Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Tag: interior design

  • Home Trends: What’s In and What’s Out in 2024

    A new year is ushering in a fresh collection of home trends with fun and funky styles we’ve seen before sitting alongside modern design ideas revamped for 2024.

    Retro-inspired curvy furniture, mixed metals, and mass-market design collars will make their way into homes across the United States in a big way.

    What are homeowners forgetting about for the new year? All-white interiors, extreme minimalism, and farmhouse style are now deemed too ordinary to trend, among other design ideas.

    Here’s what’s in and out among home trends for 2024.

    What’s In

    Curvy Furniture

    Curvy furniture will make a statement again next year in sofas, coffee tables, and dining tables. The flowy and organic look of these sculptural furnishings promotes a feeling of calm while exhibiting high style, an aesthetic many homeowners are on board with. There are countless ways to complete a room’s look focusing on curvilinear furniture, such as pairing a round sofa with a morphing or teardrop-shaped coffee table.

    Art Gallery-Style Spaces

    Ultra-modern interior design setups like those in art museums will have their moment in 2024. Think clean lines, bold colors, and eye-catching patterns for lighting, textiles, and furniture, all coming together in a perfectly arranged visual statement that demands attention.

    Mixed Metals

    Mixed metals will be a hit with tons of opportunities to embrace brass, bronze, nickel, and chrome simultaneously. While mixing metals in bathrooms and kitchens can produce a harmonious look, and living rooms and dining rooms may receive an impressive update through the use of various metals, experts still say to stick to two metal tops in any design scheme.

    Mass-Market Design

    Because 2023 was a massive year for interior design collaborations between mass-market retailers and big-name designers, we expect this trend to amplify in 2024. Only, expect a number of these style-driven partnerships to reveal themselves through more approachable and affordable brands.

    Bold Colors

    Bold and vibrant purples like deep magenta and playful plum will take the spotlight in interior design in the coming year, as will other hues that promote a sense of happiness and whimsey. Uplifting teal and royal emerald will also trend as homeowners strive to create celebratory and joyful spaces.

    Low-Impact Decor

    Reducing waste has long been on trend as a general way of living, and now there’s a huge push for the low-impact movement to make its way into interior design. There’ll be a momentous turn toward zero-impact furnishings and decor that reduces a homeowner’s carbon footprint. Brands that create furniture from sustainable or recycled materials will likely see more business, and designers will probably focus on locally sourced and thrifted pieces.

    Spa-Like Bathrooms

    Creating a blissful space to escape and rejuvenate is trending among homeowners. Bathrooms, in particular, in 2024 will likely get makeovers that accentuate luxe living. This means that spa bathrooms will trend with amenities like backlit mirrors, spa lighting, steam showers, and even cold plunges.

    What’s Out

    All-White Interiors

    Many homeowners love the look of an all-white space with white walls, flooring, cabinets, and countertops. While this aesthetic can give a home a clean and airy feel, plenty of designers say the trend for 2024 will be to integrate more color into pristine spaces. Bold paint and tile, for example, can add interest to an otherwise bland room. Even kitchen backsplashes can get new life with warmer and more inviting tones.

    Extreme Minimalism

    Extreme minimalism in furniture and finishes will take a backseat next year to more functional and thoughtful design. Doors without handles or knobs, and bare walls lacking texture, may appear sleek but can tend to come off as uninviting and sterile.

    Farmhouse Style

    In the last decade, you’d be hard-pressed to find a mainstream design magazine or mass-market decor store that didn’t embrace the farmhouse style in some fashion. According to the experts, thought, this look that incorporates design elements like wide plank flooring, reclaimed wood art pieces, and rustic finishes is on its way out.

    Recessed Lighting

    Say goodbye to predictable recessed lighting and embrace statement light fixtures and hidden lighting instead. Recessed lights can take away from a room’s charm and reduce its overall aesthetic to function instead of flair. To stay on trend, opt for unique and creative fixtures that blend in with your design or become a focal point of it rather than detract from it.

    Faux Limewash Walls

    Design trends for 2024 will focus on authenticity in expression and implementation. While walls painted to resemble a rustic texture surely don’t scream ‘genuine,’ you can get this look stylishly by affixing natural stone in a modern way with interior stacked stone veneer wall panels.

    Are you looking to buy and makeover a home in 2024 or renovate yours and sell it? Let Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate® help you when you’re ready.

  • What Is Slow Decorating? The Sustainable Home Trend with Timeless Style

    It’s hard to resist finishing everything (and fast) when decorating, particularly when repurposing a room, embarking on a design refresh or moving into a bigger place. And it can be especially challenging for someone starting with a lot of blank walls or empty floor space. It might seem easy to outfit your place with cheaper (and often poorer-quality) items to have a finished home fast, but there are many reasons to take your time instead. Slow decorating is a home design trend built on mindfully choosing items to bring into your home and counteracting the push for a quick finish in favor of pieces you’ll be able to live with forever.

    What is slow decorating?

    “Slow decorating is the process of taking your time to curate the perfect space for yourself,” says New York-based interior designer Amy Baratta. Slow decorating is not about completing your home right away but allowing time to get to know the spaces you live in and determine your own style. While “slow” can easily refer to the speed of decorating, it also alludes to the greater intention and purpose behind acquiring pieces for your home. According to Baratta, slow decorating recognizes that style and spaces evolve over time, so it encourages homeowners to invest in pieces they’ll want to keep and continue to use.

    Slow decorating is similar to the slow fashion movement: it’s about quality over quantity, focused on purchasing better-quality products instead of mass-produced materials that are easily damaged, worn down and generally thought of as disposable.

    It’s also an eco-conscious endeavor. Buying high-quality products results in less being thrown out or replaced. Slow decorating encourages finding antiques, buying used but quality items and updating older pieces for continued use. It involves purchasing products that are not only made of sustainable materials but also come from environmentally friendly processes and eco-conscious businesses.

    Benefits of slow decorating

    “When you purchase with intention, you have a stronger connection to the items in your home,” says Baratta. There’s an authenticity to slow decorating that can’t be rivaled, but that’s just one of the many benefits of slow decorating.

    Less pressure

    Slow decorating eliminates the pressure to get things completed quickly, while also removing the push to determine a single decorating style. Allowing time to develop and understand your personal style will help you feel more confident decorating your home, even if it’s not your strong suit. By taking time to decorate, “you can alleviate any self-imposed pressure of trying to perfect a room overnight,” says designer Jewel Marlowe of Jeweled Interiors.

    Time for budgeting

    “Slow decorating allows you to build up cash flow between purchases, so you can invest in quality pieces rather than trying to stretch your budget to purchase everything at once,” says Lindsey Putzier, owner and principal designer at Lindsey’s Eclectic Interiors. Although your purchases might be more expensive, the tradeoff is that you can budget for them. Plus, you might end up spending less buying pieces that will last rather than replacing easily outdated or damaged items.

    Trend-proof style

    Maybe the biggest perk of slow decorating is that it’s an effortless way to trend-proof your home. “Thoughtfully collecting items results in a more timeless aesthetic,” says Putzier. When your style isn’t tailored to one trend, it’s easier to swap out items later.

    Another benefit is that a mix of vintage pieces, textures and splurge items elevates the affordable, mass-market items in your home. “It is the eclectic nature and execution that deliver a high-end, more timeless look,” says Marlowe.

    Top 10 tips for slow decorating

    The phrase “patience is a virtue” applies to slow decorating. It might be hard to look at bare floors, use an old buffet that doesn’t fit your new home or avoid eye-catching deals from online retailers, but these tips will help you feel confident committing to more sustainable, quality purchases.

    1. Start with the big pieces.

    “If you are looking for new pieces for your living room, start with big items like the sofa and rug to anchor the room,” says Baratta. She says to look for something well-made with a timeless shape and style so that it can easily evolve with you. “After you have the anchor

    pieces, take your time layering in smaller items, like cabinets, occasional tables and decorative lighting.”

    2. Look for assembled furniture.

    A good baseline for identifying quality furniture is that it comes assembled, which is less common in many big-box stores and online retailers. “Quality furniture comes already fully built,” says Putzier. “If you must build it yourself, it’s likely not going to hold up to everyday use. High-quality items cost more but they last for generations.”

    3. Save and splurge.

    While slow decorating encourages waiting to buy something until it’s the right fit, it’s difficult to go without hardworking pieces like a dining table, sofa or dresser. But you likely can’t fork over a lot of money on multiple pieces all at once, either. “Splurge on something epic—maybe your sofa, table or bed—and shop smart on the rest,” says Marlowe. “Then, as you find treasures along the way, you can upgrade.” Marlowe recommends asking yourself if the item you want to purchase is a “forever buy” or a “huge improvement for now” to help determine how to spend money.

    Marlowe also suggests considering life stages when deciding which big purchases to make. Have children and want to avoid sticky fingers or capless markers marring a prized piece? Spend the money on items that are out of reach, like artwork or lighting. “Save the custom sofa for when kids are older,” says Marlowe. Another option is to choose used pieces over fast furniture to shop more sustainably during those in-between years.

    4. Embrace mixing styles.

    Your space shouldn’t reflect a catalog page from your favorite store; the look might become dated, and it’s harder to add in other elements down the road. To withstand trends and time, embrace different design styles. Baratta, for instance, paired a mid-century modern sofa with a wooden cobbler’s table in her living room. “It looks great together, and the antique table has an interesting story behind it,” says Baratta.

    5. Investigate materials.

    Slow decorating gives you the opportunity to really consider the materials that make up the furniture and decor in your home. In her book, Wellness by Design, wellness design consultant Jamie Gold emphasizes the importance of material choices. Does the rug in a well-used room have chemical stain protection that includes volatile organic compounds (VOCs)? Does that wood cabinet have toxic finishes that are bad for your home’s air quality or the environment?

    Investigate materials before you make a purchase, or look for solutions that you know to be higher quality. Wool, for instance, is naturally hypoallergenic and can withstand wear and dirt, making it a great option for floors, upholstery and even bedding. “Wool’s biggest negative is cost,” says Gold. “But if you’re buying, decorating, building or remodeling for long-term use, it will likely pay for itself with its longevity.”

    6. Really know your space.

    Although good advice for anyone, it’s an especially good reminder for slow decorating: Take time to live in your space. Knowing how you want to use it—and what pieces you want to fill

    it with—will slow down the drive to decorate right away. It will also help you determine what will be a good fit. “It’s easy to fall in love with a unique piece, but it must fit in your space for it to become a treasured item,” says Putzier.

    7. Buy local and handmade.

    “For accessories, such as vases, plates or cups, seek out local artisans that are creating handcrafted, small-batch items instead of buying from the larger stores,” suggests Baratta. “Look for shops that carry one-of-a-kind, unique pieces made by a local craftsperson. If you don’t have something like that close to you, most artists sell their goods online.”

    Similarly, Putzier recommends buying art, vases, rugs and other decorative pieces from places you visit. “These pieces bring back cherished memories,” says Putzier. Unique creations might cost more, but you can feel good knowing who your money supports.

    8. Shop with sustainability in mind.

    Do some research before buying. “Look for companies that describe their construction process and have a sustainability program,” says Baratta. “If they do, it should be easy to locate on their website.” In addition to eco-friendly brands, Baratta suggests looking for those with a demonstrated fair-trade policy, which supports the fair pay and treatment of creators around the world.

    9. Consider care and maintenance.

    You’re a lot more likely to replace something that is a pain to maintain or doesn’t work the way you wanted it to. One of the objectives of slow decorating is to not have to make replacements. “When you look at stylish updates for your home, look with an eye toward practicality and purpose,” says Gold. “Will this choice make your life easier or harder? What will be involved in keeping it in good condition?” Gold says the key is being honest with yourself. You might love the look of that glass coffee table, but will you want to wipe away fingerprints regularly? Even if it’s a quality piece, it might not be right for your lifestyle.

    10. Know that it’s about balance.

    Not everything has to be expensive or meet these design tips. The goal of slow decorating is a livable space that fits your lifestyle and avoids treating furniture and decor like disposable items. It’s OK to incorporate some budget pieces from fast-market retailers; sometimes it’s just easier and fits your style. The key is to care for those items, as well as higher-quality pieces, so you can continue to use them for a long time.

    © Meredith Operations Corporation. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

  • Designing a Multipurpose Room

    Over the last several years, homeowners and renters have increasingly reimagined their underused spaces, creating multipurpose rooms to meet the influx of new activities and work-from-home challenges. While this initial shift was born out of necessity, the idea of creating multifunctional flex spaces has only grown in popularity as people seek homes that more effectively suit their daily lives. If you want to better utilize your home, read on for our tips for creating the ideal multipurpose room.

    Transform an Underused Closet

    Depending on its size, an underused closet is brimming with possibilities as a part of a new multipurpose room. For example, a spacious closet in your bedroom or guest room could easily be transformed into a work-from-home office and an extra storage area for supplies. If the closet is shallow but long, consider dividing the space with a closed system for storage on one side and your workspace on the other. For this type of workspace, Melissa Warner Rothblum of Massucco Warner suggests to Martha Stewart Living that people add a small desk, a comfortable work chair, and additional lighting (if necessary). Rothblum also recommends integrating “’a few wall-mounted shelves for extra storage, or hang artwork to personalize the space.’”

    Is there an extra closet near your entertaining space? Consider removing the doors so that it is open to your room and create a customized bar. Marcus Mohon tells Martha Stewart Living that this can be done simply by “removing the shelves and adding a chest, cabinet, or bar cart to store your bottles and barware.” Bring in some mood lighting in the form of a pendant light, and you are ready to host your next dinner party or cocktail soiree.

    If you want your bedroom to remain an oasis but need a quiet meditation space that helps you focus, look to that empty closet (or side of the closet). “As long as your closet has a door and provides enough room to sit, Lauren Wills of Wills Design Associates says it can be converted into a mini meditation room,” in an interview with Martha Stewart Living. Redesigning the closet (or dividing a larger one) is easier than you might imagine. Wills explains the details of an ongoing project: “‘We’re removing the lower shelves and the hanging bars to make room for a small lounge chair and having a mural painted on the wall to liven things up.’” Before you know it, your bedroom will be a multipurpose retreat.

    Carve Out Multifunctional Kitchen Stations

    Has your kitchen become the center of activity in your home? With some quick rearranging and the right piece of multifunctional furniture, you can create a station in the corner of your kitchen that can easily change as your needs do. My Domaine adores the idea of adding a mini desk/kitchen counter, like one from Arbor & Co., to make a corner of a home’s kitchen or dining area into the perfect multipurpose station. Position the mini desk/counter in the corner, preferably under a window, and add a stool that can be hidden away when not used. With this simple addition, the Magazine raves, “the desk where you take Zoom calls in the morning can evolve into the countertop where you roll out the dough in the afternoon into the table where you work on a jigsaw puzzle in the evenings.”

    Design a Multipurpose Guest Room and Workout Area

    Do you have a sleeping loft or guest bedroom that rarely hosts visitors? It may be time to invest in a Murphy bed. Long the darling of small apartments, Murphy beds are making a comeback as people are converting underused sleeping spaces into much-loved multipurpose rooms. One of My Domaine’s favorite redesigns comes from Marie Flanigan Interiors who explained to the Magazine that they installed a Murphy bed into an upstairs sleeping loft “so the bed can be tucked away, opening up floor space for a workout area.”

    It’s also a terrific idea for studios where you need to create a living, dining, and sleeping space in minimal square footage. Simply put up the bed during the day and wheel over storage footstools and a fold-down table when it is time to entertain.

    Make Your Dining Room Do Double Duty

    Formal dining rooms took on new life during the pandemic, and they will likely stay the spot of more than just family dinners. While they worked well initially, you may be tired of moving paperwork and computers whenever you want to use the space for dining. If you can spend the time and money, wall-to-wall cabinetry might be the answer. Custom cabinets can house a hidden workspace with a fold-down desk or a crafts studio with a retractable worktable and plenty of shelves for supply bins. Games and puzzles also can be stored here. And if dinner parties are in your future, save one of the cabinets for specialty serving platters, dinnerware, and table linens you don’t use daily.

    If you don’t have the time or space to install wall-to-wall cabinets, consider bringing in a convertible armoire that opens to reveal a workspace with charging stations, lighting, and storage for your essential files. When the day is over, close the doors and move your chair out of the way, and the dining room can be restored for a relaxing family dinner with minimal hassle.

    Create a Hidden Laundry Room

    Are you hoping to invest in a new laundry set up in your home? If your bathroom has a spacious closet or an underused vanity area, it might be time to convert it into a multipurpose bathroom/laundry room. As you already have water running into the bathroom, this room and the kitchen are often the most accessible places to add stackable (or even side-by-side) washers and dryers. If your bathroom is large enough to accommodate the units, designers at Southern Living love the idea of installing double-louvered doors to effectively create a separate room for the appliances when they are not in use. They also advise that “keeping the bathroom and laundry spaces the same color creates cohesiveness and allows them to function as one room.”

    Transform a Large Laundry Area

    If your home is blessed with a larger laundry area than you need, this may become the perfect multipurpose room. Southern Living recommends assessing the site to determine if shelving, cabinetry, or an island or table can be added to the laundry room. One of their favorite laundry redesigns created a “well-organized multipurpose laundry room [that] designates separate areas for gift wrapping, odds and ends storage, and laundry.” Once the cubby storage was put in place, the homeowners chose “canvas cubes all in the same shade of blue [to] keep the room looking spick-and-span.” And if you do ensconce a table or island in your new laundry room, you’ll quickly find that it’s ideal not just for gift wrapping but for family craft projects, studying or working-from-home, and as a home improvement task station, when not in use for folding laundry.

    Invest in Multifunctional or Convertible Furniture

    In addition to Murphy beds, a range of furniture can make any multipurpose room more functional. Folding tables, like the Driness Drop Leaf Console to Dining Table, act beautifully as slim console tables for daily use. Plus, they can be opened and expanded to transition your living room into a dining room that seats six comfortably in seconds.

    Sleeper sofas are a quick way to transform a living room or family room into a guest bedroom. But have you seen sleeper ottomans? These wonders are ottomans with storage by day and, after a simple pull, convert to single beds by night. They are a dream invention for studios or small apartments that thrive on the creation of efficient multipurpose rooms.

    Do you love the idea of the cabinet or closet workspace but don’t have the square footage for a full-scale conversion? My Domaine is a fan of turning a part of a space into a multipurpose work/live room by opting “for a convertible piece of furniture like the Fold Down Desk sold in Staples stores.” When you can’t commit a space to a desk and cabinet system, this convertible option works wonders. The Magazine raves: “With storage space for notebooks, pens, and desk accessories, you don’t have to rummage for your supplies at 9 am to then have to break it all down and store it at 5 pm. The front is an erasable white board so you can brainstorm Monday-Friday and then update it to match your décor for when you need that space for entertaining or living your life!”

  • Mid-Century Modern – Then and Now

    In honor of Better Homes & Gardens® celebrating its 100th anniversary, we are taking a look at previous home trends that are making their way back into our lives. Keep an eye out for more of our ‘Then and Now’ blogs to learn about these looks and how to achieve the trends we are thrilled have returned. 

    From the past to the present:  

    The midcentury modern movement originated during the middle of the 20th century and was the organic result of modernism. People wanted to embrace a more organic way of living which is why the style is rooted in functionality and simplicity with a lot of clean lines. After World War II, cities expanded, and the demand for modern furnishings for the newly built homes emerged. Technological advancements also resulted in the production of new materials, which led to the creation and exploration of unique shapes and various textures. 

    What makes up Mid-Century Modern design? 

    Mid-century modern is all about functional wooden pieces, clean lines, and curved designs. The look is simple, with a focus on comfort. It’s no surprise the aesthetic design remains timeless and is back in style. Mid-century modern homes usually have a sleek feel and mix natural and artificial materials. There’s also a continuity between the indoors and outdoors, which is why plants play a key role in the decor. This can also be seen in the color palette, which mostly consists of natural hues and colors rooted in nature. Pops of color are also added, especially bright yellows and beautiful teals. 

    How to achieve the Mid-Century Modern look: 

    • Embrace a natural color palette with a few pops of bright colors throughout.  
    • Consider olive green, pale pinks and other muted tones, orange, bright yellow, and a variety of teals and aquamarine colors. 
    • Build a space around a few statement pieces. 
    • Bring in potted plants. 
    • Focus on function. 
    • Incorporate wood furniture made of teak or oak. 
    • Include organic and curved shapes.  
    • Add brass details around your home. 
    • Hang big and bold artwork, especially with large graphic shapes.  
    • Favor statement lighting. Add hanging lights or pendant lighting that look like artwork.  
    • Embrace open spaces and aim for flow.  
    • Ditch the clutter and say goodbye to an abundance of knickknacks.  

  • Creating Indoor Spaces for Your Family Pets

    You love your furry friends, and you want to create the best possible indoor spaces for them. You are not alone; pet-care spending now accounts for more than $75 billion every year. Design teams are taking notice. They are crafting adorable pieces and building extraordinary spaces to ensure that your pet is happy and healthy, and you can learn from them. Want to upgrade your home’s pet-friendly zone? Read on as we offer some of our favorite tips for creating cozy indoor spaces for your family pets.

    Select the Best Flooring

    While your pets may roam throughout your apartment, condo, or house, you may still want to give them a designated zone. This indoor space will be a place for their beds and toys. It will be a safe place for them to retire to when your home quiets for the night. 

    Creating indoor spaces for your family pets does not require a huge investment, although if you do have the budget for some remodeling, there are changes you could make that will help keep the pet zone clean and welcoming. Ceramic tile is durable and stain-resistant, so if you already have ceramic tile flooring in a particular area of the house, it could be the best place for your pet’s indoor space. Hardwood floors can be easily cleaned, but they might show scratches from long nails on larger dogs, and your pet may be prone to skidding. If you already have hardwood floors or your heart is set on adding them, consider putting down mats, including the anti-fatigue mats that work wonders in the kitchen. 

    Avoid Carpeting

    Many apartments and condos already have carpeting, which can be snagged by pet toenails (potentially hurting your pet and damaging the carpeting). Low-pile is your best bet if you have some say in the décor, but if not, think about creating your indoor pet space in the kitchen. Otherwise, you may want to put down carpet squares or washable runners over the existing carpet to aid in clean-up and to make your pet more comfortable. 

    Take Advantage of Existing Indoor Spaces

    Do you have a large unused crawl space in your condo? Do you have an attic that is woefully under-used? Do you have a basement or family room that is begging for attention? All of these areas have the potential to be much-loved indoor spaces for your family pets. If your crawl space is contained and drywalled, this can be the perfect kitty hideaway or impromptu doggie den provided there is enough space for beds (especially this practical and cushiony moving blanket pet bed that is earning raves at Martha Stewart Living). It’s even better if there is enough room for scratching posts or treat-releasing toys. Just be sure to remove the crawlspace door so that your pet doesn’t feel trapped. 

    Family rooms and finished attics give you even more options when it comes to creating an indoor playroom for your pets. If you have anxious pets, it’s a place where you can turn on a tv or computer to play engaging programming – you’ll be amazed at how much is available specifically for your furry pals. Interactive cameras allow you to not only keep an eye on your pet when you are working, but they often give you the ability to talk to them while you are away. And depending on the dimensions, you might even be able to place litter boxes or pee pads in a designated corner that won’t significantly reduce their room to play. 

    Try Some DIY

    Is space a premium in your studio apartment or tiny home? Martha Stewart Living recommends a DIY project that transforms an old side table (or even kitchen table) into an indoor doghouse. The top can still act as a useful surface, but the unused area below can become functional in a few moderately simple steps. The idea was suggested to the Magazine by Kara Whitten of A Kailo Chic Life. If you have the tools at home, all you need is birch plywood, glue, decorative wallpaper (or paint), and finishing nails. If you don’t have the tools, you may be able to get your local hardware store to pre-cut the side wood pieces and create a more streamlined entry. For details on how to put this adorable indoor doghouse together, visit Martha Stewart Living.  

    Install a Catio

    Catios are becoming increasingly popular for renters and owners alike. While many are built as patio enclosures with ramps, bridges, perches, and pet-safe flowerbeds, interior designs take into account your home’s accessible space and make the most of it. This is true whether you live in a three-bedroom home or a fully mobile tiny house. Editors over at Martha Stewart Living love the multi-level mazes that offer stimulation and opportunities for cats to exercise. How do you create your own catio space? Martha Stewart Living advises: “Pre-made catios can be purchased online, or you can order catio designs and build the enclosures yourself with a handy checklist.” 

    Indulge with Pet Beds

    Your family pets deserve the coziest beds possible. Whether you are introducing a new animal into the home or hoping to upgrade your space, designers are having a great time creating soft, unique beds that will prompt endless purrs and wagging tails. For small areas, your family’s favorite feline will love the cozy cave from Uncommon Goods even more than the editors at Southern Living. And the Mid-Century Modern vibes are strong with the Sauder Natural Sphere Cat Tree from Kohls that is turning heads at Real Simple. 

    Does your pup demand the finer things in life? You’ll both love the Wentworth Tufted Dog Sofa from Frontgate. Real Simple reveals: “It comes in four color options and features a robust wooden frame that holds up to 80 pounds of pup. Choose from stain-resistant micro-velvet or a faux leather finish.”  If your eye leans toward multi-functional furniture, you won’t be able to resist the Lula Entryway Dog Bed from Joss & Main. Real Simple raves about its cushiony practicality: “Not only does it offer a cozy spot for Max to lounge, but it also features convenient storage. It’s got multiple hooks perfect for storing keys, leashes, and jackets, as well as a lower drawer for miscellaneous pet supplies.” 

    Consider the Little Things

    Finally, little things can make a significant difference to your pet’s indoor spaces. For example, Rachael Ray In Season recommends helping older pets by investing in “a step to help them onto furniture.” For cats, scratching is one of their methods of communication. To save your furniture and make your cats happier, Lynn Bahr, veterinarian and founder of cat toy company Dezi & Roo, tells the Magazine that the best plan is to add a scratching post in every room. Bahr advises: “Go for a variety of posts—vertical, horizontal, cardboard, sisal, loofah. A nice mix of shapes and textures will keep your cat happiest (and your sofa safer).”

  • Maximalism – Then and Now

    In honor of Better Homes & Gardens® celebrating its 100th anniversary, we are taking a look at previous home trends that are making their way back into our lives. Keep an eye out for more of our ‘Then and Now’ blogs to learn about these looks and how to achieve the trends we are thrilled to have returned.

    From the past to the present:

    Believe it or not, Maximalism has been around for decades. It started off as a way to showcase your riches, as people collected exquisite objects and put them on display. La­­ter on, the trend became more focused on displaying your personality. In the 70s, it evolved into a popular interior design trend, and today, the fun and playful layers are popping back up to say hello. After spending an abnormal amount of time indoors due to the pandemic, people started looking for more joy in their homes – which is exactly what this trend is all about, JOY.

    living room with many objects

    What is Maximalism?

    Maximalism is about saying goodbye to the rules and embracing fun patterns, colors, and textures. The interior design trend is about creating joy in your space and embracing self-expression. When designing a space, you don’t have to hold back or worry about things clashing. Use layers of texture and colors and tell a story in your home that makes you smile. Put your personality on display.

    wall wit wallpaper, vintage table and floral chair

    How to achieve Maximalism in interior design:

    • Use bold and vibrant colors
    • Layer, layer, layer
    • Put meaningful items on display that make you smile or remind you of a happy memory
    • Let your personality show, and don’t worry if others will like it
    • Use patterns such as floral and animal prints
    • Embrace wallpaper, even on the ceiling
    • Put out statement pieces such as a unique antique or a playful rug
    • Don’t be afraid to mix and match styles
    • Make your home an expression of you

    living room with many frames hanging on the wall

  • 7 Ways to Boost Natural Light—and Make Your Home Look Brighter

     

    There are a few things a home simply can’t have too much of: space, storage and sunlight. And while you can’t increase the square footage of your home without taking on a major renovation, there are some easy decorating and cleaning tricks that can make your home look brighter. Incorporating some strategically placed mirrors, choosing the best wall paint and finding the right window treatments can all help increase the natural sunlight in your home. One added bonus of bouncing more sunlight around a room: more light can actually make the space feel bigger. Try some of the tips below to make your home feel bigger and brighter—without the reno.

    Optimize your mirror placement.

    You’ve probably heard this design trick before: Add mirrors to a room to bounce the light. But for the best effect, you’ll want to place the mirror across from a window, angled so that the natural light will be reflected toward the darkest area of the room. New, clean mirrors will reflect the most light, but even antique mirrors with patina will work.

    Choose shiny surfaces.

    Similar to mirrors, glossy surfaces can help reflect light in a room. Stainless-steel appliances and sleek white cabinets will make a kitchen feel brighter. In a living room, try adding some metallic or mirrored accents, especially on the shelves or tables positioned closest to the windows.

    Lighten up your window treatments.

    Even if you pull them open every morning, those dark velvet drapes hanging beside your windows aren’t going to help the room look brighter. In the spring and summer, swap out heavy curtains for light, airy ones. If privacy is a concern, pair a gauzy white curtain with blinds or a roller shade you can close at night.

    Pick the best paint.

    Paint holds a lot of power in the design of a room—it can make it look cleaner, more relaxing and, yes, even brighter. And, no surprise, when it comes to hue, cool shades of white and pastels will make the room look lighter. To make sure you’ve chosen the best color, leave paint splotches on the wall for at least 24 hours, so you can see how the color looks in the light throughout the day.

    Where we often go wrong is when choosing the paint finish. Like mirrors and glossy surfaces, shinier paint will reflect more light. Opt for satin rather than flat wall paint, and choose semi-gloss or gloss for the molding and trim. But be careful: glossier paints will also betray any imperfections in the wall.

    Trim the trees.

    If your living room or bedroom is darker than it was a few years ago, the trees, bushes or vines outside may be to blame. Consider hiring a tree-trimming service. They will help cut back light-blocking branches, without harming the tree or making it look lopsided.

     

    © Meredith Operations Corporation. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

  • Ask A Pro – Create a Calming Space

    Jennifer Adams, our celebrity Ask a Pro Interior Designer, shares tips on how to create a calming, meditative space at home.

    Question:

    Can you share some tips on ways to create a calming, meditative space at home to bring in some much needed good vibes.

    Answer:

    Any time is a good time to be creating calming spaces and good vibes to your home, especially now, after this past year! Since so many of us are working, learning, exercising and cooking more at home, it can be difficult to escape the stress and chaos of days that are busier than ever.

    A great way to get started is to pay attention to what you’re bringing into your home to control the clutter before it gets to be a problem. Clutter is stressful. So be diligent about taking out the recycling and getting rid of items you’re not using.

    After that, a deeper de-cluttering effort will make your entire house feel fresher, more tranquil and be easier to clean. Start with the most visible areas such as your entryway, counters and tabletops. And the first area you see in each room.

    Choose calming fragrances for candles and essential oils. Jasmine, bergamot and vetiver along with others are great for daytime. In the evening try lavender, chamomile and valerian, which may help you sleep better.

    Soothing colors include pale tones found in nature such as off whites, light warm grays pale blue, soft sage greens and sandy browns or blonde oak. Earthy textures such as driftwood, nubby fabric, baskets, natural wood and stone are also calming to touch.

    If you want a single dedicated space that is more meditative and calming, consider a spot near a window with a nice view of nature, or bring the outdoors inside with a shapely plant or branches, some river stones and a small water feature. Nature, fresh air and the sounds of water are very calming. Add a comfortable mat or chair to sit on and set an appointment with yourself every day to enjoy even just a couple of minutes relaxing with a breath routine or meditating.

    Or, if you’re not one to step away from your tasks to relax much, add those elements of nature to a spot you can see many times during the day from your desk or other hectic place in your home. Hopefully these ideas are helpful, good luck!

    Jennifer Adams

  • Ask a Pro – Vinyl or Tile Floor

    Max Wilker, Style Director at Better Homes & Gardens® shares how to choose between luxury vinyl or wood tile floors. 

    Question:

    Is luxury vinyl or wood tile floors better? 

    Answer:

    Luxury vinyl planks (LVP) and wood-look tile both are great alternatives to hardwood flooring. They booth look great in a home, but it all depends on what is more important to you.

    Here are a few tips to consider.​

    • Both are extremely durable and waterproof. Vinyl could rip or tear over time and tile could crack if something extra heavy is dropped on it.​
    • Both are basically easy to clean with just a mop and mild soap. The biggest problem with tile is that grout attracts dirt and dust, plus grout can stain which will require extra scrubbing or may need to be restored.​
    • Both are pet-friendly flooring options, but vinyl will be a bit quieter as it’s softer.​
    • If warmer floors are important, then go with vinyl as tile floors will be much cooler to the touch in colder climates.​
    • Fading can be a factor for vinyl flooring if it gets hours of direct sunlight. Tile won’t fade.​
    • If you’re wanting to install it yourself, go with vinyl as it’s much easier, quicker, and you don’t have to mess with mortar and grout.​
    • When it comes to cost, vinyl will usually be cheaper per square foot. And installation from a professional will be more with tile.​
    • Both have a variety of qualities and ranges in price. My tip is to look for vinyl and tile that has the wood grain textures added in the surface. With the texture, both vinyl and tile will look and feel more like real wood than the smooth planks. And when checking out vinyl, the thicker planks will be of higher quality and will usually hold up better in high-traffic areas.​

    So, if you want a quick DIY change and to save money, then go with vinyl planks. The tile will usually be more expensive but will have a more high-end look.​

    I hope this helps you make your choice. Both are quality options for your home.​

    Best of luck on your flooring project,​

    Max​

    ​

  • Ask A Pro – Furnishing Your Home

    Jennifer Adams, Interior Design Pro, shares tips for furnishing and decorating a new home.

    Question:

    Building a new home and furnishing dining, living and master bedrooms. Dining, living are open to each other. Where do I start?

    Answer:

    Congratulations on your new home! It’s so exciting to be looking for all new furniture, though it can be overwhelming. It is so much to think about. A better first step is to think about the feeling you want to have in your house. Is it casual and comfortable, or more formal? Is there a vacation place you adore, what feeling do you have when you think about that place? How do you see yourself using those spaces?

    Choose one room at a time to focus on. Look for pictures of rooms on furniture manufacturers’ websites and magazines for inspiration of how rooms can feel, and how the furniture is arranged. Even if you can’t afford the furniture in your inspiration images, the shapes and colors and more importantly, the feeling of the atmosphere can still be a starting point.

    Since the dining and living room is really one large room, consider a cohesive design style or theme for the entire space, and how the colors will coordinate with the colors in your kitchen. The largest pieces in any room, such as the sofa, the dining table and the bed and other major furniture in the master bedroom should be classic shapes and more on the neutral side. Smaller accents such as lamps, side chairs, throw pillows and bedding can be bolder in color and style.

    Accents and art can be the most expressive of all, and this is where your personality and style will shine through. Bring along some favorite treasures from your old house or your travels. Good luck and have fun with this!

    – Jennifer​ Adams, Interior Design Pro