Guest Post - Window Treatment Ideas for Millennials

Take a Peek into Millennial Decor

Millennial decor is very popular and it is shaping the housing world in interior decor. There is a separation of older and younger millennials and their tastes differ also.

Window Treatment Ideas for Millennials 

The millennial generation, or Y generation as many call them, have a large influence on specialized decor that is functional, not flashy, serves a purpose and will be long lasting products. This set of people is also very technologically advanced and love all products that can be operated easily with a smart phone

Who are the Millennials? 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are more than 83.1 million millennials. They are all of the people that were born from 1982 to 2000, which make the older people starting to approach 40 years old and the younger people are not even 20 years old yet. This generation actually passed the baby boomers as the largest generation of people in 2015. 

What is the Style of Millennials?

This generation is interested in low maintenance, minimalist and practical home decor. They enjoy neutral colors with the addition of modern, affordable window treatments that maximize the light in all rooms of their homes and pops of accent colors. Whites and gray and very popular colors in window treatments for this generation. These neutral colors make the baseline and then there is a heavy emphasis on colorful and bold accent pieces, such as throw pillows, rugs, pieces of artwork, pots and pans, potted plants and blankets. The most popular accent colors are tones of red, bold yellows, organic greens and the color that has transcended and defined this generation--millennial pink.

Smart Home Technology

This tech savvy group of people enjoys having a smart home where technology is included at least in the kitchen and living room or family room. They use smart technology for their home alarm systems and can see who is at the door on their television or smart phone. This group absolutely loves newer functional items in the kitchen that they can control via their phones. They are also great advocates for the motorized window treatments that can also be operated from their phone, tablet, computer, by remote control or a wall switch. This type of window treatment is very versatile and safe for children, as it has no dangling cords for a child to be caught in and harm them. All of the motorized window treatments are sturdy and have a long life to last for many years, another thing that millennials love. 

Window Treatment Materials for Millennials

Several different materials and fabrics catch the eye of a millennial that fit the bill of not being too busy or over the top but sophisticated and simple. 

Woven woods are made from bamboo reed, jute grass and a big combination of other all-natural products. This is an eco-friendly choice that is more in favor than fabric or plastic and it also works well with a variety of styles.

Silk window treatments have a smooth and glossy finish to any window treatment. Most often, a millinneal will choose a natural color pallet for silk drapery panels and then build on that feature for their decor. Silk is also lightweight and it adds some movement to the room.

Velvet window treatments are taking the market by storm again. The soft and glamorous fabric adds texture to a room without being over the top. Some millennials choose to have velvet throw pillows or other accents with velvet on them rather than in the actual window treatments themselves.

Linen window treatments are another eco-friendly choice. They are also long lasting to make the investment worthwhile. Linen drapery panels are lightweight and they drape easily to add a crisp and clean feel to any space.

Combination Window Treatments for Functionality

Millennials insist that all items in a house must be the utmost in functional. Many times, you will find a shade on a window covered with sheer drapes to let the sun in, even when the drapes are closed. Most often, this combination is again in neutral colors such as tan, white, light blue or gray, but some of this generation may choose to add a pop of fabulous color to a room with this combination.

Layering your blinds with drapes makes a wonderful addition to any window and it makes them more functional. You can achieve a contrast of color and texture while being eye catching in the living room, bedroom, kitchen or any room in the home. The most common combination of this in the millennial's homes is woven wood blinds in a tan color with simple white drapes on top.

Woven wood shades are very popular in all rooms of a home. Millennials love them because they are natural, give you sleek lines, versatile and work with any decor. This style lets a small amount of light in your room from between the weaves of the shades to add some whimsy with the moonlight at night bouncing off the walls in a horizontal pattern or to show off all of the decor in your home with natural light.

These ideas are great to know about as the millennials are taking the housing market by storm. If you are thinking of redecorating or updating your window treatments in anticipation of selling your home, you should try some of these styles. 

Author Bio: Bobby Nakamura was born and raised on the island of Maui, Bobby has been doing window coverings for most of his life. Naka's Drapery is a family business located on the island of Maui, HI.

Guest Post - 7 Feng Shui Basics to Keep in Mind When Renovating Your Home

When it comes to remodeling and renovating your home, a little Feng Shui can go a long way. It can assist in providing the best energy flow, known as Chi. And without good Chi, a house with bad Feng Shui can disrupt family dynamics, creating tension in the home and even interrupting abundance–including both wealth and love.  

So, if you plan to renovate, it’s important to keep everything in a healthy and harmonious shelter. To find inspiration, here are some Feng Shui basics to keep in mind when renovating your home. 

Keep the Kitchen’s Heart Healthy

These days, the kitchen is considered the heart of the home. It’s where guests tend to hover during parties and the central base where the family gathers for important news and daily rituals. And in Feng Shui, this is no different. In fact, it’s what the practice knew all along. 

With this in mind, it’s essential to create a kitchen that is nurturing. It should be airy and welcoming with cheerful colors. If you plan to update lighting, be sure to use a variety of levels such as dimmable overhead recessed lighting, as well as direct task lighting like undercabinet or drop lights at the kitchen counter. Keeping the space open and minimal is key, too. For instance, avoid a cluttered countertop full of cooking gadgets. This is an excellent time to clear counter space and install a built-in microwave instead.

Install a Front Door with Presence

While it’s perfectly fine to install sliding glass doors that provide a lovely view of your backyard, it’s not advised for the front door. Your front door should be strong and protective enough to deflect any negative energy. Plus, as the mouth of the home, it should also be alluring enough to attract positive energy, thereby nourishing everything and everyone inside.

In Feng Shui practice, the front door should also open wide. Should you choose to renovate a foyer entryway, make it more spacious and remove opposing walls. Also, try to resist adding a nearby bathroom or bending a staircase toward the front door, as this chutes the energy right back out. 

Choose Appropriate Colors and Elements 

Referencing the Bagua energy map, you can determine which associated colors and elements are best. 

For instance, the East represents abundance, vitality and health. Therefore, the East is represented by wood elements and the color green. In eastern rooms of your home, consider adding houseplants or even installing a style of hardwood flooring. 

According to the Bagua, the South should be designated for more energetic areas of your home such as a home office. As fire represents energy, you’d assume correctly that its associated colors are bold reds and bright yellows. Here’s the perfect opportunity to install a fireplace or woodstove along a southern wall for extra luck! 

As another example, you want to avoid bathrooms in the southern areas of your home, keeping this good energy from escaping with the bad. And while a southern kitchen may seem like a smart idea, understand that this can become tricky. As the heart of the home, kitchens thrive on energy. However, numerous cooking devices can create an overbearing fire element. So, you must be careful not to create an imbalance. 

Avoid Stacking Busy and Restful Rooms

Certain rooms of your home are for rest and relaxation. Others—like the kitchen mentioned above—are full of energy. It’s important to maintain a balance of each, but also keep certain rooms separated. 

For instance, it’s considered bad Feng Shui to position a master bedroom over a garage. Since the garage is a place where the family is constantly coming and going, this can disrupt the calmer energy of the above bedroom. Not to mention a vehicle’s emissions can emit toxins directly into your sleeping quarters. 

Similarly, it’s not wise to stack a bathroom over a bedroom. Most bathrooms are used more frequently, but if it’s a guest bathroom that’s rarely used, this is acceptable. 

Provide Harmony Among Kids Rooms

Since kids are full of energy, it’s no doubt these rooms will overflow with Chi. But unlike the mentioned fire element rooms like the kitchen, you should allow this vibrant Chi to flow freely, stimulating their creativity.  

If you have siblings, however, it’s important to distribute this energy evenly. If possible, renovate your kids' rooms so that they are equal or similar in square footage. Not only does this maintain a balance, but it will let each child know they are equally loved. This will prevent tension between siblings that can cause negative family dynamics.  

Install Features in the Direction of Energy

Certain areas of a home require a flow of energy, while some need to capture and redirect energy. It’s essential to make sure energy is well-distributed and not bottle-necking in one place. 

For instance, if a home has an aligned front and back door, how you lay your vinyl plank flooring–width-wise against the door in this case–can redirect energy instead of allowing it to escape.    

The same goes for bathrooms. Since bathrooms are a place we go to relax, the bad energy we release can become trapped, recycling back into the household. If you have a windowless central bathroom, this is an excellent time to remedy a major Feng Shui faux pas and move it toward a different area. 

Draft Ideas Before Renovating

Not all architects or even interior designers are savvy in the basic principles of Feng Shui. Therefore, most homes already have some bad Feng Shui attributes. Luckily for you, a home renovation can take care of some of these issues. 

Truly open up to your home and let it speak to you. Observe the current energy levels of your home. Recognize areas that need a little more love and tend to spaces that could use some serenity.

Now, take this and draft out the perfect blueprint to improve energy levels. Become inspired with paint swatches, new fixtures and even shift walls if good Feng Shui calls for it. By assessing the negative Feng Shui mistakes, you can accentuate the positive. 

Author Bio: Ford Hudson is a Marketing Associate at Twenty & Oak. Every flooring product on Twenty & Oak has been hand selected for its outstanding performance, beautiful craftsmanship, durability, and environmental sustainability. Ford is passionate about the environment and thoughtful interior design. That’s why his work for Twenty & Oak is so important to him. A Charleston, SC native and avid Gamecocks fan he loves spending time in nature and cheering his team on.

Guest Post - 5 Things that Make a Bathroom Speak Luxury

A simply unavoidable station and a secluded space in your house, the bathroom deserves some glamming up. You can transform it into the ideal haven by adding contemporary style in myriad ways. Today, you have access to tons of things that can turn an old bathroom into a spa-like oasis.

Here are the 5 things that make a bathroom speak luxury:

Wall Art -  Adding art to the walls of a bathroom certainly adds personality to it! Considering that we spend considerable time in our daily lives in the bathroom, it becomes essential to engage our senses here with beautiful artwork. 

Adding a single, oversized art piece is an excellent way to add luxury to your bathroom. A large object of art ties the entire room together, doing wonders for the otherwise ordinary-looking space. This trick works even better for a smallish bathroom, visually anchoring the tiny space.

How about a well-designed gallery wall? A fantastic pick-me-up for your bathroom, this form of wall art is sure to give you instant happiness. 

Beautify your bare bathroom walls with collections of shells, painted canvases, framed black-and-white photographs or quirky prints. Hang the items in a meaningful pattern and let the art give a new definition to your bathroom. 

Modern Lighting - Turn your bathroom into a statement-maker by using modern, large-scale lighting. For instance, you can fix a flush-mount chandelier to create a great impact overhead without occupying your bathroom’s physical space. 

Go for vanity lighting with an enduring power cord installation which serves as a task lighting and a luxurious accent as well. While sleekly-designed bath bar lights available in glass and antique bronze illuminate the space perfectly, wall sconces provide the best directional light while shaving, applying make-up and brushing.

Try pairing a shade sconce with a chandelier of the same shade for that typical old-timey feeling. If you’re seeking subtle charm in your bathroom, go straight for glass pendant lighting. These decorative lights diffuse light uniformly when on and seemingly disappear when switched off.

Take inspiration from world-famous spas and create layers of light in your bathroom for the right ambiance and mood. Consider installing a dimmer for controlling the different lights individually. For instance, use soft, faint light for luxuriating in a hot bath and switch a bright light on while showering.

Greenery - Why deprive your bathroom of fresh greenery? Green plants create a striking contrast with ceramic fixtures and tiling. Plants like aloe vera, peace lilies, bamboo, and orchids won’t wilt in the washroom and will only add color to it. Moreover, they are useful for cleaning the air. Keep these plants in stylish galvanized planters to create the visual illusion of a large-sized bathroom.

If you’d like to try options other than keeping fresh plants for having greenery in your bathroom, cover its walls with water-resistant, peelable plant wallpaper. It’s sure to create an immediate impact, elevating your bathroom to modish heights. So, dial-up decor in your washroom by choosing between various wallpaper designs like vibrant florals, botanical prints, and tropical forest. Enjoy the feeling of a house plant powering up a daily-use appliance, thus making an exciting addition to your bathroom.

Luxe Accessories - Add glamour to your bathroom with a range of high-quality accessories. Indulge in attractive glass dispensers for storing your shampoo, face wash, and moisturizing lotion. So, even if your cosmetics are inexpensive, your space gets a luxurious appearance by merely rehoming them. Also, make sure to arrange the glass bottles artfully. Consider placing them neatly on small trays.

Go for soft, neutral-colored towels with embroidered edges and monogramming. Also, opt for a plush, bright-colored, designer bath rug. Make your daily shower feel special with a rainfall showerhead, both soft-sounding and luxurious.

Place scented candles throughout the bathroom so that you can light them up just before taking a bubble bath. Else, consider aromatic diffusers. Won’t you like to sip on wine when in the bathtub? What better luxe accessory than a bathtub tray to hold your glass or even a book?

Apt Furnishings - Extra seating like an ottoman gives a bathroom an elegant look. It also facilitates while you smooth the moisturizer on your entire body. 

Add drama with a large, uniquely-shaped mirror. An over-sized mirror certainly makes your bathroom appear larger, thus adding to the luxe factor. Use beautiful sconces alongside the mirror for the perfect illumination.

Choose silk-like bedroom curtains for the bathtub to create instant luxury. Go for luxurious window treatments like vinyl shutters and honeycomb shades. 

For storage, choose wall-mounted cabinets as they save space and create the illusion of a bigger bathroom. Also, consider fitting stylish table-style consoles beneath the basin. These luxury statements feature sleek drawers and also offer countertop space. Consider having luxurious countertops in marble or glass finish.

Conclusion

So, now you know how to spruce up your bathroom with the right things. Adorn the walls with art, focus on statement lighting, don’t leave out greenery, accessorize plentifully, and choose the apt furnishings. 

With such a dramatic makeover, your bathroom can’t but speak luxury.

Author Bio: Derek Edison Is an Interior Decorator and a passionate writer who loves to write about creating aesthetic and ambient living environment for everyone. He focuses on sharing ideas and techniques learnt from his experience as an Interior Decorator in a concise manner so that it can be used by everyone to make their surroundings beautiful to live in.

Guest Post - 6 Designer Tips for a Comfortable and Cozy Home

Having a home where you can relax and not have to worry about a thing is something many home dwellers have strived to achieve. 

Regardless of the size of your house, a slight change in the décor of your home can greatly influence your emotions. Which means that giving your home a makeover, with items that are appealing and soothing for one’s eyes, can enhance the positive feelings of anyone being surrounded by that ambience. 

If you too wish to have the best comforts provided by your house, let us assist you. Below we have written some of the tips that can help you create a home where comfort and coziness are in full bloom. 

Get Creative with Shelves 

Shelves can be counted as ideal storage places. They help in creating more space around the room, and they keep your collected items in plain sight for you to take them out or put them back in whenever you want. And it wouldn’t hurt if you're going to add a touch of creativity to it. 

Having a shelf, occupying at least one side of the wall, will not look overbearing- well as long as the shelf isn’t filled to the brim with overflowing items. One of the best aspects of a shelf is that it is not limited to only storing books in it. 

And even if you do have a lot of books to keep on the shelves, you can always change their positions by placing some books vertically and some horizontally. You can also add a few showpieces of your choice or potted plants next to the books. 

Add Warm Lighting 

Warm blankets, soft pillows with warm lights, illuminating the room, is the perfect combination to get yourself a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere. 

You can recreate that look in any or every room depending on which one you are most likely to go to, and relax at. You can put up some fairy lights around the ceilings or have them hanging on the walls. If you feel like emphasizing the warmth even more in a room with bland colors, you can add variety in the lighting such as using candles, bulbs, fairy lights, etc. in one place for more illumination. 

Also leave the cushions, blankets, and pillows in a clutter. This way, it can make people feel like they can sit and relax wherever they want amidst the warm and cozy environment. 

Get Creative on the Walls 

The walls of your home are the canvas of your personality. You can go all out in decorating this space based on the things you love and the things you want your guests to see. 

There is a variety of things you can experiment with, on your walls. If you are an artist, you can start up your personalized art gallery. You are free to choose whether you want to frame your artworks and hook them on the walls or simply stick them on as they already are.

You can even place your family photos or hang ornaments with unusual appearances to give that unique vibe and dynamic quality which looks extraordinary yet soothing to the eyes.  

Update the Textures 

Texture partnered home decoration pieces give more than just comfort. Pillows, rugs, and wall hanging with textured patterns provide a three-dimensional aspect and more depth to your room. 

With the right combinations, you can instantly change the look of your home for the better. Fabric textures such as cashmere and velvet work well with animal prints, winter-themed patterns and even bold and bright color tones. 

An example can be by keeping your coffee table as a focal point by opting for a wood-based material. You can further add a table runner and placemats- preferably of neutral texture. Choosing linen napkins for the table set can also increase the appeal of its appearance.    

A Touch of Green 

One of the best ways to bring back life into the house is by giving way to Mother Nature and let the plants take root in your home. 

Plants can be kept anywhere in the house whether it be your kitchen, your room, or even your bathroom. And what’s even better is that you can customize the pots according to your tastes. You can choose warm shades such as terracotta or brass tones. You can also choose to have them in a basket made of seagrass for a more natural effect. 

You don’t have to worry about bugs either. Many plants ward off bugs, and if you want to place plants near your bedside, you will find that there are several home remedies for bed bugs that you can use to stay clear of any bug infestation. 

If you aren’t good at taking care of plants or have to travel away from home for days, then you can also opt for fake plants. They can look just as good as a real plant, and you don’t have to worry about watering them now and then either. 

Don’t Forget The Rugs!

For the ideal relaxing home makeover décor, having a few rugs around the house is an absolute must. These luscious pieces of fabrics practically scream warmth and comfort. A wooden or tile floor can be great investments, but they can get real icy during the winter season. 

Having rugs around the house increases the warmth and comfort of the place. You can easily swap places from sitting on the sofa to sitting on the floor. Your comfort is therefore not comprised, and you can quickly wrap them back up and store them in closets when the weather becomes warmer. 

Closing Note 

Comfort should always be the topmost priority. And the benefits of a comfortable home are not only pleasing to the guest but to you, the owner, as well. The above tips are just some of the ways you can live in your ideal home where stress and sadness are the last things on your minds. 

Author Bio:
About Michelle Joe: Michelle Joe is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences, and express herself through her blogs. You can find her on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook.