5 Ways To Spruce Up Your Backyard In One Weekend

Labor Day is almost here, which means so is the unofficial end of the summer. Although we may not be emotionally prepared, here are five ways you can spruce up your backyard for the holiday weekend!

1. Decorate with greenery.
Want to add a little flare to your backyard? Mix in some of your favorite potted plants and hanging planters. Adding foliage makes your space feel tropical and lush, and can even give shade to certain areas of your patio.

2. Add a rug.
Outdoor rugs can withstand the high-foot traffic that outdoor parties bring. They are durable, inexpensive, and come in many patterns, colors, and sizes. Plus, they make your space more welcoming!

3. Clean your cushions.
Your patio furniture gets a lot of use throughout the summer. Scrub the cushions thoroughly with some vinegar, detergent, mild soap, and water to give them a fresh look! And if you need further help, you can call the experts at Triple S!

4. Boost your lighting.
When you’re entertaining outside, you don’t want the party to end once the sun goes down. You can add string lights, lanterns, tiki torches, and even a fire pit (which can double as a dessert area as well!). TIP: Make sure you also have small candles or lamps for the tables as well.

No one knows more about patio cushion cleaning than the experts at Triple S! We can help put your mind at ease — give us a call at 1-203-847-8000 and we will send on of our experts to pick up your cushions, clean them, and store them as well! To learn more about this service, click here.

Triple S has three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street

Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue

Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue

Turn Your Rugs Into Artwork

Rugs aren’t always meant for you to walk on — they also make beautiful statement pieces for your wall! Here's an easy way to transform your area rug into a piece of artwork.

Velcro - Using Velcro to hang your area rug on the wall is the preferred method. Mainly because the Velcro can be used on heavy rugs without causing any damage.

Attach to the rug:

1. The loop tape of the Velcro stip should be sewn onto the back of your area rug — unless you have an heirloom piece (see step 2)!
2. If you’re rug is of high-value, place a strip of unbleached muslin or canvas, wider than the Velcro, to prevent any damage to the rug.
3. Next, stitch the Velcro loop tape to the muslin strip, then sew the muslin to the rug.

Attach to the wall:

1. Attach the hook tape to a thin,straight piece of wood. Make sure the wood is the same width as your rug.
2. Mount the piece of wood to the wall and attach the rug by connecting the two Velcro strips.

*For heavier rugs, you can add up to four more strips of wood to help support the weight.

Curtain Rod - If you’re using a curtain rod, use a cotton casing to form a tub where the rod can be inserted to hold the rug. If your rug is valuable, attach a piece of unbleached muslin first to prevent any damage.

At Triple S, we offer professional cleaning services, including rug, carpet, upholstery, and tile cleaning. We are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience and are here to help you keep your home looking and feeling Clean, Fresh, & Bright!

Triple S has three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street

Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue

Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue

5 Decorating Mistakes You May Be Making (And How To Fix Them)

Are you pairing a three-by-six-foot rug with a standard-sized sofa? Are you lining furniture along your walls, throwing your space off-balance? If so, than you have committed two out of the seven decorating offenses. Here are five more decorating mistakes you may be making, and how to fix them!

1. Choosing a rug that’s too small.

A tiny rug makes a room like fragmented and choppy. To combat this issue, make sure you choose a rug that goes beyond the edges of your furniture.

2. Blocking the sunlight.

Thick drapery is always an option, but if it's keeping the natural light out of your home, it will be a lot less inviting. Hang sheer curtains with light colors instead!

3. Cluttering your walls with graphics.

Graphic grids look great, but having a wall, from floor to ceiling, covered in frames is not pleasing to the eye. Move around your space and only hang pieces at eye-level.

4. Overdoing the sofa pillows.

You don’t need a whole closet filled with pillows to make your couch feel comfy. If anything, that looks messy. Stick to two, statement pillows per couch.

5. Painting each wall white.

Painting your entire home white doesn’t make it larger. Add other natural tones to help bring more life to your space.

At Triple S, we offer professional cleaning services, including rug, carpet, upholstery, and tile cleaning. We are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience and are here to help you keep your home looking and feeling Clean, Fresh, & Bright!

Triple S has three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street

Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue

Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue

4 Things To Do On Sunday For A More Productive Week

Sunday is the new Monday. In other words, from here on out, think of Sunday as the first day of the week. Use Sunday’s as a time to mentally prep for the week ahead instead of simply using the day to take it easy. Here are four ways to help you get started on your new productive week.

1. Check your inbox. While it’s important to relax and recharge on Sunday, don't disconnect completely! Set a time limit for checking your emails, answering phone calls, dealing with bills, etc.

2. Write a to-do list for the week. Planning and preparing your week ahead of time helps avoid any conflicts or miscommunication in your life. Begin your list with your top priorities and deadlines and refine as need be for efficiency purposes.

3. Clean your house. Clutter and disorder adds unnecessary stress to your life. Clean your house, even one room, and it will help put your mind at ease. We suggest using this time to vacuum your carpets (high-traffic areas should be vacuumed at least once a week!).

4. Meal prep. Not a morning person? Planning out your meals will help you save time and money weekly. Focus on easy, grab-and-go meals to align with the hustle and bustle of your daily routines.

At Triple S, we know how important it is to keep your floors spotless. That is why we offer several professional cleaning services including carpet and grout tile cleaning. We are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience.

We have three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street

Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue

Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue

How To Decorate Your Home Based Off Your Zodiac Sign

Does your home need a little refresher? The stars may be able to help you! Find your sign below and decorate your space according to your path in the night sky.

Leo (July 23-August 22)

Since Leos are associated with the fire sign, shades like gold, orange, yellow, and red will fit best for your larger-than-life attributes. You also appreciate group gatherings, so creating an inviting sitting area should be on the top of your renovation to-do list.

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

A Virgo is a perfectionist, so their homes will always be clean, orderly, and Zen-like. If you’re a Virgo, try focusing your attention on your kitchen. Organize your drawers, pick out neutral colors for the walls and cabinets, and add fresh flowers.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

Libras are beautiful inside and out, cultural, sophisticated, and intellectual. You crave a sense of balance, so managing your space is important in your home. Focus on your dressing room or your master bathroom - we suggest adding lots of blue to add to your calming personality!

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

There are two types of Scorpios: those who prefer all white, and those who prefer more intense colors like black and orange. Incorporate neutral colored furniture with some bold statement pieces or decor to get the best of both worlds.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

You’re a go-getter, very ambitious, with a love for travel. Bring that global sensibility home with you by adding pieces of artwork from around the world into your home!

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

Capricorns are all about tradition. Bring that into your home with old, vintage pieces like a grandfather clock, leather chairs or ottomans, and wood cabinetry. But be careful, you don’t want your rooms to become too dark!

Aquarius (January 20-February 18)

This sign ranges from visionaries to eccentrics, which means they’re willing think outside-the-box. Switch your color scheme in your home to deep blues, purples, and metallics to add to your fun and quirky ways.

Pisces (February 19–March 20)

Pisces love solitude, so imagine how much you would enjoy a meditation or relaxation room? Make it even more peaceful by adding zen colors like green and lilac.

Aries (March 21–April 19)

You should avoid any neutral colors that mask your bright spirit. You need a room of your own, and one that is vibrant keep you motivated!

Taurus (April 20–May 20)

If you’re a Taurus, you like the finer things in life. Handcrafted rugs, leather sofas, expensive artwork. Use your home as a showcase to show off your exquisite taste.

Gemini (May 21–June 20)

Geminis love prints, colors, and accents. Embrace your style, but only add a few key pieces so your home is not overwhelmed.

Cancer (June 21–July 22)

Cancers are all about cooking and eating, so it’s not surprise that you’ll always see them in the kitchen! Decorate this room with shimmering silvers, whites, and pale blues.

Triple S is a family owned business with over 50 years of experience.

We have three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street

Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue

Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue

Professional Tips To Help Update Your Sofa

Sofa looking a little dated or worn down? Too early for you to part ways just yet? You might be surprised at how easy it is for you to change your sofa without spending a dime on a new one.

New Throw Pillows

Pillows have a way of completely transforming a space with just a simple addition of color, shape, pattern, and material. If you have neutral furniture, go bright and bold. If you have a patterned sofa, opt for something more soft.

Add Nailhead Trim

If you have a plain sofa, sometimes adding nailhead trim to the lines will give it the exact accent feature it needs to stand out! Just beware that you cannot do this on a slip-covered piece — only on one that's upholstered.

Stuff Saggy Cushions

When we say stuff your cushions, we don’t mean take a bunch of cotton and hope for the best. Take off the cover and wrap the cushion in a layer or two of foam wrap.

Cover it Up

Slipcovers aren’t as expensive as they once were, so you can easily change up your sofas look into something more stylish! You can have them custom made or you can buy something in a standard size for a more looser fit and feel.

Need help with your cushions? Call our re-upholstery manager Ed Marcarelli at Ext 703. At Triple S, we upholstery cleaning services to make your furniture cushions look brand new! We are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience and are here to help you keep your home looking and feeling Clean, Fresh, & Bright!

Triple S has three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street

Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue

Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue

How To Divide Your Outdoor Living Space For Best Use

When you think of your backyard, you may not think of it as another room in your home — but you should. The concept of dividing not only our interior space, but our exterior space, into rooms can help you design the perfect backyard spot!

1.Set the mood with color. Just like you do with the interior walls of your home, using a color scheme to determine the plants, furniture, and other decor is important for your patio. The colors you choose can help you create a relaxing space, or it can help you make a small space appear larger.

2.Figure out the building blocks. Try to think of your outdoor space as your interior structure: floors, ceiling, and walls. Although outside you only have one of the three, it will help when it comes to your design process. For your floors, think grass, mulch, patio and deck materials. For your walls: hedges, fences, lattice screens. And for the ceiling: pergolas, canva canopies, awnings, and umbrellas.

Pool Area

• Landscaping around a swimming pool has a few challenges including safety, maintenance, and privacy. You don’t want anyone slipping or neighbors peering in on you lounging. So, when selecting a “wall,” it’s suggested to incorporate trees without leaves or needles that will shed in the water.

Relaxation Area

• One of the main concerns when you’re trying to relax is privacy — safety and maintenance go on the back burner. To try to create a barrier between this space and the surrounding areas, include vine plants, a pergola, and even a fountain to create some soothing background sounds.

Play Area

• No backyard is complete without an area to have a little fun. Whether it’s for you or the kids, for sports or just to run around, set aside enough floor space, or grass, for activities.

At Triple S, we know it’s important to preserve the look of your furniture. That is why we offer patio and boat cushion storage and cleaning for the winter season! As part of this service, we will pick up your cushions, clean, store, and return them looking better than ever! To learn more about our free winter storage, visit us on the web.

Triple S has three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street

Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue

Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue