Food

I actually like to set up food inside, regardless of weather. That way, I don’t have to worry about heat, bugs, and inclement weather.

As I said before, your buffet table becomes an extension of your décor. If you have to move the party indoors, just make sure that your buffet table is in an easily accessible place. The space should be wide enough for your guests to get to the food.

Decorations

Just because you are moving the party indoors doesn’t mean you have to change up all your decorations. Ambiance plays a key role in the celebrations and it’s always a great idea to keep the atmosphere upbeat. Use your flower pots to decorate the outside of the house. For your indoor décor, a quick and easy solution is to buy inexpensive grocery store flowers and put them in mason jars and bud vases then place them on tables and desks. Find some fun napkins at your local store and pair them up with DIY napkin rings especially made for Memorial Day.

Where to seat guests?

If you have to move the party inside, you have to think about guest seating. The seating arrangement depends on your available indoor space.

With the space I have, I can arrange a few tables for my guests since it’s much easier than balancing a plate on their laps. If you can’t fit in extra tables, set up chairs around the perimeter of your space then pair them up with coffee tables, TV trays, and such. If you have limited space, you can just set up chairs and have guests balance their plates on their laps, but be sure to use heavy-duty disposable plates to make it easier for your guests to eat without a table.

Bring the music indoors

Planning your party music ahead of time is absolutely worth it in the end.

Set up speakers both inside and outside of the house to make your transition indoors as easy as possible. If you don’t have enough speakers, you can always place them in a location where they can transmit sound both outside and inside, like the space beside the door.

Plan indoor games

For times when you have no other choice but to move the party indoors, you can always whip out your old board games and cards. Scrabble, Boggle, Monopoly — the activities are endless!

Don’t let the rain dampen your celebration! With great ideas like those mentioned above, you can conveniently move your Memorial Day party indoors.

Whenever I throw a party, the first thing I think about is what I am celebrating – and why. Of course, Memorial Day is no different!

Originally called Decoration Day, it’s a time to commemorate the men and women who sacrificed their lives for our country. Memorial Day is also the unofficial start of the summer. The weather is hopefully starting to warm up on this three-day weekend. Woohoo!

Memorial Day creates the perfect opportunity to get your house into shape, spend time with friends and family, and enjoy great food. I believe these are the ingredients of a great party! For this holiday, I’m putting together a celebration that’s low-key and intimate. Here are some ideas:

Make the guest list

This seems intuitive, but start with the guest list. How many people do you plan on inviting? Are you planning on inviting kids? Adults only? Both family and friends? Make sure that the number of guests will fit your space to avoid overcrowding.

Location

Your house, both inside and out, can serve as a location for a low-key Memorial Day celebration, though it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan for those of us who live in rainy areas.

Tentative Menu

Appetizers: guacamole, salsa, chips, veggie platter
Main Dish: barbecued chicken
Sides*: potato salad, green salad
Dessert*: blueberry pie, chocolate cakes, and cookies

*Note: Sides and desserts are great for guests to bring.

Who will bring what food? How much food should they bring? I have four kids and at this stage of life, a potluck-style party is the easiest way to go. I love to cook and plan meals, but to have my house clean, decorated, and have food for 30 guests while maintaining my sanity is too much. In my past life, I would have tried but NOT ANY MORE. So I outsource. And to be honest, people are more than happy to help. They feel like they are part of the preparations.

Here’s what I do: If I am hosting, I provide the main dish. For this Memorial Day gathering, I’ll take care of the barbecue and also add a big side dish, most likely my favorite potato salad or baked bean dish. Then my friends can bring the other sides and desserts.

The same goes with drinks. I will choose a couple of non-alcoholic drinks plus a signature drink to serve. Iced tea and lemonade are great choices for summer while a margarita is a fun cocktail to mix for my guests. Friends can then BYOB other adult beverages.

This has become a standard practice among my group of friends, which is really helpful. It makes throwing a party more affordable, and we’re more likely to invite each other over and over. You get the idea.

Bottom line: having a potluck-style party is more cost-effective and doesn’t feel like you’re throwing a mini-wedding every time you host an event.

Now, for the fun part: Decorations!

In my former, pre-children life, I would stay up many nights to handcraft complicated decorations. These days, I still want to create a fun, inviting, put-together bash, but in quick and cost-effective ways. Sound crazy? It’s not.

Look for multi-purpose decorations and make sure that they coincide with the kind of party you’re having. For Memorial Day party decorations, a color theme of red, white, and blue is the best way to go. Flowers can also transform your space so make use of them. If you plan on decorating the yard with geraniums or other seasonal flowers, coordinate those with your overall motif.

The items on your buffet table also double as party decor. Cake stands and beverage dispensers add height to the table, while the food, napkins, ribbons and flowers add texture.

Enjoy the party with activities!

Here are the activities I’m planning:

• corn hole
• bocce
• badminton
• croquet

If you don’t have any old fashioned games, ask around! As with the food, most of your friends will be happy to lend a hand to make the celebration entertaining and fun.

And if you have a bit of land like I do, you can build a bonfire (a small fire pit works just as well) and make s’mores. We do this whenever the festivities run late so I always have supplies on hand.

These are just the planning stages of our Memorial Day celebration. Watch out for the next post to create your low-key party, and feel free to leave notes on what you and your friends do for Memorial Day parties!

Paint your door

This is an undeniably easy spruce up idea! Painting is the quickest way to transform your front door. My vote is for a fun color or, at the very least, something nice and glossy. Can’t wait to try it on my own front door. For real. I have glossy-front-door envy.

Helpful Tip: If your door currently has paint, make sure you strip off the paint first then sand it before putting on a new coat of paint. This gives your front door a smoother look once you’ve finished painting on the new coat.

New hardware (or spray paint your old hardware)

 
Talk about an instant update. The constant change in weather wears out the door hardware, but changing door knobs every time takes too much time and effort. For a quick fix, spray paint your door knob! This spruce up solution takes about five minutes and instantly changes your front door from grimy to posh.

Helpful Tip: Use an oil rubbed spray paint like the one used here to keep your door knob looking classy.
 

Door knocker

 
Speaking of new hardware, you can also go for some chic fun by attaching a door knocker! Adding a door knocker gives your front door an additional point of interest and brings a touch of vintage to your façade.

Switch out your door mat

 
Spring might have arrived late here in Michigan, but it just gave me a reason to pull out new door mats! Change the mat of your front door into something lively to truly welcome your guests into your house. Nothing says “come in!” better than a brightly patterned door mat.
 

Customize your house number

 
Again, an instant update. Also, so many styles to choose from. Cottage-y, modern, vintage, traditional, block, script. Need I say more? Make the front door really stand out with personalized house numbers – and you don’t need to do any heavy lifting! Another easy way to customize your house numbers is to take them down then coat them with the leftover spray paint from your door knob. Now, doesn’t that sound quick and easy?
 

Fun added touches

 
New mailbox

Our mailbox is curbside, so I can’t change mine. But, if you have a mailbox next to your front door, it’s another great way to add a fun, decorative touch.

Lighting

Add some lighting to your front door. It may be a bit more labor-intensive, but the difference it makes is huge.

Flowers and Wreaths

It’s springtime, so don’t forget to add some flowers! Potted flowers or floral wreaths are beautiful additions to any entryway. They are cheerful and welcoming, and add lots of color to your front door. You can also change them to match the season.

These are just a few ideas on how you can spruce up your front door. Do you have any suggestions? Feel free to share them!

But don’t you just love window seats? There is just something so comfortable and homey about them. Now, depending on which room your window seat is in, there are a lot of ways to use it. Here are some of my favorites:

In the Kitchen

Kitchens are often the entertaining hub of the home. Adding a window seat to a kitchen can help utilize the space beneath the window for guest seating. A thick, comfortable cushion will draw friends to the window seat and keep them out of the cook’s way. Don’t forget to put pillows for even more comfort and style!

Go a bit further with your décor and turn your window seat into a mini-bistro or dining nook. Make the most out of a long, narrow space by combining a window seat with a dining table.

You can use the drawers under a window seat for storing extra tableware or  cookware. A window seat is also the perfect way to camouflage unsightly radiators or exposed plumbing.

In the Family Room

Can you think of a better place to relax and read a book than in this cozy window seat? Except for sitting on the beach under an umbrella, of course!

Window seats are great for sipping hot chocolate on a cold winter day or just reading a book while the sunlight peeps through. The cozy design certainly adds charm to your family room while providing extra storage. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves flanking a window seat are great for displaying your favorite books and keepsakes.

Plus, if your window seat is big enough, you can turn it into a place to nap on a warm afternoon. Use a thick cushion to create a smooth, comfortable base and add sheer drapes for a little privacy.

In the Kid’s Room

A window seat can add a dash of playful style to a kid’s room. I mean, what child wouldn’t love this space?

But aside from making a dramatic improvement to a room’s overall design, window seats can also provide a cozy spot for children to do their homework or enjoy an after-school snack.

Your child can use the window seat as an additional seating area when friends come over. Or in this case, as a cozy bed

The built-in bookcases and drawers also allow for much-needed extra storage.

In the Office/Study

Who wouldn’t want an inspiring view while working or studying? If you’re strapped for space and don’t need more seating, turn your window seat into a desk instead. The window seat’s nooks and crannies naturally lend themselves to storing office supplies, while the addition of a lamp and bookshelves quickly transform the seat into a quiet workspace.

In the Mudroom

With all of the other rooms in the house attended to – the living room, bedroom, kitchen and study – let’s not forget the part of the house that makes the first impression on all your guests: the mudroom. A well-organized window seat, like the one pictured above, basically serves as a shoe rack and hallway closet, but is endlessly more appealing. Who knows, with a window seat in your mudroom, it may just become the most popular room in the house!

Do you have other uses for window seats?  Share with us!

I want my house to reflect the changes in the season as well: sunshine, spring flowers, open windows. It doesn’t take much to add some new life to your home. With four children, I am always looking for quick ways to ready my house for the new season. Here are a few ways you can easily decorate with a touch of spring:

Pillows

Switch out your pillows for an easy decorating style. I promise you, this quickly and dramatically changes the look of the room. If you have a couch or chair in a solid color, get pillows with a pattern that uses at least one color from your interiors to coincide with the rest of your décor.

Budget Tip: To save money, buy/switch out pillow covers instead of purchasing brand new pillows for each season.

Spring Throws and Linens

Switch out heavy flannel and afghans with light linens. Accentuate your couch and cushy chairs with fresh and airy throws with designs that have the same color scheme as your redressed pillows or couches.

Go a step further by replacing your tablecloths and napkins with ones that complement your new color motif. You can also “spring-ify” your bedroom by changing your sheets and duvet covers. Use pastel-colored linens for your bedroom for a fresh vibe.

Fresh flowers

Spring redecorating is never complete without fresh flowers. Flowers make me happy, especially since I don’t have to worry about paying big bucks to have them in my home.

What I do is buy inexpensive grocery store flowers then fill little bud vases with them. Carnations, often the forgotten flower, are a great choice. They are affordable and have a long shelf life. Buy carnations in the same color for a stylish, unifying spring décor accent in every room.

Wreaths

Wreaths are for more than just Christmas! Spring wreaths are perfect above your mantel or by your door. An unadorned wreath is great, but you can also add in small flowers like baby’s breath to enhance its springtime feel. For a finishing touch, find a ribbon that goes with your color scheme and wrap it around the wreath.

Create a spring-inspired home with just a few touches! What are your favorite spring decorating accents?