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

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      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

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      Getting Organized in the Kitchen

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      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

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      Whimsical Decorating Style

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

      I love rooms that are designed with a sense of playfulness and light-heartedness, or when they have something quirky in them, even if it is subtle! A whimsical style can make a house feel like a happy home! Whimsy offers character and personality, while eliminating pretentiousness, stuffiness or seriousness that is sometimes a part of the design world. I think we sometimes lose our sense of childhood wonder when we grow older, so while some might long for a more serious or “grown up home” others want to retain a sense of youthfulness and amusement and express that through their home.
      Sometimes you can immediately spot something fanciful in a room, but other times it can be a delightful surprise to discover whimsical elements that are incorporated more subtly into a room.
      Whimsical decor might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think it is fun! We’ve incorporated a sense of whimsy in one way or another to all of our homes over the years, whether it was through splashes of happy colors, patterns or accessories. Today I wanted to share a few examples from our past few homes and talk about our decorating plans for our current home!
      Map Source
      Some of our OG blogging community might remember my DIY Map Wallpaper in this little hall. It was a spur of the moment idea, but I think often that is how some of the most charming whimsical designs come together. If you overthink too much you might chicken out :).

      I fell in love with these curtains years ago and have kept them with me every move since. If this colorful pattern isn’t whimsical, I don’t know what is! I haven’t found the right place for them in our new home, but rest assured they will appear somewhere. Probably in an upstairs bedroom or hallway.
      (I got these curtains HERE years ago, they have several similar here. I’ll share a few at the end of this post with other whimsical decor!).

      Another fun way to add whimsy to your decor is to bring a sense of childlike fun to your home. For example, I adore animals. We always have charming animal figurines, lamps, drawer pulls and art around our home. While we don’t have kids at home any more, that doesn’t mean we have to have an overly serious adult style house. We still are kids at heart :). However, we use restraint in how much whimsy we bring into a room and choose whimsical pieces that have a bit of class — we want it to complement our overall style.
      Artwork Source
      I also love to tell a story with our decor. Since I adore animals, I enjoy picturing the entire scene where animals might live, such as a meadow or enchanted garden or any type of fairytale setting. That visual image in my mind or on a mood board makes it extra fun to choose additional accessories that help create that scene.
      I feel like this whimsical artwork I got recently is how I view life. 🙂
      I also LOVE living by the sea. I’ve always enjoyed bringing in coastal art and decor wherever we’ve lived. It fuels my imagination as I picture the setting of a quaint home on the shores of the sea. Now we truly do live on the shores of the sea, but I still love to use my imagination for how I want our home to feel.

      Scalloped patterns always feel subtly whimsical to me. This scalloped rattan tray and blue and white scalloped trim pitcher (an antique I found recently) are fun new touches of whimsy in our home! The whale tail wood spreaders (similar here) peeking out of the pitcher make me smile, too.
      We’re just finishing up a remodel of our current home so we haven’t decorated yet, but I can’t wait to bring in my whimsical decorating style. We intentionally chose traditional elements as a timeless backdrop for the ever evolving seasons and things we love. Some of the whimsical elements might be so subtle that no one else will notice or know the story of what they are looking at, but the important thing in decorating isn’t what other people think or see, it’s what your home FEELS like to you!
      Fabric source – click here
      We can’t wait to start decorating with accessories and fabrics! In fact, we already bought our first “whimsical style-setting” fabric which features all of the colors we’ll use! Shades of blues, greens, golds, whites and a soft blush pink. Soon I’ll be able to bring in our other accessories and have fun styling each season.
      Do you enjoy whimsical decorating? What are the things you love?

      Whimsical Decor:

      Sources: Meadow Print // Whale Platter // Neutral Floral Rug // Bunny Wallpaper // Scallop Pillow (color options) // Animal Dessert Plates // Accent Chair // Blue Table Lamp Set of 2 // Star Light Sconce (shade options) // Scallop Rattan Tray // Polka Dot Basket (color options) // Spiral Candle

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      2 Mood Boards for Our Home (with a touch of whimsy!):

      Sources for above left mood board /// Sources for above right mood board
      More Whimsical Decor (click images below for details):

      Related Posts:
      5 Whimsical Happy Rooms: Sunday Strolls & Scrolls
      Bunny Accessories I Love
      How to Decorate to Bring Happiness to Your Home
      Inspired By: Scalloped Patterns in Decor and Furniture More

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      11 Things I Bought for Our Kitchen (Decor and Organization)

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

      We’re still waiting on some of the final finishing details in our kitchen (so if you spot anything that doesn’t look finished, don’t worry!). I’ve been trying to finalize some paint colors for the painters so I’ve been working on that, but meanwhile, I couldn’t wait to pull out a few things I’ve stashed away for our kitchen! I’ll share a few of them today!
      The good news is we will probably be able to “move in” to the kitchen this week, even though there will still be some details to finish as well as projects still going on around the house (such as our deck, living room / mudroom / entry / stairwell paint, new wood stair treads and flooring upstairs, plus the Tiny Cottage!).
      If you’ve missed any my last remodel update you can see that here.
      I’m guessing we’re a few weeks out from the contractors being officially “done” and then of course, more fun parts will begin for me! I can’t wait to decorate and put plants in our garden :). I’ve been collecting some vintage dishes that I can’t wait to display in the kitchen and have even bought a few plants for the backyard.
      Today I’ll share some of the items I brought in last week and I’ll share the vintage items once I get them in the kitchen.
      Blue Hobnail Glasses /// Sage Hobnail Glasses (or here are similar hobnail glasses on Amazon!)
      1. Hobnail Drinking Glasses
      We needed new drinking glasses and I couldn’t resist these beauties! I’ve always loved hobnail design and the colors were perfect. They look like seaglass! I decided to get a combination of the blue and the sage colors. There are also similar glasses HERE on Amazon with great reviews!

      2. Over the Sink Roll Up Dish Drying Rack
      This is such a clever drying rack, it works with our farmhouse sink and will be handy when we want to hand wash items or just need to set something, maybe a towel or plant or anything that needs to drip dry! It rolls up and can be stashed away when not in use.
      Over the Sink Roll Up Dish Drying Rack
      Natural Wood Dish Brush // Dark Brown Wood Dish Brush
      3. Wood Dish Brushes
      I always love having wood brushes in the kitchen, I couldn’t decide which one to get so I got both a natural and dark brown.
      Natural Marble Tray
      4. Marble Tray
      We use small trays like this all the time, so I knew we’d love this one. This is marble, another I’ll share below is resin.
      Resin (marble look) Footed Tray
      5. Resin (marble look) Footed Tray
      Woven Rattan Trays
      6. Woven Rattan Trays
      We bought these woven rattan trays to be able to carry food or plates upstairs during the remodel. They are wonderful, so sturdy and just the right size. We’ll use these all the time for serving, so they will be a great addition to our kitchen.
      Plate Holder Easel Display Stand // Sailboat Plates
      7. Plate Holder Easel Display Stands
      I was looking for easel style stands to be able to display plates, platters or books. At first I thought the finish on these would be too bright, but once the plate is on it, they are really pretty! I bought a bunch more in a couple of sizes.

      8. Sailboat Appetizer Plates
      My husband bought me these darling sailboat appetizer plates locally (but we found them online here, too!). I will use them at the table but they will also be adorable for decor. We can’t wait to mix and match all of our pretty dishes to display (and use!) in this kitchen. Stay tuned for another post on that!
      Bamboo Drawer Organizer Set of 5 // Long Bamboo Drawer Organizers (stackable)
      9. Bamboo Drawer Organizers
      I found these bamboo drawer organizers that come in a variety of sizes so you can mix and match to fit your needs. I can’t wait to get our drawers organized! I got this set of 5 in different shapes, and a set of 2 long dividers that can stack (see photos below).

      Tray Organizer
      10. Tray Organizer
      These will be handy to set up cookie sheets or baking pans in a cabinet!

      11. Patterned Animal Bowls
      I love these little bowls I had shared in my recent “pretty kitchen accessories” post! We use little bowls for all kinds of things, so I knew these would get a lot of use. They come in a set of 4 with a bunny, frog, bee and squirrel (2 reddish bowls and 2 blue).
      More on The Inspired Room:
      A Sense of Place: Designing Our Forever Family Home by the Sea (+ kitchen update)
      Charming Kitchen Faucets (4 We’ve Had and Many More)
      The Beauty of Soapstone Counters (+ why we chose them for our kitchen)
      16 Simple Ways to Decorate Your Home for Summer More

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      How to Turn Your Home into A Sanctuary

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

      When I began The Inspired Room in 2007, my “tagline” was Refining Your Home for Authentic Living. While I don’t use that tagline now, it certainly remains true to my philosophy of home. While we certainly have embarked on some bigger renovations over the years, I actually find the most joy in the smaller refinements that can be made to one’s surroundings. I believe it’s the refining process that can make any house your home.

      REFINE: improve (something) by making small changes, in particular make (an idea, theory, or method) more subtle and accurate.

      When we understand how to refine our surroundings and know how to make the appropriate adjustments, the impact on the room will be significant in all of the ways that truly matter.

      Designing a picture perfect space is not the same process as creating a sanctuary. A sanctuary is a place of refuge where you feel at peace.
      Even if you create a picture perfect scene in your home, a photo cannot tell the whole story of how you actually feel in your surroundings. You are the one who can write that personal story and feel the impact of it every day.
      To create a true sense of sanctuary, you must learn how to refine the details that will make a difference to you and the people who live there. Those details could in time make it picture perfect (when it’s all clean and the lighting is just right!) but more importantly each refinement will begin to make your home a reflection of you and transform how you feel when you’re there.

      When you learn how to refine a room in this way, you can go through this design process with what you have and can gather over time. You will know exactly what decisions need to be made each season in order to bring all of your senses into harmony! These refinements are what will finally invite you to exhale and experience a sense of peace in your surroundings.
      Would you like to learn how to do this in your own home?
      I’m thrilled to invite you to my brand new workshop in HomeBody Gathering Place called Room Recipe where I will teach you the exact ingredients every room needs to feel like a sanctuary!
      In this custom workshop, my daughters and I will teach you how to use these ingredients and apply my tried and true design formula to each room in your home.

      With our Room Recipe design principles, you will be able to turn any room into the sanctuary you’ve always wanted.
      This summer I’m offering this brand new workshop free to members of the HomeBody Gathering Place community. We want to walk with you step by step! We make the adventure to a sanctuary attainable and personal through membership in the HomeBody Gathering Place.
      For less than the cost of one design regret (which we can help you avoid!) HGP members get access to all of our custom resources designed for people like YOU, printables that you can use for home planning, art and inspiration, as well as our community support.
      Everything we offer in HomeBody Gathering Place is to inspire you and give you support as you’re creating a sanctuary!
      However, we are only opening our community for two more days, so I hope you’ll hop in today and join us!

      How it works:

      We go through one relevant topic and activity at a time together, so you can learn and can make progress real time! The weekly and seasonal format and commitment is simple and doable. You can go at your own pace in any season, so you’re never behind!
      Every mini-course or workshop we offer is designed to be adapted and personalized to you and your home. You do not need to have a certain design style, our principles can be (and should be!) applied to what speaks to you.

      No matter what type of home you live in, or what season of life you’re in, if you want to create a sanctuary, you belong in HomeBody Gathering Place! More

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      Summer Dining Room Mood Board (Shades of Green, White, and Blue!)

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

      Get inspired for your home with this summer dining room mood board in shades of green, white and blue! 
      Mondays aren’t always the most inspiring day of the week and not a day we look forward to after a fun weekend, but I hope to change that with our Monday Mood Boards! I hope these mood boards can be an inspiration to you and your home.

      Takeaway Tips to Bring this Look to Your Own Home:
      How would you describe the mood of this room? To me it feels so homey and cheerful. Can’t you just picture being in this room on a lovely day with the sunshine streaming in and music softly playing in the background? Imagine sitting down at the table with a friend to have a yummy lunch! I love it.
      To create a cozy look like this, layer it with a variety of textures. Here we included the versatile jute rug, chunky rattan chairs, pleated lampshade, distressing on the green cabinet, wood table top, seagrass lining the tops of the white wood lidded boxes, and more. Texture is a key decorating element every room needs, but how you choose to layer them together will alter the feel of the room.
      The design pieces in this room are all classics, so they will stand the test of time. It’s a room you could have fun decorating every season without changing any of the furniture! The pop of deep olive green on the cabinet provides a striking color contrast that would be beautiful all year around. Any time you add green to a room it comes to life!
      The brass lantern pendant adds warmth (as opposed to using a cool metal such as chrome, for example). I love the candlelight bulbs, adding a dimmer would make the mood of this room extra inviting at dinnertime!
      The adorable gingham pleated lampshade on the accent lamp will add light to any dark dreary corner in the evenings.
      The heron artwork speaks to my coastal loving heart, but the art could be easily swapped out to suit any design style!
      Subtle striped curtains add a bit of pattern and interest without overpowering the room. I love this simple look for summer, but you could even have fun swapping out the curtain panels in winter for a different look (like a more moody color, a bolder pattern, even a cozy velvet…endless possibilities!).
      This would also be such a fun room to set up different tablescapes! I love this spring/summer look with these solid green plates layered with a hydrangea salad plate (comes as a set with other flower designs). I recently shared a fun spring tablescape we set up in this post!
      A simple vase of blue hydrangeas is the perfect nod to summer (the flowers in the mood board are faux so you can enjoy them longer as well as use them year after year! See photos of them in my home here).
      Mood board source links are below. You can use these mood boards to recreate the whole look or choose a favorite element and add to your own sense of style. Save this to your Pinterest boards for future inspiration!

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      Rattan Dining Arm Chair
      Striped Linen/Cotton Curtains (color options)
      Green 2 Door Accent Cabinet
      4 Light Lantern Chandelier
      Faux Blue Hydrangeas (I have these in a few colors, see more photos of mine in this post)
      Pedestal Dining Table with Wood Top
      Green Plates
      Botanic Garden Plates (set of 6 with different flowers)
      Table Lamp with Gingham Pleated Shade
      Jute Rug (almost 20,000 great reviews!)
      Blue Heron Painting
      White Wood Lidded Boxes with Seagrass Tops (I have these!)
      Do you enjoy mood boards? You can find more HERE, and you can also follow our @theinspiredroomstyle Instagram for more mood boards and decor finds.
      Related:
      Cozy and Inviting Dining Room – Get the Look
      Dining Room Mood Boards with Simple Swaps
      Browse all dining room inspiration in our Dining Room gallery here
      My dining room inspiration board on Pinterest More

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      5 Design Books I Love for Remodel Inspiration

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

      Today I wanted to answer a great remodeling question a reader asked me last week!
      * Reader Question: What is your favorite design book for getting ideas for a remodel?
      I carefully study a variety of design books to find ideas for our remodel. Today I’ll show you a few of my favorites and how I used them to make decisions for my home!

      1. Not So Big Remodeling
      On this first one I’ll give you a disclaimer, I don’t look at it for design photos as much as I like to read the tips. I have several of her books (she’s an architect) and they are helpful for thinking through what she calls the not-so-big house concept. She covers ways to make a home more livable and inviting as well as adding character without necessarily making it larger. This one is specifically about remodeling.

      2. Timeless
      This book is a long time favorite. It was well worth the investment for me as I often pour over the photos to pick out details that I love as well as read the text. It often gives me more confidence in choosing what I like, or will spark a new idea or confirm an idea. The homes in this book are so beautiful, they have really amazing architecture! They are also huge compared to my small home haha. Even so, I still feel so inspired by the design elements that I enjoy looking at them for classic ideas that I could incorporate them into my own home.

      The author is Patrick Ahearn, I really respect his sensibilities and expertise as an architect.
      Another thing I love about studying books is that it is an education! They can help you become discerning so you incorporate good design sensibilities and concepts into your own work or projects at home.

      3. A Pattern Language
      Speaking of books as an education, this book is totally different from most design books as it has no photos! It has some drawings and sketches and a lot of words. It’s a classic book, it’s been around for a long time! I find it so interesting to read, although in full disclosure I really have to concentrate to understand some of it. 🙂 But that’s a good thing as it stretches my mind!
      If you like to consider why certain architectural choices or spaces in a home work, or why some feel right and some don’t, this one might spark your interest! The concepts he shares give you a lot to think about. Reading his ideas help make sense for why I’m drawn to certain homes and spaces and why others just don’t speak to me in the same way.
      It also talks about communities and neighborhoods but I particularly enjoy the parts on homes. If you are like to study, or are remodeling, or building a new home, I recommend this one! For some reason it’s expensive on Amazon but maybe you can find it at a library or used!

      4. The Great American House
      This is a neat one for your coffee table! I think I might get more inspired looking at architecture books than decorating books when I’m remodeling. I just love looking at all the details in classic homes, from woodwork and ceilings to plumbing and floors.

      5. A Place to Call Home
      Of course, I can’t leave out this one. It is one of my all time faves. Gil Schafer is the architect and author of the previous book and this one. All of the homes/rooms featured aren’t my style, but I drool over so many of them that it’s always a joy to look through.

      Do you like studying design books for inspiration? Hope you enjoyed a peek at a few of my favorites!
      See more home and garden inspiration books I love HERE. More

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      How to Decorate Your Home for Spring (24 Simple Ideas)

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      Want inspiration for how to decorate your home for spring? Today’s post has lots of ideas to make your home oh-so-springy with staple spring accessories (that you might already have!). You’ll find lots of helpful tips and advice featuring pretty and practical ideas (many of which I’ve used in my own home over the years), plus a spring mood board!
      Spring decor basics (a few ideas!): vessels, blooms, botanicals, throw pillows, spring mugs, light layers, candles, artwork, plants (real or faux), books, trays, baskets
      Espresso Machine
      1. Adds Sprigs of Spring Flowers in a Vase
      Snip some flowers from your yard, or divide a bouquet into smaller bud vases. You can even use dried florals, like lavender. They last a long time so you get a lot of bang for your buck!
      Patterned throw on back of sofa
      2. Layer in Lightweight Throw Blankets
      Change up your decor with a lightweight throw blanket! These mudcloth throw blankets are absolutely perfect for tossing over furniture as an added layer of texture, pattern, and color. They’re reversible, lightweight, soft, and machine washable! I shared about these last summer and still really love them, I got them in several patterns (grey/taupe and white Swiss cross, a blue and white geometric, a blue and white Swiss cross blanket, and this floral one. Read more about these blankets and see more photos here.

      3. Spring Doormat
      A fresh spring doormat can lift your spirits as you enter your home. You can even layer in a pretty patterned rug underneath.
      Related Sources: Plaid Rug // Homebody doormat is from this shop–I don’t see the homebody design available anymore but here is a similar one! // Amazon Doormats // Amazon Outdoor Rugs

      4. Display Tulips in a Basket
      Treat yourself to a grocery store bouquet but instead of a vase, try setting the vase or a jar in a narrow basket! It adds a fun texture.
      Related Sources: Baskets // Kitchen Details

      5. A Simple Spring Mantel
      Style your mantel or a shelf with a few simple spring accessories like birds, flowers and books!
      Related Sources: White Faux Tulips (look and feel so realistic!) // Seagrass Vessel // Rattan Mirror
      White Slipcovers
      6. Spring Clean Furniture
      Vacuum or spot clean (according to manufacturer instructions) your upholstered furniture. Dust wood pieces. Wash or dry clean slipcovers. I love furniture with washable slipcovers, so we got these affordable white washable slipcovers for our IKEA Ektorp chairs. We also have this sofa with a slipcover, too. Read more about these slipcovers here.

      7. Style Your Coffee Table
      Set out a book that inspires you (binding color, topic or cover photo!), display spring objects like shells into a pretty bowl, or add any botanical element like a plant or flowers. Use a large rectangular or round basket to corral items or create a firm surface on an ottoman.
      Related Sources and Posts: Coffee Table Book – Island Whimsy: Designing a Paradise By the Sea // More Favorite Design Books // Similar Blue and White Centerpiece Bowl // Similar Basket Tray // Rug Source (machine washable) // How to Decorate a Coffee Table in Any Season

      8. Make A Teacup Garden
      Plant violas in wide mouth tea of coffee mugs! Water sparingly to keep moist without making them soggy. Bonus, you can use the flowers as garnish for food, too!
      Related Sources: Mugs are from here // Rattan lampshade

      9. Freshen Your Bedding
      Say good-bye to winter layers, drab colors and refresh your bed! Wash all bedding, curtains and vacuum rugs, too! Swap out the bedding fresh patterns, lighter, airier shams and blankets! I love this white waffle weave blanket (seen above).
      Related Sources: Similar Block Print Quilt // Blue and White Striped Sheets // Pom Pom Striped Tassel Curtains // Similar Pillow Shams // Wood Bead Chandelier

      10. Spring Door Basket
      Make a spring door basket with branches or other botanical elements. Hang the basket from a hook on the door or a ribbon secured to the top of the door.
      Related Sources and Posts: Similar Door Basket // Similar Faux White Spring Flower Stems // See more photos of our spring entry here
      Bunny Salad Plates // Blue and White Floral Dinner Plates // Woven Charger // Napkins // Bunny Napkin Rings // Appetizer Plate // Bamboo Detail Flatware // Blue Vintage Etched Goblets (color options) // Linen Round Tablecloth // White Bunny Mini Candy Bowl // Famille Rose Egg (tiered treat dish)
      11. Set a Spring Table
      Have fun styling a spring table with a mix of dishes, linens and accessories. Find table setting tips and all of the sources here.

      12. Update a Lampshade
      Lampshades can be gently vacuumed to dust them or even covered with fabric or a new look! Or start fresh! See more pleated lampshades in my home, more inspiration photos and sources here.
      Related Posts and Sources: Pleated Lampshade // Similar Lamp // Tulips // See more of my bedroom here

      12. Spring Statement Pillows
      Make a spring style statement with color and pattern!
      Related Sources: Hydrangea Pillow // Floral Pillow // Faux Hydrangeas (in door basket) // Ceiling Lantern (color options)

      13. Spring Mugs
      Put away your winter mugs and swap for your favorite spring looks! Find some of my favorite mugs here.

      14. Rearrange A Shelf
      Swap out dishes, accessories, books for spring colors and style!

      15. Change Your Curtains
      Take down heavy or winter fabrics and replace with lighter, airier, and fresher colors and patterns
      Related Sources: Similar Curtains // Woven Shade on Door // Rug (machine washable) // Similar Tufted Ottomans

      16. Hang Plates on the Wall
      Plates can add style to your walls! See how we hung these plates here.
      Related Sources: Blue and White Plates // Striped Banqeutte Bench (fabric options)

      17. Spring Bunnies
      Hippity hoppity! Easter bunnies make adorable spring accessories and centerpieces.
      Related Post: Bunny Accessories and Easter Decor

      18. Swap Your Rug
      Fastest way to update your style for spring? Add a pretty rug or runner to the kitchen! These are washable rugs so they’re perfect for messy areas and pets, too.
      Related Sources: Rug // Blue Pan // Kitchen Details

      19. Add Spring Style to Your Brunch Table
      Make spring FUN for the whole family by baking something yummy with spring cookie and pie crust cutters! This strawberry crisp was so delicious and simple to make (an so adorable with those Easter shapes!).
      Related Post and Sources: Simple Strawberry Crisp Recipe // Bunny, Egg, and Chick Easter Pie Crust Cutters // Alphabet Cookie Cutters

      20. Faux Tulips
      If you love tulips but want them to last longer and to be able to use them all season, invest in some faux! These ones look and feel SO realistic! I have them in light pink, coral, and white.

      21. Fun Taper Candles
      Candles don’t have to be limited to winter decor, look for fun colors and shapes for spring! These twisty taper candles are so fun (they come in multiple colors), and there are even battery operated twisty taper candles like these!
      Similar Botanical Framed Art // Similar Floral Botanicals
      22. Change Your Art
      Hang botanicals, seascapes, landscapes, whatever your favorite spring scenes are!

      23. Add Charming Vintage Pieces
      Spring is for yard sales and antique shopping! Pick up vintage pieces that not only add character to your home but give you simple options for display and creativity, too! I love this fisherman’s basket I found at a thrift shop (here’s a similar one on Etsy).

      24. Collect Spring Statement Pieces
      I don’t have a lot of seasonal specific pieces (I don’t have room to store much) but I do think having a few statement pieces you can bring out (or even use year round) can be so fun to show your personality!
      Related Sources: Brass Bunny Candle Holder // Faux tulips in light pink and coral,
      Sources: Green Stoneware Vases // Rattan Bar Cart // Cement Bunny Planter (I have this!) // Windowpane Pillow // Sailboat Watercolor Art // Bird Art Print // Green Woven Plaid Pillow with Tassel Zipper // Blue and White Floral Lamp // Faux Ranunculus Flowers
      Find more spring decorating inspiration posts on The Inspired Room here! More