8 Simple Holiday Décor and Clean Up Tips from Zircon

Spruce up your home for the holidays with these eight simple tips!

It’s time to prep your home for the holiday festivities. With most already spending 2 to 2.5 hours per day on household activities according to a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics study, there’s not a lot of time to spare.

Zircon’s cleaning, décor, and storage tips can add sparkle to your home quickly and easily.

1. Inviting first impressions. You know what they say, first impressions are usually the last! Starting with the entryway, scrub thoroughly underneath the welcome mat where dirt and debris collect. Invest in a holiday themed mat that beckons guests to your doorstep. Clean windows by using a spray bottle filled with water and vinegar. Rub the mixture on the windows with a reusable microfiber cloth.

Photo Credit: Houzz.com

2. Shine through. Home is where the heart is and the kitchen is its soul. Clean your stovetop, refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, and microwave. Eliminate handprints, stains, and smudges by wiping your appliances with vinegar and water. Focus on other exterior surfaces, such as cabinets, mirrors, and sinks, too. With 30 minutes time, you’re able to fully clean out your refrigerator by first clearing out the contents, cleaning the inside of the refrigerator by using soap and water to concentrate on the most soiled areas, allowing time for the inside to dry out, and then placing all items neatly back into the refrigerator. (Now would be a good time to purge any expired items and restock as needed.)

Photo Credit: Houzz.com

3. Kits to tote around. A handy cleaning tote and a holiday tool kit are a holiday organizer’s dream. Pack your cleaning tote with necessary cleaning supplies. Fill a shoe box or regular toolbox with holiday tool essentials. This customized holiday tool kit can store holiday tool items, such as tape, scissors, ribbon, wire cutters, ornament hooks, gift tags, twist ties, light bulbs and more. With the supplies stored in one place, you’ll spend less energy searching for what you need.

Photo Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

4. Small décor magnified. From adding twinkling lights to an already existing floor length mirror to the traditional door wreath, little embellishments to your home can quickly enhance the spirit of the season – without the big hit to your wallet.

Photo Credit: Houzz.com

5. Baking soda wonders. With a little bit of effort and time, your house can have renewed splendor. Pets, spills, and normal wear and tear can affect the smell of your sofa and other furniture. Most furniture doesn’t require the big expense of a deep cleaning, but rather vacuum the sofa and then follow-up with sprinkling baking soda on the affected areas and leaving it on for a minimum of 15 minutes and overnight if needed. Then, vacuum for a second time to remove the baking soda residue.

Photo Credit: SFGate.com

6. Hidden space treasures. With the influx of guests, you might be hard pressed to find the space for the holiday meal. Floor cushions, stacked stools, and folding chairs provide additional seating options and can be easily stored when not in use. A coffee table alternative that serves as cushions and placing additional seating in the foyer or in an additional room can also give you more seating.

Photo Credit: Houzz.com

7. Lemon zest. Lemon is a quick cure all to freshen up the home. Sanitize your garbage disposal by cutting a lemon in half and adding it while the water is on and the garbage disposal is running. Place one half at a time to the disposal. Within a few seconds, your drain will be deodorized and clean.

Photo Credit: Apartment Therapy

8. It’s a wrap. Gift storage can be a challenge – from stacking awkwardly shaped gift wrap paper rolls to storing fragile ornaments. Get organized in style with this over-the-door gift wrap storage organizer. Place your gift wrapping adornments into this tidy organizer. A storage bin with dividers makes for a sturdy storage organizer for your small ornaments. Also, consider storing gift decorations and ornaments away from humidity and where temperatures may fluctuate; therefore, avoid a basement or attic and a better option would be a closet or under a bed.

Photo Credit: Live Simply

Safety first. When hanging any heavy or bulky items, holiday inspired or not, use a high-quality stud finder, to securely mount it into a wall stud or ceiling joist.

Photo Credit: Zircon.com

Have some cleaning, storage, and décor tips?  Share your ideas and photos with us on Facebook. Tweet home décor and DIY ideas using #decortrends or @zircontools. For more décor ideas, visit www.zircon.com or read more blogs here.

 

References:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-the-inside-of-your-fridge-in-30-minutes-or-less-202073

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-your-kitchen-sink-136771

http://www.bhg.com/christmas/planning/storage/

Click to access atus.pdf

Top 10 Tips to Get Organized for the Holidays

http://helloglow.co/holiday-deep-cleaning/

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/deodorize-sofa-30030.html

Holiday Cleaning: Tips for a Guest-Ready Home

http://housetohome.kbhome.com/post/132694938041/kitchen-cleaning-tips-for-the-holiday-season

https://www.marthastewart.com/275278/holiday-organizing-tips

15 Must-Know Cleaning Tips for the Holidays That’ll Make Your Home Sparkle

Storage and Organization Solutions for Every Home

As the warmer weather approaches, it’s time to think about effective storage and organization solutions and how those ideas work with your décor style. During our recent #decortrends chat, participants shared how to organize living spaces in the kitchen, bathroom, and throughout the home.

Our co-host @fabuwood cited creative organization ideas. “Also, (you can) expect storage space in places you wouldn’t expect.” Further, optimizing space or using it in a different manner can yield effective results. @fabuwood continued, “I think when you’re in a tight space, you begin to question what can I do to maximize this?”

Image credit: @fabuwood

Image credit: @revashelf

On the topic of storage, @jorgensonlocker added, “Storage bins and trays are great. Vintage locker baskets are a fun way to organize.” Revashelf amped up this idea by mentioning, “Pots and pans last much longer if they’re properly stored and #organized.”

White, gray, blue and green cabinetry is especially trendy although color choice is often dictated by personal preference. Contrasting colors are often the homeowner’s choice as well. As @jorgensonlocker stated, “White cabinets are still trendy. Having the island a diff color than the rest of your cabinetry seems to be on trend, too.” Added @best_flooring, “White and off-white cabinets are making a comeback. They create a great, clean look for the kitchen.” @color911 shared, “Absolutely. The color defines the personality of every room!”

Image credit: @ncontours

Other storage options blend functionality and beauty. @ncontours mentioned, “Floating shelves are up there (no pun intended!) Love making storage & organization part of the design!”  Further, @jorgensonlocker said, “Storage can be an issue in a small kitchen. It’s fun to think outside of the box & use lockers (via @AptTherapy).”

For other inspiring ideas, please follow us @zircontools, like us on Facebook, or visit zircon.com.

New, Intuitive Ways to Update Your Home’s Appeal

March is a good month to check-in on 2017 design trends to see what is popular and how new décor ideas maybe taking hold. During our #decortrends chat, participants shared greenery and décor ideas, color inspirations and choices, and the technological evolution within the home.

Image credit: @Fabuwood

With design, it is often about color. From jewel tones to neutrals, the array of color choices is endless. White, beiges, black, and a new neutral, navy were introduced during the chat as timeless colors. As our co-host @rmd_designs shared, “I recently spec’d a navy blue. It might seem trendy, but didn’t we say that about gray?” @ncontours stated, “White = classic color, but the design & details can determine the overall modern, transitional or traditional.” @dreamwallsglass noted that color is often dictated by the scale and overall design of the room. “Play with scale and bold color.”

The greenery movement not only means recycling and upcycling, but also how to best incorporate green throughout the home. Bringing the outside in also has merit. @Fabuwood mentioned, “I’ve seen some spaces where they have beautiful outdoor showers and kitchens, which is very a very modern spin.” Whether it is outside or inside the home, green can add tranquility as well as a pop of color. @feeney stated, “Green is a lovely color for a railing.” From furnishings to walls, green is an addition that can add vibrancy to a room, such as “dark or hunter green walls,” as @modernaccord noted. @fixituplife highlighted the relaxing effects of adding green to one’s life, “A view of nature in every room is ideal for wellness and lower stress. And natural ventilation.”

With the 24/7 access of Wi-Fi throughout the home and voice-activated assistants, technology is making it easier for people to work from home. Some participants shared that it was still important to have a dedicated work space to store files, organize oneself, and have a separation between work and home life. “With tech, you really can work anywhere in the home, but we’d say having a dedicated space to focus is still really nice!” confessed @ncontours.

While pendant lights are a novel addition, other whimsical and unique lighting options were shared by the group. @jorgenson mentioned that “mason jar lights are kind of intriguing.” Added @modernaccord, “Room layout also impacts the feeling of a room. Opening up walls and widening a space contrasts traditional tighter spaces.”

Join us weekly at #decortrends Thursdays at 11 am PST. Share, learn, and engage with like minded professionals! For other inspiring ideas, please follow us @zircontools, like us on Facebook, or visit zircon.com.

Simple Organization and Storage Solutions for Every Home

Image: @JorgensonLocker

Organization is the name of the game and a myriad of storage solutions can create a personal, functional, and organized work and living space. Here are some recent tips from our #decortrends chat participants.

“Lighter colors open spaces up and make them look and feel larger than they are.” @WLCabinetry

“…Having storage that gets the job done AND looks great is so important!” @JorgensonLocker

“Storage is integral to the overall design – it is always a challenge of where to put things/be more organized.” @AECDaily

“It’s ideas like this that inspire us to store smarter!” @NContours

Although odd sized or larger items are often difficult to store, smaller items can get lost in the shuffle, too. @WLCabinetry’s handy Base Filler Organizer keeps smaller kitchen and bathroom items organized and easily accessible. Kids’ storage lockers by jorgensonlockers.com are not only novel, but provide ample storage space for bedrooms, dens, foyers and garages.

Join us weekly at #decortrends Thursdays at 11 am PST. Share, learn, and engage with like minded professionals! For other inspiring ideas, please follow us @zircontools, like us on Facebook, or visit zircon.com.

Living in a Small Space, Part IV

3 Inexpensive Tips to Maximize Tight Spaces

Fall is an excellent time to think about reorganizing and making the most out of your space. With college students settling into their dorm rooms and the current downsizing trend, how can you organize your limited space to be as functional as possible? In what way can a smaller space also reflect your individual personality? The enlightening part about the small space movement is the opportunity for new innovations to propel college students and others to think about repurposing, reusing, or limiting their space usage without sacrificing a proper place to work, study, relax, and entertain.

One such example is the cube that dates back to the 1950s. This versatile piece functions as both a storage unit as well as a seat. The cube continues its reinvention and has even spawned an entire cube industry that blends functionality with whimsical creativity.

Today, cubular storage and furniture solutions are available in abundant materials, sizes, colors and modular configurations, with or without fabric drawers, baskets, or doors.  Students can select a mobile or stationary design, attach their cube to floors or/walls as well as use cubes in a closet or living spaces.

Please note these helpful hints:

1) Jorgenson Lockers has a few different storage options, such as The Modular Box Locker that is just one of their locker alternatives for dorm residents who may not want to share absolutely everything with their roommate or the rest of the dorm. The lockers are modular and multiple units can be attached. Available in 21 colors, the M-Cube is an ideal choice for storing valuables, as it comfortably fits most laptops. 

2) With small living space, it’s important to utilize every inch of space and hooks are “bite-sized” staples that amplify decorating options while adding functionality. Why use valuable drawer space if you have a nook or cranny that could accommodate a column of functional buckets? Don’t forget that the back of a door is also prime real estate in a small space living arrangement. Hooks can help you add style or functionality to your personal space.

MultiScanner i520

3) When affixing any heavy object to the wall, ensure that you securely anchor it to a stud. The Zircon MultiScanner® i520 will do the trick for you simply and easily. It locates the edges and center of wood and metal studs and joists behind walls, floors, and ceilings – get back to the job of decorating before you know it.

By using a cube or hook, any dorm room or limited space can be enhanced and reflect the individual’s personal flair.

For other insightful DIY tips, please visit Tom Siebenthal’s popular blog series, including his latest, Our One-of-a-Kind Mouse Trap Grows Each Day, follow us @zircontools, like us on Facebook, or visit zircon.com.

Join us every 1^st and 3^rd Thursday of the month at 11 am PST for our #diytrends chat. Let’s share, engage, and learn from each other.

Sharpen your tools with Sharon as she shares her key insights of the tool world and her impactful marketing strategies and tactics.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_crate

http://www.schoollockers.com/modular-box-locker.html

jorgensonlocker.com