Tag Archives: home decor

Jun5

What Would Make You Fall Back In Love With Your Home Again?

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What Would Make You Fall Back In Love With Your Home Again?

As sad as it can seem, there are often times when we fall out of love with our homes. When we first buy them, it can feel really exciting. You may find that you’re so in love with the style, the space, and how it feels overall but, as with anything over time, that can fade. Homes need a lot of upkeep and maintenance in order to stay looking their best. But not only that, we can change too. This means that we may be looking for other options or focusing too much on the things we don’t like! If you want to fall back in love with your home again, here’s what might help you:

A Big Clear Out:

For starters, it’s always worth considering having a huge clear-out! You don’t always realize how much stuff you acquire over time. You may find that you end up with a lot of things you no longer want or need. Because of that, your home may look messy and overcrowded which is nothing a good decluttering session can’t solve. That way, you can donate unwanted goods to charity and you may find that having more space completely transforms how you feel about your home.

Getting Things Fixed:

Up next, you may want to look into repairing or replacing anything that needs it. Sometimes when things break we mean to fix them but never get around to it. This only adds to the overall effect! Taking the time to call in experts and spruce things up can really make a difference. Getting a new window installation to replace your old or broken windows can give your home an instant face lift. The same goes for repairing your old boiler or coffee machine, which will also add to your overall quality of life.

Help With Chores:

One of the reasons that you may have fallen out of love with your home is that it feels hard to maintain. If you’re the only one doing things and focusing on making it run like clockwork, you may be feeling tired. It can be exhausting and frustrating when everything falls on you to manage. Create a chore chart and rope your family members in or even hiring some home help could change your outlook here.

Updated Decor:

Of course, if your home hasn’t been decorated in years, it may also be getting to you. If things are looking tired, refreshing them can be a huge game changer. Take a look at some design inspiration to see what you like. Then, you can get started with some paint and new furniture pieces to breathe fresh life into each room. Sometimes your home just needs some love and care, and it will look brand new!

Refreshing your home with updated decor, repairs, and a good old fashioned deep clean can give you that brand new feel once more. Enjoy it!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

May25

5 Reasons Why A Loft Conversion Is Worth Your Time And Money

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5 Reasons Why A Loft Conversion Is Worth Your Time And Money

When homeowners start running out of space, the first instinct is often to move. But between estate agent fees, legal costs, packing, and the stress of uprooting your life, moving house can quickly become far more expensive than expected. That’s why loft conversions continue gaining popularity, especially for families who want more space without sacrificing the character or location they already love. While the upfront cost may feel intimidating at first, the long-term benefits often make it one of the smartest renovation projects you can invest in:

1. You avoid the huge cost of moving house:

One of the biggest financial advantages of a loft conversion is avoiding the moving tax. Selling a property and buying another comes with endless costs that don’t actually improve your lifestyle or increase your wealth. A loft conversion allows you to stay in the neighborhood you already enjoy while putting your money directly back into your own property instead of handing it over to third parties. For families who love their area but simply need more room, moving upward often makes far more sense than moving away.

2. Loft conversions offer impressive return on investment:

Not every renovation dramatically increases property value, but loft conversions consistently perform well. Transforming an unused attic into a functional bedroom, office, or en-suite suite can significantly boost your home’s market appeal. This becomes especially valuable when renovating an old home where original layouts may no longer suit modern lifestyles. Adding an extra bedroom or flexible top-floor retreat instantly makes the property more attractive to future buyers.

3. Most projects are faster than people expect:

Many homeowners assume major renovations automatically mean endless paperwork and delays. Fortunately, loft conversions are often more straightforward than large extensions. Standard loft projects can fall under permitted development rules, meaning full planning permission may not always be necessary. That can save months of waiting and significantly reduce stress before work even begins. Construction itself also tends to be less disruptive because much of the work happens externally through scaffolding rather than directly through the center of the home.

4. You gain space without losing your garden:

Rear extensions may add square footage, but they often come at the cost of valuable outdoor space. A loft conversion solves that problem by utilizing space that already exists above your ceiling. You gain an entirely new room without shrinking your patio, driveway, or garden. That balance matters more than ever today, especially as homeowners increasingly prioritize both indoor comfort and outdoor living areas. Modern designs featuring reliable options like Tuffx roof windows also help maximize natural light, transforming previously dark attic spaces into bright, airy rooms that feel fully integrated into the home.

5. It creates a peaceful retreat away from the noise:

One underrated advantage of loft conversions is the separation they create. As open-plan homes become busier and louder, having a quiet top-floor sanctuary can completely change how a house feels day to day. Whether it becomes a master suite, creative workspace, reading room, or guest retreat, the extra level naturally feels calmer and more private.

In the end, a loft conversion isn’t just about adding square footage. It’s about creating a smarter, more functional home that continues working for your lifestyle long into the future!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Apr18

Bunny Pug!!!!

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Bunny Pug!!!!

Hello!! While Halloween will always be my favorite home decor season, Easter is a very close second because I love all things BUNNIES!! I am a proud bunny mom to my precious Melvin and Penelope and I always like to get a few pieces of bunny decor per year to honor their existence. A few weeks ago my mom and I went on a shopping trip to TJMaxx and I just might have found my favorite bunny statue to grace our knick knack shelves yet. I present to you the bunny pug:

^^^ Look at that wittle face!!!

As my mom and I browsed the home decor department, I was so pleased to see that all of the Easter items were marked down significantly. Surprisingly, I didn’t even notice the bunny pug and I’m genuinely not sure how because it’s quite the statement. Thanks to my mom’s eagle eye she pointed it out and it went into the cart immediately. This sweet statue was just six bucks and that is a steal! I thought it was the funniest thing and I knew Johnny would love it too. Especially because it looks like the pug is wearing the pink bunny suit from A Christmas Story – one of our faves!

I was so excited to show Johnny my find when I got home from work and walked through the door with TJs and grocery bags in tow. Then, the unspeakable happened. As I put my shopping down, my bunny pug knocked into one of my curio cabinets and my heart sank. I just knew that something broke and, indeed, one of the ears came clean off. I was SO sad! In a flash, I broke out my emergency super glue in case of a broken acrylic and set to work to fix the whoopsie daisy. Sadly, the glue was not strong enough and my heart sank further. 😦

I am pleased to report that the broken ear surgery was only postponed to the following day compliments of my Johnny. He got some super strength super glue after work and fixed it for me as soon as he got home. When I got back from my shift a half an hour or so later he surprised me with the repaired bunny pug and I was over the moon! It made me so happy and it was so thoughtful of him to see the problem and solve it the very next day. What a guy! ❤

My bunny pug recuperated nicely after his ear surgery and I can’t help but smile every time I see it! 🙂

What is your favorite holiday to shop home decor? What is your favorite discount store to shop at? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr3

Simple Ways To Look After Your Home

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Simple Ways To Look After Your Home

Whether you’re renting or you own your home, you surely want to keep it looking good and to take care of it as much as possible. Your environment plays a big role in how you feel and in your overall health and your home is the best place to start. There is nothing better than returning after a long day at work to a space that is clean and fresh. Here are a few easy ways that you can better maintain it as you start your spring cleaning:

Keep On Top Of Everyday Tidying:

One great way to care for your home is to tidy regularly. This is not going to take long because there won’t be time for it to get too messy again. We’re talking about simple things like putting items back where they belong, wiping surfaces, dealing with small messes before they get bigger, and so on – it can all make a massive difference.

Check Things Before They Become Problems:

Another helpful thing to do is spot minor issues around the home early. Things like a loose handle here, a dripping tap there, or perhaps a squeaky door or a slightly blocked drain. These can turn into bigger problems if you ignore them because they don’t seem like they’re causing too much harm. The fact is, spending a few minutes checking (and ideally fixing) little things is going to save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

Look After Outdoor Areas:

Outdoor spaces are part of your home too, and keeping them tidy improves the overall feel. That’s why doing things like sweeping paths, trimming plants, and clearing leaves can all help. Of course, not everyone has the time, patience, or skills to improve their gardens to the level they might want. If you want to go a little further than a quick tidy up, it’s worth speaking to landscaping experts who can give you advice and come up with a plan before getting on with the work themselves.

Keep A Simple Routine:

Having an easy routine (easy to do and easy to remember) can make maintenance feel a lot more manageable, so it’s a good idea to take a little time to create one. Once it’s done, you just have to follow it and everything becomes easier, quicker, and less stressful. For example, you could choose one small task to do every day, or set some time aside each week to do your home maintenance checks. Having a routine in place means the work gets spread out and stops everything from piling up at once, which usually means nothing actually gets done!

Spring is in the air and it’s the perfect time to clean. Keep your home sparkling with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Anete Lusina

Mar17

Puzzle Place Pt. 3

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Puzzle Place Pt. 3

Hello! I got my parents hip to 5 Below as it’s the perfect spot to pick up little treats for the grandkiddos. About a month ago they took a trip there and my dad returned with two puzzles. One of Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Sunflowers. Although they were very challenging, it was such fun to complete them with my dad! I had a vague recollection of 5 Below carrying a puzzle of one of my personal favorite paintings, The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai, and was so happy when they still had it available. We just finished it this week and it looks fantastic! Check it out:

Between the three puzzles we have just completed, I would rank them in difficulty with Starry Night being the easiest, The Great Wave coming in second, and Sunflowers being the hardest. Sunflowers was a massive pain in the nads because the color palette was so limited. While The Great Wave does feature a minimal palette, it still provided a lot that we could work with like the squiggly lines, speckles, boats, and the gold tips on the waves. We tackled this puzzle in sections with my dad starting on the boats. Then, I tapped in to work from the top down on the tan areas. All that was left was the wave smack dab in the middle which is where we ran into trouble because all of the remaining pieces looked like they could fit anywhere. It took a lot of twisting and turning of the pieces to find their happy home and it felt amazing to put that final piece in!

There truly is nothing like that last piece of the puzzle feeling and it was exciting because the next step is easily the best. My dad glues it, frames it, and hangs up the end result as wall art. Of course, I wanted this puzzle painting simply because I love it but I thought it would look so nice next to Starry Night! As anyone in my family can testify, my dad is a total and complete hoverer when puzzles are involved and I sometimes had to shoo him away lol! However, it has been a blast to have these puzzle projects to tackle as a team. With three under our belt since the end of January, I’d say we make a pretty damn good one. ❤

I’m not sure what puzzle is next on our agenda, maybe some Monet? Whatever we go with, I am already looking forward to it!

What is your favorite hobby? What is the maximum size of puzzles that you can do (Anything over five hundred is a hard no from me!)? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan23

Who Said Home Security Had To Ruin The Look Of Your Interiors?

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Who Said Home Security Had To Ruin The Look Of Your Interiors?

Home security is obviously important. Cameras and other protective measures can help you to sleep at night, and they also act as a real deterrent for thieves in the area. But, when it comes to implementing the right security systems at home, you might also worry how they’ll work with your home decor more generally. Of course, safety is always more important than style, but you’ve probably spent hours designing your home. It’s natural if you’re reluctant to add hefty cameras or deadlock bolts. But you can’t risk your safety for aesthetics alone. So, is there a middle ground where you can get the best of both worlds? We’re pleased to report that the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, it’s easier to integrate attractive, harmonious security now than ever before. Keep reading to find out how:

Choose Invisible Protections:

When we think about home security, most of us picture very visible equipment, but remember that not all security measures need to shout about themselves. Less visible options, such as window films, are a great way to get a safer home without impacting your interiors at all. By reaching out to a security window film supplier, you can reinforce your property’s weaker areas, without that protection being visible to the naked eye. That’s because window films are designed to be fully transparent, buying you peace of mind while still freeing you to choose whichever curtains you fancy.

Unsplash Image

Hide Security in Plain Sight:

CCTV in your home doesn’t need to be as out-there and obvious as it is in a commercial setting. There are now plenty of discreet home security cameras, many of which are actually available inside the home decor items that you’re likely already buying. Hidden cameras are available in everything from picture frames to air fresheners and wall clocks. You can even get cameras that are hidden in children’s toys! These additions look no different from a standard piece of home decor, and choosing carefully can help you find pieces that work perfectly alongside your color scheme and other decor items. Simply make sure you’re placing them in the right position to protect potential entry points around your home.

Use Lighting to Your Advantage:

We don’t often think of lighting as a security feature, but considering that it improves visibility and makes it much harder for thieves to sneak around, it very much is. Luckily, lighting is also already something that you’re using in your home, and it can be a great home feature in itself. In fact, you can keep the lighting fixtures you already have and still benefit from additional security protections. Simply invest in motion sensors that allow your lights to turn on when someone approaches. These lights can look great while also acting as a major deterrent if you place them near any doors and walkways.

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Home security doesn’t need to be an eyesore if you tackle it with these top decor tips in mind!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov18

Survive Your Renovation With These Tips

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Survive Your Renovation With These Tips

There are countless reasons to renovate your home and it can provide a huge boost in property value and curb appeal. But, this often takes more time and effort than many homeowners realize, especially when it’s a live-in renovation. It’s easy to see why it can get stressful quickly. This doesn’t always have to be the case. Some of these tips have a lot more of an impact than others, which is why they’re always worth starting off with. Whether it’s your first home renovation or your fifth, let’s explore some of the best ways to make your reno a breeze:

Have a Checklist:

There’s often a lot more involved in a renovation than most people expect. You’ll need to consider demolition work, any systems that need to be replaced, the exact upgrades you’re making, finishing touches, and storage options. It’s difficult to keep track of all of this in your head. You’re much better off having a checklist that goes through exactly what needs to be done and when. It’ll help make sure you don’t forget about anything and prevent last minute frustrations.

Hire Expert Contractors:

You already know you’ll need a team to carry out your renovation work for you. But, that doesn’t mean just hiring anyone you come across. Make sure they’re experts in the exact kind of work you need, as it will make sure everything is done to a high standard. If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, for example, a trustworthy kitchen remodeling expert is who you should go for. While that could mean spending a little more compared to a generalist, the added quality and craftsmanship you get with this is more than worth it.

Declutter Before Work Starts:

You’ll have plenty of belongings in any room you’re renovating and you should get these out of the way as early as possible. It gives your contractor the space they need to work, keeps your belongings safe, and just makes the whole process easier. Declutter as much as you can ahead of time. If you’re just renovating one room, you could move your belongings into another room to keep them safe. For whole-home renovations, you could need to rent a storage unit.

If you are planning a whole home renovation, you might also benefit from renting trash bins from Skip Bin Hire in adelaide (or a similar business in your local area). You will be amazed at how much needs removed from your home after a house wide declutter session. This will ensure that all of your trash can be disposed of in a safe and timely manner as you prep for the big renovation day.

As much as you want your home renovation, you don’t want to deal with a lot of stress and hassle during the process. Thankfully, you don’t have to put up with that. The right renovation tips should be more than enough to avoid a lot of issues going forward!

Featured Image By: Immo Renovation from Unsplash

Oct25

Crafty Halloween Home Decor

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Crafty Halloween Home Decor

Hello! It is no secret that Johnny and I live for Halloween decor and our apartment is decorated for the happiest season of all all year round. At work, my Johnny is definitely the elder emo of the bunch and his work station is decorated with Halloween goodies too. Earlier this week, he sent me a picture of a craft that one of his coworkers made just for us. We were so genuinely surprised at how thoughtful this was and have it proudly displayed in our living room. I am absolutely in love with it and wanted to share it because it’s something that could be easily replicated. It can also be made to fit the upcoming holiday season too. Check it out:

Johnny and I were aware that his coworker makes crafts like this bottle nightlight and never expected to have her make one for us. It honestly came as a shock and we are just so appreciative for it because it’s so totally us! His coworker claims to not be crafty but we most certainly say otherwise. There are countless fun little details to this display. The spider, skeleton beads, and eyeball flowers took a simple craft into something really special. The bottle of Witches Brew set the tone and it bloomed from there!

A craft like this would make a fabulous gift and I can picture it perfectly for the holiday season. Start with a bottle of sparkling grape juice, Christmas ale, or a seasonal wine and add some twinkling fairy lights. For the flowers, I’m thinking poinsettias with sprigs of holly and a spray of glitter or fake snow. Then, it could be decorated with tiny ornaments, icicles, peppermints, or snowflakes. Any holiday staple that speaks to you! There is nothing better than a homemade gift and this is a great route to draw inspiration from. ❤

This Halloween craft was the perfect treat – no tricks involved. What a kind, generous, and wicked cool gesture! ❤

Have you made any crafts recently? How did it turn out? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep11

Marc’s Mini Halloween Haul

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Marc’s Mini Halloween Haul

Hello! I love shopping here, there, and everywhere for Halloween goodies and it’s such fun for me to see what all of the different stores have to offer. Whenever spooky season hits, there is one place that I ALWAYS have to visit: Marc’s. For those of you who are not hip, Marc’s is a discount grocery store in Ohio. They have great prices on their products and have a fabulous “closeout section” of random and seasonal decor, children’s toys, clothing, and the list goes on. My parents shop there frequently and when my dad sounded the alarm that their Halloween decorations were out, I just had to swing by the next day for some swag on the cheap. I got all of this for ten dollars and change! Check it out:

^^^ How amazing is that sign?!

I will say that the Halloween selection at Marc’s this time around was not as good as the years prior but that is okay because I still made out like a bandit! The first thing I added to my cart was a pair of spooky leggings that I got for a whole buck fifty which was a total score. I only have one pair of leggings that double for work and pajamas and couldn’t resist snagging a new pair specific to lounging. These babies might not be my size but they are cute as can be and will keep my work leggings for work only. Also I love the dancing pumpkin skeleton. 😀

Next in the cart was one of my favorite things in the whole world: Hair glitter! Glitter hair spray is just pure fun and adds a sweet touch of sparkle to Halloween costumes, concert OOTDs, or every day wear. At Marc’s the hair glitter was only one dolla holla and I got my usuals of gold and silver. I also was so happy to have found a blue hair glitter spray too! Johnny and I plan on being Alice Cooper and Cold Ethyl for Halloween and the blue and silver glitter is going to be perfect on whatever wig I end up picking out. These glitter sprays were definitely a lucky find because I could imagine that one bottle at Spirit Halloween would be at least five dollars or more. Such a steal!

The last of my purchases is easily my favorite and gave me and Johnny a fit of laughter – a five dollar sign proclaiming “give ’em pumpkin to talk about” LOLOL. It’s a freaking HOOT and too cute to boot. I just love that spooky garland at the bottom! This is one of those sayings that I wish I came up with because I think it’s so damn clever and I live for a good play on words. In the past week, I have visited several different stores for Halloween decor and there is no way I would have found something so well made, sizeable, and cheap at any of them. Long live discount stores!!

I balled on a budget during my traditional Marc’s Halloween shopping trip with five items for ten dollars. You simply cannot beat that!

What is your favorite discount store? Where is your favorite place to shop for home decor? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep8

Snap & Switch Trick ‘r Treat Sets

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Snap & Switch Trick ‘r Treat Sets

Hello! A few months ago, I saw a preview of 5 Below’s Halloween collection on social media and one thing in particular really caught my eye: A pseudo Lego set called Snap & Switch featuring precious Sam from one of mine and Johnny’s favorite Halloween movies, Trick ‘r Treat. I was on pins and needles to finally snag a set for myself and was keeping my fingers crossed that it would be available during a recent 5 Below trip. Despite the fact that it wasn’t there, I still had a fabulous Halloween haul but, of course, Sam was weighing heavily on my mind.

With my eyes on the prize, I returned back to 5 Below two days later and could not believe my good fortune: The box containing the Trick ‘r Treat builds were on the shipment cart, I asked an employee if I could have one, and actually got two sets. Snap & Switch made a Trick ‘r Treat candy set too! There were only three of each set in the box and I got mine before they even went on the shelves. GREAT SUCCESS. AND Johnny and I built them over the long Labor Day weekend. DOUBLE GREAT SUCCESS! Check it out:

^^^ His lil sucker!!!!

^^^ My lil builder hard at work!

^^^ My Sam plushie has a friend now!! ❤

^^^ Very aware that random black piece doesn’t belong there! -_-

^^^ All done!!! 😀

The first build we tackled was Sam himself and that was easy peasy. It had less than one hundred pieces and we finished it in about fifteen minutes. However, Snap & Switch is obviously no Lego lol. The bricks in the Snap & Switch sets were tiny and I mean TINY and they also were a pain in the butt to snap together. Not a snap at all! Pieces kept flying off constantly and a lot of them were difficult to fit into the build correctly. But, hey, for five bucks what do you expect? I think it’s a great thing that little sets like these are available for on the cheap! You can get a taste for building with bricks without spending an arm and a leg because I guarantee if this were a Lego set, it would be thirty dollars bare minimum. And, regardless of the ease of use for this product, we were still very pleased with the end result!

After quickly building Sam, we expected the candy Snap & Switch to be, well… A snap lol. We couldn’t wait to build Sam’s sucker and then things went horribly wrong. About five steps into the build, we were stumped. The directions were showing one thing but it was very much impossible with the pieces they allowed. Johnny and I tried several different approaches to no avail and we ended up having to use an extra piece to supplement for what couldn’t be done. That left us sans a piece we needed later on, hence the random black Lego brick. For such a small build, this one was frustrating AF and buyer beware that the directions in this set are wrong and you will need an extra piece to complete it fully.

Once we were done with our makeshift sucker, all that was left to do was make the razor blade chocolate. Thankfully, this one went without a hitch because we couldn’t take much more Snap & Switch after the sucker debacle lol. The candy bar was thrown together in under ten minutes and we loved the fact that the piece of chocolate slid off so you can see the danger that looms underneath. This candy set was a surprise because I wasn’t aware of it at all and I am still happy with it although it caused some difficulty. Yes, it bites that the directions weren’t accurate and pieces were missing but, hey, what do you expect for five dollars?!

If you are a Trick ‘r Treat fan, the Sam build is available on 5 Below’s website as far as I know. Definitely worth it for an hour or so of fun with an adorable end result!

Do you like to build with Lego? What is the best off brand Lego? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah