Menu 
  • CENTURY 21 MarketLink Realty
  • Find a home
    • Map Search
    • Mobile Search
    • Open Houses
    • Buying Guide
    • Find Your REALTOR
  • Sell a home
    • Free Home Valuation
    • Sell Your Home
    • Selling Guide
    • Find Your REALTOR
  • Communities
    • Anoka County
      • All Homes for Salein Anoka County
      • Distressed Propertiesin Anoka County
      • Newest Listingsin Anoka County
    • Carver County
      • All Homes for Salein Carver County
      • Distressed Propertiesin Carver County
      • Newest Listingsin Carver County
    • Dakota County
      • All Homes for Salein Dakota County
      • Distressed Propertiesin Dakota County
      • Newest Listingsin Dakota County
    • Hennepin County
      • All Homes for Salein Hennepin County
      • Distressed Propertiesin Hennepin County
      • Newest Listingsin Hennepin County
    • Ramsey County
      • All Homes for Salein Ramsey County
      • Distressed Propertiesin Ramsey County
      • Newest Listingin Ramsey County
    • Scott County
      • All Homes for Salein Scott County
      • Distressed Propertiesin Scott County
      • Newest Listingsin Scott County
    • Washington County
      • All Homes for Salesin Washington County
      • Distressed Propertiesin Washington County
      • Newest Listingsin Washington County
    • …ALL COMMUNITIES
  • Agents
    • Our Agents
    • Careers
    • Agent Login
  • Blog
    • About Us
      • Locally Owned and Operated
        Buying, selling or investing is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make. The professionals at CENTURY 21 MarketLink Realty take great pride in providing you with the guidance, advice and support you deserve to make the most of these opportunities.
      • Careers
        Surpass the Competition Consumers consider the CENTURY 21® brand the most recognized and the most respected in real estate. Our powerful brand advertising and industry leading website traffic growth can help give you maximum exposure and increased qualified leads. We offer award winning training and access to the latest technologies to assist you in growing your business.
    • Contact us
      • CENTURY 21 MarketLink Realty

      CENTURY 21 MarketLink Realty - SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER.

      You are here: Home / Archives for howto

      Sweet Dreams are Made of These: How to Style a Bed

      June 4, 2014 By CENTURY 21

      Isn’t it wonderful to come home to a warm and cozy bed? Your bed is the focal point of the bedroom and a vital component for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A good night’s sleep is crucial, and being in a comfortable bed will increase your chances of sleeping well.

      Follow our bed styling tips to achieve maximum comfort and style:

      Bed: The right bed will set the tone for the style of your bedroom. If you have a laid back style you may like a wooden or iron bed for a more formal and sophisticated look you may like a upholstered or tufted headboard. If you have a small room you might want to get a bed with a built-in bookshelf, drawers, or space for under the bed storage.

      Sheets: Material matters! Flannel or silk sheets retain heat and are great for colder weather. Linen and cotton are great sheets for warmer weather. Thread count also makes a difference – the higher the thread count, the softer the sheets!

      Comforter vs. Duvet: The primary difference between a comforter and a duvet is that a comforter is used alone and a duvet requires a duvet cover. A common analogy is that a duvet is like a pillow and a duvet cover is the pillow case. Comforters and duvets can both be filled with down, down alternatives, synthetic materials, silk, or wool. If you like to change the style of your room often a duvet and duvet cover may be a better choice because you can switch it as easily as switching your sheets. Comforters often don’t fit in normal washing machines so people usually wash them less often and use a top sheet.

      Pillows: Pillows can be filled with down-feathers, poly-cluster fill, synthetics, or memory-foam. If you like soft pillows you’ll like down-feather or poly-cluster pillows. If you like medium support you should opt for synthetic fill. For maximum support opt for memory-foam. Did you know that you should choose a pillow based upon how you sleep at night? If you sleep on you back you should have medium support, if you sleep on your side you should have firmer support, and if you sleep on your side you should have soft support.

      Shams: Show off your style with shams that match your bedding. Most shams will come with a set with sheets and a comforter to complete a specific look. If you choose to go with a duvet, choose sham covers that match the rest of your bedding.

      Accent Pillows: Complete the look by placing one or two accent pillows on your bed. Incorporate different styles, textures, or colors to make your bed stand out.

      Throw: Some people choose to add a throw for additional style and added warmth on chilly nights. Choose a neutral color that will blend in with the existing palette to keep the look simple and sophisticated.

       

      Recommended Reading:

      -How to Style a Bookshelf

      -How to Style a Centerpiece

      -How to Style a Coffee Table

      -How to Style a Nightstand

      -Five Simple Chalkboard Paint Projects for the Home

      -Storage Matters

       

      *We used Bed Bath and Beyond for research.

      Syndicated via Century 21 Blog. Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/century21/wAvv/~3/xsU5VPDCF4A/

      Filed Under: bed, bedroom, decor, DIY, Featured, Home, howto, pillows, sheets, style

      How to Make Your Home Summer Ready

      June 2, 2014 By CENTURY 21

      Summer is quickly approaching! Now that you’ve done your spring cleaning, it’s time to prepare your home for the heat. It’s easy to overlook items that might need a check-up, but with our tips, you won’t miss a thing.

      Here are our best tips for getting your home ready for the summer:


      • Screens: Make sure your screens are in good condition. If your screens are broken, you may get unwanted insect visitors…and no one wants that!
      • Open the Windows: Turn off the air conditioner and open the windows to take advantage of the fresh breeze on cooler days.

      • Air Conditioning: Before it gets too hot, check your air conditioner to make sure it is in working condition. Additionally, consider installing ceiling fans to circulate air and potentially lower your electricity bills.

      • Shades and Curtains: Incoming sunlight makes your home hotter. Keep shades and curtains closed when you’re gone for the day. Your home will be cooler and you will be able to turn the A/C down to save some money on your electricity bill.

      • Landscaping: Don’t forget about the landscaping! Warmer weather means the lawn needs extra care. Use sprinklers to keep your grass hydrated and healthy this season. Plant trees or shrubs around your house to create shade.

      • Get Bug Free: It’s that time of year when mosquitoes and other unwanted insects wander our backyards. Get ready for entertaining guests by spraying repellents and lighting citronella candles to keep the bugs at bay.
      • Seal Your Ducts: According to California’s Energy Center, leaking ductwork accounts for 25 percent of cooling costs in the average home. Make sure to get your ducts tested (and any leaks repaired) by a qualified contractor.

      • Outdoor Decor: Dust off the patio set and wash outdoor fabrics. If necessary, give your pieces a fresh coat of paint to freshen up last year’s look.

      • Turn It Off: Turn off the lights and unplug appliances when you aren’t using them. You’ll save energy and lower your energy bills which is helpful because energy bills are highest in the summer.

      • Vent a Little: Ventilate your attic to keep hot air from getting trapped in a confined space.

      Our tips will ensure that your home is in the right condition for the summer months ahead, while saving you money.

       

      Recommended Reading:

      -Just DIY It: 5 Natural Cleaning Products

      -Everything’s Coming Up Roses: 10 Popular Spring Flowers

       

      Syndicated via Century 21 Blog. Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/century21/wAvv/~3/nfUAZoAfbFA/

      Filed Under: DIY, Featured, heat, Home, hot, howto, ready, summer, summerhome

      How to Decorate Your Home on a Budget

      May 29, 2014 By CENTURY 21

      Buying a home is expensive, but decorating doesn’t have to be. You can decorate a home that shows off your style and personality without breaking the bank. Use these tips to decorate your home on a budget.

      1. Make a Budget: Before you start shopping, create a budget that makes sense for you. How much are you willing to spend for a quick update? Figure out which pieces are essential in your home decor and work around that. For example, if you’re decorating a living room, a majority of your money will go towards a nice couch or entertainment center. List out what you’re willing to spend for certain items.

      2. Shop Flash Sale Sites: Flash sale sites like Joss & Main and One King’s Lane offer their customers designer brands for discounted prices. These types of sales are a great way to stay within your budget, while still achieving the look you want.

      3. DIY: Estate sales and flea markets are great ways to find vintage pieces for less. Don’t be discouraged by their rugged appearances! The furniture might need a little TLC, but a simple DIY project will do the trick. Quick paint jobs, new hardware and some dusting will have these pieces looking good as new! You can also buy less expensive furniture from stores like Ikea. Paint them, add new fixtures, and make them your own. Google “Ikea hacks” for inspiration.

      4. Personal Touches: Grab a camera and get outside! Sometimes the best wall decor is your own. Print your favorite photographs to display in nice frames. Play around with patterns and color depending on your style. Create gallery walls with your favorite family photos, photos from trips, wedding pictures, or pictures around your neighborhood.

      One added benefit of this approach is that it encourages you to infuse your personality into every element of home design. You don’t have to stick to the status quo – you are making decisions that represent you and your family.

       

      Recommended Reading:

      -How to Style a Nightstand

      -How to Style a Coffee Table

      -How to Style a Bookshelf

      -Color Palette: Ginger Jars

      -Color Palette: A Day in the Garden

      -10 Secrets for Making Your Room Feel Larger

       

      Syndicated via Century 21 Blog. Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/century21/wAvv/~3/EzctpAqIOnE/

      Filed Under: budget, Buyers, decor, design, Featured, Home, howto, interior, style

      CENTURY 21 MarketLink Realty - SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER.

         Show me homes...
      LOCATED IN AND PRICED BETWEEN
         AND

      WITH AT LEAST
      Bedrooms AND Baths

      Menu 
      • Buying Guide
      • Open Houses
      • Map Search
      • Our Agents

          ©2025 CENTURY 21 MarketLink Realty. CENTURY 21® is a registered trademark owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each office is independently owned and operated