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      in Style Tips

      Spring Mood Board: A Charming Layered Look

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

      Today we are featuring a spring mood board with a charming layered look that could inspire any area of your home. An entryway, an underutilized wall in a living room or bedroom, a beautiful backdrop for a reading corner…so many possibilities!
      A few ‘takeaway design tips’ from the mood board:
      I love the charming layered look with the soft color palette, textures and nature inspired elements such as the floral lamp (very similar to one I have in my bedroom!) and the heron bird art (I also have similar artwork to this in my bathroom!).
      The black candle wall sconce adds a layer of old house charm and ties in the black of the picture frame.
      This artificial lilac flower arrangement adds a hint of nature and interesting organic shapes. Plus the mustard vase the plant is in ties in perfectly with colors seen in the bird art, the lamp, and the pom poms on the basket and the brass whales!
      This brass whale object would be a fun third decorative item to place on the the console table. The rule of thirds in design is that items arranged in odd numbers are most pleasing to the eye. Not a hard and fast rule, but can be a helpful styling tip!
      The pom pom basket is just fun, and would look grate sitting next to the console table with a blanket draped over it (or anything could go in there…umbrellas in an entry, rolls of gift wrap, extra pillows…etc).
      The rug has such a beautiful pattern and colors that tie in nicely with the artwork.
      These shallow lidded baskets are one of my favorite Amazon finds. I use them to store remotes or other little things I want easily accessible but out of sight. They could be placed on the bottom shelf of that console table, or on top! Find more baskets I love in this folder in my Amazon shop.
      A couple of design books are always a welcome styling accessory in a space. I’d probably stack a few on top of the console (or underneath on the shelf!). This Patina Homes book is one I personally have and love. See more of my favorite design + garden books here.
      Mood board source links are below, and remember you can always use any of our mood boards as inspiration to design a mood you love with things you already have!

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      Two Drawer Console with Shelf and Cane Detail (multiple color options)
      Floral Chinoiserie Table Lamp with Brass
      Rug
      Heron Art Print in Frame
      Textured Solid Throw Blanket
      Patina Homes Book
      Lidded Shallow Storage Baskets (set of 2)
      Brass Whale Objects
      Black Candle Wall Light
      Lilac Artificial Flower Arrangement
      Pom Pom Basket
      Do you enjoy mood boards? You can find more HERE, and you can also follow my new Instagram @theinspiredroomstyle for more mood boards and decor finds. More

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      in Organization

      Small Mudrooms and Pantry Spaces: Sunday Strolls + Scrolls

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

      Sunday Strolls + Scrolls is a series inspired by the interiors and exterior spaces I fell in love with while scrolling the internet. I particularly enjoy finding spaces and ideas that reflect a sense of sanctuary! I hope this series will feel as relaxing and enjoyable to you as a leisurely walk down a charming street, a peaceful stroll through a garden or finally getting to peek inside a lovely neighborhood home during a Sunday open house. 
      @farmhouseonboone

      I love small spaces in a home, particularly when they are made charming and used to serve a purpose! Today’s inspiration comes from some very charming small mudrooms and pantry spaces. Perhaps you have a small closet, room or niche in a home could be transformed into a useful space. Who couldn’t use a pantry, mudroom, or a practical extension of a kitchen?
      In some homes these practical spaces might have designated large rooms, but I really appreciate the charming and practical use of a smaller footprint. Even a little niche can be made useful and pretty, too.
      One of the spaces in our home that will be somewhat impacted by our renovation is our small mudroom. Currently it has a door to the backyard, a small pantry closet, a door to the garage and our small powder room. Including the passage to the kitchen, it has FIVE doorways in that one small space.
      With the addition that will be going up for my parents’ bedroom, the door to our backyard will be closed off. While we will add a lovely new set of French doors in our kitchen for backyard access, the mudroom will no longer have much natural light. Though it’s not ideal to have to remove a door that has windows, a wall in place of a doorway opens up new possibilities for how we can use that space. And I do have some ideas for how we might bring in more light.
      I will do a new post on our mudroom soon to show you some ideas and what we will have to work with. For now I’m just gathering inspiration, considering what we will do when the door is removed, and what we might decide to do down the road. Stay tuned for more!
      For now, I hope you are inspired by the character and storage in these small spaces!
      @mothermeg
      @thewilddecoelis
      @sincerelymariedesigns
      @pineandprospecthome More

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      in Style Tips

      How to Pick Decorative Pillows That Go Together (5 tips on style, pillow inserts and saving money!)

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      One of my favorite decorating accessories for my home is PILLOWS! But how do you get decorative pillows that go together and make them all look pretty in your home? Today I am going to share some of my own “designer secrets” that will not only help you select decorative pillows that will go together and look lovely, but that can also save you money, frustration and space. These tips will also help you simplify decorating and create a more cohesive look in your home in any season.
      Most people struggle with pillows! Too many? They don’t look right? Not enough? Storage, style, sizes, pairings, mix and match, inserts, there is so much to think about and learn. But I’m here to share a few of my secrets today. I hope they’ll encourage you!
      Sources: Wildflower Pillow // Striped Pillow // Rug // Gold Floor Lamp
      The right pillows and pairings don’t have to be perfectly styled to look pretty.
      This is one of my best discoveries. This might ruffle the feathered inserts of some designers, but I will share my tips so that your pillows do not have to be perfectly styled to look pretty. They are known by many as “throw pillows” for a reason. My dogs throw my pillows on the floor. Every day. All day. Perhaps your spouse or children do, too. Ha!
      If I expected pillows to stay perfectly arranged, fluffed and styled at all times I would be forever frustrated. Pillow perfection is not reality at our home. But that does not stop me from wanting pretty pillows.
      I want to enjoy my home, laugh at my dogs and have pretty pillows. It’s a fact, they will likely be smooshed (the pillows, not the dogs). The pillows will not always be set up in the right order (according to designer rules). They probably will be tipped over or on the floor much of the day. But they can still look pretty if you incorporate a few of my secret tips which I will share today.

      A different approach to decorating for a lived in home
      There are many people who offer advice on home decorating. Even if they are considered an expert, that doesn’t mean what they say a space should look like is going to inspire you or even be right for you or your home. For my personal taste, I prefer a more casual “we actually live here” look.
      A more laid back style feels the most inviting to me. So with that said, some decorating rules I read online or in books don’t inspire me. I don’t want my home to feel so stiff or overly styled, so I have to take a different approach to decorating.
      I offer my own decorating tips simply to be of help to those who feel as I do. If you feel your home is meant to be a haven in the world, and want it to be a pretty and inspiring place where people and pets are comfortable, you are probably in the right place. Your style might be different than mine, but I hope the encouragement you find here will inspire you in your own lived in and loved home.
      Whether I follow known decorating rules or break them, make decorating mistakes or inspire an idea, my lived in home has always felt pretty, welcoming and cozy to our family. That’s who you are designing your home for, the people (and any pets) who live there. Perfection isn’t necessary and in fact, it can be a hindrance in so many ways.
      Source: Wildflower Pillow
      A signature style that is pretty and practical
      If you’re like me and have home that is comfy and lived in, you’ll see my tips for creating your own signature style with pillows that still look pretty when they are smooshed, not fluffed to perfection, or even when they are on the floor, too. 🙂
      Recently I bought a fresh new collection of pillow covers to add to our home. I thought it would be fun to show you what I got and how they look together in different pairings. You don’t have to have these exact pillows to learn from this post. I’ll share my tips to make your pillows look pretty together and in your room, regardless of your style of sofa or pillows.
      For inspiration I’m mostly showing them on our leather sofa. Many people are flustered if they have a leather sofa because they don’t think pretty pillows work as well on them. I hope you’ll find through my tips why that doesn’t have to be the case! I’m a big fan of using what you have and pulling together a look that is both pretty and practical for your family.
      Sources: Fall floral pillow cover // Windowpane pattern pillow cover // Navy plaid pillow cover // Blue hand blocked floral pillow cover
      Here are my tips for choosing decorative pillows that go together, saving money, avoiding mistakes and finding your signature style for your spaces.
      1) Choose your signature color palette for your home (or a room).
      I think my home decorating secret for a signature palette is a good one for so many reasons, if you can make it work. Let me explain why it’s helpful when it comes to pillows (I’ll share more on this topic in an upcoming resource, if you’d like to be notified when it’s available, make sure to sign up for my newsletter to be updated when it’s available HERE).
      When you have one base palette for your home, you will be able to swap, mix and match many of your pillows and accessories any room all year round.
      Sources: Fall floral pillow cover // Windowpane pattern pillow cover
      Your investment in pillows will go further and your need for seasonal storage goes down! If you have a cohesive palette you can then more easily shop your home for a fresh combination of pillows to update the look of any room (rather than having a full set of pillows that only work in one room or one season).
      A signature base color palette can feel fresh in any season by simple swapping textures of some of the pillows, or adding in a few pillows in your palette that you’ve chosen for a specific season. You can also play up one color or combination of colors in your palette more prominently in different rooms or seasons.
      Your home might naturally look best with a certain color palette, so go with what makes sense for your home! A signature palette doesn’t have to feel boring or redundant at all. There are so many ways to keep your spaces feeling fresh and up-to-date without redecorating everything all the time.
      Sources: Fall floral pillow cover // Blue hand blocked floral pillow cover // Wildflower Pillow
      2) Find a base set of decorative pillow covers that all go together.
      Let’s start with the basics. You’ll want to find pillow covers. I’m talking about decorative covers that usually have zippers and are used over the inserts (which we’ll talk about in another step). You can buy a large set for your home all at once, get a few to start with, or one and have a plan to add to your base set over time!
      I am sharing examples of some I have, and you can find more ideas and inspiration for pillow covers that might look good together here in this post!
      Have fun with your mix of colors and patterns, as long as you like how they look together and in your home. Ideally don’t mix very modern with very traditional patterns, it will feel better to go in one direction. Here’s a helpful guideline: I prefer to stick to mostly classic patterns like stripes, plaids, and traditional florals or fun botanicals.
      Sources: Wildflower Pillow // Similar blue stripe pillow cover // Similar Tufted Ottomans // Leather sofa is out of stock but here is the chair version
      I also like to mix in a couple of unique pillow covers such as a star pattern, polka dots, a traditional geometric or even a seasonal specific one, just to keep the style fresh. Vary the sizes of the patterns and don’t use too many. Make sure some patterns are bigger and some smaller so they aren’t in competition with each other.
      Here’s another tip, consider buying a set of two or even three matching pillow covers to make a cohesive style statement. Place them on the ends of a sofa, on a bed, or a bench. They can make your space feel more cohesive! Or even use them around the room, on two or three chairs to bring the room together. But sometimes I decide to use mismatched pillows and various sizes everywhere. This is up to you and just a personal or style preference, in my opinion.
      If you have a patterned or colored sofa, of course you’ll want to select pillows in complementary patterns and colors.
      Sources: Blue hand blocked floral pillow cover // Similar blue stripe pillow cover
      3) Choose the right sizes and shapes for your pillows.
      I suggest you pick at least a couple different sizes you can pair together or use in different ways.
      Bigger square pillows look better on a larger sofa (22 x 22 to 24 x 24 inches, or larger) or a deeper bench seat or beds. Smaller (19 or 20 inches) work better on smaller scaled chairs or when paired with larger pillows. Longer rectangles look nice in the middle of a bed or even a sofa. Shorter rectangles are handy for chairs (especially those that already have a puffy back cushion), or they can can be paired in the middle of two squares on a sofa. I use small rectangle pillows, 12 x 20, for my smaller scale chairs and sofas. You can also get round pillows to add to the mix!
      Source: Windowpane pattern pillow cover // Wildflower Pillow
      4) Consider your signature pillow cover fabrics, textures and details!
      Ideally your base set of pillow covers will be in textures that work for your home and style in most seasons. Maybe your home shines in the fall or feels best in the summer. Or maybe you like a cozier heavier feel or a lighter airier vibe! But no matter the mood of your home, you can also consider having some in additional textures (linens, cotton, denim, cozy woven, velvet, knit, flannels, chenille or wool) to allow you to have a fresh mix for various seasons. Whichever fabrics you prefer, if you can find a few with tassels or fringe it can make the whole mix more fun.

      5. Invest in good quality inserts and buy what you need for each room / piece of furniture.
      You can do this step over time, or get them all at once. Make a list of what sizes you want if you plan to add to the collection as you’re able. Keep a list of what you have or still need (put it in your phone or small notebook you carry with you) in case you see inserts or covers anywhere at a good deal. If you stick to your chosen sizes for your standard collection of pillows, you will feel free to buy new covers without having to invest in new inserts or find storage for the extras.
      It’s important to keep in mind for the best look, the general rule of thumb buy inserts one or two sizes bigger than the cover. So if you have a 20 inch cover, you’ll want a 22 inch insert. That will give it a fuller, higher quality look.

      Pillow insert quality is important because if they are are flimsy and lightweight, or not firm or fluffy, full and heavy enough your pillows will look lifeless! Plus if you have a leather sofa the lightweight cheap ones will also just slide right down or fall off. They need enough weight!
      You can decide if you prefer a fluffier pillow, like down or hypoallergenic down, or firmer style. I often choose mine based on what I think I’ll use them for the most. I like firmer pillows for the back of a bed to lean on. My favorites for sofas are the squish-able soft chubby fluffy ones, they just look so relaxed, cozy and casual, like you can grab them to take a nap! That’s the look I prefer for my home and suits my style, but you can choose what you like the best.

      Sometimes you can find inserts affordably but with a cover you don’t like. Watch for those, you can give away the cover and keep the insert, or if they don’t have zippers some of your pillow covers may be heavy enough that you can use them over the original pillow.
      I hope you found my ideas on pillow pairings and a pretty and practical signature style helpful! This is a preview of an upcoming home decorating resource, would you like to be the first to know when it is available? Sign up for my free newsletter here to be in the loop!
      Where to get decorative pillows and my pillow sources
      I got a set of my favorite pillow inserts at PB here and also have bought pillow inserts on Amazon, too. See some of my favorite pillow inserts here in my Amazon storefront.
      Here are the links to the pillow inserts I bought if you want the same sizes: 20 inch square insert // 22 inch square insert
      Here is a big round-up of decorative pillows and pairing ideas to inspire!
      Below are the pillow covers I bought more recently for our home, so feel free to buy the same ones as long as they’re available. But you can even just use this collection as inspiration for finding your own pillow covers over time!
      Sources: 1 /// 2 /// 3 /// 4 /// 5 /// (6 is sadly now out of stock, here is a similar one)) … You can also get 3 as a set (click here)

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      Pin this post for later so you can look for similar patterns and styles. We also keep our Amazon storefront stocked with current and seasonal styles we like (see our Amazon pillow shop HERE), so be sure to bookmark it for easy reference and you can always watch the blog for fresh ideas.

      Here is a post on lots of pretty fallish pillow collections!
      ^ Pin this for later! ^ More

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      in Style Tips

      My Secret Decorating Tip (and my blue glass lamp is in a new spot!)

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

      Shopping for new things in a store or online can definitely be fun (especially when you’re excited about fall decorating or making your home cozier for winter!) but I think rearranging what you already have can be just as (if not more) rewarding! Do you agree?
      If you’re new to decorating, I’m glad you are here to learn. Today I’ll let you in on my favorite decorating tip…a secret decor strategy you may have always wondered about (and I’ll talk a bit about why I moved my blue lamp to this room!)
      Of course, if you’re a seasoned decorator, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. And if you’ve been following me for years, you have watched me decorate this way over and over AND OVER AGAIN! It works and it’s fun, too. You’ve seen me decorate this way over time, through makeovers in a variety of rooms, homes, in all of the seasons.

      When you are new to decorating, you might wonder (like I did years ago) if you have to buy things all the time in order to love your home. Have you wondered how some people’s styles can look so eclectic and unique, while some look almost identical to a few others you’ve seen?
      Or maybe you’ve wondered if people have to redecorate to keep up with certain trends. Perhaps you have noticed how some people seem to pull together in room in a hurry without buying anything new. Maybe you (like I did!) wonder how others were able to afford all of that new furniture or decor!
      It might seem like it’s all a mystery, or maybe just an endless cycle of spending a fortune is required to decorate or stay in style.
      Sometimes people are able to spend a fortune on all new furniture or seasonal decor. It’s true. That’s one way to do it! But those of you who’ve been collecting their furniture or accessories over time know my style secret. Once you go this direction, it not only saves money but gives you a more unique and collected look that can stand the test of time. This secret offers you the opportunity to refresh your home every season without spending a fortune.

      My secret decorating tip is to collect pieces you love over time. When you decorate this way, it’s fun to update a room even without buying new things because YOU LOVE WHAT YOU HAVE. When you chose wisely to begin with, your look doesn’t go out of style. You get to go shopping in your own home and quite often you’ll find just the right piece to complete a space or decorate for the new season.
      And when you don’t have what you need but you have the funds to add to your collection or you find something special enough to buy, you can do that, too! Every time you add a new piece (or several) to what you’ve have collected over the years, you get a fresh updated new look and can quickly pull your home together in any season.
      This is precisely what I’ve been doing in our new home, just like I have repeatedly in every home we’ve lived in. Sure, I might buy a new accessory, a rug, or even furniture if the budget allows and right item is discovered. But I also love when I do NOT have to buy something new. I enjoy mixing and matching and rearranging what I have until the room feels right to me.
      If I stumble upon something somewhere that I love (or if what I have just does not work well in a new space), then hooray, I thoroughly enjoy adding the new item.
      Source: Reversible Blanket on Back of Sofa
      As you can see, I moved my blue glass lamp here from my upstairs office. I loved it upstairs (I love it in every room to be honest!), but I wanted a round lamp in this corner. I felt l like it needed a larger round lamp as a statement piece, but something that wouldn’t block the light from the window.
      For a week or two I had a beautiful tiffany style lamp sitting there that we’ve had for several decades (and is apparently back in vogue!). We love it, but after living with it in that spot for awhile, I decided I’d like it better in the other corner. (Even if you’re a seasoned decorator, a lot of times decorating involves moving items around until you love them where they are!) So off I went to shop for something in my home that would work.
      Turns out, the blue glass lamp was just right! It’s weighty enough to fill some of the space there, but airy enough to allow light and color from the outside window flows through the glass. I do miss this lamp upstairs, but I only have one so this spot took priority!
      I bought that lamp on sale a few years ago for my last living room because it just felt like ME. Remember the blue glass lamp I made myself? I feel like blue glass lamps will always work somewhere in my home. Around the same time as the blue lamp was added, I bought this blue rug and now here they are, paired together again.
      Buying new things over time expands your options and updates your current look. Pairing things you have collected over time, or with any new item you choose to get, is what creates your unique STYLE!
      Do you like to decorate this way, too?
      More Inspiration:
      How to Decorate a Fall Mantel (Using What You Have)
      Favorite Design Books + Video on Finding Your Style
      How to Decorate: The Slow Process to a Style You’ll Love
      Traditional and Collected Coastal Style: Get the Look
      One Essential Decor Element You Probably Need More of In Your Home
      The Secret to Finding Your Style and Feeling More at Home Where You Live
      4 Important First Steps to Take When Designing a Room
      My Decorating and Homemaking Books

      Catch up on more posts in our Fall Nesting Series! More

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      in Organization

      No Linen Closet? No Worries! 3 Reasons These Shallow Underbed Storage Bags Can Help!

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

      Shallow underbed storage bags
      Our new shallow underbed storage bags are perfect for storing linens, seasonal items and more. Perhaps you are in need of a similar storage solution in your home! I know some people have the luxury of a dedicated linen closet in their home, but we don’t! We do have closets, just not one we are able to dedicate to linens. Our main bed sheets fit in our room in a dresser, but I needed a more creative option for guest linens so I decided to look for shallow underbed storage so we could tuck them into small spaces such as beneath our rattan daybed.
      Do you forget what items you store under the bed? Here’s a solution!
      Honestly, I haven’t always preferred underbed storage as I used to forget what I put there! But I found a solution for that, so I’ll share it today along with the shallow underbed storage bags I found, how we use them and three reasons why they work so well for us.
      One of the organizing principles I use (and shared in my book Make Room for What You Love) is that it’s usually a bit easier to to remember where you put things if you 1) know you will use them (and not just clutter storage!) 2) you group items together that are in a related category and 3) put them in a spot that makes some sort of sense to you.
      So for example, if I put camping gear and Christmas serving platters under the guest bed, I probably won’t remember where either of them are there months later. It wouldn’t really make sense to me that they are stored together or in that spot, so it would be easier for me to forget. However, if under the bed is the only place you have for both of those items, or if you are prone to forget things you thought for sure you’d remember (as I am, ha!) you can use some system like a seasonal storage chart posted in your closet or a planner.
      Sources: Rattan Daybed // Rug // Navy Plaid Pillow Cover // Similar Turquoise Animal Otomi Pillow
      Three reasons I like these shallow underbed storage bags
      Besides being a helpful solution for storing our guest linens, these shallow underbed storage bags work well for us for several other reasons.

      The bags have fabric fronts. Even if you can see them under the bed, they don’t look as unsightly like some containers do. Our double guest bed has a dust ruffle, but this one doesn’t. The fabric fronts help keep it looking tidier!
      Secondly, the bags are shallow enough to fit under our low daybed. Our daybed is fairly close to the ground but also has a lot of supports and leg underneath it. These tuck in perfectly to a very small space.
      The third reason I really like these storage bags is they have solid side panels, which I find makes them easier to slide in and out. I have some other zippered bags which work for organizing in closets or storage rooms, but they don’t hold their shape when you squish them under the bed. They also have handles which are convenient.

      Related Posts: Ottomans: 5 Stylish and Practical Reasons To Have Them in Your Home // 10 Tufted Ottomans (Instead of a Coffee Table)
      What fits in the bags under the bed?
      We were able to fit two of the shallow underbed storage bags under our daybed. One is for winter twin bedding. Besides the rattan twin bed we have two REI sleeping cots that we put sheets on as well as a sofa that can be used as a bed, so we needed several sets of twin sheets. The other bag is for the more spring and summer cotton sheets and blankets. Since the available space under the daybed is so limited, we use it for sheets and thin blankets rather than bulkier items.
      We put two more of these zippered bags under a double guest bed for that bed’s linens and blankets as well. We could fit at least two more bags but alas, there are also slim guitars, ha! Random place for guitars perhaps, but it’s our only option at this point. (My husband doesn’t play these particular guitars often but they have to be in the house where it’s more temperature controlled, so they can’t be in a garage and we don’t have room in the closets.)
      Read on for where I store the bulkier bedding (such as mattress pads!)

      Where I store bulkier bedding like mattress pads
      The extra fluffy mattress pads we use for the cots and beds do not fit as well under beds as the sheets do, so instead we use our lidded rattan trunks. These are the trunks we have, but last I looked the price had increased significantly. If that is still the case when you read this, I have some other options to check out in my Amazon Basket Shop. Alternatives if you don’t have closet space would be dressers, lidded benches at the foot of the bed, or storage ottomans (find some storage ottomans in our Amazon Small Space Shop).
      Double duty for maximizing small spaces
      If you have a smaller home or less storage, you have to be a little more creative with what you store as well as how you use the available space. For example, we like having the daybed in here because while it’s my office, the daybed doubles as a couch for watching TV (with lots of pillows for back support) and as a spot for our college son or guests to sleep on as needed.
      In a smaller home, it’s ideal when furniture can be double duty. Although perhaps I should say the daybed is triple duty, since it’s also become a handy storage spot for guest linens thanks to our new shallow underbed storage bags! A smaller home can be a challenge for organization, but I think getting creative with the space is a fun challenge.
      I hope this post was helpful!
      Related inspiration on The Inspired Room:
      Small Space Storage Tips: Making Room for What You Love
      How to Decorate When Your Front Door Opens Into Your Living Room
      5 Clever Ways to Make a Small Space Cozy & Inviting (+ Apartment Tour)
      9 Clever Organizers to Tidy Your Home
      Storage Cabinets for Linens and Things
      Do you make any of these common disorganization excuses? > > Kick Excuses to the Curb: Confessions on Organizing & Decluttering
      Click here for all organizing inspiration posts on The Inspired Room More

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      in Style Tips

      10 Tufted Ottomans (Instead of Coffee Tables!)

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

      Sources for above (many of these have other color options, click links for details): 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10
      Tufted ottomans can work really well in place of a coffee table! I love ours and have used it for years, so today I’m sharing 10 tufted ottomans and answering some FAQ I get about tufted ottomans!

      Coffee tables have their strengths and drawbacks, but there are so many reasons why you might prefer an ottoman. I shared five reasons to consider using ottomans in your home in a recent post. You’ll also find a few of my thoughts style, comfort and practicality of ottomans.
      Today let’s talk a little bit about tufted ottomans. I’ll share a few FAQ about tufted ottomans, a style tip for furniture that you might not know about and 10 classic and lovely tufted ottomans!
      Sources: Rug (machine washable) // Similar Teal Tufted Ottoman // Similar Curtains // Basement Apartment Tour
      Are tufted ottomans trendy?
      Tufted ottomans are classic in style, so they aren’t considered trendy! They do feel slightly sophisticated due to the tufting but can easily work in a casual space. To ensure a tufted ottoman that will be in style for years, I’d avoid trendy patterns or fabrics that are more likely to feel dated or clash with current styles.

      Do crumbs get stuck in the tufts of a tufted ottoman?
      They can, but I haven’t found it to be an issue to keep them clean. We don’t eat directly on the ottoman, but with a large tray that protects the ottoman, you’ll avoid most crumbs from falling in. You can also use a pretty scarf or seasonal throw for added protection as needed. If you have kids, the easiest way to keep messes out may be to have them eat them elsewhere. But most adults should be able to use a plate to catch crumbs. If you love the look of a tufted ottoman, don’t let the fear of crumbs deter you. There are practical solutions and easy remedies.

      How do you clean a tufted ottoman?
      You’ll have to check with the manufacturer and research how to clean the fabric you have, but as far as those wayward crumbs, they can be vacuumed out. The easiest way I’ve found is a vacuum hose with a narrow attachment.
      What if you don’t like the legs or finish on an ottoman?
      I don’t think many people realize this, but you can sometimes replace the legs on some ottomans (and chairs and sofas, too!). You aren’t always stuck with a style of legs you don’t like. Well, humans are, but that’s a different post :). Sometimes higher end furniture will offer the option for different finishes or legs, so be sure to check on that before you purchase. As far as a DIY option, I changed the legs on my leather ottoman years ago. I was immediately happier with the shape and finish! I plan to do the same on some other pieces of furniture I have.
      So if you love an ottoman, but not its legs, check to see if they can be removed. Some legs can be unscrewed and if so, they are likely to be easy to replace! You can order replacements to update the look to suit your preferences and even elevate the style.
      Studio Apartment Tour
      Where can you find classic and beautiful tufted ottomans?
      I’m often asked about where to find my tufted ottoman. Below you’ll find 10 tufted ottomans (and the source for each). I think they are beautiful, classic and so versatile so select one that fits with your style, space and the needs of your family. My exact teal tufted ottoman is unfortunately no longer available to my knowledge but I shared a similar tufted ottoman here and more below!
      How do you find affordable tufted ottomans?
      Here at The Inspired Room, we do our best to find and share reasonably priced decor and furnishings for the home. We refer readers to a number of online sources where we (and our followers) have had success shopping! Of course, everyone has a unique budget, desire for quality on different pieces, or even various ideas of what is affordable. We make decisions for what to share based on what we personally would find reasonable, affordable or worth it to us to invest in if we had the budget. We share what we would feel good about ordering for ourselves and endeavor to share a variety of price points whenever possible.
      We love to share what we (my daughters or my husband and I) personally have in our homes, or things that seem to be of similar quality or price points. We do read a lot of reviews, and have years of experience offering recommendations and sources! But these are just suggestions if we haven’t personally owned the items. There are many high end furniture stores you can check if you want the best of the best, but we don’t like to break the bank when it comes to decorating a home.
      So as far as affordable ottomans, we’ve rounded up sources for a few ottomans at various price points that we like the looks of online! Hopefully you find one you love.
      Subscribe to our pretty home decor newsletters!
      We love to offer ideas and often find sources for classic and affordable pieces. Sometimes I find really amazing deals on things I love or recommend, but they don’t always last long! If you would like tips for what to get and to be alerted to some great deals, be sure to subscribe to my emails so you don’t miss out!
      Tufted Square Ottoman
      Small Tufted Storage Ottoman as Coffee Table
      Linen Square Tufted Ottoman
      Tufted Ottoman (also has neutral color options)
      Sources for above (many of these have other color options, click links for details): 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10

      Find more decorating sources and home design mood boards here. More

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      Ottomans: 5 Stylish and Practical Reasons To Have Them in Your Home

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

      Sources: Similar Ottoman // Blue Glass Lamp // Rattan Daybed // Rug // Plaid Pillow // Similar Turquoise Animal Otomi Pillow
      Today let’s talk about 5 Stylish and Practical Reasons To Have Ottomans in Your Home!
      Ottomans are Versatile
      I love using my ottomans in my home because they are so versatile. An ottoman is used as place to put your feet up, an extra seat, and they are handy in place of a coffee table, too!
      We have had a leather ottoman in our home for over twenty years (and have moved it with us to five of our homes now!). I’ve used my teal ottoman in so many types of rooms and several homes as well, it always seems to work somewhere! Right now it’s in our upstairs room we use for guests and my office. Everyone loves it. We can pull it up to the daybed or sofa for the ultimate comfort while relaxing or watching TV, or use a tray on it for serving snacks!
      Sources: Similar Leather Ottoman // Wall Candle Sconces // Battery Taper Candles
      Ottomans are Classic Furniture Pieces
      You may wonder if certain styles of ottomans are in style. If you choose an unusual shape or certain trendy fabrics they can feel dated, so I’d stick to classic shapes and fabrics. Leather (or faux leather) and tufted ottomans are both classic home furnishing staples. They don’t really go out of style!
      I think the addition of tufting on an ottoman adds a little more sophistication and flair to a room, but they don’t have to feel fussy or too formal. I certainly use them in casual rooms. That’s what I love about classic pieces, they are a good investment if you want a style that can endure for decades and beyond.

      Ottomans Add Softness to the Room
      Ottomans come in lots of pretty fabrics and textures. Those fabrics and the padding will add softness that will enhance the coziness of a room. One wonderful thing about ottomans is that they comfy for your legs and feet (and won’t hurt if you or your littles run into them!). The softness of an ottoman means they can easily double as seating, much like a bench but without the discomfort of a hard surface. I also love to tuck small ottomans around a room, too, for these reasons!

      Ottomans are Simple to Use as a Coffee Table
      Tufting tends to give them a slightly more firm surface than some ottoman styles, but with any ottoman you will still want to have a tray or solid surface you can use on top. That way they are also functional as a coffee table for decor, or serving food or drinks. Of course, there is a risk of spilling on the ottoman if you use them as a coffee table, so take that into consideration.
      Some fabrics will easily wipe off or repel spills, but a large tray (perhaps try a tray with sides!) will also help minimize that risk. Like I said, I’ve had my ottomans for a very long time with kids of all ages (my youngest was a year old when we got our leather ottoman!). We’ve also had many dogs (and one who especially loves the ottoman!) and these ottomans have held up well to daily use.

      Ottomans can be fun to style, too!
      If you’re hesitant to try an ottoman in place of a coffee table because you feel it would limited your decor options, I don’t think that has to be a deterrent. You can use blankets, trays, baskets, books and other decor elements to style them for every season. I’ll show some simple ways to style ottomans for fall in an upcoming post (so stay tuned for that along with my simple decorating formula!).
      Related Post:10 Tufted Ottomans You Could Use in Place of a Coffee Table!
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      The Perfect Small Lamp for a Bookshelf or Countertop

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

      A small lamp for a bookshelf or countertop can add light to a dreary spot. This mini opal glass lamp is a perfect size and solution for a small space. And it’s so pretty, too. Get this color changing dimmable lightbulb for it and you’ll thank me later!
      Hello, friends…it’s Courtney here today! I have been slowly but surely getting settled into my new apartment (with my now *husband*)! You may have seen peeks of our July wedding on my Instagram and my mom’s–once we receive the rest of our professional photos I have lots to share here about the wedding day and planning advice. But for today, I’m here to share a great decor find that I hope will help you too!

      Are you looking for a small lamp for a bookshelf or countertop?
      We were on the hunt for a mini lamp for our living room bookshelf. It was a dark and dreary corner that needed some warm lighting in the evenings, but it was surprisingly difficult to find a lamp short enough that it could fit on the shelf without crowding the top.
      I finally found this mini opal glass lamp that was the perfect size (only 10 inches tall).
      The lamp just arrived today and I loved it so much, I had to show it to you! It’s the prettiest mouth blown glass that looks almost like milk glass. It’s a really solid quality lamp. If you have a little spot in your home that could benefit from a small lamp, I highly recommend trying this one.
      Mini opal glass lamp
      I had found other mini lamps online that were on the shorter side, but most still would have been too tall once a lampshade was added. I almost gave up in my search until I found a perfect small lamp for a bookshelf or countertop!
      You might have seen we have this very similar mini glass lamp (it’s only 8.26 inches tall if you need one even shorter!). We love it but we’re using that one on another bookshelf in the apartment, so I was thrilled to find something similar. You can see that lamp and even more mini lamps and accent lamps in this post.
      Color Changing Dimmable LED Light Bulb
      Try a Color Changing Lightbulb
      Here’s a tip for this lamp that is extra fun! First let me say that I LOVE how it looks when it’s switched off. Such a pretty milk glass look, like a little work of art on the shelf.. But I put in this fun color changing dimmable lightbulb that you can use with a remote so that I can control the brightness and warmth of the light (instead of having it be too cool toned since the shade is white).
      You can also use that lightbulb to make the shade appear as a different color, which also adds a pretty glow to the space. I’ll show you a few photos of it in action!
      Color Changing Dimmable Lightbulb with Remote
      Color Changing Dimmable Lightbulb with Remote

      I mean, is that not the neatest thing? There are even settings for the lightbulb like ‘strobe’ or ‘smooth’ that change between colors automatically if you want something extra fun!
      Mini Glass Lamp
      The shade for the glass lamp is so pretty in white, but it’s really fun to switch the colors to suit your decor or mood at night. I usually set mine to the yellow color–I love the warm orangey glow it gives off.
      Mini opal glass lamp
      Mini opal glass lamp
      Mini opal glass lamp

      I love how well the lamp coordinates with my hand blown glass diffuser on the top shelf, too. An unplanned but happy accident!
      Mini opal glass lamp
      Hopefully that helps if you too could use a little lamp for your home! 🙂
      Want more tips for how to decorate small spaces?
      We LOVE sharing ideas for small spaces here on The Inspired Room. You don’t have to have a large home to make it stylish and comfortable. Find lots of inspiration for small homes here.
      You can find more of my favorite decorating sources here, and I’ve linked a few of my apartment tours below if you need some inspiration for your rental or small space!
      More Small Space Posts and Tours:
      5 Clever Ways to Make a Small Space Cozy and Inviting (+ my live video replay sharing tips from my apartment!)
      Tour My 500 Square Foot One Bedroom Apartment
      Tour My Seattle Studio Apartment
      Tour My Basement Apartment
      Tour My Tiny Bedroom Tour
      Small Apartment Bedroom
      Small Space Storage Tips

      You can also follow me on Instagram here (@courtneylane1). I love sharing my apartment, life, pretty walks in my neighborhood by the water, details of our wedding, behind the scenes of working with The Inspired Room and more! More