Categories
Lifestyle

8 Things we’re ditching in 2020

sustainable essentials jules hunt
Photo by Jules Hunt @omandthecity

This year, we’re more focused than ever on sustainability and bettering the planet. Yup, it’s 2020 and in case you haven’t considered it yet, it’s time to make some changes when it comes to what we’re putting into the Earth. 

 

Ever heard of microplastics? They’re small, broken down pieces of plastic from literal trash humans have created that end up in the land or the ocean less than five millimeters in size, which then are consumed by wildlife and thus ingested by humans. Plastics are treated with toxic chemicals like Phthalates and bisphenol A–among a wide range of other toxic chemicals, which as you could infer, remain toxic even when the litter becomes microplastics that are later absorbed by marine life and ingested by humans. There isn’t enough research to indicate the potential health risks to humans, but we know these chemicals are toxic to the environment, wildlife and humans, so why don’t we make efforts to reduce this kind of waste now before it’s too late?

Single-use straws

Forget 2020, these should’ve been ditched back in 2017. With many accessible alternatives, single-use straws should be a thing of the past. The turtles and generations after you will thank you. Plus, let’s be real, it probably only takes you 10 minutes to finish your iced coffee anyway–is it worth the waste these straws produce? Do yourself and the planet a favor and snag a set of stainless steel straws, stash them in your car, work bag, at home or at your desk so you’re never without one. 

 

Plastic bags

Not all plastics are created equal. Plastic bags, in fact, are not recyclable. Don’t use them to bag your recyclables and don’t use them to hold your groceries. Plastic bags end up in landfills, litter our water systems, streets, and pollute the ocean. Get with the new decade and get yourself some reusable grocery bags you can use for every Whole Foods run. Stylish and sustainable–that’s how we like it. 

 

High red-meat diets 

Before you red meat lovers write this off, listen–I love red meat, and with the risk of the vegetarians and vegans coming for me, it’s hard for me to give it up cold turkey. Red meat, among other animal-based foods and food products, are bad for the environment for many reasons. They require a lot of natural resources, making their carbon footprint significantly higher than their plant-based counterparts. Hence, the influx in demand for plant-based products. In addition to preventing environmental repercussions, of course, there are a plethora of health benefits to switching to plant-based diets including reduced cholesterol, less bloat, and lower risk of certain diseases and cancers. For 2020, join many others in reducing red-meat consumption. If not for the planet, then for your overall health. 

 

Processed foods 

Trust me, we love a good snack with Disney+ as much as the next guy, but reducing consumption of processed foods means reducing plastic and single-use waste as well (think about the packaging!). In fact, back in March 2019, we went plastic-free for a month here at LARQ HQ, and we saw first hand how dependent we are on single-use plastic. If you’re not fully convinced, try it for yourself: be conscious of how much waste you’re tossing away each week. 

 

Plastic cups 

“Can I get a cup for water?” – something you probably ask when dropping by your favorite taco joint or the movie theaters. You’ll probably receive a plastic cup for water that you’ll probably refill once at the most and then toss into the garbage. Can we just ditch this kind of single-use waste now that we’re in 2020? With so many options of reusable water bottles–and even our LARQ Bottle that uses UV-C LED technology to automatically sanitize the inner walls and purify water–you can truly have water everywhere you go. No need to grab that dinky plastic cup. 

 

Coffee cups

Sip on your favorite cup of Joe without adding to all the coffee cups in the landfills. Just like cups for water, coffee cups are just as wasteful and unnecessary. Instead, invest in a good thermos or a tempered glass reusable coffee cup. Some coffee shops even give you a discount for bringing your own cup–you know, to offset that oat milk substitution. 

 

Plastic wrap 

Just like all single-use waste, plastic wrap has got to go in 2020. Believe it or not, there are alternatives that actually work. Try wrapping your loose food items in bee’s wrap, use Tupperware to store food, or use these silicone cling wraps in a variety of sizes that fit everything from bowls to cups to sauce dishes. 

 

Plastic produce bags

If you think about it, a grocery store trip can be extremely wasteful if you’re not conscious about what you’re using. Produce bags are not recyclable. They’ll eventually end up in a landfill and most likely into the ocean. The solution? Don’t be afraid to carry that single apple to the checkout. You’re going to wash it when you get home anyway, right? There are also reusable mesh produce bags you can use for heftier trips. Pro tip: put all your reusables by your keys so you remember to bring them with you when you leave the house. 

 

Small changes make a great difference when more people start to adopt them. Refuse single-use whenever possible and start building habits for a sustainable future. It’s 2020, and it’s time to ditch single-use waste. 

 

Categories
Lifestyle

How to have an eco-friendly holiday

holiday table setting

Educating your guests about your eco-conscious soiree will be your contribution to the Earth this month. Events surrounding the holidays can be extremely wasteful–holiday parties, gift wrapping, travel and creates a larger footprint than needed. Although some are unavoidable, there are ways to reduce waste for a more sustainable holiday. 

Buy a real Christmas tree instead of an artificial one

A real tree can be composted after it has served you through the holidays, but an artificial one–although reusable year after year–uses a lot of resources to produce, and when you inevitably throw an artificial tree away, it’s going straight to a landfill where it will take tens of thousands of years to disintegrate. So if you buy an artificial tree, hopefully, you’re keeping it forever–or opting for a real tree (the experience is better anyway).

Reuse packaging for gift wrapping 

craft holiday wrapping paper with ribbon

You know all those boxes you’ve opened in Christmases past? We hope you saved them because now’s the time to bust them out to reuse! Hopefully, your recipients reuse these boxes too–extending the lifespan from single-use to reused. 

If you don’t have gift boxes from previous years, use shipping boxes from packages. You can easily dress them up with kitchen twine, ribbon, or string you have lying around. Add some fresh greenery and a handmade tag, and your wrapping is complete!

Send gifts directly to recipients to minimize waste 

To minimize waste from wrapping paper–and avoid wrapping altogether–let the experts do it! Have your gift shipped directly to your giftee! If you’re online shopping for gifts anyway, this will be a nice surprise they’ll love, sans wasteful wrapping paper. 

Wrap gifts in reusable bags

Instead of using wrapping paper or gift bags for your presents, put them in reusable bags that your giftee can reuse in the future! It’s a great nudge to get people to bring reusable bags with them everywhere they go. It’s like a gift within a gift. 

A gift that doesn’t need to be wrapped

Isn’t it always great to say a lot without having to do a lot? If you’re attending a holiday party and don’t want to show up empty-handed, a bundle of wintery greens or florals is an amazing gift and, you guessed it, doesn’t need to be wrapped. Wine, chocolate, homemade cookies, candies, and toys or treats for the host’s pet, are just a few examples of gifts that don’t need to be wrapped!

 

Use things you already have around the house

A lot of us have things around the house that would be great for wrapping or decorating around the house. Avoid buying new holiday decor by reusing things around the house or hitting up the local thrift stores. In fact, you might score some amazing finds that you forgot you had–or some cool antiques that are sure to strike up a conversation. 

 

Twine can be used to wrap around gifts, scrap paper for tags, magazine paper as wrapping paper–you name it. If you’re lacking holiday decor, it might be a good idea to ask your parents if they have things lying around that they could lend or give to you. Our parents or relatives could potentially have old things they’ve accumulated over the years that will make gorgeous (and nostalgic) holiday decor. Plus, if you’re hosting the festivities this year, they’ll be great pieces to reminisce on with the entire family. 

Use dinnerware or opt for compostables

If you’re hosting a gathering that’s more manageable (4-10 people), you could get away with using your nice dinnerware and washing dishes later. However, for large holiday parties, there’s a reason why disposables are so popular. They’re convenient, cheap, and fuss-free–BUT they’re plastic, and not the recyclable kind. If you can’t avoid using disposable dinnerware for your next event, try compostable options (easily accessible via Amazon). Don’t forget to keep a marker nearby for guests to write their names on their plates and cups! As you may know, lost dinnerware is how waste starts to build up. 

 

Items from nature make excellent decor 

holiday table setting

A nice winter drive around town with a friend or two looking for cute holiday decor in the wild can be a really fun activity. Pine cones and branches that have broken or fallen off trees make a beautiful tablescape or fireplace decor. You could even try making a wreath if you can find enough of them! 

Ask to keep the trimmings from your Christmas tree

woman holiday a wreath in the snow

If you buy a real tree, chances are they will trim off the straggling branches to create a clean trunk to sit in your tree stand. Ask them for the trimmings, which are usually free since they’d throw them out anyway. The trimmings can be used to decorate a mantle, a dining table or even used to create a DIY wreath. 

 

Energy-saving outdoor lights 

Instead of stringing a ton of lights up for the holidays, there’s a much easier way to decorate and reduce your footprint–light projectors. These save time, energy (yours and the electricity kind), and take holiday decorating to a new level. LEDs are way more efficient and energy-saving than incandescent lights so it makes a whole lot more sense to buy LEDs. 

Whatever you’re celebrating, remember to keep your footprint in mind, seek to reduce and reuse, and don’t forget to spread the holiday cheer. Oh, and don’t forget to pack your LARQ Bottle with you to skip out on any single-use plastic bottles. 

 

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A post shared by LARQ (@livelarq) on Dec 14, 2019 at 11:01am PST

 

Categories
LARQ News

Introducing: The LARQ Bottle Benefit Edition

LARQ Bottle Benefit Edition Sahara Gold bottle Well Aware

We at LARQ would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support. One percent of all purchases since we launched our first LARQ Bottle in 2018 continues to fund water projects and fight plastic pollution all over the world through 1% for the Planet, a nonprofit network that connects businesses to environmental causes around the world. 

The health of the environment is extremely important to us–it’s our future and the future of our children on the line. At the rate that plastic waste is entering our oceans today, estimates show that by 2050, the amount of plastic waste (by weight) will surpass the amount of marine life in the ocean. 

African boy drinking clean drinking water from fountain

For every LARQ Bottle Benefit Edition purchase, we are donating 5% of proceeds to Well Aware (while supplies last). Well Aware is a nonprofit that brings sustainable and innovative solutions to water scarcity and water contamination so that communities become self-sufficient. Well Aware’s well systems have a 100% success rate while the industry average is a 40% success rate–giving peace of mind to the communities they were built for. A staggering 1 in 10 people lack access to clean water–and in this day and age, this is truly unacceptable. 

Well Aware has provided life-changing clean water to 61 communities and counting to more than a quarter of a million people. Many communities living in water-scarce areas walk for hours to the nearest water source, and these waters are oftentimes contaminated and unfit for human consumption, leading to many cases of illnesses, children dying from diarrhea, and long queues at the local doctor for treatment. 

The sustainable well systems Well Aware have helped reduce disease rates by 64%, increased education by 34% and enabled education for girls by 58%. Not having to worry about waterborne illnesses means that members of the community are empowered to sustain themselves, children can attend school–no longer spending hours in a day fetching water–and families no longer need to relocate in order to be closer to water sources. 

LARQ Bottle Benefit Edition Sahara Gold Bottle

 

By creating a product like the LARQ Bottle, that works effectively and beautifully, our hopes are that more people will be willing to end single-use plastic bottled water purchases and make a permanent switch to reusable water bottles, and by making all purchases count toward funding projects that help bring safe drinking water to people all over the world, as well as funding plastic cleanup projects and recycling programs, we can cause a ripple effect on a global scale. 

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Categories
Wellness

How to clean your reusable water bottle (if you don’t have a self-cleaning one)

LARQ Bottle 25oz in pool

So you’ve been stuck with a persistent funky, musty smell in your reusable water bottle. You think you wash it enough (you’re supposed to give it a soapy scrub every day), but no matter what you do the smell is still there. Ever try to subtly do a sniff test when you’re at your desk at work and smell the atrocious funk that is coming from your water bottle? You’re not alone.

The great thing about reusable water bottles is that they are environmentally friendly–a far better alternative than buying single-use plastic water bottles. But the only downside is that people are not washing them properly, leading them to develop a stench that puts people off from using them, or worse, buying new ones–which can get expensive over time and creates more waste. Knowing how to properly clean and care for your reusable water bottle will help prevent this, and better yet, keep you from getting sick.

Depending on what type of material your water bottle is made of, your bottle may be more difficult to clean. Plastic and glass tend to cling to odors. Fortunately, food-grade 18/8 stainless steel (like the kind used to make the LARQ Bottle) is usually a better alternative, but don’t be fooled–reusable bottles without self-cleaning technology can get so filthy they’ll make you sick.

Now, odor aside, there are some pretty nasty things that can grow in your water bottle when you don’t clean it properly. Things like bacteria, mold, and viruses can breed exponentially in dark, moist areas–especially in something like a water bottle. After even one day, you’ll see bacteria growth in a regular water bottle, so it’s important to clean it every single day, if not multiple times a day.

Hopefully, this doesn’t deter you from using a reusable water bottle; they’re still the most sustainable alternative to avoid getting a plastic cup of water from Starbucks or buying bottled water. Mother nature will surely thank you! So here are some easy ways you can care for your reusable water bottles and get rid of that funk so you can keep using your reusable bottle.

How to get rid of that smell from your water bottle:

  1. Soap and lukewarm water
    Good old soap and water can do the trick if you’re diligently washing your water bottle every day. This regular cleaning will prevent odor-causing bacteria from growing too quickly. Scrub with a sponge and a bottle brush to get into all the crevices. Sometimes bacteria and mold can grow on the bottom of the bottle because it is a difficult place to reach when washing.
  2. Soak in boiling water
    A good overnight soak in boiling water should get rid of a slight funk after forgetting to wash the bottle for more than a day. Wash with warm soapy water the morning after and do a sniff test to see if the smell has gone away. If it’s still smelly, try the next option.
  3. Soak in baking soda solution
    Baking soda is commonly used for many cleaning applications because it deodorizes. Scoop 2 heaping teaspoons of baking soda into your water bottle and fill it with warm water. Let it sit for a couple of hours or better yet–overnight–for the best results. Rinse your bottle thoroughly and do another sniff test. Does your bottle still smell funky? Try the next method.
  4. Soak with white vinegar
    Vinegar surprisingly does well by neutralizing odors because of its astringent properties. Fill your water bottle with white vinegar (you can also opt to dilute with warm water if you don’t have enough vinegar on hand), and let it soak overnight. In the morning, rinse with warm soapy water and reassess. Sometimes the soak can leave a vinegar smell but don’t worry, another overnight soak in hot water should get the vinegar smell out.

Don’t have time for all that? There’s a better solution.

If that stubborn stench persists even after all these methods, or if you just don’t want to go through the trouble–it’s okay, you have way better things to do with that time–it might be time to upgrade to a LARQ self-cleaning water bottle.

You probably know as much as anyone that scrubbing your water bottle every day or soaking it overnight isn’t always convenient and you might have even experienced reaching for single-use plastic water bottles as a result of forgetting your water bottle at home because it was soaking all night. Counterintuitive, don’t you think?

We’re here to offer you a solution–a self-cleaning water bottle that remains odor-free after every use. No more scrubbing, jamming your gigantic hands in the tiny mouth of your bottle, hand yoga, or musty smell, ever. The UV-C LED technology built into the bottle’s cap zaps away odor-causing bacteria and harmful viruses so your bottle never smells, your water is purified, and you can drink confidently anywhere you are in the world.

The LARQ Bottle activates self-cleaning every 2 hours so you don’t even have to think about whether or not your bottle is clean, but if you want, you can press the button for on-demand cleaning and water purification. Press twice for Adventure Mode which activates a 3-minute cleaning cycle for those “is this water safe to drink?” moments.

There are a bunch of methods for cleaning your water bottle, but the best way is prevention. You should always wash your bottle with soap every time you use it. If this is not feasible for you, join the club! The LARQ Bottle is your best bet for a stink-free sip every time. No daily cleanings, no scrubbing, no fuss–and no need to attempt discrete sniff tests again. Because your water and bottle should smell like–well, nothing.

Categories
Lifestyle

Luxe Holiday Gifts Ideas You Might Just Keep for Yourself

mini christmas trees with snow

Looking for some fail-safe gifts? While you can’t actually please everyone, you can come really close to it. Here’s a lineup of practical and nifty gifts the special people in your life never even knew they needed. That’s how you know you’re winning already. 

Stress-relieving Weighted Blanket 

holiday gift guide weighted blanket
Bearaby Velvet Weighted Blanket

Weighted blankets have been gaining a lot of traction lately because they’ve been shown to reduce anxiety and help people sleep better. Who knew having some weight on top of you could do all that? Gift this to anyone who’s having trouble sleeping or can use the extra help to relax–a.k.a all of us. 

Shop the Bearaby Velvet Weighted Blanket, $249 – $279

An external battery that fits in your wallet!

holiday gift guide external battery lifecard
Lifecard Lightning External Battery

At this point, pretty much everyone has an external battery, but we typically go for a pretty hefty amount of mAH to get more bang for our buck. For someone who’s always on the go and tends to use their phone a lot, this is a great gift! It’s super slim and fits into a wallet–plus, it has an attached lightning cable that seamlessly fits into the battery. Yep, no more carrying around a bulky battery and cables. Your loved one is gonna love this. 

Shop Plusus Lifecard Lightning External Battery, $49.99

 

Light-up wall panels 

This one is a wild card for sure. For the techy person who is always blasting music at home, DJing at parties, and loves things that light up (yes, it’s a thing!), they’ll absolutely love this. The Nanoleaf Rhythm are panels that you stick onto your wall and respond to the rhythm of the music you play. There are varying options for colors, types of movement and more so your friends or loved one can enjoy them for a long time to come. 

Shop Nanoleaf – Rhythm Edition – 9 Panels, $199.99

A water purification bottle

2 LARQ Bottle 17oz. / 500ml in Obsidian Black and Monaco Blue
LARQ Bottle – 17 oz / 500 ml in ( Pictured left: Obisidian Black; Pictured right: Monaco Blue)

For people who love things that light up, or basically anyone who drinks water, a LARQ Bottle makes the perfect gift. With built-in UV-C LED technology that neutralizes bio-contaminants in the water and inner surfaces of the bottle, your giftee will love having a stink-free bottle. With every purchase, 1% of proceeds will go to 1% for the Planet too, so you and your loved one can feel good about this gift inside and out. 

Shop LARQ Bottle – UV-C purifying water bottle, $95

Waterproof Speakers 

Ultimate Ears Lagoon Blue Bluetooth Waterproof Speakers
Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker – Lagoon Blue

For the music-obsessed and life of the party, these highly-rated waterproof speakers are a wonderful gift and their design-forward monochromatic look is truly speaking to us. These are highly-rated for their impeccable sound and bass and boasts a 15-hour playtime so the party can keep on going. 

Shop Ultimate Ears Portable Bluetooth Waterproof Speakers, $149.99

Sustainable spa shower

nebia spa shower 2.0
Nebia Spa Shower 2.0

Feast your eyes on the shower system that will take your home to new lengths by saving you money, water, and energy–for a more sustainable home. The Nebia 2.0 provides 3x faster droplets and 2x greater coverage while saving 65% more water than a standard shower. We talk a lot about preventing plastic waste here, but another concern is conserving water. The Nebia is an innovative product and a luxurious gift even the person-who-has-it-all doesn’t have yet. Plus, it’s stunning design is sure to please–and continue to please–well into the future. Did we mention it comes in Matte Black? (Hint: Pairs well with your Obsidian Black LARQ Bottle.)

Shop Nebia Spa Shower 2.0, $499

Fully functional Carryall 

Dagne Dover Landon Carryall in Siren - Red Duffle bag
Dagne Dover Landon Carryall in Siren

For someone who travels a lot, needs a new gym bag, is always on the go, a new carryall is a thoughtful gift–and this one’s a stylish one to boot with plenty of compartments so there’s a spot for all their things. This carryall even includes a trolley sleeve that effortlessly slides over your luggage handle making traveling extra easy!  

Shop Dagne Dover Landon Carryall, $95-$215

Smart garden 

holiday gift guide click and grow smart garden
Click and Grow Garden

For people who love to cook at home or love organic produce, this smart garden makes a great gift that keeps on giving! Even if your loved one doesn’t have the greenest of thumbs, Click & Grow makes indoor gardening easy with Nespresso-like biodegradable pods containing different herbs and vegetable seeds that make planting new produce easy!

Shop Click & Grow – The Smart Garden 3,  $99.95

Wireless charging dock 

Holiday Gift Guide Stay Courant Wireless Charging Accessory Tray
Stay Courant Wireless Charging Accessory Tray – CATCH:3

Although most new smartphones are equipped with wireless charging nowadays, most people don’t have them yet! Get your giftee a sleek looking wireless charger that’ll make life a little easier and keep their cables in check at home or at the office. The Catch:3 is our top pick as a sophisticated and delightfully techy catchall for the nightstand. Perfect for wirelessly charging your Airpods and iPhone at the same time–no plugging necessary. 

Shop Stay Courant Wireless Charging Accessory Tray- CATCH:3, $175

 

Airbnb Gift card 

holiday gift guide airbnb gift card
Airbnb Gift Card

When in doubt, get a gift card, but not just any random gift card–an Airbnb gift card. Why? Whether you’re gifting to your avid traveler friends or to that friend that doesn’t even have a passport yet, or your parents who are long overdue for a weekend getaway–this gift is thoughtful and easy as pie to get for a loved one. 

Shop Airbnb Gift Card

Luxurious bathrobe 

Holiday Gift Guide Ettitude Bathrobe
Ettitude Waffle Bathrobe

Loungewear is even better when it’s gifted. A bathrobe is certainly a taste of luxury for some people and a gift anyone can use! Your giftee will love lounging around the house in this because of its surprisingly silky texture. The waffle knit gives it a spa-like feel that anyone will enjoy. 

Shop Ettitude Lyocell Waffle Bathrobe, $80

Cashmere sweater

holiday gift guide cashmere sweater
Everlane Cashmere Sweater

A classic holiday gift is a sweater–but not your Aunt Joanie’s cable knit sweater–a cashmere one. This is one luxe gift people will really appreciate. It’s like a hug they can wear. 

Shop Everlane – The Grade-A Cashmere Crew Sweater, $120-130

 

Spafinder gift card

Holiday Gift Guide Spafinder Gift Card

Have a friend who loves massages and all things relaxation? Get them the Spafinder gift card! They’ll be able to select their own services at any local spa that’s partnered with Spafinder so they can relax however they want when they want. Just make sure to check your giftee’s local area to make sure there are plenty of options for them! 

Shop Spafinder Gift Card 

Categories
LARQ News

Introducing the all-new LARQ Bottle Movement

We founded LARQ on a mission to help end single-use plastic bottle consumption, so we created the world’s first self-cleaning bottle–equipped with technology that cleans itself and purifies water at the same time. With our proprietary UV-C LED technology, we were able to design a bottle that keeps the bottle stink-free, clean, and safe to drink from without the use of toxic chemicals like Mercury. Now, we’re doing it all again with an exciting new collection.

We wanted to create a lightweight bottle that maximizes capacity for water while harnessing our proprietary UV-C LED technology. Enter the LARQ Bottle Movement–the newest addition to our LARQ Bottle line that features an ultra-lightweight single-wall stainless steel construction and a premium quality silicone sleeve for added grip and protection from bumps and knicks. It’s built for movement.

LARQ Bottle Movement 24oz / 710mL single wall stainless steel self cleaning water bottle powder coated silicone sleeve

 

The LARQ Bottle Movement is designed for the modern-day goal-getter. Whether it’s conquering that beast of a trail, hitting your a personal record, or squeezing in gym sessions after your 12-hour workdays–the LARQ Bottle Movement is here to keep you healthy and hydrated with pure water on the move. The intentional forward-slash was designed to emulate forward movement and optimism. Be inspired to take on each day with your LARQ Bottle Movement.

The LARQ Bottle Movement uses the same cap as our original LARQ Bottle which means they use the same amazing UV-C LED technology you know and trust. Wondering what the heck a UV-C LED is? We’ll break it down for you…

How it works

The UV-C LED technology is the secret sauce to the LARQ Bottle and LARQ Bottle Movement’s self-cleaning and water purification functions. The UV-C light is emitted at an optimized wavelength of 280 nanometers and bounces off the inner electropolished 18/8 stainless steel walls of the bottle to eradicate up to 99.9999% of bacteria and viruses before they have a chance to grow or multiply, keeping your water and bottle stink-free and safe to drink.

It’s easy. Just fill up your LARQ Bottle or LARQ Bottle Movement with water, press the button to activate Normal Mode, a 60-second cycle of UV-C LED cleaning power that purifies your water. Lastly, #DrinkBrilliantly.

The bottles will intelligently activate a 10-second cycle every 2 hours to maintain the cleanliness of your bottle too! No fuss, seriously.

In this day and age, we’re always on the move and in need of on-demand, on-the-go water purification we can rely on. That’s why we developed LARQ’s proprietary UV-C LED technology and are continuing to create brilliant products that help you stay healthy and hydrated.

LARQ is ready to move when you are.

Categories
Design

13 Low maintenance indoor plants for the bedroom

woman holding indoor plants

So you want to get your inner plant parent on? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Indoor plants are not just the trendy thing to do, but the healthy thing to do. They help purify the air of toxins such as benzene, trichloroethylene (TCE) and formaldehyde. The indoor plant phenomena actually comes from NASA’s 1989 study on “Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement”, which found that several plants were effective in purifying the air of these three common airborne toxins.

Where do these toxins come from you might ask? Humans. These chemicals are released into the air due to production of man-made products. Benzene is very commonly used in gasoline, inks, oils, paints, plastics, rubber, and even in the manufacture of detergents explosives, pharmaceuticals, and dyes according to the NASA study. TCE is a commercial product with a plethora of industrial uses including metal degreasing, dry-cleaning industries, printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes, and adhesives. Formaldehyde is found in virtually all indoor environments, according to the study. It’s uses stem from urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) and particle board or pressed-wood products, consumer paper products like grocery bags, waxed paper, facial tissues, paper towels–that all use formaldehyde resins. Many household cleaning agents contain formaldehyde too–hence the push for all-natural products in the recent decade. There are a lot of serious health implications that we’ll spare you from here, but they aren’t good. Prolonged exposure can be detrimental to your health which is why you should always try to choose clean, all-natural products where you can and beware of greenwashing.

NASA’s goal here was to reignite the relationship between humans and plants and remind people of our dependence on plants to survive. So next time you’re watering all your plant babies, remember they’re doing as much for you as you are for them!

Rubber plant/fig (Ficus elastica)

Photo by @planttherapy.yvr

The rubber plant is a gorgeous plant with large, glossy leaves. It thrives in moderate to bright light (it can even be left outside during the summer!), and needs light and constant moisture so a well-drained soil and pot is ideal. Rubber plants are great for any place in the house, but especially the bedroom due to its ability to remove toxins and formaldehyde from the air. Keep the glossy leaves clean and shiny by wiping with a damp cloth.

Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutenscens)

Photo by @stephnosehome

Don’t let this tropical look fool you. The Areca Palm is perfect for any style. It needs bright direct sunlight though, so if you have a big window that gets a lot of sun, this is the perfect home for the Areca Palm. Because it prefers bright direct sunlight, you’ll find that the Areca Palm is a heavy drinker. You’ll want to wet the soil every time you water, and only water when the surface of the soil is dry before watering again. The Areca Palm can grow up to 6-7 ft tall and will last as long as you take care of it.

Snake plant (Sanseveria trifasciata)

Photo by @indonesiaplantclub

The snake plant is easily distinguished due to its ribbon-like fronds. But it’s not just striking to look at–it’s also named on NASA’s list of top air purifying plants! The snake plant has shown to filter benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene, and even converts carbon dioxide into oxygen at night, which is something houseplants only do during the day.

Dracaena (various species)

Dracaenas come in different colors and shapes from the “Janet Craig” to the “Tricolor” or “Masangeana” (aka “corn plant”) but require more or less the same care. They love moderate to bright indirect light, and like when their soil is kept lightly moist. These are perfect for the bedroom because they help purify the air and especially good for smokers because they can suck up particles of smoke in the air that cause health problems. Talk about a plant that gives back.

Spider Plant (chlorophytum comosum)

Photo by @artful_green

This grassy and fuss-free plant is adorable in hanging baskets or in regular planters. The Spider plant thrives in medium to light shade and moist air. It’s best known for decreasing carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide levels along with purifying the air of ethylbenzene and formaldehyde. The spider plant is unique in that it will produce a bunch of baby spider plants called “pups” or “plantlets”, and you can cut them off and gift them to friends and family! Who doesn’t love a plant that gives back?

Pothos (epipremnum aureum)

Photo by @thismotherhood

Pothos comes in all types of colors and patterns. It’s known as a beautiful vine plant that climbs well and for its heart shaped leaves. They are one of the easiest plants to grow, clears the air of formaldehyde and helps purify the air of benzene. Pothos prefer moderate to bright light, or filtered light. Using a rich, moist yet well-drained soil is ideal for keeping the Pothos happy and healthy.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum species)

Photo by @thebarnatnewbygrange

Peace lilies are beautiful and surprisingly fuss-free indoor plants and a great option for people who love flowers but don’t want to constantly purchase and replace them in the bedroom. In addition to giving you gorgeously glossy leaves and white blooms, they also purify the air by removing toxins and increasing humidity of the air which can help reduce allergy symptoms and give your throat and sinuses a break. They tolerate low to moderate light, but they bloom best in brighter light. For care, allow the soil to become nearly dry before watering. You can divide and propagate every five or so years to create new baby plants! Peace lilies come in different sizes so whether you want a substantial floor plant or a petite tabletop plant.

English ivy (hedera helix)

Photo by @plantaelover

English ivy is beautiful in a hanging planter or trained to climb trellises. It’s also great for clearing toxins from the air like toluene and benzene. A study reported that English ivy removed 94% of airborne baeces and 78% of airborne mould in just 12 hours. As a result, it’s recommended to those who suffer from allergies. To care for English ivy, remember to mist regularly and keep the soil moist but well-drained. It should be placed in a partially sunny to shady location, so it’s perfect for the bedroom!

Philodendron (various species)

Photo by @leaflyhome

The Philodendron genus are nearly unkillable indoor plant that actually thrives on neglect. One popular plant in this genus is the Heartleaf Philodendron, an adorable table plant or hanging plant with dark green, shiny, heart-shaped leaves. You’ll find several species under this genus that you’ll love, including one named the Pink Princess, known for it’s marbled pink and green leaves or a marbled version known as the Variegated Philodendron. They are particularly effective in absorbing formaldehyde from indoor air. They can survive in low light conditions, but grow faster and produce more leaves in medium or bright indirect light. Allow soil to dry completely before watering again.

Parlor Palm (chamaedorea)

Photo by @houseplantscollective

If you love a good tropical plant, the Parlor Palm is a great addition to your space. It can grow pretty big, so make sure you have enough height and width in your room. They prefer bright but indirect light and can grow in average home humidity, but it grows best in high humidity. Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy and remember to water when the soil is barely dry to the touch.

Aloe vera

Photo by @gardens_nursery

Aloe vera is an excellent indoor succulent that is hard to kill and easy on the eyes. It’s been named by NASA as one of the best plants for air purification, and shown to release oxygen throughout the night.

Keep your air fresh and breathable with these NASA-approved indoor plants. You’ll be breathing better and sleeping a little easier in no time. Just remember to take care of them–plants have needs too!

Categories
Interviews

Founder Spotlight: Clean Beauty with Indie Lee

What does clean beauty mean for you? For most, you probably haven’t put much thought into what ingredients are in your moisturizer or eye cream–it’s probably something with a big box name that you’ve heard people talk about before and decided it’s good. So allow me to introduce you to the founder and CEO of Indie lee skincare, Indie Lee herself.

Indie is a mom of three, and a fur mom of two. She’s been through quite a lot in her lifetime that has put her on the path she’s on today. Clean beauty is more than just beauty. It’s about keeping harsh chemicals and ingredients away from your skin so you can be healthy through and through. The emphasis on health here is huge and goes hand-in-hand with beauty.

“In 2008, I was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor that doctors felt could be environmentally derived and attributed to something as simple as what I was putting on my skin. I was given as little as six months to live,” she explained. This was her awakening. “I wanted to provide a platform to educate and empower others to make healthier, mindful choices. So I created Indie Lee skincare–I wanted the brand to be clean, efficacious, and look chic on a shelf.”

Indie’s brand and ours has a lot of synergies we were happy to chat about. We’re both focused on delivering effective products that solve real problems. We were happy to learn that Indie puts her heart and soul into her skincare line to ensure that her products are safe, effective, and clean.

Surprisingly, Indie had no beauty experience before starting her skincare line and was actually an accountant (previously managing HBO’s International finance division), so this was all new territory for her. “I simply knew that this brand was my mission and my platform for education and empowerment,” she explained, “Failure was not an option, so I built the brand from the ground up. It was hard work but to see what the company has become today is so rewarding. I wouldn’t trade a second of the experience.”

E: What are some mistakes people make in their skincare or lack thereof?

I: I think any mistakes simply come from a lack of knowledge. That’s why we are so dedicated to educating consumers. We really want to provide them with information to make the best choices for themselves. If I had to pick common mistakes thought, I would say not washing your face thoroughly enough, even then you aren’t wearing makeup. Also, clean your makeup brushes and cell phone screens weekly!

Another helpful tip Indie stresses is hydration–both in the form of a great moisturizer and internally with ample water. According to Indie, “keeping the skin happy and hydrated is key for a radiant, clear complexion.” –who doesn’t want that? It’s actually recommended for “most of us to drink between 8-10 cups (as a general rule of thumb) of water per day,” Jaclyn London, MS, RD, CDN, Nutrition Director at Good Housekeeping Institute says.

A lot of men tend to shy away from skincare for dozens of reasons, whether it’s because most skincare is marketed towards women or the ones that are marketed towards men don’t combat the issues they want to address. So I asked Indie–what are some must-haves for men when it comes to skincare? Is there a difference in products for men versus women?

I: Any products that are a must-have for women will work perfectly for men. We actually have more male consumers than you’d expect, my son included, who I swear must bathe in our Brightening Cleanser based on how quickly he goes through it! I think for men who are looking to begin a more elevated routine, and good cleanser, moisturizer, and eye product are the perfect starters.

Choosing clean skincare is great for your skin’s health. But since we’re all about the planet’s health too, we had to ask Indie about sustainability as it pertains to her life.

E: What role does sustainability play in your personal life?

I: Sustainability is something that is very important to me and something I’m always striving to improve. The biggest changes for me have been carrying a reusable water bottle (and yes, I am OBSESSED with my LARQ Bottle and recommend it to everyone). I also think the little things can really add up – refusing single-use straws, bringing your own bags to the grocery store, refusing plastic cutlery with takeout, etc.

E: What, if any, were the hardest things for you to give up in order to lead a more sustainable lifestyle?

I: I think it was more of getting into the habits that you need to create to be more sustainable, and also not beating yourself up over it if you forget. If you leave your reusable bags in the back of your car, you’ll probably be more likely to remember them when you go to the grocery store. I recently saw a great quote from @zerowastechef that said ‘We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly’ and I couldn’t agree more.

Skincare is a huge pillar in self-care, so naturally, I wanted to know what Indie’s best practices of self-care are in her world.

E: What is your self-care ritual like?

I: Meditation is one of my biggest rituals. I meditate twice daily, even if I’m traveling. It’s something that always brings me back to center and keeps me grounded. That being said, I think self-care looks different to everyone, and you have to find what works for you. Yes, meditation is a form of self-care I practice, but I also think a drink with friends can be self-care. It’s all about what makes you feel fulfilled at that time and giving your mind and body what it needs. That’s not always a green juice.

Lastly, Indie wants you to know that “Passion is everything. If you can find something that you are passionate about, everything else seems to fall into place.” That’s something we can agree with wholeheartedly here at LARQ. Being passionate about creating great products is what all the founders we’ve interviewed (including our own) have in common. The drive to innovate and create a product that serves the people and addresses consumer issues is what keeps us going. You can see that really come through with Indie Lee and her amazing skincare brand. Read more about Indie Lee’s story and shop her line at www.indielee.com/.

Categories
Lifestyle

Back to school essentials for students and teachers

Obsidian Black LARQ Bottle with notebooks on plain background

As summer comes to a close, we’re welcoming another school year that’s just around the corner. So of course, we got to thinking that maybe you’d appreciate some well-designed back-to-school essentials for students and teachers that make you stand out from the crowd. That’s right–we’re not neglecting our teachers here. Whether you’re in high school, college, in grad school or even attending coding boot camp, here are some of our top must-haves.

Backpack

When it comes to backpacks, everyone’s personal style is different. We’re judging these by form and function–it’s what we do. They’ve gotta have enough room for a laptop, notebooks, pens, and be versatile enough to take us from school to the gym to home, and sleek enough to not be embarrassed about. Whether you’re a student or a professor, you’ll find these to be practical without compromising style.

Beis – The Backpack

Photo via Nordstrom

Why we love it: It’s chic and designed for travel. Shay Mitchell’s brand, Beis, has quickly become a favorite for travel. She designed the bags specifically to have functions she uses on her trips so you know you’d get a lot of uses out of it. It features a separate laptop compartment closest to your back for added security. The large front compartment opens up all the way and includes straps that hold everything in, sort of like a suitcase. It will be your new favorite everywhere bag from school, work, and gym, to weekend trips, overnights, and travels abroad.

Buy it here: Beis The Backpack, $78

The North Face Isabella Backpack

Photo via Nordstrom

Why we love it: We love North Face backpacks because aesthetically, they’ve got it right. The Isabella is on the flatter side so it won’t look like you’re lugging your whole life with you, plus this keeps the backpack from weighing you down and hurting your back. Premium materials will make this baby last a long time too. We love that there are plenty of compartments including a main compartment with a sleeve that will fit up to a 15” laptop, front stash pocket, and a bunch of other pockets that will keep you organized. You can’t go wrong here.

Buy it here: The North Face Isabella Backpack, $85

Tumi Innsbruck Backpack

Photo via Nordstrom

Why we love it: Not only does the Innsbruck have a unique design, but it also is super functional–as Tumi products are–with plenty of pockets inconvenient places (like an earbud pocket in the straps), removable waterproof rain cover with reflective strips (cyclists will love this!), a padded compartment that will fit up to a 15” laptop and more. We love this sleek not-too-bulky look.

Buy it here: Tumi Innsbruck Backpack, $395

Lo & Sons The T.T. Tote

Photo via Lo&Sons

Why we love it: This tote is super lightweight and easy to travel with. It’ll fit up to a 13” laptop in a padded sleeve and carry all the essentials with you without being something you’ll overstuff. It’s perfect from going from class to meetings to the office. Lo & Sons does a great job with all of their bags to ensure that bags are organized and there’s literally a place for each of your things.

Buy it here: Lo & Sons The T.T. Tote, $260

Notebooks

Taking notes? Bullet journaling? Sketching? Doodling? Notebooks have not completely disappeared from us just yet. For those of us who still enjoy writing with pen and paper, notebooks are absolutely essential. Now, you might want to pick up a bigger one for taking notes as a full-time student, but a smaller one will be perfect for taking everywhere you go and using as your go-to for all your thoughts you jotted down.

Karst Stone Paper Notebook

Photo via Karst Stone Paper

Why we love it: We’ve talked about this notebook a lot because, if you could tell, we’re obsessed with the design of this notebook and this brand as a whole. They’re carbon neutral, use stone paper instead (no trees were harmed in making them!), and the perfect sizes for daily use.

Buy it here: Karst Stone Paper Hardcover Notebook, $29

Leatherology Leather Journal

Photo via Leatherology

Why we love it: If you’re a fan of luxe touches in your stationery, you’ll love this leather journal. It’s a sleeve that you can use on any softcover medium notebook, but this will come with one in case you don’t have a different favorite just yet. You can even personalize it which makes things a lot more, well, personal.

Buy it here: Leatherology Medium Journal, $70

Astier de Villatte Small Notebook

Photo via Catbird NYC

Why we love it: I mean, what’s not to love? These designs are already getting our creative juices flowing. Astier de Villatte’s papers are printed traditionally from methods that very few printers still use. Astier de Villatte is a master printer in France that mixes their colors from ink reservoirs and on rollers so each notebook is unique. If you’re looking for something artisanal and truly special, this is it.

Buy it here: Astier de Villatte Small Notebook, $20

Reusable Water Bottle

It’s no question this makes it on our list of essentials for back to school and beyond. A reusable water bottle is an essential, period. When it comes to reducing single-use plastic consumption, plastic bottled water still comes up as one of the most polluting single-use plastics on the Earth. As humans, we’re buying 1 million plastic water bottles per minute. PER MINUTE. And we have to ask ourselves, why are we still buying bottled water when reusable water bottles are so abundant? Don’t be a part of the statistic. Keep a reusable water bottle on you at all times where you can fill up at water fountains around campus, the cafeteria, or even your favorite pizza shop.

LARQ Self-cleaning Water bottle

Why we love it: Needless to say our original LARQ Bottle is an essential all day, every day. We literally don’t go anywhere without it. The LARQ self-cleaning water bottle uses proprietary UV-C LED technology that eliminates up to 99.9999% of bacteria so it’s something you always want by your side, especially when you’re out and about. You’ll quickly reach your water intake, essential for increasing focus and deterring fatigue caused by dehydration. Stay sharp and refreshed with the LARQ Bottle.

One of the key reasons we found to why people don’t use reusable water bottles is because they develop a stink over time–even after washing. You’re supposed to wash your water bottle every day, but do we? Probably not every day. Admittedly, the task is tedious and frankly, when we soak our water bottle to clean it, we usually forget to bring it with us the next morning when we’re rushing out the door. Sound familiar? Enter the LARQ Bottle, which we developed with UV-C LED technology not just to give you peace of mind when filling up your bottle at a questionable public water fountain, but also to neutralize odor-causing bacteria so your bottle doesn’t stink. Ever. This way, you won’t be reaching for any single-use plastic bottled water anytime soon and Mother Earth thanks you for it. Keep up the good work.

By the way, we’re now offering 10% off for students and teachers. Just verify here to receive your unique code to use at checkout!

Buy it here: LARQ Bottle, $95

Pens

Smooth-like-butter pens make note-taking and grading papers more fun– but they’ve gotta be great pens. You know, the kind that glides over your paper like it’s nothing, the kind that doesn’t ooze out too much ink at once, or the kind that is consistent until the last of the ink. Refillables are nice too. We love a less-waste situation.

Poketo Slim Pen

Photo by Poketo

Why we love it: First off, they’re sleek and gorgeous and go with any color LARQ Bottle you own. Second, they’re super smooth, refillable, and come in 0.5mm ballpoint tips. They have a good weight to them too–none of that flimsy stuff here. You’ll want to keep this on you at all times.

Buy it here: Poketo Slim Pen, $8

Muji Smooth Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen

Photo by Muji

Why we love it: Note-taking can get pretty boring with just black or blue ink. Plus, it makes it hard to read afterward. Our favorite note-taking method is using color to create emphasis around a topic, make side notes, or highlight any specific topic to dive deeper into later. These Muji pens come in all sorts of fun colors, in a 0.5mm tip, and are super smooth so you can note-take like the wind.

Buy it here: Muji Smooth Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen, $1.49

Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner Pen

Photo via Sakura

Why we love it: Love an ink pen but hate the bleed-through? You’ll love the Sakura Pigman Micron. It’s truly a favorite for bullet journaling and any kind of writing, sketching like dot-work or even writing in birthday cards (they don’t smudge either).

Buy it here: Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner Pen (6CT set), $11

Planner

Get your life organized with a planner for the year, whether that’s digital or physical. Sometimes it’s easier to have something physical you can write in and annotate the way you want. Ever buy a planner and stop using it after two weeks? Find a planner you love–that is organized the way you need it to be–and you’ll be motivated to use it.

Shinola 18-month Runwell Planner 2019-2020

Photo by Shinola

Why we love it: This Shinola planner gives us Monaco Blue vibes so you already know what we’re pairing it with. The planner is organized and has a place for all your thoughts, doodles, and to-do lists. And of course, it looks great so you’ll want to use it every day.

Buy it here: Shinola 18-month Runwell Planner 2019-2020, $26

Headphones

These have almost become a staple in every backpack, purse, and gym bag. Music, podcasts, webinars, online classes–you got it all covered with a good set of headphones. Amp up the sound to drown out your roommate’s chatter and get into a deep focus. “Lo-fi Study Beats” or “Focus” anyone?

Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones

Photo by Beats

Why we love it: If you prefer over-the-ear noise-canceling headphones, Beats is a great choice. We love the sleek design and colorways the line offers and impeccable sound (hellooo, bass).

Buy it here: Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones, $160

Apple Airpods

Photo by Apple

Why we love it: Of course, we had to mention the n Airpods. They’re a favorite among Apple users, and for good reason. The support and connectivity just work better between Apple products. But if you’re not an Apple fan or user, other great true-wireless earbuds are the Jabra Elite 65t Earbuds.

Buy it here: Apple AirPods with Charging Case, $159

Wall Calendar

Always getting your dates mixed up? Don’t. A wall calendar is a great way to give you an overview of what your week looks like, keep you on track, and well, it can be a great decor piece.

Minimalist Wall Calendar

Photo via Amazon

Why we love it: We’re loving this wall calendar design! It’s clean and minimal and the extra-large numbers give it a bold look, or for when you don’t have your glasses or contacts on. Clean, simple–just the way we like it.

Buy it here: Stendig Wall Calendar, $50

Whiteboard Calendar

Photo via Amazon

Why we love it: A more sustainable alternative to the paper wall calendar is a whiteboard calendar. It already has a grid so you can write in the days and even take notes and plan out your days and weeks on it without the permanence of pen and paper.

Buy it here: U Brands Magnetic Monthly Calendar, $27

Digital Alarm Clock

Sure you could use your phone, but having an alarm clock makes sense for when your phone gets cracked and you need to leave it at the Apple store to get it fixed… just me? Either way, it’s good to have a clock of some sort that isn’t your phone–when your phone dies, when you lose it (under the covers or your papers), when you just want to look at the time without having your phone nearby–I could go on, but I won’t. Plus, your alarm clock can do a lot more than just tell time.

Bluetooth Digital Alarm Clock Speaker

Photo via GOgroove

Why we love it: This guy doubles as décor. We love this clean aesthetic and light wood look. Plus, it doubles as a speaker so you can jam out to your favorite songs when you get the room all to yourself or have friends over.

Buy it here: Bluetooth Digital Alarm Clock Speaker, $30

Coffee Maker

Back to school means back to heavy studying, grading, classes, and extracurriculars. You probably want to invest in some good coffee and an amazing coffee maker to get you through the school year.

Chemex Classic Pour-over Glass Coffeemaker

Photo via Chemex

Pourover coffees have gotten a lot of buzz–and for good reason. You’ll get a more robust flavor from your quality beans. There’s a method to this that you’ll enjoy doing for yourself each morning. Call it your own morning self-care ritual.

Buy it here: Chemex Classic Series, Pour-over Glass Coffeemaker, $35

Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville with Aeroccino

Photo via Breville-Nespresso USA

If you’re looking for a real investment and not a fan of the pour-over method of coffee making, you’ll love this one. You’ll get a great brew every time, at the push of a button (just like how our LARQ Bottle purifies water at the push of a button!)–brilliant, right? On sustainability, Nespresso’s values are anchored in a commitment to restore environmental and human resources. The pods are made from aluminum and not recyclable through your traditional curbside method–instead, Nespresso offers recycling at their boutiques or you can order prepaid shipping bags to ship up to 200 empty pods to their recycling facilities. Nespresso claims that aluminum is “infinitely recyclable”, so they’re doing their best to make it easier for consumers to recycle their used pods.

Buy it here: Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine, $170

Sunscreen

Yes, you need to be wearing sunscreen every day. Going from class to class to dorm to the library to your friend’s apartment is a lot of outdoor activity where you’re exposed to the sun. The sun’s rays are damaging to the skin, even if you don’t see it right away. With prolonged sun exposure, chances of skin cancer, sunburn and premature aging can occur–and no one wants that. Still have reservations? We bust all your excuses for not wearing sunscreen in another article here. Just make sure your sunscreen is also reef-safe to cover all your bases.

Categories
Design

10 Tips for styling your bedroom like a pro

woman styling bedroom modern unsplash

If Marie Kondo wasn’t enough to get your bedroom into tip-top shape, we’re here to help. After all the cleaning and organization (we DON’T love a mess), your bedroom was probably immaculate but left feeling a little… simple? After perusing Pinterest for bedroom inspiration, you probably have some clue of what your style might be, but what do you actually need to know to style your bedroom to Pinterest-worthy recognition? Here, we’ll tell you.

Size up your duvet

Photo by Crunchhome.com

Go a size up for duvets/comforters to get that draped-over-the-bed look. It’s not that your bed won’t look good without, but if you have a bed frame you don’t love, have storage under the bed, or just like the draped-over look, sizing up is a neat little trick to achieve this! Going a size bigger for your duvet will also give you more coverage–especially if your partner likes to steal the blanket at night.

Keep a low profile

Photo by Architectural Digest

Low profile furniture makes your ceilings feel higher and more spacious. A low profile platform bed is the perfect way to make your bedroom feel more zen too–who doesn’t want that in their bedroom? You’ll want your nightstands and anything adjacent to the bed to be low-profile too so there isn’t a huge clash.

Artwork, meet bedroom.

Photo via ensidecor.com

Everyone’s style is different, but artwork–no matter what your taste preference is–speaks volumes on your style without needing a whole lot of decor. Opt for something contemporary, a watercolor painting, or even a tapestry to completely change the personality of the room. Here, minimalist meets the world with ancient-era wall art and figurines.

Rug Placement

Photo via domino.com

A rug can convey a lot of different things in a room from being a piece of artwork in itself or making the space feel cozy, depending on the design or pile height. Size matters too–you’ll traditionally see a rectangular mattress under the bottom half of the bed. It’s also fun to play with rug layering too to combine textures. Pictured here, a new age diagonal rug placement draws the eyes down and makes a statement without a lot of effort!

Symmetry

Photo by mydomaine.com

Symmetry in a bedroom can make a room look more put-together. This includes having two or more pillows on the bed, two sconces on either side and even two nightstands. This will also provide balance, which is important in making a bedroom feel less cluttered. It doesn’t mean that everything should be exactly symmetrical, of course; intentional decor and “un-done” bedding can bring it back to life and make it look less stiff.

Lighting is everything

Photo via breyi.com

Seriously, don’t skip the lighting elements, which aren’t just for lighting the area. Pendant lights, sconces, lamps, and desk lamps can make a huge statement aesthetically in a bedroom too. Coordinate the fixtures for these to make to a bedroom look complete. Pictured, these brass fixtures pull the bedroom look together, and they make a massive statement against the black ship panel wall.

Color Palette

Photo by Matri via Nordic Design

Stick to a color palette. Depending on what your style is, a good way to ensure a bedroom look that will stand the test of time is a palette that is versatile, i.e. neutral. We’re not saying you can only stick to black and white, but having a few key colors to stick to are important for keeping the overall look balanced.

Textures = unboring

Photo via Tumblr

Play around with textures! Nothing makes a room look flatter then a lack of texture. Breathe some life and interest into your space by using wire grids on the wall, a chunky knit throw, or even layered rugs! In this styling, we see playfulness with textures like velvet, knits, and even a stripe pattern.

Indoor Plants

Photo via decoraiso.com

Are you tired of hearing about indoor plants yet? We aren’t. Indoor plants liven up any room, and some offer benefits like air purification (since we got water purification covered with the LARQ Bottle). They’re also super easy to take care of. If you don’t want to do a real plant, you can even opt for art prints you can find on Etsy that will give a similar effect without a smidge of responsibility.

Mirror Mirror

Photo by West Elm

Did you know that restaurants use mirrors to make the space feel bigger? You can use the same idea with your bedroom. Although some feng shui experts would advise not to face a mirror towards your bed, mirrors do make your room appear slightly larger and add texture as well as function. And you can face them towards something else, like your door (good feng shui)!