Tag: organization

5 Traits That Make The Perfect Home Office

March 27, 2023

A major benefit from the recent changes to the modern workplace has been the newfound flexibility in where people can do their work. Whether that means spending time at the office or remoting in from a coffee shop across the country, learning how to maximize productivity while capitalizing on opportunities this freedom affords has been an ongoing process for employers and workers alike. Home offices are coming back into style in a big way, as remote or hybrid workers have searched for ways to increase their at-home productivity. If you are looking to adapt a room in your home to improve your remote working conditions or you’re interested in a revamp of your current workspace, here are a few traits that will make your home office first-class! 1. Select the Right SpaceThe first and most important aspect you must consider when setting up your home office is the location. Homes are full of distractions, especially if there are kids running around. Ideally, locate an area that is separated from the majority of natural traffic and noise so that you have the opportunity to focus on your work. Additionally, do what you can to separate yourself from home leisure items as

How to DIY a Built-In Bookshelf

March 14, 2022

Have you been wondering about what to do with that stack of novels? A built-in bookshelf may just be your solution! It can provide you with a place to store your books out of the way and make them easier to grab. You’ll also have a great conversation piece for your next get together. Tools You’ll Need You may find yourself needing some additional materials if you want a more elaborate shelving style, but in general, here’s what you’ll need: If you buy your boards pre-cut, you may not need the saws, and of course you can always use a hammer in lieu of a nail gun. Measure Your Project Measuring is always the most important first step before you start sawing and nailing away at your project. With either some tape or a carpenter’s pencil, mark an outline of the area you’ll be building in. Measure away from any moulding so you don’t miscalculate and end up having to start all over. You’ll have to remove moulding or baseboards that are in the way, so keep that in mind when choosing a location for your bookshelf. Mark Out Your Supports To make your bookshelf a “built-in” you need to

Easy Decor Tips to “Grow” a Small Room

February 14, 2022

Decorating your home can sometimes require a bit of a magic touch. For those smaller spaces, you may need a bit more magic than normal. Here are some tricks to make that otherwise cramped part of your home grow big! Go with one color scheme. Picking the right paint combination for your room makes all the difference. When deciding, try to avoid using multiple colors of varying shades. Instead, just stick with two colors of stark contrast like white and a dark blue. The difference in hues will create better depth and give the illusion that the room has more space. Also try to avoid using different patterns and wallpapers, as they have the opposite effect and make it seem smaller. Limit the amount of clutter. The key to making a room seem like it has a lot of space is to actually keep the floor open. Having multiple pieces of large furniture or even a lot of smaller pieces quickly clutters things up. Try to keep your design simple and only use one or two larger items and a handful of smaller accent pieces. You’ll also need to get creative with your storage space. Using built-in hidden cabinets and

7 Interesting Things Found in Old Homes

May 10, 2021

Older homes are full of one-of-a-kind features you won’t find in today’s new builds. Maybe your home’s retro elements are even why you chose to purchase it in the first place! Below are a few of our favorites, some rarer than others. Do you still have any of them around your house? 1. Conversation PitsGaining popularity in the 1950s and holding strong until the 1970s, the conversation pit is easy to recognize. Often found in the living room, pits were intended to get people talking–perhaps inexplicably, in a sunken nook a few steps below the regular floor. While it seemed like a cozy idea, conversation pits faced harsh criticism, mainly for the fact that they’re a falling hazard. Yet, some modern designers are reviving pits for the current homeowner. 2. Phone NooksBack when phones didn’t fit in your pocket, you’d need a central, out-of-the-way place to put them. Enter the phone nook or “niche,” as it’s sometimes called. This little cutout in the wall served as a hideaway for that otherwise bulky landline. If you don’t want that awkward blank opening, try converting it instead of covering it up. A few plants, some photos, or your favorite books can make

Picture Perfect: Hanging Art in Your Home the Easy Way

January 18, 2021

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.

Tips to Update and Accident-Proof Your Home Workspace

January 11, 2021

Sunday marked the start of Home Office Safety and Security week, an annual awareness event that takes place the second full week of January. With everything that’s happened in 2020, it’s no surprise that almost 30% of people are expected to continue working from home this year. If you fall into this category, then use this week to organize your workspace for safety and efficiency. Corral Your Cords Charging cords, cables and other loose wires don’t just make things look messy, they also pose a tripping hazard as you walk around. Not only can you end up flat on your back, you run the risk of pulling your expensive equipment down with you. Wrap up and secure your runaway cables with zip ties and tape to keep them in place and out of the way. You won’t have to perform a balancing act when moving through your office during the day and you’ll keep your electronics protected. File It Away Your remote station might not be as big as the one at your office, which can cause things to pile up. If you have the budget for it, invest in a filing cabinet or other storage system to organize your

10 Ways to Keep Your Calm in 2021

December 28, 2020

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,

Top 5 Christmas Catastrophes and How to Avoid Them

December 14, 2020

Christmas Day is fast approaching, which means now’s the time to get those last few decorations in place. It’s easy to get into a frenzy and rush around, but don’t disregard your own safety to put on a Yuletide spectacle. Here’s how you can avoid injuring yourself and still put together the perfect setup for Saint Nicholas. Don’t string yourself out with the lights. If you’ve ever seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, then you’ve witnessed exactly what NOT to do when hanging your lights. Clark Griswold finds himself in a comedy of errors by stapling his shirt to the siding, not securing his ladder properly and of course trying to accomplish his master design by himself. Nearly 6,000 people are injured during the holiday season each year due to falling off of a ladder. To keep you and your home protected, remember to: NPI’s Decorating Tip: You don’t have to knock out your town’s power like Clark for an eye-catching presentation. Sometimes a simple, thoughtful layout is all you need. Make sure your tree won’t come crashing down. Whether you have an artificial tree or one straight from the forest, it’s important to keep it from tipping over onto someone.

Transforming Your Unused Room into a Healthy Space

September 28, 2020

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

5 Tips for Making the Perfect Remote Learning Space

September 14, 2020

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