Tag Archives: apartment

What Have I Been Up To?

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What Have I Been Up To?

Hi!! Is it just me, or is January kind of a blah month? It’s grey, damp, and cold – what’s more, all of the excitement from the holiday season has come and passed leaving not much to look forward to. As January draws to a close, it’s also a cruel reminder that in a month and a half it will be one whole year since the COVID-19 pandemic began. I don’t know about you, but that is definitely an anniversary that I won’t be celebrating!

Other than working, I really haven’t been up to much since Christmas. It’s just been the usual of Duolingo, reading, Mario Galaxy, Netflix, and enjoying Johnny’s company. Boring? Yes. But safe? Absolutely! It has been a long time since we have seen any of our friends but we just don’t want to take any risks – especially with the vaccine right around the corner.

Oh! How could I forget? Johnny and I have began looking for a house to rent once our lease is up at the apartment. It is still a couple of months away but, oh my gosh, am I excited. This pandemic has taught us that our little apartment just isn’t big enough and I can’t wait until we have a space that we can actually move around in. I am also constantly thinking about having a game room so we can entertain our friends when it’s safe to do so.

A bigger space also comes with the potential to get a pet, which is also going to be an amazing stepping stone in mine and Johnny’s relationship. We both grew up with dogs and wherever we end up moving will certainly feel more like a home with a four legged friend in it. And, also bunnies! I have had my heart set on getting two Netherland Dwarf rabbits and promised myself that it would happen once I am not in an apartment so my Bunny Mom dreams are that much closer to coming true. 🙂

Despite the boredom blahs, there is much to be thankful for like the safety of myself and my loved ones. Boring is good right now because it keeps us out of harm’s way and Johnny and I will gladly continue our lock down lifestyle with the promise of big milestones happening very soon!

What have you been up to recently? What is the next thing that you are looking forward to? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

How To Keep Your Home Healthy During Quarantine

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How To Keep Your Home Healthy During Quarantine

Right now, you are probably growing used to spending pretty much all of your time at home. Rather than being a place that you spend your evenings and weekends; your home is now your gym, workplace, and everything else besides. During the quarantine, you may have spent time perfecting your work from home set up, trying to keep yourself entertained, and the majority of it trying to stay in touch with friends and family via Zoom.

One thing that you may not have considered is whether your home environment is beneficial for your health. As everyone is spending far more time at home, it is more crucial than ever to make sure that your home helps your health rather than damages it. Here is how you can ensure that your home is as healthy as possible so that you can quarantine in the knowledge that your home is the best place to be right now:

Deal with Damp:

Dampness is a common problem in many homes and can cause health problems if it is left untreated. Mold and mildew are things that no one wants to see in their house, especially when you are spending all your time there. Ensuring that your home has adequate ventilation can help reduce damp, but if mold and mildew have already developed, you will need to remove them effectively. Using a bleach solution or proprietary mold remover should help clean off the mold and kill the mold spores. Remember that you will need to take care when using these treatments.

Clear the Air:

There is nothing more important than the air that you breathe, but it is easy to forget that you can play a part in improving the air quality in your home. Breathing in low-quality air can lead to a range of health problems and cause some potentially serious issues. Asthma and allergies can flare up when air quality is compromised, and your HVAC system could be causing these issues.

If your HVAC system is not maintained by a reputable air duct cleaning specialist such as DUCTZ, it can cause a range of problems. Over time, dust and dirt collect in your air ducts and if they are not cleaned regularly, then they will be spread throughout your home every time you use your heating and cooling system and pollute the quality of the air that you breathe. For this reason, scheduling regular HVAC maintenance is essential to ensure that your system is working correctly and that your air ducts are kept clean. A quick search for ‘HVAC contractor in Frederick, MD‘ or wherever it is you are located will put you in touch with the right professionals to guarantee good air quality in your home throughout the year.

Try a Deep Clean:

Deep cleaning your home is an excellent way to freshen it up and remove any potential health hazards. Deep cleaning removes the dust that can cause allergies and aggravate eczema-prone skin. Having a thorough deep clean of your house will also help to eliminate any harmful bacteria that could be lurking on your surfaces. Tend to what you can clean safely and leave the rest to the professionals should there be high places you can’t reach or your home is in need of a professional air duct cleaning. A freshly-cleaned, healthy home will make staying in it a far more pleasing experience.

Make your home even safer to be at during the pandemic by following the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Pandemic Problems: Is Your Home Haven On Rocky Waters?

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Pandemic Problems: Is Your Home Haven On Rocky Waters?

For years, the human species has adhered to the fact that no person is an island. With that in mind, we’ve put ourselves out there and generally socialized as much as possible. In the last year, however, that advice has very much changed and, for many, this shift hasn’t exactly been a smooth transition. Luckily, as we seek new ways to communicate, many of us are finding that we can get by with far less extroversion than we’ve been led to believe. Unluckily, a failure to take care of your island could soon see your mental health suffering regardless.

Our homes have gone from being places where we sleep to being our entire worlds. In many cases, the landscape simply isn’t prepared for this level of usage. That’s bad news for your happiness and efficiency throughout these lock down days, and it’s something you need to address. To help you do that, we’re going to consider three common problems that could be leaving your home lacking:

You haven’t put a personal spin on things:

If you’re used to spending just a few hours at home, you may not have ever done much with the space. That needs to change sooner rather than later now that your home time hours have extended so much. Something simple like decorating to your tastes or framing a few personal snaps could make a huge difference to helping you settle despite what’s happening outside of your four walls.

There’s no space to breathe:

A cluttered home has never helped with mental health, and certainly won’t now. Sadly, getting rid of a mess is harder than ever at the moment, but that doesn’t mean you can keep putting it off. There’s no excuse to let clutter rein free when you consider that skip bin hire is still available, and companies have taken significant steps to keep it safe. By investing sooner rather than later, you can get rid of all of the rubbish that’s been building up through lock down. With space to play with, you’ll soon feel like you can breathe again despite continued restrictions.

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You haven’t split the space:

Lastly, your trouble may be due to something as simple as a lack of segmented spaces. With many working from home, splitting work and living areas is fundamental. It also pays to have daytime and nighttime spaces to break things up. Even in a small flat, changing furniture or lighting could be a split enough from day to night, etc. If you have the space, though, keeping each room for a different purpose could soon see you feeling like you’re traveling a whole lot further than you actually are.

We may have been existing solely at home for a while now, but this is still a difficult adjustment to make. Ease your passage by considering these home issues and doing what you can to get your island right at last.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Avoiding Stress When Moving House

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Avoiding Stress When Moving House

Thousands of people move home every week. Perhaps your home has been on the market for a while or you sold quickly with a company like Osborne Homes in your local area. Whatever the case, many people with their busy lives may struggle to best organize things for an easier move after the selling process. Making mistakes can lead to dismal results, from unnecessary stress to high financial expenses and even damages. The good news is, that all of the negative things do not have to happen if you manage the move in the right way. Moreover, the process of moving home can be shortened by whole days while saving hundreds of shekels and more, if you just do it right. First, it begins with choosing the right mover.

Start your moving process with careful planning. Take time to really be methodical with what needs to be done. Never leave all of the preparations and packaging for the last few days – this includes sorting out your electric, changing your mailing address, and finding internet options in my area. A successful home move is characterized by preliminary planning and the deployment of tasks over several weeks. Like any big event, moving house also consists of a variety of “small” tasks that are divided as follows:

  • Packing
  • Locating a moving company
  • Preparation of the new home
  • Moving and unloading the contents in the new home
  • Closing accounts
  • Update addresses

Packing a home for a move:

This is the most complex and lengthy process and, to the best of our understanding, also hated by most people. Despite the expense of certain packaging items, home packaging should not be so traumatic. We will not tell you that it is fun but if you pack the home properly, you can sweeten the pill very significantly. In general, this is the first task that needs to be started. You are not required to pack the entire home on the first day but proper planning and comprehensive inspection can help you decide what to take and what you no longer need and can be thrown away, handed over, or sold. In this way, you can lower the costs of moving since decluttering will leave you with fewer items.

While packing is a necessary part of moving, you don’t necessarily have to do it yourself! There are services for that and it is worth every penny if it relieves your stress. You can start finding a trustworthy provider by searching “First-Class Furniture Removals in Chichester” or your local area.

Look at the items you have:

At this point, it is worthwhile to go over the contents of the house with an emphasis on storage and cabinets to discard of items that are no longer in use. This is exactly the time to map out what is needed and what is not. At the same time, it is advisable to start getting quotes for transportation services. Starting a comparison and search for recommended carriers will give you an advantage because at an early stage, most companies will still be available and you can order their services at a reasonable price and at a time convenient to you.

During this decluttering phase, you should have a good idea of what is essential to your move, what can get tossed, and what can go into storage. Different storage facilities might have different perks so it’s best to do your research. For example, Distinct Storage offers a free move in truck to help save cash and stress on your move. Be sure to ask directly about perks when shopping around to pick the best option for you.

Pack at a pace:

The secret to a successful packing process is twofold. First and foremost, enter a search for “temecula moving services” (or your local area) and schedule your moving day with the company you choose. As you pack, you might notice breakable or cumbersome items that would be better handled by the team. Set those aside! Then, start with what you do not need on a daily basis and as you get closer to the time of transition, you increase the pace and start packing the things that are used daily. For example, at the beginning of packing you can pack the closet up, seasonal clothes, or even cutlery that is reserved for special occasions and as you progress, you should start packing items that are used often.

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Take your time with the moving process by beginning way in advance. Complete a few tasks per day and by the time it’s moving day, you will be perfectly prepared.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Looking To Spruce Up Your Space? Try The Following!

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Looking To Spruce Up Your Space? Try The Following!

It is so easy to feel “blah” about the decor in your home right now. The COVID-19 pandemic has left all of us cooped up and it’s no wonder you’re itching to try something new when you’re surrounded by the same four walls every day. From big renovations to simply rearranging your furniture, there are plenty of options to spruce up your space and turn chez vous into a more exciting place to be. Get started with your home makeover with the following ideas:

Ceiling Tiles:

If you’re looking to change up your space, how about starting from the top? Ceiling tiles are an amazing way to add visual interest to a room without cluttering your walls with artwork and pictures. From plain and simple tiling to gorgeous baroque style patterns, your options are truly limitless. Unique ceiling tiles are something that begs to be shown off so your living room or entryway would be a great place to start.

New To You Furniture:

Do you have any furniture that has seen better days? Wobbly tables, stuffing coming out of couches, and stains tend to be main culprits! New furniture can be expensive so how about new to you furniture, instead? My apartment is completely furnished with secondhand pieces from Goodwill, Abbey Anne’s, and friends. Take some time to browse one of your local secondhand shops and see what you can find. You know what they say about one man’s trash, right?

Bathroom Makeover:

Perhaps you want to go all out and do a complete renovation of your bathroom. We’re talking new tiles, fresh paint, and updated appliances – the works. There is no better time like the present! Especially considering that most of us are home all of the time now. How would you design your dream bathroom? Write it or sketch it out and enlist the best professionals to help.

If you are not interested in a full on bathroom overhaul, then try a bit of redecorating. Consider what theme you would like for the room and do some online shopping for all of the little trinkets that will make the space yours. Most bathrooms are small in comparison to the rest of the home so this is a project that can be knocked out quickly.

DIY Fun:

A lot of the artwork that I have at my place was made during crafting nights with my best friend and I smile whenever I see them and think of the fun we had. If your walls are looking bare, how about a Zoom paint night with your friends? Get inspired on Pinterest and decide what you would like to try your hand at. Art isn’t about right or wrong but having a good time with those you are creating with. No worries if your masterpiece didn’t turn out as you wanted – you can always hit up your local Goodwill. I am quite fond of their wall decor section, myself.

New Flooring:

We started at the tippy top of the house with ceiling tiles and now we are going to examine what’s underneath your feet! If your carpets are matted down and stained, try replacing it with some new flooring. Vinyl, hardwood the choice is yours but I promise your place will look infinitely better once that old carpet is gone. Sleek flooring really opens a space as well as looking much cleaner than a tatty carpet. Warm up the room with plush rugs and runners for the final touch.

Use the tips above to create a new space for yourself in 2021. Let’s kiss 2020 goodbye – your old home decor included!

Featured Image By: Mansour Kiaei on Unsplash

Everything Going Wrong? Let’s Take Care Of It!

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Everything Going Wrong? Let’s Take Care Of It!

We are all under a lot of stress right now given the world’s current state and it is not a great place to be mentally. Especially when you are constantly having “straw that broke the camel’s back moments” when anything else goes wrong. I feel it one hundred million percent so let’s all take a deep breath (Did you do it?) and we’re going to address some common problems and feelings that might happen and how to deal with it with a level head:

Appliances Breaking:

In the words of Bender from The Breakfast Club, “Screws fall out all the time, the world is an imperfect place”. Unfortunately, this means that things are subject to break and when you notice that one of your home appliances is on the fritz, it’s important to deal with it quickly. We rely on appliances to make things easier for us and hand washing dishes or trips to the laundromat is the last thing you need. Seek out the best appliance repair services and get things back in working order so you can breathe easier.

Difficulty Working From Home:

Working from home is not for everyone and not even being able to leave the house to go to the office can make things very monotonous. If you are struggling with working from home, try doing all of the things that you would usually do if you were to go to the office in the morning. Take a shower, get dressed in something other than sweatpants, fix your hair, and eat a good breakfast. Also try having your lunch or breaks at their normally scheduled times. Sticking to a schedule and checking off everything on your morning to do list will help make you more motivated and add some normalcy to your day.

Feeling Lonely:

Sadly, feeling lonely is very common for people during the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s no wonder why. It’s hard not being able to see friends and family regularly as well as not having much to look forward to. If you are feeling alone it is important to reach out and talk to someone even if you don’t want to. I live for my scheduled FaceTime chats with my friends and it is the next best thing to seeing them in person. Send a text, make a call, or hop on Zoom to see some friendly faces or hear a familiar voice. It will do you a world of good.

Feeling Bored:

Also sadly, feeling bored is very common for people during the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s no wonder why! There is only so much Netflix you can watch, video games you can play, and books you can read until you are officially one with your couch. You need something new so now is the perfect time to begin that hobby you always wanted to try or work hard on your New Year’s resolutions. Take time out of your schedule each day to work on your new skill and you will be surprised at how far you’ve come when things are finally normal again.

These are overwhelming times, indeed, and it is important to know how to deal with problems even when you are so stressed. Think rationally about what you are experiencing or feeling and then make the best decision on what you can do to make the situation better. Let’s do this!

5 Ways To Instantly Refresh Your Home

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5 Ways To Instantly Refresh Your Home

Even the best-designed house can become tired and worn looking without some maintenance now and then. Taking time to refresh the look of your home can help you fall in love with it all over again and give it a new lease of life. Here are five simple ways to help refresh the look of your home without breaking the bank:

Paint Touch Ups:

The daily wear and tear of life can be hard on your interior walls, especially if you have children or pets. Walls can easily become scuffed or scratched and the paint can suddenly look less appealing. Touching up paint does not mean to redo the whole wall. If you have paint leftover from a decoration, keep it in storage and when the wall inevitably becomes marked, use the paint to cover it up and make the wall feel brand new again. If you don’t have the right color paint for a wall, use a magic eraser. The erasers work by dissolving the paint slightly allowing you to use the surrounding paint to cover up the scuff. If the scuff or scratch is small, then an eraser can easily deal with them.

Should you want to do a total overhaul of the paint in one room of your home or all of them, that is just as well. Talk about a makeover! Of course, this is going to be a big task and you might want to leave it to the professionals instead of taking the DIY route. If you do not have the time, skills, or desire to DIY then simply enter a search for “Best Painters in San Ramon” (or your local area). Not only will they take on the job but they can give you advice about the best colors to improve the appearance of your home.

Replace Old Carpet:

If your carpet has been stained or threadbare, then it can make the whole room feel very worn out. Investing in high-quality flooring can make a room feel fresh without the need to completely redecorate. Millennium Hardwood Flooring is excellent if you want a high-quality finish installed by experts. Replacing carpet with hardwood can restore a room’s elegant feel and give it a classical, homely atmosphere. You will stand and walk on it every day, so good quality flooring is worth investing in.

Reposition The Furniture:

If your furniture has always had the same configuration since you moved in, then consider what other options you may have for laying out a room. In large rooms, bringing furniture away from the walls can help them feel cozier and zone off spaces. Smaller rooms can be made to feel bigger by bringing furniture away from the center of a room and allowing for a natural flow from one door to the next. Remember that furniture can always quickly be changed back, so have fun. Try out a new position and if you don’t like it, then rearrange it back to the way it was or go for something new again. You might discover a new configuration you would never have thought would work.

Exterior Painting:

If you don’t get the spark of joy you long for when you arrive home after a hard day’s work, then consider an exterior paint job. Painting your house different shades or even highlighting features like window sills and door frames can help give your home a new lease on life. Remember that external paint needs more protection. Buy paint suited to your walls such as masonry or specialist wood paint.

If you are looking for a major exterior change, you can always paint your fence! Choose a color that compliments your home. For example, a forest green fence would look stunning if you have a navy blue house. You will want to invest in some Eco friendly wood paint for this project to help better protect your fence from the elements and provide long lasting, rich color.

Declutter:

Finally, remember the easiest way to refresh your home is to declutter. It is easy for our homes to become filled with bits and pieces that we no longer need. Take time to clear out your cupboards every season. Decluttering frequently makes the task less onerous and allows you to enjoy your space free from mess.

If your home is still feeling cramped even after a good declutter session, you might want to consider the furniture in your home. Huge pieces of furniture take up valuable real estate in the space and limits your freedom to move around. If you are doing a furniture overhaul, services provided by companies like Dump Runners furniture disposal (or a similar one in your local area) can take care of the heavy lifting and disposal for you. Then, you can find furniture that is more suitable to your home.

Due to the pandemic, all of this extra time at home makes you notice the changes your place might need even more. Use your time well and refresh your house with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pexels

5 Small Touches To Make Your House Feel Homely

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5 Small Touches To Make Your House Feel Homely

Whether you are just moving into your first home or are looking to revamp your existing one, making your house a home is not something that happens without your input. It can be hard to know how to make your space look and feel homely. To help you out, we have listed a few small changes that you can make to your home below. Follow these simple steps and your house will start to feel like a home in no time:

Hang some artwork:

Hanging up artwork or photos of loved ones can instantly change your room’s personality. If you have a lot of bare neutral walls in your home, then consider hanging some colorful artwork in its space. Try not to go overboard and clutter up your walls, simple displays scattered across your home will leave it feeling cozy and very chic. For inspiration on how to display your artwork, it’s always helpful to browse on sites like Pinterest.

Declutter:

When trying to make our houses feel homely, we tend to go a little over the top and often end up cluttering up our space. Clutter and untidiness can cause stress and sometimes keep us from getting motivated about revamping our homes. Spend a small bit of time each day decluttering and giving your home a good ‘spring clean’. If you find yourself running out of storage space, then there are many clever storage hacks out there that you can try to keep things neat and tidy.

Bring in the outdoors:

Any room can be made to feel brighter and homier by adding some flowers to it. Not only do they change your aesthetic but they also purify the air. A simple vase full of colorful flowers will do the trick but if you are feeling more creative, then why not create your own terrarium? For a low maintenance terrarium, add in your favorite succulents and place on a shelf or sideboard for everyone to admire.

Plants aren’t the only bit of the outside you could bring in – you could consider incorporating an aquarium into your decor. Having a small aquarium in your home can bring it to life. Don’t forget to decorate Aquarium Plant Earth Bed with bright exotic colors to make it a focal point in your home.

If you are thinking about having an aquarium in your home, it is so crucial to do your research beforehand. There is a lot of gear to buy so that your fish can thrive including aquarium air pumps, lighting, water filters, and so much more. It is also important to know the environment and water type that the fish you plan on buying will be healthy and happy in.

Decorate with pillows and throws:

Every home becomes way cozier when you add in a few pillows and throws. Opt for seasonal colors such as browns, oranges, and blues for winter and autumn and yellows, pinks, and greens for summer and spring. Having these in your living room and bedroom will make you A-okay with curling up for the afternoon with a movie marathon.

Choose a natural palette:

When choosing colors to add comfort into your home, we recommend sticking with natural earthy hues on your walls and floors. This way, you can add small splashes of color within your decor which is easily changeable when you want to switch up the room’s look.

Implement a few of these tips into your design gradually and you will have a house that feels like a home in no time. If you feel inspired to continue working on your home, then find your next project with Quick And Affordable Mini Home Makeovers.

Featured Image By: Manja Vitolic on Unsplash

Christmas Present Pride

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Christmas Present Pride

Hello!!! This year sucked and I really wanted to spoil my Christmas giftees rotten because we have all diligently worked through these hardships together and I feel it was much deserved. I have so much fun picking out the perfect presents for the people on my list and was eager to get my Christmas shopping started all the way back in August! I love all of the gifts that I selected for everyone under the tree but I am particularly fond of a piece of decor I got for Johnny. I better be, because he hung it up as soon as he took it out of the box! Lol, check it out:

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My Johnny loves the Rolling Stones so much and we were actually going to see them this past June in Cleveland but the concert got cancelled due to COVID. I certainly hope that we can see the Rolling Stones in concert eventually, more for him than for me but it sure would be fun! For Christmas, I got Johnny a few shirts from his favorite online retailer, PHIX. But, when I saw this homemade neon sign on Amazon worthy of being in the coolest bar ever, I just couldn’t say no because I knew he would freaking love it.

I have been looking forward to giving Johnny his Christmas gifts since I purchased them and after we were done with our gift exchange, he could finally see why. I was so tickled that he wanted to find the perfect spot for his new decor immediately. We settled for in our living room but I can’t wait to get a bigger place soon so we can hang it up in a game room.

Hearing Johnny say how much he loved his gifts was a present in itself for me and I can’t look at the neon sign without smiling. The creator of the sign has a ton of really neat designs and I might just have to pick out a girly one for me too! 🙂

Do you have a favorite gift that you gave this year? Where do you find the most unique home decor? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Quick And Affordable Mini Home Makeovers

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Quick And Affordable Mini Home Makeovers

Making some home improvements is an excellent way to transform your space but, unfortunately, they can cost a lot of money. When things are tight, but your home needs a refresh, there are ways you can make some simple and affordable changes that will make a big difference – even if it’s just in the short-term.

Get some inspiration for your home with some quick and affordable mini makeover ideas:

A fresh coat of paint:

Never underestimate the difference a fresh coat of paint can make to your home. Whether you’re covering up a tired paint job or you’re looking to get rid of some dated wallpaper, new paint can be a cheap way of changing the look of your home. Fresh white walls are simple to achieve or you can mix things up with a color block or a feature wall. Check out some color trends to watch out for next year to give you some inspiration.

Upgrade to vinyl flooring:

Laying new flooring can seem expensive, but there are some great ways of making this task more affordable. Quotes from vinyl flooring companies can show you exactly what’s possible – you’ll be surprised at how cost-effective it can be. Vinyl flooring offers a range of options, including wood-effect, tiled, marble, and more to provide a long-lasting and budget-friendly flooring type for your home. New flooring can truly transform a space so start from the ground up with professionals from somewhere like grosvenor-flooring.com, or similar flooring experts in your local area, in order to get the job done right.

Paint your kitchen cabinets:

If your kitchen is looking a little dated, you might not want to spend much time in it! But the cost of a brand new kitchen could be something that’s out of your reach right now. Have you considered painting your cabinets, instead? A fresh color and some new handles could easily give your kitchen a new look. Just be sure to check out ways to avoid mistakes when painting your cabinets to help you get the best results.

Switch out your light fittings:

New light fittings can make a big difference to your home. They can make it look more modern and spacious, while also changing the feel of a room. Some new light fittings could be a cheap way of giving your home a makeover without having to make some drastic changes. Fairy lights are also a fun addition to give a soft glow to any area.

Get organized:

Sometimes, all your home needs to look a little different is to get it organized! Putting everything away into its rightful home will reduce the amount of clutter, while also making it easier to maintain. Creating a low maintenance home is a great way of changing how it looks, helping to create a more stress-free environment.

Transforming your home is something that can take a long time, so you shouldn’t feel pressured to make big changes overnight. There are a lot of things you can do that are simple and affordable, but will make a big difference. Try your hand at some mini home makeovers today!

Featured Image By: Unsplash