Monthly Archives

July 2015

DIY summer: Crafts using recycled materials

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

As the dog days of summer drag on, you’re probably looking for things to do indoors to keep busy. Use this time wisely, combing through your home for unused or underutilized items that can be repurposed into something practical. Not only will this help eliminate clutter, but also you’ll end up with some new household items at very little cost.

Cereal Box Organizer

Get your kids geared up for the school year with this easy organizational tool incorporating cereal boxes. Cut the box with a utility knife at the height and angle of your choice. You can cut the box horizontally or at a 45-degree angle from the top corner of the box to the middle of the opposite side for a shape that resembles a file organizer or magazine holder. Wrap a piece of colored contact paper around the cut box to add some color and texture to a desk or shelf space. The contact paper can be secured to the box with double-sided tape, and the excess can be easily trimmed with a pair of scissors.

Teacup Candles

This craft adds a vintage vibe to any tablescape. Melt down old candles in a double boiler, keeping the temperature at about 185 degrees. Remove the old wicks with tongs. Cut a piece of wick that’s two inches longer then the height of the teacup you plan to use. Tie one end of the wick to a wick sustainer and the other around a skewer. Dip the wick and sustainer into the melted wax to coat them, then stick the sustainer to the bottom of the cup. Next, pour the melted wax into the cup, stopping a half-inch below the cup’s rim. Allow the wax to set for an hour, and you’ll have new candles in no time!

Gilded Vases

In my opinion, you can never have too many flower arrangements in your home. Kick up your vase game with this luxe DIY project using recycled glass jars. Using a foam brush, apply glue to the outside of the jar in irregular patches. When the adhesive has set, press on sheets of gold leaf. Finally, rub away excess pieces with a paper towel for jars with a unique patina that are perfect for inside or out.

Table Protector

There are all sorts of recycled coaster ideas out there, but this one is my favorite because it’s easy and chic. A table protector is a must-have, especially if you have a wooden dining table or side tables. Start by disassembling 40 clothespins and laying them flat side down. Next, drill a hole into each a half inch from the tapered end. Thread floral wire through the pins with the double-notched side of the pin facing right. Finally, pull the wire into a circle and twist the wire ends to secure the shape.

Book Box

I don’t know about you, but I find our TV remote control to be a complete eyesore. Disguise this unsightly (yet necessary) household item by hiding it in a book. You heard me! First you’ll need a book that’s two inches longer and a quarter inch deeper than the remote. Coat the inside cover of the book’s back cover and the facing page with glue using a foam brush. Close the book and press down for 10 seconds. Next, open the front cover and coat the entire stack of pages (all three exposed sides) with glue, carefully avoiding the top page. Let this dry for an hour, repeat the process, then weight it and let it dry overnight. The next day, open the front cover, center the remote on the first page, trace it with a pencil and add quarter inch all around. Cut the marked line with an X-Acto knife, removing a few pages at a time. Continue cutting until the remote fits inside comfortably. The final step is to cut a piece of ribbon that’s half the length of your book plus five inches. Hot glue one end to the bottom center of the hollowed out area. Once this dries, you’ll be able to easily remove the remote from the book with a gentle tug on the “bookmark.”

Who knew recycling could be so much fun?

Bree

Seasonal

Tips for teaching kids to clean up after themselves

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

With the kids home all summer, odds are you’ve butted heads a few times. While some situations require a firm parental hand, others are open to compromise. One “compromise” at our house is having the kids pick up after themselves.

Regardless of age, gender, disposition or birth order, kids avoid cleaning up at all costs. But instead of constantly nagging them to pick up their toys and do their chores try these tips to get them to take the initiative—without all the begging.

You’re the boss. Remember that you hold the reins in this situation. The first thing to do is to examine your own behavior. You’re the role model for your kids. Explain to them what you are and are not willing to do. Yes, you might cook dinner and take charge of the laundry, but it’s up to them to pick up their rooms and feed the dog. Tell the kids what the rules are in advance so they aren’t unjustly punished when they don’t complete their chores on time.

Make a visual. While the duties of each family member might be understood, it’s easier when you have a visual of what’s expected of everyone. Cue the chore chart. Hang the chart in a high-traffic location in your house and check off every duty that’s completed each day. At the end of the week or month you can reward your child with allowance money, a treat or even an afternoon out with you.

Keep it easy. Kids are more likely to pick up after themselves if it’s fun and easy. If the mess arises after they play with toys, set them up with a set of colorful, easy-to-reach bins so they can put everything away themselves. If you have several kids, you can turn it into a competition: Let’s see who can pick up their room the fastest! Going hand and hand with this idea is a “clean before you play” rule. Tell your kids they need to pick up what they were playing with before they move on to a new activity.

Be logical. The final component in teaching your kids to clean up after themselves is to give them logical consequences. While you might be frustrated after begging and begging to no avail, don’t jump to an illogical punishment, as this will only serve to make the kids resent you and their chores. For instance, toys left on the floor shouldn’t result in grounding. Instead, toys left on the floor should be confiscated for a reasonable amount of time. Remember to be consistent and unemotional with the consequences.

Here’s to a clean house!

Bree

Bedroom Ideas, Decor

Keep Your Child’s Room Organized With These Kids Bedroom Ideas

It doesn’t take long for a child’s bedroom to fill up and look messy with their precious items, such as toys, books, artwork, and rock collections. However, with well-organized kids bedroom and creative room design ideas, you can minimize clutter and create a warm and inviting space where your child will enjoy playing, relaxing, and sleeping. With our kid room organization tips, you can also easily keep track of everything and spend less time searching for a missing sock, shoe, or backpack.

The Importance of Having an Organized Child’s Bedroom

While you may want to know how to organize your kid’s room to benefit your home appearance and overall mental health, there are also numerous advantages for your child. A tidy and clutter-free space can create a stimulating and healthy learning environment and help your child stay mentally focused. For example, they can readily know where everything is located, including school supplies. Therefore, they are more likely to remember and tackle tasks such as homework or indulge in creative play. Additionally, when you work together to organize your kid’s room, you can teach them about responsibility and taking care of their belongings, which can encourage self-discipline and boost their self-esteem.

Kids Bedroom Organization Tips

With an innovative kids bedroom layout, functional furniture, storage, and decoration, you can easily create a space that looks warm, inviting, and tidy.

Declutter

Before you start searching for kids room ideas, such as how to decorate the space, you should declutter and get rid of anything your child no longer needs. Remove trash, including broken toys, loose scrap paper, unwearable clothes, and damaged books. Be sure to check under beds and in the drawers and closet to ensure there is nothing you missed. Once you clear out the trash from the space, you can further declutter your kid’s room by removing clothes that no longer fit and toys they have outgrown. You can donate any items in good condition or put them into storage if you intend to pass them down to your younger kids.

Sort and Organize

Creating functional zones is one of the best kids bedroom ideas for sorting your space. This tip is ideal if you have a small room, and ideas include organizing books to create a reading nook in the corner, keeping soft toys readily accessible near the bed for nighttime, and arranging paper and pens on a desk ready for art or homework. If your child has a small kids room, consider ideas and kids room furniture that utilize your wall space, such as a bookshelf or hanging baskets to organize their treasures.

Invest in Multifunctional Furniture

If you’re organizing a small room or toddler bedroom, ideas for furniture should include versatile pieces. Multifunctional furniture has a dual purpose: it can transition with your child as they grow, and it can save you money and space. For example, beds with drawers underneath are ideal for storing toys as they are kept out of the way yet readily accessible. As your child gets older, you can store clothes and shoes in the drawers.

Creative Storage Solutions

Kids room ideas should always include ample storage solutions that are easy for your child to access. Baskets and storage boxes are ideal for toys since your child can quickly drop everything in them when tidying up. Ottomans and bookshelves are another way to store large items in your kid’s room, while trays on top of dressers can keep small knickknacks looking tidy and prevent them from getting lost.

Decorate With Purpose

While classic and neutral-colored furniture is excellent to include in your toddler room ideas, mixing in some eye-catching accent pieces you know your child will love is just as important. You can readily add color to cool room designs with cushions in their reading nook or a throw blanket on their bed. A chest of drawers with a textured front or a patterned accent chair can also add interest to a space. For kids bedroom ideas that add interest yet reduce clutter, consider decorative and functional pieces. Other ideas for decorating your kid’s bedroom include using creative labels for your containers or hanging artwork on the walls to keep the floor clear.

Teach Your Kids the Importance of Putting Things Away

Organizational ideas for kid bedrooms are only as good as your child’s willingness and ability to use the storage solutions and furniture. Ensure you implement uncomplicated room design ideas and encourage your child to put things away in the correct place once they have finished using them.

Maintain Regular Decluttering Sessions

Wondering how to keep your kids’ rooms clean after organizing them? Regular decluttering every season is essential to preventing the buildup of trash, broken toys, and old papers. However, by placing storage furniture in an organized room, regular decluttering should take minimal time and effort.

Find Kids Bedroom Furniture at Home Zone Furniture

You can readily sort and organize your kid’s room with our ideas and furniture suggestions to create a space that your child loves. We have an extensive range of bedroom furniture, storage beds, baskets, shelves, and home accents, making it effortless to find the perfect items for your home. For more kid bedroom ideas or assistance selecting the perfect furniture to suit your home, contact our friendly and knowledgeable team or visit your local Home Zone store.

Find a Home Zone Furniture Store in Texas Near You

Seasonal

How to keep your pets off the furniture

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

We’re dog lovers at our house. We’ve got all the must-have accouterments, from the fancy collars to the chic food bowls to the baskets full of colorful chew toys. But while we consider our pup to be like family, sometimes our love for Fido takes a toll on our furniture.

Regardless of your furniture’s material or color, you’re more than likely to notice evidence of your pet’s presence over time. You’ll see scratches on leather, stains on light-colored pieces and hairs on any sort of permeable material (cotton, for instance), not to mention the pervasive presence of pet odor throughout.

For most of us, it’s hard to keep man’s best friend off the couch, but occasionally we need to put our foot down. After all, furniture is an investment that should be taken care of!

Training your dog is all about consistency, clarity and positive reinforcement. You’re training your pet where to rest, not where NOT to rest. Reward them for what they do right; don’t punish if they get it wrong. And a very important thing to remember: Everyone in the household has to be on the same page. If one person isn’t being consistent with the dog’s new boundaries, you’ll never make it past square one!

So how do you make some quick changes to avoid an imminent pet takeover?

Give them an alternative. The first thing to do is invest in a super-comfy bed for your pet. The reason your pet is getting onto your furniture is because it’s comfortable. Create a cozy space for your pet that’s in a room the animal favors like a bedroom, kitchen or family room perhaps. At the beginning, reward the pet with a treat when they get into the bed so they learn to classify this experience positively.

Cover up. If you don’t mind your pets getting on the furniture but still want to preserve the furniture as best you can, there are a few options. Slipcovers made to fit the furniture can be taken off easily and washed. This is a great idea for a high-traffic household. For an even quicker, cheaper fix, throw a sheet over your pet’s favorite pieces of furniture to protect against hair and odor.

Use deterrents. For those of you who find that your pet gets on the furniture when you’re not at home, blockade the furniture and/or make it less desirable. Put chairs turned upside down on a couch to make its soft cushions less accessible and less enticing. Another idea (especially for cats) is to cover the seat cushions with aluminum foil or newspaper. The crinkling noise will gently deter the pets from getting comfortable when you’re not there.

With a gentle and consistent approach, you’ll have a well-trained dog AND well-kept furniture in no time!

Bree