Budget Friendly Home Decor Tips

Decorating a home enhances mood while ensuring that every picture that is taken in it is worth sharing with friends on social media. But, tough economic times can make decorating a home seems like an impossible or uphill task. Well, you can decorate your home even for those pinching pennies. There are many things you can to make your home look stylish and inviting for everyone. Here are budget-friendly home décor tips that should help you accomplish your goal.

Plan

Decorating a home is an overwhelming task for most people. As such, going in with a detailed plan can help, especially when you have budgetary constraints. Therefore, start by creating a plan that prioritizes the decorating projects to handle first. Bear in mind the fact that it’s not a must that everything is done at once. Some homeowners handle the decorating project bit by bit. Therefore, start with rooms and items that are used the most. Essentially, the home decoration project should be prioritized based on cost and needs. For instance, a print for the wall of a powder room or kitchen pendant lights cost less than window treatment or a new couch. Therefore, spread out items that cost more to avoid going in all at once. You can also go for cheaper alternatives.

Use What You Already Have

When decorating a home on a budget, you don’t need to overhaul the existing décor. Some of the items in your home can be used to create a new look for your space. Therefore, try to turn the décor items in your home into new, great-looking treasures. For instance, you can paint your old hand-me-down dresser to make it a great fit for the new home style without spending a lot of your money.

Decide on What to Remove

Before you decide on what to buy and what to leave out for a later date, consider the items in your home carefully. Decide on what to keep and what needs to go. Some damaged, worn, and dated items might be doing a disservice to your living space. If you consider such items non-essentials, remove them to provide a clean slate to your home. For instance, vertical blinds are some of the major offenders for those decorating rental apartments. If you’ve been keeping college posters, you might want to get rid of them as well.

Go Neutral

If you decide to invest in classic pieces, choose neutral colors. This will give your furniture a diverse and long life. Neutral items are easy to move from one room to another. And, you can switch cushions, accessories, lamps, art, and throw rugs to transform them in case your taste changes. When you choose versatile items that have neutral finishes and colors, you spend more on them once instead of after every few years.

Light Up Your Space

Don’t be caught up in the ‘mood’ lighting to come up with an ambiance. That’s because a dark space can strain the eyes. It might also not be popular with guests or family members. Therefore, choose proper lighting and colors for different parts of your home. Some lighting fixtures are affordable and ideal for budget-friendly home décor.

Follow these budget-friendly home décor tips to transform the feel and look of your home without breaking the bank. 

A Clean House Is A Healthy House

Keeping a house clean does more than just making it look great and feel comfortable. It also has many health benefits for the occupants. Therefore, even if keeping a house clean can be time-consuming and difficult sometimes, it’s a crucial and the right thing to do.

Whether you clean the house yourself or hire professionals for the job, make sure that your house is clean. We took some advice from a Lethbridge house cleaning company, here are some of the reasons they shared with us on why maintaining a clean house makes a healthier house.

A Clean House Reduces Asthma and Allergies Symptoms

Some homes are full of dust and allergens. Those with allergies know this better. When a house is kept clean, irritants like dust mites, pet dander, and mold are kept at bay. These irritants can worsen the symptoms of asthma and allergy. If a house is not cleaned regularly, these irritants accumulate over time. And, this lowers the quality of the air that house occupants breathe. Eventually, their presence can lead to allergic reactions even for people that have not experienced allergies in the past. In addition to regular vacuuming and dusting, a house should also be kept clutter-free because the presence of more things in a home makes cleaning everything difficult.

Low Germs Level

One of the places where most germs are found in a home is the kitchen. That’s because the kitchen has many crevices and cracks that hold water. These create a perfect environment for germs to develop. Additionally, food splatters or remains create an ideal condition for germs to thrive. Therefore, ensure that you clean your house, especially the kitchen, and disinfect it regularly. Surfaces and all the dishes should be cleaned to prevent the growth of germs and possible food poisoning. Additionally, the bathroom shouldn’t be neglected because it can be the major source of germs. Therefore, clean and disinfect it regularly too.

Keeping Pests and Rodents Away

An untidy, dirty, and messy house is a perfect place for rodents, bugs, cockroaches, and ants to live and reproduce. On the other hand, a clutter-free and clean house is not ideal for pests and rodents. Food spills, food remains, and dirty pet bowls are some of the things that attract most pests and rodents. And, in addition to being a nuisance and a menace, pests and rodents can be serious disease carriers. They spread bacteria and germs. As such, a messy and dirty house can be a health hazard. All that is required to spread bacteria, germs, and diseases to humans are creepy crawlers and pests that are attracted to dirt.

A Clean House is Safer

Spills and clutter are health hazards because they can make a family member slip, fall, and sustain serious injuries. And, in the event of a fire outbreak, a cluttered house is more dangerous. That’s because some of the clutter can block the exit or make the fire spread faster. A clean house is healthy, nice-looking, and comfortable to live in. therefore, get the vacuum and start cleaning your house. Alternatively, enlist a reliable house cleaning service regularly to keep your living space tidy and neat.

Holiday Decoration Ideas – Christmas Lights

Everyone eagerly awaits the holiday season, as the festivities are full of celebrations, gifts and having a good time with family and friends. From reindeer riding in the snow to kids eager to open their gifts, this season is full of merriment in every way. The holiday season also calls for beautiful decorations that set the tone for this joyous occasion. With modern holiday decor, you should consider color combinations other than the traditional ones.

You can also use a little creativity to enjoy a dark and fun Halloween. Opt for gothic decorations in unusual colors and materials, instead of using black, opt for reds and purples, and include velvets in the decorations for a rich look. Place silver candles in sleek and stylish candle holders, and include shiny objects like baubles and mirrors in the decoration and place it near the main entrance. Let the dark ambience and shiny colors dominate your Halloween theme this season.

To opt for an all contemporary look this Christmas, mix in colors like tangerines, pinks and blues for a distinctive look that is sure to grab your guests’ attention. An ideal modern holiday decor idea is a beautiful wreath made of vintage sheet music, old books and gift wraps. These wreaths look unique and attractive as well. Bring home a white Christmas tree with a hint of green to represent a Christmas tree covered in snow for an authentic effect. Decorate the tree with crystal or glass balls in different colors and add unique objects like hand-carved and painted figurines or accessories with a modern twist. Christmas is incomplete without an appropriate Christmas stocking that goes with your majestic Christmas tree. Christmas stockings can not only be used as embellishments on the Christmas tree, but will also serve as a home decor accessory or even as a toy for children. Modern Christmas stockings are a perfect complement with modern holiday decor. While small stockings can be used to dress up a Christmas tree, big ones can be hung outside the door for a decorative look. Opt for modern Christmas stockings made from wool suiting and fabric scrap, or felt and velvet for a comfy feel. Embroidered and sequined stockings look decorative and add a sparkle to the decoration. With the help of modern looking stockings and other modern holiday decorations like installing some beautiful Christmas lights, decorate your home in style this holiday season.

Benefits of Hiring A Painting Company

Paint is one of the easiest ways for homeowners to spruce up their home. A splash of color can make a huge difference in any room. Painting is one of the most time-consuming projects as well. Many homeowners decide against the hassle of doing it themselves and hire a painting company to paint for them. Here are some important questions to ask before deciding on one.

What References Do You Have?

All businesses are successful because of their customers. And, all of the fancy advertising in the world will not bring in more customers if the company doesn’t do good work. Word of mouth is the oldest form of advertising for any business. Many times, Americans will talk to their friends and family when they start looking for a painting company. In the new technology era, there are great websites for homeowners to read reviews about many different companies. Depending on the sites, these reviews will be honest, unbiased accounts of the work performed. Some painting companies may even have a website with reviews, but often times these are handpicked to reflect a more positive view of the company.

How Long Have You Been in Business?

Bad businesses do not tend to stay around for very long. If the company is not professional and customer friendly, previous clients will stop referring them to their friends and family. Worse, if the painting company is less than honest, the police may decide how long they stay in business. Most often, the companies that have been around awhile are a safe bet. They treat their clients right and do not use shady tactics to get more money.

Are You Licensed and Insured?

Depending on the locality, painters need to be licensed by the government to perform work. While some areas do not require licensing, some require the business to register in order to collect business fees and taxes. Others require the license to ensure good business practices are being followed and to track performance. All painting companies, though, should have insurance. They should have workers compensation insurance to cover any accidents to their workers and liability insurance to cover any damages or even theft that may be caused by their crew.

How Is the Contract Structured?

The contract is the most important part of the deal. It should list in detailed fashion all the work to be performed. This should include a detailed list of what work is to be performed by the painting company and at what points in the project payment is due. Due dates should not be specific dates, but a list of milestones. It should also include a detailed list of materials and who will be performing the work. Some painting companies will use their own employees while others may contract out to a third party. The most important thing for homeowners to consider when hiring a professional painter is how they treat people. Early in the process of interviewing different companies, the ones that take the time to explain things are usually the best.

Article submission by St. John’s Painters

How to Spice Up your Backyard with new Furniture & Decor

For most homeowners, the backyard is a place to gather with friends and family to relax. They might have a deck, patio or an open grassy area with some sun and some shade. Create a place where people can sit and relax. Choose a theme, coordinating colors and materials. Choose comfortable yet sturdy furniture that can handle inclement weather. There are many different styles of chairs that can be used with outdoor furniture and other elements to create a relaxing atmosphere. Consider how many people will gather and what types of activities they might like to do in the backyard space.

-Loungers

Lounge chairs are versatile for sitting upright or for sitting back and stretching out the legs. Loungers can also lie flat for sunbathers or nappers enjoying warm weather. These are especially popular poolside, but are versatile enough for nearly any deck, patio or grass area.

-Benches

For a more formal atmosphere, such as a garden or a gazebo, use benches that seat two or more people. They come with and without backs and arms, depending on personal preference. Backyard furniture comes in a variety of materials, and benches are no exception. Consider wrought iron, resin or aluminum for sturdy seating.

-Wheels

For a more versatile seating arrangement, choose seating and lounges with wheels. They roll best on a flat surface and allow guests to move closer to their friends or add another person to the social circle. Wheeled lounge chairs are convenient for sunbathers who want to rotate which direction they’re facing for optimal tanning as the sun moves across the sky.

-Chairs

When choosing what type of chairs to buy, consider whether they should have arms or not. When paired with a table, use chairs with or without arms. For casual group seating on the grass or patio without a table, however, armrests will offer support for the guests’ elbows and forearms. Use coordinating tables beside the chairs in group seating for guests to set down food and beverages. Another option is cushioned seating. Decide how comfortable the chairs are without cushions. They may be added to encourage people to sit for a while or to match the rest of the outdoor decor. Chairs with separate cushions allow the updating of the patio set by replacing just the cushions.

-Rockers

For the ultimate in relaxation, count on the rocker. The gentle motion creates a calming atmosphere. Rockers typically come in single or double seating. Wood, resin and other outdoor materials are easy to clean and come in a variety of colors. Most styles have high backs to encourage the people using them to sit back and relax as they rock. When choosing outdoor seating, use backyard furniture that fits the space and adds to the relaxing atmosphere. Seats should match the decor and coordinate with the theme and color scheme. Choose pieces based on location and activities to create the best use of outdoor furniture.

Must Have Lawn Improvement Equipment & Supplies

Many homeowners often wonder if they can take care of their lawn on their own, but it can be difficult if you do not have the time nor the proper resources to get it done. In that case, hiring professional lawn care services in Hollister, MO might be your best option. Through their expertise, they will be able to do the work for you and get your lawn on the right path quickly and efficiently. There are various reasons as to why lawn care services are needed to be done with enough skill due to deal with chemicals risks to children or pets, or simply for a cleaner and more beautiful environment. There are many benefits as to why you should hire professional lawn care services in Hollister, MO. Here are a few reasons that will convince you to leave all the work in the hands of professionals.

  1. Saves Time: If you wish to do the job on your own, you will end up spending many hours planning and researching on what you need to do for your lawn. You will also have to invest in fertilizer, seeds, equipment, and more. Lastly, you will have to commit in mowing and maintaining your lawn. On the other hand, professionals can save you time since they are trained and prepared to do the job. This will give you the time of day to invest in yourself and other important tasks.
  2. They Care: Professionals care for their customers and the work they will be doing for them. For this reason, they will sit down with you and listen to your needs, answer your questions, and offer you advice. After all, you are paying for quality services and they are relied on for their lawn care services which is very important to the health.
  3. Expertise: Professionals are trained to do the job and have become experts over the years of their experience. Since they have the expertise to do your lawn, it can give you a peace of mind knowing that your lawn is in good hands. With their knowledge in all areas of lawn care, they can identify, diagnose, and treat your lawn accordingly. Plus, they will be able to get the job done properly the first time.
  4. Consistency: You can count on the treatments that are needed to be done each time you hire them. Most companies that offer lawn services maintain a specific standard and their team of professionals make sure to provide the best of services each time.
  5. Reduced Cost: Homeowners often think that they will end up saving money by taking care of their lawn on their own, but it will actually be more expensive to do so. This is an inconvenience because they will have to spend on certain products, tools, and even heavy equipment specifically for the job. It is also a hit or miss when it comes to lawn care and if it is not done the right way, it will cost even more money getting the area cleaned and fixed. On the other hand, professionals will already have top notch equipment and other supplies that are standard for lawn care service companies.
  6. Trees and Shrubs: Trees and shrubs can be very deceiving since one day they will look healthy, while the next day they might fall off. Depending on the problem whether it is a disease or even insects, a good treatment program will be the best way to prevent your lawn from decaying. Professionals can help monitor the greenery in order to protect the landscape as well as the investment of your home.
  7. Liability: A good lawn care service will be licensed, bonded, and insured which means that you will not have to worry about any liabilities. If the job is done incorrectly, then these chemicals will have a dangerous affect to the environment. You will not have to do the job on your own, but instead let the professionals handle these chemicals that are simply not allowed for most consumers who are not entitled for the job.