Category: Home Design Tips & Ideas

A house is necessary for various things. For one, it protects you from the weather and provides shelter. But your house is not merely a physical structure. It is your home, your sanctuary, your haven. At home, you can relax and be yourself.

For most of your life, your house is where you eat, sleep, and bathe. And more than just housing you and your family, it also stores fond memories. So, keeping it clean and tidy is necessary.

Your House As Your Safe Space

As your safe place, it is your responsibility to maintain it. A house is an asset. As such, it will need repairs and maintenance. This will include the following:  

• structural repairs
• paint jobs
• appliance maintenance
• protection against mites and other insects
• electrical wiring and plumbing concerns

These activities will usually involve your contractor or other third-party services. To ensure your house will stay in good shape, always check that maintenance needs are updated.

On a more frequent basis, home maintenance entails cleaning. This is where you can be hands-on. Cleanliness is one of the best habits you should bring wherever you are. 

Some people do yoga, meditation, or get a massage when stressed. Others turn to interior design counseling and some will arm themselves with cleaning supplies. For some people, cleaning can help relieve stress. This is because you have a singular focus and goal—having your space clean and tidy. 

The Negative Effects Of Untidiness

To your brain, clutter means unfinished business. A messy and disorganized house can lead to instability. Clutter can affect your anxiety levels, sleep quality, and productivity. In addition, messes are often connected to negative emotions. These include:

• stress
• irritability
• confusion
• tension 
• exhaustion

Having clutter can make it difficult to focus on a particular task. This is because too many things need to be accomplished, including cleaning and other chores. The mess and amount of tasks will only overwhelm you further. To manage everything, have a regular cleaning schedule and stick to it religiously.

A Clutter-Free Space For A Clutter-Free Mind

Cleaning can have a therapeutic effect. More than cleaning a physical space, it’s like cleaning your mind, too. As you get older, you may realize that cleaning can be a calming chore. Research shows that a cluttered space can lead to higher levels of stress hormones for women. 

If you’re undergoing mental health therapy, your home’s cleanliness can help you heal. You’ll often hear therapists recommend calming things, such as taking a warm bath or reading a book. They might also encourage you to maintain a clean space. Self-care tips related to a tidy house can help you. You can consistently practice changing your sheets, doing the dishes, folding the laundry, and more. 

How Can A Clean Home Affect Your Health? 

Supports Your Physical Health

More than a calm mind, a tidy space means less risk. You will encounter lesser accidents when there are no physical obstacles in your way. 

If your floor is free of clutter, you are less likely to slip or fall. A bad slip can lead to further complications, such as concussions or hip displacement. When your house is free of dust, you will be less prone to breathing problems and allergies. Safely keeping sharp and harmful objects will lead to lesser injuries, too.

Boosts Your Concentration And Focus

A clutter-free workspace can lead to boosted productivity levels. You’ll find that you can focus better on meetings and achieving tasks when your desk is in pristine shape. Make it a habit to declutter your desk daily. A clean work area can also ensure that your gadgets and belongings are in top shape.

While this is more useful if you’re working from home, the benefit is not limited to your work. The chaos around you can distract your mind. It can limit your brain’s ability to process information. Because of this, your concentration and focus are affected. So, a clean and clutter-free space can help you concentrate on whatever task you are doing.

Improves Your Mood

Who wouldn’t feel good about a tidy space? After a long tiring day, we want nothing more than peace and tranquility. Overflowing garbage and too many dirty dishes can put you in a bad mood. As much as you can, clean them as soon as possible. A clean space entails less stress for you.

Helps You Have Better Sleep

Nothing leads to a relaxed bedtime more than a cleanroom. When you have completed all your chores for the day, your mind can rest peacefully. Having nothing to distract your mind is relaxing. 

Don’t you think that it’s better not to have to stress over one little chore that takes no time to complete? It may even haunt you in your dreams! Don’t be too hard on yourself, though. If completing a task is draining you, take a break.

It Makes You Happy

Without the stress, anxiety, and other negative feelings brought about by clutter, you are generally happier. You will feel more accomplished and in control of your life. Finding happiness in simple things, such as cleanliness, is a good feeling. 

Practice tidiness daily, even in the simplest of things. You will soon find that you feel better about it.

To Wrap Up

There are many ways to declutter a specific area in your home. You can get inspiration from the myriad cleaning and organization content online. Indeed, seeing everything in order makes these photos and videos are very satisfying. Now, imagine how much more satisfying it will be when you see tidiness in your own environment.

The concept of cleaning can seem like a big commitment. If you start to feel overwhelmed, sit back and regroup. Start small. To organize, you don’t really have to invest in fancy tools and equipment. You can be creative and repurpose what you have now. After all, it is better to save the Earth from waste. 

You don’t need to pressure yourself to finish everything in an hour. Instead, do something every day. For today, try wiping all surfaces and dusting your furniture. Tomorrow, tackle your bathroom. Next, work on decluttering your kitchen. 

Before you know it, your home will be free from clutter and stress, and so will your mind.

It has been over 50 years since we first landed on the moon, and since the human race has more than doubled its population. From here, the world we live in is rapidly dying from pollution, over-harvesting, mining, climate change, carbon emission, and more. We are at a point where we are “borrowing” natural resources from the budget made for next year. At the rate we are going with how we use our natural resources, our planet may run out sooner than we think.

Continue reading Solar Home Is A Better Home (Excellent Mental Health State)

Perhaps you already tried a lot of things to entertain yourself while on lockdown. Of course, you would want to avoid getting stressed and all that. So if you are fed up with the same old routines over and over again, I might have something special for you. If you like to spend your time cleaning and organizing your home, I have some budget-friendly decorating tips that will keep you busy during the home quarantine.

Source: pexels.com

Keep It Simple And Clean

No matter how much money you spent on decorating and upgrading your home if there’s clutter, it will not make any difference from living in an uncomfortable place. If you can commit to picking small things on the floor, making up your bed, arranging your items neatly, you will start to feel better about your space. You will realize that you don’t need to put too much stuff in every corner of your house because keeping it clean absolutely takes the area to an inspiring level.

Hang Some Curtains

Curtains in your home are among the oldest yet most useful tricks out there that promise to bring out a pleasant and cozy place. It makes the space bigger and homier. Curtains increase the house’s substantial look effortlessly. It works every time, especially when trying to drip some luxury in a room without spending too much. It is as if turning a box into something beautiful and enticing to look at. Just remember to buy those curtains that compliment your wall if you are not planning on changing your wall paint.

Source: pexels.com

Hang Your TV

Yes, hanging your TV is another decorating tip that even the most famous interior designers would recommend. That is because it has a lot of benefits. When you hang your TV on the wall, you will get an extra space that you won’t have to use to set up a stand. Thus, it saves you from buying an excess item in your house. Aside from that, it lessens the risk of accidents such as dropping the TV onto the floor and breaking the screen. Hanging it can also keep it away from children’s reach, as well as your pets.

Source: pexels.com

Add Some Plants And Flowers

Flowers and plants do not give your home a lovely ambiance and splash of color, but it also allows your home to feel fresh and inviting. There is something about plants and flowers that make your home comfortable. Aside from that, since it represents nature, plants and flowers can potentially reduce your stress and anxiety levels, which is excellent, especially during this pandemic time. And the best part is you don’t have to spend too much money on getting a few.

Light It Out

One thing you need to remember when decorating your home is the significance of lighting. It is important to keep your place well-lit because it adds a fantastic feeling of satisfaction. Light gives a sense of clarity and somehow binds all the things inside the house into a particular purpose of relieving your stress and anxiety. But of course, always choose LED. Not only is it energy efficient, but it is also safe and reliable.

Source: pexels.com

Do-It-Yourself

You can do a lot of things to add comfort and beauty to your home without spending too much. You can paint your wall, rearrange the figurines, and replace photo frames, add shelves, change seat covers, use wall stickers, and many more. Honestly, there are a lot of things you can do to give your home its best look. You just have to use your creativity, and everything will fall under your hands.

In highly urbanized cities like New York, London, HongKong and Tokyo, people are living in a small apartment or in condo units, which used to be a sanctuary. Right now, because of this lockdown, it is a challenge to stay indoors and work from home. Being isolated in a confined space, nonetheless, can make you go “crazy.” If only you were in the suburbs of the Philippines wherein you can bask in the sweetness of your space at home… At this time, you are left to suck it up.

Continue reading Rearranging Your Small Home During The Lockdown

Going to the 2019 Interior Design Expo is one of the best decisions that I have had so far. As someone who loves designing spaces, big or small, I always want to attend events where I can see innovations in my field. Think of it as our version of a Science Fair—booths spread out in the hall, filled with curious guests.

Among the things I have seen in the said expo, I cannot forget the interior design apps. There are far too many of them at this point; some are free while others ask for an annual price. I never got to use one until that point, though, but I saw their appeal at once.

Here are the benefits of using interior design apps.

Clients Can Envision What They Want
The primary perk of downloading such applications is that they come with features found in a real house. You also get a variety of each furniture, which boosts your imagination. Some apps even offer a three-dimensional view of the room so that you can envision it well.

Designers Can Narrow Down Clients’ Choices
When clients consult for interior design counseling, a lot of interior designers tend to use apps like Houzz during the initial talks with a client. The reason is that they have realistic items that you can move around a specific room. This way, there is no need for both to go out and look for furniture or design inspirations.

Clients May Be Able To DIY It
You can get apps that will allow you to become an impromptu interior designer. They cost a little more than average because of the coolness of its features. However, you can unlock design tools that can make your home appear as if a professional has done it.

Final Thoughts
What I love most about this field is the sense of fluidity that interior design offers. Every person has a unique taste when it comes to living spaces, so there is always room for creativity. With such technological innovations, it gives more people a chance to tap into their creative sides and design their dream homes.
Feel free to try interior design apps today!

Source: forbes.com

Are you aware that there are two kinds of homeowners? The first one enjoys hosting guests, which is why she loves it when a friend or a colleague comes over. On the other hand, the second one is the type of person who hates taking in visitors over the weekends. If you belong to the first category, then be sure to read this article from start to finish.

 

Keep in mind that today’s post is focused on the top ways that every homeowner like you can do to see to it that your house is guest-ready. Take note that just because you want people to visit you does not mean that you can chill out and wait for them to come over. Always put in mind that you must exert some efforts to see to it that when they come to your place, they will love everything they can see or experience. Here are the things that you can do:

 

Use The Right Lights

Source: forbes.com

Are you aware that choosing the lights to install in the different areas of your house is an essential matter that you must prioritize? You cannot just randomly select a light bulb and color without taking into consideration some significant factors. An excellent interior designer would tell you that bright lights are ideal for living rooms, while dark lights are best for dining areas. When you choose the correct light, your guest will instantly be in a good mood once he enters the first door. The lighting can affect his mood.

 

Avoid Being A Showoff

 

What is your motivation for wanting people to visit your house? Do you enjoy their company, or is it your goal to show off your stuff? Take note that no one likes to be around someone who is too boastful. As such, you need to see to it that you will present your house to others in such a great way that you will not appear as a showoff individual. Avoid trying too hard to give your guests the perfect experience in your place because it can lead to severe problems or troubles. Instead, try to act natural when they are around. When it comes to choosing home decors, look for something simple yet elegant.

Source: pixabay.com

Install Hidden Cameras

 

Whether you like it or not, the truth is that you may need to install some hidden cameras in your house if you intend to invite people all the time. Remember that your family’s safety must be your number one consideration. If tons of individuals will come and go to your house, then you are exposing your vulnerability to them. If you want to protect yourself and your family, place a hidden camera so that you have a recording for everything that takes place in your house. It will come in handy if something goes wrong or an unfortunate event happens.

 

Do not forget to be accommodating and friendly when it comes to entertaining all kinds of persons who will come to your place.

 

 

Source: pixabay.com

Are you aware that the look and feel of your house has a big effect on the mental health of everyone living therein? According to a recent study in the field of psychology, people who live in a pleasant home with a happy family are more likely to feel better about their lives. They are the ones who are always inspired and motivated. On the other hand, the individuals who reside in a topsy-turvy or messy place have a high likelihood of acting indifferent towards the people surrounding them.

 

This information tells us one thing, and it is the fact that every homeowner like you must pay attention to improving your home’s aesthetic. As much as possible, focus on the various ways on how you can create a wonderful look for your house. Once you do, there is a great or high possibility that everyone in your family will become happier and can experience improved mood. If money is not an issue, you can opt for interior design counseling. Here are the essential things that you can do to improve the look or aesthetic of your house:

 

Change The Wall Paint

 

When was the last time you changed the color of your wall? Do you think it is time to introduce a significant improvement in your house? If yes, then changing the wall paint color is a great idea that you must do as soon as possible. You will be surprised at how everyone in your family is going to love the change in color. However, it is best to be careful when it comes to selecting the shade for your wall paint. Be sure that you go for something trendy and can have a soothing effect.

 

Throw Away Old Stuff

 

How many worthless items are in your house? Do you see yourself as a packrat where you keep everything even if it no longer has value? If you answered yes to these, then be sure to consider going through a general cleaning activity. All you must do is start throwing away old stuff. The first step is to think of at least twenty items that you haven’t used for the past year. Once you gather them all, try to check the purpose of each thing and determine if you still need them or not. If it is the latter, then the best choice is to give it away.

Source: pixabay.com

Buy A New Furniture

 

Another grand gesture that you can do to improve the look of your place is to buy brand new furniture for the living room or the kitchen area. However, be sure that you have enough money before you invest in this matter. Take note that the furniture can be expensive. If you do not have the budget, do not worry because you can always go for DIY projects. Keep in mind that this great suggestion is only ideal if you have furniture that is at least five years old, and the weariness of the item is apparent already. Look for the best-selling and latest furniture available in the best home shops in your town or city.

 

If there is one thing that every homeowner needs to understand, it is the fact that renovating one’s property is inevitable. Keep in mind that if you want to maintain the cleanliness and greatness of your house, it is imperative on your part to introduce significant renovations when you have a budget. Remember that doing this thing can be expensive, which is why it must only enter your mind if you have extra cash to spare for the materials and the labor.

Before anything else, we want to emphasize that home renovation is an investment instead of an expense. When you renovate an area of your house or introduce a major improvement, you are also increasing the value of your property. At the same time, you are giving everyone in your family a chance to enjoy a brand new environment that can be good for their mental wellness. Below are the things to keep in mind for your home renovation:

Source: pixabay.com

Look For An Architect

 

If the improvements that you are going to introduce to the property are major or substantial, be sure that you will hire an architect to create a plan for you. Keep in mind that you cannot do it on your own. Otherwise, there will be some structural problems in your renovation project. It may lead to higher costs and can pose a greater danger to everyone in your family. Be sure to work only with a licensed professional to ensure that you are in safe hands.

 

Source: pixabay.com

Set Aside A Budget

 

As already mentioned above, renovating a house can be expensive on your part. As such, you must have the right amount of cash to pay for all the possible expenses. Set aside a budget for the project so that you will not end up borrowing from other people to pay for the fees of the renovation. As much as possible, be financially independent before you take on a major project. Otherwise, it may be the reason why you will be covered in debt.

Source: pixabay.com

Ask For Opinion

 

You may become too excited when it comes to renovating your house. As a result, you may become indifferent to the opinions or suggestions of other people. It is a wrong approach because the right thing to do is to inquire for ideas from your family members. Let your husband or spouse know that you are interested to hear his suggestions on how to improve your house. Do not prevent him from speaking up just because he has different tastes and preferences from you. Keep in mind that you are not the only person who will occupy the said property.

 

Renovating a wonderful house is not an easy thing to do. Aside from the budget, you must also think of the execution of the plan that you have in mind. Nonetheless, it does not mean that you will just let the stress prevent you from enjoying the journey. As much as possible, enjoy the opportunity to improve your house.

 

 

Source: pixabay.com

There are tons of essential things that you must keep in mind when it comes to buying a property. Make sure that you will consider several things before you spend your cash for any real property investment. Keep in mind failure to think twice before taking action can lead to several mistakes and errors. Because of this, you must see to it that you will do whatever it takes to protect your investments. In today’s article, we are going to share the tips to keep in mind when you are buying a property for the first time.

 

Deal With A Legitimate Broker

 

Take note that it is imperative to look for the right licensed real estate broker who can facilitate the purchase that you want to make. As much as possible, look for a professional that you can trust. Remember that buying a property means taking out a big chunk of money from your savings. Unfortunately, if you deal with a wrong broker, there is a tendency that you will encounter issues or problems. Because of this, you have to find someone reliable.

Source: pixabay.com

 

Double Check The Property

 

Another thing that you have to keep in mind is the reality that there are different kinds of homeowners. Some of these individuals are attentive to the look and security of their properties. On the other hand, there are also those who do not know how to take good care of their residence. Because of this, you must find a way to double-check the different areas of the house that you are going to buy. Make sure that you will inspect every room and corner to ensure that there are no significant issues with the property.

 

Think About Financing

 

Keep in mind that there are various options available on how you are going to settle the payment for your house. If you think that you have extra cash to spare for investments, then be sure to pay in cash. The best advantage of doing this is that you can save more on the costs of buying the property. Several homeowners sell their properties at low prices if they are paid in full. However, if you do not have the right amount of savings to pay for the full cost, do not worry. You can always try to avail of financing arrangements from several banks.

Source: pixabay.com

Inquire About The Reason For Selling

 

You must also see to it that you know how to inquire about the real reason why the previous owners decided to sell their property to an interested buyer like you. Is there something wrong with the house? How long has it been since they lived in the said residence? Did something terrible happen that forced them to sell it? These are the questions that you must be able to ask your realtor. Keep in mind that being curious about these matters is important. Remember that investing in a property is not something that you can decide overnight. There are tons of factors that you must balance to ensure that you can make the right choice.

 

Decorating a house, regardless of how big it is, tend to stress out homeowners, to the extent that you may want to ask a psychologist on how your mind can relax. You have to think of what colors to use in every wall and what curtains will go with them, for one. You need to decide on the type of furniture can go with them and how much you should spend on everything. On top of that, there may be decorations that will require you to stand on something to reach the ceiling or other high areas.

With all honesty, this aspect of your life will become more splendid once you have the best collapsible ladder on hand. In case you wonder about what the most appropriate one is for your needs, here are the top 3 steps in the market.

Xtend & Climb 785P Aluminum Telescoping Ladder Type I Professional Series, 15.5-Foot

Although space is not scarce in the rural villages, a wise homeowner does not want a high ladder lounging in the garage or leaning on one side of the wall once no longer in use. Aside from it can harm the beauty of the landscape, the tool can also take up a bit more room that should have been a clean area. Thus, the telescoping ladder that Xtend & Climb offers is excellent to have.

Advantages

First off, the entire equipment only weighs 36 pounds, thanks to the aluminum that composes most of it. This alloy can last longer than any metallic material before neither water nor air can chemically change its composition and make it rustic or brittle. It is fantastic as well that such an aluminum comes from the aerospace engineered variety, so its quality is very high.

Every rung will not move either unless the user pinches their respective buttons. It ensures that when you are atop the ladder, you will not be worrying that it may collapse, and then you find yourself on the floor.

Its weight capacity is remarkable, as well. The maximum scale it can hold is 250 pounds; that’s why even if you are on or near this limit, you can still climb this ladder.

Disadvantages

The safety measures imposed by the brand mean that it was challenging to elongate or retract the ladder if the person does not use enough force to click the release buttons. The trick that someone consumers need to do to make the process easier is to move it horizontally first so that pushing the closure system gets stress-free.

Oshion 16.5ft EN131 Aluminum Telescoping Telescopic Extension Ladder 330 Pound Capacity

The Oshion Telescoping Extension Ladder suits the people who always need to work on a roof, a tree, or anything that is over 10 feet in height. Especially if it is for business purposes, the person cannot ask the client to provide this particular tool since the latter also has the right to expect that they have the necessary apparatuses for the job.

Advantages

The ultimate reason why it can be the best collapsible ladder for you is that 16 and ½ feet are not easy to reach if there is not a long and stable device on hand. Nevertheless, this height will not become an issue once you obtain the Oshion telescoping ladder.

It is already nice that the product extends and reverts to its original state whenever the individual presses the thumb buttons on both sides of each step. But the fact that it can fold in half to form a shape that resembles the letter A increases the value it provides, as this entails that the ladder is useful indoors as well.

A lot of customers want the tool in their shed too because of its significant level of stability that individuals of all sizes can enjoy. Whether you weigh 100 or 330 pounds, you are free to utilize this ladder and do not need to continually think that its legs will eventually give out and topple over you.

Disadvantages

The downside of it being able to handle that much weight is that the apparatus is more massive than average. However, this is one disadvantage that many people are excellent to deal with as well, mainly if it entails their security.

Telesteps 1800EP OSHA Compliant 18 ft Professional Extension Ladder

When your house has two or three floors, it may be hard to clean the windows upstairs or repaint the roof every time if all you have is a wobbly stepladder that has a fixed length. In case you are not a tall person, the only way you can get up there is if you stand on your toes or hang on to the ledge, which is downright scary. Because of this, you should purchase the Telesteps 1800EP Professional Extension Ladder.

Advantages

This equipment does not weigh as much as the other ladders, yet it is still one of the sturdiest you can ever find. It is due to the alloy material used to create it that is both rust-free and lightweight. Aluminum is a practical choice when crafting a tool similar to this that gets often utilized inside or outside the residence, as it is not impossible for it to get rained on at times.

The steps give assurances as well that you will not slide down an ugly fall since one end of it curves upward, and so you can feel when your foot is near the edge. The size of each rung allows people with larger feet to confidently stand on it too.

The user’s safety matters for Telesteps because instead of natural rubber, the pivoting feet of the ladder got made from pure silicone. What is likable about this material is that it does not immediately tear and can withstand extreme temperature and pressure.

Disadvantages

Because of the lengthiness of the product, retracting it is not easy.

In Conclusion

Any of these ladders can be a great decorating tool to have. The deciding factor may rely heavily on the measurement you want. It is advisable to get accessories such as ladder standoff and leveler so that you can securely work on high walls and the staircases, respectively.

Happy decorating!