Tag Archives: redecorate

Mar15

Designing A Kitchen That Adds Value To Your Home

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Designing A Kitchen That Adds Value To Your Home

The best home renovation tasks will do a lot more than improve your home decor; they’ll add value to your property. As a homeowner, this should always linger in the back of your mind, as you never know when you may sell your home. One of the home improvement ideas that works very well is to build a new kitchen.

Yes, kitchen remodels are very popular for a multitude of reasons. They let you breathe new life into an old kitchen, modernize it, and improve the value of your home. And, as always, remodels are fun and let you explore your creativity. Even if you are not an HGTV level designer, you can still find plenty of inspiration through sources like BetterKitchens’ DIY Kitchens or Pinterest! Of course, there are a few things that you can do that will guarantee that your kitchen boosts property value as well as style. Here are some new ideas if you’re thinking about renovating your kitchen soon:

Induction Hobs:

Induction hobs are the future of kitchen design. Pretty much all new builds have them, and you’ve definitely seen them somewhere. Basically, instead of using the typical gas hobs with the flames, you now have a flat surface that’s powered by electricity. It’s way more modern, looks sleeker, and it’s also much easier to clean. All you need to do is use a wet wipe or something on the surface once it’s cooled down, and all of the oil spills will be gone.

So, it’s an aesthetically pleasing and practical option, but how does it add value to your home? Well, these hobs are way more energy efficient than traditional gas hobs and old electric ones. Here, all of the electricity that’s used will most likely be used on your pans. There’s hardly any energy leaks, meaning that you don’t waste electricity whenever you cook. You can learn more on thecaterer.com if you’re interested in knowing the finer details. As a result of this, your family can potentially save a lot of money and your property rises in value.

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Flickr Image

Granite Counter Tops:

Everyone has a very important choice during the design process of their new kitchen. Which material will you use for the counter tops? Many people think this decision is easy, as you simply pick whichever one looks the nicest. However, if you opt for granite counter tops, then you could be adding something extra to your kitchen. There are dozens of benefits to granite counters, and you can head to Worldstonegroup.com to learn more about them. But, we only care about one; quality.

Granite is a material that’s naturally made and is extremely old. Why do people keep using it? Because it’s got such a high level of quality to it. A granite counter top is there for years. It will not break or scratch under regular kitchen conditions, and it adds timeless beauty to your home. One fun fact is that granite counters don’t depreciate in value. So, if you’re looking for smart kitchen ideas that help boost the value of your home, then this is one of them.

Space Saving Designs:

Let’s face it, we all want to have a big kitchen. However, not everyone has enough physical space for such a thing. What can you do about this? Well, when remodeling your kitchen, you can think about space-saving designs that help make your kitchen look and feel bigger. Specialists for kitchen cabinets in Denver or in your area can help you come up with clever planning and solutions to maximize space and storage even in a smaller kitchen.

Ideas can include things like having tall cupboards from floor to ceiling, instead of classic kitchen cabinets. Another idea that was seen on a forbes.com list is to design your kitchen with wall-mounted storage. This means hanging pots and pans on the wall, getting magnetic strips to put knives and things on, and so on. Doing this helps declutter your kitchen and saves a lot of space. The benefit of all of this is that bigger kitchens boost the value of your property if you were to list it on the market.

It can be difficult to imagine a kitchen with more space if yours is lacking it, which can make the design process feel daunting. Utilizing a company that specializes in 3d kitchen rendering services can really help with this. You will be able to design, plan, and visualize the changes before they even happen so your kitchen turns out exactly how you want it to.

Underfloor Heating:

Radiators, wall heaters – call them what you want, they’re a big pain in the backside. We need them to help heat the home, but they’re often terribly ugly. This isn’t a massive issue, as you can always buy some very nice, modern looking ones to replace ugly ones elsewhere in your home. But, when it comes to the kitchen, a radiator just takes up too much space. Not only that, but it’s not very effective and can be an issue. For example, if your radiator is close to the fridge, then it could disrupt the internal temperature. You’re much better off getting underfloor heating installed when you design your new kitchen.

It’s a modern idea, and underfloor heating is proven to be way more efficient and effective than traditional radiators. There’s a more even spread of heat throughout the kitchen, and your feet don’t feel cold on the tiles, either! If you’ve been paying attention to the rest of this article, then you can probably already tell why this will add value to your home. Having Underfloor Heating Kits installed saves energy as it’s more efficient, which is always a massive plus in the property value books. But, it also saves space in your kitchen, which we just mentioned was a great idea.

If you want to improve your home decor, then think about remodeling your kitchen. When you do this, it’s important to consider design ideas that benefit you in more than one way to ultimately increase the value of your home.

Featured Image By: kaboompics

Feb22

Do You Love Your Home? Time To Show It

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Do You Love Your Home? Time To Show It

A home is much more than walls and a roof. It’s a place that means something to you and your family. It’s where memories are made. Your house should feel like a safe and inviting shelter from the world. Whether you’ve had a hard day at work or your kids have had a hard day at school, everybody should feel as if they can stroll through that front door and let all of their worries fade away. It’s not just about creating a practical environment for physical relaxation but an aesthetically-pleasing environment that relaxes the mind. For example, your couch can look modern or sophisticated and still be comfortable.

Essentially, creating an inviting home is all about finding a good balance between prettiness and comfort. Whatever improvements need to be made, it’s time to put some effort into the appearance of your humble abode. Do you love your home? If you do, then you should want to show that. Let’s talk about some of the improvements you could make to your household in order to create a warmer and more relaxing environment for you and the whole family. You don’t need to hire a professional team or become a DIY expert either; any beginner with determination can renovate their home:

Space is everything:

The first step towards improving your home is to declutter every room. This is a chance to get rid of all the junk you’ve hoarded over the years (and perhaps make some money by selling those things at a yard sale). In turn, you’ll notice that the house slowly opens up. There’s more potential space in your home than you realize. That minimalistic and spacious design you’ve always wanted is within reach. It’s just about putting your home’s available space to better use. Putting up shelves on the walls as additional storage space is another great way to “tidy up” rooms in the house.

Lighting affects the mood of a room:

The importance of lighting in a home can’t be underestimated. If your house feels a little drab and dreary despite being decorated with all of the bells and whistles, then you might want to consider that the problem lies with the lighting. So many households have a bad interior design because the decorator doesn’t consider the layout and colors used in each room. If you want your home to feel bright and enticing, then you need to utilize lighting cleverly. Throughout the day, you should be allowing natural light into your home as much as possible. Neutral colors such as white will naturally reflect any sunlight pouring in through the windows and serve to brighten up each room in the house.

Tame your back garden:

Another important aspect of a happy home is a nice garden. That’s right – you need to push your horizons a little further than interior design. Your house’s exterior is just as important to your home. Is it nice to look out of your window and see an overgrown jungle that used to be your garden? If you really love your home, then you need to tidy up this outdoor space. You might even want to look into companies such as ABC Home & Commercial to help you mow, fertilize, and essentially tame your garden if you need help. The key thing is to make this area feel homely. Create a relaxing patio area with comfy seats, a dining table, and maybe even a patio awning for shelter from the elements.

Once your backyard has been tamed, fixtures like ponds or pools can make an amazing addition and boost property value. Not a lot of space? No problem! Spools (AKA small pools) are becoming wildly popular and for good reason. They require a lot less maintenance and, due to their small size, can fit in almost any yard. When you choose a fiberglass, gunite, & vinyl spool, you create a backyard oasis for your home, ready for the kids (or you!) to jump right into when the sun comes out.

Reinvent the front of the house:

Continuing from the previous point, you need to think about the entire house when it comes to exterior design. Tidying up your back garden is one thing, but the front of your house is a crucial element of your home’s overall feel. It makes the first impression on you and your guests, after all. If you want to come home to a pleasant sight before you’ve even opened the door, then you might want to consider repaving the path leading up to the door and putting some plants on the front window sills. You could even repaint the front door to give it a “fresh” feel. Reinvent the front of the house, in other words.

With spring just around the corner, there is no better time than now to give your home a new beginning and spruce things up a bit!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jan25

The Subtle Art Of Saying Hi To Spring

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The Subtle Art Of Saying Hi To Spring

Now, we know it isn’t technically spring yet, but the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and we have a sunny disposition that we don’t want to disappear, which is why we’ve been thinking long and hard about how we can start welcoming spring into our home a little more (even though we are still deep in winter).

Don’t get us wrong, we love the cuddly-snuggly effects of the winter months. But wouldn’t it be amazing if you could embrace the coziness and get rid of some of that gloom that the long nights bring with it? With that in mind, we have come up with a few little ways you can start to introduce the spring back into your winter home. Baby-steps, of course. Baby steps.

Freshen Up With Flowers:

Nothing brightens a space up more than pretty bunches of fresh flowers dotted about. Okay, maybe lights but, other than that, nothing brightens somewhere up quite as much. The moment you add flowers to a table or a counter top you are giving it a gorgeous facelift. Bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens – they can all be decorated with flowers. Of course, you don’t want to go over the top, which is why we recommend you stick to one color (for now) and cut them short. That way it’s subtle.

The Scent Of Spring:

Scents have a huge influence on the way a home feels. Just think about it for a second or two. The smell of fall is pumpkin-spiced lattes, winter is home-cooked meals, and summer is watermelons and whatnot. Scents are powerful things, and that is why you need to buy a new scent machine. It is a really subtle way to take your home away from the colder months and into a fresher existence. It is a blast of cleanliness and yum. Basically, don’t underestimate the power of a smell. Ever.

You Can Rely On Retro:

Now, you may be thinking to yourself, “what on earth has retro got to do with spring?” And it’s a valid question. But the reason it works is because the retro era was all about bright vintage hues – yellows, oranges, pinks, turquoise, and even browns. That means, if you drop little bits in, such as a retro-inspired rug, or a few cushions, or even a retro rocking chair, you can create a tidy little backdrop of color. You can add a splash of wow that brightens up your home. It’s lovely.

Eclectic Excellence:

Nothing says, “hey, spring’s here” more than a bit of eclecticism. It’s about mixing things up a bit. It’s about unleashing your inner funk and doing things that you would associate with spring. If you like what you’ve heard so far and want to know more, then try mixing a few different things together; make a display out of brightly colored vases and bold flower arrangements, mix a load of patterned cushions together on your sofa, see what cheap artwork you can get on Etsy, and go to your nearest thrift store to see if they have any books with bright covers. Eclectic is cool and it quickly brightens up any space.

Although spring is far away, there is nothing wrong with brightening up your home spring cleaning style! Smell the fresh cut flowers and get to it!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Jan25

Helpful Hints To Decorate A Wood Paneled House

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Helpful Hints To Decorate A Wood Paneled House

Wood paneling is coming back in a big way. It’s rustic and very cozy, for one. Plus, because of its popularity, wood can add value to a house. Anyone looking to sell up soon could take a calculated risk to increase the price of their home. However, it’s not all picnics and rainbows. Firstly, paneling can be hard to decorate as it’s stubborn. It isn’t as if you can transform the style because wood is wood. And, ripping it out and starting again isn’t a smart idea because it’s a waste of time and money.

The realization might make you think “what am I going to do?!” To begin with, don’t panic. Secondly, you might want to have a glance at the advice below. Here are the helpful hints which should lend a hand when it comes to decorating a wood-paneled property:

Hide It:

For those of you who just can’t stand the panels, it’s time to take away its pop. Walls seem as if they are impossible to change barring a splash of paint due to their size. However, don’t forget that you can easily hide them with large, bulky furniture. A bookcase is a fantastic piece that will take the focus from the wood. You and your guests will be too busy leafing through the novels on the shelf to realize there are panels behind the books. Cases of dead trees aren’t the only things which can help, either. On a bookshelf, antiques and traditional home ware can be as effective at obscuring the wall. Never stack as many bits and pieces on a shelf as books, though, because it looks cluttered. The best option is to choose five or six items and space them out along the rack.

Splash Of Paint:

Wood has a deep, warm feel to it which can be troublesome. Not only is it dark, but some homeowners find totally unappealing. Gutting the house isn’t an option as it’s costly and time-consuming. The good news is that paint can be a wonderful way to transform paneling, and it doesn’t break the bank. All you have to do is choose a color of your choice and start brushing. For example, a white or cream is a fantastic option for anyone who wants to add light to their property. Even better, wood soaks up paint so the walls take on a textured look after the fact. An overlay can also change the style. White panels make a house feel as if it is now a comfy little cottage on the edge of town.

Alter The Direction

Lots of homes have panels which run one way: vertically. The readers who double as fashionistas will know that the direction of a shape can impact the style. It’s the worst kept secret in the world that horizontal stripes make a person seem fat. In the home, across running lines are not putters on of pounds but a source of contrast. To begin with, it’s hard not to notice the fact that they lie flat and don’t run up and down. Although you may not realize it now, your mind subconsciously thinks of stripes as moving in one direction. Secondly, everything in the room will run the other way. Drapes, blinds, light fixtures, and lampshades – they all stand vertically tall. As the panels go the other way, the contrast should be striking. Hopefully, the wood boards are just glued on so that you can prize them off and modify the style. If not, you will have to be very careful not to ruin the panels.

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So pretty!!

Embrace It:

Let’s not pretend like wood panels don’t look amazing. Everyone has been to a house that used boards and thought “I wish my house were this pretty”. The issue is embracing the style and making it work. Although it looks fantastic, wood paneling can be a tricky statement to get just right. One useful hack is to concentrate on a single room. The bedroom, for instance, might have boards running across the walls. If so, use it as a guinea pig before you attempt to revolutionize the entire house. On your bedroom shopping list, you will want hardwood or faux floors, a lumber dresser, and timber wardrobes. That way, the furniture fits in with the rest of the room perfectly. Also, resist the urge to cover up the panels when possible. Instead, stain them and let the wood stand out as the focal point of your boudoir.

Make A Statement:

Along the same lines is the idea of sectioning off an area of a room. For instance, you use a corner of the living room rather than use panels throughout. It’s a straightforward task as long as you find the ultimate location. Lots of homeowners like to squirrel wood away in the corner, which is a smart plan. Wood is a strong material, so it won’t blend in to the point that no one notices its existence. However, it won’t overpower the rest of the pieces, either. A lumber cabinet is a fantastic addition because it looks beautiful while taking up hard to reach space. What’s more, using wood in this way makes it seem special because it has a novelty value. Like the tip above, making a statement tries to find a delicate balance between differing trends.

Choose Soft Accessories:

Because wood dominates, it’s vital to soften the look with accessories. These can range from window dressing to furniture. The pieces don’t matter too much, but their colors do as they add light contrast and texture. As always, white is a fantastic addition to a dark room, as are creams. However, don’t forget about the effectiveness of light blues and yellows. One way to make sure the balance is just right is to use light colors little and often. For instance, homes which pull off the look tend to incorporate light furniture as it’s bulky. Therefore, the pieces stand out more than, say, a coffee table. Drapes are another great choice as they are long and billowy. As a result, it makes the room feel cool and airy as well as light.

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Time To Tile:

One of the excellent traits of paneling is that it doesn’t clash with alternative trends. Usually, a strong material like wood would be the only texture in the room, but it isn’t the case here. Due to its flexibility, you can use numerous fashions in one space. Wallpaper is a fine example as it’s coming back in a big way. Tile, however, has to be the most wonderful companion. Tiles add a sense of modernity to a room due to the fact that they are sleek and clean. Also, their thickness adds a new texture which boosts the contrast. When they are put together, the two styles look amazing, especially with a roll or two of wallpaper.

Wood paneling can be something which you want to ditch ASAP. That’s fine because it may not be your bag, baby. But, just know it is possible to incorporate it into any dream house, even your own!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Dec19

What Can You Do To Make Your Home Look New?

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What Can You Do To Make Your Home Look New?

We all have a habit of craving new things once something breaks or starts to feel old. If your phone stops working, then it might make sense to buy a new one rather than pay for a costly repair, but can the same be said for an old home? Unless your household’s foundations are entirely demolished and rebuilt, or rooms are entirely stripped out and reconfigured with the help of someone like RI Architecture, then there’s no need to start from scratch. Making your home look brand new is just about making a few small changes to spruce up the appearance. And, most importantly, you need to make sure you maintain your home so that its aesthetic remains “new” for years or decades to come. What can you do to make your home look new? Read on and you might get some inspiration:

Give your home a deep clean:

You might vacuum the floor on occasion and remember to scrub down the kitchen surfaces after cooking, but your home still doesn’t look clean. That’s because cleanliness requires thorough and regular work. And it’s about reducing messiness as much as it is a matter of maintaining spotless and hygienic surfaces. You need to give your home a deep clean in order to get it back to scratch. Start by getting rid of all of the possessions you’ve been hoarding but no longer want; strip your home down to the essential possessions and open up the potential space that you’ve been wasting. A contemporary and modern “minimalistic” home requires you to be strict enough to get rid of the things you no longer need.

In terms of cleanliness and hygiene, you need to keep on top of a regular routine in order to ensure that your house looks good on a permanent basis (Rather than the one day a week or a month that you vacuum!). For example, you might not think much of the odd crumb lying on the dining room floor, but this can attract insects and other pests. You might want to look into an exterminator service to help you get rid of pests if your house has attracted critters. But if you keep on top of cleaning your home, then you won’t have to worry about bugs popping up. Plus, the aesthetic of your house looks newer and fresher when it’s kept clean. That’s the goal, right?

Let there be light:

Nothing makes a home’s interior look fresh and new quite like brightening it up. And it’s very simple to invite light into your home with a few small changes. Repainting walls white is a good start. Not only will a fresh coat of paint make your home look new, but the color of white naturally reflects light so this will certainly brighten up rooms in your house. Obviously, if you’ve decluttered your home well, then the spaciousness of each room will help to let light flow more freely. Cleaner window panes can help; muggy windows will limit the amount of light pouring into your house. Even mirrors can help to make a room feel larger, brighter, and more open.

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Love that lamp!

Go for the timeless feel:

If you want your home to not only look new but look new permanently, then you need to opt for a timeless feel. The best way to do this is to avoid trends and find ways to improve your home’s aesthetic in a way that looks objectively good (Or as close to “objectively” good as humanly possible!). What can you do to make your home look new in this regard? Think of all of the outdated aspects of your home. Patterned wallpaper, for example, can look tacky and dated rather quickly; painting is a better option. And it’s the same story with carpeting. You should look into getting wooden flooring for that classic aesthetic and then add some rugs to retain that homely feeling.

With the holidays fast approaching, try freshening up your home before your guests arrive!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Dec8

Plan Your Dream Bathroom Interior For 2018

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Plan Your Dream Bathroom Interior For 2018

The festive season is here, and before long you’ll be opening Christmas gifts and enjoying quality time with those you love. The holidays are often a time where you receive presents from loved ones and friends, and bath products, fancy shower scrubs, and special toiletries are often a go-to gift for many. New toiletries that you wouldn’t usually buy for yourself can be a real treat, and many enjoy a relaxing soak in their tub or a refreshing cleanse in their shower space. However, if you flinch every time you walk into your bathroom environment; it could be time to focus on its renovation and ensure that 2018 is the year that you enjoy spending time in there.

Tired bathrooms with old broken tiles and dated sinks can leave you in a bad mood every morning, especially as you’ll have no other choice but to brush your teeth and wash your hair in there. Therefore, it’s time to open up your laptop, search for a Bathroom remodeler in Las Vegas, NV or your local area, and start planning what you’ll need to organize regarding how you want your fresh bathroom to look and function. The following are some ideas, inspiration, and advice for those who want to embark on creating their ideal space in the new year so that a long soak in their bath becomes a regular thing for 2018:

The Functional Side:

This might be the bit where you lose a little interest; however, it’s crucial that you invest in the functionality of your bathroom above all else. The building and plumbing work cannot be a last minute decision just because you’ve put so much emphasis into the style and design (that’s coming later). Therefore, you’ll need to start by hiring a reputable building company and a plumbing specialist who won’t overcharge you for the work that they carry out and who can ensure that your bath water is running smoothly for the foreseeable future. The plumbing and pipes in your bathroom space need to be secure and well maintained so that you don’t get any surprise leaks in the new year. Leaks or plumbing issues can lead to permanent damage; which will have wasted both your money and time. It’s essential that you find companies you trust to do the job, and are reassured that you’ll receive quality service and results.

It’s understandable to want to DIY as much as you can when renovating a space. However, tasks like plumbing should always be left to a professional like those at Rosenberg Plumbing in Pacifica, CA (or a similar business in your local area). Leaving plumbing to your DIY skills could cause lasting damage and money going down the drain. Save the DIY for the design aspect which will require your own personal touch.

The Decorative Side:

This is the part that you’re probably thinking about the most. If you’ve invested wisely in the building and plumbing side of things, you can focus on the style, layout, and design of the environment (Yay!). You can be thrifty and creative with your choices, so don’t just run towards the nearest bathroom showroom and buy the whole suite from one place; this can be a costly mistake. Take your time to source items, even if that means waiting a little longer for your dream bathroom to happen. Check out online auction sites, reclamation yards, and vintage warehouses for vintage bathtubs, secondhand sinks, and spare boxes of tiles. You’d be surprised at how well you can clean up a tub so that they look brand new, but retain all the charm and character of their era, without the ridiculous price tag. The same goes for showerheads and taps; these are so much more affordable second hand and will polish up nicely so that you end up with a bespoke and unique space to soak up the bubbles.

Mixing and matching your tiles will create a style statement in any space, so consider an array of prints, sizes, and shapes for your bathroom. You’ll be able to save money by purchasing boxes, or even individual tiles from those who have bought too many for their own interior. It won’t matter if they are all different if you go with the flow and decide to enjoy an eclectic space in which to shower.

Bathroom accessories will be next on your shopping list, so make sure that you take the same approach as with your tiles; source them from an array of places and mix it up for ultimate bathroom charm and character. Mirrors, vases, toothbrush holders, and soap dishes can all make an interior statement, so don’t stick to the usual store-bought items that everyone has; go vintage instead.

The more creative you are with your choices, the more money you can save on your bathroom renovation project; you can utilize this and put it towards the right team of people to fit your appliances and ensure that it’s functional for a long time ahead.

Featured Image Found At: lifewithlilred

Nov30

When Eclectic = Frugal

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When Eclectic = Frugal

Having an eclectic taste has been a fashionable choice for a while. It means that you don’t just go into one store, buy everything there, and have a perfectly matching house and wardrobe. Instead, you have found things that really speak to your personality and created an interior with a most interesting dynamic.

But sometimes, what eclectic means is frugal.

You didn’t shop at just one store because you know where the better deals lie. You are willing to trawl through flea markets to find a vintage sofa half price and you know that inheriting things from your parents and grandparents is the best way to fill any home.

Need a bit of help to get started? Here’s what you do:

Set A Budget & Save:

When you’re trying to get along on very little money, setting budgets for yourself is the best way to manage your finances. Not only will you see just how hard you have to work for each thing, you will also be able to set a realistic time frame to get what you want. If you can take on odd jobs here and there or find ways to make extra income, you will certainly benefit and get your want list faster.

Make a list of all of the things that you need and want in your house. This should include everything from the necessaries like a sofa to the more decorative, like mirrors or cool TV stands. Put a rough estimate on how much you would like to spend on each thing, then put them in order of priority. So, if you have nothing to sit on, the sofa will come at the top, if you already have a sofa that will do, it goes at the bottom. Now you can see how much you need to earn and save and can gradually tick things off of the list.

Make Do & Mend:

To bring the price of your list down, you should look for opportunities to make do with the things you have. Mending a sofa could be cheaper than buying a new one, so have a look at what you’ve got and see what you can do with it. This attitude is also really helpful in charity shops and flea markets that sell second hand furniture. If you think that something is salvageable, you could get a really good bargain on it. When you are in the habit of making the most of what you’ve got, buying new just won’t have the same charm.

Upcycling AKA Recycling:

Staying on the sofa theme, upcycling is often a really good way to make something old and worn new and beautiful. At the very heart of the eclectic style is the idea that you can reupholster any classic sofa in a vibrant modern fabric and achieve a completely new and beautiful look.

You should also be on the lookout for things that you can use in other ways, too. You would be surprised at the things you can make use of to great effect. Have you ever thought of using colanders as a set of bath shelves? No? Here’s how you can make that happen!

Eclectic is cool and is a great way to ball on a budget. Let your personal style shine through with quirky choices and turn your home into a charming space in no time.

Featured Image By: Flickr

Oct30

Making The Ultimate She Shed

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Making The Ultimate She Shed

Man caves have been around for decades. This space in one’s humble abode tends to be an attic room or a shed at the bottom of the garden. It’s always somewhere out of the way where the guy in your life can squirrel himself away and play with his train set, perfect his 1:16 replica of a spitfire, or enjoy some video games. But it’s not just guys who need some extra space to veg out for a bit. Check out some of these ideas for the ultimate woman cave AKA the she shed:

The Music Lover:

A she shed isn’t always sparkly, filled with love hearts, glitter, and pink. A woman cave is a space designated solely for you, a place that allows you to feel at your most comfortable and enjoy your hobbies. For the music lover, you may want to set up a high-quality sound system to play your old vinyl LPs or CDs. Build bespoke shelving to house your 1990s music collection. And for the organization lovers, of course you can alphabetize your collection!

If you love playing a musical instrument, soundproof the room and set up your drum kit, house your selection of bass guitars, or sing away to your heart’s content. Set up some recording equipment, too, if you want to gift everyone with your holiday music covers for Christmas!

Games Room:

It’s not just men that enjoy gadgets, gizmos, and games. While you may not be the most avid console player in the world, you still might like to partake in pool, poker, and board games. If you’re keen to get the girls over to enjoy your woman cave with you, why not investigate the best foosball tables on the market. This quick game of soccer conducted within a games table is fun, fast, and competitive. With your music playing, the drinks flowing, and great company, the addition of a foosball table, darts board, or pool table is a no-brainer.

Book Worm:

If you’re more into finding a little bit of seclusion away from even your closest pals, you may want a space that gives you some alone time. A cellar, attic, or she shed is your best bet to fully remove yourself from the stresses and strains of daily life. If you are an avid reader but find that life simply gets in the way of you getting lost in a good book, it’s time to find a retreat for your novel collection and get reading. Immersing yourself in a fine classic can be the best way to let go and remove yourself from reality, even if it’s just for a little while. Be sure to add a mini fridge for a glass of wine while you read!

It’s time to banish the stereotypical man cave and embrace the she shed, the woman cave, and the lady attic. It’s not just men that need their space, womankind does too. Locate that place within your home and get to building your cave to embrace your little slice of heaven.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Oct25

Bright Ideas To Spruce Up A Gloomy Home

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Bright Ideas To Spruce Up A Gloomy Home

When summer is put behind us, it’s tempting to revert to dark, deep colors. Mustard yellows and soft browns are autumnal and reflect the changing leaves outside. However, if one goes too far with a deep color palette, a gloomy home can be created, which is somewhat depressing. Remember that the sun sets far earlier and that there is less sunlight during the autumn and winter months. Exploiting light to combat this is never as important as it is now and in the months to come.

Don’t fret, though, because sprucing up a gloomy house is by no means impossible. In fact, with the following tips, it’s pretty easy!

Paint It White:

The Rolling Stones are a fan of painting things black, but they’re rock stars and allowed to be miserable. The average person can’t pull off their attitude without a guitar in hand. So, as a rule, it’s better to use white when brightening up a home. The reason for this is the sheen. All paint is glossy, yet white has an extra shine, which gives it an added edge. Even lighter colors can’t compete because they are softer and not as bright. It’s okay to use non-autumnal colors. Use white as the foundation, and then you can accessorize the rest of the house with darker tones.

Glass Paneled Doors:

Removing blockages from the windows and using power light bulbs are simple fixes. Still, the light may not travel well from one room to another. The reason, quite simply, is the blockages within the rooms. Doors are a prime example because they are big and bulky. As soon as the light hits the wood or PVC, it will bounce elsewhere. With panels, the rays will travel straight through unimpeded and into the next area of the house. The doors don’t have to be paneled from head to toe because it’s overkill. Just install them halfway up the wood for excellent results.

Make It Fun:

You didn’t think to brighten up a home was all about light, did you? No, the right light settings are crucial but not the end of the line. To make a house less gloomy, it needs to be a place that you enjoy. Whether it’s relaxing or bright and poppy, there should be a stylish and practical nature throughout the property. Relaxing is easy, so let’s focus on having fun. If there is space, turn an empty bedroom into a games room. The best billiard tables can provide you with hours of entertainment. Make sure you get a mini fridge and an awesome speaker system, too! Finally, make sure that the house is accessible. Nothing is more annoying than struggling to move in your own home. Clear away the clutter and the boxes and watch the space and light flow better than ever.

Keep It The Same:

The above are useful tips if a gloomy house is a problem. But what if you love your house the way it is?! Keep everything the same if your home looks perfect. For one thing, it should be a reflection of your family’s likes and dislikes. Secondly, some people are winter people, as in they love this time of year. In that case, embrace the dark afternoons and freezing cold temperatures! Pull a Mick Jagger and Paint It Black and light some candles for a spooky chic atmosphere. Go all out, because nothing is cooler than a house that is completely and utterly you.

A murky home is not always doom and gloom. But if you do want to brighten things up, follow the above steps and let the sunshine in!

Featured Image By: PxHere

Oct19

Tiny Living: 3 Home Hacks To Maximize Your Space

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Tiny Living: 3 Home Hacks To Maximize Your Space

There is something genuinely cozy about living in a small apartment – particularly if you live alone! The silence of a big house and its constant shrieks and sighs can’t compare with the snug as a bug in a rug feeling of knowing what’s going on in each and every room; having only one of them makes it a lot more manageable.

Small living can also be frustrating, crowded, and downright messy sometimes, but let’s try not to focus on that! Here are a couple of helpful tips on how to keep it neat and cozy at all times, so that you don’t have to dream about greener pastures quite yet:

#1 Store Things Higher Up:

The more you have on your floor, the more cluttered it will look. You need the little floor space you have, and the apartment will look so much bigger when you manage to keep it as open as possible. Think about those lofted bedroom sets we used to love as children and make use of the same principle. By elevating your sleeping area the same way, you’ll be able to use the floor underneath to create a small dining space, for example, or a reading corner. Maximizing every aspect of space in your small living quarters will increase the overall functionality of your tiny but well loved one bedroom apartment.

#2 Clear Out The Clutter:

Clear away anything that can be stored neatly away somewhere and forgotten about. That countryside kitchen style with all of your utensils and mugs on display isn’t really suitable for tiny apartments, although the look in itself is quite charming. Choose a few knick knacks and place them in the spotlight – the rest needs to go elsewhere.

Pack away all of your summer clothes from your wardrobe, for example, to make room for all of your cold weather layers, and buy a good shoe cabinet so that your snowy boots won’t make a mess of the floor. A cabinet provides you with more surface space, by the way, so you can place some of your ornaments on it if you’ve run out of options and do not have enough shoes to fill it completely. (I would never have that problem!!)

#3 Consider Matryoshkas:

If you want to live in your little home for a long while, it’s a good idea to invest in furniture that is purposely designed to make small living a lot easier. They might cost a bit extra, but you’ll literally be able to buy an all-in-one furniture set that extends into a bed, bookshelf, corner couch, dining table, and even a wardrobe – all of this from one single piece of furniture.

Seems too good to be true? Check it out for yourself and weep tears of joy at the thought of all of the space that you’ll finally be able to use. The same principle is found in simpler versions, as well, in case you don’t need a full dining area and a bed at the same time; opt for a couch that folds into a bed instead and you’ve already saved yourself some space.

Also consider using blinds rather than curtains for your windows to avoid wearing your tiny space down with heavy fabrics and choose glass rather than wood when looking at coffee tables. Light and airy are key terms when you want to maximize your living space and this mindset should extend to all of your pieces of decor.

That studio apartment won’t seem so bad after all once all of the clutter is gone and you’re able to breathe again – it’s at least super quick to clean, if nothing else! 😀

Featured Image By: Pexels