Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Decluttering Is the New Spring Cleaning

Spring may be in full swing, but Spring cleaning can feel impossible if you're faced with piles of clutter!

Whether your goal is for your home to sparkle by the Summer Solstice, or you just need to clear some space for some peace of mind, any time is an ideal time to organize and declutter your home. There’s almost nothing that makes a space feel fresher than organizing and decluttering.




Don't Get Overwhelmed, Get Started

Beginning a decluttering project can be overwhelming. If thinking about decluttering your home makes you want to lie down until the feeling goes away, start small. Breaking big jobs down into smaller ones makes them easier to handle.

Choose the room that is in the most urgent need of organization, and decide how to divide and conquer your clutter.

Do you have big tasks to tackle, like piles of paperwork that need filing or old photographs you've been meaning to digitize? Are there quick(er) and easy(er) fixes like putting away toys or craft supplies, or organizing a tool set?

When you have a mix of daunting and not-so-daunting tasks to tackle, decide how much time you have to dedicate, and what will give you more relief - will completing the small tasks make you feel you accomplished more? Or will getting the big project out of the way take a larger load off? Be honest with yourself about the time and commitment you're willing to make, and stick to it. Otherwise, the clutter will continue!

Remember that you don't need to declutter your whole home in the space of a day. Make strides on your schedule. Once you’ve completed your first room, move on to the next.

Keep the following questions in mind as you declutter your home: 
  • Is it an item you use regularly? 
  • Does it make your life easier? 
  • Is it expired or no longer efficacious? 
  • Does it have a place where it belongs?
  • Is it an item you are keeping out of feelings of obligation, even if you don’t like, need, or use it?

How to Declutter Your Living Room

The living room is where you spend time with family and entertain friends. It is often the first space people see when they enter your home. Keeping it neat and organized means you don’t have to do the “white tornado” when guests arrive on short notice.

  1. Go through all your shelves and edit your knick-knacks and curios. When shelves are too crowded, it’s hard to see what they contain. 
  2. Go through your magazines and books. Recycle any old magazines and donate any books you have already read (or, let's be honest, probably never will). 
  3. Go through the drawers of your end tables and coffee tables. Get rid of loose papers or unnecessary items. 
  4. Once you’ve decluttered the living room, create a tablescape on the coffee table that welcomes guests. After you’ve cleared out the drawers of your end tables, there will be plenty of space for things like TV remotes and other essential items you want to be kept out of sight.

How to Declutter Your Kitchen

The kitchen is where you work and socialize, so keeping it free of clutter helps you work more efficiently. 
  1. Get rid of any food past its expiration date and other items in the pantry you know you won’t use. 
  2. Get rid of any spices you don’t use since, over time, spices lose their freshness. Buy new ones the next time you need them. 
  3. Go through your kitchen towels and get rid of any torn or stained ones. Either set them aside to use as cleaning cloths or toss them. 
  4. Go through your dishes and get rid of any that are chipped or cracked. 
  5. Go through all drawers and cabinets and get rid of any appliances, tools, or bakeware that you don’t use or that are broken.


How to Declutter Your Home Office

It’s hard to be creative or productive if your desk isn’t organized and you don’t have a comfortable office chair. Decluttering your workspaces will also declutter your mind.

  1. Toss any receipts that are over a year old unless they are needed for tax purposes. 
  2. File the tax-related paperwork. The same goes for bills that are more than a year old. Invest in a paper shredder for any documents that contain personal information. 
  3. Dispose of the shredded documents immediately, so you don’t forget about them. 
  4. Go through any file drawers, cabinets, or filing folders and toss or shred any items or papers you no longer need. 
  5. Examine the items on your desk. Are they décor or clutter? Make a decision and relocate or dispose of any items that don't make your workspace more inspirational. 
  6. Check that pen collection, and throw out any pens or markers that no longer produce.

How to Declutter Your Bathroom

Imagine how much easier getting ready in the morning will be when your bathroom is free of clutter and organized.

  1. Cosmetics and makeup have an expiration date, so throw away any that you are no longer using or are over a year old. 
  2. Get rid of any old or empty toiletry containers. Combine containers that are almost empty into new ones to save some space. 
  3. Take a quick look at the shower and get rid of any empty containers hiding there. Do you have any items that you don’t use regularly on the sink, counter area, and the back of the toilet? Stow them under the sink or in the medicine closet. 
  4. Go through your bathroom towels, and remove and replace any torn or stained ones.

How to Declutter Your Bedroom

It’s incredibly difficult to feel relaxed and refreshed if your bedroom is cluttered with too much clothing, shoes, and accessories. However, you can never have too many pillows on the bed.

  1. Remove everything from the top of the dresser that you don’t use every day. 
  2. Go through your closet and drawers and remove any clothing you don’t wear. Donate any pieces of clothing that are in good condition. 
  3. Line up your shoes in the closet. Donate any you haven’t worn in the last three to six months, except any special occasion shoes. Repeat with scarves, belts, jewelry, and other accessories. 
  4. Check the nightstands and under the bed for any items you can store somewhere else, donate, or throw away. 

In your mission to declutter, don’t just move items to the garage or fill up the spare room. 
Get rid of anything you no longer need by having a garage sale or take items to a thrift shop. Any items that have missing pieces or parts, or that you don’t need or use, have to go. 

When the mission is completed, sit back, relax, and survey your work. Enjoy your freshly decluttered space and peace of mind.

Read Baer's Furniture reviews on Yelp. Learn more about Baer's Furniture.

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

7 Most Inspiring Florida Décor Instagrams

 

Florida home décor has its beginning in early homes built to take advantage of ocean breezes and Florida’s temperate winters. These homes often featured verandas and wrap-around porches that provide shade outside and coolness inside.

Sailors and travelers from across the ocean brought tropical and island inspiration to Florida interior design. These influences are seen in the furniture, colors, and eclectic mix of styles that comprise Florida décor.



Styles That Mix Well with Florida House Décor

Mediterranean, tropical, mid-century modern, and coastal styles mix remarkably well in Florida interior design. They reflect the cool, breezy feel of the region. The ideal interior décor will highlight sprawling interior spaces and an abundance of windows that let in plenty of natural light.

Where to Find Florida Decorating Ideas and Inspiration

Florida is a big state with myriad influences that encompass numerous design styles. Inspiration for Florida interiors can be found everywhere, from lush tropical landscaping to Mediterranean and Art Deco architecture.

One of the best places to find inspiration is on Instagram. This highly visual platform makes it easy to find tons of Florida design accounts and follow them for Florida decorating ideas.

1) Baer’s Furniture

Filled with images of laid-back coastal style, wicker and rattan furniture as well as designs with a modern flair, there’s no better place to begin your search for inspiration than scrolling through this account.

Florida-style furniture reflects the easy, breezy casual vibe of seaside living. Clean modern lines and pops of color tie these looks together. You’ll find plenty of Florida decorating ideas to make your heart go pitter-patter.

2) Interiors by Brown

Interiors by Brown curates a stunning collection of images highlighting Florida style in all its glory.

These sleek, unfussy interiors focus on rich texture and high contrast. Not quite traditional, not quite transitional, they are totally Florida.

3) Claudia Leah Design

On Claudia Leah's profile, gorgeous images showcase the rich variety found in the Florida color palette. Each image is a meticulously framed celebration of style and color. Her neutrals are anything but neural and her colors really pop.

4) Gulfstream Design

With a name like Gulfstream Design, you know you’re going to see fresh vibrant color mixes, textured neutral spaces, and everything in between.

In this post, natural materials play nicely with gorgeous wallpaper featuring huge tropical prints. You can’t get more Florida than that.

5) Jessica Mendes Design

If color is not your thing but you are afraid a neutral palette will be boring, scroll through Jessica Mendes Design's profile to view alluringly beautiful neutral spaces.

You’ll be inspired by this post that shows how the natural textures of wicker lights and woven seats complement richly stunning marble and pure white walls.

6) Trade Mark Interiors

Modern, warm, and comfortable describes the looks by Trade Mark Interiors. This profile provides plenty of inspiration for anyone whose aesthetic is stylishly homey. The perfect mix of color and texture combines in designs that are refined and inviting.

7) Okkla Realty

Looking for bold colors and compelling patterns?

Look no further than the feed of Okkla Realty. Time spent scrolling through these images is truly time well spent. You find inspiring ways to update and style your home in ways that express your personality.

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Are Accent Walls Still a Thing? Spoiler Alert: Yes.

Rumors that accent walls are on their way out are greatly exaggerated, as evidenced by their resurgence this past year. This trend is expected to continue beyond 2021.

Accent walls are a fun and relatively easy way to spice things up in your living room, dining room, or bedroom. If you are thinking about adding a little extra interest to a room in your home, check out these accent wall ideas.

Make a Design Statement in Your Home

When done well, accent walls are a stunning feature in your home. They make a powerful design statement that draws the eye to a specific part of the room. Not only do they create a focal point in the space, but they also give you a chance to play with textures and colors that you may not want on all four walls.

With this in mind, don't be afraid to use a bold color or pattern on your accent wall. Choosing a bold, bright color makes the wall stand out, which is precisely what you want. If you are a little hesitant to use bold color, go with a color that is several shades darker than the color on the rest of the walls. The goal is to make the difference obvious, otherwise, your accent wall won't stand out.

Choose the Right Wall

Once you've decided on the color or pattern for your accent wall, you need to decide which wall will be the accent wall. Find the room's natural focal point; this will be the best place for an accent wall.

In a living room, the focal point is generally the wall the couch is against, but it could also be the wall with built-in shelves, the TV, or the fireplace.

In the bedroom, the accent wall is the wall with the bed, and bathroom accent walls are generally behind the bathtub or vanity or in the shower.

You can add an accent wall in any space you want to pop, but we recommend only one accent wall per room or they will compete with each other. You can add accent walls to more than one room in a house.

Color Combinations for Accent Walls

Draw color inspiration for your accent wall from the existing color palette in the room. If you have a rug or upholstered furniture, try pulling a color out of the palette featured in the pattern. If you have a solid color sofa, try a contrasting color on the wall behind it.

Types of Accent Wall Materials

There's more to accent walls than paint, although that is the fastest and easiest option. Other ways to create an accent wall include wood, wallpaper, or stone.



Painted Accent Walls

The easiest way to change the look of a room is to paint one wall a bold color. But that's not the only way.

Think about creating a pattern with two shades of the same color. Try a deep purple with another purple two or three shades lighter. Paint the wall with the darker shade, then using painter tape, tape off simple stripes or get funky with a geometric pattern. Then paint over it with the lighter shade, remove the tape, and you have a tone-on-tone pattern on your beautiful accent wall in your living room.



Wood Accent Walls

There are many ways to add a wood accent wall to your home décor - from shiplap to millwork to reclaimed planks. Wood accent walls are a safe way to add interest without bold color.


Wallpaper Accent Walls

Wallpapering an entire room may seem intimidating, but one wall? With a little practice, you'll soon be a pro. There are so many wallpapers to choose from that you can evoke whatever mood you like in your space.


Stone Accent Walls

There’s nothing like the look of a stone accent wall color for adding texture, detail, and interest to a room. In a dining room, a stone accent wall makes a statement that catches everyone’s attention; in a bedroom, it adds warmth and depth to the space.

Are you considering adding an accent wall to your space? What materials and colors inspire you?

Read Baer's Furniture Reviews. Learn more about Baer's Furniture.



Friday, February 12, 2021

5 Ways to Make Your Home the Comfy, Cozy Retreat You Need Right Now

For many, homes have become a catch-all space.

Almost everything — meetings, school, meals — happens in the same rooms. While we're living mostly at home, it’s natural to crave something that makes our days feel brighter, fresher, and less stressful.

Try these cozy home décor ideas to create a space that helps you find your calm. Keep in mind that what makes you and your family feel comfort is personal, so use these ideas as a starting point for turning your home into a comfy retreat from what is often a hectic world.


1) Warm It Up with Color

Cozy colors make even a large space feel snug and intimate. They wrap you in a warm hug as you enter the room, making you feel relaxed and rested.

These palettes tend to feature saturated tones and warm hues of orange, chocolate brown, caramel, and charcoal, but even cooler colors can feel cozy in their deeper hues like moss or navy. Adding these to your home will make every space feel welcoming.

Make a Pinterest or mood board that includes your favorite colors and images that make you feel warm, comforted, calm, and relaxed. Use this as your color inspiration.

You don’t have to repaint the walls, though - chances are these colors are already in your space. Just add some of the cozy touches below to emphasize your calm color palette.


2) Layer on the Texture

Be generous with layers of texture, mixing tweedy fabrics, fur, wood, or rattan. This brings depth and warmth into any room. Adding a wicker accent chair will immediately give a room warmth and depth.

Rugs are another attractive and quick way to add texture, so much so that we’ve devoted an entire section to area rugs below.

Blankets displayed on a ladder, a basket mindfully placed in a corner, or a mound of pillows on the bed can bring instant cozy comfort.

3) Soften the Space with Area Rugs

A quick and easy way to cozy up your home is to add softness with area rugs. Walking in the door, taking off your shoes, and relaxing at the end of the day is always a comforting feeling, but it’s even better when you step into a plush, fluffy rug. This not only amps up your style but also puts extra cushioning under your feet. You can also use the concept of layer here by placing a patterned design over a sisal rug.


4) Bring in Blankets, Throws, and Pillows

Keeping blankets, throws, and pillows handy not only looks comfy-cozy, it is comfy-cozy. Draping light blankets or large scarves over the arm or back of a sofa or chair keeps warmth in easy reach (not to mention adding tons of texture). You can easily wrap yourself up in a blanket and relax into soft pillows whenever the mood strikes.

Some think there is a limit to how many pillows you should place on a sofa or bed, but when you’re going for warm and cozy, it's up to you! Chenille, velvet, and faux fur are great options for both comfort and texture. The rich, luxurious vibe of these fabrics adds the perfect comfy touch.

5) Breathe in Comfort

Because scents are so closely attached to memories, they can affect your mood. You can easily make your space feel warm and comforting by using scents such as vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves. Other people find coffee, eucalyptus, or lavender soothing. Candles are the perfect way to liven the air with scents, and their soft glow also adds to the comforting ambiance.

Rich colors, plush pillows, and natural textures are just a few cozy home décor ideas that can create a space that helps you find your calm. This list is just the beginning - use it to spark your imagination and bring more comfort into your space.


Read Baer's Furniture reviews. Learn more about Baer's Furniture.


Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Baer's Interior Designers 2021 Trend Forecast




In 2020, feeling comfortable in your home became more important than ever. This trend will likely continue into the New Year. Home is where we work, relax, recharge, and spend quality time with family and friends. People want their homes to look and feel comfortable, so expect soft shapes, plush fabrics, and some traditional styles to return to living rooms and bedrooms. While inspiration blends with function in these spaces more than ever, there are other home décor trends our interior designers see coming our way. Here are some of the major trends we see for 2021.

Browns and Beiges

One of the things we’ve seen again and again is a rising interest in browns and beiges. Bright sandy colors, warm taupes, and pretty khakis are all trending. Pretty much any earth tone is gaining popularity. It’s a shift from whites and grays, but still neutral. These colors also work well as accent colors, bringing warmth to white or gray palettes. So you don’t have to repaint all your walls to easily warm up a space.

Expanding Outdoor Space

Homeowners are increasingly looking to expand their living space, and this means turning outdoor areas into places they can relax in comfort. You can feel the South Beach vibe with these super modern architectural pieces. This space is made for dining, lounging, and enjoying the ocean breeze.

Harmony with Nature

Natural materials have been relevant for years, and that trend is going to continue. Wood, stone, glass, and metal still reign in interiors, and natural fabrics are chosen over synthetics. Especially popular will be unpainted stone textures, wood surfaces, ceramics, wicker furniture, and live plants. Decorative elements and prints will also echo this trend towards nature. Images of birds, animals, leaves, and flowers are being used in urban interiors. Intense floral prints and vivid tropical motifs in wallpaper and upholstery fabric will continue to surge in popularity.

Multizone Kitchens

These days, homeowners want their kitchens to accommodate a variety of tasks. This means they are evolving past the traditional triangle shape and towards a work trapezoid that includes a variety of areas for all the action that takes place: baking, chopping, and prepping as well as drinks, snacks, and meals.

 

Metals Still Shine

Metal materials will continue their migration from kitchens and bathrooms into living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. Warm metals such as copper, bronze, and brass are still popular, while cool silvers and blacks are rapidly becoming stylish. Metal lamps and coffee tables shine against plush upholstery and dark brown wood.

Individualization, of Course

It may seem counterintuitive, but the most important trend of 2021 is to ignore these trends and personalize the design to create a space that reflects your personality. In this individual approach, everything you love is concentrated, and your interests and tastes guide the design. 

This means your interior design isn’t limited to the framework of a particular style, but follows the needs and preferences of the people who occupy the space: you and your family.