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Category: News
Think Big Small Spaces
With a little help, you can still live large in a small space! It is important that you don’t feel boxed in. The following tips will help transform your cramped quarters into something more expansive:
1. Shady Solutions - Painting walls a soft shade and the ceiling bright white will give the illusion of added height.
2. Is That a Door In Your Pocket? - Installing pocket doors is an easy and inexpensive way to create lots of extra usable space.
3. Lighten Up - Keep window areas clear of heavy drapes to expand wall area and let the sun shine in as it helps a space feel larger.
4. Mirror Mirror - Strategically placed mirrors will create the illusion of added space and they’ll also reflect light into adjoining rooms.
5. Cut a Rug - Having the same type of flooring throughout your home will make it feel more spacious, so avoid using too many area rugs.
6. Cut the Clutter - Have a place for everything so that the surfaces in your home don’t get cluttered. Storage baskets for example are great for hiding remotes and magazines.
7. Open Up - Arrange your furniture so you can see as much of the floor as possible. Rooms with blocked views can feel cramped so move furniture away from entrances.
Whether you’re getting ready to put your home on the market or you just want to create more space for yourself, these easy and inexpensive tips will help give you a little extra breathing room. By thinking big and getting creative, you’ll comfortably live large in even the smallest of spaces.
Questions to Make Clutter Go
Is your home overflowing with clutter? Most of it is likely sentimental stuff, which is the hardest to part with because they tug at us emotionally. For a can’t-miss way you make it easier to choose which should stay and which should give away, ask these five simple questions.
1. Does it make me happy? If it doesn’t make you smile or you feel guilty and stressed about not appreciating it, it should not be in the house.
2. Can I photograph it? Have something big and unwieldy that you hang on to? A photo will take less room and spark the same happy memories as the thing itself.
3. Can I scan it? Certificates, child’s drawings, old letters scanning them into a computer saves you room and also keeps them safe and secure forever.
4. Do I have two? Keep the best and donate the rest. Ask “Which one do I like the most?”
5. Who could I make happy with this? You get extra space and donating to a good cause delivers a happiness boost that can last weeks.
A Breath of Fresh Air
Houseplants are visually appealing and also they improve our home’s air quality by adding oxygen and removing harmful pollutants. Here are a few hardy plants that will thrive in any environment:
1. Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are great for beginners as they’re almost impossible to kill and they also look great in hanging baskets.
2. Cast Iron Plants (Aspidistra elatior) are foolproof as they only require dim light and also don’t need much water.
3. The Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderana) simply stands in water and has been used by the Chinese for centuries in the art of feng shui to create harmony in the home.
Accidental drowning is a leading cause of death for houseplants. Water them thoroughly but make sure there are drainage holes so excess water can escape, as you don’t want your plants to be sitting in water.
Improper lighting is another reason why promising young plants become statistics. It’s important to match the lighting needs of plants with the amount of light you have to offer.