Malta Development Blog

A royal-looking home need not be over 100 acres or have a history of housing monarchs. With a few adjustments and additions, your home can look royal and grand in no time. Check out the following home decor tips to transform your humble abode into a sumptuous and royal palace.
 

Not everyone is born with impeccable taste and an eye for interior design. While the familiarity and command of home decor is an acquired skill, budding designers can learn to skip past the awkward beginner stage with a few simple pointers. By steering clear of these common design mistakes, first-time designers can create a polished and refined look without much experience.

For many, an untidy home can be a constant distraction. Keeping it clean, however, seems like a never-ending job. For those of us that have an ever-growing list of tasks, streamlining our home cleaning seems like an impossible goal. That's why, we've compiled a list of handy tips that will keep your home cleaner for longer which means you have more time to do what you do best.
 
Seal Garage Floor: An epoxy coating for your garage floor can do wonders. Not only does it protect it from impacts, stains, chipping, and chemicals, but it also makes your floor look sleeker. Cement garage floors, especially, shed powder which becomes airborne due to regular foot traffic. That dust can get tracked inside the house. Sealing your garage floor means less dusting for you.
 
Multiple Storage Locations: Instead of storing your cleaning supplies in one central hub, keep selected supplies in various locations around the house. Store a multi-surface cleaner and paper towels in the bathroom, microfiber cloths in the home office, and a duster in the master bedroom. That way you can clean as you go.
 
Area Rugs: Area rugs do an excellent job of preventing large amounts of dirt from collecting on your carpet. Once you notice your decorative rugs are getting a bit dirty, just vacuum them and pop them in the wash. It saves you from having to use carpet cleaners or hiring a service to do it for you. Now, you'll only have to clean your carpet every once in a while.
 
Double Floor Mats: If two heads are better than one, then the same rule applies to floor mats. Double the amount of floor mats hold twice the amount of dirt. Place one outside and inside your home's entryways. You'll notice that this method works when you see how much dirt is tracked in on the inside mats.
 
Use a Stick Vacuum: Every household needs a high-quality vacuum cleaner, but they tend to be on the heavier side. Reserve the larger vacuums for deep cleaning and use a stick vacuum for quick clean-ups. These compact cleaning devices can be stored easily behind a living room cabinet or in a small closet. Every night before you head to bed, go over your floor with the stick vacuum to keep your home tidy.
 
Pet Care: Although this tip seems like common sense, brushing your furry-legged friend outside a few times a week drastically reduces the amount of pet hair you have to pick up inside throughout the week. Instead of vacuuming constantly, your new grooming routine curbs your pet's shedding.
 
10-minute Clean-Up: This works especially well when kids are helping out. Make it fun by creating a game out of the cleaning process. Use a timer, set the mood with some upbeat music, get ready, set, and clean. Assign your kids to put their toys away while you clean and organize one specific area that needs it the most. Afterwards, reward yourselves with a small prize.
 
Although not all cleaning hacks are applicable for every home, most can drastically reduce clean-up time. Not only that, but a clean home can make you feel more productive and motivated to accomplish all your goals.

Home decorating trends come and go just like seasons. While some decor trends experience a surge in popularity, others are relegated to the storage room. These spring-inspired trends are making a big splash amongst interior home designers.
 
Black and White Decor: Once upon a time, vibrant chevron patterns were all the rage. Lately, however, the colorful v-shaped craze has been replaced by minimalist, black and white decor. Think linen white walls for a bright bedroom, black faux suede chairs, and an expansive white area shag rug. For you kitchen lovers, opt for a black glazed tiled backsplash paired with white cabinets.
 
Matte Finishes: Predicting style and design trends is nearly impossible. What was once a design staple like a metallic finish (copper, steel, etc) is now long forgotten. In its place, matte finishes like oxidized metals, glazes, and chalk-finish hues dominate. The irony is that both matte and metallic finishes complement each other. So go ahead and bring out those metallic accents from storage.

Spring is in the air and the current decor trends reflect just that. Let the season inspire your home design by adding a bit of renewal and life to your home. Small flourishes can make certain areas stand out. One such area that could benefit from spring-inspired decor is your dining room table. Top it off with one of these elegant, easy, and fresh floral centerpieces.
 

You're getting your address book out to call up friends and family, when you suddenly remember that the last time you hosted a party, the post-cleaning process dampened your spirits. When you host a gathering, there's bound to be a few spills. That shouldn't deter you from bringing loved ones together. Instead, read up on these easy ways to remove common party stains.
 
Red Wine: Sometimes, a simple glass clink can lead to an unsightly pool of Cabernet on your eggshell-colored carpet or rug. To save the party, find the nearest microfiber or white cloth, club soda and begin blotting the soon-to-be-gone stain. If you've noticed the stain once it's already dry, create a mixture of one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid and white vinegar (each) and a couple cups of warm water. Blot until the stain is gone.
 
Candle Wax: Dinner parties with old friends can often go long into the night. Nostalgia becomes the theme. The last thing on your mind is that mound of candle wax dripping onto your luxuriously embroidered tablecloth. If you find yourself in this predicament, put the tablecloth in the freezer so it's easier to scrape off the wax with a blunt edge knife. There may be some remaining wax. Iron on the reverse side with a sheet of wax paper on the affected side. The melted wax will transfer completely onto the wax paper.
 
Chocolate: What's a good party without dessert? As the excitement builds up in anticipation for that chocolate tart on its way out of the kitchen, you see your slice fall off your plate in slow motion. No need to fret. Assemble a mixture of dish washing liquid (1 tbsp.) and a couple cups of cold water. Use this liquid mixture to blot the stain until no there's no more chocolate transfer. Use a fan to completely dry the affected area.
 
Coffee: Late night coffee marathons keep the festivities going. Long after most everyone has left, coffee tops off an eventful night. When the inevitable coffee spill happens, a concoction of one tablespoon of liquid dish soap and white vinegar (each) and a couple cups of cool water does the trick. Grab a white cloth and blot to remove the spilled coffee.
 
Gravy: Slippery fingers and an overfilled gravy boat is a recipe for disaster. The next time you see that rich and brown sauce cascading straight onto your high-end textiles, you'll have a plan. To remove spilled gravy, apply a laundry stain remover and let it soak in the washing machine for a couple of hours. Once washed, air dry and you're done.
 
Cranberry Sauce: Its crimson red hue and sweet scent makes it a holiday party favorite. The favoritism ends when it comes in contact with your bright white tablecloth. To remove this stain, create a solution of mild liquid detergent (1/2 tbsp.), vinegar (1 tbsp.), and a quart of cold water. Let it sit on the stain for about 15 minutes. Wash with cool water afterwards.
 
We hope these stain removal tips have eased your worries of hosting a party in your home. Even a few minor spills become part of the story of the night.

Are you in need of more kitchen counter space but don't want to do any major renovations? Frustration can kick in when you're short on time and struggling to make room for kitchen prep. Luckily, there are creative ways to maximize the space you have.

Many homeowners take great pride in their meticulously decorated home. Some household fixtures, however, detract from their methodically designed humble abode. Everything from air vents to loose electronic cords attract attention, but not in a good way. Turn these common household eyesores into sights for sore eyes with these inspired and straightforward DIY ideas that disguise even the most unsightly home features.
 
1. Garage Door Opener: If you've converted your garage into a playroom for the kids or a home office for dad, you may be wondering how to cover up that garage door control panel attached to the wall. If you are, you can transform some scrap wood, a small art frame, and a stylish doorknob into a clever secret door to keep up with the room's decor.
 
2. Air Vents: Air vents can turn any whimsical oasis into an industrial-looking living space. To add your personal flair to a seemingly insignificant detail, pick up a radiator screen from your nearest hardware store and make your very own decorative vent cover. Paint it the same color to match your current wall hue.
 
3. Wall Protrusions: What do you do when you have thermostats, outlets, and light switches on one wall that detract from the overall design style? You camouflage them. By pairing these practical, but unsightly home fixtures with a gallery of framed artwork, these eyesores blend seamlessly into the background yet remain easily accessible.
 
4. Router: Technology is making internet speed faster every day, but the aesthetics of the equipment leave much to be desired. Instead, try this vintage book cover to hide routers, modems, or cables. This simple disguise keeps your wi-fi signal strong without sacrificing style.

Not only does a statement piece add personality to your home, but it also becomes a good talking point for your guests. Knowing how to incorporate it into your current home decor is easier than it looks. If you have your eye on a certain statement piece, but don't know how to tie it into your room, the following tips are for you.
 
1. Less is more: In a room with multiple statement pieces, nothing is a statement piece. If you decide to incorporate a bold piece of furniture into a room, make sure that the items around it are less eye-catching. When designing and decorating, it's all about balance.