What is coastal decor?

The coastal or nautical style is all about a natural, calm, soothing, and of course, a beachy feel. The good thing is that you don't necessarily have to live by the beach to enjoy all things beachy. 

Think water, sand, sea, nature, shells, ropes, and laid back.

What does modern decor mean?

The modern style is all about minimalism. Clear spaces, clutter-free space, and basically an organized way of living. 

Think natural material, practical, open, and sleek.

So, what is the modern coastal style?

The modern coastal style is a crossover of the two styles. Though there are a lot of differences between the two schools of thought, both styles agree on natural materials, natural lighting, and open layouts. So, what we get is a coastal feel without anything being overwhelming. It’s the subtlety that makes the modern coastal style so unique. 

Some basics:

1. Basic color palette- A muted color palette is the way to go. So, though you can use bright blues and sunny oranges,

Cords are outright ugly and annoying, which is why you're often forced to ‘manage’ them. If you are looking to buy new furniture, then you can use cord management as a filter. 

Here are some ways cord management is incorporated into design:

1. Buy furniture with lowered plug space- Some pieces of furniture come with specially built-in plug and cord management features. For instance, you can opt for side tables with concealed outlets behind them. They are not flush with the surface of the table, and so you can plug in your table lamps without the switchboards showing up.  
2. Sofa tables- There are other pieces like sofa tables that you can place between the couch and the wall. They are slim tables and look like an extension of the couch, but are actually cord management accessories. These tables have in-built outlets and also USB ports. The only trouble is that if used as tables, they run the risk of having liquid spilled all over them, which is totally not recommended for electrical accessories.

If you are moving into a brand new home, you’ll need to get started on home decor. And that is something that can completely overwhelm you. 

So, here’s a quick, practical guide on how to get started. 

1. Do research- Home decor is not a two-month project. It is an ongoing thing, but you need to make sure that you have the right start. For that, you need to do some solid research. Look around in stores, look online. Take pictures and screenshots of what you like. Then look for similarities in all those pictures. When you analyze them, you will notice some clear features. For example, all those pictures probably feature rooms with neutral color palettes, shiplap walls, black accents, multiple rugs in the living and dining space, or even modern furniture like storage ottomans and a hidden TV lift cabinet. Use these details to define your tastes. Find your style.
2. Declutter- Once you know the style you are looking for, start cutting down on what you have. You always need a clear workspace no

There are some tips that are extremely room specific. But, there are some that you can apply to any room you please. These tips can help you get the basics of home decor right. So, off we go!

Get rid of eyesores

An eyesore is anything that does not make your space look prettier, anything that interferes with the aesthetics. It includes promotional flyers, shoes lying scattered, and also ugly cords running all over the walls. So, how do we fix this mess?

The simplest way to improve the aesthetics of a space is to work on these ugly things and get them out of sight. Here's how:

1. Cord covers- Cord covers are very versatile,  in the sense that you can use them in any room and paint them any color. Just match the color of the wall and you are all set. Instead of ugly black or white cords on the wall, you'll see a pleasant cord cover of the same shade. Everything is streamlined and much neater be it the sconces in the bedroom or the TV cords in the living space, or the microwave cord in the

If you're folks who understand logic, you'd know that there's got to be a reason behind couple fights and home decor projects. More than just one reason, actually. 

Here are a few triggers that you can avoid:

1. Unclear budgeting

If you are looking to spend a particular amount on upgrading your home, and your partner has only half that amount in mind, there’s certainly going to be trouble. Fix a tentative budget so that both of you are on the same page. Share images and information with each other. Also, shop together. There is no point in one person picking up something and the partner disliking it outright. It is, after all, your cozy space, and there should be no room for negativity there. 

2. Contrasting preferences

Two people living together may or may not have the same style preferences. One person could be a minimalist, while the other could prefer a traditional style. In such a scenario, clashes between two people are inevitable. Sticking to one’s guns will not solve any problems.

There are many rules about home decor that people tend to believe. But, not all those ‘rules’ are logical! Let’s debunk some home decor myths. 

Everything's got to match 

Goodness, no! Everything shouldn't match. We aren't trying to get a portion of the furniture store home (as it is). There's got to be some variation in the furniture, colors, and textures used. Also, everything should not be the same 'age', because mixing the new and the old can generate a lot of variation and interesting vibes and also be great conversation starters. A DIY project, a rocking chair off Craigslist, or a hidden TV lift cabinet can add so much more texture and style to your space. 

Low-light rooms should be painted white

That is a very common misperception. Surprisingly, rooms with sufficient natural light coming in can handle white paint a lot better than rooms that don’t get enough light. In fact, if there isn’t enough light, there isn’t enough radiance or energy for the walls to bounce off. Put together,

The festive season will be here before you even know it. That means celebration, family get-togethers, catching up with friends, and of course, hosting parties. But, is your living room really party-ready? Nope, we are not wondering about when you last used the vacuum in there last. The real concern is just how inviting your space actually is. 

Look through this quick checklist to get a reality check.

1. Is there enough seating in your living room?

This is the first thing you need to check. If you are inviting folks over, the least you can do is make sure that everyone has a place to sit. You can bring in extra chairs, use the storage ottomans, or even create mini conversation corners across the space. For larger gatherings, the party has to spill over to other areas of the home. In that case too, have enough seating available throughout the area you leave accessible to your guests.

2. Does your living space encourage conversations?

The first thing you need to analyze is your seating plan.