A fireplace can serve as an elegant focal point in a room, and a well-decorated mantel can help it stand out. While a narrow mantel can present some decorating challenges, we’ve got some expert tips to create an impressive display!

 

Choose your theme

Select objects that fit the theme you want to use. Perhaps you want to go with a nautical theme, with seashells and ocean-inspired prints. Or, you might want to choose items based on colors rather than a set theme. Choose an assortment of items in different shades of the same color, or in complementary colors to create a cohesive look.

 

Start with a blank canvas

Before you place anything on your mantel, make sure you clear everything off of it. This gives you a totally blank canvas to decorate. Having even just one item on your mantel to start might not seem like a problem, but it could hamper your creativity.

 

Place objects in “triangles”

When you’re arranging objects, you’ll want to place them so that they create subtle “triangles.” Think in terms of one taller “anchor” piece with smaller objects on either side. This technique helps make the display more eye-catching. You don’t have to aim for a symmetrical look. In fact, we love some of the chic asymmetrical looks we’ve seen lately.

 

Create layers

It might go against your instincts, but try creating a layered look by placing a smaller framed piece in front of a larger one. Just be sure to stagger the pieces so that none are too covered. Layering is a great way to create a visual triangle on a narrow mantel where space is limited.

 

Switch things up

Fireplace mantels can be a versatile decorative space. Try switching up your mantel decor based on holidays or seasons. When you become tired with the current look, try swapping out a few pieces to update it. And, if all else fails, take everything off and start from scratch.

 

Don’t forget the hearth

A bare hearth can look unbalanced under a fully-decorated mantel. Place a basket with some pillows or blankets near the hearth for a cozy look, provided these items are placed at a safe distance from any flames.

 

Need some help pulling your fireplace mantel look together? Let Frame Warehouse help! No matter what look you’re hoping to create, we have the right techniques and materials to make it happen.

 

Whether it’s the paint on your walls or the design in your decor, color plays a key role when it comes to creating a cohesive look. However, you may not know that color can also play a role in how we feel when we are in a room. Here are some of our favorite mood-boosting colors, and some ideas for how to use them in your home!

 

Blue: Shades of blue tend to make people feel more active and productive. However, blue can also be very calming and serene. This fusion of calming and productivity-enhancing makes blue a great choice for your home office or craft room.

 

Green: If you’re wanting to create a tranquil, soothing space, then green is an excellent choice. Bedrooms are a great place to use green, even if it’s just a few small accents. You can also try using some green in your bathroom to give it a relaxing, spa-like feeling.

 

Lavender: Another calming, relaxing color is lavender. It makes a great alternative for anyone who wants to create a calm retreat, but isn’t a fan of green. Lavender also looks great in a bedroom or bathroom and is a nice complement to green if you want some extra impact.

 

Yellow: This cheerful, sunny color can be used to brighten a room and make you feel more energized. Yellow is a great choice for kitchens, or any room that needs to lighten up a bit. Just be careful not to go too bright, because too much bold yellow can cause eye-strain. If you are a fan of bold yellow, try adding a few accent pieces for just a pop of upbeat color.

 

White: While white may seem like a boring choice compared to the rest of the color wheel, it can be quite versatile. White walls or accents can give any room a crisp, clean look. For smaller rooms, lots of white can give the illusion of more space.

 

Want to add some mood-boosting color in your home without new paint or furniture? Framed artwork is the perfect solution! No matter what mood you’re looking to set in your home, Frame Warehouse can help. Our experts can create the perfect frame for your favorite piece. We also carry a huge selection of framed art, and can help you choose the perfect piece for your home.

 

Repainting a room is a great way to update it, but it can also be a major undertaking. Sometimes a color that looked so perfect on the swatch looks disappointing once it’s on your walls. Here are some tips to keep your next experiment with color from going awry:

 

Work with what you’ve got. A bold, contemporary color might seem appealing, but if your furniture and decor are more on the traditional side, the result might be a room with an identity crisis. Pick a favorite work of art or piece of furniture, and choose a color that complements it.

 

Pay attention to undertones. Even a standard-looking neutral can have some sneaky undertones that you might not notice at the store. If your room has lots of warm tones (red, orange, wood tones), paint with blue or green undertones can clash. While contrast can sometimes make a nice statement, it’s always best to see how the color looks in your space. Bring home a swatch and see how it looks next to your furniture, artwork, rugs, and flooring.

 

Lighting can have a dramatic effect on the appearance of your wall colors, so pay close attention to how any natural and artificial light in the room looks on the swatch. If you think you might be ready to take the next step, but don’t want to commit to painting the whole room yet, many retailers offer small sample containers of paint. These give you the opportunity to test the color in your home by painting a little bit in an inconspicuous area.

 

Sometimes safe is best. Paint color can be a big commitment. Sometimes a timeless, classic neutral is your best bet. Neutral walls can let your decor shine, and are much more versatile. If you like to change things up frequently, but don’t want to repaint often, neutrals are a great option. You can always switch things up with new artwork, a different set of throw pillows, or an updated rug.

 

The right paint color will help your artwork stand out, and the right frame can tie the whole look together. If yours could use some updating, stop by one of Frame Warehouse’s 16 locations. Our knowledgeable associates can help you find the right frame for your needs.

As temperatures start to warm up, many of us find ourselves spending more and more time outdoors. The fresh air, open sky, and the colors of nature are uplifting and are a welcome change following a long winter. If you find yourself longing for the beauty of the outdoors, even after you’ve come inside, there are some easy ways to add some natural touches to your home that you can enjoy year-round.

 

Go green. Houseplants are a great way to bring a piece of nature into your home. It can be surprisingly simple to find a plant that will flourish in your space, even if there isn’t a lot of natural light. Adding a few plants to your home doesn’t mean you have to commit a lot of your time to their care. Some of the trendiest plants, like succulents, are also very easy to tend to. Check out some of the low-maintenance options listed in our March blog. Your local garden center can also help you find the right match. If you don’t have a green thumb, it’s still possible to enjoy some indoor greenery. There are many attractive artificial options available, which require nothing more than an occasional dusting. A vase filled with lush greenery is another low-maintenance choice.

 

Incorporate some natural elements, such as stone and wood. Even a few small items can make your space more serene and elegant. Fill a clear vase with some polished stones for a unique centerpiece, or place a houseplant in a stone-textured pot. Wicker baskets are an inexpensive way to add the tone and texture of wood, and can double as a practical storage solution. If you’re looking for a simple way to add wood to the mix, a natural or weathered wood frame is also a great option.

 

Experiment with texture. Nature is filled with different textures: rough tree bark, smooth stones, and soft earth. Mimic this in your home by letting a variety of different textures play off one another. Place a sleek glass vase on a weathered wooden table to add some unexpected contrast.

 

Try subtle touches. If you prefer a natural color palette but don’t want to make any drastic changes, adding a few small pieces to your room can help you achieve the look you want. A forest green throw pillow or a framed botanical print are simple ways to bring a hint of nature into your home.

 

Think beyond a rustic hunting lodge, as ‘outdoorsy’ can still look chic and sophisticated. A few simple touches can transform your home into a beautiful retreat. If you’re looking to change the look of your home, let us help. Frame Warehouse has a wide selection of custom and ready-made frames in a variety of colors, and our experienced staff can help you choose the right one.

 

It can take some time to choose the perfect hutch or shelf for your space, but sometimes the real challenge is deciding how to fill it. Empty shelves can be intimidating, but we have a few ideas to help you style yours like a pro.

Try a theme. Choose a color scheme that complements your room, and fill your shelves with items in those colors. You can also showcase a prized collection, or choose a favorite item and build a look around it.

Play with pattern and color. Adding a coat of bold paint to the back panel of a hutch or shelf can really make things pop. If you’re feeling more daring, patterned wallpaper is another great option. Just be sure that the colors or patterns you choose work with your items, instead of overpowering them.

Pay attention to scale. A mix of small, medium, and large objects will add depth and variety to your shelves. Group items of varying sizes together for a more interesting look. You can also use a box or a book as a riser to give smaller items a boost.

Don’t worry about the big picture, at least not at first. Think of it like writing a book; the full story comes together one chapter at a time. Instead of trying to make the entire set of shelves look perfect, divide your shelves into smaller sections and focus on each one individually. Once you’re happy with one area, move on to the next. Just be sure to keep your overall theme in mind, unless you prefer a more eclectic look.

Go vertical. It can be tricky to display items that normally lay flat, like a coin collection or shells from a beach vacation. A frame or shadowbox is a great way to transform your items into eye-catching works of art.

With these tips in mind, you can think of an empty set of shelves as a blank canvas full of possibilities. If you’re looking for a little something extra for your newly-styled shelves, stop by Frame Warehouse. With our custom framing services, we can help you create the perfect accent or centerpiece for your home.

Valentine’s Day may have come and gone, but that doesn’t mean that romance is dead. You can create a romantic escape for you and the one you love to inspire year-round bliss. A little redecorating in your bedroom does the trick to kindle those romantic fires and show how much you care. Create a place for openness, communication, and intimacy, which he or she will love. Redecorating with these romantic touches can even be a surprise setting in which to pop the big question (or it can win you major points to get out of the dog house).

 

So when your one true love steps out of the house for a day at the office or a visit to relatives, revamp your room into a romantic escape with these five décor tips:

 

1. Mood Lighting – It’s no surprise that romance needs the right lighting to set the mood. If you have the time, install a dimming switch for the lights in your room. Also, replace that clear glass bowl lighting fixture with something that has personality – a chandelier piece for added femininity or an elongated opaque dish for a more modern style. If you don’t know how or don’t want to install new hardware, candles can be a great alternative. Votive candle holders on the walls look better and are more practical long-term than simply setting candles on every available space. Another alternative is repurposed Christmas lights, which come in many colors and can be strung around your room with some sheer material draped around them to give the twinkle lights an ethereal glow.

 

2. Try Some Texture – Take a moment to think about what materials exist in your room now. Smooth finished wood and smooth painted walls don’t add much in terms of character or warmth. Change it up with a velvet comforter, satin sheets, or an accent wall that feels like leather to touch. (Yes, they do make a paint that feels like leather!) Wallpaper is also not out of the question and can be a cost effective alternative. Just be sure not to overdo it with busy prints on all four walls.

 

3. Heat Things Up – If your room has a built-in fireplace, use it! If not, you could think about investing in a freestanding one to add a little more warmth and charm. But that can get expensive. Another way to heat things up is by layering linens and decorating with warm colors. Layering linens creates depth in the room, whether on your bed or over the windows. You could have sheer drapery that stays closed and a heavier one that is able to block out the sunlight for cuddly mornings spent in bed. The color palette you choose should be warm, too. Wine is a popular choice as an accent color, but deep purples and blues also work well.

 

4. Simplify! – A romantic escape should be a place that promotes relaxation. But how can you relax when the room is filled with projects sitting out half-done and things to organize? It’s time to give all of the clutter a home. Put it all away. For instance, if you keep a book, glasses, magazines, a notepad, and other items out on your nightstand, that’s a recipe for distraction. Consider investing in a nightstand with a drawer to house all of the little extras, leaving the top uncluttered. Simplicity is both pleasing to the eye and to the restless mind.

 

5. A Room with a View – Nothing says “romantic escape” quite like throwing open the curtains to look out onto a beautiful view of an ocean, forest, or city lights. This is where it gets tricky because chances are that your view is of a suburban yard or the apartment building in the next lot. Trash cans, neighbors, and unmowed grass don’t exactly inspire relaxation. Give the room a truly “escape” feel by hanging large paintings or photographs of a desired locale. It’ll help keep the room visually dynamic.

 

Are you ready for a romantic escape? Then your partner probably is, too. Try a few of the tips above to set your bedroom ablaze with romance. Remember it’s not all about rose petals and music – although, those additions don’t hurt. It can be something as simple as incorporating some new throw pillows for texture, decluttering the space you already have, or hanging vibrant paintings or photos. If you have a picture in mind, take it to Frame Warehouse for affordable custom framework.

You’re kicked back and relaxing in soft, white sand with your legs crossed at the ankles and cocktail in hand. Ah, luxury! The beach is undoubtedly that. You can watch the steady ebb and flow of the tide, hear the calming repetition of wave upon wave striking the rocks on the shore and feel the gentle warmth of the sun.

 

But it’s not always possible to reach that peaceful shoreline. Life and work sometimes get in the way. So why not bring the beach to you? Try these nautical-inspired design elements in your home!

 

• Salvaged Wood – Driftwood, repurposed wood, and salvaged wood are all great for adding character to a beach-themed room. To capture the light and airy feel of the beach, use flat panels as wall art or simply distress smaller pieces of furniture.

 

• Canvas – Incorporate canvas (white or taupe) into various elements of the room, such as window shades, pillows, wall hangings, etc. This material adds texture and simplicity, both qualities of the beach that we admire.

 

• Sunset Colors – Various shades of blue are almost expected in a beach-inspired space. Think outside the box with browns, greys, or even hues that match the colors of the sunset. Just remember, color should be used as an accent. Keep a white or neutral base like the sand of the shore.

 

• Message in a Bottle – Put the fish lamp down and resist the temptation to buy oars to hang on the wall. Accessories need not be as literal as seashells or boats. Bottles of various hues are great for adding a dull luster to the room. You can even find lamps constructed from bottle bodies.

 

Letting natural light in can make the room seem as bright as the beach, but looking outside might show you an entirely different picture and break the spell. Keep sheer drapes over the windows to maintain the light and hang a large seascape on one wall instead. It can act as your faux window to the ocean.

 

Have the perfect picture in mind? Finish it off with a frame that does it and the room justice. Stop by Frame Warehouse to get the picture custom framed by one of our experienced framers. Then, go home and enjoy your stay-cation!

 

A bathroom may not be the most popular room in the house for spending time, but it is a room frequented by often by guests and can certainly be spruced up to look its finest. We don’t mean just cleaning! A few accessories and some remodeling can go a long way to reinventing the bathroom into a luxury getaway for guests and for you.

 

Treat yourself to a fresh bathroom look and feel by following these five tips:

 

1. Let Light In – If your bathroom has windows, take advantage! Natural light is shown to increase happiness, not to mention that it’s easier on the eyes and saves electricity. That being said, some windows don’t offer much privacy or have a grid design that interrupts the view. Retain the natural lighting with translucent shades or sheer drapes. Either option gives the availability of being raised or swept to the side for extra character and privacy when you want it.

 

2. Freestanding Tub – Tiled tubs are out, and freestanding tubs are in. For a small bathroom, a freestanding tub makes the space seem larger and more opulent.

 

3. Tall, Vertical Mirrors – Horizontal mirrors take up a lot of wall space and can make a room look larger, while vertical mirrors can make a room seem taller. High ceilings denote luxury and splendor. So we suggest combining this type of mirror with wall sconces on either side rather than a light fixture hanging over the top. Note – we carry lots of framed mirrors at Frame Warehouse!

 

4. Shower Shelves and Seats – A wire rack hanging over the shower head isn’t ideal. It takes up room and looks unappealing. Instead, remodel with inset wall shelves. At the same time, build an ornate seat, if the shower has the room to spare.

 

5. Tile to the Extreme! – Ornate tile can add flare to an otherwise bland shower. But what about bringing the tile outside of the shower? Dress an entire wall with it as an accent design. It’ll tie in the shower’s aesthetic and make cleaning a cinch!

 

Some of these tips to freshen up the look of your bathroom require some remodeling, but there are projects that don’t require a toolbox. For instance, instead of a tile wall, feature a framed piece of art or photograph. An ornate frame can catch the eye just as easily as fancy tile, and at a lower cost! Stop by Frame Warehouse to look through our selection of framed artwork or bring in your own art for a custom frame.