But before we go into a buying frenzy, we figured it’s time for a little spring cleaning. We can’t stress enough how important an organized closet looks – and feels! Especially if you’re living in a small space, having a clean and orderly closet that works for you is key. And if you’re coveting some of the amazing spring trends that we’ve seen on the runways, consider cleaning out your winter wardrobe first. Our friends over at WhoWhatWear talked to the experts and came up with a great tip list for organizing item by item.
What are your tips for making your closet work for you? How do you transition your wardrobe space from season to season?
Spring is around the corner, which means the season of taking stock and organizing is almost upon us. But it’s also the perfect time to assess the state of your home décor. Want to freshen things up without breaking the bank – and without the fuss involved with a new coat of paint? Consider the humble throw pillow. If you’ve already got standard size throw pillows on your couch at home, typically 20” square, then purchasing new pillow covers is an easy update that can change the look of your room without being hard on your wallet. We scoured the Internet to pull together some pillows we love. Click on the images to purchase. Which ones would you choose?
January is a great month for white sales, when retailers typically discount sheets and bedding. But don’t just look at the price tag – keep a careful eye on the fiber content labels, too.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently fined four retailers to settle federal charges for marketing textile products as being made from bamboo when they were actually made from rayon, a petroleum-based synthetic fiber.
For environmentally-conscious consumers, cotton is a natural and sustainable alternative. And for home textiles, it’s preferred. The Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor™ survey, an ongoing consumer research study that gauges consumer attitudes and behavior, reveals that almost two thirds of women prefer cotton sheets. The majority (81%) of cotton bed sheets at retail are 100% cotton, preferred by consumers for its feel and better breathability.
When you’re going by the touch and the feel, though, it can be hard to differentiate between cotton and some synthetics. So check the fiber content labels to make sure that what you’re getting is 100% cotton. We picked a few of our favorite sheets that are a win-win: on sale, and cotton too. Click the images to purchase. Which ones do you want to see on your bed at home?
Copper Shelburn Jacquard Napkins, Set of 4, $19.96, SurLaTable.com
Holiday Red Decorative Indian Print Tablecloth, $59.99 - $79.99, SaffronMarigold.com
French Floral Napkins, Set of 4, $29.95, Williams-Sonoma.com
The menu’s been planned, and the guests are on their way. But if you’re looking to add a little extra oomph at the table this Thanksgiving, consider beautiful cotton linens and a DIY décor project.
Visit MarthaStewart.com for some chic yet inexpensive ideas, from candle holders decorated with paint or even gorgeous foliage, to printed linens and sparkly table settings.
If you’re thinking about how to dress the table, we’ve got some pretty finds. Cotton is ideal at the table; napkins and tablecloths are reusable and easy care, so everything can be thrown in the washing machine at the end of the evening. These bright prints and patterns celebrate autumn and would be perfect at the Thanksgiving table this year – and for many years to come. How will you decorate your table this year?
Everything old is new again, or so it seems this fall when it comes to home décor. Deconstructed, vintage, and rustic are all right on trend. New pieces are meant to look old, and old pieces are celebrated for their vintage; both convey an American history and heritage we all know and love.
Earthy materials and colors round out the look; neutral shades will go with the rest of your home, and natural fabrics like cotton are especially easy-care.
If you’re looking to give a room a makeover, consider splurging on one new piece but spending a weekend canvassing antique fairs or garage sales for other pieces that will fit well within your budget. And don’t forget the dinner table: rustic woven placemats and napkins are an easy, inexpensive update that still capture the trend.
We always talk about “spring cleaning,” and organizing our wardrobe as winter melts away, but there’s something to be said for doing a little sprucing up for fall, too. Admit it: you probably can’t even find those warm, oversize sweaters and piles of leggings you relied on last winter, because they’re hidden somewhere behind the maxi dresses, midi skirts, and too many sandals to count.
This is the ideal time to clean out your summer wardrobe and replace it with more fall-friendly items. Don’t forget, though, that some of your summer faves are still on trend for fall.
The next time you have an hour or two, get a head start on your fabulous fall wardrobe. Check out a few of our tips below so that you’re not constantly rifling through racks of out-of-season clothing.
Keep what works; toss what doesn’t. Now that summer is winding down, it’s a great time to take stock of what you wore, what you didn’t, and what’s worth keeping for next year. Donate items in good condition; toss anything that’s not.
Take your fall and winter stuff out of storage, and put your summer things into storage. Or, if you’ve hidden winter-friendly stuff on high shelves, in hard-to-reach places, now’s the time to take them down and hang or fold them in more accessible places.
Organize! Having skirts in one section, trousers in another, and tops all hung together in the closet makes finding items a breeze. If you are feeling ambitious, you can organize by color – but just having separate pieces organized will make a difference.
Invest in canvas garment bags, which allow delicate garments like dresses to breathe.
Tackle your folded items. We tend to wear the same things over and over again, which means clothes at the bottom of the drawers often don’t get the same attention. Clean out your drawers to make sure you still want and will wear those items; otherwise, donate or toss them.
With more room and an organized closet, it’s time to invest in some fall favorites! What trends are you most excited about sporting this fall?
All winter long we look forward to these days, when the light lasts longer and the weather is warm enough to stay outside well into the night. Yet most of the time, we still find ourselves inside – somehow it always seems easier to stay inside for dinner, or reading, or lounging. Why not take a little extra effort to create an outdoor room you can enjoy all summer long? Below are a couple of tips to help get you started and take advantage of this beautiful weather.
Not sure how to decorate your outdoor room? Take cues from your home’s architecture. This 50’s style set-up takes inspiration from the 1954 home, with its low, modern seating and retro-fabulous tables in a sleek lime shade.
If you’re looking for that last piece to tie your new outdoor room together, look no further than under foot. Sometimes a great rug is all it takes to give the space impact and style – and so it reads more as a “room” and less as a “patio space.” Cotton is a great option if you live in a dry climate, or if the space will be covered, and the style possibilities are endless.
When in doubt, don’t be shy with color. Go for bold and vibrant – you’ll be enjoying this space when all that’s green and growing is at its peak, so choose your colors to match! Textiles, whether in accent pillows or comfy poufs, are a great way to bring color into the space.
How else do you bring the inside out during the summer?
Are you following us on Pinterest yet? Find Cotton Fashion and check out our newest boards, as we cull the web in search of the coolest stuff to share with you. When we’re not researching, though, we’re enjoying all the eye candy some Pinteresters are putting out there, especially when it comes to home décor. Get inspired with a few of our favorite boards:
“Haven” by Montee Wellman, reflects a southern comfort approach to home décor. Bright prints, cozy spaces, and a laid-back feel are prevalent across the board.
“For the Home” by Lori Walsh has a clean, bright, and slightly feminine feel. We love the pops of color and using flowers as a finishing touch, too.
Sarah Dale’s “For the Home” board shows her appreciation for the slightly funkier side – like artwork framed around a corner and Cole & Son’s feathered fan wallpaper. Expect the unexpected!
“For My Home” by Alice Sharp is equal parts vintage, equal parts luxury, and wholly delightful. We’re fans of the cheesebox nightstand – what a unique piece!
Do you have others you love? Share them with us in the comments!
When it comes to bed sheets, did you know a higher thread count isn’t always better?
Thread count and price are two things consumers first look for in a bed sheet purchase, but don’t assume higher thread counts mean the significantly more luxurious sheets. Some companies actually began counting yarns twisted together but inserted in the fabric weave as one yarn as two individual yarns, so what was previously sold as a two-ply 300 thread count sheet became a 600 thread count sheet. As a result, Cotton Incorporated actually collaborated with other textile experts in the American Society for Testing Materials International (ASTM) D13 Textiles Committee to define the term “thread count” for home textiles in 2006.
The Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor™ survey, an ongoing consumer research study that gauges consumer attitudes and behavior to better understand why and where they shop, and what motivates them to buy, reveals that almost two thirds of women prefer cotton sheets. The majority (81%) of cotton bed sheets at retail are 100% cotton, preferred by consumers for its feel and better breathability.
So what’s a cottonista to do? Choose cotton, of course! It’s soft, easy to care for, and will last. Open the package to feel the sheets themselves; you’ll know pretty quickly whether the sheets are high-quality or not.
With Spring/Summer 2012 trends emphasizing bold colors and bright patterns, new sheets are a trendy way for a cottonista to update her room – without spending a lot of money. Check out some of our favorites this season:
How many times have you found yourself staring at racks of clothing, yet feeling like you have nothing to wear? A cluttered closet might well be part of the problem. If your resolution is to clean house this year, consider starting small –right in your own room. A neat and organized closet filled only with clothing you actually wear goes a long way towards improving your mood and outlook. “De-clutter the home, de-clutter the mind”….and you get the idea.
Follow our tips for cleaning out your closet and start 2012 with your most fashionable and organized foot forward:
Sort, sort, sort: the ultimate goal is to take all your clothing and divide it into three piles: Keep, Toss, or Maybe. Go through the Maybe pile again to determine what stays and what gets donated or given away.
Break it up: don’t stress if the thought of devoting days on end to this project leaves you overwhelmed and unmotivated. If you can spare 30 minutes here or an hour there, you’ll have that closet de-cluttered in no time. Set a kitchen timer if you’re worried you’ll feel swamped.
Once you have your streamlined pile of clothes to keep, the fun begins: try every piece on. Invite a friend over who will give you constructive advice about what looks good and what should be tossed. You only want the best of the best, so anything less has to go. Ask yourself: does this fit me? Does it flatter me? Have I worn it in the last year? Do I plan to wear it again? If the answer is “no,” it’s got to go.
If the thought of a total reorganization is still off-putting, but you realize you have to thin out your closet, another option is to get rid of one item you no longer love or no longer wear….every day. Keep this up for a month and you’ll have a roomier closet – and perhaps the motivation to finish the job completely!
Do you have other tips for organizing and de-cluttering your closet? Share them with us in the comments!
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