In all of the years we’ve been in this house, I think I’ve only shown the side yard play area maybe once. Ever since Robert and I hauled a trampoline into the corner of our fence for the kids a year and a half ago, we let it fall into a state of semi-disarray. Play Area Side Yard IdeasThe kids’ area would sometimes get muddy, the trampoline pad started showing serious signs of wear, and the dead grass underneath wasn’t a good look. I’ve seen so many cute backyard playgrounds with perfectly landscaped mulch, but the reality is that’s a laborious, somewhat pricey, and frustrating maintenance job with kids running around. Add in a canopy of trees raining debris everywhere, and it would just be a constant leaf clean-up battle. So we added a little playscape decor to make this side yard play area more aesthetic and functional. See what a difference it made in the two before and after photos below just by making a few small changes? If you have a similar kids’ space, I hope these play area side yard ideas help to spruce it up in a jiffy. Related: 35 DIY Backyard Ideas on a Budget 1. Large Plants Under a TrampolineWhy In Ground Trampolines Are Sometimes a Bad IdeaI love the clean look of in-ground trampolines without the need of a bulky safety net, but our yard had several challenges working against it.
Best Plants to Place Under TrampolinesAdding two voluminous ferns and a hosta in these rectangular planters on either side of our above ground trampoline entrance helped disguise the ugly, barren ground underneath. These plants grow large and full, love shade or partial shade, and are low maintenance making them ideal to use at the base of trampolines to hide damaged grass underneath.
See what a difference a few planters of greenery made? Replacing the worn trampoline pad was a big help too. 2. Tree Stump Trampoline Ladder StepI wish we had a big stump handy for the kids to use as a natural step in lieu of a trampoline ladder, but we haven’t been chopping any trees lately. (You could likely check Facebook Marketplace for anyone local selling or giving away old tree stumps.) Instead, I found a cube table made of reclaimed teak root that did the job. But I think a tree stump would look WAY cooler (and be cheaper); think fairy garden vibes. 3. Tiki Torches to Keep Mosquitos AwayDefinitely ONLY light Tiki torches a safe distance away from a trampoline and never when kids are left unsupervised, but it’s really helpful to keep the biting bugs away while the little ones have fun. I love that we now have this pair of Tiki torches staked in the ground with these cast iron bases to make backyard cookouts extra enjoyable while the kids play in the side yard. Plus, they add a pretty glow. 4. Stepping Stones to Prevent Muddy FeetRobert and I found these polyresin stepping stones that are great for staying cooler than real stone under little ones’ feet on a hot day. They come with stakes to anchor them into the ground so you never have to worry about them shifting. Create a path with stepping stones for the kids in their play area from one structure to the next so they don’t have to traipse through the mud. Bonus points: They’re perfect for playing “The Floor is Lava” and “Leapfrog”. 5. Kids’ Picnic TableOur kids love having snacks or popsicles outside in the sunshine, so adding a little picnic table is a totally logical addition. They’re always playing restaurant or painting “en plein air” (though they just call it art time outside), so now they have the perfect spot to do it. An outdoor play area just feels complete with a picnic table. 6. Outdoor PlayhouseWe got this playhouse for our 4 year-old for Christmas last year (but our 10 year-old still enjoys playing in it with her too). It has been the best for pretend play. Our girls and their friends love opening the side window, cooking at the little play kitchen, and playing restaurant. I found the topiaries by chance at a local nursery, filled the window boxes with some leftover faux hydrangea I had, and placed an old faux plant from IKEA on the picnic table for them. 7. Swing SetWe got this swing set over two years ago, and it has held up perfectly! All of the Lifetime brand outdoor play sets seem very well made. Ours is one of the smaller backyard playsets while their bigger versions have climbing walls, forts, and obstacle courses, but the small outdoor playset is still a great size for age 3 to teen. It’s even heavy duty enough to hold up to Robert and me sliding and swinging on it (yeah, that’s a sight to behold). 8. Trampoline LightsSince the side yard doesn’t get a lot of light at night from our string lights on the other side of our backyard, we put up these outdoor trampoline lights that added just enough glow to make it feel magical. We zip tied the lights along the top of the safety enclosure net as well as underneath the perimeter of the jumping mat frame so the kids could see the lights dancing underneath them as they jump. Attach the battery pack underneath the trampoline pad so that it’s a bit more protected from rain. So now, thankfully, with just a few small additions, this side yard makes much more sense. If you drive by our house and see me jumping on the trampoline, blaring 90s pop, and cranking up the party lights, let me have my moment. I have to teach these kids how it’s properly done, okay? Side Yard Play Area Sources
Have you implemented any fun decor in your kids’ outdoor play space? Or maybe added some unique features to your side yard? More Outdoor Entertaining Ideas
The post 8 Side Yard Play Area Ideas and Trampoline Decor appeared first on Bless'er House. Originally from Bless'er House https://ift.tt/BcFbihy
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Robert and I have been super into all things backyard lately (and we have 35 DIY backyard projects to prove it… WHEW!), but one of the most frequent questions I always get is “How do you like your Walmart outdoor furniture?” Our Brutally Honest Review of Our Walmart Outdoor FurnitureNow that we’ve had our Better Homes & Gardens patio furniture sets and outdoor dining tables for over a year (and our back porch conversation set for over 2 years), I thought it would help to dive into the pros and cons about them. We love most features about our outdoor seats and tables, but they’re not perfect. There are a few things to keep in mind to decide if they’re the right choice for your own backyard. So if you prefer doing lots of research like I do before making big furniture purchases, I hope this in-depth review will help you. For weather condition context, we live in the suburbs of Charlotte, North Carolina where it only snows a couple days per year. We do experience weeks of freezing temperatures in winter, and we have very high precipitation in spring and summer (even more rainfall on average annually than Seattle). Our weather is especially humid in summer, so mildew can be a battle on outdoor furniture in our climate. Better Homes & Gardens River Oaks Outdoor Conversation SetWe’ve had this 5-piece conversation set from the Better Homes & Gardens brand at Walmart on our back porch for over 2 years, and would absolutely give it 4.5 stars. Okay, really it’s more like 4.8 stars with only a couple of minor complaints. Our River Oaks set came with an outdoor all-weather wicker sofa, 2 swivel chairs, a 2-piece nesting coffee table, and weather-proof covers. The River Oaks style comes in several other furniture configuration sets too. River Oaks Set ConfigurationsHow the River Oaks Set Has Held Up 2 Years LaterI was a little nervous about how grimy the cushions on this conversation set would look over time, but the all-weather covers that come with the set helps a lot during the heavy pollen season (we only cover them in the winter and periodically around April when the pollen is at its worst). Any big spills we’ve had on the cushions have scrubbed right up with Folex and a terry cloth. I’ve only had to fully clean the cushions once in the entire time we’ve owned them (and that was a year ago when they really weren’t too dirty to begin with). To be fair, these seats are protected a bit from the elements since we have this on our covered porch. But it does get damp out here on rainy days, and so far the set looks mostly like new. ProsWe tested outdoor furniture sets in stores from Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, IKEA, and Target, and still felt this Walmart set was the best in terms of quality for the price.
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We did end up swapping the nesting coffee table that came with the set for this white outdoor coffee table only because I liked the look of a simple table better. If you need a high-end looking patio set on a lower budget though, I absolutely still recommend this set as the best outdoor furniture even now 2 years after buying it. Related: Our Back Porch Refresh | The Best Haint Blue Paint Color for Porch Ceilings | Best Deck Stain Color for a Neutral Driftwood Look Better Homes and Gardens Kennedy Pointe Outdoor Dining TableWe’ve had these two outdoor dining tables from the Better Homes & Gardens brand at Walmart on our pool deck patio area for over a year, and would give it 4.5 stars. Our Kennedy Pointe outdoor dining table is made of steel but is made to look like wood, so it has much more durability and requires less maintenance than real wood. Its classic style with black leg supports works with a variety of decorating styles: modern, rustic, transitional, etc. How Our Walmart Patio Table Has Held Up After 1 YearWe are so happy with the durability of these outdoor dining tables since buying them 14 months ago. It’s worth noting that we do not store or cover these tables at all. They sit out on our concrete pool deck all year, even through winter. There is one chipped place on the edge of one of the tables that shows some rust, but that is the only damage so far. We haven’t really noticed any significant fading or problems with discoloration. One of our crape myrtle trees experienced sooty black mold last fall that got black grime on absolutely everything, and it was difficult to get that grime cleaned out from the grain texture in the tabletop, but it’s nothing a pressure washer set on low with a little Krud Kutter can’t fix. Normally, I just wipe them down with some Method all-purpose cleaner and a rag before eating on them. Pros
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All in all, we absolutely love these tables and wholeheartedly recommend them. For $298 each, they are great quality and will last a long time. We also bought these very durable outdoor French bistro chairs 3 years ago, and they are still like new! They’re made of resin with aluminum frames and are very sturdy and comfortable. Related: How to Hang Outdoor String Lights Anywhere in a Backyard | Our Modular Outdoor Kitchen Built in a Day! | DIY Painted Concrete Pool Deck and Patio Better Homes and Gardens Brookbury Sectional Dining SetWe’ve had this patio dining set from the Better Homes & Gardens brand at Walmart under our DIY pergola cabana for over a year, and give it 4.5 stars too considering the price, which is currently on sale at $597 (in the light gray/beige color). I’ve read a few reviews about shipping / delivery issues, but we didn’t experience any problems. Our Brookbury sectional dining set that seats 7 people came with an outdoor all-weather wicker sectional sofa, two cushioned ottoman stools, a dining table, and weather-proof covers. The Brookbury style comes in several other colors too. Brookbury Dining Set Color Options
There is a premium fabric version as well that has a 5 year warranty for $897. How the Brookbury Set Has Held Up After a YearI was worried about how dirty the cushions on this dining set would look after a while, especially since this set sits out in the open air without any protection from rain. The all-weather covers that come with the set helps a lot during the winter and heavy pollen season. We cover them in the winter, periodically around April when the pollen is at its worst, and if we happen to think about covering them before a big rain storm (but they get rained on a LOT). Any big spills we’ve had on the cushions have scrubbed right up with Folex and a terry cloth. I’ve never once had to fully clean these cushions; they’ve only been spot cleaned, so the fabric looks amazing considering that. We haven’t experience any holes or rips in the fabric at all, and our kids (and their friends) are super rough on them as we host pool parties all summer. All in all, we feel it’s the best patio furniture for the price when it comes to multifunction. Related: DIY Pergola Cabana Build Pros
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So that’s the full run-down of our Better Homes and Gardens outdoor furniture! We are so happy with all three of these pieces, and now that I’ve seen how well they have all held up with time, I’m thinking about replacing our poolside chaise lounge chairs that require way more maintenance. Buying cheap outdoor furniture helps out the budget, but if it’s not going to last over the years, it’s not really worth it in the long run. Thankfully, our Walmart outdoor furniture has proven to be great at both budget and durability. I’m glad we could be the guinea pigs on this little experiment, so that we could confidently recommend them to you guys who ask me about them all the time. We will always be honest about everything we share because we would want the same treatment done to us. I hope this helped! Anything else you want us to review next? The post Our Walmart Patio Furniture Review 1 Year Later appeared first on Bless'er House. Originally from Bless'er House https://ift.tt/3EzUSyW Ever since we wrapped up Regan’s big vintage bed switcheroo, I have been on the hunt for the perfect narrow bedside tables to fit on either side of her bed. I *think* I’ve finally found a winner. The bedrooms in our house aren’t spacious by any means, so we’ve had to get creative over the years finding small nightstands to make the most of our space and friends’ spaces. (I don’t know about you, but if I have to choose, I’d rather have a big bed to sprawl out in alongside a slim bedside table.) So I pulled together 20 favorite skinny nightstands to work in small bedrooms as well as some nightstand ideas to help make the most of your space, if you have the same challenge in your home. Nightstand Ideas1. Replace Glass Doors in NightstandsConceal clutter in behind glass doors in nightstands by replacing the glass with cane webbing. It takes just a few minutes and is an inexpensive way to create a new look. Tutorial: DIY Cane Nightstand Makeover 2. Change the HardwareIt’s so easy to add a little of your own style to a basic nightstand by simply replacing the plain knob or pull with one that makes a statement. Related: Best Places to Buy Furniture Hardware and Kitchen Cabinet Pulls 3. Keep Charging Capability in MindWe got these nightstands for Olivia’s room that has a compartment in the back to run a power strip with a USB port as a device charging station. If your nightstand doesn’t have a hidden compartment for running power cords, simply place a power strip inside of the top drawer and drill a hole with a hole saw bit in the back of a nightstand to run a cord to an outlet behind the bed. Related: Swedish Cottage Bedroom Decorating Ideas & Girl’s Room Tour 4. Keep a Basket UnderneathIf you need extra storage in a nightstand that has an open shelf, place a basket inside instead to conceal clutter. 5. Search for Living Room End TablesSometimes I have better luck finding a narrow bedside table that works better for a bedroom when searching for end tables in the living room category. Since our guest bedroom really doesn’t require much storage, this end table worked perfectly. 6. Use a StoolEspecially in a temporary bedroom, like what we set up on our home office using an air mattress, it helps to use a stool as a makeshift nightstand. But it works well in a regular small bedroom too, if you’re very limited on space. Related: Office Guest Room Ideas for a Cozy Temporary Sleeping Space 20 Favorite Small NightstandsIf you have a small bedroom, here are my top 20 favorite narrow nightstands that still make a statement. Do you have any other nightstand tricks you’ve figured out in your own home? I finally found the perfect nightstand for Regan’s room on Facebook Marketplace, and I can’t wait to get started on painting it! More on that later though. Small Bedroom Decorating Ideas
The post 20 Narrow Bedside Tables for Small Bedrooms appeared first on Bless'er House. Originally from Bless'er House https://ift.tt/YC31jUV For whatever grief choosing a paint color causes for my decision paralysis, choosing the perfect exterior wood stain color is INFINITELY worse! What’s up with that? BUT after days of indecision, I finally found the absolute best deck stain color of all time! We have been living in our house for exactly 6 years, and other than pressure washing, we have never once stained or sealed our back porch wood floors. I know; that’s really bad. How Often Should You Stain a Wood Deck?At the very least, you should reapply wood sealer every three years. In many cases, you really should seal a deck once per year in instances of heavy foot traffic and sun exposure. Without staining and sealing regularly, decking can experience wood rot and break down faster. So it’s an expensive fix to replace, if you don’t protect a wood deck every couple of years. And we definitely didn’t want to replace anything, if we could help it. How Much Did It Cost to Refinish the Deck?Refinishing these wood boards was way overdue, and we really got lucky thanks to patching a few damaged wood boards with Bondo Rotted Wood Restorer. We rented an orbital floor sander machine (from Sunbelt Rentals) for $67 for the day to speed up the process by giving us a clean, new surface and had our entire back porch covered with its first coat of wood stain and sealer within 4 hours. In all, for equipment rental, wood patch, stain & sealer, and supplies, it cost us $307. Related: The Best Haint Blue Paint Color for Porch Ceilings Our Favorite Neutral Driftwood Deck Stain ColorI guess your definition of the best and my definition of the best might be two different colors. But this deck stain is the perfect light neutral driftwood shade that eliminates yellow in the wood without any weird blue undertones. See how pretty it is?! It’s called Behr Taupe semi-transparent waterproofing stain and sealer. The taupe solid stain version would work well on an older deck that has significant stains you need to cover them. We used this same Behr deck stain in a different color on other backyard projects 2 years ago, and it has held up incredibly well in the harsh weather. If I had known about this driftwood stain color, I would have been using it all along. Here is how the Behr stain color in Taupe looked as I brushed around the edges of our deck. Driftwood Stain Color in Different LightingSee how the stain looks around the perimeter on top of our yellowish wood deck? I haven’t edited these photos below so you can get a sense of how it looks in person. The lighting does looks slightly blue in this first photo below in more direct sunlight, but it’s still a very neutral driftwood stain. I didn’t notice any blue or purple tint in person. Why You Should Always Test Stain Colors FirstHere is how the Behr Taupe semi-transparent waterproofing exterior stain looks along the brick wall of our porch. It drives me crazy when I brush stain on a piece of wood thinking it will be a great neutral light brown and it ends up being a dark reddish or yellowy color. So these are some things to think about as you sample stain colors to make sure it will work well on your own deck. Wood SpeciesWood species does play a major roll in how stain colors appear, so it’s always important to test your wood stain on a scrap piece of wood or in an inconspicuous area on your deck. Wood AgeBefore applying stain, be sure the wood is clean as dirt and grime can affect the color’s appearance. The age of your wood plays a significant role in stain color. Older wood tends to appear darker than new wood after stain is applied. Lighting ConditionsKeep in mind that the look of stain colors will change depending on your lighting conditions too. So if you’re really concerned, look at the stain color sample at different times of the day before starting your project. The color might look completely different on an overcast day versus a rainy day or sunny day. Related: How to Choose Paint Colors for Your Home Interior Like a Pro Recommended Stain ApplicationWe tried this Behr Taupe color on our pine porch floor as well our pressure treated wood deck steps. Unfortunately, we did make the mistake of rolling the stain on the large area of porch flooring, and it left a slightly less transparent finish. The stairs that we hand brushed looked so much better with a semi-transparent look, so in hindsight, it would have been worth it to spray or brush the entire space to see more of the wood grain. Finished Deck in Behr Taupe StainStill we absolutely love the end result of our refinished porch wood flooring, and this taupe stain color is now officially my go-to from now on! If you love the look of Serena & Lily, it would be beautiful to use wood patio furniture to create that similar light, airy, coastal style with the neutral driftwood tone. Related: DIY Faux Driftwood Outdoor Dining Table Makeover We’re not totally sure how old this wood decking is, but it’s definitely been here for well over a decade. It really turned out beautifully considering its age. (By the way, can you picture a fireplace in place of that faux mantel? I just ordered the materials to start that project and cannot wait! Eek!) Related: 35 DIY Backyard Ideas on a Budget Wood Deck Before RefinishingQuite an improvement from just a day before, right? Cleaning the wood deck with a pressure washer and degreaser detergent and sanding was absolutely a necessity to make it the color of my dreams. I didn’t even know it was the deck color of my dreams until now. You learn something new every day, I guess. So now the back porch is all dressed up and ready for summer! Now that it’s been 2 years since we bought our Walmart patio furniture, I plan to share an update about it soon. Related: Our Back Porch Refresh We’re still working on refinishing the side deck connected to this back porch, updating the no longer working outdoor speakers, and giving everything a fresh coat of paint. (That haint blue ceiling still has my heart.) Backyards, decks, and porches really are a pain in the maintenance department, but it’s a good thing they’re so rewarding. More things will be happening out here soon! More Back Porch / Back Deck Ideas
The post Best Deck Stain Color for a Neutral Driftwood Look appeared first on Bless'er House. Originally from Bless'er House https://ift.tt/XaZAT0b After adding a new “big girl” bed in our 4 year-old’s bedroom last week, I started thinking about ALL of the kids room storage ideas and decor tricks we’ve used in all of our kids’ bedroom makeovers in the past few years. There are WAY more than I thought there would be! Because when it comes to decorating small kids rooms, we try to pack them full of as much function as possible without taking up too much space. How a room flows with kids’ everyday tasks matters every bit as much as making it look beautiful, so if you’re decorating your own kids’ bedrooms and want to include smart decor ideas to streamline storage and routines, these are our favorite solutions. 1. Lidded Hampers and BasketsAdding a lidded hamper to a child’s bedroom is such a small change from a regular open basket, but it makes the difference in making a space look more tidy by concealing dirty laundry. We added this lidded hamper to our daughter’s closet system, and our rule is once the hamper is too full to close the lid, it’s time to start a laundry load. Lidded hampers, baskets, and trunks are great to keep handy for tossing in dress-up clothes, toys, and stuffed animals too. We’ve used this IKEA trunk for years where our girls can quickly toss in their play costumes. 2. Accessible BookshelvesIf your kid is an avid reader, it’s so handy to have a bookshelf accessible near the bed. It seems like such a simple thing, but a bookshelf is an often forgotten item when decorating a kid’s bedroom. I love this modern wall bookshelf to take the place of wall art while adding a small space for displaying collections too. 3. Fandeliers for Bunk BedsHow many times did we smack our heads on ceiling fan blades when we were younger? The casualties are even worse if you’re climbing out of a bunk bed. That’s one of the many reasons why we love using a fandelier in children’s bedrooms. Plus, they’re pretty! Post: Best Rated Fandeliers + How to Paint a Chandelier Ceiling Fan I love this wicker fandelier we put in Olivia’s room recently too. 4. Hang Out Loft or Reading NookA great small kids bedroom idea if you want to double the space is to opt for a bunk with a loft underneath to create plenty of room for a study space or hang out with friends. Include a cute bookshelf and comfy armchair for them to enjoy for added comfort in the bedroom design. 5. Foosball Coffee TableWhen decorating a playroom, rec room, or teen hangout space (even if they’re lucky enough to have space for a hang out area in their own bedroom), including a game like a foosball table is a really cool feature. This teen hangout rec room needed a coffee table anyway so using a mini foosball coffee table created an amenity out of something ordinary. 6. Hidden Storage Compartments in FurnitureAny time you can hide toys, blankets, or games inside of furniture is a huge win for gaining floor space! Keep an eye out for chairs, ottomans, or tables to incorporate in the room design that allow you to hide items while keeping them in easy reach. Plus, they make room cleanup a breeze. These sectional chairs not only have hidden storage for stashing toys, but we an also push multiple chairs together to form a sofa or other configurations. 7. Desk / VanityA homework station or art desk is already a good idea for kids rooms, but if your kiddo especially loves playing with makeup, add a tabletop mirror to provide double duty as a vanity. Search Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist that usually have lots of them available. Since we had to cram enough storage for 3 girls in this small bedroom, we found these dressers that doubled as desks and vanities. Adding triple the function is a game changer! 8. Bluetooth Speaker / RadioOur kids love having a Bluetooth connected speaker to stream music soft while they’re studying or lively music while dancing around with friends. I love including vintage style Bluetooth radios that allow them to play music from local radio stations too. 9. Displayed Collections as ArtDisplay in a shadow box whatever your child enjoys collecting: rocks, stamps, coins, Matchbox cars, seashells, sports pennants, etc… Group them together as art or make large collections into a feature wall! It’s a great way to repurpose what they already have, stretch the decorating budget, and personalize the room in a way that reflects their personalities. 10. DIY Ballet BarreIf your child is interested in a particular type of sport, art, or hobby, find a way to incorporate it into a design feature in the room. We made this DIY ballet barre as a way for our daughter to encourage her passion for dancing. Try these kids design ideas for more ways to add their interests:
11. DiffuserBottom line: kids rooms can stink. Add a diffuser in the room to incorporate odor eliminating essential oils. I love adding lavender oil to our kids’ diffusers to help them relax for sleep or eucalyptus oil to ease nighttime coughing when they’re sick. (Make sure to research the right essential oils to use for your child’s age as some aren’t recommended for babies or toddlers.) 12. Memo BoardHang up a cork board or fabric covered memo board on the wall or add a dry erase calendar so kids can display special artwork, keep track of important dates, or write messages (even positive affirmation notes). It’s never too early to teach them skills to organize their daily lives. 13. Lamps with USB PortsIf your kids or teens need to frequently charge electronic devices, opt for lamps with USB ports built in. Or you can add nightstands with built in charging stations. It’s a small change but it really helps to make kids rooms more functional. 14. Window Seat with Hidden StorageYou don’t have to know advanced carpentry skills to build a window seat. It’s a great beginner DIY project to try and relatively inexpensive to make when you use a prefabricated kitchen cabinet. Add some pillows and/or a cushion on top and you not only have a cozy seat but also a cute way to store toys and games out of sight. 15. Storage Table for GamesIf you’d rather not build a window seat, look for playroom tables or nightstands with hidden compartments for toy and game storage. This playroom coffee table has a ton of storage with two drawers, a slide-out rotating base, and a liftable top. Related: Secret Toy Storage in the Playroom + the Chicest Amazon Storage Furniture 16. Dollhouse Made from a BookshelfBookshelves are often the perfect height to make your own Barbie-sized dollhouse. This house shaped bookshelf I found as a consignment sale was perfect for turning into a DIY dollhouse using sheets of scrapbook paper as wallpaper and cut up rags for doll linens. 17. Art Supply HolderKeep colored pencils, crayons, markers, or craft supplies on display and in easy reach using an antique sugar mold or a lazy susan with small compartments. Plus, it’s cute! 18. Wall Mounted Lamps for BunksSo that each child sleeping in a bunk bed can have an accessible light in reach, hang wall mounted plug-in lamps beside each mattress. I got these MANALG lamps at IKEA for just $40. It’s so much easier and cheaper than hardwiring. 19. Under Bed Drawers & TrundlePack lots of function and storage in a bedroom by using these wooden bed frames that will fit a trundle frame or pair of under bed storage drawers! They are available in twin-XL, full, queen, and king bed sizes too. It’s one of my favorite small kids room ideas to add much needed space. 20. Blackout Shades and CurtainsBlackout shades and blackout curtains usually cost a little more than light filtering ones, but they are absolutely worth every penny for great quality sleep! They’re definitely a must-have if your kids usually experience any kind of sleep problems (especially around Daylight Savings Time). Post: The Best Luxury for Less Amazon Curtains, Rods, and Shades If you’re renting, adding a pop of your child’s favorite color with curtains is a great temporary way to work around neutral color walls when you can’t paint. 21. Sleep Light BulbsUsing sleep promoting light bulbs in bedside lamps are a great solution for encouraging kids to sleep. These bulbs emit less sleep-disturbing blue and green light than other bulbs to produce the perfect amount of relaxing light for evening activities before bed. 22. A Full MirrorEspecially is you have a teen or preteen who likes to check the outfit of the day, it’s a good idea to add a full length mirror to the bedroom. If you don’t have wall space, add a back-of-door hanging mirror. 23. Wardrobe NookIf you have an old armoire you no longer use, repurpose it into a Narnia wardrobe nook for little ones to hang out or read. Sometimes kids just need quiet time, and this is a great way for them to have a hideout. We used this nook in our playroom when our kids were younger and loved it! 24. Picture Toy Storage LabelsIf you’re kids aren’t quite old enough to read yet, include picture labels for toy sorting on storage bins! Helping kids know where each toy category belongs makes room cleanup much faster. More Ideas for Kids RoomsHere are some of our favorite kids’ bedrooms and playrooms we’ve done over the years with lots more kids’ room decor ideas. Cottagecore Toddler BedroomBeachy Bunk Bedroom for 3 GirlsSwedish Cottage Style Preteen Girl BedroomBoho Cottage Shared Teen Girl BedroomRec Room / Playroom for a Large FamilyPlayroom & Hangout RoomGot any other kids bedroom decor ideas or functional playroom tips you’d add to the list? You can never have enough storage solutions or strategies to make kids more organized, right? The post 24 Smart Kids Room Storage and Decor Ideas appeared first on Bless'er House. Originally from Bless'er House https://ift.tt/HpdyBJN How to make classic DIY flower arrangements for centerpieces in this step-by-step tutorial using realistic faux flowers. Years ago, when I was making my own DIY wedding centerpieces, I WISH I’d known then what I know now. I am by no means a professional florist, which definitely explains why I gravitate toward realistic faux flowers more often than buying expensive real flowers that make a mess and die within a week. (A realist over a romantic? I don’t know but my practical side wins out a lot.) But the other week, I whipped up a couple of DIY altar flower arrangements for our church and thought it would help to document the step-by-step tutorial if you ever need to make your own DIY centerpieces using faux florals. This would be perfect to recreate for Mother’s Day, Easter, birthdays, or adapted to any other holiday of the year to reuse on multiple occasions. How to Make DIY Artificial Flower Arrangements for CenterpiecesSupplies
Tip: Follow this video tutorial for more tips on how to arrange real flowers. If you plan to make DIY floral arrangements as wedding decor or for a special event, consider ordering wholesale flowers in bulk ahead of time from the grocery store. StepsStep 1 – Place FoamTip: You can make an inexpensive footed bowl yourself by gluing together a dollar store bowl and candle holder with E6000 adhesive and spray painting with texture spray paint. Place the half sphere of florist foam in the footed bowl or cut a florist foam block to a similar shape using a knife. Use a little double sided duct tape or hot glue in the bottom of the bowl to keep the foam in place if you’d like. (I kept my foam unattached so that I can easily change out the flowers seasonally to reuse the footed bowl as a base. If you’ll be transporting these centerpieces, I’d highly recommend securing the foam to the bowl.) Tip: If you don’t have foam, a good alternative is to use a chicken wire floral cage in the bottom of the bowl or place floral tape around the rim of the bowl to separate the stems. Step 2 – Trim and Fluff Faux FlowersIt really helps to give your faux flowers a little “fluff”. Shake the stems (or even blast them with the hair dryer) to loosen petals. Or you can gently spread the faux petals with your hands to make blooms look more full. I found these realistic faux hydrangeas in a pack of 5 stems for less than $25! Decide the height you’d like for your centerpiece and trim the stems with wire cutters, leaving at least 2 inches of extra length to stick into the foam. I cut mine at about 16″ long. Step 3 – Place One Bloom in the Middle of the BowlPush the end of one stem in the middle of the florist foam so the flower is sticking straight up. This will be the maximum height of your flower arrangement. Step 4 – Place Two More Stems in a TrianglePlace the next two stems below the first stem to make a triangular pattern (see image below). Turn the bowl 180 degrees and place two more stems on the other side in the same way. See the triangle shape below? It’s always best to arrange in clusters of odd numbers. Step 5 – Continue Placing Stems in Triangular PatternsContinue to the last row of stems placing them near the rim of the bowl in a triangular pattern so they are staggered from the second row of stems you placed in Step 4. Step 6 – Separate Ruscus Into Smaller StemsTo start filling in greenery, use the wire cutters to separate the large ruscus stem into smaller sections of leaves. Step 7 – Fill In Gaps With Stems and BloomsPlace the ruscus stems between the hydrangea stems in the florist foam and begin filling in gaps. Repeat the process of filling in gaps with the large roses and ranunculus stems evenly spaced out until there are no more holes between blooms. Step 8 – Add Floral AccentsAdd interest using any final floral accents you’d like. I chose to add a few stems of faux seeded eucalyptus. Finished DIY Flower ArrangementThat’s it! I’m definitely no professional at floral design, but I promise you if I can handle assembling this faux flower centerpiece, anyone can do it. You could easily add in or substitute a brighter accent color like pink, blue, or yellow to adapt to any holiday or event’s color scheme. I plan to add blue flowers for Father’s Day and incorporate a few red and blue blooms for July 4th. Related: You can see more of my favorite realistic faux flowers and floral centerpiece ideas here! These would be so pretty as wedding day floral arrangements at an altar or as dinner table centerpieces at a wedding reception. If you prefer to do DIY projects before your big day, these are a great way to save the budget by shopping after-season sales on faux flowers. Think you’ll try this DIY fake flower arrangement yourself?! Even though I ended up transporting these to our church to be used as altar flowers, I love how they turned out so well that I might make one more to keep at home. More Floral Decorating Ideas
The post Simple DIY Flower Arrangement Using Faux Florals appeared first on Bless'er House. Originally from Bless'er House https://ift.tt/rJnD6io Top 10 designer tested haint blue paint colors & the best haint blue + porch ceiling ideas with its Southern tradition explained. If youâve ever wandered the streets of Charleston or Savannah (two of my favorite cities in existence), youâve probably noticed the sky blue color on the porch ceilings everywhere. We are gearing up next week to refinish our back porch floor, but I realized I never really mentioned much about my quest to find the perfect haint blue paint color for our porch in honor of the coastal South Carolina and Georgia tradition. 6 years ago, before we even limewashed our brick, I was determined to have a haint blue porch ceiling. So I sampled the paint colors most recommended my interior designers I found online from the likes of Southern Living, Coastal Living, Country Living, and Better Homes and Gardens. I lost count of how many shades I tried until I found the perfect one, but I did come up with a select top 10 favorites from the long list. After all of the tests, the ultimate best haint blue paint color winner was Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue! (Totally just my preference since color is so subjective.) Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue is the perfect, soft, evenly balanced blue-green that is desaturated enough to not overwhelm the space but with the right amount of vibrance to create a surprise color pop. We used the color on our back porch and front porch stoop ceiling, and weâre still in love 6 years later. It would be beautiful to use as a subtle color pop on a front door or interior ceiling too. There is such a rich history to the color âhaint blueâ and so many pretty paint color options out there, so I thought it might help to do a deep dive to help you create that same visual interest in outdoor spaces like the Southern tradition. What is the Significance of Haint Blue?The Gullah Geechee communities of the coastal American South started the tradition of painting porch ceilings light blue-green. Descendants of African enslaved people believed that using the color extracted from indigo plants on porch ceilings, shutters, doors, and window frames could prevent âhaintsâ or haunted evil spirits from entering their homes. Image Source: Benjamin Moore | Paint Color: Benjamin Moore Harbor Haze Do Haint Blue Porch Ceilings Keep Bugs Away?To this day, some people believe pale blue ceilings can ward off wasps, insects, spiders, and birds from nesting on porches because they see the blue as the sky or water. In my experience, the belief that haint blue can be a bird and insect repellant is totally a myth. Weâve had wasp nests inside of our canned lights and songbirds love to perch around our porch trim, but that doesnât change the fact that itâs still a beautiful color. Image Source: Hector Manuel Sanchez | Paint Color: Sherwin Williams Waterscape Blue Porch Ceiling IdeasEven though the tradition started as superstition, it is now a design trend that adds a feeling of serenity to porches often coupled with beadboard ceilings. The best part is itâs an inexpensive porch ceiling idea that is as easy to install as applying a couple coats of paint. Add a few stained wood pieces like a teak coffee table or a rattan chair to balance the cool blue-green with an inviting warmth. Top 10 Haint Blue Paint Colors for PorchesFive years ago, after sampling countless shades of blue paint colors and landing on the ultimate winner for our own, I wholeheartedly recommend it. Every lighting situation and preference is different, so it helps to sample a few shades to make the best decision for your space. TIP: How to Choose Paint Colors for Your Home Like a Pro No matter if you believe it wards off haints or bugs, the color does create a colorful oasis that just makes you crave a glass of iced tea. I rounded up 10 of the best haint blue paint colors that Iâve sampled myself so you can paint your porch to look like a Southern classic, no matter where you live. More Paint Color RecommendationsThe post The Best Haint Blue Paint Color for Porch Ceilings appeared first on Bless'er House. Originally from Bless'er House https://ift.tt/jCeAx8B Top 10 designer tested haint blue paint colors & the best haint blue + porch ceiling ideas with its Southern tradition explained. If youâve ever wandered the streets of Charleston or Savannah (two of my favorite cities in existence), youâve probably noticed the sky blue color on the porch ceilings everywhere. We are gearing up next week to refinish our back porch floor, but I realized I never really mentioned much about my quest to find the perfect haint blue paint color for our porch in honor of the coastal South Carolina and Georgia tradition. 6 years ago, before we even limewashed our brick, I was determined to have a haint blue porch ceiling. So I sampled the paint colors most recommended my interior designers I found online from the likes of Southern Living, Coastal Living, Country Living, and Better Homes and Gardens. I lost count of how many shades I tried until I found the perfect one, but I did come up with a select top 10 favorites from the long list. After all of the tests, the ultimate best haint blue paint color winner was Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue! (Totally just my preference since color is so subjective.) Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue is the perfect, soft, evenly balanced blue-green that is desaturated enough to not overwhelm the space but with the right amount of vibrance to create a surprise color pop. We used the color on our back porch and front porch stoop ceiling, and weâre still in love 6 years later. It would be beautiful to use as a subtle color pop on a front door or interior ceiling too. There is such a rich history to the color âhaint blueâ and so many pretty paint color options out there, so I thought it might help to do a deep dive to help you create that same visual interest in outdoor spaces like the Southern tradition. What is the Significance of Haint Blue?The Gullah Geechee communities of the coastal American South started the tradition of painting porch ceilings light blue-green. Descendants of African enslaved people believed that using the color on porch ceilings, shutters, doors, and window frames could prevent âhaintsâ or haunted evil spirits from entering their homes. Image Source: Benjamin Moore | Paint Color: Benjamin Moore Harbor Haze Do Haint Blue Porch Ceilings Keep Bugs Away?To this day, some people believe pale blue ceilings can ward off wasps, insects, spiders, and birds from nesting on porches because they see the blue as the sky or water. In my experience, the belief that haint blue can be a bird and insect repellant is totally a myth. Weâve had wasps nest inside of our can lights and songbirds love to perch around our porch trim, but that doesnât change the fact that itâs still a beautiful color. Image Source: Hector Manuel Sanchez | Paint Color: Sherwin Williams Waterscape Blue Porch Ceiling IdeasEven though the tradition started as superstition, it is now a design trend that adds a feeling of serenity to porches often coupled with beadboard ceilings. The best part is itâs an inexpensive porch ceiling idea that is as easy to install as applying a couple coats of paint. Add a few stained wood pieces like a teak coffee table or a rattan chair to balance the cool blue-green with an inviting warmth. Top 10 Haint Blue Paint Colors for PorchesFive years ago, after sampling countless shades of blue paint colors and landing on the ultimate winner for our own, I wholeheartedly recommend it. Every lighting situation and preference is different, so it helps to sample a few shades to make the best decision for your space. TIP: How to Choose Paint Colors for Your Home Like a Pro No matter if you believe it wards off haints or bugs, the color does create a colorful oasis that just makes you crave a glass of iced tea. I rounded up 10 of the best haint blue paint colors that Iâve sampled myself so you can paint your porch to look like a Southern classic, no matter where you live. More Paint Color RecommendationsThe post The Best Haint Blue Paint Color for Porch Ceilings appeared first on Bless'er House. Originally from Bless'er House https://ift.tt/h2fjwNu Find designer dupe modern vintage beds for under $1,000 in this shopping guide to get the high-end classic looking bedroom on a low budget. Go classic with large furnishings, trendy with home decor accents, and youâll have opportunity for lots of decorating fun with zero regrets later. Thatâs my approach on a lot of room makeovers, especially bedrooms. Because who wants to haul away a gigantic piece of furniture when a design fad dies within 5 years? Definitely not me. A home that withstands the test of time is always a big win on the back and budget! But Robert and I did do a bed switcheroo in our four year-oldâs room recently to make it more functional. Since we exchanged the twin beds for a quintessentially vintage style poster bed though, Iâm confident itâs here to stay! As much as I loved the look of Reganâs twin beds that we added during her toddler bedroom transition from her all white nursery a couple of years ago, we discovered over time that the trundle setup for cousin sleepovers and drawers underneath werenât used as often as we thought. She wanted room to sprawl out and lots of extra room for cuddles with mommy and daddy, so I was more than happy to accommodate the request. After searching for the perfect vintage bed on Facebook Marketplace for a couple of months without any success, I finally sprung for this vintage style poster bed that cost less than $700. Itâs absolutely perfect! Why Large Antique Beds are Hard to FindThe challenging aspect about buying an authentically vintage or antique bed is they can be hard to find in queen and king sizes. I kept finding plenty of secondhand twin, 3/4, and full sized vintage beds that werenât large enough for our needs since we wanted a queen sized bed for the bedroom. Many antique beds were made 48 inches wide, three-quarters of the width of a modern day full (double) mattress. Antique were often made 75 inches in length, the same as a full mattress. You may find antique beds quite a bit shorter than that. So if you prefer more space for you or your guests to sleep comfortably on a queen or king mattress, opting for a newer vintage style bed might be an easier option than searching for an antique. I thought it might help to share a list of budget-friendly vintage looking beds that blend modern styles to create a clean, classic bedroom look. Many of the beds I found are created to look like upscale designer versions for less than $1,000. Modern Vintage Beds Under $600Prices reflected are at the time of this post publishing. Prices are subject to change. MidCentury Wood Rattan Platform Bed $424 for a Queen $378 for a Queen $549 for a Queen $412 for a King $150 for a Queen $573 for a Queen $530 for a King $348 for a Queen $550 for a Full Modern Vintage Beds Under $1,000Prices reflected are at the time of this post publishing. Prices are subject to change. $654 for a Queen $787 for a Queen $999 for a King $750 for a Queen Black Wood Cottage Platform Bed $850 for a Queen $655 for a Queen $846 for a Queen $852 for a Queen $594 for a Queen How to Choose the Best Bed for a Bedroom
So now I guess Iâll be on the hunt for the perfect nightstands to go with this perfect bed! As for the bedding, I did a quick Target same-day pickup on a whim to get it all ready in a hurry for Regan. She was so thrilled to sleep in her âbig princess bedâ! I guarantee her enthusiasm for sleep goes downhill from here. ? More Bedroom Decorating IdeasThe post 18 Favorite Modern Vintage Beds for a Low Budget appeared first on Bless'er House. Originally from Bless'er House https://ift.tt/7abV8W5 Today kicks off Wayfair Way Day! I don’t go bananas over very many sales, but Amazon Prime Day and Wayfair’s Way Day sale are two that I always browse to scoop up furniture or household items if we have any upcoming home projects. The Way Day sale only lasts for 48 hours April 26-27. It runs with free shipping and up to 80% off home decor, furniture, outdoor, and many more home-related categories. To make wading through the massive sale less overwhelming, I’ve pulled together all of my favorites below in this post. So much of our favorite outdoor furniture in our backyard is part of the sale, in case your backyard needs some help in preparation for the warm months ahead. Lots of our rugs and home decor from our rooms are part of the sale too. I’ll keep my eyes peeled over the next day for the best Way Day discounts and post them all in my Instagram Stories in real time as well as updating the list of deals in this post as they change. Here are my favorite deals so far; many of them sell out fast. (Click any image in the sliding galleries below to shop them.) The Best Wayfair Way Day DealsOutdoorRugsLightingHome DecorKitchen & DiningBathroomBedroomLiving RoomOffice / EntryHome Improvement / HouseholdThe post The Best Wayfair Way Day Deals 2023 appeared first on Bless'er House. Originally from Bless'er House https://ift.tt/ZDpAKP3 |
Author - Emily ColemanVisual Furniture Merchandiser at Simmons Quality Home Improvement Archives
February 2019
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