Tag Archives: decorating

Improvements That Could Increase The Value Of Your Home

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Improvements That Could Increase The Value Of Your Home

Are you looking for ways to improve your home, but aren’t sure where to start? Making improvements to your home can be extremely satisfying and you can customize it all to your liking. If you are on a limited budget, it can be hard to know which parts of your home should be prioritized when carrying out a renovation. If you are looking for improvements that will help to add some extra value to your home and, potentially make it more appealing to future buyers, these ideas should help:

Replace Your Windows and Doors:

Your home’s windows and doors are one of the first things that people will notice about your house; as they are one of the most prominent features on your home’s exterior. Over time, windows and doors are subjected to the elements and have to withstand everything from heavy snowstorms to the hot sun beating down onto them. It’s little wonder that every now and again it is a good idea to get your windows and doors replaced. As windows and doors are such an integral part of your home and perform such an important role, it is vital to choose replacement windows and doors which are well-made and of the highest quality. Mr. Rogers Windows and Doors offers a fantastic range of replacement windows and doors, which are sure to improve the appearance of any home.

It might not seem like it, but changing your front door can really make a big difference. You will want to make sure what you choose is something that you are going to be completely happy with. Look through ideas on Pinterest or pop on HGTV. Then, enter a search for “discount doors houston” or your local area to see your vision come to life.

Convert Your Loft:

Your loft is a part of the house that has enormous potential. If your attic is currently being used as a storage area, then why not bring it to life and get some real use out of it? Your loft offers endless opportunities for use as an extra living space in your home. Using your loft space to add extra bedrooms and bathrooms can really increase the value of your home, and make it all the more appealing to potential buyers. If you have no immediate plans to sell your home, a loft conversion still has its benefits. All the extra living space that you create makes a perfect place for guests to stay and is ideal if your family is still growing.

Update Your Kitchen:

Changing your kitchen can be a large project to undertake, but it is totally worth it when complete. The kitchen is the heart of the home, so making it a space that is as attractive as it is functional is important. Kitchen renovations can be super expensive, but you can adjust your makeover plans to suit your budget, and still make a big difference to the way your kitchen looks. If you are on a tight budget but still want to change things up, why not simply change the doors and worktops, instead? Replacing the doors and worktops may be cost-effective but can still make a dramatic difference to the overall look of the room.

If you fancy going all-out on redesigning your new kitchen, then you may decide to gut it entirely and start again from scratch. Going back to basics means that you are able to utilize the space better and get the kitchen exactly how you would like it. If you are planning on a full on renovation, search for a kitchen remodeler in Tampa, FL or your local area to get started. The experts will be able to walk you through the merits of additions such as high-end integrated appliances, attractive tiles, and kitchen islands that can really help to add value to your home.

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Naomi Hébert on Unsplash

Renovate Your Bathroom:

Alongside the kitchen, the bathroom is the other room in your home that usually costs the most to improve. Due to the costs involved, a beautiful bathroom can have a really positive impact on your home’s value along with how much it appeals to potential buyers. If you have a small bathroom, you may look for ways to redesign it so that it appears bigger and less cramped. This can be achieved by installing a corner bath and corner sink so that less of the floor space is taken up, and every part of the room is utilized.

Be mindful of your budget, make a plan, and soon your house will be feeling brand new with an increased property value, to boot!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Final Few Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Final Few Edition

Howdy! For the final viewing of Lil Red’s Art Gallery, we are going to take a look at two of the biggest pictures and one of the smallest ones that I purchased from Goodwill. The two large ones honestly have me stumped on why I bought them other than the fact that I just thought they looked cool. The poster sized images feature wild berries and plants of Alaska, a state which I have literally no ties to. But, I don’t know, the colors were unique and I liked that it looked like something out of a textbook so into the cart it went! Take a closer look:

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And, as for the other little painting that I purchased, I loved what the women were wearing more than anything. The flowing dresses, huge sun hat, parasol in hand – I wish that us ladies still dressed like that! The colors in the painting also spoke to me. I like how soft the palette is and how it almost looks like it’s going to rain. You can also see the signs of a heavy wind from the ribbons adorning their ensemble blowing about. And, of course, this picture also reminds me of something that would be in the funeral home too, so there’s that! #funeralhomechic

What is your favorite art museum to visit? Who is your favorite artist? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Favorites Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Favorites Edition

Hi everyone! So, when my grandma sold her funeral home in Cleveland and opted to live closer to family (like mine) in Akron, obviously, a lot of the furniture and decor couldn’t come with. So, when my grandma downsized, she brought only her favorites. One of which included a painting of a girl looking forlorn while wearing a huge sun hat and holding a bouquet of flowers displayed in an ornate gold frame.

I can recall one of my cousins wondering out loud why, out of all of the gorgeous art work in the funeral home, this picture was chosen. And, sadly, I never asked this question for myself. However, it is now hanging in my family home. The painting of the little boy holding a bunch of flowers seen below reminds me of the picture that my grandma apparently loved a lot so I consider it my version of that!

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My mom commented on my little boy blue giving off serious Little Prince vibes and I can definitely see it! I don’t know what it is about this picture but, as soon as I saw it, I fell in love. It’s such a sweet image to me and it makes me happy to think of the little girl or boy he’s going to give his flowers to. Or, maybe, he’s about to run into his mom’s arms and surprise her with it. It just makes me smile and I hope to some day hang up my grandma’s painting side by side with it.

And, of course, the Asian inspired embroidered cloth was a must, too. The colors, the subject, the craftsmanship – WOOF, I love this picture so much. The bamboo style frame is a nice touch and my only hope is that the words on there are something really random like “swimming pool” or “blow torch” and no one will know any better. But, if you do have any idea of what those characters are, let a Lil Red know!

If you could only bring a few things from your belongings to a new place, what would you take? Which of your belongings holds a lot of significance to you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Floral Galore Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Floral Galore Edition

Hello hello! During the initial process of getting everything squared away for my apartment, I was a nervous wreck. But, the more I shopped, the more excited I felt about my big move. Retail therapy at its finest! I had the most fun shopping for my larger pieces of furniture and it felt good to check all of the big purchases off of my list. The extra stuff like things from the wall art seen below to hand soap were just the cherry on top of the moving sundae!

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Now, normally I am not a huge floral girl when it comes to wall art. But, the pictures above spoke to me for some reason and for eight dollars total at Goodwill, I figured “why not?”. Since we established that my decor style is apparently funeral home chic, these pictures will fit right in! I love the lace on the rose picture and the more ornate frame on the smaller one. I feel like someone loved these pictures a lot or maybe they belonged to one of their loved ones and I like feeling like I’ve given both of them a beautiful new home to be showcased in. :*)

Are you a floral decor fan or nah? What is your favorite thing to shop for when it comes to home goods? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Van Gogh Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Van Gogh Edition

Hi hi! It seems like I end up at a Goodwill at least once a week when I’m working and, I’m so not mad about it, because I have found so much cool apartment stuff from there. You can’t beat the value of secondhand shopping and the thrill of a real life treasure hunt at your local thrift store.

It’s funny, because I’m a pretty major germophobe and, several years ago, I would have preferred that you cut my hands off than look through a store of other people’s old belongings. But, now, I thrift shop like the best of them (As long as I have Purell on deck, of course!) and it’s a small victory but that’s progress, baby.

During my last trip to the thrift, I found a beautiful framed copy of Van Gogh’s sunflower painting for FIVE BUCKS and I was (AND STILL AM!) excited! Take a look:

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Ninety percent of the wall art that I got for my apartment is from the thrift and my only qualm is that they write the prices on the glass of the frame and I have no idea how to get it off! So any suggestions for that would be greatly appreciated. But, I guess that’s a small price to pay for paying a small price for some new decor.

I have always loved this painting and was so happy to have found it. It will make a great centerpiece for the art wall I want to make in my living room so I’m looking forward to getting everything hung up ASAP. Now, if only I can find me a copy of Starry Night at Goodwill next!

What is your favorite painting? Who is your favorite artist? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Art Gallery

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery

Hellooo everyone! One of the last things that I need to do in my apartment is adorn one of my blank walls in my living room with pictures. During a shopping trip to Goodwill last month, I purchased at least ten framed quirky paintings for forty bucks total. All that’s left to do is find a picture hanging kit and have my dad over to help with the process as he promised when I moved in.

I love secondhand shopping and I wanted to show all of you my finds because it’s like a treasure hunt every time you step foot into a Goodwill or thrift shop. But, first, I wanted to share with you two wall arts that are not from a thrift store but are still really pretty and sentimental all the same. Check it out:

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I love both of these pictures so much because they remind me of my clients. The small “home” block was a gift from one of my families after I told them the good news about my apartment. I was so touched by the sweet gesture when I opened the gift bag during my shift the following week. It is simple and pretty and the rustic wooden feel will be just right in my living room with its hardwood flooring and the dark wood paneling on my loft space up above.

The vibrant “welcome” sign was a Party City purchase when I was with another one of my girlies. She loves going to that store and when we saw that picture, we both thought that it would be perfect in my new place. I normally don’t care for pictures with wording on them but I liked how simple both of these were and how they made a statement without saying much of anything. Now, let’s see if I can get them hung up some time this year!

Where do you like to shop for wall art for your home? What is your style when it comes to home decor? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Welcome To My Crib: My Room Edition

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Welcome To My Crib: My Room Edition

Hi, MTV, and welcome to my crib! It has taken me a while to get a post up about the room where all of the magic doesn’t happen AKA my bedroom. Mainly, this is because my room is dark AF and it took me two weeks of being moved in to decide to assemble the lamp that I got to brighten things up. Lol, WHOOPS. Anyways, you guys have seen the amazing walk in closet that my room offers but you haven’t seen the rest – so take a look:

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Even with all of the lights on in my room and a huge skylight looking over it, it is still pretty dark so I am open to suggestions on how to fix that problem! But, other than that, I am in love with my loft space and the big open bedroom that it created. Obviously, the walk in closet is my favorite part but it’s so nice to have a large room to sprawl out in.

And, this includes my bed! Because I ball on a budget, I refused to buy a bigger bed. Rather, I just put the two twin ones from my family home together to make an ultimate mega bed. Surprisingly comfy and insanely roomy, there is nothing better than tucking myself into it every night!

Again, because I ball on a budget, almost all of the furniture in my room is from the family home. However, I purchased the gorgeous vanity, stool, and full length mirror from Abbey Ann’s along with my living room furniture. (PS: If you have a vanity but don’t have a matching stool, you could consider purchasing some classroom stools and customizing them as a cool DIY!) I have yet to do my makeup in front of the vanity like I intended because bad lighting but I still love it so much. And, I have always wanted a full length mirror like the one I purchased so they were both an amazing secondhand find. :’)

I am really proud of how my apartment is coming together and I am so happy that I got to share my Moving On Up journey with all of you. Thanks for reading!

How do you create good lighting in a dark space? How is your bedroom decorated? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Home Decor Tricks To Help You Relax In 2019

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Home Decor Tricks To Help You Relax In 2019

Whether you want to do a major overhaul of your home or just a simple design update, these easy and practical decor ideas are perfect this 2019 to add a relaxing esthetic to your space:

Add Natural Elements:

In today’s world, we’re constantly facing our computers and mobile devices so it would be nice to come home to a place with naturally relaxing elements. Even if you regularly take a walk in nature, it’s always good to have a touch of green around you. You can add houseplants and flowers in your urban home to incorporate nature and art pieces that feature the great outdoors or animals. Additionally, be sure to browse for decorative accessories that have earthy touches and are made up of soothing, natural colors like taupe, chocolate, and green. Wood furniture is also a great idea to make your home feel like an escape from our tech-obsessed world.

Use Furniture as Functional Decorations:

Speaking of furniture, it’s always smart and practical to choose pieces that can also serve as home decor. It’s a great way to save space and also make your home more interesting both for you and your guests. Pick a bookshelf with a material that complements your wall and flooring. Wood almost always goes well with anything but you can be more creative with modern-themed homes.

One of the best things you can add to your home this year is a mini wine fridge which can go in your kitchen, dining area, or your living room. Some wine coolers can be installed as part of an entire counter and some can stand alone and still add quite a statement in the room. You can keep your favorite wine bottles chilled at perfect conditions so you can offer them to your guests or have a glass yourself anytime you feel like it. Feeling relaxed now?

Reinvent Your Walls:

If you’re bored with your surroundings, adding some life into your walls can always make things more interesting. You can place a large-scale art piece in one area like an oversized painting or photograph. It can be a black and white photo if you want to be minimalist in your design or a vibrant abstract piece to energize the room. In other areas, you can also create a gallery wall, filled with photos from places you’ve traveled or interesting people you’ve met. Showcase a fabric on top of your bed’s headboard. This can be a tapestry or wall hanging with patterns which can add a sense of softness into the space.

Of course, wall art isn’t the only way to reinvent your walls. How about using books?! If you are interested in learning how to create a dark academia home the best place to start is with books. This could be with floating shelves, built in shelves, or shelving units that vary in height and size. A dark academia home is the ultimate in comfort as it invokes the feeling of cozying up in a leather armchair with a good book. Search for unique colors and binding for your books to add pops of visual interest for the best results.

Maximize Lighting:

Adding mirrors around your home is an old trick that works all of the time. It adds the effect of a larger space because the mirrors reflect light and spread it across the room. Another way to add more natural light is to open your windows or choose light curtains. Maximizing natural light in your home has a general positive effect both in your mind and body. It helps you relax easily and it also conditions your body to get to sleep when the sun goes down.

These are just a few cool decor tricks that you can do to make your home a more suitable place for rest and relaxation. So kick back and unwind in your newly decorated relaxation station!

Six Improvements To Make In Your Home

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Six Improvements To Make In Your Home

If you’ve lived in your home for a while, it can sometimes get a little boring having the same furniture and features that you’ve had for years. With general wear and tear, there are improvements that you might look to make when you have the budget and time to do it. So with that in mind, here are six improvements to make to your home:

Reinvent A Room:

Depending on how many rooms are in your property, you may have one or two spaces that are empty or are currently a storage space for extra bits and pieces that don’t have a home. This might be a great opportunity to reinvent a room and turn it into something that could be useful. When clearing out the room, try to declutter as much as possible. Then, look at the size of the space and figure out what might work well. Perhaps a walk in wardrobe or maybe a mini cinema room!

Improve Outdoor Space:

Outdoor space, unless you consider yourself a keen gardener, will often get ignored. It might be that the garden is too high maintenance or you’ve not invested any time or attention into doing it up. No one wants to spend their time in a space that might be messy or ugly to look at. So if you’re looking for ideas to improve your outdoor space, here are a few suggestions:

Be Bold With Color – When it comes to your garden, you can go crazy with color. The brighter the colors, the more appealing the space will look to you and your guests. Also, having a variety of plants and flowers will attract more wildlife.

Install A Pond – A pond is another feature that attracts wildlife and it also feels like you’re giving your outdoor area some extra luxury. When making a pond, make sure to dig the right size and in an area that is easily visible. Make sure the base of the pond and the sides are well sealed before filling it in with water. Add a variety of fish friends, too!

Add Levels And Different Materials – Adding levels and using different materials is what gives your garden space that wow factor. It’ll make your guests think that you’ve really put some effort into the space. Think about using more than just grass, perhaps marble, stones, and bark. Add decking for levels and hire patios builders to help with the more complex work.

Update Your Bathroom:

The bathroom can end up becoming a little dated, especially if you haven’t done anything since you moved. If you can’t renovate the bathroom fully, then start with the smaller items and work your way up. Tiling and painting can help dramatically transform it and adding new taps, a more modern toilet, and a rainfall shower can be the slightly bigger buys later on down the line. Make sure that the room is well ventilated and that you accessorize it with soft furnishings that match the theme of your bathroom.

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Pexels Image

Rearrange The Furniture:

Improvements don’t need to cost a thing, you can simply rearrange the furniture. When you first moved into your property, you will have likely put everything where you first thought it could go. Now is an opportunity to change up the space a little and rearranging the furniture can make a big improvement without spending any money. Start on each room individually and try changing the position of the biggest piece of furniture. If that’s not possible, then look at moving the smaller pieces of furniture and seeing if that makes any difference. To finish it off, replace or update your soft furnishings, and it’ll feel like stepping into a new room.

Renovate Your Kitchen:

Kitchen renovations are sometimes necessary as it’s one of the most used places in your home. Therefore, the wear and tear will be clear on most of your appliances, particularly your everyday essentials like the kettle and oven. Kitchen cabinets are also the first things to fall off their hinges. Kitchen renovations are expensive but well worth the investment. It might also be financially beneficial to get it done if it needs doing as it can add value to your property if you sell it at any point in the future. Even if you start with replacing or painting the cabinets, that’ll make a difference. To begin your kitchen renovation, simply enter a search for “Queens kitchen renovations” (or your local area). The professionals you choose will be able to work with your vision while using their own expertise for an end result that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Insulate Your Property:

Insulation is important to your property, especially during the colder months. Overall, it helps to keep the heat in and the cold out. This can also save you a lot of money further down the line as you’re likely to save on energy because of it. So, to insulate your property, make sure your windows are either double or triple glazed. Insulate them with heavier blinds or curtains. Darker colors are going to attract sunlight which should, in turn, make your rooms a lot warmer. Insulation doesn’t need to be expensive as there’s a range of materials that are available at different costs. Try insulating your walls if possible and the loft space. If you have the DIY skills, you can always try it yourself, but it might be handy getting in a professional to do it.

Adding improvements to your home can help your space feel brand new, like when you first moved in. Change things up and see the difference for yourself!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Moving On Up: Family Dollar Haul

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Moving On Up: Family Dollar Haul

Hiya! The discount stores during my shopping hauls for moving have been my most frequented. And, my neck of the woods has a ton of them. Lol, us Akronites are partial to our Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Dollar General, and Five Below. 😀 But, for good reason. I was able to knock off some items from my “to buy” list for a fraction of what I would have paid at Target or even TJMaxx, ready for when the movers come. Take a looksee:

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As I’ve mentioned in a few of my previous posts, the lighting in my apartment sucks on ice. It is really dark in there with not a ton of windows so I’ve been on the prowl for different lamps to brighten things up. I paid twenty bucks for the two lamps seen above, which will be perfect for my office and my bedside table. I also purchased four jumbo candles for five dollars apiece to create a nice glow that will smell really good! Especially the watermelon one – yum!!

And, finally, my storage bench. I have always loved these, but I have not been able to find just the right one so I was really happy to have snagged this one at Family Dollar. I got it for thirty-five dollars, which I consider a steal. I love the fabric and the shiny silver design and the inside storage is actually very deep so I’ll be able to fit a lot my things in there that I can’t quite find a place for. A successful haul, indeed. 😀

What is your favorite discount store? How do you create good lighting? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah