Go Green with Your Home

Earth Day was on Wednesday and we're offering up tips on how to make your home a little bit greener. Since 1970, Earth Day has been an annual holiday reminding us of the importance of the Earth and its protection. The first Earth Day started as a rallying effort by over 20 million people in the U.S. calling attention to this need. On Earth Day we are given a friendly reminder, but caring about the environment is something we can do every day. Here are a few simple tips and improvements that you can do to make your home more Earth-friendly!

INSTALL A SOLAR CLOTHES DRYER

Your parents probably called it a clothes line, which could be found in virtually every backyard across the country. While some people can’t install them due to property covenants, a clothes line is a great way to reduce your energy costs. Experts note that your electric or gas clothes dryer is one of the three most energy-intensive appliances in the typical home, right up there with refrigerators and hot water heaters. Expect to save 5-10 percent of your home energy bill.

Attach one end of your clothes line to an outside south-facing wall, and attach the other end to an upright pole about 15 feet away. Your local hardware or lumber store can sell you the wood, or even a steel pole. Or, buy one at www.clotheslineshop.com.

INSTALL A CEILING FAN

Before central air conditioning became virtually mandatory in homes, many people relied on a good ol’ ceiling fan to move the air and even out the temperature. In the summer, the fan saves energy by cooling your skin with a moisture-evaporating breeze. In the winter, a ceiling fan can push down the warm air that naturally rises toward the ceiling back down to where the people are. When you buy an Energy-Star-rated fan (about $100), it should have a small switch near the motor housing to reverse the direction of the fan. This is important to fully benefit from the fan in all seasons, so that you can raise the temperature setting of your air conditioner in the summer, and lower the heating thermostat in the winter.

To make sure your fan is spinning in the right direction, stand under the fan and look at the direction of the spin. If the blades move to the right, or clockwise, this is the correct setting to make the room feel warmer. The fan will create a slight updraft that pushes the warmer air down into the room. If the blades move to the left, or counter-clockwise, the room will feel cooler due to the breeze coming down from the ceiling. Remember, counter-clockwise equals cooler.

For tips on installing a ceiling fan, go to www.thisoldhouse.com

HANG DRAPES OR SHADES TO KEEP THE SUN OUT

It’s hip—and economical—to have functional window coverings to prevent the sun from warming up your house on a sunny summer day. And of course, you can also raise the shade or open the drapes in the winter to let the sunshine in.

Read more

Showcasing Your Hallway Tables

Like this setup? It can work in an entryway, bedroom, living room, or dining room. You can make your own version with a few items from our inventory. Start with a sofa table and then add accessory items for some flair.

Wilder Sofa Table

Murphy Sofa Table

Eloise 5-Piece Accessory Pack

 Jemma 5-Piece Accessory Pack

April Deals

Check out our April deals below. We've got $4 million of inventory that must go! 

Living Rooms with Sectionals

Like this setup? You can imitate it with items from our inventory. Start with one of our sectionals and combine it with a coffee table and a tall black lamp. After that you can toss on personalized accessories to make your living room the most comfortable and expressive room in your home.

Thomas Black 2-Piece Sectional

San Marco 5-Piece Pit Group

Spider Black Lamp

Watson 3-Piece Table Set

Open Up Small Spaces With These 3 Tricks

Living in a small space doesn't have to feel cluttered and crowded.  There are simple tricks like adding bright colors and maximizing storage to make a small space feel big and welcoming. Here are our top 3:

Add Color
You can do this with paint, furniture, or a centerpiece rug.  Brighter colors generally make a space look bigger than dull, darker colors.

Shelf Organization
Organizing your rooms with hanging wall shelves or bookshelves allows for more floor space.

Storage Furniture
Storage items would clutter your home and even make it look unsightly.  A piece of furniture that can double as a storage compartment is both practical for function and camouflage, making it a more visually appealing storage option.

3 Tricks to Brighten Up Your Home

After a cold and long winter we can't wait to clean and brighten up our homes for the warm spring weather. Here are 3 ways that you can use to easily brighten your home: 

1. Let the natural light in. 
One of the easiest ways to brighten up your home for spring is to open the curtains and let in the sunshine.

2. Add some spring flowers
Putting a flower vase or centerpiece on your dinette set is a great and inexpensive way to bring a little bit of spring indoors.

3. Bright Colors
You definitely know it's spring when the pastel colors start popping up. Make your home pop for spring by adding bright color by updating with new paint, furniture, or home decor.

If you're looking to update your furniture or home decor, check out our website and March deals!

March Madness Deals

Come into Home Decor Outlets for our March Madness deals. These prices won't last long!