Tag Archives: season

5 More Simple Ways to Host Overnight Guests

Posted on by Nest Interiors

Five additional suggestions to add to this post from October:

6. As a guest, having to ask your host for toiletry supplies, specifically toilet paper, can feel awkward. One easy way to avoid leaving your guests guessing where you keep the spare rolls is by preparing a guest toiletry basket. You can collect all of those miscellaneous toiletries that we so often forget to pack when traveling and place them together in a basket or a decorated box. Things to include would be a small tube of toothpaste, bottle of mouthwash, toothbrush, a small bottle of lotion, deodorant, tissue, and of course you can stash some rolls of toilet paper in your basket or nearby. Tie a “welcome” note card to the basket with a bow and leave it for your guests to use, and  always make sure your bathrooms are stocked with fresh towels and washcloths each day.

7. Create a menu for your guests. Take the worry out of wondering when and what they will be eating for each meal. Email or call your guests ahead of time and find out about any food allergies, meal and snack preferences, and special beverages that your guests enjoy. Then compile that information into a simple menu. Having a planned menu will allow you to shop early, stock up on special items, and prepare and freeze meals ahead of time, reducing your stress and saving your company the hassle of spending more money eating out.

8. Place a clock, puzzle books and magazines, and a dirty clothes bag in your guest’s bedroom; these are simple gestures to show your guests that you have thought about their comfort.

9. Supply them with an activity planner. This is a clever idea for guests that might be staying an extended time. Research some tourists locations in your area and assemble the information and brochures into a binder or an envelope of “things to do” while in town. Provide them with a map of your city, a bus schedule, and a house key so that they have the freedom to explore their surroundings by themselves. This will allow you to refresh yourself and your home while they are out and about.

10. Give your visitors ample room to store their coats and shoes. Clear out some space in a closet or entryway and designate a place for guests to place their bags, shoes, purses, and coats. Also, provide a surface or suitcase rack where guests can open their luggage so they don’t have to spread out their belongings all over the floor.

Remember, this is a time to enjoy your guests company. If things don’t go exactly as planned, roll with it, laugh it off, and be merry…that is all that really matters anyway.

10 SIMPLE and BUDGET FRIENDLY ways to redecorate your home

Posted on by Nest Interiors

1. Bring in fresh flowers and plants

The vibrant colors and sweet smells from flowers can always lift your mood, especially when winter skies are gray. Buy a bunch of flowers and place them in a vase on your coffee table, use wall vases in your rooms, or line them up along a window sill. For just a few dollars a week, you can buy a burst of sunshine for your home.

Plants add life to any space and are often left out when designing our spaces. Place plants in groups together on a floor, table, or in a corner. For the best look, make sure the plants that you group together vary in height but are similar in scale. Don’t forget to place some plants in your bathroom, they help to create a spa-like feel to a frequently forgotten space.

2. Pillows, pillows, and more pillows!

Pillows are one of the easiest and most economical ways to completely change the look of a room! You can place pillows on your sofa, chairs, dining chairs, in a corner on the floor, in baskets, on beds, and…the list goes on and on. If you aren’t interested in having them on your furniture all the time, keep them handy in a nearby closet or cabinet and place them out for a custom designed look when friends and family visit.

3.  Rearrange your artwork, swap artwork with friends and family, or just get creative!

Move your artwork around the house. Take your bedroom artwork and put it in the entry way, move your living room artwork to the dining room. Trade artwork with friends and family for a whole new look, and don’t worry about having an exact color match, creating a unique space means breaking the rules. You can also get creative with your existing artwork. Try placing an over-sized frame around a smaller picture or canvas or hang empty antique frames in a grouping to create a whole new look. Create your own artwork by framing pieces of your favorite fabric prints, or making your own subway art. There are so many options with artwork, let your mind explore.

4. Paint a piece of furniture, recover a chair cushion

By painting a piece of furniture a bold color or swapping out a cushion fabric you can really change the look of a room and create an original piece of furniture. This tip will require a little more of your time, but it will payoff big by giving your home that unique designer look.

5. Change your curtains!

Swap a set from one room to another, or splurge a bit and hang a new trendy pair to completely change the look of a room.


6. Hang curtains and drapes in unexpected places

Who needs a window to hang a fabulous pair of drapes? Try covering an infrequently used doorway, closet space, or soften a section of wall with luxurious curtain panels. Curtains make wonderful headboards for bedrooms. Transparent curtains work great to divide spaces without entirely blocking views and without the high cost of a remodel.

7. Get rid of the drab white lamp shade and let a little pattern shine through!

Change out those boring white lamp shades! Add some fun and whimsy to a room by adding an accent color, style, or print fabric lamp shade to your lamps, and while you are at it, grab a can of spray paint and change the look of the base as well!


8. Area Rugs: get one, swap one, or angle it!

Area rugs are a fast way to make any room look different. Rugs come in many different patterns, colors, shapes, etc. so finding one will not be difficult….deciding on just one will be.

9. Use a piece of furniture in an unexpected way

Have an old dresser that you don’t know what to do with? Make it into something that you need or can use. Dressers can make great TV consoles, benches, artists shelving for large pieces of paper or canvas, or a great kitchen island. The uses for old furniture are endless and repurposing something that is otherwise just taking up space in your basement is extremely satisfying.

10. Rearrange your existing furniture

The most economical way to change the look of any room in your home is to rearrange your existing furniture. It saves you money, does not take much time, and gives you a refreshing new perspective of your home.

Having difficulties changing your space? Call Nest Interiors at 716-923-7000 for your in home consultation.