Photo: Collected Interiors

If you are like us, we love a great first impression. Even if it means sacrificing functionality for style and glam, we are all in! There are tons of ways you can create a stunning home entrance and foyer even if you’re on a small budget. From rearranging furniture, purchasing some home entrance must-haves, and simply having a great eye for style, you can create an entrance your guests will always remember. Not to mention it’s wonderful feeling having a beautiful home entrance to welcome you every time you come home! Check out these easy ideas…

Photo: Stocker Hoesterey Montenegro

Hang a Beautiful Chandelier

Every home should have a beautiful light fixture right at the entrance to create a stunning centrepiece and add some wow factor. Even if you have a small space to work with and may not have a large open-to-below foyer, there are still tons of small chandeliers that are available on the market and still look great. There is something special about having a large chandelier right at the entrance and I definitely think every home should have one. Not only does it look “uber-riche” it’s also one of designer’s favorite tricks to make a small space seem instantly bigger. Keep reading to find out how this is possible.

Photo: Sagrere Brazil Design, Inc.

Lots of Natural Lighting

It’s totally okay not to have window treatments and in fact we like our windows bare. If you have large heavy drapes at your home’s entrance it’s time to strip them all off and let as much natural light pour in. Natural lighting is a huge factor in making your home seem bigger than it really is and pairing it with a beautiful crystal chandelier as we mentioned above will help bounce natural light throughout your whole foyer. If you are asking yourself how do those model homes always look so great? It’s because they are clutter-free and they focus on having minimal furniture and lots of natural light, which only makes them, seem bigger. So let the sunlight shine through and move any heavy furniture and drapery away from windows.

Photo: RCL Development

A Large Mirror is a Must-Have

You definitely need to have a large beautiful mirror at your home’s entrance. It’s the perfect way to check your outfit before you leave the door and also a great way to make your foyer look twice the size. If you are able to place it parallel to your chandelier, you’ll help reflect light throughout your whole space. Studded chandeliers and those with mirrored frames and hints of gold are looking to be designer’s favorites at the moment.

Photo: Mosaic Del Sur

A Sleek Staircase

If you still have a stair runner stapled onto your stairs, it’s time to take it off and shed some new light on your staircase. Dark wood stained stairs with wrought iron pickets and some of designer’s favorite looks at the moment. If you are in need of a stair re-do there are tons of staircase manufacturers that even do outdoor stair kits for easy and beautiful installation.

Photo: Oliver Burns

Glamorous Studded Bench

A bench at your home’s entrance is a must-have item and what’s a better way to make a stunning entrance than with a trendy studded bench? Lately we are seeing studded furniture everywhere and it’s a great way to welcome this chic trend right at the entrance of your home.

We love going to the thrift store, and who doesn’t? There are so many cool items that can be found there, and all they need is a little paint and TLC! Scour your local thrift store for a chandelier and transform it into an expensive-looking antique!

The first thing you need is the chandelier of course! Check your local thrift store, or find one on Craigslist!

Begin by sanding down the chandelier, removing all traces of paint. Take a can of spray paint and give the chandelier 2-3 coats of paint. Allow it to dry between coats.

If you want the chandelier to look like it has real candles, you can add silicone dipped light bulbs for a realistic effect.

To soften the nutmeg brown paint, whitewash over the wood and metal areas. You can do this by watering down white paint, brushing it on, then wiping it off. To complete the look, add a coat of brown glaze to give it an old world look.

To finish the look, you can add these cute wooden danglers to hang from the chandelier. These were found at a rummage sale, cut in half, and painted the same way as the chandelier. They were attached by inserting a screw with an eye at the top.

The final step is to rewire the chandelier if needed and hang it up! Hang it in your living room, or above your dining room table! It’s the perfect finishing touch to any shabby home!

Photos and idea: Reloved Rubbish.

There are so many little things that are needed for a party, BBQ, or any special occasion, and sometimes it can be overwhelming. Setting that perfect table is one of the things many people have trouble with, but don’t fret! We’ve got 10 tips on how to set the perfect table for that special occasion, stress not included!

1. Table Runner

You don’t have to use a conventional table runner to decorate your table. Try using a pretty scarf, or you can stitch doilies together for a vintage look. Use your imagination, and the sky is the limit!

2. Napkin Rings

If you would like your silverware to look a little more organized, try using some napkin rings. You can buy your own, or get creative and make your own! We’re loving these simple print-out napkin rings that can be assembled in minutes.

3. Centerpiece

A gorgeous centerpiece is the highlight of any beautifully set table. Be it flowers, succulents, or candles. These lanterns and pink flowers look gorgeous on this table. Look for simple lanterns at the dollar store that can be spray painted, and decorated any way you wish!

4. Place Cards

If you have a seating arrangement, placing the names of your guests on cute place cards can help everyone stay organized. An easy way to keep your seating plan organized is printing out names in a fancy font on card stock and placing it with your silverware. If you’re feeling creative, these message in a bottle place cards are just too cute to pass up!

5. Lighting

For lighting, there are many options to choose from. For a rustic look, hang mason jars with tea candles inside. For a more casual party, paper lanterns are a popular choice, and they come in any color. What we’re loving these days is outdoor chandeliers that add a touch of elegance and romance to any party or get-together. Scour thrift shops for chandeliers and give them a new coat of paint to freshen them up. Hang the chandelier above the center of your table, or add two or three in a row for even more light.

6. Chair Covers

To save money, you can rent chairs and cover them with a unique slipcover to fit your party or get-together theme. Once you’ve outfitted the chair with a slipcover, decorate it by wrapping the back of the chair with a large bow, or even a small bouquet of flowers.

7. Charger Plates

Charger plates are a great way to dress up your table and they act as a base for food-bearing bowls and dishes. Since they’re not meant to be eaten off of, you can decorate them any way you wish to fit the theme of your table. These faux mercury glass charger plates would fit any elegant or winter-themed party.

8. Party Favors

Although optional, party favors add a little extra surprise for your guests. Place them in the middle of each plate, as a little thank you to your guests for coming. You can place candy inside cute packaging, or even a small succulent in a mini pot can be a delightful gift. We love the small paper bags at this western-themed party. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best ones!

9. Glassware

From fancy wineglasses to simple mason jars, your glassware reflects the theme and feel of your party. If you’re looking for a more elegant look with your glassware, large frosted wineglasses will do the trick. For a casual party, try mason jars and straws in the color of your theme.

10. Elevate Your Food and Drinks

To add interest to your table, place your drinks and food on cake stands and tiers. For extra serving space, place them on a bar cart or small table close to your main dining table. This is also a great way to store extra napkins and silverware within reach of your guests, and without crowding your dining table.

Photos: The Graphics Fairy, My Big Day Company, Ashley Ann, Etsy, Sheila Zeller, Style Me Pretty, Tip Junkie, Rustic Wedding Chic, Tidbits and Twine, Mid West Living.

Making your own sputnik chandelier is easy and doesn’t take much time. The best part is you can make it for cheap! Check out this tutorial so you can make your own!

Step 1:

The first thing you need to do is head to IKEA and get yourself the IKEA Maskros chandelier. This will be the base for our sputnik chandelier.

Step 2:

The next step is to trim down the 5″ wide plastic flowers to 2.5″. You can use a plastic cup to trace a perfect circle on the flowers. Then, cut out the flowers.

Step 3:

Now it’s time to paint the flowers. In this tutorial, ‘Parlor Gold’ from Ralph Lauren Regency Metallics was used, but you can use any color that fits with your space.

Step 4:

Paint the rest of the fixture, including the cord and ceiling mount.

Step 5:

Glue amuse bouche plates onto the flowers. Let the glue dry and attach the flowers to the stems of the chandelier as they were designed to be attached.

Step 6:

Assemble the rest of the chandelier according to the instructions provided and you’re finished!

Photos and idea: Little Green Notebook.