Home Decor Ideas

Over the years, ladders have slowly but surely crept into home decor. They’ve been built into furniture and welcomed into our yards as plant stands. Recently, though, we’ve been noticing more stand-alone ladders leaning against the walls of some of the trendiest homes and apartments. Should all of us be using ladders in decor?

The answer could be yes. While it’s tempting to jump on any decor trend that’s as easy to integrate as this one, using ladders in decor makes practical sense. The slim profile and openness of a ladder makes it extremely useful in a number of contexts. Ladders are a great, small-footprint way to add storage to a room without making it feel closed-in or cluttered. They’re especially helpful in smaller rooms – like bathrooms – where square footage is limited but you need space to hang or store items. Using a ladder instead of hooks is a great solution for renters, too, because it means fewer holes in the wall.

Whether you want to work with ladders because you’re excited about finally being able to reach the top cabinet or you just want a low-investment way to freshen up your space, we’ve got you covered. To get your wheels turning, here are 10 photos of creative ways to use a ladder in your home or apartment.

Check out these pictures of ladders in decor for inspiration

This ladder does double duty. It’s an ideal towel drying rack while helping draw the eye upward. Image: Signature Hardware

A ladder is a convenient place to store magazines and smaller, fun reads. Simply sling them over the ladder rungs. When placed carefully, the rung can even act as a bookmark. Image: Peti Lau Inc.

A ladder is a great way to add bathroom shelving while keeping the space light and airy. Image: Anna Burles

While a bookshelf would have blocked a big portion of the living room wall, making it feel cluttered, the openness of a ladder helps the room breathe even as you add storage. Image: Global Source Lighting

If you’re really ready to jump into the ladders in decor trend, a two-tone piece is just the thing. Image: SF Design Build

This ladder waits for towels but, in the meantime, adds texture and height to the bathroom. Image: Lane Lamerson Interiors

A ladder can offer critical storage while taking up minimal square footage, helping rooms feel more open. Image: Alex Findlater

You won’t be afraid to fill the top shelves of your bookcases when you have a ladder at the ready. Image: Martin Horn

If you’re tired of clambering up onto your counter to reach your upper cabinets, blending a ladder into your existing decor is a perfect solution. Image: Murphy & Co.

If you’re looking for more storage without the extra blockiness that often comes with chests and dressers, a ladder is ideal. Image: Wickenden Hutley

What do you think of this decor trend? Will its usefulness keep it here for the long haul, or is this a fleeting fad? Would you add a ladder to your home decor? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

The post 10 Clever Ways to Use Ladders in Decor appeared first on Freshome.com.

Preventive maintenance this Labor Day weekend can ensure your home and family are ready for winter. Image: Ward Young Architecture and Planning

Labor Day weekend signals the end of summer, so it’s the perfect time to take care of a few chores around your home. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Gary Findley, CEO of Restoration 1 and Bluefrog Plumbing + Drain, describes five relatively simple and inexpensive home maintenance projects that you can complete over the Labor Day weekend.

Clogged gutters can damage your home. Image: Gutter Helmet of MN

Clean out the gutters

“The gutters on your home can be filled with leaves, sticks and other debris. Over time, if not cleaned regularly, that debris can prevent the gutters from doing their job – ending with potential water damage to the interior or exterior your home,” says Findley. “Clogged gutters can also lead to mold and provide a home for unwanted pests and rodents.” He recommends cleaning your gutters every four months, depending on where you live and how many trees are in your yard.

A working smoke alarm could save your life. Image: First Alert/BRK Brands

Check the smoke alarms

“Checking your smoke alarm can be as simple as just changing the batteries to make sure the alarm is ready for any heated situation – and be sure to test it,” Findley says. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there’s a home structure fire every 90 seconds. Also, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. “Fires can occur in a variety of ways in any room in your home. A smoke alarm is critical for the early detection of a fire,” Findley says. “Smoke alarms should be installed on every floor of the home, outside sleeping areas, and inside bedrooms.”

Keep your preparedness kit close at hand. Image: The Organized Home

Put together a storm emergency kit

“With hurricane season upon us, now is the perfect time to set aside important resources and put together a preparedness kit in the case of any natural disaster,” Findley says. “Your preparedness kit should consist of basic supplies like water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, a first aid kit, personal documents, etc.” However, he says you should also consider what your family members might need, like games for the kids and pet supplies.

Even small leaks can be expensive. Image: Carey’s Custom Woodworking

Inspect the household appliances

“A leaking appliance can cause a serious amount of water damage to your home. Take the time to look over your appliances to make sure they’re in tip-top shape,” Findley advises. This includes your refrigerator, AC unit, water heater, etc. “According to Dome Home Automation, the average water damage claim is $6,965. And that’s not hard to believe if you consider that around 250 gallons of water can be lost in a single day from a 1/8-inch crack in a pipe.” Findley recommends making regular inspections, replacing hoses and shutting off the water when you notice a leak. “You should also teach everyone in your household how shut off the water in case of an emergency,” he advises.

Water pressure can be too low or too high. Image: Walls and Floors

Check the water pressure

If the water pressure is too high, Findley says the water can damage your pipes over a period of time. “Most people only think to check the pressure if it seems low, but high water pressure can harm your water heater, faucets, appliances and even your washing machine hoses – and that can result in flooding your home.” He says you can test your water pressure by using a pressure gauge. “If it’s too high, you can install a water pressure regulator on the water main to make sure the maximum flow is 75 psi.” If it’s too low, he says you can either inspect the regulator to make adjustments or install a water pressure booster, which will improve the water flow.

Are there any other projects you’d like to complete over Labor Day weekend?

The post 5 Easy Projects You Can Tackle Over the Labor Day Weekend appeared first on Freshome.com.

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Shopping online at Bed Bath & Beyond just got real. Forget the endless selection of towels, bedding and bathroom stuff. It’s selling furniture that’s high quality and rivals the prices of some of your favorite retailers (like Amazon).

A sampling of Bed Bath & Beyond’s new furniture collection.

On the site, you’ll find a huge selection of furnishings like outdoor furniture, writing desks, kitchen tables, beds and more. And it’s added its very own membership program similar to Amazon Prime. For the $30 membership fee, you get 20 percent off everything you buy (except Dyson or Staub products). And even if you don’t go with the membership, you can find good deals, like those on the items below. Photography by Bed Bath & Beyond.

Coffee and side tables

Seating

Entry/console tables

TV cabinets

Bedroom

Home office

Dining and kitchen

Accent furniture

The post Wait ‘Til You See the Amazing Furniture Deals You Can Get on Bed Bath & Beyond appeared first on Freshome.com.