Tag Archives: improve

Mar12

Health & Safety Checklist For Your Home

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Health & Safety Checklist For Your Home

Your home should always feel like a safe haven but is it really? Poor air quality, pests, clutter, and damaged appliances can all be potentially hazardous to the health and safety of yourself and family. Today, we are going to talk about a few key areas that shouldn’t be ignored when you are doing a walk through of your home. Tending to any of the issues as needed below will help give you peace of mind and make your home an even better place to be:

Appliance Repair:

Ovens, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers that are in need of repair can be dangerous if you continue on without getting them fixed. Not only could you get hurt but the problem will become even more expensive if you let it get worse. Research the best repair services in your area and give them a call ASAP. Some professionals, like Appliance Repair Vancouver, will even offer a one year after service warranty.

Don’t forget that it’s always a good idea to get your heating and air conditioning systems checked yearly to make sure that they are functioning properly. A malfunctioning air conditioning system has the potential to cause breathing problems if it doesn’t get fixed.

Clear The Clutter:

Cluttered floors, of course, can cause one to fall and hurt themselves. Meanwhile, a really cluttered home can collect dust and dirt which creates a perfect hiding spot for pests and bugs as well as make your air quality suffer. Clean and dust your home often, take the trash out immediately, and pay extra attention to spaces on the counters and floors where crumbs can gather. Remember to sanitize things that are touched often like doorknobs, light switches, and remotes. And, as always, any type of pest problem should be solved quickly to better protect everyone in the home.

Step Up Your Security:

When walking through your home, be sure to take a look at all of your windows and doors that lead inside. Windows that can easily be pried open or a front door with a gap in it should be one of your highest priorities to fix as they provide burglars with an open invitation into your place. It is also wise to have a security system installed, which are better to have and not need than need and not have. You might also want to get any locks replaced if someone else had access to your keys.

Improve Air Quality:

While keeping a clean house and tending to any air conditioning repairs that might be needed will help improve the air quality in your home, there is still more that can be done. You could purchase an air purifier or you could simply crack a few windows during nice days or care for some indoor potted plants for natural ways to keep the air in your house cleaner. Air quality monitoring systems can also be beneficial. This is especially true if you are doing a major construction project on your home. Your home is a safe haven and that starts with fresh, clean air.

Tend to the above ideas to keep yourself and loved ones safer and healthier in your home!

Feb23

Rebuilding A Relationship With An Estranged Family Member

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Rebuilding A Relationship With An Estranged Family Member

Families can be difficult and, sometimes, you’re going to argue. Usually, disagreements get forgotten and things go back to normal but that isn’t always the case as some families might end up splitting apart and not speaking, potentially for years. Dealing with estranged family members can be incredibly difficult and many people feel as though they want to keep things as they are and not speak to those people ever again.

However, even though you feel like that in the heat of the moment, it’s something that you could come to regret later on. Many people find that when they become parents and they start thinking about the importance of family, they want to rebuild those relationships before it’s too late. If you have an estranged family member and you want to reconnect with them, here are some important things to keep in mind:

Forgive Them For The Past:

If you are searching for an estranged family member because you feel like you’ve got a score to settle, things are never going to work out. It’s important that you forgive them for the past before you reconnect with them so you are going into this process with a positive mindset. Many people are estranged from loved ones that have been in legal trouble, for example. If this is the case, you need to deal with the practical elements, like how to search for an inmate and set up a visit, but you also need to find a way to forgive them for the mistakes they made in the first place. If you are not ready to put the past behind you, meeting up with estranged family members will only make things worse for both of you.

Establish Clear Boundaries:

Putting clear boundaries in place will help you rebuild the relationship slowly and avoid conflict. You should make your boundaries clear from the beginning and what those boundaries are depends on the relationship and the reason for it breaking down. To start, you may tell them that you won’t tolerate lying if that was a big issue before. Sometimes, you may also need practical boundaries in place about what time they can call you or how often you will see one another. The whole process will be much easier if everybody has clear expectations from the beginning.

Maintain Other Family Relationships:

When you rekindle a relationship with a family member that you haven’t spoken to for years, it feels like you have to make up for a lot of lost time. It’s common for people to throw themselves into that relationship and neglect other family members without even realizing it. It’s important that you are aware of this and you take the time to do fun activities with the family and spend quality time with your partner so they don’t feel like this new relationship has taken over everything else. 

These are all important things to consider but the main thing you need to remember is that you must be patient. Healing old wounds takes time, but as long as you don’t push it, your relationship can mend.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb23

Stepping Up Your Pampering At Home

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Stepping Up Your Pampering At Home

Howdy! I don’t know about all of you, but I freaking love pampering myself with beauty treatments at home. From face masks to body scrubs and skin care, I have always enjoyed trying new products, scents, and ingredients to enhance my pampering even more. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am sure that many of us have turned to at home beauty treatments to minimize unnecessary exposure. And, due to the pandemic approaching its one year anniversary, you might be running out of ideas for your at home spa nights!

We all deserve to feel relaxed and pampered and if you are feeling blah with your current treatments, step them up by trying the following:

Make Your Own:

If you have exhausted all of the sheet and clay face masks at your local pharmacy or are sick of your bath and body care scents, why not try making your own beauty products? There are countless how to guides and recipes out there for face masks, hair and nail treatments, and lotion and you might just find your new favorite hobby. You will also be amazed at how many products you could make with ingredients that you already have in your own home like avocado, olive oil, sugar, and eggs. You could even have a Zoom spa night with your friends where you can all make and use a spa treatment together while catching up on the latest.

If you aren’t interested in making your own products but would like to try something new, then try supporting a local or small online business that specializes in beauty care. I love testing out products from local creators and often find that their products are even better than store bought brands!

Tend To Neglected Areas:

I recently just realized that I spend so much time with products for my face that I have lightweight neglected several opportunities for pampering. To emphasize that point, at almost twenty-seven years old I just started using hand lotion before bed regularly a month ago. If this sounds like you, spend some time during your next spa night getting acquainted with neglected areas like overgrown cuticles, dry elbows, and rough heels for a complete pampering experience.

Create A Relaxing Space:

There is absolutely nothing relaxing about sitting in your bathroom waiting for your face mask to dry, lol. Enhance your spa night by creating a relaxing space. You could draw a nice hot bath or you could carve out a little space in your home where you can lounge and read as your treatments settle in. Don’t forget that scented candles, oil burners, or incense as well as nature sounds and soothing music will help make your experience even better!

Lil Red Pro Tip:

I am definitely not perfect when it comes to my skin care and my recent bout with a super huge zit can attest to that! I also just got over a case of the literal worst dandruff ever about a month ago and all I can say if you are dealing with dandruff is: Olive oil. There was no Head & Shoulders at my place and after researching online, I learned that an olive oil treatment is really effective. I soaked my scalp with olive oil for about fifteen minutes, washed my hair twice to get it all out, and was blown away to see no more white flakes. See! Awesome beauty treatments can be found right in your own home. 🙂

Give how you pamper yourself a makeover with the tips above to spruce things up during your next spa night!

How do you pamper yourself at home? What is your favorite beauty treatment? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb22

Tend To The Following To Breathe Better In Your Home

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Tend To The Following To Breathe Better In Your Home

If you’ve ever had to think about what areas in your home could be damaging to your health, your first thought might be the pantry or refrigerator – the places where we keep our sweet treats and unhealthy snacks. However, there are some arguably more unhealthy areas in our homes that are a bigger cause for concern. Neglect in the following four examples all has the potential to cause breathing problems to develop over time so it is important to know what they are and how you can minimize the problem:

The Insulation:

Typically, we won’t spot insulation problems since, thanks to our heaters, they don’t really impact the temperature of our homes too much. However, bad insulation can mean paying over the odds energy bills to make up for the fact that without heat, we’d be freezing cold. But high energy bills are the least of our worries. Using heating systems all of the time can mean overheating the interiors of our homes which can cause a whole host of issues due to dry air and can impact our hair, sinuses, and skin.

Our AC Systems:

We rely so much on our AC systems for heat and air to keep our temperatures regulated throughout the year. But did you know that they can actually be making us sick? Not cool. When they break, you’re going to want to call a 24 hour AC repair place to get you back on track as having a broken, malfunctioning, or dirty AC system can make you sick. You might suffer from breathing issues, bad skin, headaches, and fatigue frequently. If this is the case, you should get your AC system checked out before symptoms get worse. You can look into a professional team like those at Platinum Air Heating & Cooling or a similar business in your local area to assess and repair the situation. Once the experts fix the problem, you will certainly be breathing easier.

Air Pollution in the Home:

The air inside your home isn’t clean.

‘But I dust and clean every day!’ you might be saying, however, in spite of this, there are still tiny particles making the air dirty floating around even if you live far away from polluted cities. Cooking smoke, cleaning products, and indoor stuffiness can impact on the cleanliness of the home. Use certain indoor plants and air purifiers to help to eliminate the issue and to improve the quality of the air in the home.

Clutter:

Having excess clutter can be a nightmare for our mental health as we struggle with the ample extra time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Highly cluttered spaces not only gather dust but can also attract pests and bugs who will have plenty of places to hide. Both of these instances can be dangerous to your respiratory health.

There are many things that you could be doing to improve your quality of life in the home and the quality of the air seems like a perfect place to start, doesn’t it?

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb12

Turning Back The Clock On Those Creaky Joints

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Turning Back The Clock On Those Creaky Joints

It happens to all of us, but when you feel it for the first time, it’s only natural that you might be a little worried. Your joints might be starting to complain at you a little more regularly and you might be worried that this is an irreversible sign of aging. However, while joint paint does tend to naturally come with age, it doesn’t mean that it’s inevitable or unstoppable. In fact, here are a few ways you might be able to stop it:

Consider your weight:

It’s not a topic you might like to think about that often but the simple truth of the matter is that the more overweight you are, the more pressure is going to be put on areas like your back and your knees. Not only are they going to be uncomfortable more often, but you’re more likely to develop musculoskeletal injuries from simply moving around. Weight is not the end-all and be-all of your health, but if you are overweight, it can be damaging to your health in the long term. There are plenty of healthy weight management strategies, try choosing those that are easy to incorporate in the long term rather than fad diets or short-term tactics like cleanses.

Get yourself a little relief:

A lot of the pain that you feel around your lower back and joints is likely to be caused by pressure as a result of inflammation. There are ways to help combat this inflammation, such as by managing your weight, but a little physical assistance can also do a lot of good. For instance, after exercising, it’s important to stretch and use foam rollers to make sure you ease the tension out of your body after tensing it for so long. If you’re having joint aches, then direct approaches such as visiting a chiropractor for knee pain can help, as well. There are plenty of proven techniques for applying a little pressure to get the pain out of your body.

It’s understandable why people would want to try the most noninvasive options first to relieve their joint pain. It is very possible to find a treatment that is beneficial without going under the knife. This could include Softwave Therapy which uses unfocused shockwaves to trigger your body’s natural healing process and reduce inflammation. Always discuss with your doctor before starting any treatment. If this is something they are recommending, simply enter a search for “Softwave Therapy Wheat Ridge” (or your local area). With your research and the help of your doctor, you will be able to find a practitioner to help ease some of that pain.

Check with your doctor:

Joint pain can be a natural part of aging or it can be a result of working too hard, being stressed, or not getting enough time to rest. However, it can also be a symptom of a chronic condition that you’re not dealing with. The most common of these is arthritis. Arthritis pain almost always presents primarily as joint pain, as it is a condition that is related to long-term inflammation. Getting a diagnosis can help you get access to additional treatments you need, such as medication and even surgery if the pain is that bad. The symptoms of such conditions tend to worsen over time, so it’s important to find it and start combating it early.

You can’t prevent all of the signs of aging from coming at one point or another. You can, however, make sure you’re doing your best to keep your body young, healthy, and free from pain as possible. Hopefully, the tips above can help with that!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb11

Dim Lighting In Your House? Brighten Things Up!

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Dim Lighting In Your House? Brighten Things Up!

There is absolutely nothing worse than settling in on the couch with a good book, only to realize that you don’t have adequate lighting to read with. Believe me, I know, because the lighting in my apartment is awful (There is only one usable window.) and reading during the evening and, honestly, sometimes during the day is next to impossible. If the lighting in your place is lackluster, then follow these tips to brighten your space up:

Installing Windows:

If the lighting in your living room or home office is too dim to get your work done efficiently, then how about installing a few windows with Plantation Shutters to let the sunshine in? Not only will this brighten your space and improve your property value but the additional lighting will also make the room appear bigger! It’s a total win/win and your house plants will be thanking you for that extra boost of sunshine! You can shop with Model Space Designs for the finishing touches of curtains and drapery for your new installation.

Improving What You Have:

One of the most simple fixes that you can make when it comes to improving the brightness in your home is replacing your light bulbs with those of a higher wattage. Dimmer bulbs are nice, of course, when you are settling in for the evening. However, they are less than effective when you still have a whole work from home day ahead of you! Experiment with a few different light bulbs to find the one that works best for each space you would like to brighten.

If simply replacing the bulbs in your home isn’t enough to lighten the space, this might be time to call in an Electrician in Mill Creek, WA or your local area. You will be able to design a lighting plan together that will make your home the best and brightest yet!

Accessory Lighting:

Expertly placed table lamps, standing lamps, or fairy lights will not only assist in the brightening process but help to accessorize your space, as well. These are options that won’t break your bank, either. I have had great success at finding budget friendly but effective standing lamps at Target. I even have quite a few table lamps that I found at the Goodwill for a more unique fixture.

If you’re looking to really brighten up your space and make a statement too, neon lighting could be the way to go. I bought my husband a Rolling Stones neon sign for Christmas and he loves it. There are a ton of different signs for different themes in your decor. This astronaut neon light would be especially cool in a space themed room. Don’t forget the star stickers on the ceiling!

If you’re not feeling outer spacey, www.neonfilter.com allows you to create customized neon lights for your home or business. A neon “welcome” sign that leads into your game room will definitely be a cool way to brighten things up.

Change The Room’s Color Palette:

A room with dark paint on the walls and furniture to match is stylish, yes, but it will also make your room feel closed in and dim even with the lights on. Changing the color palette of the room will not only open up your space but will allow the light to bounce around, creating even more brightness. With spring just around the corner, now is a great time to reevaluate the color palette in the problem area.

From big fixes like installing windows to simple improvements like merely changing your light bulb wattage, you will no longer have to live in the Dark Age in your own home! Brighten things up, sink into your couch, and finally crack open that book you’ve been itching to read!

Feb9

Natural Ways For A Man To Keep Fit

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Natural Ways For A Man To Keep Fit

For natural ways to keep fit, there is nothing like a run in the country. However, the weather is not always that kind to us, neither is the time that we have when we have busy working lives that involve earning a living to support ourselves. So, we look to ways that are less time consuming to keep fit. In other words, exercises that can be done that do not take us too far away from home.

This could mean attending a local gym or making our home the gym. The exercises in a gym are still natural because they involve the natural movements of the body. All we are doing is recreating the same movements as if we were running, using an oar, or climbing a rock face. Then, to assist further in these activities, some people like to use a natural testosterone booster to enhance their workouts. These are healthy supplements which you can take that complement and improve our performance with activities.

This article will consider some of these gym exercises that we can do in conjunction with taking natural boosters to decide how they relate to actual activities:

Treadmill:

The treadmill is a popular piece of gym equipment because it replicates the action of running. Also, it can replicate, by changing its angle, the gradient, so it recreates the exertion required to run up a mountainside. Apart from being a cardio workout machine, the treadmill will also help you to lose weight. So, perfect for a healthy heart and profile. For more information on running machines, click here.

Rowing:

A rowing machine will provide the same activity as if rowing in a boat down the river. It is an exercise that will increase both stamina and fitness. Rowing machines can benefit a range of muscle groups, keeping them well balanced and strong. Regular rowing will also strengthen the shoulders, back muscles, and the arms. In addition, rowing will be good for your hamstrings and glutes. It is a muscle strengthening activity as much as it will tone core muscles.

As a very physical activity, rowing is also good for pumping the blood around the body and, therefore, promoting a healthy heart. Exercise is only of benefit when it involves much exertion and rowing can certainly be said to achieve that. Another great thing about rowing machines is that they are compact and can easily fit in your home. If you are not interested in buying a machine outright, you can search for “concept2 rower hire” to rent one. This will help you get the hang of rowing and decide if you want to fully invest in a machine for yourself.

Dumbbells:

Lifting weights can be the same as doing a physical job that involves carrying heavy weights. Repetitions of the same activity, that is lifting the dumbbells, will strengthen and tone the muscles in the arms. The advantage of dumbbells is that you can have different weights and build up from light to heavy. In fact, this is recommended. Another benefit of dumbbells is that they are more portable than other pieces of gym equipment and would not take up so much room in your house.

In summary, there are three types of gym equipment that can keep our body functioning to its peak and help with muscle development and strengthening. In addition, there are health supplements that can be taken to aid these activities and muscle development. For instance, boron will develop and strengthen the muscles that we need for these activities in the first place, and then assist our body in carrying them out, while something like this Gummy for immunities will ensure your body and health are resilient in the face of infections and sickness, as well as ready to take on whatever you throw at it. Sports nutrition is a growing industry and anyone from any walk of life can obtain products to help with fitness and improve their body’s performance and health. 

Featured Image By: Maksim Romashkin from Pexels

Feb9

Creating An Opulent And Impressive Bathroom Space

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Creating An Opulent And Impressive Bathroom Space

When designing the ultimate in luxurious bathrooms you can’t go far wrong in following the template of a five-star hotel bathroom. The elegant and extravagant style that is found in the best hotels anywhere in the world is the pinnacle of luxury. Design really is the key to an opulent bathroom and doing it well takes time, a great eye for detail and, of course, a generous budget Do not be tempted to cut corners where costs are concerned on any of those little details that will make your bathroom a true showpiece:

Don’t cut corners with plumbing:

The first thing you need to do is find a good plumber; someone you can rely on for everything from increasing water pressure to backflow inspection and repair. No matter what you do, your bathroom won’t be luxurious if your plumbing lets you down. In fact, it would just be disastrous!

Style:

One thing to consider is the look you are hoping to achieve, be it a sleek modern luxury or an ornate rather opulent bathroom with extravagant fixtures and fittings that are, perhaps, just a little over the top without looking cheap. Once you have a style in mind, the color scheme, bathroom suite, and all of the fixtures including light fitting can be sourced to fit in with the style. Before you hire a Bathroom remodeler in Ogden, UT or your local area, make a plan of what your remodel will require. Then, you and the professional can put your heads together to bring it to life.

Clutter:

Consider your clutter when designing your bathroom, as clutter is not a feature that sits well in an opulent bathroom. Sleek lines and well thought out storage solutions should definitely be a big feature in any opulent bathroom. Keep personal items on display to a minimum and, instead, rely on cleverly designed cupboards or even a vanity unit to keep them out of sight. 

Fixtures:

Say goodbye to simple framed mirrors and glass-covered ceiling lights. Opulence is all about adding that touch of extra to the room. Make sure that your fixtures make a statement in their own right like the mirrored medicine cabinets linked here and consider using several light sources within the room to create a variety of light depending on your mood. Remember, lighting and mirrors can really help give the illusion of space in a smaller bathroom. If you have difficulty imagining new fixtures or are lacking inspiration, it could be a good idea to visit a few different bathroom showrooms. Seeing fixtures and designs in real life could be just what you need to make your project a success.

When it comes to your fitting, look for taps and shower fixtures that are a unique shape or style to set your bathroom apart. Freestanding furniture such as vanity units and even a freestanding bathtub can also add to the luxury design of your bathroom, as can frameless shower units.

Tiles:

Special attention and consideration should be given to the choice of floor tiles or tiles for your wall. It is important that the theme of your room continues over every surface in order to achieve the bathroom you desire. Opt for high-quality tiles – a choice that could even add value to your property. The tiles you choose can truly make or break the space so think carefully about your decision. If you need help narrowing things down, check out this guide on selecting tile color. This will come in handy if you are having a difficult time with this important step.

Create a bathroom fit for royalty, which will not only increase your property value but decrease any stress as you sink into your freestanding tub after a long day!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Feb8

Simple Upgrades To Make Life Easier

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Simple Upgrades To Make Life Easier

With all of the additional stress that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought, I think we all deserve to treat ourselves to a few upgrades that will help make life a little easier. Our minds have been filled constantly this past year with concern for the health of our loved ones and any additional space we have left is spent worrying about work, bills, and how to keep our mental health in check. Give your brain a break by adding some of these simple and super handy upgrades into your life:

Remote Car Starter:

A remote car starter is an amazing tool to have, especially in the winter. I always find myself wishing that I had one, as it snows a lot where I live and nothing sounds more luxurious to me than getting my car to defrost automatically while I wait inside. A remote car starter will save you a lot of extra time in the morning since you can warm up your car as you finish getting ready for work. It will also save you from the frustration of having to slip slide around your car to brush your windows off. I hate that!

Air Fryer:

I know I’m about to sound like Every. Single. Adult who has an air fryer when I say this… But the air fryer is the best kitchen appliance ever. I am blown away by how good my food turns out whenever I use it and it is a much healthier option than greasy fried food. Air fryers are not only convenient in size but also really nice for when you’re feeling ravenous because you don’t have to wait for them to preheat.

Contact Free Shopping:

Did you know that certain grocery stores have employees that will gather the items on your shopping list for you, bag it, and either deliver it or put it all away in your car? As we are still in the midst of a pandemic, any way to cut out unnecessary contact is a good thing and is an immediate upgrade that you can make next time you need to restock your pantry.

It has also been said that people feel less likely to impulse buy when they shop for their groceries online, which can help save you money. Talk about a win/win!

Cleaning Appliances:

Endless time at home means an endless cycle of things to clean – That’s sure what it feels like, anyways. If you are constantly cleaning up at your place, you deserve to make the job easier with the right tools. Purchase a Swiffer WetJet instead of having to break out the mop and bucket. Or how about a Dust Buster for those hard to reach corners and spaces? There are also spot carpet cleaners which are great for if you have a new pet that you are house training. Cleaning is hard work and it is well worth it if you can make it any easier on yourself.

Upgrades don’t need to break your bank, despite the word sounding expensive. Simple upgrades, like the ones above, are budget friendly ways to make some improvements.

 

Feb6

Giving Your Living Room A Mini Makeover

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Giving Your Living Room A Mini Makeover

Considering that we have all spent the majority of this past year in our living rooms, I think we all deserve to give it a mini makeover! If you are as sick of your living room as I am at this point, then a mini makeover could be just what you need to brighten the space as we continue on through the COVID-19 pandemic. Mini makeovers are also great because we are not talking huge renovations here, rather, small improvements to make your space better. Try utilizing some of the following tips as you spruce up your living room:

Choose A Statement Piece:

Is your couch losing its stuffing? How about a wobbly coffee table? Or perhaps your favorite recliner’s cushions have sunken in? No matter the case, visit Modern Sense Furniture to find exactly what you need and make it a statement in your room. One new piece of furniture can instantly transform a space and it also might give you the inspiration to base your room around it if you are interested in making a bigger change. Remember, when choosing a statement piece, you not only want it to be unique and visually appealing but you still want it to function properly. Who wants to sit on a cool couch if it is really uncomfortable?

Make Your Space Cozy:

The living room is where we go to unwind after a long day in the home office, so fill it with things that are comforting to you. Whether it be a plush rug beneath your feet, candles, thick curtains, or pillows and soft throw blankets – treat yourself to a few new items that will soothe you. You can even turn your quest for comfort into a new hobby through candle making, knitting, or crochet. Just make sure your living room isn’t too comfy during the day if you like to work from home on the couch. We don’t want you falling asleep on the job!

Create An Accent Wall:

Accent walls are a relatively cheap and very effective way to make a room feel like new again. Just a few painted accent walls in my parent’s home completely changed each room’s atmosphere. Accent walls can not only be created with paint but can be achieved with decor or even interesting floating shelving. If you choose to make an accent wall with pieces of art or framed photographs, the trick is for it not to appear cluttered. Go with paintings or pictures with color palettes that compliment each other. A hectic display with clashing colors is definitely not conducive to your relaxation!

Once you finish your mini quick fixes in the living room, don’t stop there! Small, simple steps can be achieved room by room to transform your home without any major renovations.