Holiday Bedroom:  Christmas Guest Room Ideas

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Pick a Color Scheme

One great way to invite the holidays into your home and make your guests feel the holiday cheer is with the color palette. Just as if one was decorating for the Easter season in which pastels would be idea, for Christmas you would choose different reds, greens, and white. Or, you could switch it up with a non-traditional approach by adding in royal blues, silver, violet, gold, even hot pink was used for the younger crowd some have even gone as far as neutrals or whites for the decor which adds a refreshing, open and organic appeal to the space. The choice is yours, use ribbons, bells, mini-Christmas trees, cozy blankets, pillows, curtains, knickknacks etc. that carry the color scheme that you and your guests may find comforting for the season.

Decorating Tips for the Holidays

Words have always been a great way to inspire, encourage, and uplift which are all of the things that are amazing to hear during the Christmas season. So capitalize on that idea, place design elements that spell words that depict the season. Choose words like; JOY, HOPE, MERRY, NOEL etc. You could place these on the mantle if it is in the room or even on the window sills, perhaps there is a fireplace that is no longer in place the words could sit there. You can visit any craft, hobby or home store for the letters and possible more ideas on how to create and display the words.

Create Interiors that Mimic the Outdoors

Something that was always fascinating about the holiday season is that when one decorates their home it’s both interior and exterior. Typically, for other holidays it’s usually one or the other not so much all at once. So with that being said, take inspiration from the exteriors for your holiday bedroom. Hang up some simple wreaths or garland on the beds, book shelves/ cases, mirrors or on the windows, again if there is a fireplace then on the mantle would be ideal. Again, take little shrubbery and tie colorful ribbons some of the branches or mini-Christmas trees and place them in the corners of the room.

Guests are great to have around for the holidays.  They bring the fun, life and character to the home, at least hopefully they bring all of these things.  So have their space to imitate the best of the season.  Just a few little tips and tricks can make an entire difference from the ordinary guest room to an extraordinary holiday bedroom.  Take a look above and see how the tips work for you.  Or perhaps fellow Stagetecture readers, you have some suggestions on how you like to create your guest rooms for the holidays?

For more bedroom ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Good Sleep: 6 Ways to a Good Night in your Bedroom

1. How to Get a Better Sleep: Buy a Comfy Mattress

Comparison shopping and mattresses don’t mix. A painful mattress that is either too hard or too soft for you is the worst thing for getting a good night’s sleep. Go into your local mattress outlet stores and try out the mattress you are considering. You won’t know exactly what is the best choice for you until you do your research to find out.

2. A Good Night Starts By Lowering the Temperature

If you want to be comfy and able to sleep at night, you need to lower the thermostat on the way to bed. Experts in sleep recommend that you lower your thermostat to 68 degrees to keep your bedroom cool at night. Remember, to do this about 30 minutes before you head to bed so that the room is the right temperature before you climb in between the sheets. If it is too hot, you will toss and turn for the majority of the night and get very little, if any, sleep at all.

3. Use Comforting Scents that Promote Relaxation for a Good Night

Essential oils can help you with a good sleep. Part of a comforting sleep environment includes having the right scents in the room. Scents like lavender and vanilla can put you into a state of relaxation and help you drift off into slumber relaxed and at ease.

Take a look at these essential oils that can promote relaxation.

4. Want to Sleep Better? Shut Down the Electronics

Studies have shown that the blue lights on everything from your phone to your computer and even your TV can not only make it hard for you to go to sleep but affect the quality of that sleep as well. Instead, try reading a book until you get sleepy, instead of either working or trying to go to sleep watching a movie on Netflix. So shut down those electronics before bed!

5. Have the Right Lighting for Sleeping

While it may be tempting to leave the curtains open so that you can be woken by the morning sun or have a night light in the room, it’s not a good idea. A bedroom needs to be completely dark at night if you want the night to provide you with a restful sleep.

Try these bedroom lighting tips from Houzz.

6. Get A Good Sleep in a Clean Bedroom 

One of the most important things to do to ensure your bedroom is sleep ready is to make sure it’s clean and uncluttered. If you have allergies, then changing the sheets and making sure the room is dusted is extremely important for you to be able to sleep comfortably. If you’re sneezing and having to sit up constantly to breathe because your nose is stuffy, you aren’t going to get a good night’s rest at all.

These are just a few of the top ways to ensure that your bedroom is sleep ready even when decorating it for the fall season. From having a good mattress to sleep on to having the right scents and from having a clean bedroom to turning off the electronics before bed, these tips will have you snoring logs in no time at all and waking up refreshed and ready to meet the day head on and with energy to spare!

For more wellness tips on Stagetecture, visit our archives.

Top 10 Back to School Essentials for College Dorms

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See a list of the Top 5 College Dorm Rooms Essentials here –> Top 5 Dorm Room Essentials

Don’t mind Monday’s when they look like this ? Happy 4th of July! Last day to shop our 20% off sale with code FIREWORKS ?

A photo posted by dormify (@dormify) on Jul 4, 2016 at 6:23am PDT

1.) Bedding

Comforters, sheets, and pillows are essential for college dorms. Ensure you find out the size of the beds from the college or university before you buy bedding. (My son’s dorm has extra long twin beds, and that was essential when shopping for a sheet set!). They are often called ‘Twin Extra Long”. We love these extra long bed skirts to hide all of your stuff under your dorm bed.

Image via: Etsy – Dorm Room Bed Skirts

2.) Bath Linen

Bath towels – Washcloths, hand towels, and bath sized towels are crucial in dormitories and they can never use enough. (Considering they probably will do laundry once a month). Ensure you buy quality towels that are absorbent and can withstand the abuse of a college student. Trust me they will be used for more than just drying off from the shower.

3.) Shower Tote for College Dorms

Whether the dorms have communal showers or individual showers connected to the rooms, having all of your shower tote essentials in a tote or caddy is essential. Opt for a mesh one or a material that can dry easily to prevent getting mildewed and gross from moisture.

4.) Over the door mirror for your College Room

Full length mirrors are often forgotten but are essential to see your ENTIRE body. (Many college students seem to think all you need to see is your face!) Whether you opt for a full-length mirror that can hang on the back of a closet door, or you buy a framed variety that can hang like a picture, a mirror is often forgotten but will be used by everyone on your dorm room floor.

uptown girl ? click link in bio to shop

A photo posted by dormify (@dormify) on Jun 27, 2016 at 2:46pm PDT

5.) College Dorms Alarm Clock

Waking up in the morning, or even at night will prove to be essential in college. Ensure you have a good alarm clock that plugs into the wall and not run solely on batteries is brought to college. Don’t depend on just your cell phone or your roommate to wake you. Alarm clocks with multiple alarms can prove to be helpful, so you don’t have to reset your alarm for each new time. See ways to personalize your dorm room here.

6.) Hanging Clothes Organizer

Make the best use of your small closet with a vertical hanging organizer for your shoes, sweaters and foldable clothes. The hanging clothes organizer will keep all your belongings orderly and will help you cram more into your closet than you first imagined. Need more ideas to get your dorm room organized for cheap?

7.) College Dorms Laundry Bag

Laundry is one of the most dreaded chores to do at college (at home too!) Make the chore easier with a good laundry bag – multiple ones is a good idea. Ensure they have sturdy handles and rolling varieties may prove to be handy if your laundromat is within your dormitory.

Image via: Etsy – Hen House Originals – Dorm Essentials Laundry Bag

8.) Coffee Maker

Coffee, Tea, and water may prove to be the best drinks to consume at college (we won’t mention the alcoholic beverages). A coffee maker that doubles as a tea maker could become a college student best friend, late at night or early in the morning. Opt for a variety that has an alarm or even a travel sidecup like the Hamilton Beach coffee maker.

9.) Portable Laptop Desk Holder

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College students spend a lot of time in the bed… not just sleeping, but studying, eating and everything else. A laptop desk for writing, resting a laptop, or just having a flat surface other than your desk can prove to be essential. Creating a productive study area can be hard. This desk will help make life easier. These can be found at most houseware stores in the back-to-school area.

10.) College Dorms Floor and Table Lamps

One of the most underrated essentials for a dorm room is table and floor lamps. Whether you are trying to study, or need an extra light near your bed or sitting area, the overhead fluorescent fixture in the room will not be sufficient, and it will wake up your roommate! Opt for a few lamps that are versatile and don’t require strangely sized bulbs!

For more college dorm ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Dorm Room Decor: The Do’s and Donts for College

Do’s – to remember when decorating your college dorm

Dorm Room Essentials:

Dorm rooms are limited for space since students share rooms. Leave your extra clothes and accessories at home or go for them at a later date. For example, you can leave your winter clothes at home and get them during thanksgiving break as you drop off the warm-weather clothes.

Bring along a cute dorm room laundry bag too!

Image via: Etsy – Hen House Originals – Dorm Essentials Laundry Bag

Get Dorm Room Decor Ideas from our Burlap and Succulents Store:

Our Burlap and Succulents Zazzle store can give you ideas for bedding, pillows, blankets and throw blankets to make your dorm room look awesome!

Dorm Bedding – Choose fun patterns!

Buy bedding that will endure 4-5 years of college. You can get a synthetic down comforter which is perfect for all seasons and add style with a colorful duvet cover. Even when pulled up, a comforter makes a room look cleaner. Buy a machine-washable cover with a beautiful print that hides stains.

Dorm Room Decor Don’ts – Try not to do in your college dorm

Buy Small Accessories Immediately After Settling In

Don’t buy unnecessary accessories as soon as you move into your dorm room. While it can be tempting to buy cool items you may find that you don’t need some items after a while. Additionally, things go on sale sometime after school starts so it is advisable to buy then.

Dorm Wall Decor: Don’t Be Afraid of Color

There are many ways you can add color to your dorm room. You can use accent pillows, poufs, decals, or art. Even if bright colors aren’t your thing, try to choose accessories with happy tones that will brighten up your day when you’re missing your family or suffering from winter blues.

There are many things to consider as you go off to college and dorm room décor may be the last thing on your mind. However, it can make a big difference in your overall enjoyment of college life. Since you’ll be spending a lot of time in your dorm room, it is only fair that you make it a small haven. Follow the above decorating dos and don’ts and you’ll be sure to create a gorgeous room that impresses everyone who sees it. In fact, it will quickly become your pride and joy.

Can you share with us your dorm room decorating tips dos and don’ts?

How to Get Your College Dorm Room Organized

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Dorm room ideas: Double hanging racks

Closet space in dorm rooms is quite small and you really cannot install anything into this area. But, you can effectively double the space in your tiny closet with an hanging organizer. Simply, hook it onto the rack, and add a whole new row to store clothes. Also, be smart and put the unused space to work by hooking and over the door shoe rack. 

Organize your desk

A cluttered desk is uninviting and will constantly distract you from your work. So, invest in a filing cabinet to keep your important documents, papers, and receipts arranged.  Recycle old assignments, term and exam papers that are no longer required. Also, limiting the number of desk accessories you bring with you to college is a sensible way to maintain order. Finally, manage your book clutter by organizing them alphabetically or by color-coding them. For instance, put a blue label or covering on the books you use on Mondays, “Monday Blues.”

Check out our back to school binders and school supplies at our Burlap and Succulents shop!

dope ? | ? @nicolejanoff

A photo posted by dormify (@dormify) on Sep 12, 2015 at 6:58am PDT

Organized dorm ideas: Make your bed

When you live in a small area, the slightest visual disorder can make a huge impact on the appearance of your room. So, get into the habit of making your bed daily, even if it means only folding your quilt and arranging pillows. Try getting bed-in-a-bag sets that include sheets, comforter, matching pillowcases and more for a easier time making your bed.

Dorm Room Bedding Ideas

Don’t forget bedding and bed skirts for your dorm room bed! We love these dorm room dust ruffles that fit Twin XL beds and cover up all of your storage under your bed. Etsy Shop Dorm Room Bedding Ideas has patterns, colors, and different styles to choose from.

Image via: Etsy – Dorm Bedding Ideas – Dorm Room Bed Skirts

Get your Dorm Room Organized with Laundry bins

Don’t just throw your dirty clothes on the floor or drape it over the chair. Buy a lightweight, portable laundry basket or bag and toss it under your bed. Not only will it help you keep your dorm room uncluttered, it will make your laundry day much easier. Laundry bags are also a creative option. We like these laundry bags from Etsy Shop – Hen House Originals.

Image via: Etsy – Laundry Bag Ideas – Hen House Originals

Keeping your dorm space clean and tidy will make dorm life much more enjoyable for you and people around. So, follow these tips and get to work!

For more organization ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

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Freshman College Dorm Room Essentials Checklists

College Dorm Room Essentials

As space is at premium at college dorm rooms, resist the urge to carry all your favorite clothes. Few pairs of bottoms, twice the number of tops, a jacket or a sweatshirt and few pairs of shoes should be enough. In order to carry weather appropriate clothes, it’s wise to find out the average climate for each season and pack accordingly. You will also have limited desk and counter space, so make sure to limit items like picture frames and anything else that requires a place to sit. Most likely you will be going back home during the holidays or your parents will pay you a visit, so you will have an opportunity to exchange items for the changing season.

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Comfort items

Comfort items make you feel like at home. While it’s advised to carry such items, you must limit them to the ones you use most often. Share the responsibility with your roommate of bringing stuff like television, fridge, dvd player, stereo and more. Before packing any item, think twice if you really need it. For instance, if you can set an alarm on your mobile, perhaps you don’t need an alarm clock.

College Checklist items:

Bedding

Mattress Pad – Twin XL for College Dorm Rooms

Laundry Bag

Shower Caddy

Desk lamp

Flash drive

Headphones can be a great help when studying and writing papers.

Moreover, if possible try getting a look at your dorm room or call the college authorities to find how big the room is and what all comes with it.

Ultimate College Checklist

When preparing for a life’s new journey, it’s highly possible to forget stuff like medications, first aid box, and important documents and papers. If you are planning to take your car along, do remember to carry your driving license, car insurance, and auto registration.

While you should try to create a comfortable living space, unnecessary items will only clutter your room and will eventually lead to a stressful environment. So, instead of trying to replicate your room at home, pack light and smart.

For more college dorm room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

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How to Make Your Small Bedroom Feel Larger

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Small Bedrooms Don’t Equal Small Furniture:

One of the biggest mistakes that most people make when decorating small rooms is to clutter it with lots of small pieces. By filling a small room with lots of tiny side tables, skinny little lamps, and small dressers – you are creating a room that feels crowded and even smaller than before.  A small room of any kind needs one or two large pieces of furniture that act as a focal point and make the room actually feel larger! A large armoire is one of the best furniture items to add to your small bedroom space; they give you tons of storage and their height and size draws the eye in and up, making the space feel large.

A small bedroom needs plenty of colors:

Color is your friend no matter how small or large the room is.  The key essential to keep in mind when choosing a color for a small room is to keep your color choices down to one or two main colors for the room – you can’t have a rainbow of colors in a small room without overwhelming the eye. The good news is that you can choose whatever color your heart desires! Choose that vibrant blue or red paint; coat every wall and piece of trim in the color (or two hues of the same color) to make a serene room that your eyes float over. Bright red walls with white trim can be pretty but is better left to larger rooms as it causes a disjointing and makes a room visually smaller.

Try these 4 Easy Decorating Ideas for your Small Apartment too!

Small Bedroom seating is still important:

No matter how small, every bedroom should have a nook carved out for reading or relaxing. Add a slipper chair, a reading lamp, and bookcase to create a cozy retreat within your room.

Hopefully, this opens up new possibilities for decorating your small bedroom.  Here’s one more tip: a large, fabric tufted headboard covered in similar hues as the paint color, adds a nice finishing touch to the retreat of your dreams. Happy dreaming!

For more bedroom & living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Home Staging Tips: How to De-Personalize your Home

Here are three steps to de-personalize your home:

1. Remove all personal effects

The very first step to de-personalizing your home is to remove all personal effects like photographs, framed wall art and knick knacks that you may have used to decorate your home. Give your prospective buyers a blank canvas so they can see themselves living in the house. If there is anything in the house that you will take away to your new home, like a vintage chandelier, remove it before the scheduled house inspection.

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 2. Refresh the house with paint

A coat of paint on your exterior home and interiors will give your house a fresh, new appeal. There is nothing that refreshes the interiors like paint. It is a cheap and quick solution. Neutral colors are your safest bet when re-painting. Remember that your favorite radiant orchid paint color might not fancy the prospective buyer. Paint the kid’s room in bright colors.

 3. Clear out the storage

Storage in the new house will of great importance to most prospective buyers. Expect them to look into drawers and open your closets. Remove all your personal belongings from the storage area. If you are still living in the house, consider packing them into boxes and placing them in the garage or hire a small storage space. Anything left in the closets and drawers should be placed neatly.

Give your house a welcoming feel. Make the house visually appealing but the décor should not reflect your personal taste. The potential homeowners should be able to visualize themselves in the house and should not feel as if they are intruding on your personal space.

For more home staging tips on Stagetecture, click here. You can also visit About.com Home Staging for more tips.

Bedroom Decorating Ideas: Declutter this New Year

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Is your bedroom the most comfortable room in your home? If your answer is “No” then you have work to do. A clean and uncluttered bedroom will not only ensure you get ample rest, it will make you happy. Unfortunately, most people don’t know this and convert their bedrooms into storage areas. They conclude that since most of their time will be spent sleeping, their minds will ignore the mess. This is not the case. A disorganized bedroom will make you feel tired and bored. If you want to get a good night’s rest and smile every time you enter your bedroom, follow these New Year organization tips.

Clean Bedroom Furniture and Declutter

For your bedroom to be a tranquil haven, it must be clean and tidy. Declutter your closets and the rest of your bedroom before you clean up. Go through each drawer, shelf, and closet and remove the items you don’t need or use. Get rid of clothes you don’t need as they consume a lot of space. Sell or donate the items in good condition and throw away those that aren’t. Clean the room thoroughly and commit yourself to weekly cleaning. To keep air quality high, dust shades, vacuum drapes, and clean electronics with electrostatic cloths.

Create a List of the Things You Need

After clearing clutter and cleaning your bedroom, make a list of the things you need. For example, if your bedroom has limited storage, you can buy some organizers to help you keep things in order. Also make sure you examine the fixtures in the room to see if they are in good working condition. Are the vents working properly? Are the lights dim or bright enough? Does your bed need a new mattress cover or pad? These questions will help you to make your bedroom look spectacular.

Reduce the Amount of Bedroom Furniture

Too much furniture can make a bedroom look cramped. No matter how much you love furniture, only put a few pieces in your bedroom. Keep in mind that clutter attracts more clutter, the more furniture you have, the more you’ll add. Remove unnecessary furniture pieces and leave only the essential ones. Invite a family member or a friend to help you choose what to keep and what to toss out.

If you are tired of your cluttered bedroom, do something. Start the year off right with these New Year organization tips. You’ll wake up with new ideas, increase your productivity at work, and become a happier person. Organizing your bedroom is a good investment of your time and money.

Can you share with us your bedroom organization tips?

Round Up Ideas:  Our Best Home Fall Organization Tips

Bedroom Maintenance

Image via: Outdoor Rise

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Let’s begin with the bedroom. Now for many of us the bedroom is our fortress of solitude and relaxation. However, it is also our very own storage closet because with all of the demands of the day it becomes the dumping ground for our clothes, shoes, documents, dishes, etc. There is some trouble with trying to keep organization within the bedroom. So here are some fall bedroom organization tips, to help with this issue.  Begin with giving everything a place.  Having designated areas for everything will help to tame the clutter build-up. This idea can range from adding more hooks to the door to hang clothes or having baskets on your night stand or dresser to hold the TV remote or keys or act as a hamper for dirty laundry.

Cleaning and Clearing out

Image via: California Closets

This type of fall maintenance is when you have the opportunity to clean up and clear out any summer items that will no longer be in use during the fall. These items could be children’s toys, garden furniture, barbecues, or any other misc. items and store them in the garage or shed.  That way they are out of sight, out of mind and most important out of the way.  This suggestion also means time to clear out those dust bunnies that may have created a civilization in your interiors.  Some light cleaning and dusting around the home will have to happen especially in those rooms that will probably have less usage during the cooler months.  And it doesn’t have to stop there, just take a look at our past article, Maintenance Tips to Prepare your Home For Fall.

Search and Find

Sometimes, you just need to survey your home and find out what needs to be fixed, updated or replaced. Look at your vents, weather stripping, roofs, doors, windows, furnace and fireplaces to see if they are in working order. These are the things that can help your family stay warm or if not properly fixed or updated can affect the cost of your energy bill for the worst. It won’t take much but it always does well to inspect.  Take a look here for some other ways to perform your fall home maintenance to make your home right for the Fall season.

Image via: Update Southlake

Curb Appeal

Now, don’t forget about the outdoors because they can be just as important as the indoors as well. Think about it, the first impression someone gets from your home is the outdoors. This time to help spruce up your fall curb appeal survey your home’s exterior and see what actually needs to be changed. Perhaps, you may need a fresh coat of paint on the shutters or any exterior architectural features of the home. Maybe you just need to clean out those gutters, replace the mailboxes or add in some light fixtures when the daylight savings time ends.  You may even want to lay down fresh planters to match the season.  Don’t let the inside of you home out shine the outside.

Cleaning up can seem like a drain but it does help out.  Especially, when you need to get ready for the change in seasons like the fall season.  If things aren’t taken care of then it can not only lead to safety issues but also financial issues as well.  So just go ahead and bite that bullet and jump into your fall organization.  Also, Stagetecture readers can you think of any other ways you like to organize your home for the fall?

For more home organization tips on Stagetecture, click here.