3 easy must-dos for your home!
Okay fine. Maybe I should siphon off the coffee drip because it’s how we’re currently getting through the back-to-school insanity around here. They aren’t really must-dos. {We feel like a pretentious design mag now} But they are fairly easy. And now you’re reading right? Because today we thought we’d cover 3 easy must-dos for your home.
Just some fun elements that make a nice little game changer for all things design, but also make things look pretty amazing, if we do say so ourselves…
1. Hide the TV
We feel like there are two camps of people when it comes to the TV over-the-fireplace conundrum, {hide or show} and even more opinions when it comes to TVs in full view in other spaces, period.
We have both, but we’re also in the hide-it-when-ya-can camp. Mostly, because it’s a great opportunity to showcase art when it comes to limited wall space.
You can see the full step by step for how we took the alcove route, here. We love the changes it’s made to our spaces!
But you don’t always have to build something out to hide your TV… take what we came up with for our fab clients for example…
Think chunky canvases to make optimal TV viewing something easy when all you have to do is remove the canvas. Because most of the time, life is not HGTV, and sometimes we’re working with what already exists.
You’d never know there was a tv behind this large-and-in-charge-art! Check it out here
Or their master bedroom, here!
2. Message Boards
Time and time again, in different spaces, we’ve found that message boards of some sort, are a definite must-have.
From families that are on the go, to a space in your home office… just to keep up with all the things, they’re just great to include.
Our island redo was one of our very first projects on our site – see 2010!
Also see: two of our three tiny babies coloring on it for a photo op! They grow too fast.
General disclaimer: The funny part is, that any time it’s featured on another site, there’s a general complaint about “the messes said commenter can imagine under foot.” I’m here to tell you, not really. If you clean your house, it’s not that messy. If you let your children run rampant, smacking erasers together a-la second grade when you stayed with your teacher after school and she asked you to clean said erasers… you will have a mess.
We say all things in moderation, and message boards are oh so fun!
We also say maybe nix the erasers and use wet paper towels. Just saying.
Another version: See the full tutorial for our magnetic chalkboard, here.
And for those of you who are vehemently opposed to all things chalk: see the quintessential dry erase board. Check out the details for this one in our office here
Turn it into an educational map, here
Another example of how we used one in our homeschool room
And our recent creation with Frog Tape, here.
3. Utilize Bookshelves {and style them well}
They can be free-standing, or built-in, span the room or cover a small corner.
But for us, the addition of a simple bookshelf can not only offer incredible space, but be a real game changer for useful storage and major style.
See how we used an easy bookshelf in this simple master makeover
Clearly, we have a TV in plain view here, see? But it made a huge difference in the ‘after’ to add so much fun character! Also, I think anything beats the mystery stain/deerhead combo. Or perhaps we should have left it?
So if you’re working with something already existing in an older home, building an addition into the space to help add character and function, or just adding something simple from a store and putting your own spin on it… make it yours!
You’ll be so happy with the end look.
See more of our fave tips for styling bookshelves here.
We hope a glimpse at these three little additions and changes in the house, is a great way to you to get a look at fun things you can do around your home!
We love simple changes with a big impact. As always, let us know if you’ve tried any.
Have an inspired day!
Janna says
This little list is just perfect! Thank you for always showing us some ideas to try. It’s always enlightening and so inspiring when I come by your site! Love it
Alexis says
Inspiring as always. I have my coffee with you every morning and I just love this! Thank you.
Susan Owens says
Love these ideas. Just small tips but big changes to our home. Thanks for sharing.