen may be just a Buddhism sect but it also centers on a meditative life, hence, it can be the antidote to the stresses that modern living brings about.
So, if you’re a believer of Zen, you should live simply and naturally. You must also have the drive of mindfulness, and you must strive to be loving and compassionate.
Of all the interior design applications of Zen, it was in 2014 that some life-altering means have been brought to light. Thanks to Marie Kondo, the world now looks at decluttering not only one’s home but, more so, one’s life.
Monk Shunmyo Masuno taught about achieving happiness and tranquility by making barely noticeable shifts in one’s perspectives and habits. He advises that man should make time for quietness. Even 10 minutes, according to him, would do.
Next, the rooms in one’s home must also be arranged in a simple fashion. Again, Zen living is all about simplicity and determining the things that are not necessary. It’s all about being frugal and being contented.
Planting and tending to a small garden can also make your life more attuned with nature. Sit zazen (meditative sitting) then empty your mind of all thoughts. It could get difficult to find the right spot for meditation, hence, the garden.
Another part of Zen living is learning to switch off the things that could disturb you when you need to be alone and quiet. Don’t just erect gates for your mind, set up boundaries, like literal boundaries in your home, too. There should be a place for quiet and a place for activities.
Interior Design Applications
Apart from not letting things go to waste, another application for Zen living is to set up your home in such a way that it fosters serenity. There are simple rules to follow if you want to relieve stress even with your interior design.
Before you do anything, though, take a moment to imagine a home office where the desk isn’t cluttered or where your computer files are all organized. Imagine also the walls decorated with nothing but a huge waterfalls photograph.
Zen interior design is also not about aesthetics only. Even the smells in your home can evoke feelings of peace and balance. You can choose from a variety of scents that can calm the senses. Examples are Ylang Ylang and lavender. These scents can be used indoors and even outdoors when you’re feeling up for outdoor dining.
Use candles, fresh flowers or oil burners to bring these scents to your home.
Zen also means hearing the right sounds. Sound options that could calm the senses include –
You could also come up with your music playlist and then use that as your timer. Immerse in an even more peaceful state as you play peaceful music for half an hour or more. Don’t make the mistake of using an MP3 player or an iPod because this could distract your mind from being Zen.
Tea is also another element that you should have in a Zen home. There are different kinds of tea that have healing and calming properties. Take the time to see which ones would appeal to your taste.
Do you see an apothecary near your home? Then ask them to concoct a special brew just for you.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Zen, Zen design, Zen home, Zen interior design, Zen interiors, Zen living, Zen style
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Zen Living and Interior Design
Monday, April 8th, 2019
Fine Furniture Design Art Deco Collection.
There are many factors that affect the odds of a person winning the lottery but, statistically, a person’s chances of hitting the jackpot (picking the right six numbers from a pool of 49 choices) is at 1 in 13,983,816 or, approximately, 1 in 14 million.
That’s an awful lot of numbers with just one shot at winning but, hey, what if you really do become a winner, have you ever thought of how you’ll spend your money? Most people think of building their own house but what style do you have in mind?
Traditional Style
This is the interior design for people who want the classic details in their home. These are the dark, finished woods, different textures, exciting color palettes, and curvy lines. The ornate details include velvet, brocade and silk.
An exciting way to dress up your home with traditional style is to add depth, use layers, and to add a sense of dimensionality to whole ensemble. Both rustic and French country styles could fall under this style with the first being focused on stone and wood features while the other uses warmer tones of red, yellow and gold.
Modern Style
Modern is not an exact term actually but it often refers to a house that has clean lines and a basic color palette. Materials that are commonly used in such a home are metal, steel, and glass.
The furnishings in this home are also simple yet sleek. Don’t try looking for clutter here because you won’t find any (well, at least that’s the general notion).
Contemporary Style
A lot of people interchange modern and contemporary styles. But if you look more closely, you will find a lot of differences.
Contemporary interior design, in a nutshell, is a style that’s based on what’s hot right now. Modern design, on the other hand, strictly implements interpretations of the styles beginning from the 20th century.
Contemporary design is also more fluid, thus, you can be more creative on this realm. It could include curvy lines in one home whereas the next home could be more simplistic.
Scandinavian Style
This is the interior design that pays homage to the simplistic approach to life that the Nordic peoples do. The furniture pieces here are simple but all works of art. There is function for each piece, although, they remain aesthetically interesting.
A lovely offshoot of this style is the shabby chic style where white and neutral elements are also given emphasis.
Minimalist Style
This concept is getting more and more popular each year. It has elements of modern interior design with its color palettes being airy and neutral. The furnishings are also streamlined with nothing being excessive or flamboyant.
Minimalism can be defined in two words – clean lines.
Mid-Century Modern Style
If you’d like a throwback sort of look, sometime in the mid-1900s specifically the 50s till the 60s, then you could go nostalgic. Add a fuss-free look with pared down forms, egg-shaped chairs, and organic shapes.
This is a style that can easily complement any house structure.
Industrial Style
As this style’s name implies, it is a design that’s inspired by warehouses and urban lofts. You will see a lot of unfinished elements. There’s a kind of rawness that gives emphasis to wood, bricks, even the ductwork. Think of metal fixture pendants, high ceilings and old timber and you’re right at home with the industrial style.
If you’re feeling up for burst of color somewhere, then you could use abstract art or flamboyant photography to complete the look.
Transitional Style
This is getting to be more popular each year, too, because it can work for any house. This suits the homeowners who are still unsure about the eventual interior design that they would use for their place.
Transitional design could use modern elements like glass or steel while still using plush furnishings. This style also makes use of neutral colors to create a relaxed space that’s inviting and warm.
There are other styles that can make you happy when you finally win the lottery. There’s Bohemian, eccentric, Hollywood glam, Art Deco, Victorian, and many more.
Just be sure to choose whichever style speaks to you.
Tags: industrial interiors, industrial style, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Mid-century modern, Mid-century modern design, minimalism, minimalist interiors, minimalist style, modern interior design, modern interiors, modern style, traditional interior design, traditional style, transitional, transitional design, transitional interiors, transitional style
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on What House Will You Build If You Bag the Lottery?
Friday, April 5th, 2019
The American Cherry Suffolk Lowboy: The traditional way of displaying photographs is in beautiful frames that match the furniture in your home.
Since the time when phone and digital photography became accessible to everyone, there were no longer a lot of people who print photographs. This is a sad thing because looking at digital copies is not the same flicking through those pieces of pictures and reliving the memories.
Did you know that you could actually display photos of you and your family, even your most fun travels and have them become a decorative part of your home in the process?
Here are ways that you can immortalize those lovely moments right in your home –
Tucked in Your Mirror Frame
Okay, here’s a pro tip – please do not flood the mirror frames with narcissistic selfies. Cast those aside for a moment and post, not on Instagram or Facebook but in a mirror frame, the photographs that actually mean a lot to you.
That simple mirror corner is a casual part of the mirror but it can also hold memories that you have long forgotten. Were you lucky enough to go to Paris? Then have those photos printed and display them by tucking them in your favorite living room mirror.
If the mirror does not have the usual lip, then you could use a blue poster tack which can help the photos stay put. These can be easily removed come the time that you want to display other photos.
Onto a Magnetic Surface
Another wonderful way to create a photo display is on a magnetic surface. You can add a lot of photos in just a matter of minutes. The refrigerator method may have been overdone quite a bit by now so it’s time to find a different magnet board, perhaps, a magnetic wall or a railing on the stairs going up to the bedrooms.
In a Wicker Basket
What else could a wicker basket be used for apart from putting toiletries or important documents? Nope, not your towel display but a bunch of photos!
Imagine having a bunch of photos placed inside a beautiful bowl or a tray. And imagine if you have more and they’re now displayed in a wicker basket.
Your friends and relatives will surely have a great time reminiscing the happenings in those photographs once they get their hands on them. You won’t even have to worry about starting conversations because those photos are surely going to keep hours of conversations going.
Taped on Walls
Picture frames are the traditional ways to display your photos in your home, whether that’s in the living room, bedroom, the dining area, or even in the busiest room such as the kitchen.
Old photographs can be grouped according to year or events or places. The categories depend on you. As soon as you’re able to pick a few that you surely enjoy, you can tape those to a wall and create a collage that is now the focal wall of that room.
What could be more artsy than that?
In Mason Jars
Why not?
One photo can be placed in an upright position inside a mason jar. What could be simpler than this? You won’t have to worry about hanging them at the right height anymore. All you have to do is to figure out how which tabletop to put the jars onto so that they create the most amazing effect.
Under the Coffee Table Glass
Imagine displaying pictures of your favorite family vacations right where the guests could get a good view of them each time. And here’s an even more amazing thing – you won’t have to worry about them destroying the photo.
You can even layer the photos so that you create a chronicle of your most recent trips with your family.
Tags: displaying photographs, displaying photos, framing photos, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, photo frames
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Bedroom Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Living Room Design | Comments Off on 6 Impressive Ways to Display Photos
Thursday, April 4th, 2019
Hooker Furniture Home Office Fleur de Glee Writing Desk
A lot of homeowners and interior designers use floral patterns in homes for the simple reason that they are lovely. While they could immediately beautify any space in your home, they could be a bit difficult to implement.
Using floral patterns in an appropriate way is the first step towards creating a unique home. Sure, everyone may be showcasing flower patterns everywhere these days (it’s spring so what could be more apt, right?), but you could emphasize the cutting-edge look that they will envy.
So what’s the secret to a lovely floral abode?
Flowers and Feelings
If you’re ready to make a bold statement this spring, then using florals is one good way to do it. Whether you’re flower shy or boldly ready to use florals, you should understand that displaying this unique pattern will improve your design scheme. Also, floral patterns evoke certain feelings.
Flowers can make anyone happy. They are outside of the usual neutral zone so you are practically picking something that makes you stand out. Being unique from the rest can be a rewarding feeling.
Now imagine pink rose patterns in your living room. These could easily create a romantic, fanciful vibe. If you add a tropical pattern, on the other hand, then you just energized the room or boosted the drama in that area.
If you want a more contemporary feel but would still want to enjoy some florals, then you could have a bold print that’s playful while still being romantic. A huge floral mural would help you achieve this.
This is all about picking the correct floral patterns for you and your home. Be sure to choose the right color, size, and type of flower that will certainly capture your personality as well as the design scheme that you have chosen.
If you want to have a more relaxing vibe that’s perfect for the bedroom, then use medium-sized florals in light and fresh tones. The bigger the floral patterns become, the more energizing they get.
Flowers and Colors
The use of floral patterns also means that you’re ready to increase the hues in your home. These patterns are especially useful when you have a neutral background to begin with.
Color is a wonderful mood booster for your mind and body. This is why the incorporation of floral patterns will add some lovely vibes into your space.
The colors will even introduce other hues that you could work with in your design. You could use any of these colors as accents or as the main hue in your design.
Flowers are Fun
Homeowners do not just want an aesthetically pleasing home. More than any reason, they want to be able to go home to a place that they could enjoy.
Flowers are no less than the perfect addition to a home that captures happiness and peace. Add the correct amount of colors and you even achieve a little playful vibe.
A Little Seasonal Lovin’
You don’ t have to let the floral design become a permanent thing in your home. This could also be a spring design that you could just enjoy for the season or even until summer.
Those temporary color bursts will surely indicate that you’re heading for warmer months, thus, you need to up the happiness in your home. The floral patterns could be introduced through colorful throw pillows or it could be the floral decorative art in the living room.
There are just so many choices to pick from.
Florals Symbolize Nature
With an endless array of inspirations for interior design, flowers are great tools when it comes to recreating the feel of Mother Earth. Surround yourself with these minimal or bold patterns and you will surely feel a happy vibe that’s difficult to ignore.
Tags: decorating with flowers, designing with flowers, floral designs, floral interiors, floral style, florals, flower design, flower designs, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Accents, Decorative Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Florals: The Cutting-edge Spring Design
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019
Wow your guests with the Hooker Furniture Dining Room Sorella Pedestal Dining Table w/1-20” leaf.
Okay, it’s springtime. This is the perfect season to finally get out of your thick clothing and to begin planning for activities that you could do until summer. One of the best things that you can actually hold for your family or even the neighborhood is to host a potluck lunch or dinner.
Hosting your first potluck is going to be great because, first, you won’t have to worry about what dishes to prepare. You’re technically off the hook regarding the cooking stuff. You could even assign dishes that your guests can agree to. This is so you won’t be stuck with a bazillion pasta dishes but will have, instead, a variety of foods that you and your guests will enjoy.
To be successful at this, here are some red-hot tips –
Make a Headcount
And this isn’t just counting the guests off in your head, nope. You have to have an accurate number of those people who really are going to attend. If you’re not keen on welcoming a lot and would only want to have an intimate dinner of sorts, then set the total number of guests that you could accommodate.
You should also count those who are still undecided and those who said that maybe they could come. These are the people who might show up at the last minute so be sure to account those, too.
Pick an Exciting Theme
Yes, your potluck party should also have a theme. One of the greatest things about potluck parties is that you can sample as many dishes as you want. So don’t limit your choices.
You could have a Mexican theme the first time and then take on a Superhero theme the following time. You could also pick a theme such as Favorite Foods so that you even get to know your neighbors and become potential close friends.
Make Contribution Groups
Every invitee must sign up to bring one from the following –
If the potluck will only have, say, five invitees, then you could just have an appetizer, a main dish and a side dish, one dessert, and beverage. If you’re having more people over, then you can assign three or more people per group or category.
Communicate
There are many ways that you can request for contributions from your guests. You could have them sign up on a list that you would upload in Google Docs. You can also email the theme and their contributions directly to them.
You can also have a signup sheet that will be posted in a prominent part of your village. Remind them also that they need to RSVP so that they can be included on the guest list. This is so you will know how many people you are supposed to prepare for.
Do not forget to monitor the contributions so that you can edit the list. If you haven’t assigned the dishes, then you can update the people about the food items that are no longer available for picking.
There seems to be an ongoing rule, though, wherein the host provides the main dish and the guests just bring whatever stuff they could afford. This setup is fine, too. You have to know when to assign and when to just allow the guests to bring whatever it is that they are comfortable to bring for the party.
Give your guests a chance to showcase their talents, too. If there is a neighbor who loves to bake then you could assign the dessert to her.
Remember Other Stuff
Keep in mind that potluck parties aren’t all about food. You will also need some non-food items such as the tablecloths, centerpieces, utensils, napkins, plates, cups, bowls, some paper towels, serving spoons, and garbage bags.
Tags: hosting a party, hosting a potluck party, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, potluck essentials, potluck party
Posted in Dining Room Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Hosting a Successful Potluck Party
Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019
Summer Home_Oval Cocktail Table: If you can invest in furniture that has storage units such as this one, then you’re doubling its purpose which is great for your simplistic living in the long run.
Why are a lot of people talking about simplifying their lives these days? We are all in an era where home life, work and other commitments all beg to take center stage in our lives. But we all know that we have to have time to breathe, be creative, and to love and be loved.
Simplification of one’s life means you have to be ruthless in cleaning up a few stuff. And this is not just about cleaning out closets or drawers but also other aspects of your life. But, of course, it is always easier to begin with the things that we see. Even when you’re overwhelmed by the idea, just go on.
It’s time to simplify your life in 10 days.
Get a Trash Bag
Look in every room of your home to search for trash. You will soon realize that your home actually has a lot of things that you and your family do not even use anymore. There are also going to be stuffs that are lying around such as empty boxes, expired coupons, empty bottles of shampoo, even dead plants.
Putting these trash in a black bag and bringing them out is a great decluttering motivator. By the time that you see the rooms that get cleaned, you will surely be inspired to do more.
Once you’re ready to begin, you can even do a second round. This time, you can search for more items to donate such as books which you will never read again anyway.
Stop Impulse Buying
Since you’ve just cleaned out the clutter, then it’s also time to stop those things that could begin another wave of cleanup project. If there have been companies that are sending you mails or catalogs, then request that you would be taken off their mailing list.
And when you feel like you’re reverting to your impulse buying routine, then you have to understand where this need is coming from. At the very center of your brain is the amygdala which is there specifically to warn us to keep us safe. This is also responsible for you to get on a habit that will drive you to do anything such as getting instant relief when you’re feeling stressed.
Feeling this way is pretty normal, Psychology Today says that there is nothing wrong with you at all. This just means that this part of your brain is perfectly working. The downside to this is that you tend to shop for things that you don’t need when you do impulse buying.
When you recognize that this is happening to you, it’s time to step back and to try focusing on the things that are important. Called the SOS technique, you can keep practicing this until it becomes a habit.
Be On Top of Your Laundry Tasks
A load a day keeps the mountains of laundry away.
You can begin a new habit of throwing just a load every morning and, pretty soon, it won’t even feel like you’re doing a chore anymore.
Embrace the Silence
If you want to feel happier then this means building and maintaining relationships with the people that you love. Turn off all gadgets or even the TV when it’s family time.
Don’t post everything that happens to you and your family. Your relationships tend to lose intimacy when you do it this way.
Digital Cleanup
Cleaning up your home also includes cleaning out your computer. Delete every unnecessary file then empty your trash bin. Be sure to complete the updates then restart your computers.
As much as you can, upload your important digital files to the cloud. You could use Dropbox or Artifact Uprising for this purpose.
Tags: decluttering, home cleanup, home organization, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on How to Simplify Your Life in 10 Days
Monday, April 1st, 2019
Hooker Furniture Bedroom Ciao Bella Six-Drawer Dresser- Speckled Gray: Rooms that come in light colors, such as this one, shows dirt more prominently so you have to be vigilant in keeping it clean at all times.
Every homeowner commits design mistakes. It becomes real problematic only when the blunders turn into habits that can cost you an awful lot of cash over time. There could also be habits that could lead to safety issues.
It’s time to break these habits ASAP. But, first, you need to define which ones could actually harm your home in the long run.
Leaving Litter Throughout the Day
This could be a habit that the whole family is already practicing such as leaving papers scattered about, or a cup or glass on side tables or coffee table, or it could be leaving clothes strewn throughout the floor.
Break this bad habit by storing things away or cleaning up mess it happens.
Not Putting Things Away
Hey, it begins right in the very beginning of your day. Do you make your bed each morning? If you’re not used to doing this, then be motivated by the thought that successful people do not leave their beds unmade. Also, your bed won’t just look nice, the habit will also jump-start other positive habits.
You should also deposit things such as the mail, bags, keys, and phones in a spot where they do not become eyesores. Store them properly so that you won’t have to constantly worry about them when you see them as clutter.
Practice also the so-called return home routine wherein the moment you enter your home, you hang your jacket, place the keys in their designated bowl or basket, put your coins and cell phone where they should go, and empty all your shopping bags right away.
Zero Daily Routine
So what’s the antithesis of having healthy daily habits? Not having a daily routine.
The great Benjamin Franklin, himself, said, if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. Every individual needs a healthy basic routine that he or she can follow every day.
If you’re thinking that you do not accomplish everything that you plan each day anyway, don’t fret. Almost every successful being on the planet feels the same way but they do not stop from planning and following through on their plans each day. These people get on the habit and they actually do it day after day, after day.
Clogging Pipes
You may not willfully do it but there are bad habits that you might be doing right now that actually clog the pipes. Mind all the things that you are pouring down the drains.
Never flush anything down the toilet. Diapers, paper towels and cotton swab come with harsh chemicals that could harm the pipes.
If you begin noticing a gurgling sound or low water pressure, it’s time to call an expert plumber right away.
Allowing Lint Buildup
Did you know that there are approximately 2,900 fires brought about by dryers each year? This has even caused deaths and a hundred injuries or a total of $35 million property loss.
Allowing lint to build up in the dryer can even increase energy bills since the appliance has to work harder with every cycle. To prevent this from happening in your home, be sure to clean the dryer’s lint trap right before each laundry load. Don’t forget to check on the exhaust, too, every three months.
The vacuum is your new best friend for this new habit.
Neglecting Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors only work when they still have juice. The sad story here is, 1 in each 5 fire deaths in homes results from smoke alarms that have not functioned the way they were supposed to. The reason for their malfunction is disconnected or missing batteries.
You need to change or replace the batteries of each and every smoke detector in your home as prescribed by the manufacturers.
Tags: declutter, decluttering, design errors, design mistakes, home-wrecking habits, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101 | Comments Off on 5 Home-Wrecking Habits
Friday, March 29th, 2019
Fine Furniture Design’s Summer Home Collection Drawer
There are many reasons why you should choose to declutter. Living a minimalist life is so in at the moment that everyone seems eager to join. If you’ve been noticing that you’re needing a bigger truck each time that you move, then you know that you’ve collected more than you should.
It’s human nature to want to own things. And with, say, a bigger space in your home, you tend to fill that up so you accumulate more stuff. But then, material possessions are not the same as having happiness so you should explore ways to remove things that only clutter your home.
Let’s do it differently this time. Instead of putting steps into this cleanup project, let’s categorize it to simple do’s and don’ts.
Don’t: Pile your clothes in a chair or a bench. The bedroom floor is also not a good spot to begin a mound of clothes and underwear.
Do: Hang your clean clothes so you save space. It only takes a few minutes each time you hang a dress or any piece of clothing. It also takes just a few seconds to a minute to put your dirty clothing in the hamper.
You might feel too tired to go to the hamper after a long and tiring day but this is not a reason to just drape your clothing over the back of a chair. You will wind down more quickly if you put your things where they should be.
Don’t: Keep clothes that you never wear.
Do: Assess your clothing every after season. Pull out all the clothes that you have no intention of wearing. It’s time to accept the fact that there are clothes that you neglect or have even totally forgotten about. It’s time to rotate your wardrobe or have them given away.
If you were a shopaholic and you’ve accumulated a lot of clothes, then you might want to hold a garage sale, too. It’s a good way to earn some extra cash while you declutter in the process.
Don’t: Box a lot of items then forget about them. This could lead to a cramped garage or basement.
Do: Sure, the garage is a great place to store stuff. This is a room for things that are not used often. This is also the place for bulky stuff and your seasonal decorative items.
If you have big sports equipment to deal with and a lot of camping gears to keep out of sight until summer, then your garage is also the right spot. But moving these items into this room could also result in a problem. What you stored there might end up not being remembered anymore.
You probably already know which items you won’t even have the energy to take out and use. For instance, an inflatable pool that you enjoyed last summer. It is unlikely that you would unpack, set it, and eventually store the item again. And if the kids have grown, then you know that it is even unlikelier that your grandkids will ever see this pool.
Make a habit of deciding to get rid of things that you would only hold on to but would never use.
Don’t: Store food in opaque containers.
Do: Regularly review all the items that are stored in the refrigerator. Take out the expired milk and sauces, the hardened leftovers, and the dried vegetables. You will see that the odors from the fridge will diminish the more that you regularly clean it.
Don’t: Go to the supermarket without a list.
Do: Create an electronic or tangible list of grocery items before you actually go to the supermarket. When you do this, you end up buying only those that you would use.
Replenish your stock foods, follow the first-in-first-out or FIFO method, and say no to impulse buying.
Tags: decluttering, decluttering reasons, home cleaning, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, reasons to declutter
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101 | Comments Off on Not Your Ordinary Decluttering Tactics
Thursday, March 28th, 2019
Congrats, it’s your first house! Now it’s time to invest in some furniture. Even when you’re not intending to stay forever in this place, still, you would like to make it look amazing while you’re living in it.
Of course, there are pieces that are worth investing in. Those are the ones that do not just look great in your house but also would last a long time.
The Indoor-Outdoor Seats
If the only comfortable dining chair is an upholstered one, then your design options would be quite limited. But the great news is that this is not the case. There are wooden chairs that do not come with upholstery yet they are comfortable enough to sit in and they are also durable. In fact, they’re so beautiful that they work indoors just as well as they do outdoors.
If you want to have this type of chairs, then better look for a pair or about four pieces of outdoor-appropriate seats. These can be used as dining chairs or as patio seats when the weather is right.
A Heavy-duty Dining Table
Even the simplest dining table, as long as it is elegant, can be a great investment, too. This can be used as a spot to share the meals with your family or it can be the desk where you do your homework.
A Compact Leather Couch
The sofa is a crucial part of every home. You might buy just a small sofa at the moment but if it’s leather, then it is a form of investment that you can have with you for the next 10-15 years.
This leather piece is the best lounging space for an individual or a part of a family room or den later on. Leather ages well and it develops a lovely patina over time. This piece will coordinate well with any kind of seating arrangement.
An Adaptable Sectional
The sectional is also a wonderful option for different rooms. You have to make a good choice now, though, because the shape of your sectional could become a drawback later on.
Every sectional comes in a different layout. There are L-shaped ones, and there are also those that come in U shape. If you’re able to plan ahead, you can invest in a reconfigurable type of sectional so you can avoid ditching it later on.
The Lovely Headboard
The headboard, more often than not, is overlooked by a lot of homeowners. This is a piece that takes up wall space but one that could easily increase the level of elegance in the bedroom.
A padded headboard even offers comfort if it is padded and you just need a place to lean your back against.
To ascertain that the headboard will still be around when you’re ready to move, pick one that’s a size or two bigger than your current bed. For instance, if you’re sleeping in a double bed now, then you should purchase a freestanding or mounted queen headboard.
This extended panel will look great and posh and it will still be usable once you upgrade your bed later on.
Protege Dining_Migonette Counter Stool
Multipurpose Stools
A lot of living rooms feature a couch, side chairs, and a stylish coffee table but some stools or a set of ottomans are just as lovely. These are even more flexible for when you decide to change the look of your living room later.
These pieces are less bulky so you create more space for you and your family. Find ottomans that are firm so you can also use them as a table for snacks and beverages when you’re entertaining some guests.
Classic Sideboard
A sideboard offers storage as well as some shelves or drawers for some of your items, too. This is a furniture piece that can suit any room so you can move it about when you want to place it elsewhere.
Tags: furniture buying, furniture buying tips, furniture shopping, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, shopping for furniture
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Furniture Buying Guide for First Time Homeowners
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