If you need ideas to decorate your house for the 4th of July, then these 4th of July decor ideas should give you plenty of inspiration! As the best interior design company around is it our professional opinion that fourth of July decorations should be fun and playful! Your guests should feel at home and comfortable for hours of celebration festivities! Here are a few ways to get started:

Set the tone on the front porch

A great first impression goes a long way! Consider the front of your home like the smile on your face when you meet someone new for the first time. You’re likely throwing the get-together in the backyard but decorating the front porch or patio area of your home can get guests excited about the party and set the right tone for the rest of the day!

 

Clean up your backyard.

When your guests walk into your home, you need to already have a welcoming and clean environment they can feel comfortable in for a while. You do not want to present a backyard that’s off-putting from the moment guests arrive. Make sure you set aside time before the party to take care of the landscaping and yard work you’ve been putting off. Something as simple as a fresh-cut lawn can make a huge difference in the look and feel of your outdoor patio area.

 

Help your guests feel comfortable with a cozy and safe seating arrangement.

Giving your guests a comfortable place to retreat and relax should be the priority! Consider your current set-up, does your furniture provide enough area for visitors to get comfortable? If not, make sure there is enough seating arranged in a “circle” shape to encourage mingling. These are important factors to consider as you plan and prepare for the party.

Outdoor Entertainment!

This is the fun part! First, make sure there is music on when your guests arrive. Make sure that there are plenty of things to do when they get there. The fourth of July is a celebration of our country’s freedoms so make it a party! Set out activities such as cornhole to encourage people to have fun and interact with each other, stress-free!

Set out a table full of snacks and drinks, even if you do plan on grilling a meal! This way, everyone can help themselves, which also benefits the host! But make it 4^th of July themed, with a red, white, and blue tablecloth, cutlery, plates, cups, and other table decorations!

Set out a “favor table” with sparklers, hats and masks for pictures, and other items that bring in all-night celebration vibes!

If you have enough room, consider even showing off your own fireworks display! Your guests will be wanting to come back every year.

Have Fun with Red, White and Blue Color Scheme!

At the end of the day, you can’t let the meaning of the party fall by the wayside. Don’t forget to show off your patriotism with red, white, and blue decor and accessories inside and outside! The plasticware, cups, and other paper products, as well as streamers and balloons, are necessary, but you can also incorporate stylish design features into your cozy setup as well. A gorgeous patriotic area rug can bring comfort to your feet while a few red and white throw pillows on the patio furniture can set the tone for the party if the goal is to sit back, relax and celebrate!

 

Contact The Expert Interior Design Pros!

If you do not feel confident on doing this yourself or simply just do not have the time, we got your back! We have a great team of interior design professionals that have great ideas up their sleeves! Just give us a call and we will put together an outdoor area that your guests will never want to leave! The Fourth of July will be here before you know it. Contact your experienced interior design experts today to get started. Happy 4^th of July!

 Let us help you create an interior for your life.

Time to freshen up your home for summer gatherings! We have a few interior design tips to create a clean and welcoming environment for everyone who visits this summer. As the best Interiors Design Company at the Lake of the Ozarks, we of course have some tricks up our sleeves we need to share to help you prepare!

Clear the Clutter

Clutter can make a home feel dirty and claustrophobic even when it is perfectly clean. If you have accumulated excessive decor items and knick-knacks that never quite go together and just take up space, it could be time to purge the house of all the unnecessary stuff. 

Summer is the perfect time for garage and yard sales!

Some people choose to tackle their home room by room, while others choose to sort by category. One categorical method is the KonMari Method, developed by Marie Kondo. Her philosophy is that only items that spark joy should have a place in your home. Hold each item in your hands and ask yourself, "Does this spark joy or have a purpose?" If the answer is "no", then you gratefully let it go and out of your life. Go through your home by category in this order: Clothing, Books, Papers, Miscellaneous, and then Sentimental. Sorting by category instead of by room allows you to see how much you really have, and gives you the opportunity to find the proper place for each item when you're finished.

Deep Clean

Cleaning sounds like an obvious freshening-up tip, but I bet there are a few places in the home that often get neglected that could probably use a deep clean!

Refrigerator

One of these areas is your refrigerator and freezer. Throwing away expired or frost-bitten items is a good habit, but cleaning the refrigerator thoroughly is a task that people often avoid because it can feel monotonous. The benefits of deep cleaning your fridge could be tremendous. Just think about the fact that your food is touching the refrigerator shelves and drawers all year, potentially without being cleaned... And then you are eating it. If you don't regularly clean out your refrigerator, then there could be bacteria growing on its surfaces and infecting your food. Remove everything from the refrigerator (move sensitive items like dairy to a cooler while you clean) and use a food-safe cleaning product to thoroughly scrub the entire interior. Allow the cleaner to dry before replacing your groceries.   

Cabinets

Another important area to clean is your kitchen drawers and cabinets. This is another area that, if dirty, could be negatively affecting your health. Most households have enough dishes to feed 12 people at once, but only regularly use and rotate the same 4-6 pieces. That means the other several dishes are sitting there, collecting dust and potentially growing bacteria. Use food-safe cleaner to wipe out all your cabinets and drawers and run all dishes through the dishwasher for a truly deep clean of your kitchen cabinets and drawers.

Soft Surfaces

It can be easy to thoroughly clean hard surfaces with antibacterial cleaning products, but what do you do when it comes to soft surfaces? For curtains and throw blankets that are washing machine safe, the solution is relatively easy. But for items like carpeting, upholstery, and rugs it can be more difficult to clean. The best option is hiring a professional carpet and upholstery cleaning company to thoroughly clean these areas. Cleaning them on your own could leave behind grimy residue or moisture that will lead to mildew and mold growth, making the problem even worse.

Hire an Interior Designer

Designing a beautiful space that has intrigue while also maintaining a cohesive look can be very difficult on your own. Combining furniture, patterns, colors, and textures is an art form, and John Elliott Interiors is the best in the business. Hiring an interior designer takes the stress out of the home decor process and creates an amazing space in your home that both you and your guests will love. Call today to learn more and set up a meeting with our designers!

With the way the real estate market is right now, you may be considering selling your home this year. If so, then you could probably use some advice on how to stage your home to get the best and the most offers possible. John Elliott Interiors is the best interior design company at the Lake of the Ozarks and we are here with the help you need to get the house ready for sale. Keep reading to get the important tips you need! 

Choose Décor That Appeals to the Masses

When getting down to placing furniture in your home, think about the way most people would like to use each space. You may like having a fully furnished weight room in your second bedroom, but it may appeal more to buyers set it up as a guestroom or an office.

Neutral and light, airy colors are excellent picks to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. Red may be your favorite color, but a grey couch could be a better choice to go with any palette the buyer has in mind.

As you choose where to place your furniture, think about the flow of the space and make sure it’s easy to walk from room to room. Group pieces together for a cohesive space. Rather than backing everything up to the wall, “float” the furniture at least a few inches away from the walls.

Decorations in each space should be simple and appealing to a broad audience as well. Fresh flowers are always a great choice as they brighten up a room and make the space feel welcoming. Replace family photos with framed art to draw your buyer’s eye around the room. (We have great art at John Elliott Interiors, by the way!) If arranging items on a coffee or end table, keep in mind that items in threes are most appealing to the eye.

Clean Thoroughly for a Good First Impression

Most importantly, make sure your home is clean. A clean home will feel fresh and inviting. Dusting, vacuuming, and sweeping are all important, but not the only things you should do.

Windows make a big impact on a buyer. If your windows are smudged with dog nose prints and cluttered with cobwebs, a buyer may be turned off as soon as they walk through the door. Bright, shining windows make your house feel fresh and open.

Outdoor space is something that often gets neglected by sellers. Make sure your lawn is well manicured – use the mower and weed eater. Check all flower beds and gardens to make sure they aren’t overgrown with weeds. An out-of-control garden will look less like a perk and more like a burdensome project for potential buyers.

If possible, use a power washer on your driveway and the siding of your house. Dirt and grime accumulate on siding and make houses look dingy. You wouldn’t believe what a big difference a clean slate will make!

Before you show the house, always do a smell test. You may not be able to recognize a smell you’re used to, so pay attention next time you walk in from outside. If an unpleasant or stale odor hits your prospective home buyers as soon as they walk in the door, they likely won’t have a good impression. If there is a problem, air out the house with open windows and fans, and use light air fresheners (not heavy room sprays).

Small Updates for a Big Impact

Refinished Flooring

If your wood floors look scratched and dull, get a quote on what it would take to refinish them. This will give your rooms a wow factor – buyers love to see clean, pristine flooring. If you can’t refinish the floors, use rugs in strategic places to cover the most worn areas in your home. Buyers’ eyes will be drawn to the design and other aspects of the room instead of the flaws in the floor.

Updated Hardware

In your kitchens and bathrooms, you can switch out the cabinet handles for a cost-effective update. New, shiny hardware is striking and can enhance the look of the whole room.

Storage

Buyers love storage! Walk through your house and make sure there are several locations where new homeowners would be able to store their belongings. Each room should have at least one place for storage. For bedrooms, this is typically a dresser. For bathrooms, making sure there is shelving for various toiletries, towels, etc. that buyers will want to store here.

The Entrance

Another way to make a big impact without spending a lot of cash is to update the front door. Everyone loves a beautiful entryway, and a great door is the most important element. Replace your old one with a sturdy, eye-catching door. If you have an old wooden door that's still in good shape, consider giving it a fresh coat of paint or stain to make it stand out and look new.

The weather is finally warming up, which means summer is right around the corner! It is time to start brainstorming how to transition the interior of your home for the summer. At John Elliott Interiors, we are dedicated to making our customers feel inspired in their own homes! Making a few small changes can make the world of a difference. To help you navigate the transitional change from Spring to Summer, we have a few tips to help you get started!

Art Work

Changing up your artwork can make a huge difference in your home’s environment. Try some abstract art wall shapes or even peel and stick tiles so you do not have to make any holes in your wall. Abstract art comes in literally all shapes and sizes. Opt for a brighter and bold colored piece that pops! 

Try some seasonally themed wall art to bring in the outdoors! From floral pictures to create frames for the family photos, wall art can really bring the brightness within!

Textures

Give your home personality by adding fun textures! Try using a soft rug, basket or throw pillow! Incorporate a few different textures so tie it all together, based on your home’s feel. Throwing a fur throw blanket across a bed, couch or chair can really add a luxurious feel!

Rearrange Furniture

Socializing tends to occur more during the summer. Stage your home accordingly, by moving furniture around to add space and places for people to comfortably gather and socialize. 

Examples:

•Move the couch closer to the windows to bring in a breezy indoor lounge area!

•Moving seating to encourage conversations!

•Rearrange outdoor seating near the pool or patio area for a relaxing touch!

Adding in Colorful Accessories

Bring in some house plants to bring some greenery and flowers inside. Try choosing two color themes so that the colors don’t get too overwhelming. For example, choose greenery and accent it with a beautiful yellow flower arrangement! 

Updating Serving and Drinkware

Swap out the glasses for some ceramic pieces! Display some unique ceramic bowls, coffee cups, plates, etc. Ceramics are really upcoming this year and bring a natural touch to your kitchen and dining table.

Windows

Allow the natural sunlight to bask through your windows into your home. Open the windows or switch out the heavy drabs for some translucent curtains to allow the sun to naturally illuminate your interior!

If you are thinking about designing or re-designing your home in 2022, give John Elliott Interiors a call. We can help be your advocate, save you stress and money, and leave you with a design that truly wows. That is why we are truly the best interior design company at the Lake of the Ozarks!

We hope you got some inspiration to transition your home for the summer! There are plenty of ways to brighten up your home and we can’t want to see how you bring the warm vibes into your home! If you still feel stuck and need some creative assistance, look no further! John Elliott Interiors has been decorating homes for years, building lifelong relationships with our customers! We would love the opportunity to bring life and joy into your home through interior decorating! What are a few ways you like to transition the interior of your home for summer?

As the best interior design company at the Lake of the Ozarks, John Elliott Interiors has a keen eye for fine artwork can truly enhance the interior design in your home. We specially curate beautiful pieces so you can enjoy the interior design you deserve. We want your home reflect your exclusive design ideas coming to life! Art work is worth the investment and we want to explain how you can do this in your home! Check out the rest of today's blog to learn how to pick the perfect pieces for your home! 

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