Tag: bedroom

Best Tips to Remove Carpet Stains

The right carpet can really tie a room together by adding both comfort and style. It can also add some extra cleaning work. Pets, kids, and normal wear and tear dirty up your carpet and turn it from “chic” to “ick.” Luckily, there are some easy remedies to salvage your stylish carpet and prolong its lifespan. Stains in All Shapes and Sizes Anything from mud to Merlot can cause you to stress about having a giant spot on your carpet forever. A few of the most common stains are: General Rules to Remember When it comes to what you spill, each substance has special instructions. How you clean up muddy pet prints will differ from ground-in gum. That said, there are a few generic tips you can apply to any stain. First, you’ll want to start from the outside and work your way in. Removing the excess will make the spot easier to work with. Next, you’ll want to incorporate some sort of cleaner whether it be club soda, a vinegar solution, or store-bought chemicals. Lastly, remember to blot, not wipe. You’ll keep from driving the spill deeper and leaving an unsightly stain. Cleaning Drinks and Other Liquids As soon

Read More »

Wallpaper Sticking Around Home Design in 2021

If you’re looking for a way to brighten up that bare wallspace, fresh wallpaper could be what you need! While wallpaper has seemingly faded since its heyday, new styles have breathed life back into the design trend. Homeowners are customizing wall coverings to give a throwback feel with a modern twist. The History of Wallpaper Wallpaper first became popular at the very beginning of the 20th century. Most houses had plain wooden planks for walls, and wallpaper helped cover any blemishes and add color to rooms. As time wore on, builders began utilizing drywall or other materials, and wallpaper wasn’t as necessary. In fact, you may have removed old wallpaper in your own house at some point. But now wallpaper is being revived with new patterns and an easier application process. It’s even estimated that the resurgence of wallpaper could turn it into a multi-billion dollar industry by 2026. Stick, Don’t Glue It used to be that wallpapering your home was a major decision. You’d better love the pattern you chose because it would likely be there forever–it was notoriously difficult to remove. Not to mention the old glue could rip up existing paint and create an even bigger makeover

Read More »

What to Know About Removing Wood Paneling

Homes of the past can be time capsules of design styles from long ago. From shag carpeting to floral wallpaper, these features can take you back in a house’s history. But you might feel as if your home looks a bit outdated for your liking. Wood paneling is a common style used in homes built from the 1950s through the 1970s whose heyday has certainly come and gone. The good news is that it doesn’t take much to do a quick update! Tools for the Job Removing wood paneling is relatively quick and easy, making it a great weekend project! As you get ready to demo, make sure that you have: You can also get the materials you need to hang drywall to replace the paneling. Depending on how big of an area you’re remodeling, it might be worth it to rent a dumpster so that everything gets disposed of properly. Set Up the Room As with any project, you want to protect the spots you aren’t going to be working on. Before you start ripping off any paneling, lay down plastic sheeting. This will prevent dust from getting everywhere and also catch loose nails. Take off any outlet covers

Read More »

Using Circadian Lighting to Help Your Mental and Physical Health

Natural lighting in your home provides numerous benefits for your well-being. It gives you crucial Vitamin D, helps ward off seasonal affective disorder (SAD), reduces stress, and much more. Natural light also ties in to your sleep schedule and how well you fall and stay asleep. If you aren’t getting enough light in your home, you might be able to artificially substitute it. Circadian Rhythms You may have heard about a circadian rhythm before, but if you haven’t or aren’t quite sure what it is, here’s a quick rundown: A circadian rhythm is essentially your body’s internal clock that carries out different functions during a 24-hour period. The most commonly discussed rhythm is the one that controls your sleep-wake cycle. Your body uses cues such as the intensity of daylight to know when it needs to energize you or when it needs to begin the sleep process. It’s important to maintain a consistent cycle, or else you can experience conditions like insomnia. The production of melatonin, a key “sleep ingredient,” can be hindered if your body’s rhythm becomes disrupted. How Rhythms Get Interrupted Now that you’re more familiar with your circadian rhythms’ various purposes, you need to identify what could

Read More »

Sanitizing Your Home the Correct Way

Spring is just around the corner! Saturday, March 20 marks the spring equinox, and the start of thawing out from winter’s cold grasp. While there’s still time before you have to fully dive into your spring cleaning list, it’s never too early to get a head start. Here’s what you can do to tidy up your home and also fight off germs in 2021. Stay Safe as You Clean Since you’ll be using different cleaners throughout your home, it’s essential that you guard yourself against any harmful chemicals. Wearing the correct protective equipment will keep you safe as you sterilize each room. Some basic items that you should wear and keep stocked in your house are: Remember to properly ventilate your house as you clean as well. Breathing in chemicals for a lengthy period of time can have severe side effects. Carefully follow each product’s instructions as well, and don’t ever mix substances together. When you’ve finished, store your cleaners in a secure place away from children and pets. Rugs, Carpets, Upholstery, and Curtains For softer surfaces, you’ll need to use a certain amount of care and take your time while cleaning to avoid ruining them. Begin by vacuuming off

Read More »

Making A Safe Home for Seniors

Being able to live your life independently becomes more difficult the older you get. Since February is National Senior Independence Month, it’s a good opportunity to think about your long-term safety plan for elderly loved ones. It’s a tough decision to know what steps to take in protecting them at home, but you have a few options to make the best choice for them and you. Stay or Move The biggest question you’ll have to face is determining whether to stay put or relocate. Moving away from a place that holds so many years of memories isn’t easy, and it may complicate your final choice. To maintain a sense of freedom and avoid the dangers that come with living alone, downsizing is a favorable option. Retirement homes or assisted living centers are also popular, and ensure that there’ll be regular supervision of your family member. But you can still make their current dwelling safe without making them feel restricted. Reduce Fall Hazards 27 percent of people 60 and above live alone in the U.S., while almost 25 percent age 65 and up live alone in Canada. However, almost a quarter will experience some type of injury, most likely a fall,

Read More »

Picture Perfect: Hanging Art in Your Home the Easy Way

Your favorite artwork or family pictures can brighten up your home and turn it into your own personal art gallery. However, trying to get the right layout and preventing your walls from getting damaged by nails and hooks can be a hassle. These tips can help you get things right the first time and save your walls. Plan Before Your Hang If you have several pictures that you’d like to hang together, plan out your arrangement before you put it up. Make paper cutouts of your different pieces, and use tape to place them on your wall. Also mark with a pencil or tape on your wall where the center of each frame is so you’ll know where to place the hook or nail. This way you’re free to rearrange and position your art how you’d like, without puncturing your walls unnecessarily. Use Adhesive Strips and Hooks Want to preserve your walls and secure your pictures? Then adhesive hangers are just the tool you need. They’re easy to apply to the back of a frame and quickly stick to wherever you place them. While you can apply them to larger frames, they tend to work the best with lighter ones.

Read More »

10 Ways to Keep Your Calm in 2021

To say that 2020 was a stressful year might be an understatement. According to recent studies, almost a third of Americans and Canadians say they experienced high levels of stress during the year. For a more laid-back 2021, try these home design tips to let go of your worries. 1. Let the light shine in.Dark or dimly-lit spaces in your home can negatively impact your mood. Letting in more sunshine can boost your emotions and help you unwind after a long day. Sunlight is especially important during the shorter days of winter, which can cause Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Plus, Vitamin D is key for your immune system and natural lighting can increase your focus and take the strain off your eyes when reading or looking at screens. 2. Get your green thumb in gear. Whether they’re fresh, dried or even faux, incorporating plants and flowers in your home can have a calming effect. It’s been found that greenery can significantly lower your stress levels. Their leaves also act as a natural humidifier that enhances your indoor air quality. If you don’t have enough sunny spots, there’s lots of plants that will be fine in lower lighting. 3. Better bedding,

Read More »

Transforming Your Unused Room into a Healthy Space

Being active and staying fit are some of the most common life goals people have today. Whether you’re young or old, finding ways to squeeze more exercise into your busy schedule can provide numerous benefits for you. Maintaining an active lifestyle can be difficult for many, but it’s easier when you bring the gym to you! Gyms Aren’t Always the Answer Gym memberships can be expensive, and you might not be getting your money’s worth if you don’t go regularly. In fact, you might not even have a gym near you that fits your needs. If the thought of fighting miles of traffic after work to get to the gym makes your eyes cross, you’ll probably be one of the many people who don’t keep up with their regimen. Put an Unused Room to Use Your house could be the solution for your workout dilemma. More and more people are beginning to realize the benefits of transforming unused space into their own gym. A basement, your garage or even a spare bedroom are all great candidates. You can easily customize these rooms to fit your requirements, and you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on high-end equipment. All it

Read More »

5 Tips for Making the Perfect Remote Learning Space

Back-to-school season is now in full swing, but classrooms look much different than they did last year. As schools across the country adjust to social distancing guidelines, many are moving courses online to help keep students and teachers healthy. While remote schooling means you won’t need to pack lunches or rush your kids out the door in the morning, it does come with its own unique set of challenges. Designing the perfect study spot will help keep students of all ages on task and ready to learn. 1. What space is the best?When you start out designing your new “classroom,” it can be hard to narrow it down to one single spot, especially if you have multiple students at home. Lounging comfy beds all day may seem perfect, but just about anyone might be more inclined to take a nap than to read that next chapter. Natural lighting is good, but it can take willpower not to stare out the window all day. To avoid students constantly moving around and losing focus, make a list of what you need to best replicate their classrooms at school. In the end, after a little trial and error, it’s important that you pick

Read More »

Best Tips to Remove Carpet Stains

The right carpet can really tie a room together by adding both comfort and style. It can also add some extra cleaning work. Pets, kids, and normal wear and tear dirty up your carpet and turn it from “chic” to “ick.” Luckily, there are some easy remedies to salvage your stylish carpet and prolong its lifespan. Stains in All Shapes and Sizes Anything from mud to Merlot can cause you to stress about having a giant spot on your carpet forever. A few of the most common stains are: General Rules to Remember When it comes to what you spill, each substance has special instructions. How you clean up muddy pet prints will differ from ground-in gum. That said, there are a few generic tips you can apply to any stain. First, you’ll want to start from the outside and work your way in. Removing the excess will make the spot easier to work with. Next, you’ll want to incorporate some sort of cleaner whether it be club soda, a vinegar solution, or store-bought chemicals. Lastly, remember to blot, not wipe. You’ll keep from driving the spill deeper and leaving an unsightly stain. Cleaning Drinks and Other Liquids As soon

Read More »

Wallpaper Sticking Around Home Design in 2021

If you’re looking for a way to brighten up that bare wallspace, fresh wallpaper could be what you need! While wallpaper has seemingly faded since its heyday, new styles have breathed life back into the design trend. Homeowners are customizing wall coverings to give a throwback feel with a modern twist. The History of Wallpaper Wallpaper first became popular at the very beginning of the 20th century. Most houses had plain wooden planks for walls, and wallpaper helped cover any blemishes and add color to rooms. As time wore on, builders began utilizing drywall or other materials, and wallpaper wasn’t as necessary. In fact, you may have removed old wallpaper in your own house at some point. But now wallpaper is being revived with new patterns and an easier application process. It’s even estimated that the resurgence of wallpaper could turn it into a multi-billion dollar industry by 2026. Stick, Don’t Glue It used to be that wallpapering your home was a major decision. You’d better love the pattern you chose because it would likely be there forever–it was notoriously difficult to remove. Not to mention the old glue could rip up existing paint and create an even bigger makeover

Read More »

What to Know About Removing Wood Paneling

Homes of the past can be time capsules of design styles from long ago. From shag carpeting to floral wallpaper, these features can take you back in a house’s history. But you might feel as if your home looks a bit outdated for your liking. Wood paneling is a common style used in homes built from the 1950s through the 1970s whose heyday has certainly come and gone. The good news is that it doesn’t take much to do a quick update! Tools for the Job Removing wood paneling is relatively quick and easy, making it a great weekend project! As you get ready to demo, make sure that you have: You can also get the materials you need to hang drywall to replace the paneling. Depending on how big of an area you’re remodeling, it might be worth it to rent a dumpster so that everything gets disposed of properly. Set Up the Room As with any project, you want to protect the spots you aren’t going to be working on. Before you start ripping off any paneling, lay down plastic sheeting. This will prevent dust from getting everywhere and also catch loose nails. Take off any outlet covers

Read More »

Using Circadian Lighting to Help Your Mental and Physical Health

Natural lighting in your home provides numerous benefits for your well-being. It gives you crucial Vitamin D, helps ward off seasonal affective disorder (SAD), reduces stress, and much more. Natural light also ties in to your sleep schedule and how well you fall and stay asleep. If you aren’t getting enough light in your home, you might be able to artificially substitute it. Circadian Rhythms You may have heard about a circadian rhythm before, but if you haven’t or aren’t quite sure what it is, here’s a quick rundown: A circadian rhythm is essentially your body’s internal clock that carries out different functions during a 24-hour period. The most commonly discussed rhythm is the one that controls your sleep-wake cycle. Your body uses cues such as the intensity of daylight to know when it needs to energize you or when it needs to begin the sleep process. It’s important to maintain a consistent cycle, or else you can experience conditions like insomnia. The production of melatonin, a key “sleep ingredient,” can be hindered if your body’s rhythm becomes disrupted. How Rhythms Get Interrupted Now that you’re more familiar with your circadian rhythms’ various purposes, you need to identify what could

Read More »

Sanitizing Your Home the Correct Way

Spring is just around the corner! Saturday, March 20 marks the spring equinox, and the start of thawing out from winter’s cold grasp. While there’s still time before you have to fully dive into your spring cleaning list, it’s never too early to get a head start. Here’s what you can do to tidy up your home and also fight off germs in 2021. Stay Safe as You Clean Since you’ll be using different cleaners throughout your home, it’s essential that you guard yourself against any harmful chemicals. Wearing the correct protective equipment will keep you safe as you sterilize each room. Some basic items that you should wear and keep stocked in your house are: Remember to properly ventilate your house as you clean as well. Breathing in chemicals for a lengthy period of time can have severe side effects. Carefully follow each product’s instructions as well, and don’t ever mix substances together. When you’ve finished, store your cleaners in a secure place away from children and pets. Rugs, Carpets, Upholstery, and Curtains For softer surfaces, you’ll need to use a certain amount of care and take your time while cleaning to avoid ruining them. Begin by vacuuming off

Read More »

Making A Safe Home for Seniors

Being able to live your life independently becomes more difficult the older you get. Since February is National Senior Independence Month, it’s a good opportunity to think about your long-term safety plan for elderly loved ones. It’s a tough decision to know what steps to take in protecting them at home, but you have a few options to make the best choice for them and you. Stay or Move The biggest question you’ll have to face is determining whether to stay put or relocate. Moving away from a place that holds so many years of memories isn’t easy, and it may complicate your final choice. To maintain a sense of freedom and avoid the dangers that come with living alone, downsizing is a favorable option. Retirement homes or assisted living centers are also popular, and ensure that there’ll be regular supervision of your family member. But you can still make their current dwelling safe without making them feel restricted. Reduce Fall Hazards 27 percent of people 60 and above live alone in the U.S., while almost 25 percent age 65 and up live alone in Canada. However, almost a quarter will experience some type of injury, most likely a fall,

Read More »

Picture Perfect: Hanging Art in Your Home the Easy Way

Your favorite artwork or family pictures can brighten up your home and turn it into your own personal art gallery. However, trying to get the right layout and preventing your walls from getting damaged by nails and hooks can be a hassle. These tips can help you get things right the first time and save your walls. Plan Before Your Hang If you have several pictures that you’d like to hang together, plan out your arrangement before you put it up. Make paper cutouts of your different pieces, and use tape to place them on your wall. Also mark with a pencil or tape on your wall where the center of each frame is so you’ll know where to place the hook or nail. This way you’re free to rearrange and position your art how you’d like, without puncturing your walls unnecessarily. Use Adhesive Strips and Hooks Want to preserve your walls and secure your pictures? Then adhesive hangers are just the tool you need. They’re easy to apply to the back of a frame and quickly stick to wherever you place them. While you can apply them to larger frames, they tend to work the best with lighter ones.

Read More »

10 Ways to Keep Your Calm in 2021

To say that 2020 was a stressful year might be an understatement. According to recent studies, almost a third of Americans and Canadians say they experienced high levels of stress during the year. For a more laid-back 2021, try these home design tips to let go of your worries. 1. Let the light shine in.Dark or dimly-lit spaces in your home can negatively impact your mood. Letting in more sunshine can boost your emotions and help you unwind after a long day. Sunlight is especially important during the shorter days of winter, which can cause Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Plus, Vitamin D is key for your immune system and natural lighting can increase your focus and take the strain off your eyes when reading or looking at screens. 2. Get your green thumb in gear. Whether they’re fresh, dried or even faux, incorporating plants and flowers in your home can have a calming effect. It’s been found that greenery can significantly lower your stress levels. Their leaves also act as a natural humidifier that enhances your indoor air quality. If you don’t have enough sunny spots, there’s lots of plants that will be fine in lower lighting. 3. Better bedding,

Read More »

Transforming Your Unused Room into a Healthy Space

Being active and staying fit are some of the most common life goals people have today. Whether you’re young or old, finding ways to squeeze more exercise into your busy schedule can provide numerous benefits for you. Maintaining an active lifestyle can be difficult for many, but it’s easier when you bring the gym to you! Gyms Aren’t Always the Answer Gym memberships can be expensive, and you might not be getting your money’s worth if you don’t go regularly. In fact, you might not even have a gym near you that fits your needs. If the thought of fighting miles of traffic after work to get to the gym makes your eyes cross, you’ll probably be one of the many people who don’t keep up with their regimen. Put an Unused Room to Use Your house could be the solution for your workout dilemma. More and more people are beginning to realize the benefits of transforming unused space into their own gym. A basement, your garage or even a spare bedroom are all great candidates. You can easily customize these rooms to fit your requirements, and you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on high-end equipment. All it

Read More »

5 Tips for Making the Perfect Remote Learning Space

Back-to-school season is now in full swing, but classrooms look much different than they did last year. As schools across the country adjust to social distancing guidelines, many are moving courses online to help keep students and teachers healthy. While remote schooling means you won’t need to pack lunches or rush your kids out the door in the morning, it does come with its own unique set of challenges. Designing the perfect study spot will help keep students of all ages on task and ready to learn. 1. What space is the best?When you start out designing your new “classroom,” it can be hard to narrow it down to one single spot, especially if you have multiple students at home. Lounging comfy beds all day may seem perfect, but just about anyone might be more inclined to take a nap than to read that next chapter. Natural lighting is good, but it can take willpower not to stare out the window all day. To avoid students constantly moving around and losing focus, make a list of what you need to best replicate their classrooms at school. In the end, after a little trial and error, it’s important that you pick

Read More »