Decorating Shelves

Unsure about how to decorate open shelving? Incorporate a variety of decorative items to add visual interest. Start by instantly adding color or pattern to a space by painting or wallpapering the inside back of a bookcase or set of shelves. Simplify the overall look of your shelves and prevent them from looking cluttered by adding only one or two decorative items per shelf. If you have multiple items to display, try setting them up in groups of two or three for a more organized look.

Photo: Better Homes and Gardens

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Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Martha Stewart

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Photo: Southern Living

Wrap Around Porches

These long, cold winter days have me daydreaming of summer. On a nice warm day there are few things better then relaxing on a beautiful wrap around porch. (My future dream home definitely includes one). Now is the perfect time to start thinking about how to get your porch ready for use in the upcoming seasons. Consider adding a pop of color by painting the ceiling of your porch a vibrant hue. You can never have too much comfortable seating either, so invest in a new outdoor sofa or pair of rocking chairs. Turn your porch into a space for living so that you're ready to take advantage of it when the weather warms up.

Photo: EBuild

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Bathrooms With Color

Bathrooms are typically the smallest rooms in a home, which means that they provide the ideal opportunity to experiment with bold color and pattern. If you're feeling extra daring, re-cover your bathroom walls with a vibrant wallpaper or paint color. If that seems a little too risky, then start by incorporating color in smaller ways. White beadboard, tile, or wainscoting are great ways to break up the amount of color on your walls. Install it on the bottom half of the walls and select a bold paint or wallpaper for the top half. Finally, the least risky way to bring color into a bathroom (or any space for that matter) is through accessories. Select a bath mat, towels, and artwork in coordinating colors for an accent that can easily be switched out.

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Small Backyard Getaways

Sometimes your backyard is as far as you have to go for a little getaway. No matter how small, it's always nice to have a private outdoor space to escape from the outside world. Make your backyard a comfortable place to relax by adding functional furniture, cozy lighting, and colorful accessories.

First, determine how you would like your outdoor space to be used. For example, is it a place for entertaining, reading a book, or taking a quiet nap? Once you've nailed down your space's function, select furniture that will do the job. If your backyard is a calm place for you to relax and regroup, then a hammock may be just what you need. On the other hand, if you're looking to entertain, then a mini bar and a table with chairs or benches will work best.

After furnishing your outdoor space, finish it off with fun accessories such as colorful table cloths, cushions and pillows, lively plants and flowers, and decorative string lights.

Photo: Apartment Therapy

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Stylish Shutters

Believe it or not, shutters can be used for a lot more then just a window covering. Used shutters often turn up at flea markets or garage sales, and with a little love they can be turned into beautiful accessories for your home. Here are a few of my favorite transformations:

1. For an instant headboard, create a row of shutters behind your bed. You'll probably need about four or five depending on the width of the shutters and the size of your bed. Keep the original paint for a more rustic look, or change them up with a fresh coat of paint.
2. Create a screen by connecting multiple shutters with hinges. Hang photos or greeting cards from the screen for a unique display.
3. If you can't find a group of shutters, create a simple mail holder or photo display with a single shutter. Hang the shutter on your wall with the slat openings pointing up. This will create a convenient place to hold mail or display photos.
4. Create a shelf or coat hanger with two shutters. This one-of-a-kind piece will add unique personality to a mud room or foyer.

Check out these examples for a little inspiration:

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Photo: Better Homes and Gardens

Stylish Stairs: Painted

In many homes a staircase can be a very visible element that offers a perfect opportunity for a bit of  creative style. Stained wood or carpeted stairs are a sure bet if you're going for a classic look, but if you're searching for a more unique way to style your stairs, you've come to the right place. Adding a splash of color to the "rise" (the vertical part of each stair) of your stairs is a fun and original way to create an instant focal point in your home. You can also decorate the "run" (the horizontal part of each stair) of your stairs, but this area may need a bit more maintenance being that it gets the most wear.

Select a paint color, or collection of colors, and paint each rise to add an eye-catching pop of color to your staircase. This will add interest while still maintaining a clean and simple look. If you're feeling adventurous, paint stripes all the way up your staircase (rise and run) for a continuous look with a very updated twist. Check out next week's post for even more stylish stair ideas.

Photo: Jonathan Adler

Photo: Country Living

Photo: HGTV