Thanksgiving Decoration Ideas
Now that it’s November it’s time to swap out the skeletons and ghosts and get ready for Thanksgiving. There are some easy things you can bring into your house to really get into the holiday spirit! Check out some of these Thanksgiving decoration ideas to help inspire your home decor this season. 
Thanksgiving Decoration Ideas
via Home Bunch
via RC Willey
via Etsy
via RC Willey
How have you decorated your home for this Thanksgiving?
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New Apartment Checklist
If you are moving into a new apartment, or you know someone who is moving into their first apartment, it can feel overwhelming getting everything set up. Packing, unpacking, and runs to the store for basic supplies can make even the most organized person feel scattered and forgetful! That’s why I’ve come up with a first apartment checklist to help you keep everything in order.
New Apartment Checklist
FURNITURE
Don’t worry about furnishing your entire apartment all at once. There are a few things you definitely need like a mattress, a dresser, a table, chairs, and a couch. Take your time finding things you like and keep your eyes open for deals.
KITCHEN
In your kitchen, you’ll want to make sure you have enough dishes that your guests won’t be eating off napkins or paper plates. You probably don’t have the room or the budget to have a gourmet kitchen right away, and you don’t need one! Some kitchen basics you may need are:
- Water glasses
- Plates
- Cereal bowl
- Utensils
- Frying pan
- Pots
- Cookie sheets
- Toaster
- Microwave
- Spatula
BATHROOM
Bathrooms are easy to set up and don’t require too much to get them going. You will want to make sure you have:
- Shower curtain
- Toilet paper
- Garbage can
- Towels
- Soap and shampoo
- Laundry hamper
via The Everygirl
CLEANING SUPPLIES
It can be easy to forget about cleaning supplies, but make sure they make your list! You’ll want to clean as you unpack so your apartment is ready to go the moment the last box is emptied.
- Vacuum
- Broom and mop
- Multi-surface cleaner
- Rags
- Laundry detergent
- Toilet bowl cleaner and scrub brush
- Dish/dishwasher soap
- Window cleaner
ODDS AND ENDS
There are some basic things you will need so make sure you have them on hand.
- Extension cord
- Phone charger
- Trash cans in each room
- Batteries
- Power Strip
- Clothing hangers
- First-aid kit
- Step stool
- Toolkit with nails and wall hooks
This is a very basic new apartment checklist, but it should get you started on your new home! Once you’ve got things up and running you’ll be able to add accessories, art, and different touches to make your new apartment feel like home.
What do you always make sure you have when you move into a new apartment?
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Farmhouse Kitchens
No wonder so many people want their kitchens decorated in the farmhouse style. Warm and welcoming, with personal touches and a natural feel, the farmhouse style has become extremely popular. One of the best parts of it is how totally unique and individualized you can make your home while still incorporating the style. If you’re interested in decorating your kitchen in the farmhouse style, start working little by little. This look is best put together over time with items that are meaningful and loved.
Keep reading for different elements of a farmhouse kitchen that you can incorporate into your home.
Farmhouse Kitchens
Farmhouse kitchens are simple and organic. Warm Earth tones like tan, gray, beige, and light brown are common in these kitchens.
via Cowgirl
Use dark accents against the muted colors of the walls and cabinets. Dark wooden floors or darker appliances can work as a good contrast.
via HGTV
Sticking with the Earthy feel, include metal elements. Brass, copper, or wrought-iron in the lighting fixtures, cabinet handles, or faucets will bring a new level of interest and shine to the kitchen.
Exposed shelving, glass door cabinets, wooden countertops, and farmhouse sinks are common features in farmhouse kitchens.
All in all, the idea of a farmhouse kitchen is for it to look like it has evolved over time. Add things little by little that you love and if you find something vintage to include, even better!
How have you decorated your farmhouse kitchen?
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Organization Tips: Kitchen
Organizing a kitchen (and keeping it organized) can be one of the most frustrating and overwhelming projects in your house. So many things are moved and used and replaced and put away that your cabinets can go from organized to destroyed in days. At least that’s how it is at my house! I’ve been making a list of things to organize and clean up this fall before winter comes and my kitchen is at the top of the list. In an effort to do it right and get my kitchen in good shape, I’ve looked up some different organization tips that I thought I’d share.
Organization Tips: Kitchen
Before you actually begin organizing your kitchen, empty all your cabinets. This will give you a chance to throw away or donate any broken dishes, unused appliances, or duplicate items. Empty your pantry and find any expired foods or empty containers that you can get rid of.
Once everything has been emptied and you’ve wiped out your cabinets, group items together. Baking items, dishes, glasses, etc. should be near each other when put away and by grouping them together you’ll be able to see how much space you’ll need for each group.
via Brit + Co
Think through your kitchen and how you use it. Notice where your dishwasher, sink, oven, and refrigerator are and what things you use in that area. Ask yourself where you prep food and what items you use most frequently in that space. This will help you decide where each item in your kitchen should go.
Start organizing your cabinets and drawers! Use Lazy Susans, drawer dividers, and clear containers to help utilize your cabinet space and keep things where they belong. Make sure you are keeping things you use most frequently easy to reach and put away.
via HGTV
Now that your kitchen is organized, hopefully, you’ll be able to keep it that way! Good luck and let us know any organization tips you have used for your kitchen.
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Trick or Treat Handout Ideas
Have you thought about changing things up and passing out something other than candy this Halloween? You don’t have to be the lame house on the block if you decide to pass something else out. There are so many different things you can pass out for Halloween that not only are sugar-free but will also be a hit with all the kids who come to your house.
Trick or Treat Handout Ideas
- Halloween Stickers
- Halloween Temporary Tattoos
- Glow Sticks
- Bouncy Balls
- Mini Water Bottles
- Halloween Play-Doh
- Vampire Fangs
- Halloween Spider Rings
- Halloween Pencil Erasers
- Halloween Bubbles
- Hot Chocolate Packets
What Halloween handout ideas do you have?
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Blue Bedrooms
Blue is one of the most soothing, calming colors out there, which is why so many people choose it for their bedrooms. By using blue in your bedroom, you’ll be able to create the relaxing escape you’ve always wanted your bedroom to be! There are so many different shades and colors of blue that you can use. Whether you pick a dramatic dark blue to paint your walls, or you go for a softer lighter blue, you can’t go wrong with a blue bedroom. If you’re thinking about changing up your bedroom, we’ve gathered some pictures of blue bedrooms to help inspire you.
Blue Bedrooms
via Domino
via Adore Magazine
via My Domaine
via Consort Home
via La Dolce Vita
Are you having trouble knowing where to start designing in your room or home? Did you recently move to a new place and your old decor just isn't working with the new space? Are you recently living with a new person and running into a design disaster? RC Willey's trained design consultants are here to help. We have an amazing staff of interior design consultants who will help you with anything from furniture layout, color therapy, accessories, or even a whole home makeover! You're only five simple steps away from having a home that reflects your personal style and incorporates those things you love the most. Click here to get started!
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Homemade Window Cleaner
Have you ever tried using homemade window cleaner? This is the time of year I start winterizing my house, and while my yard looks so sad with all the empty flower beds, I always look forward to having clean windows. Honestly, cleaning windows isn’t something I think about that often, but this time of year I feel compelled to get out there and wipe off all the built-up grime from the summer. If you’ve got dirty windows, don’t go to the store and spend a lot of money on chemicals! You most likely have the ingredients you need to make your own homemade window cleaner.
Better Homes and Gardens has three homemade window and glass cleaner recipes that I have found to work well. My favorite is the dish soap and water recipe because the chances of me having dish soap around are pretty good and I'm all about making things easy!
Have you used any of these homemade window cleaners? What has worked the best for you?
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DIY Halloween Decorations
I feel like October is the kickoff to the holiday season, and what better way to celebrate than making your own DIY Halloween decorations! You don’t need to spend a lot of money or time to make your house feel ready for trick-or-treaters. I’ve gathered some fun ideas of how to decorate your house this October below.
DIY Halloween Decorations
Flying bats! Instructions here.
via Made Everyday
Hang some Witch Hats that light up when the sun is down. Instructions here.
via Polkadot Chair
A simple Halloween garland to hang over your mantle or to put up during a party. Instructions here.
via Vicky Barone
A snake wreath that is oddly sophisticated looking while still being pretty creepy. Instructions here.
via Martha Stewart
Hang some giant spider webs made from trash bags in your trees or windows! Instructions here.
via Fast Forward Fun
If you aren't feeling up to making your own decorations this year, don't worry. RC Willey has Halloween decorations just for you!
How have you decorated your home this year?
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Black and White Bedrooms
I love black and white rooms. The simplicity and cleanliness that comes from only using those two colors creates a calm, peaceful space. If you are afraid that only using black and white in your room will make the space feel boring or bland, don’t worry! The sharp contrast of the two colors in and of itself creates interest, and you can always add pops of color if you feel like something is missing.
If you’re wanting to change up a room in your house, check out some of these pictures for inspiration. You might just want to have a black and white room in your house.
Black and White Rooms
LIVING ROOMS
via Setting for Four
BATHROOMS
via Kristina Lynne
via This Old House
BEDROOMS
via One Kindesign
Offices
via The Every Girl
Are you having trouble knowing where to start designing in your room or home? Did you recently move to a new place and your old decor just isn't working with the new space? Are you recently living with a new person and running into a design disaster? RC Willey's trained design consultants are here to help. We have an amazing staff of interior design consultants who will help you with anything from furniture layout, color therapy, accessories, or even a whole home makeover! You're only five simple steps away from having a home that reflects your personal style and incorporates those things you love the most. Click here to get started!
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Backyard Entertaining
Just because the weather is starting to turn doesn’t mean you should stop your backyard entertaining! Regardless of the weather, you’ll be able to host a party to remember by incorporating a few of these ideas.
Backyard Entertaining
When you’re setting up your backyard, think through how you want to entertain before you purchase any furniture. Get a table large enough to fit everyone you regularly entertain and make sure there is a designated seating area. You may also want to bring in a rug to warm things up.
via Country Living
If you don’t have the perfect setup, don’t worry! You can still have a great party. Add mood lighting by stringing lights in your yard. Using bistro lights will give your yard a mature look.
Get a portable speaker so you can have music outside. Create a playlist before the party so that you can create the exact tone you want. Music will cover up any awkward silences and help everyone feel immediately more comfortable.
via Home Bunch
With the cold weather setting in, make sure your guests have the chance to warm up either by a fire in your firepit or with blankets you’ve already set out.
Even though you’re outside, don’t forget that your guests might end up in your house as well. Don’t stress about seriously cleaning your house, but make sure your bathroom is clean. The chances of someone needing to use it are pretty high and you don’t want dirty towels on the floor be the last thing your guest sees before they go home.
Regardless of the time of year, entertaining in your backyard is a fun way to have friends and family come over. How do you do backyard entertaining?
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