Ways To Transform Your Outdoor Space

The aesthetics of your outdoor space can make a huge difference in how you feel each time you step outside your house or workplace. With just a little effort, this space can become a beautiful sanctuary to take a break and relax, and also to host guests when the weather is favorable. Below is a look at some of the best ways to transform your outdoor space from drab to glam with just a little effort:

• Furniture: Buying elegant furniture is one of the best investments that you can make to transform your outdoor space. This type of furniture is usually sturdy and weather-resistant, making it last a long time after you purchase it. From outdoor sofas and tables to lounge chairs and hammocks, the list of outdoor furniture that you can get is endless. Choose furniture that is of the correct color scheme to compliment your outdoor décor, and also consider the amount of space that you have to avoid congestion.
• Less Is More: When designing your outdoor space, a key factor is to not go overboard, and instead be minimalistic. Outdoor spaces must be clutter free and should solve the purpose of offering respite from the indoors. For this, it is important to not cover every inch of space with pavement or plants. Pebbles are a good way to achieve this balance by covering the ground but still preventing monotony.
• Design Based On The Sun’s Orientation: A successfully designed outdoor space is one which is built around the sun’s orientation. Any outdoor space is incomplete without plants so this is significantly important while deciding where to grow the plants. This will ensure that plants bloom well and get the sunlight they require.
• Have A Provision For Cooking: Food and fun go hand in hand, so be sure to have access to food in your outdoor space. You can do this by creating easy access between the kitchen and the outdoor space, and also by having a barbecue for grilling, as well as potted herbs like basil and mint.
• Storage Solutions: Clutter accumulation is an inevitable part of outdoor living. This can be curtailed by having some simple storage solutions. When buying furniture, look for items with built-in storage. Shelving units and storage benches can help you to keep the space organized, and to be able to easily access things when you need them.
• Lighting: Lighting is a critical component in an outdoor space. You can make the most of sunlight by ensuring that no walls or fences block sunlight from streaming into the space. You can also install lamps and solar-powered lights to make the space equally inviting on darker days.

Patio Furniture Care

Regular maintenance of patio furniture can help it look beautiful for years at a stretch, irrespective of the exterior environs. Caring for your patio furniture protects it from weathering, fading and falling apart too soon. Here are some easy ways in which you can make your outdoor furniture last long and look great.

1. Regular Cleaning
Outdoor furniture should be cleaned regularly as per its material. Once every two weeks is ideal to get your patio furniture cleaned. Furniture made from aluminum, vinyl and plastic should be cleaned with a sponge dipped in warm soapy water. After a thorough scrubbing session and a proper rinse, the furniture should be kept out to dry in the sun. When it comes to wooden patio furniture, refrain from using soap & use plain water instead and let it dry after a good wipe.

2. Glass Tables
Keeping the glass table tops clean is essential to make the overall furniture look attractive. They should be cleaned daily with a glass cleaner followed by a paper towel for added shine.

3. Pressure Washing
Pressure washing is great for patio furniture that has been stored away for a long time. It instantly washes away cobwebs and debris stuck to the furniture.

4. Applying Paste Wax
Coating metallic furniture with paste wax right after purchasing helps in curbing rust formation. The paste wax should also be applied after washing the furniture. It can be bought from a hardware or home improvement store. If some rust has already started forming on your metal furniture, fret not, as there’s a way out. All you have to do is scrub the rust away with a wire brush.

5. Cleaning Mildew
Mildew can strike even on waterproof outdoor cushions and pillows. Sniff them regularly to catch a whiff of mildew as soon as it starts because tackling it immediately yields best results in keeping it away. Make sure cushions and pillows are completely dry before storing them indoors to prevent mildew.

6. Immediate Repairs
The moment you notice any wear and tear on your patio furniture, mend it to prevent more destruction. Fix cracks with special glues meant to do so, tighten loose bolts, screws and more. If need be, get the furniture replaced.

7. Cover The Patio Furniture
When not in use, patio furniture should be covered with custom made covers. You get to choose the color, style and material of the cover and check if they fit perfectly. Covering protects your furniture from outdoor elements. If you are not able to get a custom cover made, consider covering the furniture with plastic or vinyl tarps that are waterproof and breathable. Bungees and ropes can be used to keep the tarps intact.

8. Store Away During Winters
Harsh winters are not good for patio furniture. Proper storage of patio furniture during winters protects it from the not-so-good effects of ice and snow. You can make a special shed for the furniture or utilize your garage or basement.

Best Multi-Functional Furniture For Your Home

If minimalism, less clutter and more space is what you are looking for in your home, then multi-functional furniture is your best bet. Such furniture can be used for extra storage and dual purposes. They are ideal for homes in which space is an issue.

Let’s take a peek into some of the best multi-functional furniture for your home:

• Multi-Functional Beds

Multi-functional beds double up as sofas, storage options, tables and much more. They not only help you save on space and money, but also add grace and style. The most common ones are sofa beds, chest beds, wall beds, table beds and more. These beds are ideal for reducing clutter in a room due to the ample storage space they provide. Most of the beds these days come with storage options like smooth drawers or attached chests. You can conveniently tuck unnecessary items away and make your room tidy in a jiffy!

• Multi-Functional Dining Tables

These are great for small dining areas. They can be folded or expanded to suit your different seating requirements. Also they can be converted into corner tables when not in use or even used in the kitchen. Fusion tables are a hot trend as they are easy to convert and can also be used for storage purposes. You can use a fusion table as a designer dining table when hosting a meal or if you and your friends wish to get a little playful, you can easily convert it into a pool or billiards table as well.

• Innovative Chairs

Who said chairs are meant for sitting only? Today’s chairs are versatile and stylish. Modular chairs nowadays can be used for purposes other than sitting for example as stepping stools, magazine racks, shelves, wine holders and much more.

• Multi-Functional Mirrored Furniture

An iron board with an attached mirror is an example of such furniture. It is great for those staying in small apartments or hostels. On opening the board, you get an ironing board, and on locking it up and turning it, you get a decent mirror. This sleek and trendy piece of furniture can be easily placed in a corner. Box wardrobes that look like full size mirrors, but on being opened reveal spacious shelves for storage also fall under this category.

• Mag Table

A mag table is a smart piece of multi-functional furniture that can be used as a magazine stand on one side and when turned upside down converts into a laptop table, for storing tablets or simply as a platform to place snacks as you watch T.V.

• Couch Arm Rest Wrap

This can be used as an armrest as the name suggests or also as a tray. They are simple yet highly functional. Some also come with a tablet stand, cable organizer and charging dock.

• Stacking Tables

These usually come in different colors and are meant to be used as coffee and accent tables. However, they can be stacked up and converted into storage shelves when not in use.

• Multi-Functional Coffee Tables

These are ideal for small condos. They can be used as side tables in limited space and some come with a chest of drawers for added storage. They look trendy and stylish in any setting.

How To Choose The Right Fabric For Your Couch

There’s no family room, living or TV room without a couch. It’s that spot where you can comfortably slouch on and binge-watch your favorite TV show. Also your couch is where your guests will sit. So, the fabric on your couch should be strong, durable and nice to look at. It should be easily maintainable and durable enough to stand the test of time and daily usage. There’s so much to consider: the color, pattern, décor of the room and so on while choosing the right fabric for your couch.

Here we have listed certain factors that you must consider -

1. Durability - Durability of the fabric depends on its usage and the members in family. If children and pets are a part of your family, a rough and tough fabric will be your best bet. Woven patterns are the toughest lot. They have a higher thread count and tight weaves. Leather and micro-fiber fabrics are great for households with pets and kids.
2. Harmonious With The Interiors - It’s very important for the fabric to be in sync with the interiors of a house. It should perfectly blend with the furniture and décor. Your personality and sense of style should reflect in the fabric and couch.
3. Pattern - The pattern of a fabric has a major impact on the way a room looks and feels like. In large rooms, big and bold patterned fabrics blend well. However, for smaller rooms, fabrics with soft and small patterns are better.
4. Color Of The Fabric - If you’ve got a large couch, you will have to pay special attention to the choice of color for the fabric. It’s going to dominate the room so make sure it is pleasant to look at. Neutral colors are always a safe bet.
5. Environment - It is important to consider factors like sunlight and dampness while selecting the right fabric for your couch. If the couch is placed at a sunny spot make sure that the fabric is resistant to fading and if the room in which the couch is placed is a damp one, go for a fabric that is resistant to mildew. Opt for microfiber fabrics if there’s anyone in your home who is allergic to dust.
6. Stain Prevention - When choosing a fabric for your couch, consider whether stain prevention is a priority. If the couch is placed in a formal living room and will be used mainly by adults, you can opt for natural fabrics like linen, leather, cotton, wool, Vinyl and silk. On the contrary, if your couch is prone to staining, choose fabrics with built-in Crypton, Sunbrella finishes or BellaDura.

How To Organize Your Home Office For Maximum Productivity

Working at home comes with handful of perks. You get to decide when and how much to work. The trick is to get maximum productivity in shortest amount of time. For that, it is crucial to be organized.

If you are working from home, you’ve probably assigned a specific space for work. It could be a dedicated room or just a corner in your bedroom. The size of your home office does not matter. What matters the most is how organized it is.

If you are looking for some concise and to the point tips to organise a home office, then this is it. Let's take a look at some great tips.

Invest In A Cabinet

Work of any sort involves data and where there’s data, files are bound to be there. Keeping your work-related files organized in a file cabinet will massively boost your productivity. They will be easily accessible, saving you a lot of your precious time and energy. The saved time and energy can be effectively utilised for more work.

A Desk

The type of desk you work on makes a big difference to your productivity. Invest in a desk that suits your needs. There are a variety of work desks like executive, standing, computer, table desks and many more. The right desk gives you ample working space and minimizes clutter. A desk with a couple of drawers is an added advantage.

Inviting Workstation

Your workstation at home should be inviting. The moment you sit in an inviting space, you automatically start feeling inspired. You are more creative and willing to work to the best of your abilities. Something as simple as a vase of fresh flowers or a picture you love, right in front of you is enough to create the right vibe.

Office Chair

Needless to say, you will be spending a major part of your day on your office chair. That’s the chair you will sit on to make important calls, type and send business mails, do research etc. The more comfortable your chair is, higher your productivity levels will be. A good chair is one that supports your back and enables you to sit on for longer periods of time.

A Big Trashcan

However bizarre this may sound, it works! Most of the clutter in an office originates from file papers. File papers eventually get discarded or digitized. What remains is junk. Keep you workspace free of clutter by instantly disposing off unwanted papers in the dustbin.

Proper Lighting

Good lighting in an office reduces eye strain and boosts productivity. Improve the lighting in your home office with office lamps.

Ideas For Decorating Children’s Bedrooms

Children spend most of their time in their bedrooms sleeping, playing, studying or just zoning
out. Their rooms should be a place where the feel calm and rejuvenated.

Decorating a kids room doesn’t have to be an expensive affair if done smartly. Now, what is
smart?  Smart is being creative, spending less, and achieving your goal all in one go.

When decorating a child’s room you will have to consider the following:

• Age
• Sex
• Budget
• Theme

Based on this, lets delve deeper into the world of creativity and check out some cool decor
ideas that can spruce up any room in a jiffy!

Storage

Storage is an important aspect of decor. When it comes to kids, they would like practical storage
options and a pop of color here and there. Kids love a place for everything and take pride in
an orderly room. There is no end to how creative you can get with this. Try open colorful shelves for easy access. Make the closets interesting with colorful storage nooks and many shelves.

Wall Art

Wall art is a great way of adding personality to a room. It can spike up your little ones imagination. Kids are encouraged to think about what is going on. 3D frames with your child’s favorite soft toys are a great way to add warmth to the room. Buntings, map murals, wall letters, posters and picture rails are great forms of wall art.

DIY Hacks

There are tons of DIY hacks to transform your child’s room into a fun and practical
space. Blackboard paint can be used on a feature wall for random scribbling and drawing.
Try framing random pictures with washi-tape for a fun look. Collect your child’s artwork and
personalize one wall with his precious creations. Get creative and light up the room with hanging
lights.

Reading Corner

A cozy little reading corner is one of the best things you can create for your child. Fill it with
colorful books of his interest to bring out his inner bookworm. The place should be well lit and
you add some drama by using a bean bag or floor cushions.

Color Scheme

Let your child have a say when picking up a color for the room. It will make it even more
special. Keep in mind that the color of the room must blend with the furniture and accessories.
Soothing wall colors are best for kids’ rooms. Gender-neutral colors are always a safe bet.

Labeling

Owning a room comes with the responsibility of keeping it clean and tidy. Instill this life skill early on in your child by labeling as many things as possible. Label the storage boxes, closet spaces, filing cubes etc. In addition to improving reading skills, your child will learn the basics of being organized.

Living Room Wall Decoration Tips

Blank walls in a living room are like bare canvasses where you can display your creativity to make them look attractive. Home décor is an extension of your own personality and therefore it is essential to use wall decoration that you feel will look best. Don’t opt for conventional wall decorations; instead use your own imagination to get great results. Make sure that you do not have too many elements on a single wall as it can create a messy look.

Read on to know about some interesting wall decoration tips that need to be implemented in your living room:

Clean Your Wall: Before putting up any decorative elements on the wall of your living room, it is important to clean it thoroughly. Dusting is important to clean any dust marks or old stains and make your wall look beautiful. You can also apply a fresh coat of paint, if required. If your living room wall is untidy, no matter how good the artwork or decoration is, the overall effect will be negative.

Have Contemporary Texture Paint: A good coat of paint on the living room wall can really take it up a notch higher in terms of visual appeal. Nowadays, you have the option of choosing from a variety of textural paints that can make your living room wall look impressive. Do not opt for extremely bright colors but opt for something that blends with the other design elements in the room.

Apply Mathematics: If you are not sure about the size of art pieces that need to be hanged on the wall, it is best to use some calculations. A simple formula is “(wall width) X 0.57=perfect width of artwork to be hung”. If you are hanging multiple art pieces on the living room wall, imagine the bunch to be a single piece. This will help you to get the correct art to wall ratio and make your wall look balanced.

Stick To A Single Theme: When it comes to your living room, decide upon a good theme that will be prevalent in the décor as well as the walls. Use clean, simplistic designs and incorporate the same in the wall artwork as well. Anything you put up on the living room walls should be aesthetically appealing. Do not have something drastically different from the interior decoration elements as this can make the complete living room look disorganized.

Use Photographs Wisely: If you want to put up photographs and paintings on the living room wall, it is imperative to place them in a planned manner. Do not use too many pictures as they can make the wall look congested. Also keep in mind that putting up too many paintings or photographs can make your cleaning job a bit more tedious.