This New Year, focus on realistic and effective ways to organize your home.

Home organization is often praised for making life easier, but did you know it’s possible to overdo it? The trend of perfectly organized spaces, popularized by social media, can sometimes lead to systems that are hard to maintain and more frustrating than functional. Does the “organization” in these photos make you crazy? You don’t have to live up to these photos; put all that behind you. These home organization tips for 2025 will help you find a balance between tidy and practical. Let’s make the New Year a time to get real!

1. Decanting Isn’t Always Practical

Decanting food items into matching containers might look great online, but for most families, it’s not a practical system. Instead of spending extra time transferring everything from grocery bags to bins, try using general containers labeled with broad categories like “snacks,” “grains,” or “cereal.” This approach keeps your pantry organized and accessible without creating unnecessary work.

2. Keep Kids’ Toys Simple

Organizing toys aesthetically is often more about appearances than function. While it’s tempting to color-code or create a specific container for every toy, this can quickly become overwhelming for you and your children. Instead, opt for broad categories like “dolls,” “blocks,” or “dress-up,” with easy-to-read labels. This method makes it easier for kids to clean up while still keeping their rooms tidy.

3. Don’t Overdo Drawer Systems

Drawers are a great way to store items neatly, but overcomplicating their organization can be counterproductive. Folding every piece of clothing perfectly or filling drawers with too many dividers can become tedious. A simple solution is to pare down belongings so they fit naturally and use adjustable dividers for basic sections. This keeps drawers functional without requiring constant maintenance.

4. Be Selective with Labels in Home Organization Tips for 2025

Labeling everything may sound like a good idea, but it can become a hassle. Clear containers often allow you to see what’s inside without needing a label. Plus, if your storage needs change, specific labels can limit flexibility. Focus on simplicity—sometimes less really is more when it comes to keeping your home organized.

Let’s Create Practical Organization Systems for Your Home

If these home organization tips for 2025 have inspired you, I’d love to help you design decluttered, stylish spaces that work for your lifestyle. Whether it’s optimizing your storage or creating systems that are easy to maintain, I can guide you in finding solutions that enhance your home’s flow without overwhelming you.

Call me at (407) 743-2399 or email me at carmen@sohointeriordesign.com to set up a consultation. You can also reach out through my website’s contact page, and together, we’ll create an organized home that truly works for you.

Brighten your yard year-round with these winter-flowering plants that thrive in Florida’s climate.

If you’re lucky enough to garden in Florida, you know there’s no shortage of stunning plants that bloom year-round—even in winter. To help you keep your yard vibrant through the cooler months, I’ve curated this list of winter-flowering plants for Florida gardens. These beauties will add pops of color and charm to your outdoor spaces, and I even included a bonus pick that’s sure to make your garden stand out.

Gerbera Daisy: A Star Among Winter Flowering Plants for Florida Gardens

Bright and bold, gerbera daisies are a must-have among winter flowering plants for Florida gardens. With vibrant colors ranging from sunny yellow to vivid pink and even purple, they bring year-round cheer to any yard. Plant them in fertile, well-draining soil with plenty of morning sun and some afternoon shade to enjoy their big, cheerful blooms all season long. Bonus: They make gorgeous cut flowers for arrangements!

Firespike

Looking for something dramatic? Firespike is an evergreen shrub that thrives in Florida’s climate. Its striking 6-foot branches are topped with foot-long red flowers that attract pollinators and add privacy to your yard. Firespike loves sunlight, tolerates some shade, and is perfect for drought-prone or coastal areas with salt spray.

Viola

Small but mighty, violas are one of the most versatile and colorful winter flowering plants for Florida gardens. Whether planted in containers or clustered together in flower beds for maximum impact, their vivid blooms brighten any yard, even in the cooler months. With every shade of the rainbow to choose from, violas are an easy way to brighten up your outdoor spaces.

Plumbago: A Blue Beauty for Florida’s Winter Gardens

No list of winter flowering plants for Florida gardens would be complete without plumbago. This striking shrub’s sky-blue blooms add a touch of elegance to your outdoor space, and its new varieties in white and cobalt blue provide even more options for your landscape. This shrub thrives in full sunlight, making it ideal for informal hedges or stand-alone accents. Plant it in well-draining acidic soil for stunning results.

Winter Jasmine: A Cheerful Choice for Winter Flowering Plants

Winter jasmine is a low-maintenance gem that adds a cheerful pop of yellow to your yard during the cooler months. This vining shrub thrives in Florida’s sunny weather and can handle less-than-perfect soil as long as it drains well. While it lacks the signature scent of other jasmine varieties, its hardy blooms will brighten even the gloomiest days.

Bonus: Ornamental Cabbages

These colorful cabbages aren’t flowers, but they’ll make your winter garden pop! As temperatures drop, their rich purples and reds intensify, adding warmth and depth to your landscape. Plus, they make eye-catching garnishes for your meals—just don’t count on them for dinner; their bitter taste is best left as a visual treat.

Want a Vibrant Winter Garden?

If these winter flowering plants for Florida gardens have inspired you, let’s create a stunning landscape tailored to your home! From colorful blooms to design solutions that thrive in Florida’s unique climate, I can help make your outdoor spaces beautiful year-round.

Call me at (407) 743-2399 or email me at carmen@sohointeriordesign.com. You can also reach me through my website’s contact page to schedule a consultation. Let’s bring your garden to life this winter!

Discover how to elevate your curb appeal with the trendiest front door colors for 2025.

Changing your front door color is one of the easiest ways to give your home a fresh look. In 2025, front door color trends are all about bold statements, warm hues, and natural inspiration. Whether you’re drawn to sophisticated reds, rich blues, or earthy tones, these colors offer endless ways to enhance your curb appeal and set the tone for your home.

Sophisticated Reds

Rich, bold reds are timeless and welcoming. In 2025, expect shades like deep clay or modern takes on red that balance elegance with energy. These colors radiate warmth and can be paired beautifully with natural materials like brick or stone for a harmonious, organic feel.

Front Door Color Trends Include Natural Earth Tones for 2025

Natural hues are gaining popularity for their ability to blend seamlessly with outdoor surroundings. Mossy greens, muted yellows, and warm browns evoke a sense of calm and connection to nature. These earthy shades are perfect for complementing homes with wood, stone, or other organic elements.

Wood Finishes

Instead of paint, traditional stained wood doors are making a comeback. Shades like medium maple or deep espresso add warmth and timeless appeal to your entryway. A well-chosen wood finish pairs beautifully with natural landscapes and architectural styles that emphasize texture and depth.

Rich Blues in Front Door Color Trends for 2025

Deep blues are a favorite for 2025. Navy and other rich blue tones exude sophistication while remaining approachable. These colors shine when accented with metallic details like brass or bronze hardware, creating an elegant yet modern statement.

Contrasting Hues

Adding contrast with your front door color is a great way to bring personality to your home’s exterior. Black remains a versatile and timeless choice for contrast, but brighter pops like terracotta or pastel orange can inject playful energy. Paired with complementary exteriors, these colors make a bold and stylish impact.

Thinking of Refreshing Your Front Door?

If the front door color trends for 2025 have inspired you, I’d love to help you choose the perfect shade to transform your home’s curb appeal. From bold reds to timeless blues and warm wood finishes, I can guide you in selecting a color that complements your home’s architecture and personal style.

Feel free to reach out by calling me at (407) 743-2399 or emailing me at carmen@sohointeriordesign.com. You can also message me directly through my website’s contact page to schedule a consultation and bring your vision to life. Let’s make your front door the perfect first impression!

Benjamin Moore has announced Cinnamon Slate as its Color of the Year for 2025, a delicate mix of heathered plum and velvety brown. This inviting hue offers enduring style and modern sensibility, perfect for creating a soothing atmosphere in any room.

The Beauty of Cinnamon Slate

As design trends shift towards more saturated and nuanced colors, Cinnamon Slate stands out with its rich undertones. According to Andrea Mango, director of color marketing and design at Benjamin Moore, this color’s depth brings a sense of familiarity and comfort, making it an adaptable yet distinctive choice for any home.

Inspiration from Nature: The Color Trends 2025 Palette

Cinnamon Slate leads the way in Benjamin Moore’s Color Trends 2025 palette. Drawing inspiration from nature, the palette includes earthy, rich tones like misty Sea Salt CSP-95, deep Leather Saddle Brown 2100-20, and vibrant Stained Glass CSP-685. These shades are designed to transition smoothly from room to room, creating a cohesive and inviting space.

Cinnamon Slate Exudes Versatility and Warmth

Whether you’re using Cinnamon Slate as an accent or the main feature, its versatility brings warmth and a modern sensibility to any design. Pair it with other tones from the 2025 palette for a cohesive look that exudes comfort and ease.

A New Favorite for Years to Come

From rich jewel tones to delicate neutrals, Benjamin Moore’s Color Trends 2025 palette offers endless possibilities. The palette reflects a balanced, thoughtful approach to color that will be cherished for years, ensuring that Cinnamon Slate remains a timeless choice in home design.

Pinterest’s fall trend report has set the stage for this season’s hottest looks.

Now that fashion week wrapped up in Milan in late September, the buzz about what’s trending in design has spilled over into interior spaces. Pinterest recently released its fall trend report, revealing the top fall interior design trends shaping homes this season. From timeless favorites like “air purifying plants” to the eye-catching “sage green and blue color palettes,” these searches give us a clear view of where home design is headed.

Among these insights, a few standout fall interior design trends are set to dominate our spaces and social feeds. With this in mind, let’s dive into four of the biggest looks and how you can incorporate them into your own home.

Japanese Living Room Ideas

A blend of refinement and relaxation, Japanese-inspired interiors are having a major moment. What we’re seeing is that searches for this style are soaring as people embrace low-maintenance, calming aesthetics. To bring this trend home, choose furniture close to the ground, earthy neutral tones, and greenery like bonsai trees or succulents. Add a touch of authenticity with paper lanterns or room dividers to create a serene retreat.

Cozy Sunrooms Define Key Fall Interior Design Trends

Sunrooms are making a comeback as multifunctional spaces that let you enjoy natural light year-round. Known for their large windows and inviting furniture, these rooms are perfect for everything from family time to quiet mornings. If you’re planning an addition, consider designing a sunroom that evolves with your lifestyle, whether it becomes a reading nook, an art studio, or even a small indoor garden.

Green Home Decor

Nature-inspired hues are dominating fall interior design trends, with Pinterest searches for green decor skyrocketing by over 2,000 percent. Whether you add green through subtle accents or go bold with a feature wall, this color is adaptable to any design style. Opt for sage green for a tranquil vibe, hunter green for depth and drama, or lime green accents for a fresh, lively touch.

Zen House

As life gets busier, interiors are becoming a refuge for peace and relaxation. Soft, cozy fabrics like velvet and boucle, paired with calming tones and natural materials, are the cornerstone of this trend. Create your own zen-inspired space with plush textures, neutral color palettes, and minimalist decor that emphasizes simplicity and calm.

Bring these Fall Interior Design Trends to Your Home

This fall, interior design is all about blending beauty and function with a focus on comfort and nature-inspired aesthetics. Whether you’re incorporating a serene Japanese style, designing a cozy sunroom, or adding pops of green, these fall interior design trends offer something for every home.

If you’re looking to refresh your space or stage your home to sell, I’d love to help you make the most of this season’s trends. Reach out to start planning your next design project!

You can choose a contact method below this blog post, or click this “contact” link. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com

And you can always call me anytime at (407) 743-2399.

This bold pairing is back, with fresh ways to style it for modern interiors.

When planning your home’s color palette, decorating with blue and red may not be the first option you consider. Often associated with primary colors and Americana nostalgia, this combination has taken a backseat to softer, more muted schemes in recent years.

But this fall, blue and red are making a stylish comeback—with a twist. Think subtle variations of these classic hues, thoughtfully balanced to create a bold yet sophisticated look. Ready to try this trend? Here’s how to incorporate blue and red decor into your home.

How to Decorate With Blue and Red

Blue and red are opposites on the color wheel, creating a dynamic pairing when styled thoughtfully. Blue brings a calm, grounding energy to a space, while red adds warmth and vibrancy. Together, they can create a perfectly balanced interior. Here are four ways to embrace decorating with blue and red this fall.

1. How to Use Red in Small Doses

Red is a bold choice that doesn’t need to dominate the room. Use it as an accent to complement a primarily blue palette. Think trim on pillows, a stripe on a lampshade, or the base color of a single decorative item. By keeping red accents subtle, the overall scheme remains calming and inviting.

2. Choose Light Shades of Blue When Decorating With Blue and Red

For a timeless and neutral foundation, opt for pale blue walls or decor pieces. These lighter shades act as a canvas, making it easy to introduce pops of red without overwhelming the space. This approach works especially well in coastal or nature-inspired interiors.

3. Pair Blue and Red With Classic White

Adding white to the mix creates balance and helps both colors shine. White walls or furniture can neutralize the boldness of blue and red, giving the overall look a sophisticated and airy feel. This classic combination evokes everything from Americana to Scandinavian styles, making it versatile and timeless.

4. Try Blue and Red in the Bedroom for a Cozy Feel

Bedrooms are often associated with neutrals, but softer shades of blue and red can create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. Opt for a pastel blue paired with a muted red for a balanced, restful space. Consider incorporating patterned fabrics or wallpapers to bring these colors together harmoniously.

Bring Warmth and Elegance Into Your Home

Decorating with blue and red is a bold yet versatile trend that can work across various styles. From subtle accents to striking combinations, this pairing offers endless possibilities for creating cozy and nostalgic spaces this fall.

If you’d like expert advice on how to incorporate this trend into your home—or help with a full redesign—I’d love to guide you through the process. Let’s make your space truly one-of-a-kind.

You can choose a contact method right below this blog post. And feel free to give me a call anytime at (407) 743-2399, and we can explore some wonderful blue and red decor and design approaches together. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also click this link to message me via my website.

Creating a Mediterranean-style patio is easier than you think! With just a few design choices, you can transform your outdoor living area into a sunny escape, perfect for relaxing and entertaining. As we move into fall, now is the ideal time to get started on your patio makeover. Get inspired with terracotta pots, flowering vines, and rustic furniture.

5 Ways to Create a Mediterranean Patio

A Mediterranean-inspired patio is all about warmth, texture, and natural beauty. Here are five simple yet inspiring ways to bring that European charm to your space.

1. Start with Warm Tone Pots

The rustic, inviting feel of the Mediterranean is often captured through the use of warm, earthy tones. Terracotta pots, reclaimed wood planters, and stone vessels provide that signature look. Not only do these materials enhance the overall aesthetic, but terracotta is also ideal for drought-tolerant Mediterranean plants like lavender and rosemary. Their porous nature allows water to evaporate, keeping roots healthy.

2. Drought-Tolerant Planting

No Mediterranean patio is complete without the right plants. Olive trees, fig trees, and phlomis thrive in hot climates and can easily adapt to your backyard. These drought-tolerant plants bring shade, texture, and fragrance to your space, making it a true sanctuary. Plus, they’re low maintenance, which means less work for you.

3. Add Flowering Vines to Your Mediterranean Patio for an Exotic Mood

Create a sense of romance by incorporating flowering vines like bougainvillea or star jasmine. These vibrant, trailing plants add pops of color and can be draped over a pergola or trellis. Their lush blooms and intoxicating fragrances invite you to spend more time outdoors.

4. Incorporate Gravel and Stone

Gravel is a must for any Mediterranean-style patio. Whether you’re using pea gravel between pavers or creating a mini gravel garden, it brings that laid-back, natural vibe. Stone pavers or terracotta tiles in earthy tones further enhance the Mediterranean look while being durable and easy to maintain.

5. Use Rustic Metal Furniture

No outdoor living area is complete without the right furniture. Opt for rustic metal pieces in darker shades like black or brown to complement the warm tones of your pots and plants. If you prefer a more colorful look, try a mosaic-tiled accent table for an extra pop of Mediterranean charm.

Why Fall Is the Perfect Time to Start Your Mediterranean Patio

Fall is an excellent season to begin building your Mediterranean patio. The cooler weather allows you to plant drought-tolerant species and set up your space for the warmer months ahead. Plus, by starting now, you’ll have a lush, Mediterranean-inspired retreat ready in time for spring and summer.

If you’re ready to transform your outdoor space into a Mediterranean oasis, I can help! Contact me to review your patio and map out the perfect garden design that suits your needs.

You can message me here, right below this blog post, or click this “contact” link, or you can email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com You can call me anytime at (407) 743-2399.