| In today's world of home channel popularity and all | | | | still look modern and fresh. Martha Stewart's |
| things fashionable, making your home magazine | | | | bed-in-bags are surprisingly classy and comfortable. |
| perfect and envied by all isn't such a hard or | | | | Add a small lamp behind a cornered bed or behind a |
| expensive thing to do. Even the smallest changes and | | | | larger item on the dresser, (Television) the lighting in |
| additions can make a huge difference for less than a | | | | the room will be soft and inviting. |
| weekend getaway. After all, your home is lived in | | | | Bathrooms should make you feel welcome and leave |
| before and after the getaway. | | | | you with a calming feeling. Try sprucing up your small |
| Start with space. You'll need to open up the cluttered | | | | space with new color and texture. Replace hardware |
| space in your home to make it instantly appear larger | | | | in the bathroom, (towel racks, faucets, hooks and |
| and cleaner. Take a look at the corners of your | | | | doorknobs) with a brushed nickel or stainless steel |
| rooms and you should be able to find something to | | | | instead of the out of date gold plated or brass. |
| store away or move into a more appropriate room. | | | | Purchase a new bathroom set that is plush and feels |
| Books add brains to a home but too many can cause | | | | good to the hand. Your feet will thank you and so will |
| it to feel like a library or book store not a homey | | | | your eyes. A new modern shower curtain will look |
| retreat. | | | | great against your new chrome fixtures and will |
| Decide which decorative items you really have | | | | make them pop. Clear away all personal items |
| outgrown and get rid of them! Too many eye | | | | including combs, brushes, lotions and cups on the sink, |
| distracting knickknacks cause the brain to feel | | | | and keep it minimal. Hang fresh new hand towels. |
| jumbled and that certainly doesn't help with stress or | | | | You'll feel like you're in a resort when you enter your |
| relaxation. | | | | new bathroom. |
| Tops of entertainment centers and stands shouldn't | | | | Your kitchen should be a fun place to be. It may be |
| be bare but they also should show! Often times | | | | the busiest room in the house and most used, but it |
| homeowners pack on the pictures and collectibles too | | | | should look like it. It's easy to pile up papers and |
| heavy leading to lots of beautiful items with no way | | | | photos on the fridge, and snacks and appliances on |
| to focus in on any. Less is more. Pick the items you | | | | the counters. Make a new home for these items |
| want to keep or the ones that make the best | | | | tucked away out of site. The less you have in the |
| statement or compliment the room's decor. Make a | | | | kitchen, the less you'll have distracting you physically |
| select few focal points and let them stand alone. | | | | and mentally. Lighting is important in every room of |
| It truly is amazing what a fresh coat of paint can | | | | the home and most neglect the kitchen. You can |
| accomplish. Nothing beats this upgrade for the price. | | | | purchase a $10 miniature lamp at a local drugstore |
| It really all comes down to the color selection. If your | | | | and add it to the end of a counter or corner baker's |
| walls are a contemporary white, spruce it up! Make | | | | rack to illuminate the room and add a cozy soft glow |
| one wall a focal wall and paint it a bold color. This will | | | | at night. It will make you feel at home in your home. |
| energize the room and everything placed on that wall | | | | If you have an outdoor space such as a porch or |
| will pop. If your walls are a tad too neutral and drab, | | | | deck, treat it as an indoor space. Add plants, lighting, |
| try a modern earthy tone such as sage green, | | | | perhaps a small water fountain for a tranquil setting. |
| mocha, or a pale deep yellow. Depending on your | | | | Don't neglect the texture and appeal of these |
| furniture color, flooring, and drapery, select a color | | | | spaces. Enjoy plush rugs, seating and color as you do |
| that will compliment and yet not blend in too much. | | | | indoors. |
| Note* using a semi-gloss finish may be great for | | | | Even making small changes to each room such as |
| washing or children, but flats are really the best | | | | removing boxes of extra clutter or belongings can |
| finished look for a room. | | | | make a huge impact on your mental outlook and |
| Bathrooms and bedrooms are always a sanctuary or | | | | internal mood. You'd me amazed at how desterilizing |
| at least they should be. You'd be amazed what a | | | | a sterile space can make you want to stay in that |
| few simple projects can do to your rooms. For the | | | | space. Adding even a splash of color or a new item |
| bedroom, try painting the trim on the windows and | | | | to a room can change the whole effect. I know |
| doorways a deep chocolate, switching out the metal | | | | there's something in your home that shouldn't be |
| or plastic mini-blinds for a dark wood bamboo blind. A | | | | there. Take one room at a time and turn your abode |
| new bed-in-a bag can cost you as little as $89 and | | | | into a lifetime getaway. |