Decorating Inspiration

Subterms

    More stories

    • 75 Shares149 Views

      in Decorating

      Decorating For Winter The Easy Way

      by

      Pin on Pinterest

      Share on Facebook

      Flip on Flipboard

      Now that the holidays are over and I removed and stored all my Christmas decorations until next year, it was time for me to figure out how to give some new energy to my living room and kitchen for the winter months.

      Back in November, I went in search for blue fabric.

      I wanted it to make pillow covers for the sofa that would pick up the blue accents in the area rug in my living room.

      I forgot all about my plan for the fabric over the holidays. Then last week I read about Benjamin Moore’s color of the year and remembered that I bought the fabric.

      I am not one to jump on the bandwagon when the tastemakers of color forecasting tell us each year what colors will dominate design.

      I rarely like any of the color picks, but this year I was happy to find out that a pretty color of blue by Benjamin Moore, called Blue Nova is one of the 2024 colors forecasted.

      Blue in general is a color that I can get behind. My bedroom is blue and white and blue and green is the color scheme in one of the guest rooms. Then there is the hallway that I refer to as the “Hallway of Darkness” where blue is a dominant color.

      In the past I have used blue in my living room and kitchen, but usually only in the summer.

      Changing the color accent in a room is fairly easy when the basic color scheme is neutral. This is one reason, I like to keep the color scheme of living room and kitchen neutral so I can change the look up seasonally or on a whim with whatever color I want so it never gets stale.

      To cozy up the color for winter that runs more on the cool side, I added lots of candles and fur throws and pillows. At night the living room is very cozy, just how I like it.

      Once I got the no-sew pillow covers made and put them in place, I shopped my house and gathered up anything that I could find that was blue. I didn’t have a lot, but just enough to make a difference.

      I had fun placing and moving the items in the rooms until I liked what I saw. I even found one item, a small blue ceramic planter that I have had forever as an exact match to the Benjamin Moore Blue Nova color.

      I mixed in a few brown accents on the open shelves in the kitchen to warm the overall feel of the shelves.

      When at HomeGoods over the holidays I bought this X-Side table as a Christmas gift from me to me. Everything else I used to add new energy into the spaces, I already owned. If it was blue, I used it.

      For the rest of the kitchen, I placed blue and white plates in the plate wall and hung blue dish towels on the towel bar.

      The blue accents were subtle, but an effective way to update the rooms. I didn’t even have to pick up a paint brush to make the changes.

      If you are looking to re-energize a room in your home, consider choosing a favorite color or a trending one and add touches of it around a room to add new energy when a room starts looking stale to your eyes.

      Adding an accent color to a room is also one way to make a change that doesn’t require a long-term color commitment.

      Lastly, if using a favorite color, you may find that you already have decorative items in the color that you can gather and use in new ways in your home. Shopping your house for the items to add a new accent color to a room won’t cost you a thing.

      Decor Resources

      DIY Decorating Projects Shown

      Pin on Pinterest

      Share on Facebook

      Flip on Flipboard

      Post navigation More

    • 188 Shares159 Views

      in Organization

      The Secret to Decluttering, Organizing, Decorating and Homekeeping Success that No One Tells You About!

      by

      If you’ve ever struggled with creating the atmosphere you want for your home, I got you! 
      I will share the secret no one tells you about.
      Many years ago I started out my home-creating journey with so many dreams of the kind of home I hoped to have — one that was welcoming to us day to day as well as to the people we invited in.
      Perhaps you have similar dreams for your home.
      Even though my heart was in the right place and I worked hard at it, I felt like I was always struggling to create the atmosphere I desired.

      I often felt like I was failing as a home keeper. 
      While I always loved decorating, much to my dismay I quickly discovered that decorating alone wasn’t enough.
      There were always new messes being made, meals to prepare, laundry to do, needs to tend to, rooms to update, clutter to deal with, endless home projects and jobs to keep up with. 
      While I wanted to be a good home keeper, I wasn’t naturally skilled in figuring out how to do it all well and take care of myself and a family at the same time. I was often frazzled and frustrated. 

      One mess or another always seemed to stand in the way of the atmosphere I wanted.
      When I felt like my home was a cause of stress, anxiety would creep in and make me feel like I was a failure in all areas of life.
      I knew that wasn’t what I wanted for myself or our family. 
      Yet I could not figure out for the life of me how to keep all the balls in the air without causing more stress! 
      I read all the books on decluttering, organizing, housecleaning, and decorating yet none of them seemed to offer the simple holistic, sustainable solution I needed. It was all overwhelming. I just wanted to feel at peace with my home day to day, not create a perfect designer-approved showplace!
      I really didn’t need a perfect home. The truth was, a growing family and every day real-life experiences at home created ongoing understandable chaos. I wanted to savor the people, the moments and seasons of life, but trying and failing to keep up with resulting mess in our home was the opposite feeling I wanted in my surroundings.
      How in the world do you find a balance so you can create the type of home you really want without feeling so stressed and overwhelmed?
      Three homes, three kids, one dog and a lot of anxiety and home keeping trial and error later, I finally had an epiphany. This epiphany changed everything!

      I always knew I wanted my home to be a peaceful and welcoming place, but the peaceful and welcoming feeling I craved wasn’t just about the house.
      *I* needed to feel that way! 
      I needed to feel a sense of peace in our home for my own wellbeing, so I could offer that to my family as well.
      I needed my home to be welcoming to me day to day, too, not just to be welcoming to others.
      I couldn’t just bless the mess. Ha! To me, mess = stress.
      Yet all the methods I had tried to keep up with the mess created new kinds of stress.
      It makes sense that people just give up.
      No one tells you the secret to achieving what it is you really want.
      What most of us want to create is a sanctuary, not a showplace.
      That’s what I longed for all along — a home where I felt at peace.

      No wonder I was stressed!
      No wonder I was floundering! 
      It all began to make more sense. 
      I had been trying to get somewhere worth going, but doing it the wrong way led me to the opposite results.
      I was working hard at keeping up with what I thought was necessary or expected, but I didn’t stop to consider what a sanctuary would feel like.
      To be a nurturing place, living in it or caring for it couldn’t be a stressful experience!

      Little by little I made new discoveries about what it meant to create a sanctuary.
      My perspective on home keeping changed.
      I began to make progress and my family noticed and felt it, too! 
      Learning what to do and what not to do, when to do it and why it all mattered so much to me personally made all the difference. Everything changed for the better!
      My well-being improved and my anxiety and daily struggles diminished greatly.
      The care and keeping of our home not only became more manageable but more enjoyable and fulfilling for me (even with a busy household!). 
      My home became a true sanctuary!
      Once I began to see my new daily efforts for what they were, a worthy investment in our health and well-being, creating a sanctuary truly transformed all areas of my life.
      And the most amazing thing is: 

      It didn’t take a lot of money or a housekeeper!

      I didn’t need a perfect house or a perfect plan.

      I didn’t need ideal circumstances. 

      I didn’t need to be a slave to housework. 

      I finally had more freedom and creative energy to do what I loved!

      I felt better than I ever had before in my surroundings. 

      If creating a sanctuary resonates with you, I would love to have you join me in in this journey in 2024!

      I’ve shared many of my struggles and successes in homekeeping and decorating over the past 17 years through encouragement and practical tips on my blog The Inspired Room and in 11 books. 
      But now I am thrilled to be able to offer my secretes to success and support you in a more personal way. In HomeBody Gathering Place, I’ve brought these important decorating and home keeping concepts all together into a never-before offered format with a simple to follow formula along with my secrets to success!
      I am thrilled to be able to walk with you through this journey in real time through HomeBody Gathering Place!
      You’re invited to join me for A Year of Sanctuary, which takes place in 2024 in my member community HomeBody Gathering Place. If you are a member, you’re all set! We’ll begin the winter season on January 5th. If you are not currently a member, you’ll want to register HERE before we close the doors.

      What is a Year of Sanctuary? What is HomeBody Gathering Place?
      A Year of Sanctuary is our theme this year in HomeBody Gathering Place, a private member community where we focus on realistic methods and make joy-filled rewarding progress in creating a sanctuary.
      I’ve organized the concepts I teach into a new seasonal format so we can experience A Year of Sanctuary! In a Year of Sanctuary, we dive into each of my four essential sanctuary principles as well as learn how to savor the simple joys of a sanctuary week by week, season by season, year round.
      All HGP members get to enjoy A Year of Sanctuary, there is no additional fee or registration, it’s all included in your membership.
      How does a Year of Sanctuary work?
      We go through A Year of Sanctuary lessons together weekly in real-time (either in the optional Facebook community, or your own private dashboard and weekly emails we send), but you can also go at your own pace with previously taught lessons and resources that are all saved and available to you in a private dashboard any time.
      While you will be inspired with new ideas and tips every week, you can also see immediate results if you choose to take simple optional action steps through our weekly challenges.
      Of course, establishing your rhythms and experiencing the full benefits of a sanctuary will take time! But we make it more fun every step of the way. You’ll get access to HomeBody Notebook pages, prizes, printables and more!
      The decorating and homemaking principles we learn throughout the year can be personalized and practiced in a variety of ways in each season, just like we do in our real life homes!
      This is a gentle and sustainable way to bring more joy and peace to life and your home, too.
      You’ll find this to be a rewarding experience — one you can look forward to each week and through every season! 
      Do I have to be a new homemaker to benefit from HomeBody Gathering Place?
      Not at all! Whether you’re already a seasoned sanctuary creator or just starting out or somewhere in between, we can learn and grow together in our own ways. No one has it all together all the time, so we all can benefit from inspiration to connect to our homes in various seasons of life.
      Plus, in HomeBody Gathering Place, I bring together a lovely community of women who are all in different seasons, all creating a sanctuary! It is a joy to encourage each other wherever we are in the journey.
      One step at a time, season by season, I’ll teach you how to not only make your home look great, but FEEL great, too.
      Join us in HomeBody Gathering Place for a Year of Sanctuary. We begin January 5th with our Winter Session on Simplicity!
      Once we close the doors for this session, we don’t open again until spring session.
      TIP: I recommend that you join in January as a yearly member (it’s the best deal, plus this year we’re offering yearly member perks and resources!). We hope you’ll join us for the full year of transformative sanctuary lessons, resources, and activities! More

    • 125 Shares99 Views

      in Style Tips

      Coordinating Fall Pillow Combinations + Neutral Pillows for Any Season

      by

      Click here for above sources
      Pillows are one of the simplest ways to change the decor of a room. I usually try get the zippered covers in fabrics, colors and styles that are versatile enough to mix and match for the season (you can read more of my advice on all things pillows here, including my favorite inserts). I also like to have some neutrals that can work in every season!
      Today I am sharing a few fall pillow mood boards that I hope will inspire you for pretty pillow pairing possibilities! When you scroll down you’ll also find a few beautiful “neutral” pillows I bought on Etsy that I think could be used year round. Enjoy!
      Click here for above sources
      Click here for above sources
      Sources top to bottom left to right: Rust Floral Pillow // Cross Pattern Pillow // Mustard Stripe Pillow // Black and White Plaid Pillow // Beige Floral Pillow // Terracotta Floral Pillow // Teal Floral Pillow // Beige Velvet Pillow // Brown Plaid Pillow
      Sources: Linen Striped Pillow Cover // Gingham Neutral Pillow Cover // Blue Reversible Throw Blanket (as bench seat cover, see more styles of blankets like this in my home here)
      Source: Gingham Neutral Pillow Cover
      Source: Linen Striped Pillow Cover
      Source: Soft Pink Striped Pillow Cover
      Source: Brown Gingham Pillow on Wingback Chair // Jute + Cotton Rug with this rug pad // Blue and White Floral Ginger Jar // Clam Shell (similar) and other sources
      More Pillows (click the images below for details):

      Turn on your JavaScript to view content

      How to Pick Decorative Pillows That Go Together (5 tips on style, pillow inserts and saving money!)
      Throw Pillows in my Amazon Storefront
      5 Clever Ways to Make a Small Space Cozy and Inviting
      13 Simple Ways to Make Your Home Feel Like Fall
      Find more decorating advice for your home in our Style Tips gallery! More

    • 225 Shares179 Views

      in Style Tips

      How to Fall in Love with Your Room (+ Our New Living Room Arrangement Using What We Have)

      by

      It’s that time of year when we all want our living spaces to be cozy, welcoming and comfortable. We want to love our homes. But as you look around your room, do you ever have a nagging feeling that something is “off” but you don’t know exactly what it is? I definitely have! Perhaps you’ve considered getting rid of everything you have so you can start over with new things you love. I’ll admit that thought has crossed my mind a time or two.
      Sources: Plaid Arm Chair // Waffle Weave Blanket on back // Jute + Cotton Rug // Round Black Art (my art is birds which is sold out, but this is the same style with butterflies!)
      I’m a fan of using what you have when possible and not always buying new things.
      But sometimes it’s hard to figure out where to put the furniture you have, or how to combine what you have in a new way or a new room. And how to determine when you just need something new!
      Did you know years ago I wrote a book called But Where Do I Put the Couch? with KariAnne Wood from Thistlewood Farms? Seems like I should be an expert on answering that age old question of where a couch should go in a room, but as is often the case with design, the best answer is often found through trial, error and experimentation rather than in a universal set of rules to to follow.
      I think we need to give ourselves freedom to try new things, to break the rules and just arrange furniture in a way that is best for the room! This way your room will be better designed for you and make more sense.
      Source: Brown Gingham Pillow on Wingback Chair // Jute + Cotton Rug with this rug pad // Blue and White Floral Ginger Jar // Clam Shell (similar) and other sources // No link for those toys on the floor, ha!
      I am happy to say I stand by my advice in the book (which is not just about where to put the couch, by the way! It’s so much more than that! It answers 101 actual decorating questions from readers like you! Read all about it here).
      But even if we know the rules, break the rules or both, we can still feel stuck. I get stuck, too.
      Case in point.
      I was so excited when our renovation was nearly complete because I finally got to arrange furniture and get settled. But my enthusiasm soon turned to a slump. I just wasn’t feeling like the living room was coming together.
      It wasn’t the backdrops at all. I was grateful for this newly refreshed space and love our paint colors and new flooring. Love the new feel and layout of our main floor. I still planned to get blinds in the living room, and I knew we’d get those soon.
      Sources: Wicker Trunk // Jute + Cotton Rug // Leather Sofa Armchair Version (loveseat no longer sold) // Pleated Lampshade // Blue and White Stamped Pillow on Sofa // Dining Room Details
      While I was stumped at how to solve the furniture arrangement, a little voice in my head told me to STOP DROP AND ROLL.
      Catchy, yes? You’re welcome. A little lesson we all learned in kindergarten.
      This time though, there was no fire to put out.
      Just a little crisis in my head, but nothing STOP DROP AND ROLL can’t handle!
      STOP scrolling for more ideas that just overwhelm or confuse you.
      DROP the idea that shopping is the only way to solve problems.
      Get out of your head so you can get ROLLING!
      Sources: Blue and White Flower Pot // Plaid Arm Chair // Waffle Weave Blanket on back // Jute + Cotton Rug // Lidded Rattan Basket Under Table // Lidded Basket on Right // Round Black Art // Blue and White Geometric Blanket (reversible)
      Even though I felt stumped — like I already tried every combination or arrangement, I told myself I needed to get up and try again. If I didn’t like it, no problem, I could just move it all right back. If nothing else, it could give me clarity on what it was I needed so I could make a better decision.
      It was time to STOP DROP AND ROLL!
      I turned on my Fall Puttering Playlist, got my comfy tennies on, and started moving the furniture all around the room. I tried every possibility, even the ones I was pretty sure I wouldn’t love. But you never know until you try!
      Several arrangements later…it suddenly clicked! This felt right. Cozy, inviting, and pleasant for conversation. Funny enough, this is the arrangement I tried FIRST! I promptly dismissed it previously because when I tried it before, the dining room was still under construction.
      Sources: Wicker Trunk // Jute + Cotton Rug
      Here’s another handy tip. Don’t judge a room when it is under construction (or in a mess as the case might be). I can often look past a mess but this time, I made a quick judgement that was incorrect. I thought it was too crowded, but I am so glad I gave the arrangement another chance once the mess was picked up.
      There is plenty of room to get around, and the couch there gives each room a cozier feeling! It works! Best of all, I was so happy I was able to use what I already had! All I had to do was try and try again.
      Stop drop and roll.
      Sources: Blue and White Geometric Blanket (reversible)
      Once I fell in love with how the room felt with the furniture this way, it gave me ideas of things I had in other rooms that could serve a new purpose in this space. Our ottomans seemed too big and there were just too many legs in the room with four more on an ottoman (although I might try again, or maybe just get a new one someday). But I brought down a basket trunk I had up in the Snug and much to my surprise, it worked just fine in front of the couch!
      We love how the room feels now. I’m so glad I didn’t give up!
      If you’ve followed along here for awhile, you’ll recognize that many of these pieces are ones I’ve had for years and years and have used in many different ways in several homes!
      If you’re not feeling the love for your home, maybe it’s not your home or your furniture!
      Maybe you just need to STOP DROP AND ROLL!
      Source: Jute + Cotton Rug
      Hope this inspires you today! If you try a new arrangement in your home, I’d love to see! Tag me on Instagram @theinspiredroom. In my HomeBody Gathering Place membership group I share in depth on decorating and creating a sanctuary through custom mini-courses and workshops.
      Join the waitlist HERE (homebodygatheringplace.com) to join us when we open HomeBody Gathering Place again!
      Find more inspiration and encouragement for your home in my books, including Love the Home You Have, The Inspired Room, and Simply Home. Find all my books here.

      Jute + Cotton Rug – with this rug pad
      Plaid Arm Chair
      Blue and White Geometric Blanket (reversible)
      Waffle Weave Blanket on back of chair
      Round Black Art (my art is birds which is sold out, but this is the same style with butterflies)
      Blue and White Flower Pot
      Lidded Rattan Basket Under Table
      Lidded Woven Basket by fireplace
      Wicker Trunk
      Leather Sofa Armchair Version (loveseat no longer sold)
      Pleated Lampshade
      Blue and White Stamped Pillow on Sofa
      Brown Gingham Pillow
      Wingback Chair
      Blue and White Floral Ginger Jar
      Clam Shell (similar) and other sources
      Dining Room Details
      My Battery Operated Candles
      Blue paint color: Beach Glass Benjamin Moore
      White paint color: Classic Light Buff Sherwin Williams
      Find more sources from my home and more decor I love in my shops! More

    • 200 Shares159 Views

      in Style Tips

      Latest Amazon Finds for the Home (Fall Decor and More in The Inspired Room Amazon Storefront!)

      by

      This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy here

      Decorating and organizing a home takes time, but today I’m here to help simplify the process and save you money with tips for using The Inspired Room Amazon Storefront!
      We find many lovely and practical finds for the home on Amazon in each season. Scroll below to see many of our most recent finds, with beautiful fall mood boards and decorating ideas for your home.
      But first, let me share three handy but simple tips for finding what you need using The Inspired Room Amazon storefront!

      1. HOW TO FIND THE INSPIRED ROOM AMAZON STOREFRONT:
      You can check out ALL of my Amazon finds here in my storefront with categorized folders that are updated often. By checking out my personally curated Amazon storefront, you will not only know where to begin shopping but I can help you simplify the process of decorating and organizing your home.
      You can also type in this URL amazon.com/shop/theinspiredroomshop OR just come to the blog theinspiredroom.net and scroll down a bit until you see my Amazon Storefront banner. Click the banner and you’ll be there!

      2. WHERE TO FIND THE ITEMS I HAVE IN MY HOME:
      This folder of my storefront features things I personally own (or are very similar) from Amazon. I know it can be helpful to see things in real life, so I also try to add photos and videos of these pieces in our home here.

      3. HOW TO USE MY HANDY AMAZON SHOP SEARCH BAR FEATURE:
      Searching through thousands of products feels overwhelming. In addition to using my shop folders to find my favorites, you can use the search bar within my storefront to search for anything specific you’re looking for. The search bar within my shop will automatically pull up my related recommendations (for example: type “basket” and it will give you folders of my ideas, my mood boards, and photos from my home that feature baskets available).
      Searching within my storefront is like having me right there to guide you! See the screenshot of my shop page above, simply type in your search term in the box where it says Search all posts. Using my storefront search bar will save you so much time wandering around, or wondering which item to choose, or trying to find what you need! I hope this tip helps! 🙂
      FOLLOW MY STOREFRONT!Click the blue follow button on my storefront to stay in the loop of what I share in the future!
      Scroll down to enjoy these mood boards featuring some of my latest finds below, I hope these give you inspiration today for your own home!
      Click here for the above sources
      Click here for the above sources
      Click here for above sources
      Click here for the above sources
      Click here for above sources
      Click here for above sources

      Click here for the above sources
      Click here for above sources
      Click here for above sources
      See ALL my latest Amazon finds here in my storefront!
      …or head to my Shop page here to find sources from my home and more decor from a variety of online sites!

      Subscribe to my newsletter to receive home inspiration and encouragement right to your inbox! More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Style Tips

      My New Rattan Serving Cart (how I’ll use it in my kitchen + why I’m so excited about it!)

      by

      Rattan Serving Cart (on sale!) // Brass Ceiling Light // (see more sources at end of post)
      A few weeks ago I had an epiphany that led me to (unexpectedly but excitedly) buy a rattan serving cart! I am SO thrilled with it! The truth is I didn’t plan to add ANY furniture (except our dining table and chairs) when we designed our kitchen and dining room.
      Sometimes you don’t really know how a room will come together until:
      1) you start trying various arrangements, or2) you’re in it (not just looking at it on paper)
      That is how this rattan serving cart ended up in this special spot in our home! It was meant to be. Today I’ll share more about this serendipitous addition to our kitchen and dining area, why it works well for us, how we’ll use it and what this added piece brings to design-wise our space!
      Rattan Serving Cart (on sale!)
      While I love free standing furniture for storage and adding character to a room, as we were designing our kitchen and dining room we realized it really wouldn’t make sense to incorporate furniture (other than the table and chairs). We didn’t have many walls to work with (all of the three main rooms are smallish and open/connected to each other, plus two of the walls are filled with French doors), so we chose to use the available wall space in the dining room and kitchen for built-ins.
      This decisions and arrangement really helped us to maximize floor space, as well as improve storage and function in an “open” layout, and I can’t wait to share more of the details and the whole renovation in the reveal!
      Sources: Blue and White Ginger Jar // Rattan Serving Cart (on sale!)
      As I mentioned, the rattan cart wasn’t in the original design plan. Yet it serendipitously turned out to be the perfect piece for our room and looks so charming with the island, too! I love when a room comes together organically. I always expect a space evolve as we live in it, but that means you don’t always get to know in advance exactly how that will happen. You have to TRUST it will come together in time! And often if I’m patient, slowly but surely room will reveal to me what it wants :).
      A few months ago I did an inspiration blog post on rattan bar carts, never imagining at the time that we would ever have room for one ourselves!
      I knew I loved the look and had seen so many ways to use rattan carts (plus my mom had a rattan cart in her home for YEARS!), so there was no question I would love one in my home. Yet it wasn’t until I was finally standing in my new dining room one day, observing the space we had available that I could imagine how a small cart would be perfect. It would not only work space-wise with the table and chairs in place, but feels like a “meant-to-be” design decision!
      Rattan Serving Cart (on sale!)
      To be certain we would like it there, we brought in a similar cart (the one we got this summer for the porch). It wasn’t the right size (just a wee bit too big, but every inch counts), but it confirmed that we would love a similar piece in that spot. Now if we could find just the right size, color and shape we’d be set!
      I was so excited because I immediately found a rattan serving cart that checked all of the boxes, so I ordered it on the spot (and bonus I had a $50 credit and it was on sale!). MEANT TO BE!
      It is really is a wonderful addition to our kitchen/dining area in so many ways. Not too big, not too small. I love how it brings a subtle shift and connection in the function from the “kitchen side” to the “dining area.” It also brings together and adds to all of our warm toned textures, from the cutting boards and the wood flooring to the metal fixtures over the island. I also love the way it contrasts with the natural stones and soft creamy cabinets. It feels just right, so warm, homey and inviting, like I planned for it to be there all along.
      I think many times, that’s the best way to design a room. It can turn out even BETTER when you don’t plan every detail to begin with! It is fun when you find that unexpected piece, or there is an element of surprise with how it came together, or when you simply have the joy of watching it evolve and become your own over time.
      Similar Wood Handle Flatware
      This is what I hoped for in our kitchen. I wanted the overall design to feel welcoming, classic and timeless, as if it always been here in our family. Yet in order to feel like it’s truly always been with us and will be for years to come, it would naturally evolve because we would enjoy it and live in it.
      While it’s a new kitchen and a new serving cart, every day it’s feeling more and more like a family home we’ve always loved and always will.
      So how will we use the rattan cart and what is on it now?
      Blue Rug // Rattan Serving Cart (on sale!)
      I can’t wait to use this rattan cart in different ways and of course, share it with you each season. Besides looking really cute, it is so handy to hold things we may need day to day, like a stack of cloth napkins, our favorite little trays and various trivets, some coasters, a small wood cutting board, a vase for flowers and wood flatware that not only looks so pretty on display but it handy to grab from the table. Plus it is fun to be able to lean art (which we did on the lower shelf!) or set potted plants, display seasonal decor or foliage, or even to set up with dishes or desserts to serve at family gathering! We can also move the cart around to other places as needed.
      Happy start to the fall nesting season, friends! We’re enjoying getting more settled and comfortable in our home every day. It’s the ideal season for all things cozy, so stay tuned as I’ll have so much to share with you! Thank you for being here!

      Rattan serving cart (on sale!)
      Striped blue and white cloth napkins
      Round rattan trays
      Blue and white ginger jar (see more of my blue and white favorites on Amazon here)
      Similar wood handle flatware
      Woven charger placemats (see more woven chargers and other entertaining supplies in this folder of my Amazon shop)
      Blue rug
      Brass ceiling light (see our kitchen design mood board here for more sources)
      Black and white pattern crock is an old kitchen canister, out of stock but find similar in this Kitchen Jars & Canisters folder
      Cabinet color: Classic Light Buff Sherwin Williams
      Flooring: real European White Oak hardwood, engineered. I unfortunately don’t have a link to them — they were purchased through a local store and have no brand name I can find online.
      See our most recent renovation update here.

      Rattan Bar Carts inspiration rooms
      My flea market find rattan shelf (still have this, now in our guest room!)
      My rattan daybed (this is now in our Snug which has been recently rearranged after getting new floors, I’ll share that soon!)
      Inspiration: Rattan and Bamboo Accent Furniture
      My “Rattan Love” Pinterest board with inspiration photos
      My outdoor serving cart (+ simple gathering inspiration)

      Subscribe to my newsletter to receive home inspiration and encouragement right to your inbox! More

    • 163 Shares159 Views

      in Organization

      Small Space Hacks: Collapsible Laundry Bags (7 Ways They Can Simplify Your Life)

      by

      This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy here

      If you have a small home or laundry space like me, you will LOVE today’s tip! In a small space, you really don’t have room for bulky items like laundry baskets. And our laundry room isn’t even a room, it is a very small closet so there is absolutely no room for traditional laundry baskets.
      I discovered these collapsible bags when we moved in and we’ve enjoyed them ever since (and use them for more than just laundry!). They have enough shape to stand up straight so you can fill them with laundry, but are squishable so you can squeeze them into a very tight slim spot. We keep ours in the tiny spot between the stackable washer / dryer and the wall.
      Collapsible Laundry Bag
      On the other side we have two super slim racks stacked that works great for our laundry detergent and iron and all the little items that you need to have on hand.
      Isn’t this star laundry bag cute? I just got this one and love it. I will share more styles and patterns below as well as tips for using them to simplify your life!
      With limited space available, you really have to think carefully about your organization and what is necessary for practical use or in daily routines for your family. But as I see it, a small space is far from a limitation in a home. It can actually be so helpful to have limited space because it is what will make you have to think twice about what you actually need!
      Our family has lived in very large homes before and while there are definite advantages to having more room to spread out, the amount of clutter and excess you begin to accumulate isn’t always an advantage or desirable.
      Below is a photo of the other side of our tiny laundry closet where we have these stackable shelves (this 4 tier and a 3 tier stacked together) that work great for our small sized detergents, iron and other laundry items!
      We also have this really great collapsible drying rack that can easily fold and tuck into a narrow spot and be pulled out when you need it.
      Sources for Slim Carts: This 4 tier and a this 3 tier cart stacked together
      Ideas for how to use collapsible laundry baskets to simplify life:

      Reusable grocery bag or farmer’s market tote
      Use in the car to corral items
      Use them to carry your laundry to a room where you fold everything
      Leave them in car empty ready for anything, or pre packed with common items you use on the go (picnic blanket, etc)
      Leave in car (or in the closet) as a donation bag that you add to slowly and donate when full
      Tuck into a closet or corner of the room for tossing used kitchen towels, if you’re laundry room is far from kitchen!
      Use them in a closet to organize clothes or seasonal items

      Click here for all above sources
      Take care of your home and it will take care of you!
      Efficiency in taking care of a home is something I’m passionate about helping others with because it wasn’t something I was naturally good at :). I have always loved decorating, but struggled with cleaning routines. I really had to apply myself to learning how to take care of my home and to find joy in those less-pretty and more mundane every day tasks. Now I love it!
      I’ve been sharing my daily homekeeping routines and tips in our HomeBody Gathering Place this month. We’ve had some good discussions with our community about what is needed to find more joy in taking care of our homes!
      We’re all about creating sanctuaries in the HGP! All year round we share about everything home: from how to decorate and find your style, to how create an atmosphere that inspires us, to embracing daily routines and getting into seasonal rhythms that help us stay on top of what needs to be done so our home runs efficiently and we feel our best in it!
      We’d love to have your join us in the HGP! It is a special community. BUT– there is only A FEW DAYS LEFT to join us before we close our doors to new members until the new year.
      If you love all things home and / or would like to make improvements or regular progress in your own home (and would like to be surrounded by the encouragement of like minded friends!) I hope you’ll hop in the HomeBody Gathering Place! Come enjoy the fall and holiday season with us!

      A Cute & Organized ‘Laundry Room’ in a Closet
      Pretty Laundry Room Inspiration
      Linen Closet Organization Ideas
      No Linen Closet? No Worries! 3 Reasons These Shallow Underbed Storage Bags Can Help!
      Find all laundry and linen inspiration posts on The Inspired Room HERE.
      Find organization posts on The Inspired Room HERE.
      See more laundry and linen storage solutions in my Amazon shop HERE. More

    • 63 Shares189 Views

      in Organization

      Getting Organized in the Kitchen

      by

      This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy here

      It seems like it’s been many weeks since I’ve updated you on our kitchen.
      If you wondered if you missed the reveal, don’t worry. You didn’t! The kitchen is essentially done but I’m still waiting on the final finishing touches to be complete. I hope those last bits will happen in the next couple of weeks so we can wind this up and then I’ll be able to do a proper reveal post!
      Meanwhile the work has continued around our home, so this renovation hasn’t been at a standstill at all! In fact, a lot has happened and we’re SO CLOSE to being done. I’ll get some pics and share more about the latest updates soon.
      I can’t wait to take photos and share all about our kitchen! We just love it. We’ve been cooking in our kitchen now for about three weeks and we are very happy with the appliances, function and layout of the room. Designing this kitchen to fit within the space we had was a challenge (as it almost always is when you’re remodeling). We definitely went round and round with what would be best for the space and for how we wanted to use our home. But we are happy that we made the decisions we did. It’s a very comfortable kitchen to work in. I will share more more about each decision and all the features in the coming weeks and months.
      The first thing we were excited to do (besides begin to cook with Beatrix, who I’m happy to report is as lovely to cook with as she is beautiful!) was to start organizing our kitchen tools and pantry items into all of the new drawers and cabinets. We haven’t been able to use our dedicated pantry in the mudroom yet because it had to be painted first but that will be fun to organize that when we’re able.
      We are still figuring out where we want everything in the kitchen, but I bought some new organizers for the kitchen as well as a few new tools I wanted to use here, so I thought I would share those today. I’ll give a more complete tour once I get everything in place.
      Wood Cutting Board
      I love the warmth and function of cutting boards in a kitchen, so I got a couple of fresh new ones we will use all the time here. I really like the big thick ones with the grooves on them, so I got two of these. I also find small ones to be handy and easy to grab for small tasks like cutting an apple, so I like this board as well (plus a handle is always nice!).

      I wasn’t sure we would need any special organizers for spices as I’ve always found it just as easy for me to lay them flat in the drawer. But, I decided to give these risers a try. I actually love how they tilt the jar up slightly and they are clear so they look nice in the drawer. They make me feel like I’m organized, so that’s a plus ha. I was worried the spices wouldn’t fit with risers in this shallow drawer but these work perfectly.
      You can get some spice racks that come with clear jars and labels like these f you really want to switch out the containers to all be uniform, but I don’t mind the mix and just use the jars the spices come in!
      Spice Drawer Organizer

      I’ve never had an electric kettle but I really wanted one for this house. We know we’ll have family here often so it’ll be so nice to have a kettle that can be used away from the main cooking zone. Part of getting organized is thinking through where people go and what they need to do in a space so you can make the experience comfortable. I want to think through what would be practical and where we put things they will use.
      We’ll set up a dedicated coffee and tea area where people can help themselves any time. We may even keep a kettle in a guest room for their use there! You can get my exact one on Amazon, and a similar style in various colors at Williams-Sonoma.

      Recently our old toaster died so we began a search for a new one. I fell in love with this style and love the color! After asking followers on social media for their toaster recommendations, we got rave reviews on this toaster! I wanted it to be attractive enough to leave on the counter, so I think this one will be perfect.

      You can’t have a new kitchen and hang up old towels :), am I right? Also, how long do new towels look new? Don’t answer that. Ha! This was a set of three towels that we’ll use for day to day (they have other color options here). I have some others which will be my ‘pretty but don’t use to clean your spaghetti sauce spills’ towels hahah, but I like having every day towels that go with my decor, too. I feel more organized and hospitable when we don’t have a drawer full of ugly ratty stained hand or dish towels. When we have those, they go into the rag area and become perfect for those very messy spills :).

      I decided to retire my old counter top knife block because it no longer fit our knives. This time I wanted a knife block that fits in a drawer so we could tuck it away. This one fits perfectly, I love it!

      I’m still filling our new baggie containers and kitchen wrap organizers, but I can tell I’ll really like these a lot. The wrap container set came with labels even for wax and parchment.

      While we did add some custom features in our kitchen, we didn’t add any built in dividers because I knew we could do that affordably and simply with these bamboo ones. I got these long ones and also this set that came with 5 in various sizes. I love that you can mix and match the sizes that fit your items even as your needs change, so you aren’t stuck with a system for life.
      I have a few other new items we are using as well as some built in cabinet features we really like. I am still organizing and getting set up so I’ll save those to share for a future post!

      Speaking of organizing, did you see I have a new book coming out this month called Simply Home? It’s a two-in-one book, combining two of my original paperback books into one hardback! You can read more about it here and pre-order here.

      11 Things I Bought for Our Kitchen (Decor and Organization)
      The Tiny Cottage Empty Home Tour
      Browse organization inspiration posts on The Inspired Room
      Browse kitchen inspiration posts on The Inspired Room More