Love 98% of your content Kiva BUT……No arm rest trays for me. Not now, not ever!!! Not giving up my side tables. Not now, not ever!!!! I have lots of space and my three side tables are happy!!!
We may disagree on some of these (I'm a no on the armrest thing and fake book boxes), but the sentiment is the same: Don't clutter your space, and when you do put things in your home, make sure they're really you - and you actually read them! Xo
Agree. I almost clicked off at the coffee table book section, lol. And no to the armrest thing over a side table. That made no sense to me coming from a designer.
Yes, absolutely. That armrest thing is ugly and cheesy looking. I'm kind of shocked that she suggested it because I think she has such good style typically
Her point is not to sacrifice function for form, and to give viewers options if they have a lot of these trendy options and are looking for alternatives. If you read your coffee table books, fine. If you don't, then don't get them and maybe try this alternative to get the aesthetic.
I love coffee table books. I have made the tacky mistake of getting a Chanel one before I knew better. Now, I've decided to get books on subjects I'm interested in. One on ballet, one on perfumery, another showcasing black artists. I actually pick them up and they are conversation starters.
This! We also keep to the stuff that already interests us or that we're currently looking at, like a particular artist or architecture of a place we're traveling to. And there have been several times when these conversation starters were super helpful (also in the cases where we're both running around getting stuff ready but our guests are already there and bored :D)
Funny that you said black artist. I bought one coffee table book at HG of " Dance theater of Harlem" my 9 years old daughter took it to her room and looked through it before going to bed until I asked her to bring my coffee table book back 😂. It never fails with her about black artists books. Thank you for mentioning that
THIS! Yes! Books that are actual conversation starters, I picked up studio 54 and this book about penguins🥲 I’m sorry but that Tom Ford is so basic for such a price - having one basically says I have no personality and want to be like everyone else
Yes. I had the Tom Ford book in my cart and then I thought “for what?” I won’t even open it. Instead I’m buying ones that match what I’m actually into lol
Ah.. the arm tray, I have to disagree with that. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. I can already see the spills and it constantly being knocked down
@@KatyM423 yea, I’d rather a drink spill on my coffee table or side table than upholstery. Not to mention my husband is a big guy. I could see him stretching out and BAM!
Coffee table books are a must all my guests always enjoy them 😁 it opens fun conversations with guest. I will never purchase that tacky tray for the sofa yuck.
I'm sorry but I do not like the whole fake coffee table book box thing. I personally find them rather tacky in certain spaces. Just get a nice decorative box without it needing to look like a book. Coffee table books have been around at least since the 1950s, so I feel like they're not exactly a trend. It's up to the homeowner as to whether or not they are wanted and used or not. And coffee tables books, by and large, are mostly photos anyway so I don't understand what you mean when you treat them like books strictly for information. I agree that yes, they're typically quite expensive but you don't have to have a ton of them. Thrift them. Put them on your wishlist for birthdays or Christmas presents. Lastly, get books that you actually connect with. I don't understand why I keep seeing the same stupid Tom Ford, Chanel, and Vogue books. They are weird status symbols and not typically a reflection of the homeowners interests but used as an attempt to appear cultured. Are you into flowers and gardening? Get a book on gardening. Cars? Get a book on cars. Southwestern landscape photography? Get a book on that.
I have one coffee table book but I bought it because I love it. The pictures are stunning. I want visitors to want to look through the book. I think that’s her point. Don’t just buy a book to buy a coffee table book. Like how many people who bought that Tom Ford book, actually looked through that book? Now those things you can put on your sofa arm to replace side tables? No.
😱 🙀 If I see another YT apartment tour of that Tom Ford book!?!?!!? Half the people that put out this book, probably can only afford 1 item, every few months of his brand...if not at all!!!
yes, enough with the books coffee table or otherwise that are bought purely for decor. I have one and I actually refer to it often. NO fake books! And no to wood or metal chain links and wood beads. OMG stop. There, that's my rant, please excuse me but I had go get it out.
We love to keep books on our coffee table but we typically rotate what's on it with books we already have on the shelf that way the books actually reflect our interests and personality. We also love to go to Half Price Books for coffee table books because they are so much cheaper and they're second hand!
Yes, I would be against to buy coffee table books than are on trend and that have not meaning to you or only buy them for decor. But the books I have in my coffee table, I have them for many years, and I have read them many times and I love them. Most of them are gifts.
I ALMOST fell for the coffee table book trend. Those Tom Ford and designer books looked amazing in other people's home. But ultimately I didn't feel right displaying books that I have never read or have no interest in reading. I have no interest in designer clothes or brands so I feel like displaying a Tom Ford or Versace book would just be pretentious. Now I still display books on my coffee table, but they are books that I already have in my library, and I feel they represent me much more than a designer book ever could.
I think my FAVOURITE thing about your videos is that you always impress that things can look pretty but the UTILITY features should/must always be there! Love that.
I work with Neurodivergent folks, and clear storage boxes can be a legit accessibility need for those with executive functioning issues 😊 It’s wonderful how a small change can really help!
I came here to see the SAME THING. If I can’t see it, it doesn’t exist. Open shelving, clear or wire bins, labels on everything. Better to see everything than forget you have it!
For the wire shelves: Foam core boards from the dollar store! I’ve even seen a video where they got a wood look from contact paper and a front facing” board “ was even added, but they work just as they are
I love how sensible these suggestions are and how you back it up with why. Makes all the difference! “But I love my new ‘coffee table’ book! Oh yeah… you aren’t talking about the books you read. Gotcha”. The bed pillow thing had to be said. I’m only sort of sold on the smart bulbs - they are super annoying if you lose power in the night and then it comes back on… at 3am. All your lights. But your wifi hasn’t rebooted yet. So you dash around turning them off, praying it didn’t wake your kids. So not the best in bedrooms if you lose power often enough.
I have the same mixed feelings on smart bulbs switches and plugs. Mine haven't all turned on, but they have disconnected from the network before and I've had to pair them all multiple times.
ugh, I have to disagree on the armrest, though...that thing is the exact opposite of chic. Side tables at least can be real pretty. And the smart light bulb is kind of...meh...well, I mean, not the lightbulb itself. But, the main reason for not turning on a light is....ya don't need it! It doesn't serve a function and that's why you don't turn it on. Just change it with another piece of decor
You can pry my end table out of my cold dead hands! Haha I don't have a coffee table (small space) so this is a must. Also where would I put my 999th plant?!
Coffee table books are what I read/have read many times and will continue to be on my coffee table. I rotate my books out now and then, and when I buy books I go to the thrift store, library, or get them at a lower price if I order them. I have diy books home repair books a mix of different things that interest me. Fake book boxes are a bit weird so that's a no for me.
Same, I like the idea for me but I saw my child walking over me with my coffee or whatever on that rest and before I could stop it coffee is everywhere because suddenly my kid decided that climbing over the arm of the sofa was a thing to do. Complete with an insistence that he didn't even see that there as I shriek.
I’m sick of the stupid Tom ford book in every instagram post but, I love books and absolutely think they count as decor. I also open my books all the time and my guests are also done the same. I have bought most of my coffee table books second hand and I have never paid more than 25 bucks.
The coffee table books... I only think it looks good if they're clearly in use! I have a few books on my (admittedly slightly messy) coffee table - but I'm actually reading them!! Not just stacking things on top of them! 🙄
Can I just say your videos are like a small moment of joy which I actually use as 'rewards' for my university study breaks! I'm in total agreement about the coffee table books (but then I'm not a fan of using books as decor... I know that's probably design heresy, but it seems like a terrible waste of books if no one is actually reading them). I LOVE the idea of book boxes. However, you can pry my bed pillows from my cold, dead hands lol. I will say I only have the amount needed to allow my bed to double as a second sofa at times (small house solutions!), and I love the color and texture they bring to my room against my white oak headboard.
Loving your content ❤ I’m 50/50 on what you mentioned this time. Let’s call it personal (influenced lol) preference. 1. Smart bulbs- absolute must!! Though, my husband complains he can’t change the lights himself. One day I’ll charge my iPad and leave that out. 2. Shelves- yes! I lucked out and my apartment builder chose wood shelving instead of wire. 3. Coffee table book- I’m new to this life and I will not give it up. Tom ford and Chanel book… but to be fair I’m a huggggge fashion enthusiast and also have other designer items I enjoy. And yes, I’ve read both books. 4. Pillows- leave me alone. I feel fancy. Also me: they’re on the floor in the corner because it’s nighttime. I swept there. It’s clean. Bins- I don’t have many.. I’ll consider the non see through ones, but I like the acrylic ones for the sake of them not taking up so much visual space. Great vid. Keep going.
I've been collecting coffee table books 4 over 30 years and the subject matter is varied, it ranges from various art works to photography to perfumery to design and rest assured, I have read each and every single one of them many times over because they are all pleasure to look through and to share with others who are curious about the subject matter. But I've never purchased any on Tom Ford or Chanel because those two books alone to seem to be atrend to themselves. I'm sure those two topics are fascinating but I never wanted to purchase them just because every designer video features them. I just happen to love beautiful photographs and information presented beautifully in my library. That will never go out of style. But I do agree that they don't need to be displayed on a coffee table or on any table surface where they will look cluttered. They can be arranged on bookshelves wh e're if people want to look at them they're easily accessible . I think they still look great there.
Here in Germany these coffee table books are not common. I'm always wondering about this 'trend' if I see it in American videos like yours. I don't agree with the app controlled light bulbs. I don't like to walk through my house with my phone and switch the lamps on and off and warm white and cold white and blue and dimmed down or up....
I love my clear bins for my pantry because it keeps me from over buying what I have forgotten that I have already purchased and those sofa arm things...hard pass. otherwise, solid list
I’m definitely getting those arm rest trays!! And oh, don’t get me started on the bed pillows🤣 I started off with 5 and now I only use 1. They get in the way!
Now you know we’re not giving up the side tables 😂. The arm rest is a very cheap/man caveish alternative. It might be a better option for someone tight in space or with a tight budget
Kiva, these are life hacks. Fam can't leave dirty dishes/junk in the living room if there's nothing to leave them on. Decorative pillows-enough said. Coffee table books-you can get them from the LIBRARY and if you love it, then buy the $100+ book. Wire/metal shelves- have stained plywood on my wire shelves!!! They look good. It's taken me years to figure out and come to terms with these things. Hope others realize they can decorate and put in the infrastructure that works with their lives.
I agree with most of these with the exception of the smart light bulbs. I have them and love them, but they don't save me from needing to walk across the room or even across the house to turn them on. If I go into another room and forget my phone I have to walk back to the other room to get it, open the app, turn the lights on, then go back to the other room, lol. I'm thinking about getting smart switches to avoid this.
An idea for the pantry if you have the wire shelves and don’t want to pay to have built ins. Get some wood from Home Depot or a similar store. Have them cut them to size and then stain them to match what’s already on that area. Or paint them to match your hardware. It looks really good, especially because they are custom cut to fit your space! And it’s super affordable ☺️.
This ! Just moved into my luxury apt and noticed that I have wire shelving in the pantry. I came across a diy video for the makeover you mentioned and it blew my mind. I keep going to smaller Home Depot’s without the lumber dept so it’s just me, pantry organization containers and a bookmarked video 😒😂
@@SLAYLORDFOCKER haha, not a bookmarked video and organization containers. But, you just moved in. You’ll get to it, and I’m sure it’s going to turn out beautiful❤️
I actually prefer the smart switch and the smart plug over the smart light bulb as they give the same lift but also with smart switches over smart bulbs you still maintain the physical on/off for guests.
I have many table lamps with standard light bulbs and turn them on daily. I would get smart bulbs, but they not currently in the budget and walking around turning my lights on is a ritual for me and adds to my step count.
I found an amazing coffee table book that looks so good with my decor and has such great content (it's about light and it's use in photography) on a book swap bench. That was a great find!!!!
I love art. I do have some Art books on top of a small bookshelf, but I read them! At the same time, I have the book storage books with Art covers for storing tv remotes, pens, pencils etc.. so they hid necessary clutter on my end table and coffee table. I have done this for years.
kiva, we have to talk about me wanting to kiss that little puppy of yours! i'm completely jealous! really good tips. jerry seinfeld asked "why are we holding onto books we already read?" so i'm getting rid of many ckbooks AND the bookcase where theyve lived for yrs. more floor space, fewer dustmites.
There is something you can put on the wire shelves. It makes it so everything don’t fall though. I’m not that organized in my pantry. I have never had a coffee table book.
Wow what an insight about side tables I have one I’m staring at now with nothing on it but empty bottles (it’s become a collect all) lol but normally I would decorate it for the season which means going out and buying things to put on it for what your right and it takes up room in my room
We only keep coffee table books that are purchased second hand or gifted. We have some pretty interesting ones we rotate. Side tables are one of my biggest issues. I tend to buy them second hand when I do not need a new one. I have at least two in each room. Need to get rid of them.
if you want the industrial look, it's worth every penny to invest in industrial grade goods. Wire shelving needs to be extremely sturdy and strong, like you find in restaurants, not decorative and colour matched to your pantry. In vest in the best, you will never regret it.
Agree. I don't have a pantry in my kitchen so about 20 years ago I had industrial grade wire shelving professionally installed in the garage. Never had a problem with it.
Thank you for sharing your ideas. I do have to disagree with you on the bins. It really depends on how you organize. I personally need the clear bins and open shelving to be able to see what I have. Not a fan of the fake book either. Would prefer a wicker basket to put things in.
Food on the arm of sofa???😳 I’m sorry but that styling is sooo not for me! A nice brass/acrylic foldable TV tray would be more functional than slapping a tray on the arm of my nice sofa -where the inevitable SPILL is GOING to happen! May not be today but one day it’s gonna happen! 😂
KB, you are so funny! I laughed all through this video at your descriptive words. Thanks for the suggestions. I still like my side tables, but I do have one spot where an arm tray would come in handy.
Re: smart bulbs. Check out (and reference) the neurological impact of certain light waves - especially the effect on those of us with sleep disorders. Not everything is about convenience and/or decor. Sometimes focus & cognition simply MUST take precedence. Love your channel, btw, just hoping to spread awareness while we can still get the bulbs we need
I need all my useless end tables, coffee table books, etc. I have a formal living and dinning room, family room, sun room and then a sitting room in the basement. Actually need more crap 🤠
I have side tables instead of a coffee table (not a huge space). Two of three of them are in spaces that there's nothing better to do with. And $800? My style is quite traditional - £10 for three of them, I got them from a charity shop (thrift store)
Thank you for mentioning the coffee table books. I do not understand recommending buying Tom Ford or Chanel books when the average person could give two 💩💩. I bought the Vintage Black Glamour coffee table books instead.
KB, love your videos! However, we'll have to agree to disagree on getting rid of side tables! Those sofa arm trays are not practical (and definitely not pretty!) for most people. My side tables hold my lamps so they're very useful! Not a fan of having to install another app for anything, so not a fan of smart bulbs, but I see the convenience for some people. I actually use a cute bronze container on my coffee table to hide candy for my kids, but the fake books: no thanks! Just get a pretty box instead. Amen to you comment about the decorative bed pillows though! Who needs 10 pillows?! Love your doggy!
The one problem with the wooden bins instead of clear is the fact I can’t see through them. Unfortunately, I am truly a “out of sight, out of mind” individual. If I cannot see it, it does not exist.
I gotta agree with the comments on coffee table books. The fake ones look fake, so get a nice box instead. Vintage boxes are all around and can be super cute. I do appreciate that you say to at least use coffee table books you actually read. My best coffee table book collection was hardback Calvin & Hobbes. 😄 Alas, they did get soda spilled all over them and became not suitable for display. And the thing over the armrest is not my favorite look; it's kind of tacky, sorry!
Prefer side table to coffee tables which are bigger take up more space hit my shin more times on coffee tables. My son would spill stuff all over couch. Or spray paint the clear ones you have.
Excellent video, kiva, tyvm. I only have 4 pillows and 2 lumbar pillows,on my bed, maybe 4 or 5 coffee tables, and 2 or 4 boxes for the remotes and thats it, 😊😊😊😊, but i got tons of vessels, sorry, cant help it.🤣🤣🤣🤣.
Kiva you are absolutely hilarious and I love watching and learning from you! I agree with everything you suggested and I am on the hunt for the book box and the sofa arm mini table thingy! Keep up the good work!
The wire shelving unit and clear plastic storage boxes I bought from Amazon for my bedroom just arrived today, haha. The shelves also have clear plastic liners though, so nothing falling through.
People need to move and get up and manually switch in the light or cha be the channel. We are a nation of overweight people. Exercise of any description is good for us. Get moving people.
Unrelated: I saw a article that had all the bald baddies of IG. And I know like “IG model” isn’t your lane, but I am putting u on this list!! From the low low cut to the curls, U WEAR THIS LOOK SO EFFORTLESSLY ❤ and I love it!! 😍
😂 i love my Tom Ford and Chanel books! IDC if they look tacky. I do agree on the wire shelving though. It amazes me that builders put them in million dollar plus homes. I do not have end tables. Have always hated how they look but that preference.
I replaced my coffee table years ago with a couple of cushioned ottomans. Easy to move and clean. Can be extra seating as needed, but plenty of room to place a glass or kick feet up. They don’t take up much space. Also the cushion protected my senior dog when she hopped on and off the couch. Not really a fan of the look of the armrest tray. Plus I would knock stuff over.
I have that white Crate & Barrel fluted end table in the thumbnail 😅 Tbh I needed a short end table and my husband didn’t want an armrest tray. It was less than $200 on sale so idc. It works…
