Somehow appliances give out right when you don’t have the budget to replace them, so knowing how long they last is a great way to plan ahead. When it comes to your kitchen, the cost of replacing appliances can add up, so knowing the average life of your appliances will help your wallet and your stress level.

For many of us, not having a dishwasher and having to wash everything by hand would significantly increase our daily stress. You need to know how long a dishwasher lasts so you can save up and prepare for the day it gives out! 

How Long Does a Dishwasher Last?

The lifespan of your dishwasher will depend on its make and model, but you can count on an average to be around nine to ten years. While some dishwashers will give out sooner than that and some dishwashers will last longer, when your appliance has reached about seven years old you should start saving your pennies. You’ll know it’s time to replace your old dishwasher when it starts making loud, banging noises while it’s running or it is no longer cleaning your dishes regardless of maintenance.

via RC Willey

It might seem like a real downer to be in the position where you have to replace your dishwasher, but there are a lot of benefits to replacing your old, ill-performing dishwasher with a new one. Newer dishwashers are quieter, use less energy and water, and are better designed to clean your dishes. There are even dishwasher models available now with a third rack for your larger cooking utensils and other small objects.

If you aren’t sure how long your dishwasher has left or you’re interested in upgrading, RC Willey is the place to find your new dishwasher. Check out all the dishwashers we have and let us know if you have any questions about which one would work best for you!

Every year around the end of August I get a little crazy when it comes to home organization.   With the start of a new school year I always love the idea of starting over and embracing new beginnings.  Yes, let's try yet again to pretend that organizing my home comes naturally for me.  Over the past few weeks I've gone through every closet, dresser and drawer in my home, and forced myself to part with everything that I hadn't used in a long time, or that wasn't essential.  I'm feeling pretty darn awesome! I can breathe again!

While I'm super organized at this moment, I'm kind of scared to death that if I blink my house is just going to turn into a pile of clutter. Again. This seems to be a pattern for me.  I'm really good and making the BIG changes to de-clutter and organize my space, but where I tend to struggle is in the upkeep AFTER the major purging session.  Here are 11 daily habits to practice that will help you (and me!) live a healthy, satisfying, clutter-free life.....

1. Sort through your mail IMMEDIATELY after getting it out of the mailbox.
One of the biggest clutter offenders is thanks to our lovely postal service.  We go out to the mailbox and retrieve our mail, then we pick out the envelopes that seem worth opening.  We open up a few things, and then after a minute or two, we throw it all (junk mail included) in a pile on the desk or kitchen counter and walk away and go about business as usual.  After all, It will clean itself up later, right?  WRONG!  Unless you live with your mother and she cleans up all of your messes, no, no it will not. Did you know that approximately 48% of the mail we recieve is junk mail?  Finding it in piles around my house drives me crazy.  Be kind to yourself, and sort your mail immediately.  Throw the junk away in your outside garbage can before even walking into your home, and then once inside file the needful stuff right away.  It's such a little thing, but it makes a huge differnece in your clutter situation.  

2. Stop accepting "free things".
I get it.  I like free things as much as anyone!  Hello, they're FREE!  But just because something is free doesn't mean that you need it, or that it will even prove to be useful.  Whether it's a free mug from your chiropractor's office, an old lamp your friend is getting rid of (that needs a TON of tlc), or a box of mason jars that your neighbor thought you 'might use someday'.....think hard before taking anything home with you.  Unless you know that you'll actually USE of fix the item right away, politely decline the offer and pat yourself on the back for saying no to clutter!

3. Clear off your kitchen counter.  
Kitchen counters are clutter- magnets!  How often do you actually USE your Kitchen Aid that's always on display?  When is the last time you made toast with the toaster that's gathering dust in the corner?  If you don't use it on a DAILY basis, find a home for it inside a cupboard or nearby closet.  It's as simple as that.  Your kitchen will feel cleaner, and ten times bigger when you put things away!

via studio mcgee

4. Make your bed.
I am a firm believer in making my bed every single day.  I try to do it first thing when I get out of bed in the morning, because it sets a tone for the rest of my day.  It helps me to feel put together, organized, and intentional.  It also helps me have the motivation to immediately hang up or put my clothes in the hamper, instead of making piles.  Plus, there is nothing better than turning down the sheets and climbing into a cool, made bed at the end of a long day.  I swear sleep feels better!

via studio mcgee

5. Take the garbage out every night.
This might sound silly, but how annoying is it to wake up to a chuck full, smelly garbage can in the morning?  Taking the garbage out every night after dinner is a simple way to keep your sanity, and keep your garbage situation under control. 

6. Do a 15 minute clean-up before bed.
This one is easier in theory than it is in practice for me, but it's still a worthy goal!  Once you finish cleaning up dinner and your kids are (finally) all asleep, if you're like me, the last thing in the world you want to do is clean your house!  It's time to veg! If you can hold off fifteen minutes to do a quick sweep of the house you'll be very grateful in the morning.  Load the last few straggler dishes into the dishwasher, sweep the kitchen floor, pick up all of the baby toys that got strewn around the house, straighten the family room, etc. Waking up to a clean house makes it worth it.  

7. Teach your kids where things belong.
Easier said than done! If you're like me, it seems a lot easier to just clean things up myself, but really teaching kids and holding them accountable for putting their toys away is the best plan in the long run.  

8. Know what you like.
Figure out what you like, and don't waste time or money buying things that you aren't in love with.  Simple as that.

9. Designate a spot for incoming papers.
My house is always brimming with papers.  Papers, papers, papers everywhere.  Take a few minutes to set up a file system.  When papers come in, file immediately into their designated folder or throw it away. 

10. De-clutter your digital life.
This could be the most important point when it comes to living a de-cluttered life. You need to de-clutter your digital life just like you de-clutter your physical life.  Assess the email newsletters, social networks (facebook, instagram, snapchat), online reading and viewing, blogs, forums, etc that you subscribe to and spend time on each day.  Are they essential?  Or are they a waste of time and energy?  Can you de-clutter them?  Also, try to reduce your commitments and practice saying no to non-essential things.  GAURD YOUR TIME.  

11. Don't hang onto things needlessly.
Avoid hanging onto things just for the sake of hanging on.  Are you really going to wear that blazer from 1999 again?  Ask yourself "If I was buying this now, how much would i pay for it?"  That should help clear things up quickly.  

What are the things that you do on a daily basis to keep your life un-cluttered??

When it comes time to pick a color scheme for your kitchen, have you thought about blue? I’ve been noticing blue cabinets or backsplashes lately and I’ve realized I love the look of blue kitchens. As someone who wouldn’t usually pick the color blue, I’ve been surprised at how much I like these kitchens. I’ve gathered together some of my favorite blue kitchens for inspiration and thought I’d share! 

Blue Kitchens

via Lark and Linen

via Jillian Harris

via House of Jade Interiors

via My Domaine

via Helynn Photography

via Home Bunch

via Domino

via Home Bunch

via House of Turquoise

What do you think? Do you like the idea of a blue kitchen? 

You may have noticed the blue energy star label on newer appliances and wondered what it stands for. If you don’t know what energy star appliances are or the difference they make in your home, we’re here to give you all the information you need!

In 1992, the Environmental Protection Agency started Energy Star as a voluntary energy saving program. Through this program, buildings, appliances, electronics, and other products are certified through a third party to show that each product can pass high energy standards. When we purchase a product with an Energy Star label, we are not only reducing energy consumption, we’re saving money! Over the last 22 years Energy Star has been around, greenhouse emissions have been reduced by more than 2.4 billion metric tons and $362 billion has been saved on utility bills. 

There are so many Energy Star appliances that will help you save money and energy available at RC Willey. Check out what each one of these appliances will do for your home. 

Energy Star Ratings

DISHWASHERS

With a dishwasher older than 1994, you generally end up paying an extra $35 a year on utilities. Your old dishwasher also wastes more than 10 gallons of water each time you use it. With an Energy Star rated dishwasher you’ll be able to reduce air pollution, water consumption, and save money!

REFRIGERATORS

An Energy Star rated refrigerator is 9% more energy efficient than the current minimum energy efficiency standards. If you replace your old fridge with an energy efficient option, you could save more than $270 over the next five years. Check out this calculator to see how much you could save by replacing your refrigerator.

WASHING MACHINE

With a larger tub that makes it so you can do fewer loads of laundry, an Energy Star rated washing machine uses about 25% less energy and 45% less water than other options. You could save $45 a year on your bills!

DRYER

Energy Star rated dryers use 20% less energy than other models. If every home in the United States had an energy efficient dryer, we could prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to more than 2 million vehicles.

Using Energy Star appliances and products really do make a huge difference for your wallet and the earth. If you're interested in finding out more about Energy Star ratings or want to read more about the facts above, check out this website and when you're ready to upgrade your appliances, come to RC Willey. We have everything you could want!

Would you choose Energy Star rated appliances? 

Here are some tips on how to decorate your bedroom. If you’ve looked at your bedroom and realized that it is lacking in personality and style, it’s time to redecorate. Check out these tips and ideas for how to decorate your room from RC Willey. 

Decorating Your Bedroom

via Chris Loves Julia

Decide What You Like and Look for Inspiration

Before you begin decorating, you should have an idea of what you want the end result to be. Start by thinking what you want the overall feeling of your room to be and what colors you like. Go online or look through magazines for bedroom images that stand out to you. Collect as many images as you can so you find similar themes and ideas that you will be able to incorporate into your own room.

via Rue Mag

Take Stock of What You Have

Notice what you have in your room and home already and see what you can use or refinish. While it’s exciting and fun to get all new things, it’s not always the most practical choice for your budget. You might have an old chair, dresser, or bed frame that could use a coat of paint for it to feel new again. Try to see your old things with new eyes before you make your list of things you’ve got to buy.

via Decor A Patio

Think About How You Use Your Bedroom

Before you start moving furniture, painting walls or buying new furniture, think about how you use your room. Obviously, you sleep there, but if you like to have a space to get ready in your room you may want something like this white vanity set to help keep everything organized. If you like to relax and read in your room, you may want to include a seating area. Think through everything you do or would like to do in your room so you can include everything you want.

via Coo Architecture

Start With the Big Things First

You may find the perfect pillow and can’t wait to put it on your bed, but you’ve got to start with the big stuff first. Paint your walls, figure out your furniture and where you’re going to place it, and then you can start accessorizing. The big things in your room will make a big difference. This mid-century bed would completely change the look and feel of your bedroom, and once it is in you’ll be able to decorate your bedroom exactly how you want.  

via besideroom

Accessorize

Just because it’s your bedroom and no one really sees it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be beautiful. This is where accessories come into play. Pillows on your bed in a variety of patterns, textures, and sizes will add depth and interest to your room. A rug on the floor will keep your bare feet warm and add a pop of color that will tie the whole room together. Interesting artwork, like this framed print, on your walls will give your room a finished look.

A FEW TIPS: 

• Mixing patterns and textures throughout your room with furniture, throws, pillows, and other accessories will help your room feel cozy and well thought out.
• When it comes to having pillows on your bed, you want to make sure you don’t have so many that you have to dig your way into your bed. I read somewhere that between 2 - 6 pillows depending on the size of the bed are the perfect amount.
• Investing in nice bedding will make it so you feel like you’re sleeping in a five-star hotel every night. I like how clean pure white bedding like this feels. My all white bed makes the whole room feel calm and peaceful.
• It doesn’t matter how beautiful you’ve decorated your room if your mattress isn’t giving you a good night’s sleep. If you need a new mattress, come to RC Willey to test out a variety of mattresses and find one that will work for you.

How have you decorated your bedroom?

Mopping the floor is my least favorite to do, but the one I appreciate the most. Having a clean floor makes my whole house feel clean, even if every cupboard waist height and down has been opened and emptied out by my daughter. When getting ready to mop your floors, it’s important to know the right technique so you can get your floors as clean as possible. 

Mopping the Floors

Pick your mop depending on the types of floors you have. For textured floors, you’ll want to use a string or rag mop so you can reach all the different textures and bumps. For smooth floors, a sponge mop will work great.

Before you begin, make sure you have cleaned your floors by either sweeping or vacuuming up as much as possible. You’ll get a cleaner floor if you don’t skimp on this step!

Fill either a sink or bucket full of water. Don’t forget that as you’re mopping you’ll need to replace the water once it gets dirty, so make sure whatever you’re using will be convenient to drain and refill. Too much water will ruin most floor types, so make sure you wring out the mop before you begin.

via Martha Stewart

Mop starting at the edge of the room farthest away from the door and work your way out. Make sure you don’t mop yourself into a corner or you’ll have to walk on your clean floors to get out and redo everything you’ve already done. You may also need to use a rag to get tricky corners, so make sure you have one handy.

Just so you know…

• Different flooring types need different types of cleaners, so make sure you know what you should use on your floors before you begin. For most flooring types, you can add ¼ cup of white vinegar into a quart of hot water for a homemade cleaner. It's a good idea to test whatever cleaner you're going to use on a small part of the floor in an innocuous place to make sure it won't damage or discolor your floors.  
• Make a figure eight with a rag mop to make the most of that mop style. You’ll end up with cleaner floors.
• For high traffic areas, you might have to spot clean regularly, but you shouldn’t have to mop your entire floors every day - or even every week! Just stay on top of spills and remove the dirt and grime when needed and you shouldn’t have to get on your knees to scrub.

Do you have any tips for mopping floors?

Back in the day they were displayed in coffee shops, doctor's offices, churches, school buildings, etc to relay information.  Today, the resurgence of felt letter boards has become one of the hottest home accessory design trends over the past year.  Every board comes as a blank slate, ready for you to personalize and make into your very own.

As a perfectionist who sometimes struggles with the smallest of decisions (read: what should I write on my letter board?) , I really appreciate the fact that it's easy as pie to switch it up.  In fact, I could spell out a new quote on my letter board every single day if I wanted to!  Hallelujah for feeling no pressure!  If you're wondering what kinds of things you'd write on your own letter board, the possibilites are endless!  Here are a few ideas.....

- Display your weekly menu in the kitchen.

- Use it as the menu for a dinner party.

- Display your Bucket List!

- Write out your favorite inspirational and sentimental quotes or sayings.

- Show your humor and personality with funny quips or jokes.

- Display your brand new baby's information, lay it next to your baby, and you've got a birth announcement!

- Use it to commemmorate or announce big milestones and life events: "Just Married", "Baby Coming Next September", "First day of Kindergarten!" , "Our first home", "Happy 10 Years of Marriage!", etc.

- Display your personal or family goals.

- Use it as a "Happy Birthday" sign.  Here is one I did a few months ago for my son on his 5th birthday:

I picked my Letter board up from Letterfolk Co (the same company that Chip and Joanna buy from, and bonus- they are local!  Based out of SLC!).  It's become a family favorite that I'm sure we will use for many years to come. Here are some fun photos from their instagram feed:

via letterfolk co

via letterfolk co

via letterfolk co

via letterfolk co

via letterfolk co

via letterfolk co

via letterfolk co

via letterfolk co

Have you gotten a felt letter board yet? If so, what do you like to display on it?

When it comes to purchasing a range, a combination cooktop and oven, for your kitchen, doing your research will help you make a decision you won’t regret. You may have heard of dual fuel ranges and wondered what they are. While on the outside, a dual fuel range may look exactly like other range options, there is a huge difference. 

Dual Fuel Ranges

Having a range with one fuel source that is either all gas or all electric is fairly common. However, there are sacrifices that come along with the fuel choice you pick. Electric cooktops are slow to heat up and adjust temperatures and gas ovens fluctuate in temperature dramatically, causing your food to bake unevenly. A dual fuel range solves these problems.

via RC Willey

Just like its name would indicate, dual fuel ranges utilize two fuel sources and have an electric oven paired with a gas cooktop. This gives you the best of both worlds! Gas cooktops are the most popular type of cooktop. The gas allows for exact temperature control, responding almost instantaneously to temperature adjustments, which makes cooking faster and easier. Electric ovens maintain their temperature and bake food more evenly and efficiently.

Dual fuel ranges are the best range options out there. All the pros use them, and you can have one in your home as well! If you love cooking and baking, you’re going to want a dual fuel range. When you’re ready to pick out your dual fuel range, don’t forget to check out RC Willey and get one for your home!

It only took me about 15 samples of paint, but I think I have found the best gray paint color. When I was picking out a paint color for the living room of my house, I knew that I wanted a light gray color. If you’re looking for a good neutral that isn’t beige, brown, or white, gray is what you’re looking for. The only trouble is finding the perfect gray for you. 

Gray Paint Color

via Caitlin Creer Interiors

I had a very specific look in mind when I was trying to find the gray color for our living room, but I couldn’t seem to find anything that wasn’t too blue, too purple, too dark, or too light. In the end, I finally found the paint color I wanted - Benjamin Moore’s Gray Owl.

I love how Gray Owl is just enough gray without being overwhelming and how there are warm undertones that keep the room cozy. It looks good in every light and with all our furniture against it. We ended up using this color in our living room and the bedrooms of our house - I love it!

What is the best gray paint color you’ve found?

Have you ever wondered how a dishwasher works? I grew up with a dishwasher in my home, but it’s only been in the last couple of years that I’ve had access to a dishwasher in my adult life. It might be because I hated walking away with water logged fingers and a pile of dishes drying on my counter and am so happy to have a dishwasher, but I wonder what is going on inside my dishwasher every time I turn it on. Below I’ve listed everything that happens when you turn your dishwasher on. 

How Does a Dishwasher Work? 

1. Your dishwasher doesn’t fill all the way up with water. Instead, a small basin in the bottom of the dishwasher is filled with water.
2. The water is heated to just the right temperature to clean and sterilize your dishes.
3. The detergent dispenser will automatically open and release the soap at the correct time in the washing cycle.
4. Water is shot through jets on the bottoms and sides of the dishwasher to get all the dishes.
5. Dirty water is drained and jets turn back on to rinse the dishes.
6. After the rinse water is drained, the dishwasher heats to dry the dishes off and leave them spotless.

If you want to see your dishwasher in action (and learn some facts about high-efficiency dishwashers), check out this video below!

If you need a new dishwasher, don't forget to look at all the options available at RC Willey. Were you surprised at how a dishwasher works?