Monthly Archives

December 2016

New Year’s resolutions for your home

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

It’s hard to believe, but 2017 is right around the corner! Don’t forget to make some New Year’s resolutions before the clock strikes midnight. While goals such as “go to the gym” and “eat better” are classic contenders, you might consider making a few resolutions for your home, too.

These are the six home resolutions I’m putting into motion for an organized, restful and adventurous new year!

Try new styles

Commit to trying a new style in your home this year. Whether you’re incorporating a single piece or going with a whole new furniture suite, experimenting with a style you’re not familiar with could help you discover something you love! If you haven’t already, try a sectional in your living room for expansive, comfortable seating, a rustic-inspired bedroom set for a cozy, cabin feel or a traditional dining room collection for elegant dinner parties.

Clear the clutter

Make a resolution to keep your home clutter-free. To take on this challenge, you’ll first need to invest in the right storage solution to hold all your odds and ends. Once you’ve determined the amount of space you can allot to a catch-all piece of furniture, consider what you’ll need it to hold on a daily basis. Do you need deep drawers for blankets or shallow drawers for TV accoutrements? Are surfaces to display framed pictures or knickknacks important? Once you’ve thought through these variables, take a look at our cabinets, buffets and chests to find the perfect storage solution for you.

Get more sleep

Is “get more sleep” on your list of resolutions? Mine, too. In order to make that goal completely attainable, you may need a new mattress. Mattresses need to be replaced every seven to 10 years for a variety of reasons. If you find yourself consistently waking up with an aching back and shoulders, it’s most likely because your mattress no longer supports you the way it used to. Whether you’re looking for an adjustable, memory foam or classic spring mattress, you’ll find one to suit your individual needs at Home Zone Furniture.

Be adventurous

In the new year, challenge yourself to be adventurous with color and patterns. It’s amazing how a simple pop of color here and there can brighten your mood and add dimension to your space. If you gravitate towards neutrals, mix it up with dusky blue, sunshine yellow or pastel pink. If your interiors are ruled by bright colors, experiment with neutrals or bold patterns. To incorporate a new color into your home, try something temporary, like a throw pillow or curtains. If you’re feeling bold, try painting a central wall or adding a fun accent chair.

Get organized

Whether you have a designated home office or not, it’s important to have a functional place in your home to stay organized. Even if this isn’t where you log your 8-hour work day, it’s a great place to organize bills and keep a family calendar. For anyone who hasn’t put this organizational tactic into use yet, the new year is a great time to start the habit. To put together this organization center, start with a desk that doesn’t take up much space, a comfortable chair and a desk lamp.

Entertain more

The festivities don’t have to end with the holidays! Make a resolution to entertain more in the new year. To do so, you’ll need to spruce up your dining room and any other entertaining spaces in your home with the appropriate furniture and home accessories. Consider a bar cart, bar stools for the kitchen, a new dining room set, a set of chairs to comfortably seat your guests or a server to hold extra dishes.

Happy new year!

Bree

Seasonal

How to deep-clean your kitchen

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

Whether you’re hosting out-of-towners over the holidays or simply planning a festive cocktail party, one thing’s for certain: A clean kitchen is a must! At our house, the kitchen becomes the gathering place where drinks are poured and dinner is made. If you’ve also got people congregating in the kitchen this season, you’ll want to be sure that it’s spick and span.

While there are many powerful cleaning solutions on the market to make your kitchen shine, I suggest using products you already have on hand at home for a truly safe and effective deep clean! Here’s how I get my annual kitchen deep-clean done.

Oven

Instead of using your oven’s self-cleaning setting or cleaning products with strong chemicals to clean your oven, try an easy, non-toxic method with vinegar and baking soda.

Turn off your oven, remove the racks, and make a baking soda paste with 1/4 cup of baking soda and 3 tablespoons of water. Next, coat the oven in the paste and let it sit overnight or for 12 hours. When the time’s up, take a damp cloth and wipe out the paste and the gunk that comes off with it. If there are still clumps of baking soda here and there, spray vinegar in these places, let it fizz, then wipe it out with your damp cloth until it’s gone.

Microwave

The best way to clean your microwave is to steam-clean it. In a microwave-safe bowl, place 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup vinegar. Put the bowl in the microwave and heat it for 5-10 minutes, depending on how dirty your microwave is. Let the bowl sit for a while to cool off, then take it out with mitts. Next, take a sponge and scrub the inside of the steamy microwave — the mess will come right out!

Tiles

The kitchen never feels completely clean without a spotless floor. Go beyond the normal sweep or vacuum by mopping with a deep-cleaning deodorizing mixture. There are, of course, many cleaning solutions on the market to get your kitchen tiles shiny and clean, but this simple homemade recipe is my favorite because it’s gentle, non-toxic and easy on kids and pets.

To make the solution, mix a gallon of water with a cup of white vinegar in a bucket and mop normally. It’ll give you that good, clean feeling using products you already have in your arsenal.

Drain

Nothing puts a kink in a dinner party more than a kitchen sink that simply won’t drain. Protect against this possible mishap by cleaning out your drain beforehand.

To do so, first flush the drain with a pot of boiling water. Next, add 1/2 cup of baking soda and let it sit for a few minutes. Afterwards, pour in a cup of vinegar to create a fizzing reaction and dislodge any lingering food bits in the drain. Once the drain has bubbled, pour in one more pot of boiling water to completely flush out the sludge, and you’re done!

Sink

For a flawless stainless steel or porcelain sink, sprinkle your sink with baking soda, then gently scrub in circular motions with a soft, damp sponge. When you’ve scrubbed the entire sink, rinse the sink with vinegar. The combination of ingredients will create a fizzing reaction that cleans and deodorizes.

Next, rub the sink basin down with an orange or lemon peel to further deodorize and create some shine. As the final step, take a paper towel, add a touch of olive oil and buff the sink basin for an even surface with a beautiful shine.

Bree

Accents, Chairs

4 stylish accent chairs we’re crazy for

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

Eager to transform a room in your home just in time for the holidays and the new year? Sometimes, all you need to change the look and function of a room is an accent chair with personality. Whether you’re considering an accent chair for the living room, reading nook or bedroom, choose something that complements your home’s existing style, but also stands out through color, shape and detail.

These are my four favorite accent chairs in the Home Zone Furniture collection for the winter season.

Wilson

For a traditional or contemporary home, choose the Wilson accent chair. Its structured, linear shape and neutral gray color makes it an easy addition to a variety of rooms. This sophisticated club chair features sloping arms, nail head detail and a deep, cushioned seat. To incorporate the Wilson accent chair into my home, I’d buy a pair and situate them in the formal living room for seating that’s elegant, yet truly comfortable.

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Seasonal, Winter

Tips for keeping your home cozy in the winter

The winter season brings a unique charm but also ushers in the need for extra coziness and warmth in your home. You’ll likely spend more time indoors this time of year, which means it’s the perfect opportunity to experiment with some winter decorating ideas for your living room, bedroom, dining room, or any other area. Here are some cozy, warm living room ideas, as well as essential tips and inspiration to help you transform your living space into a welcoming retreat and beat the winter blues.

cozy dark couch and matching coffee table

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Seasonal, Winter

Easy ways to spruce up your home for the holidays

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

One of my favorite parts of the holidays is opening up my home to guests of all kinds. Whether I’m hosting family or friends, visitors from across the nation or from just across the street, I cherish the time we spend together.

If you’re like me, you want your home to look its best before the guests arrive. To make the biggest impact in the shortest amount of time, try these quick refreshers in common areas and the guest room to make your visitors feel welcome, comfortable and at home during their stay.

Leather furniture

If your family room needs a little TLC before the holidays, you can make a big impact with a new set of leather furniture. For a high-traffic room, such as the den, leather is an ideal choice because it’s comfortable, durable and scratch-resistant. One of my favorite top grain leather sets is the Denver Sofa and Loveseat. It offers a lot of seating space to hold the entire family and has an inviting, rustic look.

Dining room table

In our house, the dining table is the star of the show when the holidays roll around. For an investment like this, you’ll want to choose something that will wow your guests for years to come. My top pick this season is the Magnolia Table because of its sturdy structure and interesting shape. While the table itself certainly makes a statement, you shouldn’t forget to dress it up for the holidays with an interesting tablescape!

Guest bedroom mattress

Give your guests the gift of comfort this holiday season with a new mattress for the guest bedroom. The Bree-O-Pedic Signature Plush Queen Mattress Set will ensure that your visitors can rest easy. This mattress is my top pick because of its advanced coil system, memory foam layer, organic fabric cover and plush feel. Once you’ve got the new mattress, deck it out with cozy linens and a variety of pillows.

Bedside tables

One often-overlooked detail in the guest bedroom is a pair of bedside tables. They make a big difference in both the function and the look of the room. I like to maintain a palette of neutrals and whites in my guest bedroom so it looks as clean and hotel-like as possible. My pick for the guest bedroom would be the Gardenia Nightstand because it’s simple in style, has plentiful storage and even offers a built-in charging dock.

All in the details

The quickest, most cost-effective way to transform your home for the holidays is through décor details. Choose a palette that’s festive, yet complements the style of your home. Stay true to your color palette as you add textile accessories like rugs, throw pillows and curtains. Go a step further and try a new lamp or a piece of art. Small additions like this will brighten your home for the holidays, but are easily swapped out, too!

Bree