All posts by Jon Clark

Jon Clark is an Internet Marketing Consultant, Entrepreneur and current editor of the Facebook Marketing Blog. Jon loves coffee, sports and NY. You can follow him on Twitter @jonleeclark or circle him on Google+.

4 Awesome Apartment Purchasing Tips


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When you are ready to change that apartment ownership dream into a reality, you will have many details to consider. It is a massive investment and should be treated with a fair amount of caution. Of course you will be excited and also pleased with yourself, but try to keep a level head before you make any commitment. The more legwork you do before you step into the potential market, the easier your task will be. Here we discuss some basic, yet vital, tips that might be of great help to you.

Location Times Three

It has to be the first and most important consideration you think about when choosing your first apartment. You may even be sick of hearing the three ‘L’s’, every time someone discusses buying a property, but they say it because it is true. Here are the factors you should remember:

  • What area do you really wish to live in? This depends on your lifestyle choices.
  • How far are you happy to travel to work every day?
  • If you don’t drive, you need to consider the local transport services.
  • Do you enjoy open spaces or prefer downtown shops and bars?

If you are going to be living alone, you are responsible for being as specific as possible with these choices. You will have no one to blame and it can be quite miserable suffering in silence!

Show Them The Money!

There is little point in speculating where you wish to live and how many rooms you would like, before you know what your scope is. Meet with a mortgage advisor and get an idea of your spending power. Do not try and buy at the upper limit of your lending range, you never know what may happen around the corner. Try and get a fixed term offer, unless the current rate is fairly high. Many people have take a variable deal when the rates were low, only to be kicked in the pocket after they rose big time.

Extra Costs Can Hurt!

You may have been told about your first mortgage payment amount, but does it include all of the costs? The inspection process can be quite expensive and the estate agents aren’t working for charity. Get these drawn up first, because otherwise you may not be able to afford your first month’s utility bills.  You usually have to add between three and five per cent of the apartments value to get your added costs.

After You Move

You should enquire about the monthly bills before you commit to buying your apartment. They may vary from what you are used to spending as a renter. There will be extra insurance and rates to consider, as well as the possibility of management committee charges. Speak to someone who already lives in the block and see if they can help you with a close estimate of the monthly utility expenses. Have an exact figure in your head before going full speed ahead with your purchase. You may also want to have a plan B in case you need extra cash along the way. See if your bank can allow you a free overdraft until the purchase goes through.

When not obsessing over composing songs, Ryan Carter likes to keep up with the latest happenings in the world of real estate properties. He works at The Money Store, the best mortgage refinance company. In his free time, he likes to blog about property and finance.

Get On Board: Building A More Environmentally-Friendly Home


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You’ve spent quite a bit of time and money on your home since moving in, and now you feel it’s about time you got on the bandwagon and started taking steps towards helping out the environment. Today we are going to speak to you about a few ways you can go about reducing your home’s energy consumption.

Using Less Electricity

Electricity is one of the most expensive bills in any household. We tend to forget just how many lights we have on or electronics we have plugged in – some on a continual basis. If you’re on the lookout for a few ways to reduce the amount of electricity your family uses, then you may want to consider installing skylights for additional lighting throughout the day or turning towards solar energy. Solar energy may be a bit pricey to install, but over the long term, it definitely pays for itself by lowering expenses.

Have you ever considered swapping out your current light bulbs for ones that are more energy efficient? Not only do CFL bulbs last as much as 6 times as long as incandescent bulbs, but they also use about 75% less energy. Motion sensor lighting may also be something to think about. This way, you’ll only use light as you need it. There are many solutions that come with timers so you can set exact times you’d like certain bulbs to be on or off.

Renovating the Eco-Friendly Way

When making changes or updates to your current residence, consider locating reclaimed materials, such as wood or metal instead of purchasing brand-new. These options typically look just as nice and mean less waste. If planning to remove physical aspects of your home, such as walls or cabinets, see if you can’t find ways to use the left-over materials elsewhere. If not, donate them so underprivileged families may get the same use out of them.

ENERGY STAR Solutions

Find yourself looking for a new television, fridge or oven? Instead of shopping solely for price, take a little extra time to locate an option that is going to not only look fantastic in your living space, but will also save energy. ENERGY STAR approved products are extremely durable and are built with a reduced amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Doesn’t it feel great knowing you’re reducing your carbon footprint, simply by upgrading to a new product you already needed?

The Simple Things: Every Little Bit Counts

If you haven’t already guessed, every little step you take towards saving energy is beneficial. This means, unplugging those cell phone chargers when they aren’t in use, powering off your laptop at the end of each work day and shutting off bedroom lights, even if you are only going to be gone a few moments. It’s amazing how the simplest life changes can save you so much money. Swapping out a single bulb in your home can save you as much as $6 a year. Have 100 bulbs in your home? That would add up to a whopping $600 in a single year!

Today’s guest post is authored by Karen Moore. She is a regular blogger who gives interesting home improvement and DIY tips on her blog. She recommends the use of acoustic insulation.

The Pros And Pros Of Metal Roofs


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If you are thinking of upgrading your current roof and are unsure of what style you really want, please have a look at this article about metal roofs. You may be surprised to learn some of these important facts about why metal is a great choice for you!

How Are They Installed?

One of the awesome things about a metal roof is that it can be fitted directly onto your current roof system. This is helpful in several ways:

  • You existing roof needn’t be removed and this will make the labor less intensive.
  • You negate any disposal issues and no longer need to pollute your local landfill with the redundant roof material.

Your new metal roof will last much longer than its predecessor and it is completely recyclable as well.  When a roof is removed to make way for a replacement, the home is exposed to the elements until the new one is installed. But the practice of fitting a metal roof without removing your current roof ensures that your home is always covered.

Which Color?

If you opt for a light colored metal roof, you will deflect the sun’s rays and as a result reduce the temperature of your home. The lighter colored roof will also reduce the ambient air temperature indirectly and this reduces the interior temperature.  If you choose a darker shade of metal roof, this will absorb a higher level of solar rays and can reach a very high temperature as a result. A totally white metal roof would reflect much of the solar rays and would only raise temperature a minimal amount.

What About Unsightly Screws?

In days gone by, a metal roof suffered from a bad image thanks to the exterior screws on display. Thankfully the new designs have banished these unattractive features by utilizing new technology.

How About Electric Storms?

It is a common and incorrect myth that a metal rod will attract lightning bolts. Only grounded metal will attract a possible lightning attack. Lightning requires a direct route to  the earth and this is not provided by the ungrounded metal roof you will have installed.

What About Heavy Winds? 

In the past, poorly constructed metal roofs have had issues when hit by very strong wind conditions. Nowadays it has been proven that a metal roof can outperform any other material used for roofing. You only have to check out the amount of metal roofs that are used for coastal properties to see that this is true.

How Long Will My Color Last?

Most metal roof manufacturers will only use a recommended paint system panel that will withstand extreme weather and heat conditions. This is usually a ceramic based paint that is baked onto the metal roof panel. This type of paint protection is the best on offer available today, the paint will outlast many manually applied products.

How Will The Roof Affect My Value? 

According to the Metal Roofing Association in 2006, the installation of a metal roof will increase the value of your property by over one dollar per square foot. These are facts and should be considered when you are thinking about what material to choose for your next roof.

Jake Siddle is the owner of www.oboylesroofing.com.au. His firm specializes in installing color bond roofing. He suggests people to install metal roofs in their house as they provide many benefits.

How To Go About Cleaning Your House In Three Easy Steps


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272 | 365 | Peace

These days, house cleaning is considered to be more torturous than waking up at the crack of dawn. Unless you are house-ridden the whole day, you won’t even dream of dusting those dirt particles off the bed you sleep on. You simply throw yourself over the filthy mattress after a hard day’s work. But ever wondered why you are bed-ridden at least once a month? The dirt which gets collected in your house over time contains germs which lead to infectious diseases. So you can’t compromise on cleaning your household on a regular basis. I have listed three easy steps to thoroughly clean your house, no matter the time you get home.

  • Keep an hour aside for cleaning: You don’t work the whole 24 hours now, do you? Say, you spend 8 hours at work, about an hour for commute, a couple of hours for recreation, another couple for meals, and about 6 hours sleep. You are still left with 5 complete hours a day. You will highly benefit in terms of hygiene if you spend about an hour in cleaning your house. Let’s make it a bit simpler. Going by the above calculation, you will be left with around 30 spare hours per week! Clean your house at least once a week. Spending a couple of hours doesn’t seem so cumbersome eh.

Week 12/52: An unhurried sense of time is in itself a form of wealth

  • Hire professional cleaning services once a week: If you are sluggish enough to not spend an hour on cleaning, you may shell out a few bucks to get your house cleaned by professionals in the trade. They take about an hour to completely clean an average house. And you are not even required to slouch out of your bed while the cleaning process is in progress. But take care while picking a cleaning service. Some of the services in the industry are not entirely efficient, and some may even be scams – carrying off less conspicuous but expensive materials along with the dirt. You will be much better off selecting the one recommended by neighbors and friends.
  • Let machines do the work for you: Technology today has escalated to the point of a possible Artificial Intelligence. So you can quite easily find some high-end gadgets that are pre-programmed for cleaning purposes. There is the automated vacuum cleaner, the robot duster, the electronic dishwasher, and even an entire self-cleaning toilet; though the last one may not be trusted with the money it calls for. A statutory warning – these gadgets come at an astounding price. For instance, the robotic vacuum cleaners and dusters may cost you about $500. If you don’t mind spending more for cleaning than for which you purchased the furniture in the first place, by all means go ahead.

order now and you'll get the carwashing adapter FOR FREE!

Though you will have to spend about an hour a month on the maintenance of the gadget, you will get the entire five hours for yourself. If you are bent on stealing a few more minutes for recreation, you may purchase a full-fledged robot that might cost you a fortune.

Richard King is an entrepreneur and runs a business of providing Commercial pressure cleaning services. A humble man, who started out this business 10 years back and has taken the market by storm with his efficient service. The need for cleanliness in a house is of utmost importance he feels and gives advise to people about the best house cleaning practices on his blog.

Things That May Be Affecting Your Home’s Ability To Sell


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Selling a home doesn’t just have to do with what the inside has to offer. Did you know many potential buyers will not even give a home a second glance if they do not like what they see on the outside? Putting additional focus on your exterior presentation is very important when trying to compete in today’s housing market.

Priority #1: Curb Appeal

Edible Estate

Not only does the outside appearance of your home matter, but so does the properties surrounding yours. A home in a beautifully decorated and organized neighborhood is going to typically sell for much more than that exact same property if it were in a position where the surrounding homes were cluttered and unkept. While there’s not much you can do about the properties around yours, what you can do is make sure your home is not only nice to look at but also has a competitive price. This is going to get people who generally may not have given your home a second glace, a shot.

Potential Buyers Stop by More than Once

Think back for a moment to when you first purchased a home. What kinds of things did you have in mind? What were you searching for? Many purchasers are going to drive by a home a few times before they consider scheduling a walk-through.

24/7 Appeal

arne jacobsen, st. catherine's college, oxford 03

Make sure you home looks great during all times of the day. Your lawn should be mowed and maintained like you have never done before. Take a few moments several times a week and make sure your flowers and plants are properly watered and that your lawn is mowed. Any dead leaves or branches should be removed as you notice them.

Don’t forget about little paint touch-ups and cleanliness. Put additional focus on cleaning up after your pets and children each and every day and make sure your recycling and trash bins are tidy. Since you can’t be sure when someone looking to buy may stumble across your property, be sure to have something to show that you can be proud of. Imagine what you would want to see. This can be tricky, since it’s easy to get used to the same walkway, driveway, yard, and gate that you have been walking past since you first moved in. If necessary, have someone who isn’t as familiar with your home complete a walk-through with you and help take note of the kinds of things that need fixing up or special attention. Thinking like a buyer is a very important step.

Showcasing at Night

Atlanta-Landscaping

For night-time appeal, verify that all lights outside your home are in good condition. You want potential buyers to feel safe calling your property their home. Make sure your walkways are clear of any debris. If you have more than one vehicle, park them in locations that offer those who walk or drive by a clear view of your property. This may mean needing to park a bit further than you’d like, but remember it’s for a good cause.

Today’s guest post is written by James Anderson the owner of CMA Plastering. He provides you with work of the highest quality in solid plastering and is approached by many interior designers for various assignments. He also likes blogging and gives useful advices on how to renovate houses.

Safety Tips For Moving Day


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the apartmentMoving can be emotionally draining, but it can also take a toll on your body. When your body undergoes a lot of stress, you risk the chance of suffering from minor to severe injuries. From properly lifting boxes to the appropriate footwear, here are six tips to ensure a safe move:

Box Weight

When packing up your belongings, be mindful of the weight. To prevent injury, make sure all boxes weigh less than 50 pounds. If you’re unsure what the box weighs, try lifting it. You should be able to lift each box without too much strain. Remember, the proper way to lift a box is by squatting down and lifting with your entire lower body. Never bend over to pick up an item. And, don’t forget to recycle your boxes!

Rent Proper Equipment

When it comes to moving heavier objects, you should consider renting the proper equipment to prevent injury. This includes a dolly or hand truck. Straps are also helpful for securing boxes and items to the dolly or to assist with lifting larger items. Using equipment will save you both time and energy.

Wear Proper Clothing

On moving day, it’s important you wear the right clothing and footwear. For example, wearing loose clothing offers the risk of getting snagged on furniture. Instead, wear something comfortable that will not get in the way when your lifting objects. You should also wear durable, supportive footwear. These shoes should also have good grip, particularly if surfaces become wet. If possible, avoid wearing open-toe shoes or sandals.

Occupy Children and Pets

If you have children, for their safety make sure they are occupied. It would probably be best to hire an off property babysitter to keep children entertained. Similarly, you don’t want to worry about your pets getting in the way. Keep pets locked up in their crates or in an empty room in which movers don’t need to enter. Trust me, it will be less stressful for them to be away from the noise and confusion anyway.

Provide Food and Water

Moving is typically an all day event. And with all the chaos of the day, you do not want to forget to eat. Pack plenty of food and water for the day. If you have friends or family helping you, consider ordering a pizza to take a lunch or dinner break. Have a pot of coffee available at all times. This will keep people’s energy levels up in order to power through the rest of the moving day.

Emergency Kit

Keep an emergency kit on hand at all times. This kit should include Band-Aids, aspirin and medicated ointment. Also, you should point out where the house telephone is located. Nowadays, most people have cell phones, but not everyone’s is fully charged. Having a emergency contact list on hand is not a bad idea either.

Jackie Ryan is a freelance writer and young professional. Jackie recently moved into a beautiful studio apartment in the city. To help with larger objects, she rented hand carts which made the move easier. Her moving day went off without a hitch!

5 Changes To Make Inside Your Bedroom So You Will Start Using It More


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Do you spend a lot of time in your bedroom at the moment? Some people do spend quite a lot of time in their bedroom and why not? It’s a perfectly good room that can be used for many different things. There are people on the other side of the fence who never go in there unless it’s to go to sleep at night. They think that is all the room is good for and can’t understand why you would use it for anything else.

Maybe they would think differently if they made some cool changes to their bedroom so they actually enjoyed spending time there. If you’re someone who only goes in there to sleep do you think you would use it more if something was different? It’s obvious you won’t need to go in there if you just have a horrible little bed in the corner, so let’s look at some changes you can make that might help you change your mind. It will almost be like having a new room.

Set-up a Computer Corner

If you are used to sitting with your laptop on your knee all the time you might really appreciate your own little mini-office. You will enjoy it so much better when you actually have a desk to lay the laptop on. It gets even better because you can get the most comfortable leather chair you can possible find to sit on. You won’t want to get up once you’ve sat down. Another thing that is cool is the fact you will have drawers, so all your paperwork won’t end up lying around the house.

Build a Balcony

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This one will work out a little more expensive than buying a desk, but when you have a balcony attached to your bedroom you can’t help but spend time there. You can put in some lovely doors that open out and as soon as you wake up in the morning you can go outside to enjoy your morning coffee while reading the paper. This would suit someone much better if they lived in a hotter part of the country because they would get more use out of it.

Buy a More Comfortable Mattress

Something Simple

When you don’t even feel comfortable in your bed you won’t want to lie in it unless you’re going to sleep. That is a shame because if you have a large television inside your room you can go upstairs and watch some TV before it’s time to turn out the lights. It’s also a great way to watch what you want on TV when there are others in the living room watching something you don’t like. Sunday night football springs to mind.

Build a Walk-in Closet

If there is a large closet inside your room it might be better if you turned it into a walk-in closet where you kept all your clothes. It would look great once you took off the door and replaced it with a curtain then you could hang some mirrors from the wall. You might spend a little more time in there getting ready and trying on clothes. Plus you will feel a lot more glamorous getting dressed compared to what you probably do at the moment.

Learn to Relax

Your bedroom can be a safe haven from the daily grind. Whenever you want to relax you can have a lie down and let the stress melt from your head. In order to do that you should try to make the room smell as lovely as possible. This could be achieved by getting some lovely plants and laying them around the room. You could also burn incense sticks or candles, but remember not to fall asleep before they are put out.

Today’s guest post author is the owner of Australian Garage Doors. He started this comapany 10 years back and has since then made steady progress in the business. He likes blogging and gives valuable advice to home owners about renovation and home improvement.

5 Things To Do As Soon As You Notice Water Damage In Your Home


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Home Water Damage

One of the most annoying things that can ever happen is realizing you have water damage inside your home. No home is ever completely safe and it can happen to anyone. When you notice the first signs of water lying everywhere you’re going to be running around like crazy trying to figure out the best thing to do.

It’s better to know the correct procedure when dealing with it because if you don’t fix it properly there is a good chance it could end up costing you more money than you think. We’re going to now take a look at what you should do, so if you are experiencing problems at the moment you can take care of it properly. If you don’t have any water damage at the moment then please keep it in mind for the future.

1. Make Sure the Area is Safe

Safety is obviously the most important thing you need to take into consideration because rushing in and getting hurt isn’t going to help anyone. Go straight to your power box and kill the electricity as getting electrocuted is going to leave you with more than a sprained ankle. You shouldn’t throw your life on the line to save materialistic possessions. If the water is deep you might also want to check there are no hazards lying in the area you can trip up on.

2. Take out Your Furniture

Before you deal with the water you should take all your furniture away from the damaged area as soon as possible. If the water hasn’t reached anything yet it’s even better because eventually it might, but if your furniture is already wet take it outside and let it air out. It’s too easy to start trying to find out where the water is coming from, but I’m guessing you paid a lot of money for your furniture and you don’t want it to end up ruined.

3. Remove the Flooring

If you want to deal with the problem properly you will have to lift any carpets or linoleum from the floor. There is no way it will be able to dry out properly unless the flooring is lifted and when water damage doesn’t dry properly there is a much greater chance of mold growing. Take it outside and let it dry naturally before it goes back down. If there are any rugs on the floor you can throw them in the washing machine.

4. Dry it Properly

Leaving the puddle for a few days to dry up naturally is a bad idea and it needs to be taken care of as soon as possible. You should use a professional vacuum cleaner which can be hired from somewhere to soak up all the water. Grab a bucket of soap and water to scrub the surrounding areas to make sure everything is nice and clean. Now get as much fans as possible and blast the air onto the damp area until it’s dry. This is important and it will keep mold away.

5. Contact a Plumber

Plumber James

Just because you think the area is fine doesn’t mean the problem is taken care of. There is a good chance the water will come back and it’s equally as likely there could be more damage in places you can’t see. Without a professional coming to take a look you are really taking a big risk. If anything does need to be dealt with straight away the plumber can sort it out. Don’t forget to have your electrical appliances seen to be an electrician before you use them again if they were sitting in water.

Jimmy Hayden is the owner of Granwood Flooring. He likes blogging and is very vocal about various topics related to home improvement. Not only does he gives advise on his blog but also likes to take part in many social causes and has spent considerable time with an independant NGO.

5 Great Ways To Renovate A Basement On The Cheap


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Jackie Martinez (#30275)

When you feel like your home is getting too small for your family there is an easy solution that means you don’t need to pack up and move. You could turn your basement into a new room. If your basement is a decent size it’s easy to transform it into anything you want. Some people don’t like this idea because it sounds expensive. The thought of spending more money at the moment while everything is tight just doesn’t sound like a sensible option.

You don’t need to worry because everything is not as dark and gloomy as it seems. There are things you can do to guarantee you don’t end up spending more money than you need to and at the end of the day you still end up with a brand new room. What could possibly go wrong? Just to make sure nothing does, we can look at some things to remember should you wish to carry out any renovations and they will help you save a good amount of money.

Make sure you plan everything

A lot of people spend more money carrying out renovations because they don’t know what they want. They even end up changing their mind half way through and adding extra bits and pieces. If you sit down and work out what you’re trying to do it means you can think of ways to cut costs. If something is going to be too expensive you don’t need to do it and you will know from the start.

Do the work yourself

Venn Collective Studio's Basement

If you get a professional in to carry out the work for you it’s going to cost a lot of money. If you do it yourself you are not paying for anyone’s time and the only thing you will need to buy are the materials. Renovating a basement isn’t a very hard thing to do if you have some DIY experience and you could even try to rope in a few friends at the weekend that do know what they are doing. You might only need to hire a professional for dealing with the electricity or plumbing.

Take proper measurements

Paying for materials is going to be your biggest expense if you are carrying out the work yourself. Do you know how many people end up with far more material than they actually need? Just about the same amount of people that end up with far too little and it’s because they don’t take proper measurements. Know exactly how much of everything you need before you go to the store and it will save you money. Even buying too little the first time around might cost you if you get a discount with a bulk order.

Stop when you see moisture

Because your basement could suffer from water damage you will need to waterproof the walls before doing anything. It’s also important to check for cracks and dampness because if they are visible you will have water damage in the future. That means it will cost you even more money having to do everything again. Don’t start working on your basement until you are absolutely sure there are no signs of water damage and you’ll save yourself a headache.

Buy secondhand materials

When you’re buying furniture for the new room there is no reason why it has to be brand new. You could easily pick up some great secondhand bargains because people have decided they don’t want them anymore. This alone could save you thousands of dollars and the quality of furniture you’re buying could be just as good as anything you’d get new from the store. Just be careful taken secondhand wood into your home and have it treated first.

The author of today’s guest post is Aaron Wright. He runs a firm which provides dewatering services in Australia. He has a lot of experience in this field and shares his thoughts on blogging sites about different aspects related to home improvement.

Learning To Highlight New Areas Of Your Home


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There are all sorts of fun ways to revitalize a home. Finding yourself tired of looking at the same four walls day in and day out? Maybe it’s time for some change. Today, we are going to discuss a few great ways to create a new and exciting home atmosphere in order to build a whole new year and a whole new you.

Putting Focus on What’s Most Important

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What’s ‘important’ depends on your personal preferences. Maybe you want to show off that new Eagle artwork you found at a local sale or the amaryllis display your sister bought for your birthday. A great way to show off the things you love most and give your room a comforting feel is to use spotlights. These lighting options can be hung from the ceiling or pointed up from the ground or a table, for depth. While most people reach for natural colored lighting, for a more unique effect, experiment with different color options, i.e., pinks, blues, yellows. Since spotlights are adjustable, it is very easy to make changes as you update your home.

For outdoor use, motion sensor lights are a fantastic way to offer the perfect amount of lighting for barbecuing with the family. Installing sensors not only on your walkways, but also your driveway can mean a much safer arrival each and every time you or a loved one stops by. Just like inside the home, lights can be used outdoors to put additional focus on areas you are most proud of, such as your newly painted door or the plants bordering your front porch.

Walls and Ceilings: Spaces Commonly Forgotten

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While many homes are full of white walls and white ceilings, if you’re looking to make the space more inviting, why not reach for colors that are going to blend beautifully with your current design? Begin by finding a color that appears somewhere within the location. Inspirations can be found in your favorite blanket, painting, or stuffed animal. The trick here is, you don’t want to choose a color that is used too often throughout the room because this will generally overwhelm the senses, e.g., a red velvet bedspread and completely deep red walls. While there are always exceptions to the rule, it’s typically best to select a hue that won’t consume the entire space. Sometimes you’ll find that the best colors to choose are a shade or two lighter or darker than the color you got your inspiration from.

Not ready to take on a painting job just yet? Maybe it’s time to upgrade the room by swapping out for an updated chandelier or installing one for the first time. There are ornate crystal options, which can have real or fake candles, stunning black onyx or even those in the shape of a teardrop; just to give you a few ideas. If you’re looking for dual functionality, consider adding a ceiling fan. This will give you a bit of style and the comfort of additional temperature control.

Instantly Get More Use out of What You’ve Got

Mom in reflection

There are many areas of a home that are easy to forget to decorate. For instance, instead of leaving your sliding closet doors empty, why not add a mirror to the front? This will not only make the room appear larger and offer additional light but will give you a place to prepare for your day, getting ready for work and making sure your outfit looks just right before stepping out the door. When you have a large family, bathroom mirrors may not be quite enough, especially first thing in the morning.

The space about your cupboards may not be an area you remember to clean often, let alone see. But, it is one of the best places to display some of your favorite, and most fragile items. Have porcelain plates or dolls that were your grandmothers? Instead of having them tucked away in a box where you’ll probably never see them again, why not show them off? The area is high enough that you won’t ever have to worry about them getting broken or being touched but your guests can enjoy them with you.

Keep it Simple: Keep it ‘You’

We cannot stress enough how important it is to stay true to yourself when making changes to your home. Don’t take on large projects if you don’t have the budget or time for it. Figure out what areas of your home you enjoy most, and which ones aren’t quite as exciting. Take note of the colors in those rooms, what items draw your attention and so forth. This will help you move in the right direction to a home that will make you feel energized all over again. Switching things up, even if just by moving furniture between rooms, is a great way to keep a home from feeling dull.

The guest post author for today is William Rimmington. An interior decorator by profession, he believes in carrying out eco friendly changes to homes and higlighting new areas of the house with unique designs. For ceiling tasks, he often approaches Pro ceilings as they are the best ceiling contractors in Perth