Saturday, November 30, 2019
Friday, November 29, 2019
The Week’s Most Popular Living Room Looks on Instagram Highlight the Hygge Life You’ve Got to Have
Elena Batkova/iStock; realtor.com
As the temperatures keep dropping and the days get even shorter, we’ll be spending more and more time indoors. So of course we want things to be as cozy as possible.
And no one knows how to do cozy like the Danish—they’ve elevated it to an entire lifestyle, known as hygge. But creating the ultimate hygge retreat involves more than getting out some throw blankets and lighting a fire. No, the decor you choose can help you build your own snug hideaway that you’ll never want to leave, even when the chill is over.
Where to start? Like we do every week, we scrolled through hundreds of posts on Instagram to uncover the biggest decor trends, this time with an eye on the living room. From glowing lights to cozy textiles, we spotted what makes these rooms special—and offer up where you can buy similar items so you can get the look, too.
So what are you waiting for? Keep reading to see how you can transform your living room instantly—just don’t blame us if you don’t emerge from your home until spring!
Giant star lights
Hygge decor comes in all shapes and sizes, but we’re partial to this chic wintry star featured by @simply.weekend.
“I love this light! It’s very on-trend for the holidays and winter months, and can really be a focal point for the room,” says interior design blogger Gina Daniels.
Whether this brassy star is hanging from your ceiling or propped up on a mantel, its warm candlelight is sure to add some cozy Scandinavian vibes to any living room.
Get the look: Throw a seasonal star in your living room with this single star pendant from Wayfair.
Tribal print rugs
Have a great weekend 
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Tribal prints aren’t going out of style anytime soon, and this week’s feature from @sylahome (reposted by @homeaura) shows us these prints can work just about anywhere—even as a throw rug.
“Tribal print rugs are a great staple in a room since they come in endless patterns and color combinations,” says interior designer Doreen Amico-Sorell of Sorell Interiors. “Depending upon the color and pattern chosen, they can go nicely with boho or modern decor as well as farmhouse or Southwestern. The versatility of this rug also lies within the textural quality, since some are more nubby than others and sometimes have mixed weaves.”
Get the look: Snag your very own tribal printed rug from World Market.
Burnt orange sectionals
) Do we look forward to that???? YES! Hoping they transform this tired mum to cinderella, well it's allowed to dream right????
Enjoy your evening my dear ones
#livingroomfurniture #livingroomdecor #livingroomstyle #livingroomideas #livingroomgoals #livingroominterior #livingroomdecoration #darkinteriors #darkwalls #cushionlove #livingroominspo #hyggehome #hyggevibes #stueinspo #stua
Earth tones are back, and they’re here to stay. You can add some pumpkin spice coziness to your living room this season by swapping out an old sofa for something closer to this burnt orange sectional featured by @boho.helene.
“After many years of featuring the very popular cooler color palette of the gray tones, the design world is once again heading back to warmer earth tones,” Amico-Sorell says. “So it’s only fitting that they start with the outstanding choice of the burnt orange and earth tones sectional. It can be the starting point by which one can revolve a whole room’s decor.”
Get the look: Add some earthy hygge vibes into your living room by shopping these sofas from Wayfair.
Chunky knit blankets
Double tap to 
Credit: @villanordland 
What could be cozier than a big, warm blanket? In case you were wondering, the answer is nothing, and the proof is in this photo from @villanordland (reposted by @classyinteriors).
“I don’t think I’ll ever not be obsessed with this trend,” Daniel says. “I think it works because no matter the style of your decor, it will always add a touch of hominess.”
Get the look: Up the toasty factor of your living room with a chunky knit blanket from Nordic House.
Candle-glow wall sconces
Reminiscent of the candlelit hallways of old, you can have some of that throwback elegance in your living room just by switching out the lighting for a set of glowing wall sconces like these ones featured in the home of @mitlyse (reposed by @classyinteriors).
“Wall lights, in my opinion, will always bring a touch of elegance to a home,” Daniel says. “I think lighting in general is really important when it comes to decorating your home anyway, but wall lights add an air of sophistication and elegance that I can’t seem to put my finger on. Candle-glow and industrial-style lights are perfect for this season.”
Get the look: Top off your cozy hygge space with some glowing candle wall sconces from Overstock.
The post The Week’s Most Popular Living Room Looks on Instagram Highlight the Hygge Life You’ve Got to Have appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
Thursday, November 28, 2019
8 Mistakes Everyone Makes Trimming Their Christmas Tree That Will Drive You Insane
SimonSkafar/iStock
Dragging out boxes of Christmas ornaments and untangling the lights shouldn’t make you sigh heavily. If it does, it’s time to reevaluate your tree trimming process. Remember, ’tis the season to be joyful! Um, right?
So to start off on the right foot, let’s give ye olde yuletide tradition of tree trimming a quick review and see where you can make some adjustments. Here are eight mistakes many people make trimming their tree that you should try to avoid—all the better to preserve your sanity this season!
1. Picking a tree that’s too large
Consider the size of your tree. Does it really have to be the same 7-footer every year?
“It all depends on what you can handle, but sometimes it’s just as nice to have a mini tree as it is to get a floor-to-ceiling one—there’s no need to stress when it comes to the size,” explains Karen Gray-Plaisted of Design Solutions KGP.
If you’re going to do a fake tree, this small, pre-lit version stands at a reasonable 4 feet ($33, Home Depot).
The Home Depot
2. Trying to decorate your tree all in one shot
Hauling the tree inside, wrestling with the stand, and then dealing with lights and ornaments are too much to accomplish in one sitting. Instead, go about the process in stages, even over the course of a few days.
“It’s best to bring in the tree and then let it be for a day or more so the boughs relax and open after being wrapped up,” says Gray-Plaisted.
Once the tree has had a chance to acclimate to your home, you might start off by checking the lights to determine if there are bulbs not working. You could also check to see that you have the right supplies to begin decorating, including enough wire hooks, fresh candy canes, and a trash bag for anything that broke while in storage over the summer.
3. Squeezing the tree into too tight a spot
The tree is the star, say the pros, so give it breathing room.
“Instead of tucking the tree in a small spot, be prepared to rearrange the furniture to make adequate space,” urges Rhianna Miller, a designer with RubberMulch.
The ideal place for it might be one where you can easily see it from other rooms or where it’s visible by the window for passers-by to view, she adds.
4. Not using enough lights
When it doubt, add more lights—and then go ahead and double that number, says Miller.
“The lighting rule is 100 lights per foot, and I like to multiply that,” reports Jamie Novak, author of “Keep This Toss That” and an organizing pro.
And wrapping them around the tree like it’s a barbershop pole is another no-no.
“For maximum impact, weave lights along the branches in and out from the trunk,” says Novak.
5. Hanging every single ornament, even if it’s broken or in bad shape
Keeping old, broken ornaments year after year is just plain sad.
“If they’re special, take a picture and then let them go, because they’re not going to look any better after another year in storage,” notes Novak.
And putting every single thing you own (or that your child made when she was 4) on the tree is also another common mistake.
“It’s perfectly fine to alternate your trimmings and do something a little different each year,” reminds Miller.
6. Cheaping out on the Christmas tree stand
Ever decorate your tree and get it perfect, only to have it topple? Blame your tree-climbing cat all you want, but it could also be that you chose too small and rickety a tree stand to keep your pine upright. Make sure to get a sturdy tree stand to do the job, like this one ($59, Walmart)
Walmart
7. Losing track of decorations
This one’s big, so repeat after us: Label, label, label.
“Always put the number of boxes in all, so ‘box 1 of 5,'” says Novak. And storing decorations with labels for where you use them is another smart move.
“Create a box for the mantel, one for the entryway or front door, and one for your outdoor lights and decorations, and this way everything’s together and you don’t have to sort through each box just to decorate one area,” she explains. For breakables, try this cubby-filled holder ($25, Amazon).
Amazon
8. Doing it alone
When it comes to decorations, delegate. If you make assignments, everyone will have a job and the bulk of the work won’t be left to one person. Get someone to take charge of the lights and have someone else work on tinsel. A third person could string popcorn or cranberries, if that’s your thing.
Finally, let the whole family have a chance to hang ornaments. Stash the more delicate, breakable baubles, and dole out the rest to the kids so everyone’s got a task to do.
The post 8 Mistakes Everyone Makes Trimming Their Christmas Tree That Will Drive You Insane appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
9 Christmas Decor Items You Can Use All Year Long
We love decorating for Christmas as much as the next person, but buying things you can use for only a handful of weeks doesn’t seem like the smartest money move. So rather than throw down your dollars for decor that screams “Deck the Halls,” why not select items that hit the right wintry themes but can be used well beyond the holidays?
When choosing seasonal decor, red and green will always be the go-to color palette. But to avoid having your living room look like Santa’s workshop, try selecting products in more sophisticated shades like cranberry red, evergreen, or chartreuse. And if mixing red and green feels too on the nose, just focus on one color family.
You can even forgo the red and green decor altogether and opt for cozy throw blankets and pillows in neutral white or gray shades and accessories with metallic finishes.
Need a chic Christmas decor shopping list to get you started? Here are some of our favorite pieces that’ll still look appropriate long after you’ve recycled your Christmas tree.
1. Red tassel pillow
Target
Drew Henry, founder of Design Dudes, votes for this fun pillow ($25, Target) for Christmas and beyond.
“This is a great red and white accent for the holiday season, but it’s neutral enough to leave out a lot longer,” he says. The tassels make it festive without looking too over the top.
2. Star lanterns
Urban Outfitters
Are they stars or snowflakes? Either way, the reasonable price of these paper lights ($16, Urban Outfitters) means you can pick up several for your seasonal look.
“These are lovely as holiday decor, but once the parties are over they could also be incorporated into a boho decor scheme,” says Henry.
Try them near your Christmas tree and then later in a bay window or over a reading nook.
3. Faux boxwood wreath
Walmart
Jeanine Boiko, a real estate agent and blogger at Okio B Designs, loves to display boxwood wreaths ($18, Walmart) all year long.
“Greenery never goes out of style, and it’s not limited to the holiday season,” she notes.
For the price, you certainly get your money’s worth if you hang this wreath beyond the Christmas holiday, she adds.
4. Fairy lights
Target
Fairy lights ($6, Target) magically appear around the holidays, but Boiko stocks up on them the rest of the year, too.
“For a touch of sparkle both inside and out, I string them in the basement and put them up in our gazebo and she shed during the other three seasons,” she says.
5. Flannel sheets
LLBean
Flipping your mattresses when the temperatures drop means adding down comforters, warmer blankets and, in some climates, flannel sheets (from $89, LLBean).
“These wintry bed linens pick up on the Christmas theme with the red and green colors, though I’d use them for much longer,” says Julie Coraccio, an organizing pro and author of “Got Clutter? 365 Journal Prompts: Reclaim Time, Money, Sanity & Resources.”
6. Cozy throw blanket
Target
Jewel tones definitely say “holiday” without resorting to classic red and green. This blanket sports a chunky cable knit weave, which can warm up a guest bed or couch ($30, Target).
7. Glass hurricanes
Crate&Barrel
Roxy Te, CEO and founder of Society Social, leans hard on hurricane candle holders ($40, Crate & Barrel) for her decor.
These pieces transition from everyday decor to holiday centerpieces and then back again with just a few tweaks, she says.
“Fill them with pomegranates at Christmas, pine cones for the rest of winter, and then sand and seashells for a summertime idea,” she suggests.
8. Woven basket
Target
A simple basket ($8, Target) is useful during Christmas to display festive pine cones, pomegranates, and ornaments. But, similar to the glass hurricane above, it can also transition as a vessel for other trinkets throughout the year.
9. Red berry branches
Pottery Barn
Skip green boughs in favor of faux red berries ($17.50, Pottery Barn). These bare branches are ideal at Christmas (they resemble holly), but you can leave them out longer, even until Valentine’s Day because they’re red!
The post 9 Christmas Decor Items You Can Use All Year Long appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
Real vs. Artificial Christmas Tree: Which Is More Eco-Friendly?
iStock/sergeyryzhov
Christmas trees are the centerpiece for many holiday celebrations and traditions. But, as consumers become more environmentally conscious, many may wonder: Which type of tree is more eco-friendly, real or fake?
After all, cutting down real trees seems to be shrinking our already depleted forests. However, fake trees are made of plastic, which doesn’t seem all that green, either.
These days, a survey by CGS found that for more than two-thirds of consumers, environmental concerns drive their purchases, and they’re willing to pay more for sustainable products. Younger consumers, like Gen Z, are even more environmentally aware, with nearly 70% making an eco-friendly purchase over the past year.
So which tree fits better in an eco-friendly holiday? We looked into the environmental factors of the real vs. artificial Christmas tree debate to help you decide which type’s right for you.
How eco-friendly are real Christmas trees?
“There’s absolutely no contest” that real trees are more environmentally friendly than artificial ones, according to Tim O’Connor, executive director of the National Christmas Tree Association, a trade association for the farm-grown Christmas tree industry.
O’Connor says many people opt for artificial versions out of convenience and because of the long-held myth that cutting down any tree is bad for the environment. But in most cases that’s not true: Most Christmas trees aren’t cut from a forest (or if they are, avoid them). Rather, Christmas trees are a planted and farmed crop that can and should be harvested to make way for a new crop next year.
Plus, as these trees grow, they provide animal habitats, convert carbon dioxide to oxygen, and hold soil in place at the roots to prevent erosion, making it a greener choice, O’Connor says.
In contrast, fake trees are usually made of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, plastic and metal, he says, and “at the end of its life, it’ll spend 1,000 years in a landfill because it’s not biodegradable, whereas the natural tree will go back to nature in the process of decay as nature planned it. And, often, they’re repurposed for a second use.”
After the holidays, real Christmas trees can be recycled. Many communities collect trees and turn them into mulch or place them in local lakes and ponds to make fish habitats.
O’Connor compares the environmental impact of artificial Christmas trees to the plastic bags and straws problem, which have rallied consumers to change their habits.
“I keep thinking one of these days, the same trend that’s made the plastic straw a sort of public enemy is someday going to take a look at that fake tree and say, ‘You know what, that thing’s a problem, too,’” he says.
How eco-friendly are artificial trees?
You may be surprised by this: When it comes to Christmas trees, artificial is the tree of choice for most consumers—82% of all trees displayed are artificial, according to an American Christmas Tree Association survey conducted by Nielsen.
The real question of eco-friendliness may depend largely on how long you keep your artificial tree. The longer you reuse it, the more environmentally friendly it becomes, says Jami Warner, executive director of the ACTA, a trade group representing the artificial-tree industry.
A 2018 study by ACTA on the life cycles of real and artificial Christmas trees concluded that artificial trees show a “more favorable environmental impact” when reused for at least five years. Warner says many people actually reuse artificial Christmas trees for an average of 10 years.
“Storing it properly in the off-season is the best way to ensure that it will be good to go when the Christmas season comes around again,” she says.
Store artificial trees in large, water-resistant bags, and keep in a cool, dry place during the off-season.
Another way to repurpose an artificial Christmas tree is to donate it, and Warner says many retailers offer donation programs for the trees.
Or buy an artificial Christmas tree made with polyethylene, or PE plastic, which replaces all or some of the PVC. PE plastic is more recyclable and durable, and trees made of this are becoming more popular (they also tend to look more realistic).
If you do decide that an artificial tree is the way to go, here are some of the most eco-friendly options made of PE plastic below:
8-foot artificial, pre-lit pine tree
Walmart.com
This traditional-looking tree features branches made from a mix of PE and PVC plastic, making it a greener artificial tree option ($139.95, Walmart.com). It also has a full, more realistic appearance to showcase your treasured ornaments. Resembling a pine tree, it features pine cones nestled between the branches. And, to make decorating a cinch, the tree is pre-lit with 600 low-voltage LED lights.
6.5-foot, pre-lit spruce tree
Wayfair.com
This lush, realistic-looking artificial spruce tree has branches made entirely from the greener PE plastic ($239.99, Wayfair.com). It’s also pre-lit with 350 clear minilights for easy decorating. And, the lighting system features microchips in each socket so most bulbs stay lit even when some break or go out.
3-foot artificial spruce tree
Wayfair.com
This cute, realistic-looking spruce tree comes with a burlap-wrapped stand for a rustic, natural look ($48.82, Wayfair.com). It’s petite size makes it perfect for small spaces. It can be used indoors or outdoors, and would make a perfect addition to you front porch holiday decor.
The post Real vs. Artificial Christmas Tree: Which Is More Eco-Friendly? appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.