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Winter is clearly here already but it’ll still be a while before it really starts to bite. You can use that time to update your home and, in particular, your bedroom. This can do a lot to help you get a good night’s sleep so you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go. Here are some tips to help.
Start with your window
It may seem odd to start with your window rather than your bed but your window plays a key role in keeping your bedroom at the right temperature.
Step one is to check its condition. If there is minor damage to the frame and/or the glass, you can usually work around it over the short term. For example, you can often use putty to stabilize loose glass. Over the long term, you may need to look at getting the window replaced (Renewal by Andersen Windows could be a good option here).
Step two is to check if your window treatments are suitable for winter. You generally want thick curtains and drapes as these provide the best insulation. That means they do the best job of keeping the heat in and the cold, noise, and excess light out. Never underestimate the issue of light pollution in winter. Artificial lights can sometimes be more penetrating than sunlight.
Step three is to check if you’re (still) happy with the overall look of your window treatments. This is important all year round but it’s arguably most important for winter. Winter is a time when your sleep cycle can get disrupted very easily. That means you want everything in your bedroom to contribute to putting you in the right frame of mind for sleep.
What this means in practice depends on you. As a rule of thumb, however, bright colors, especially reds, are likely to be a bit too energizing for a bedroom. If you want a festive look, green is often a better choice, or maybe purple. Neutrals can also look cozy and festive especially if you go for chunky textures.
Make your bed the right way
The bed is the star of just about every bedroom especially if you live in a small space. This means that getting the right look, feel and temperature is crucial for getting a good night’s sleep. If you haven’t already turned your mattress (both ways), then do so. It really does make a difference both to its lifespan and to your comfort.
Assuming your mattress is in good shape, look at the rest of your bedding and decide if it needs to be updated for deep winter. Natural fabrics are a good choice all year round so you can stick with cotton or linen if you want to. In winter, however, flannel and fleece can be warmer and cozier. If your budget’s up to it, natural silk is also an excellent choice.
If you’re on a more limited budget, you might want to try pairing silk pillowcases with flannel or fleece bedding. This is particularly useful if you have dry skin and/or hair. Even if you don’t normally, the winter weather can be brutal to your body, especially to your face and hair. Silk can help to protect it.
Be careful about loading up on blankets. They do add warmth and a cozy feel but they can also add a lot of weight. They’re also fairly inflexible (as in, they’re either on or off). If you want a more flexible and often more effective alternative, try investing in an electric blanket you can use all night. For even more flexibility, buy one with dual controls.
As with your window treatments, take a look at your bedding and see if its appearance is still working for you for winter. Again, it’s a case of “whatever works for you” but it’s usually best to avoid “high-energy” colors. Natural colors and neutrals are often far better options.
Look at your lighting
In winter, you have all the usual practical considerations of lighting plus a few twists. You still need all the usual ambient and task lighting. You will probably also need, or at least want, lighting to help your mood. If you’re living as part of a couple, this can also mean lighting to cope with different schedules. This is more of an issue in winter than at other times of the year because winter has the shortest days.
Two potential changes stand out. The first is to swap out your regular alarm clock for a sunrise alarm clock. This will help you to wake up gently instead of feeling like you’re being punched awake. The other is to switch to smart bulbs.
Smart bulbs can be set to varying levels and operated remotely. So, for example, if your partner comes to bed later than you, they could potentially put the bedside light on low from the door instead of switching on the main light.
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Update the Faucets
One of the first things you can work on is the faucets. As you might already realize, the details matter when it comes to home interiors, and that’s true throughout the home. But nowhere can something so small make such a big difference as in the bathroom. New faucets or vintage faucets really stand out and contribute to the aesthetic of the entire room.
Add Some Greenery
Adding some greenery to the space might be a good idea as well. When you have plants in the bathroom, it adds something a little different and something that most other bathrooms simply don’t possess. They can also improve the air quality in the room and simply make it feel a bit more vibrant than it did before, so it’s something to consider at least.
Create Some Rustic Charm
One of the best ways to make your bathroom feel more lived in and like a real part of the home while keeping it fresh and pleasant is by adding some features that bring rustic charm. There are all kinds of bathroom accessories that can do that for you. It could be a soap dish or an ornament or even a vintage mirror; it’s entirely up to you. A little rustic charm can go a long way.
Make it Light and Bright
Making your bathroom as light and bright as it can be might be something that you want to consider as well. Be sure to make the most of any natural light you have in the room. And if you don’t have access to much natural light, you’ll need to make sure that you’re using plenty of artificial lights in different parts of the room. You should also make use of mirrors to reflect the light.
Keep it Clean and Simple
Keeping the room clean and simple and not overcrowding it with too many things can be a good idea, especially when the bathroom is a relatively small one. Keeping it simple and clean will make you feel like the space is bigger and more open, and simplicity is usually the approach that works best when it comes to designing bathrooms regardless, so it makes sense.
If you feel as if your bathroom isn't quite right at the moment and it’s simply not doing it for you, be sure to consider each of the options mentioned above. They might just deliver what you’ve been looking for for a long time. Perfecting your bathroom is a personal project though, so keep that in mind too.
Planning a bathroom refresh? I'll design it for you. See my online design services →
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Educate Yourself
This is your investment on probably the biggest purchase of your life, your home, so you need to do your homework. So do some investigation because if you don’t have the right strategy, the team around you, and the correct knowledge, you could lose a lot of money. Ensure you understand the neighborhood details and what the plans are for the future. This will help you decide if this development is right for you and your family. You really need to create a list of personal priorities and go from there. Make sure you do your research in the developer too. What is their track record, etc? Take a look at their website, such as Rockford Homes, and do a Google search to see if there are any articles about them. The more knowledge you have, the better equipped you are to deal with such a transaction.
The Mortgage Lender
The right mortgage lender can save you thousands of dollars, so you need to shop around. Additionally, you need to consider them as a team and teammate. The right lender will offer you some valuable advice too. Ask at least five lenders minimum for their rates and options.
The Realtor
The agent actually gets paid from the builder, so it is a no-brainer to hire a realtor who is able to get the best deal possible for you. It is wise to choose a realtor who is experienced in dealing with these sorts of transactions. You will want someone who you feel you can get along with and is prepared to tell you the truth no matter how good or bad it is. Once you have the realtor, you can develop a plan of action together.
Negotiations
When it comes to the negotiation having an expert realtor on side is a must. They will be able to negotiate certain upgrades to the property for you. If you want the space to be a little more luxurious and to your tastes, you are able to do this at the tie of negotiation. That way, the builder will keep the same asking price and get a little more for your money.
Get Everything in Writing
Verbal contracts are, of course, worth the money they’re printed on. Get everything in writing, every upgrade, the costs, timescales, everything, and signed and dated. The onus is on you to get this sorted. It is going to be your house after all. Also, create a copy of the builder so they can keep at the forefront of their mind what needs to be done.
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Get rid of everything you don’t want
During a move, you discover that you own a lot of things that you have no use for or reason to keep, and getting rid of all of that can be a pain if you don’t have a way to do so. That’s why you can get a budget bin hire to dump all of your unwanted items into, then have it taken away.
You don’t have to throw it all into the bin, you should consider either selling it or giving it away to people who need it. Charity stores will accept a lot of what you have to get rid of, and you can sell the rest of it online. Anything that you don’t feel would be desirable can go straight into the bin.
The reason you want to get rid of this now is, it’s the perfect time to do so. You won’t have to pay so much when it comes to removal services, and you won’t have to clutter your new home with it when you move. Get it done before you’re in a rush, and your move will be a lot less stressful.
Depersonalize
When you’re trying to make your home more appealing to customers, you’ve got to make it look like somewhere they could live. If the home is very much styled to how you like it, it might be hard for them to picture it as their own home. You want your home to look comfortable and like a home, but something more commonly acceptable. You need to leave it to the imagination of the clients.
You should also consider putting up generic art, and air fresheners to bring about a more positive atmosphere when people do come to visit.
Consider repairs and renovations
If your home is looking a little worse for wear, it might be worth considering putting some money into it before you move. If you’re willing to wait, working on repairs and possible renovations can help you to raise the price of it when you sell it. Of course, not all investments are going to make a big difference, but if you do it right you could make some money when it comes time to sell. A nicer house will attract more visitors, so consider that if you’re not desperate to get moved out.
Stuck on your own room? I'll design it for you. See my online design services →
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Repair, Repaint & Revitalise
First and foremost, the easiest (and most affordable) way to upgrade your garden space is through a little bit of backyard TLC. Sometimes you'll end up with the same result when purchasing a brand new item as you would when choosing to simply update or upgrade your old stuff, so you can still maintain the same look and feel of something that's fresh out-of-the-box without having to spend the same amount of money. Enlisting the help of a team of expert fence repairs specialists when you fall victim to degradation rather than starting from scratch could save you thousands, yet the end result will still be an eye catching, secure and top quality perimeter. Choosing to buff out signs of wear to repaint will breathe new life into your shed or storage space, and it will take far less time than erecting a new shed from scratch! Regular maintenance is key when it comes to creating the perfect garden space, so be sure to get out there and repair, repaint and revitalise the features that tie your backyard together!
Focus On Pretty Plant Life
A brilliant way to take your outdoor space to a whole new level is through the planting of flowers, herbs and many other colorful or sweet scented plants which will add life and soul to your backyard. Maintaining a boring, blank and lifeless backyard with nothing but basic green grass and a couple of trees to complete the scene is such a wasted opportunity, as deciding to add a splash of color to your garden will change the vibe and aesthetic completely! Thankfully it couldn't be easier to try your hand at gardening, as you don't need any specialist skills or equipment to get started. Simply source some seeds and get digging, following any guidance or instructions detailed on the seed packet (such as recommended locations or watering needs). Having a beautiful basil plant can upgrade your Italian cooking, strawberry plants provide amazing fresh fruit, and being greeted with the sweet smell of pollen rich flowers will upgrade the look of your garden while sustaining local bees and insects at the same time - what's not to love?
Breathing new life into your backyard has never been so simple when you can take the time to utilize the brilliant tips and ideas that have been carefully detailed above.
Want help with your outdoor space? I'll design it for you. See my online design services →
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For a lot of people, who aren’t professional interior designers, the prospect of decorating a small space and getting it right can seem almost impossible, but it can be done.
Many of us aren’t lucky enough to live in luxury homes or apartments where space is readily available, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy beautiful-looking, functional spaces too. Below you will find a few basic tips to help you get your small space decor just right.
When there is lots of furniture cluttering up the floor space, it can make a small space seem even smaller. So, where possible try to use things like floating shelves and lamps that are attached to the walls so that the amount of floor space being used up is kept to a minimum. This will immediately increase the sense of spaciousness within.
Small spaces often feel darker than bigger ones because they usually don’t have as many windows. Luckily, you can mitigate against this by adding a few lighting sources of your own. Things like glass chandeliers that diffuse the light very effectively may seem extravagant in a small space, but they can work really well. Combined with mounted wall lights and a handful of table lamps, you can really get your small space looking every bit as light and airy as those larger spaces that always feel so special.
While we’re on the subject of lighting, mirrors are also great for making a room appear lighter, while also making it seem bigger too. As you will know, mirrors reflect light, so any available sources of light will be amplified by having mirrors in the space. Since they also reflect the room back, they can also make it seems like there is more space to the room than there actually is.
Although conventional wisdom would say that using light colors in your small home’s interior design would be a smart move to make it feel more light and open, it is actually the case that bold, dramatic colors can work quite well. They can make your smaller home look much more luxurious and give it even more personality. Just because it’s small doesn’t mean it needs to be white all over, and actually, a really glossy navy, jade, or red can make your small space feel like a beautiful jewel box.
Although there are no limits to the colors you can use in your small space, it’s better to stick to two or three colors across your walls, furniture, and accessories. Having too many different colors could be far too overwhelming for such a small space. That being said, if you think you can rock a multi-colored space there is no one who is going to stop you.
Small spaces can be just as beautiful as bigger ones providing you take the time and effort to get the decor right!
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Decorating can be pretty expensive, so although we’d all like to be able to fill our homes with all the finest things interior decor has to offer, it is not always possible.
If you’re always looking at luxury apartments for rent with envy or you simply want to have a little more luxury in your life on your budget, the good news is, there are lots of small ways you can make your space look more luxurious, so let’s take a look at some of them right now…
Apply decorative moldings
Decorative, or crown molding as it is sometimes known, is a very affordable way of giving your home that high-end luxurious feel that you tend to find in very big, very old houses owned by aristocrats. You can even apply it yourself - there are plenty of Youtube tutorials that will teach you the basics. Once it’s up, give it a coat of paint to match the walls and it will look fabulous.
Even if your furniture and accessories are not exactly high-end, if they are curved, they will really help to add to the luxuriousness of any room they are placed in. Furniture that has straight lines tends to look a little dull and uninteresting with a lack of designer flair, whereas more curved shapes are stylish, full of life, and even a little bit sexy. So, whether it’s a couch, a lamp, or a mirror on the wall, make it curvy if you want to make it luxe.
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Make it metallic
Metallic surfaces are naturally associated with luxury because silver and gold were once, of course, a preserve of the rich. So, although you don’t need to invest in solid gold candlesticks or a silver mirror, if you want to make your space more luxe, then a gold leaf mirror or sparkling vintage silver photo frame can go a long way to upping the seeming expensiveness of the space without actually costing you too much money.
A Flourish of fresh flowers
Flowers are decadent. Not only do they look and smell amazing but their presence is fleeting which makes it even more special. If you place cut flowers in every room, then it will immediately give the whole space a lift and make your home seem much more expensive and sophisticated, especially when placed in cut glass or crystal vases.
Add an antique
A pretty antique will show your class and add a hint of sophistication to any room, providing it isn’t a novelty piece, so if you can find something good in the thrift store, display it proudly and it will look great.
Lower the lights
Okay, so this may sound a bit weird, but dimming the lights a little can really help to make your space feel more luxurious. When the light is softer and more diffused, everything takes on a certain expensive glow that you would find in high-end hotels and restaurants, and obviously, some of the flaws in your decor will be less visible too!
Stuck on your own room? I'll design it for you. See my online design services →
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Aside from saving our income in order to one day purchase or mortgage a property, the idea of settling down somewhere can take its own space in our forecasting. After all, it can sometimes be that what’s right for other people, or what may have been right for our parents, isn’t quite right for us.
After all, the notion of ‘settling down,’ is something that more and more young people are starting to eschew in favor of flexibility and chasing their careers. That said, a booming real estate market catering to new parents and families hoping to purchase their own land for potential construction also shows trends of people thinking into the long term, rather than drifting from place to place.
The question remains - which style of home are you comfortable settling into, and what variables should you consider when trying to establish and move into your dream home? These questions are worth pondering. It’s that which we hope to do in this post, discussing a few vital insights that can help you curate your future plans more effectively:
Our Family Plans Are Key
Your family plans will determine exactly what kind of home you not only want, but need. This will determine how many bedrooms you may be comfortable with. For instance, if you’re a young family, working as professionals with a child on the way, then it might be the best apartments with two bedrooms could be key for you right now, allowing you to cultivate the best of family living with flexibility and a modern living style. Forecasting our future is never easy, but having a rough plan can help us chart our direction for living.
Deciding On A Commute
Deciding on a commute that works for you is key towards deciding exactly how you’d like to travel, and how far. For instance, it might be that you’re happy to right the train into the city thanks to how close your apartment is in proximity to it. However, it might also be that a long commute is okay for you provided it’s on the way to your children’s school, allows you to drive your nimble car around, while helping you avoid the main traffic routes. Your home isn’t just your home, it’s your anchor point for the world around you. Planning the orbit of your daily tasks around that can help you define your must-haves and deal-breakers.
Luxury & Calming Amenities
It might be that luxury and calming amenities are important to you. For instance, having access to a community pool, or a pool of your own could be key in helping you rest easy and feel able to relax during the summer. Perhaps you wish for space for your own carport, or land in which you can build an outhouse for an exterior office. This kind of approach matters, because it will determine exactly how and what luxurious additions you will be happy with investing in, paying rent for, or raising that loan towards.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily identify and ascertain which style of home you’re comfortable settling into.
Stuck on your own room? I'll design it for you. See my online design services →
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Build A Pool
One of the best ways to upgrade your backyard is to build your own pool, because what could be better than taking a dip after a long hot day at the office?! Pools are perfect for bachelor pads and family homes alike, as almost everyone loves to have a splash around or cool off whenever the sun is shining. Using a free pool design software app will allow you to better visualize your ideas, as there are so many different details you need to decide on. Make sure that your pool is the right size as you don't want it to overwhelm your backyard, and spend time sourcing the best weatherproof materials to be certain your build will stand the test of time.
Even if you have no experience in gardening, you need to get down and dirty to make your backyard look tidy and presentable. Fortunately it's pretty easy to maintain an aesthetically pleasing backyard, as long as you have the right tools and equipment on hand! Investing in a good lawn mower should be your first priority if you have any large areas of grass, while a strimmer is ideal for more sturdy foliage that might cause a mower to clog up. You'll need a shovel of some kind if you want to maintain flower beds, as you'll have to turn up the soil and make large enough holes to plant new flowers each season.
Dedicating set areas in your backyard is the best way to help you make use of the space, otherwise you might feel a little lost trying to give your garden purpose. Decide on an area that you can use for al fresco dining, and set up a table and chairs and maybe a barbecue grill to cook outdoors in the summer. If you have little ones, create a space for play that includes some outdoor activities like swings or a sandpit! It's always a good idea to set up a comfy area where you can sit and talk the night away when the light evenings get longer, so find some cushioned outdoor benches or sofas that you can both set up and store easily.
Transforming your backyard has never been such a simple task!
