Give your home more space with smart storage solutions!

Just about everyone I speak with these days seems to have the same wish for their home-more space! No matter how much we have, it seems we always need more. Of course getting rid of the many things we have but don't truly need is always the best way to start. But what if you've done that and still don't have the space you need? That's when it's time to get creative with the space you do have. Here are some great ideas that should help:

 Office in a chest  

Don't have the space to dedicate a room as an office? No worries....this chest at the foot of the bed in a 

guest bedroom, is a great substitute! Holding everything from files to pens, pencils, thumbtacks and even a bulletin board- it provides a hidden office that you can easily access when you need it.  A small console table in conjunction with this and voila!...your office is complete! 

                                                                 Martha Stewart image

                                                     Hidden Kitchen storage

If you're fortunate enough to be planning a kitchen remodel, make sure to make use of every inch of space. The toekick drawer is one of my favourite tricks that many cabinet makers are doing today. A perfect place to store anything from cookie sheets to childrens art supplies/small toys (easy for them to get to!)....

                                                                            BHG.com

                                                      

                                                             Playroom storage

A Playroom is a room where you will definitely want to make use of every inch of space with multifunctional items. Here, two simple storage ottomans fit perfectly under this desk to provide extra storage for toys while doubling as seating for 2! A great place for friends to do craft projects or play games....

Seaside Interiors


Garage storage
Just when you think you've completely run out of space in your garage- just look up!  There are lots of square feet to be utilized on the garage ceiling... Just click the link below the pic for the DIY steps...

                                                                   Craziestgadgets.com

  

                                                    Short on drawer space?

Came across this great idea from chicaandjo.com, through Pinterest. Use 12x12 scrapbook paper organizers to vertically store items such as wraps, cutting boards etc. in your cupboards, freeing up much needed space in your kitchen drawers......

                                                                       chicaandjo.com

                                                      Great storage solution

Check out this great DIY PVC Bin Storage Organizer.....This is something I bet my hubby would love! ;)  How perfect is this for basement/garage storage.... you can easily access the Bin you need without having to move all the rest!  Just click on the link below the pic for all the instructions and a video. I bet my lego addicted son would even like to help with this project! :)

                                                                            Studio 5

Do you have any storage ideas you'd like to share? Leave a comment and let us know....we'd just love to hear your ideas! :)

                                                          ~Katrina

An Autumn Welcome (even if it still feels like summer!)

In our neck of the woods, it was a glorious warm and sunny today today-unusually warm for this time of year. I guess it has something to do with a tropical storm system that is heading our way, pushing up all that warm southerly air! I guess tomorrow won't be so nice, with lots of wind and rain...ugh!

I decided to make the most of the day by starting to get my veranda ready for the upcoming Fall season. I just love the warm, rich colours of Autumn....don't you? 

I used all items that I already had around the house..... Just goes to show that you don't have to spend a lot to create a warm and welcoming entry.....

 Come along and see what I've been up to..... ;)

I just love this metal star holder I picked up a couple of years back.....it is SO easy to change out for the seasons (in fact I saw some exactly like it at Homesense last week ). I simply put a bunch of leaves I picked up at Michaels in and added a pretty striped bow. A 2 minute door treatment...can't beat that! ;)

                                I just love this striped ribbon I picked up at Walmart last year.....

        Last summer I used these rust coloured pillows on my patio, now they are a perfect Fall addition                            
                                                       for the front of my home....

           Picked up this green raffia type material on a roll at Michaels, one $2 roll makes a rustic bow for
                                                           each of my cedars....

                    

                    Love my Fall pumpkin flag I picked up at Wescal... Adds a great pop of colour and a  
                                                              warm welcome to my door!

                  I also placed a few faux leaves in a flower pot in my recently painted
                                                         plant stand....

                    A few decorative pumpkins add a great pop of colour in my lantern...

                         Even my summer watering can gets the Fall treatment, with some simple leaves
                                                    and berry branches.....




                               Hopefully it all won't blow away with tomorrows stormy weather!


                               Have you started your Autumn decorating yet? What do you do to welcome the                    
                                                     new season? I'd love to know..... :)


                                                                               ~Katrina

Welcome Fall with a few simple touches...

September is in full swing.....the kids are off to school, the days are getting shorter and there is an occasional crispness to the air. It's time to start thinking about embracing the season and bringing it into our homes. Here are some easy and inexpensive ideas to help you do just that.....

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Some urns or flower pots stacked with pumpkins adds a welcoming punch of colour to your entryway! A beautiful wreath completes the look...

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How cute are these?! The message could be anything from give thanks to a Halloween countdown....

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Some leaves tucked in around a lantern makes for a fun and easy fall display. Perfect for a dining table or any occasional table....

by Seaside Interiors

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There are lots of ways to bring the hues of autumn into your home. Here, some simple leaf prints add just the right amount of colour....

by Tim Cuppett Architects

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Use fruit! A simple bowl of apples can add a wonderful punch of colour....

by Cindy

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A beautiful Fall table-setting is a great way to usher in the season...

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Simple berry branches can add both texture and colour to your spaces....

by Zuniga Interiors

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Sweet treats displayed in apothecary jars add an instant pop of colour....

by Seaside Interiors

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Adding a few throw cushions in Autumn colours is one of the simplest ways to warm up a neutral space for the season...

by Seaside Interiors

Hope you've enjoyed these tips I've compiled from Houzz.com. 

I'd love to know how you're planning to welcome Fall in your home....any tips you'd like to share? :)

Whatever you do....just have fun with it!

~Katrina

Decorating that forgotten space....Hallways!

We are often so consumed with decorating the larger areas such as living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens that oftentimes we overlook other areas. Hallways are one such area. With just a little effort they can become so much more then a path from A to B. They can quickly become a beautiful continuation of the feel and mood we have created all around our home. 


Here's a few of the additions I completed in my dark and dingy basement hallway....

After- can you see the difference?

                                              

Before- so dull and depressing...

 

An old demilune table gets a new look with a quick coat of black spray paint which ties it in with the frames above.... A lamp is added to brighten things up and add a warm feeling. 

 A mirror/ console table is a welcome addition at the bottom of the stairway. The mirror makes the space feel larger instead of feeling like a dead end. It also brightens the space by reflecting light. The table is the perfect space to display pretty flowers and decorative items....

A simple wall grouping is created using  inexpensive black frames ($15 for 2 from Costco) with white matting. A few favourite family photos printed in black and white create a gallery feel....

These wall words I found at Winners for just $8 add the perfect finishing touch to the wall...

Do you decorate your hallways or leave them bare?  Ant tips you'd like to share?  (I'm a poet and didn't know it :)  lol! )

Love to hear your thoughts!

~Katrina

Paper Lanterns- girls room update.....

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am always on the lookout for simple, inexpensive ways to give quick updates to the rooms in my own home. I just love to keep things fresh and interesting! Of course, I do believe that these updates should not break the bank :)

My latest budget inspiration came while I was out and about last week. I came across a whole selection of Martha Stewart crafts on clearance for $5 each. These items are really promoted as wedding decor, but I couldn't help but think how cute they would look in my daughters room ;)

Here's how they turned out....

    The set of 3 paper lanterns (2 med ,1 large) was a steal at $5. I just adore the eyelet detail.... I hung them from the ceiling with a silver ball thumbtack and a little fishing line. To add more drama I also purchase this glitter paper garland (also $5) and cut it into strips, which I attached to the wall with simple invisible tape.....what an easy way to bring some drama to the bed!

 I couldn't resist this gorgeous bedside lamp with a bow from Homsense! When we turned it on we got a delightful surprise...the inside is lined in a Parisian themed material which shows through when it's lit :)

These battery operated pre-lit lanterns draped around my daughters mirror (also on sale for $5) add a soft glow and make her feel like a movie-star....I'd say that's money well spent ;)

It's just about that time of year again....

November 4 already. Can you believe it?!

Yesterday, I woke up to the prettiest dusting of snow on our neighbourhood. It was Christmas card perfect!  Too bad in the morning rush of getting the kids off to school, I never had time to capture a picture before it all melted away ...

In around 25 days or so I will be in the thick of my holiday decorating....I can't wait! As a matter of fact, it was a bit of a winter wonderland here way back in September! HGTV.com had contacted me to submit some pics for their upcoming holiday features....I was super excited to do it!

In an effort to get back in the holiday spirit (and perhaps provide some inspiration to you) , I compiled some images from that photo shoot , along with some from previous years, into a little slideshow. I hope you enjoy it ....Happy Holiday Decorating to all!!