(Part 2) Top products from r/HomeDecorating

BOOKS!! Ideally, hardcover.

It doesn't have to be the only thing there, but I think shelves like that look best with a decent number of books.

There are a couple of ways to easily and fairly cheaply fill your bookshelves.

If you have kids under age 10, there sets of Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys and Boxcar Children books that run about $20 for 5 books. That's a reasonable price and if you have kids, someone will probably read them eventually.

The Strand Bookstore offers a couple of ways to buy a bunch of secondhand books for cheap without having to go through the stacks yourself. There's Books by the foot which offers bargain hardcovers for $15/ft and bargain hardcover fiction for $35/ft.

A lot of etsy and ebay sellers offer bulk books.

And (obviously) you could always go to bookstores yourself.

Your shelves look to narrow for bins, but you could fit magazine files. A row of them can look very nice, if you have a use for them.

Considering your overall color scheme, I would focus on lighter natural colored items. The purple pitcher is hard to see on the shelf and would probably work better elsewhere. I'd change the photos you have now into lighter, slighter bigger, maybe matted frames so they stand out. All the same frame might work best (and you could buy one or two extras for future use)

Possibilities: Chestnut magazine file, Off-white Fjalla magazine file, Puffin in Bloom collection, Barnes and Noble Collectible Editions, Barnes and Noble Classic Hardcovers, Anne of Green Gables set, Christmas Classic set, Nancy Drew Starter Set, Hardy Boys Starter Set, Ivory Mosaic frame, Copper frame, Darjeeling Carved Frame, Raised-Interior Frame, Small Volcanic Ash Vase, Spirit Stem Vase, Brass Duck Bookends, Brass Duck sculpture, Brass Swan Family, Brass Apple Paperweight, MCM plate, Lenox Vase, Lenox Bud Vase, Dragonfly Trinket Box, Florentine Box, Set of 2 Florentine Boxes, Hull Moon Basket, Brass Cricket Box, Pair of Shawnee Vases.

Oh man I preach Emily Henderson’s book all over the place but I think it could be really helpful for you. It’s very approachable and helps you identify what you like and how to execute it, and I’ve found it to be one of the best design books out there.

I’d also recommend getting on Pinterest and making different boards for different rooms, and starting to pin things you like. You’ll see some patterns start to emerge, and it’s a great resource IMO.

In the meantime, I’d say have them paint everything a light grey or beige just so you get used to living in the space and get to know your own sense of style and what you want. When you’re more aware of what you’d like your space to look like and what you like, then you can repaint. Paint is cheap so it’s not a big loss.

Congratulations on your first house! How exciting!

EDIT: here is a 'prototype' of how it would look: https://imgur.com/a/tqcgOrK

I think that it looks a little bland the way it is currently. If you are going for metal decor like the orbs, I would suggest silver to match that curtain rod. Since you do have quite large shelves, you can put quite a few things without it looking cluttered. I noticed that you are using a crystal as a bookend, but I believe it would look better if you neatly stacked the books (bind facing outwards) and display the crystal away from the books.

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I think a small boxwood topiary would look great to freshen things up: https://www.amazon.com/Artificial-Boxwood-Topiary-Decorative-Realistic/dp/B074MMXC5Z/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1537409169&sr=8-5&keywords=tabletop+topiary

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Since you like bright colors also, I would suggest something eye-catching rather than the gold orbs. I notice that blue and orange were in your bedding, so how about something like this? https://www.amazon.com/Gifts-Decor-Colored-Decorative-Teardrop/dp/B008YQ51AG/ref=pd_sbs_201_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B008YQ51AG&pd_rd_r=01f6beed-bc7a-11e8-83e7-0baf9bd39183&pd_rd_w=wdXTT&pd_rd_wg=msZkS&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=53dead45-2b3d-4b73-bafb-fe26a7f14aac&pf_rd_r=DT1MVVX76Q9N17ADW9JG&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=DT1MVVX76Q9N17ADW9JG

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Since you do have some books, instead of stacking them you could use interesting sculpture-esque bookends like these: https://www.amazon.com/Danya-Antique-Silver-Hands-Bookend/dp/B01M1T2OFP/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1537409337&sr=8-8&keywords=silver+bookends

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Also I feel as though a framed art print or two with a colorful frame (two 4x6 or one 8x10) would also look nice.

https://www.amazon.com/Handicrafts-Home-Picture-Moroccan-Inspired/dp/B07F1NY6CK/ref=sr_1_9?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1537409416&sr=1-9&keywords=moroccan+frame

Hi! First I’m thinking one or two floating shelves above the sink that would match the one above the stove. Or a shelf/hook duo for pots and pans like this or this.

And for on top of the fridge maybe something like a singular drawer? There are a few options here. Although that might make it a bit stuffed. That space is super tricky! Maybe some basic racks ? Or no rack and you could put cereal, dry pasta, and other loose foods in some jars (like the ones already on your counter) and stick em up there, which would also free up that space on your counter for other things.

It’s a small space, but very cute!! Best of luck to you guys!!

Edit: formatting and more ideas

I'm late to the party, but I think this floating shelf would look great in the corner. Having them off the countertop will make it easier to clean, and you won't have to worry about water damaging wooden shelf legs.

With this in mind, I would try something like these sink shelves under each window, if you are planning to keep the plants in that area.

This would be overkill and not a cheap solution but this would be cool and a great way to maintain the look and feel. https://www.amazon.com/Touchstone-72008-Diagonal-Espresso-Wireless/dp/B0039PFH3I/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?adgrpid=58644386360&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzozsBRCNARIsAEM9kBMdm9qh8MZ-OXWy22NHlBC0vlnzOsNeZ-2XaElsHD-EZ3Ly7UJw0TMaArTDEALw_wcB&hvadid=274677919437&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9016167&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t2&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14287455849747360327&hvtargid=kwd-298619148395&hydadcr=13569_9455151&keywords=hidden+tv+cabinet&qid=1568921604&s=gateway&sr=8-4

Awww! Show us the cat please! I have a dog that sheds like crazy too. This thing has worked wonderfully to quickly and easily de-fur my car and furniture: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001EYFQ28/ref=pd_aw_sim_121_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=5A2748TFV9AY0Z9X88SH&dpPl=1&dpID=410YDlgrCiL

I was also going to suggest postcards, or images of things you love, like coffee or flowers or shoes - you can cut from magazines. Or pretty wrapping paper. You can also go weird and put in images of Barney the dinosaur or factory smokestacks (for example).

Or add your own art! If you are not even remotely crafty, Anybody can make sunprints!

I’ve used both of these window films and liked them both. They are sticky, but easily removable.

Artscape 01-0122 Etched Glass Window Film, 36-by-72-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Q3K20O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7xbhDbA5GXZ7S

d-c-fix 346-0350 Self-Adhesive Privacy Glass Window Film, Rice Paper, 17" x 78" Roll https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002ZNUCQ2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_OybhDbBA1QPF8

As for the top of the fridge, you could store things in a shallow basket or tray with edges. It would look more pulled-together than just stacking stuff on top.

What about something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000VBWRMC/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8

Or maybe you can run the hardware across the top of these two walls and install these doors:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B014SMIWTQ

If you don't want to spend money, you might be stuck with curtains.

I’m a big fan of Tyler Candles high maintenance

Consider using a paintable cable keeper that adheres to the walls. Whatever cables can't be neatly wrapped and tucked out of site, running them in this way down to outlets makes them almost disappear.

Wiremold C110 1-channel CordMate Kit, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004W3ZP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_DzWyybDDB5DE0

Or maybe find a wall mount shelf that would hold your turn table and put it to the right of your existing shelf? Then you could tuck as many of the cables as possible to the bottom of the shelf and that would help a lot.

Is this one from Ikea big enough for the turntable?
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50282177/#/70103622

We had the same issue and I got one of these handy guys to hang on the bar.

I found these here

Here's these too

And these

Southern Enterprises Sofa Console Table, Black with Silver Distressed Finish https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X0EBAW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_2BBZDbX8FSENQ


Tangkula Console Table Modern Tempered Glass Metal Frame Hallway Entryway Furniture Sofa Table, Blue& Tan (1, 43.5" L×14" W×29.5" H) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BDBW3YZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_kCBZDbXE0QW60

First, buy velcro cable ties like this and use them to fold the wires to their shortest. You probably want the large wire bundle end to be at the back of your PC or TV. Then get a cable hiding box like this to hide the strip. Toss the router in a basket with a lid and you should be set (get a plastic one if you're worried about fire).