Author

Lana Hawkins

Bio: Lana is a student of Architecture and a food lover from Sydney, Australia. She loves writing about interiors, but her specialty is landscape design. She enjoys playing in kitchen and cooking for her friends and family, spending time in nature and learning about other cultures by travelling.

The kitchen is the heart of your home. In many ways, it’s the most essential room in the house. It’s where family and guests gather and where you can find inspiration for some incredible gastronomical creations. 

If you’re considering a kitchen makeover, you might find yourself overwhelmed thinking about where to start. There are so many elements that make up this space. You want the design to be attractive, comfortable, and practical. 

While you might want to reface the entire kitchen completely, that can be hard to do on a budget. There are four main things that you should consider when you’re renovating. Prioritize these, and your renovation will feel complete.

Cabinets

The cabinets are the first thing that anyone will notice when they walk into your kitchen. If these are outdated, it’s best to focus on refacing before you do anything else.

Consider the color and light. When you walk into the room, do you feel like it’s gloomy or cluttered? If so, brighten up the whole space. An easy way to do this is to paint your cabinets to reflect the natural light. 

Some people prefer not to have a lot of white in the kitchen since fingerprints and splashing sauce can easily stain it. If that’s you, then you might want to think about solid wood kitchen cabinets. These will add a classic and cozy aesthetic. 

The Countertops

Countertops are another crucial feature of the kitchen. When you’re renovating, you want to make sure that you invest in counters that are nice to look at and functional. Some materials are more durable and more comfortable to clean than others. 

Luckily, many countertop options are elegant and resistant to stains and scratches. Marble is one of these materials that are not only trendy but also great if you use a lot of sharp knives directly on the counter. 

The color and pattern are crucial. While granite countertops were very popular during the past few decades, many people are moving away from these today. This is because dark models tend to hide messes so well that it makes it hard to clean properly. 

If you have an island in your kitchen, you can switch up the look of the whole space by choosing a different top for it. This will add some pizazz to the room. If you get tired of the funky countertop on the island, it’ll be much easier to replace than all of the counter space. 

The Floors

The kitchen floor is a major statement. The materials you use under your feet will affect every other element of the design. In addition to focusing on its aesthetics, you want to ensure that it’s durable. 

According to HGTV, stone or tile is the best option for dense traffic areas in your kitchen. They’re durable and come in a variety of colors so you can play with the design. 

One of today’s kitchen trends is to have wood flooring to add a warm look. The prefinished wooden floors are resistant to water stains and hold up in heavy traffic. 

If you’re remodeling on a budget, vinyl or resilient floors are also excellent options. They cost less and come in a variety of styles. 

A Statement Sink

Believe it or not, the sink plays one of the most critical roles in your kitchen. It’s where you clean your produce, dishes, and your hands, but it also needs to look great. Choosing the right sink can make the whole difference in the look of your newly renovated kitchen. 

You want to choose a sink that has a high arc so that you can fill it up with water and clean big pots and pans. You also want to decide whether you would like a sprayer or if you prefer to have a faucet that pulls down. 

Another consideration is whether or not you want to invest in a smart faucet. This type of appliance can be a lifesaver when you’ve got dirty hands. It’s super hygienic and sustainable. 

Wrapping Up

When you’re renovating your kitchen, these four elements are the first things that you should have on your to-do list. Replacing counters, cabinets, sinks, and floors can completely reshape the look and feel of the most important room in your home.

Up until recently, in interior design, monochromatic designs, clear lines and minimalism used to reign supreme. However, the days of minimalistic Scandi design, crisp white color palette and monochromatic interiors seem to be over. 

It is now time for a new kid on the block – Kindercore. The ground principles of this interior design can be summed up in one sentence – where minimalism used to hold back, Kindercore goes all in. This emerging trendy movement embraces primary colors and is centered around creating interiors that are vibrant, carefree and almost childlike – hence the name. So, let’s see what some of the basic principles of this latest interior design trend are. 

Kindercore

Simplicity

Although quite simple in its design, Kindercore should not be mistaken for anything minimalist. Even though the shapes commonly featured in this design are quite simple and almost Lego-like, this is not a juvenile interior design trend by any means. Instead, one of the main things this trend is trying to achieve is to create a beautifully-designed, carefree environment that promotes happiness and good vibes. Color blocking and brightly-colored geometrical shapes are the staples that make this design truly pop. 

yellow sofa

Colors

As mentioned earlier, the most commonly used colors in the Kindercore trend revolve mostly around primary colors. However, it is important to note that this doesn’t mean you should paint your entire house top-to-bottom in these hues. Instead, if you are looking to implement this trendy design into your home, it would be best to do so in areas that feature quite a neutral design. To add some Kindercore into your home, look for chubby furniture pieces in some of your favorite primary colors. Additionally, Pantone’s spring/summer color palette can also serve as a great inspiration. By investing in just a few statement pieces you will be able to lighten the mood in your interior.

colorful chairs

Statement Pieces

Kindercore furniture is quite unique in its design so it comes as a no surprise that people choose to implement it as a sort of a statement in their interiors. Rounded edges, bold colors and unique designs are the things that make these furniture pieces stand out so much. Any interior space can easily be completely transformed by implementing just a couple of well-picked accent pieces. So, look for a uniquely-shaped coffee table in Crayola red or opt for a low-back armchair that not only looks stunning but offers the right kind of support as well. 

chubby furniture

Chubby Furniture

You also might be wondering what exactly is chubby furniture. Well, it is safe to say that if there were a furniture spectrum, this type of furniture would be on the opposite side of the clean-lined mid-century furniture pieces. Curved lines and thick sides make this type of furniture just enough juvenile to fit into the adult living space, without coming off as too childlike. These pieces are also generally unbelievably comfortable, which not only makes them a cool aesthetic choice but also a practical one. 

bright colorful wall

Why Kindercore?

In the end, you still might be wondering why Kindercore became so popular. The simple reason is that people just got somewhat tired of the spaces that looked too impersonal and stern and wanted to bring some color back into their lives. By creating an interior that totally follows the “Lego – but make it fashionable” vibe, you will be left with quite an inspiring interior that fosters good vibes, creativity, and cosines. If you take all of that into account, the popularity of this trend becomes quite obvious. 

There is something to be said about the fact that, once we reach a certain age, we tend to embrace once more the things that used to make us happy when we kids. These neotenic shapes and forms with their soft and inviting designs tend to drive quite a positive emotional response which makes them the perfect choice for our interiors. Wouldn’t it be nice to – at the end of a crazy day – come home to this childlike, inviting interior and allow it to instantly lift your spirits?

A lot of interior decor tips focus on simplicity and minimalism, which is always a safe bet that will make your space look clean and neutral. But, if you’re looking to spice things up a bit, there are ways to make that happen that will also add a lot of charm to your living room. For example, combining different patterns might sound strange and unacceptable to some, but is actually a quite fun and interesting way to make your living room come to life. For that reason, here are some helpful tips that will help you combine different patterns in your living room.

If you don’t know where to start, use a neutral base

living room with grey, black and white furniture

For those who are unsure or a bit afraid to try something new, then you can use neutral wall and floor colours as a starting point. After that, you can use a colourful area rug or sofa cushions as patterned decor elements, and for some extra character, feel free to combine different patterns. Matching neutral tones with patterns will add a balance to your space, which can be great if you’re the type who likes to be surrounded by the best of both worlds.

Don’t be afraid to add some bright colours

living room with colorful rug and colorful decorative pillows

Colours can truly transform your home, especially if you do like bright tones such as aquamarine blue or mustard yellow. Still, it’s important to keep the balance, because too many colours can create confusion and anxiety. In case you love patterns, you can always incorporate some zebra and cheetah prints. For example, you can get a turquoise sofa and add leopard print cushions, but make sure to pay attention to the balance, so adding some monochromatic tones to keep things in check. 

Use nature as a source of inspiration

modern living room

Aside from animal prints, there are some other, equally interesting ways, to use nature as your main source of inspiration. Floral prints can make a wonderful wallpaper, and they can also be used on one or two walls only, which can be a great addition to your living room without actually making your room stuffy and confusing. Aside from floral motifs, you can also opt for birds, leaves or stone elements. Combining various nature-inspired themes can make your living room come to life, and if you’re an outdoorsy type who likes hikes in nature, then these types of decor patterns are the perfect choice for you. 

Organize together patterns that have similar styles

living room with blue and grey furniture and decoration

Grouping similar patterns together will bring a certain element of cohesiveness to your place, and this is also a wonderful starting point if you’re new to this type of home decor. Additionally, it’s essential to point out that traditional patterns such as floral and plaid go well with other traditional patterns like damask. On the other hand, more modern and minimalist prints, such as chevron will go better with those that are similar in nature. Of course, you can mix and match traditional and modern patterns, but make sure to be careful not to go too far, especially if you’re new to experimenting with colorful and bold details.

Don’t be scared to break the rules

modern colorful living room and dining room

Being consistent with certain hues and keeping the balance is great, but if you feel like you can pull off something a bit more wild, don’t hesitate to make it happen, because sometimes seemingly incompatible elements can make for a unique and inspiring home decor solution. After all, you’re the one who makes all the decisions, so don’t be discouraged if you know that it will work well in your own space. 

Different patterns can make your living room quite interesting and stunning, but still, don’t go overboard mainly if you don’t have enough experience to keep things balanced. It is easy to get swayed by different patterns and colours, so it’s always advisable to add some neutral tones to make everything proportional and tasteful.

Christmas is around the corner, which means it’s time to start organizing celebrations, meals, gifts and, of course, our homes. Decorating your space to mirror the festive atmosphere is one of the best aspects of Christmas, especially if you can share the decorating duties with your loved ones. There’s nothing more fairytale-like than bringing magic into your home during the holidays season, so as a result, here are some helpful tips that will help you decorate your place and feel great this Christmas:

Feel free to go overboard 

Golden, silver, sequins and all things shiny are the perfect Christmas decoration, so if you truly want to make your apartment pop, then feel free to go overboard this year. Add as many decorations as you like, if that makes you feel happy. If you want a Christmas tree in every room, then make it happen, because your home should be your own little haven, and you should be able to decorate it as you wish.

Fairy-tale Christmas: Tips For Bringing Magic Into Your Apartment

Play with different colors and shapes

If you prefer whimsy details and colorful atmosphere, then you can get out of your comfort zone and incorporate slightly different details such as pink, purple and blue small Christmas trees that you can place on the window sill or a bookshelf. Utilizing your shelves is a great way to get some extra room, so feel free to use them to hang garlands of lights or to proudly display your Christmas cards.  Aside from that, fun new patterns, pastel-colored bunts, crochet, and embroidery textures are all interesting alternatives to traditional Christmas decorations.

Don’t be afraid to go minimalist

Just because you prefer minimalism, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t indulge yourself with decorating your home this year. Adding one big Christmas tree with fairy lights and string paper wrapping is a great solution for those who live in a tiny apartment or live on a restricted budget. For some extra flair, you can add a few simple candles or metallic green and silver bunt over your door, because chances are, your place will look wonderful with a bit of monochromatic festive decoration.

Fairy-tale Christmas: Tips For Bringing Magic Into Your Apartment

Use fairytales as a source of inspiration

Fairytales are all around us, especially at this time of year: Frozen and Beauty and the Beast are only some of the beloved tales adored by adults and children alike. Going DIY this holiday season is a great way to practice your creative skills and save some money, so if you have children, feel free to create a Beauty and the Beast-inspired rose or add confetti-like those seen in Frozen. Christmas is the perfect time to revisit your favorite movies such as the Harry Potter series, so feel free to add some Hogwarts magic to your home while drinking some butterbeer and eating Bertie Botts every flavor beans!

Keep those lights on

There’s no Christmas without some lights on, so aside from candles, you can also hang string lights on your window or around the fireplace. If you have less room, then you can place them in vases on your table or thread them through the wreath. Still, the best way to add place festive lights is to put them on the Christmas tree as that will create a unique festive feeling in your apartment.

These tips will surely bring some Christmas magic to your place, but for some extra feel, add some fuzzy pillows and don’t forget to hang the stockings near the fireplace. Red, gold, silver and green are ultimate festive colors, but if you like, you can also experiment with pink, blue and yellow. Also, keep in mind that festive decorations should always be followed by great mood and tasty snacks, so this year, feel free to make your own mulled wine and gingerbread cookies as well, so you could fully enjoy the magical festive season.

You may have just moved into a new property or you may be renovating the property you’re currently in. Aside from the lovely creation of interior design and decoration there’s another element worth paying close attention to, your heating.

How you heat your home can have a big impact on the livability and comfort of the spaces you call home.

Assess the current situation

It’s important to understand exactly what is heating your property and how it works – the pros and cons. Once you have this understanding you’ll be in a good position to make the right choices about your heating.

What heats your house?

It may be a boiler powering a wet radiator system, or a back boiler on a solid fuel stove, air-conditioning or infrared heating. Every heating system has its own quirks and foibles, particularly if it’s older. It’s important to understand your heating system so that you know how to get the best out of it and whether it’s worth upgrading or sticking.

What’s it powered by?

There’s a few choices, your heating system could be fired by oil, mains gas, propane, electricity or solid fuel. Depending on what powers your heating system there will be an impact on whether it’s worth thinking about changing your heating system. Quite often the cost of replacing an inefficient heating system powered by an expensive fuel means that the capital outlay is repaid very quickly by the reduced running costs of the new system.

How old is it?

Boiler efficiency degrades reasonably quickly. A highly efficient boiler which is 10 years old will no longer be highly efficient and this has a large impact on your day-to-day running costs. If you have an old boiler it is worth considering the cost savings you will achieve by replacing it or replacing the whole heating system with a more efficient heating system

When was it last serviced?

Regularly servicing not just your boiler but also the radiators is important to keep a wet radiator system working efficiently. Likewise if you’re reliant on a solid fuel stove, keeping it swept and clean will also help with the overall efficiency. Air conditioning should also be regularly serviced to keep everything working as it should.

Does it actually do the job?

Pretty important one… does the heating system you have actually do what you want it to? Does it provide you with a controllable, comfortable and adjustable heat, and does it do this efficiently? If not, it may be that the system you have is not up to the job. In this case it’s possible that servicing the system resolves the issues, if not you may need to upgrade to a better, more efficient heating system.

Is it Flexible

The best and most efficient heating systems are flexible in that you can control the heat requirements of each individual room or zone. If you have a central thermostat controlling the heating get rid of it and install thermostatic control in each space. This ensures that you are not heating where you don’t need to and will have a large impact on the overall efficiency of your heating system.

Author Bio: Simon Sharp is the owner of Funkyheat, a UK based manufacturer of high-end infrared heating. He has a wide experience of heating and renewable energy.

There are millions of people in the world with some kind of visual impairment. However, the one thing they all have in common is the wish to be as independent as possible. This requires their home to be spacious, well lit, carefully laid out, and with easily accessible tools and furniture. Luckily, this is not that hard to achieve, so here’s how you can remodel a home to fit the needs of the visually impaired.

Think about the lighting and colors

Brighter colors help those with partial blindness see a bit more clearly, so if possible, paint the walls of your home in such colors. If that’s not an option, then try to create a strong contrast by placing lightly colored furniture items next to darker walls and installing lightly colored doorknobs. Also, try to avoid patterned upholstery.
In terms of lighting, the best thing to do is let in as much natural light as possible. Furthermore, glare can be very harmful to the visually impaired, so keep that in mind and perhaps switch to stronger light bulbs or those that simulate natural daylight. Make sure there are extra lights in the closets ‒ not just the bedroom ones but all that are often used. Finally, add extra lighting in the areas that are prone to accidents, like stairways.

Think about the location

It’s not just the interior you need to think about; the visually impaired are more vulnerable when it comes to thefts, robberies, and other kinds of crimes. This is why if you’re looking for a new home for your visually impaired friend or family member, you should make sure it’s in the safe neighborhood. For example, if you are from Australia, there are many nice new homes in Sydney that are well designed and located in safer areas of the city.

Reduce the risk of falling accidents

If there are any repairs that your home needs, it’s important to take care of them on time. This includes broken staircases, torn carpeting, missing handrails, etc. Also, don’t keep around more furniture than you absolutely need as it only creates obstacles that make moving around more difficult. Moreover, don’t leave lying around anything you could trip over or slip on ‒ put away all your shoes as soon as you take them off, don’t leave clothes on the floor, and clean any spills as soon as they happen.

Additionally, supporting handlebars are extremely important because they allow the visually impaired to use the toilet and shower on their own. Besides the handlebars, you should also add non-slip flooring in the bathroom for the safety of the users.

Mark the appliances and food

To make it more convenient and easier to find one’s way around, use differently colored labels or brightly colored fluorescent tape on all the kitchen appliances. Also, you can’t really tell what’s in cans of food just by shaking them, so they should be properly labeled. If your visually impaired friend cannot see colors, you can use Braille indicators instead of colored labels. Rubber bands are also good for labeling food cans; for example, you can use two for fruit, three for vegetables, etc. Moreover, if there are any helpful signs that need to be made, always place them at the eye level and use larger letters.

Image source: homecrux.com

Consider getting a dog

Dogs are not called a man’s best friend for no reason ‒ they can make people feel safe both physically and emotionally. For example, people are less likely to pick on those who are accompanied by a dog, and dogs can help the visually impaired move around more quickly, especially if they are feeling uncomfortable. Plus, nobody can feel lonely around such a sweet and protective friend.

For those who can’t see well, there are safety hazards everywhere. Accidents do happen – but you can still eliminate their chances in your home by thinking about the lighting, colors, labels, and all the other details that can make the life of people who are visually impaired that much easier. If you take care of everything, you can truly create a safe and comfortable home for those who couldn’t do it on their own.

Tight decorating budget? Forget designer stores and their exorbitant price tags. Sometimes a few simple tweaks can make all the difference to updating your home, and we’re here to give you some tips so you can do just that. We’re not talking a complete renovation here but you can give your home a bit of a makeover without spending up large.

Try these simple interior design ideas to give your rooms a lift and keep your bank balance in check.

1. Start With a New Color

One of the most affordable ways to give a room a fresh new look is to update its color scheme. With so many gorgeous paint colors on trend, the hard part isn’t the painting but choosing what hue you want! Not sure whether you want to go bold and dramatic, or soft and understated with paint? Check out Houzz for some home decor ideas.

If you want a different look, but don’t want to paint an entire room, a timesaving solution is to paint interior doors a glossy black. This adds instant glamour and is also easy on your wallet. Introduce black accessories, such as cushions, a vase, a rug or a lamp, to tie the doors in with the rest of the room.

2. Try a Different Layout

Moving your furniture around, taking out pieces you don’t like and adding items and accessories from other rooms and can make a big impact. And it costs you nothing! Always ask for help moving large pieces of furniture, back strain isn’t part of the makeover agenda.

3. Swap out Your Soft Furnishings

If your room is neutral in its paint scheme then a cost-effective way to make a statement is to get rid of outdated soft furnishings and update as follows.

Different Bedding

We tend to hold onto our bedding religiously but ancient duvet covers and faded comforters can really bring a bedroom down. Buying high-quality bedding will cost you less than renovating the whole room and adding something with a pop of color will create a focal point.

Buy a New Rug

Pick out a new rug that people can’t help but notice. A great area rug can do wonders for grounding a room and tie the whole interior design together. If you’re not sure what to do first then start with the floor, and be bold.

Change Cushions

If you can’t afford a new sofa then the next best thing is to to swap out your cushions for something more stylish. The golden rule for picking the right color for cushions is to identify two to three complimentary colors already existing in the room, for example, from the curtains, an artwork or a vase, to pull together all the elements in the room.

4. Introduce Key Lighting

Lighting is a necessity in a room but often it can be functional and, to be honest, a bit boring. Luckily for you, replacing a light fixture, table or floor lamp is an easy fix that can make your home look high-end without that hefty price tag. Second hand stores can hold some real treasures and these are typically budget friendly. Upcycling is also a popular craze if you’re craft minded.

Adding the right lighting to a room can instantly change the look and feel of a space. General, task and accent lighting are the three main lighting sources you should consider depending on what the room is used for. Check out these living room ideas for setting up proper lighting as well as some decoration ideas.

5. Accessorize With Mirrors

A budget friendly alternative to art is to use a mirror. There are plenty to choose from, mirrors come in lots of different sizes, shapes and styles, ranging from antique, to modern. The main purpose of using a mirror in a room is not to check your hair but to reflect light and to make a room appear bigger and brighter. They’re also versatile enough to be hung in any room of the house, you can use one for a unique focal point in a bedroom design, hang a few in an awkwardly placed stairwell or a pint-sized one in a powder room.

6. Declutter for Instant Minimalism

The last, but not least, of our interior design ideas on a budget, decluttering. It won’t cost you a thing and getting rid of excess furniture is a brilliant way to give your home a new minimalist look. Not only is decluttering free, if you sell your unwanted furniture on eBay you’ll make money on the deal and feel good about helping the planet at the same time.

Alternatively, if you can’t bear to part with anything or are renting an apartment, invest in some smart storage to give your rooms an instant minimalist makeover. You’ll be amazed at how much lighter and roomier your space will look and feel!

Author’s Bio

Angela Pearse is a blogger for Zumper who frequently combines travel with freelance writing. She’s passionate about Art Deco hotels, historical novels, Netflix, hiking and healthy living.

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When we choose to garden, we are usually thinking about the joy of working outside, the pride of growing our very own food and flowers, and the delicious reward of fresh fruits and vegetables picked and eaten the same day. There is really nothing like it!

What most of us gardeners don’t consider is that our gardening efforts can help our environment too! Done right, an eco-friendly garden can go a long way to reducing your environmental footprint. As you may have noticed, there is a greater push towards making your home (including your garden) more energy efficient. Millennials especially are heavily focused on green initiatives. If you are looking to make your life greener, here are seven tips for creating a garden that rewards your home, kitchen, and our planet!

Start with Planting Trees

Often overlooked as a viable option to incorporate in your garden, planting trees creates natural wildlife habitat, helps keep our air clean, and provides shade and wind protection (reducing heating and cooling costs). In addition, when birds live nearby, they can be helpful by eating harmful garden pests. Planting fruits trees can also add more variety to your harvest!

Get Composting!

Prepping your garden for a bounty of produce can start long before you begin planting by starting a compost pile. Compost creates nutrient-rich soil and keeps food and other natural waste from going to a landfill. Just make sure that the waste you add to your garden is organic and will safely decompose. Never add any meat or dairy to your compost pile. Stick to things like coffee grounds, eggshells, leaves, grass clippings (as long as they are chemical free) and left-over fruit and vegetable waste.

Plan Your Yard with Mother Nature in Mind

Work hard to keep your grassy areas small.Use rock gardens, native shrubs, and ornamental grasses such as bamboo to limit both your use of water and your need for mowing (which usually takes either gas or electricity to power). Also, plan the space for your vegetable garden where the ground is flat so water doesn’t drain away before it can be absorbed. Finally, plant any heavily sloped areas with natural grasses so that their roots can prevent soil erosion year around.

Limit Your Water Usage

When it comes to watering your eco-garden, nothing defeats efforts to be environmentally friendly like wasting water. To avoid wasting water where possible, use a drip line or soaker hose that delivers water directly to the roots instead of spraying it in the air where much of it evaporates. Water early in the morning before the sun rises so the water soaks deep into the ground. If your water is on a timer make sure to shut it off on rainy days. Finally, set out buckets to gather rainwater that you can use on sunny days.

Choose Native Plants

Native plants are so important because they not only thrive, they do so with little effort, less water, and few to no pesticides or fertilizers. They save you time, effort, and money! Plus they are much better for the environment and the local ecosystem.

Use Green Equipment and Tools

Much like inefficient watering systems, gas powered tools quickly negate your green gardening efforts. Try using a push mower. If that isn’t practical, choose an electric mower over a gas-powered mower. The same goes for other power tools like tillers. Finally, spend the extra money to buy high-quality shovels and hand tools so that you can use them for decades rather than having to purchase new every year. This helps reduce waste and manufacturing emissions.

Choose and Use Pesticides Carefully

Controlling pests can be one of gardening’s biggest challenges. The problem with most synthetic pesticides is that they kill all the good bugs along with the bad. A healthy flourishing garden needs bees, ladybugs, earthworms, and many other little helpers. If you need a pesticide, look for brands that focus specifically on the pest you have and that degrade quickly. Finally, provide habitat for helpful birds and bats that eat the pesky little insects you’re looking to get rid of.

There are few things on the earth that are as rewarding as growing your own garden. Making sure that your garden is doing more good than harm is well worth the extra effort in planning. Once your eco-garden is established, many of these tips will save you money, time, and effort. Not to mention the pride you get from knowing you are taking care of the planet that takes care of us!

 

Whether you are moving into a new apartment or have lived in your current place for a while, wanting to add some home design to elevate its appeal may be on your wish list. Wanting to decorate without spending a lot of money is likely right below that decorating wish.

And as a plus, if you can manage to save money on your house decoration, you can afford to treat yourself to these cool must-have gadgets. So, how do you kick your apartment up to the next level without breaking the bank? By following our tips below, that’s how!

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

We were taught it in school, and we’re saying it again now; recycling beautiful trash is the way of the future. Not are you saving this stuff from going into the landfills, but you are also adding some personality to your place.

Hold onto items like used (and washed) wine bottles, broken picture frames (where maybe the glass broke or fell out), and pretty strings or ropes to decorate with. And you can even find a use for gift bags that were too pretty to throw away, old out-of-date calendars, and dried flowers from a special occasion.

Wine bottles can be used as they are, or the label may be taken off with warm, soapy water, and then decorated with ropes and other craft items. They make great vases, but also can be used as a way to store bracelets and jewelry around their body, or if they are clear you could fill them with sand and seashells.

Old picture frames can still be used as they are, without the glass, or add a few hooks to them and they will frame your necklaces rather nicely while they hang on the wall. Gift bags can be pinned open to the wall and can be used to store a few papers, flowers, pens, and placed around your desk.

Old calendar pictures can easily be separated from their month and pinned up around your walls; even mount them with some of those old picture frames. Dried flowers can be hung on the walls, put in those empty wine bottles, or anywhere else you see fit.

2. Change Up Your Hardware

Knobs on bathroom or kitchen cabinets can sometimes feel, well, ordinary. Take a trip to your hardware store, or even look up ideas online, Esty for example, and select a few door handles to shake up your space.

And don’t feel that you have to limit these to the doors of your cabinets, you can also add these touches to your wall and use them to hang your hats, scarves, and other accessories on. Nothing says home design more than by these small, personal touches.

3. Print Up Some Photos

In all likelihood you have thousands of photos stored on your phone which you share on every social media account you have, but then what? That’s it right? Try printing off some of those fabulous photos and put them up around your place.

A dollar store is a great, and obviously cheap, place to find picture frames, but don’t feel limited in how you display them. Buy some string, some laundry pegs or fancy paper clips and attach the photos to the clips and cover those blank walls of yours, pronto!

4. Change Up The Walls

Nothing says apartment decorating on a budget more than painting a wall. Yup, you’ve probably heard it before, but it really can make a difference; it will update your place and your mood, all with a few strokes of paint. If, however, you are still digging your current color, you can do an accent wall instead.

Find some wallpaper that you like and pick a sidewall that would really benefit from adding a bit of pizazz to it. You can also purchase some small wall decals, or one large one, like an inspirational quote to add some change and home design to your apartment.

5. Update Your Furniture

And while we’re on the idea of painting the walls, don’t forget that old furniture can also be painted. Noticeable chips that may have happened over the years won’t seem like such a big deal now that your kitchen table has been painted over to a beautiful blue.

You can even reupholster your cushions or seat covers with colors to match or accent your walls. Or buy a couch cover, a slip that seamlessly fits over your entire couch to make it seem as though it’s new, even though it isn’t. These small changes really help to give your apartment a much-needed update.

6. Think Outside The Ordinary

Do you have collectibles but then don’t know what to do with them? Finding a way to display your passions can also be a great way to add some unique style to your place. Some people create a picture display of coasters they have picked up from restaurants where they have eaten, others display corks from wine bottles in a glass bowl or vase, or maybe you love to read and collect books, so why not display them proudly?

Shelving units, shadow boxes, or picture frames are relatively inexpensive and are a great way to display, much like art, some of your favorite pieces you have collected over the years. Some, you may even be able to hang from the ceiling, like lights. If you live with a roommate or partner and have some different tastes, designate one room for each passion.

7. Add Some Green

Adding some plant life to your apartment is one of the fastest ways to give your place that home-design look you may be craving. Not only can plants make a place look homier, lived in, and feel warmer, but they are also great at removing toxins from a room.

If you fear that you may not have a green thumb, there are a variety of plants to choose from that are easy to maintain and that can stand a little inattentiveness on your part. Plants can easily be placed on the floor, on a shelf, or in a hanging pot, so they can add a great dimensional look to your apartment.

8. Textiles And Accessories

Need some living room ideas? Take a visit to a flea market or even a store like Ikea and you’re sure to find some tablecloths, throw pillows, and more that can be used to decorate and add some comfort to your place. Fabrics have a great way of adding texture and style to a home.

While you’re out, keep your eyes open for anything else that catches your eye. Sometimes, without even planning it you can come home with a great find, something that sparks your imagination for your apartment.

Author’s Bio: Danielle thrives on researching and writing on all aspects of life. Further to writing for Zumper.com and personal finance, she is an advocate of self-improvement and living a life that is both financially responsible and knowledgeable. When she is not on her computer, she can be found spending time with her husband and two sons.

Like clothes and accessories for a human, the different elements that make up a front yard help enhance its appearance. Since this is often the first thing people see when arriving, be it a visitor or the homeowner themselves, it is normal to want to make sure that the front yard looks its best. Luckily, in most cases not much is needed to make this part of the property look good. Here are 5 front yard renovation projects that are budget-friendly and easy to complete.

1) Painting the fence

This job is a perfect weekend DIY project! Fence painting doesn’t require as much skill as other painting projects, unless you are an absolute perfectionist. Of course, not all fence materials can receive paint in their current state. Some will need to be sanded and primed beforehand. However, do know that paint is a great way to add a dash of colour to the front of your home.

White is a classic and timeless colour for fences, as is black. For a more daring look, reds, blues, yellows, greens and other bright shades can be great options, depending on the colour scheme of the rest of the front yard.

2) Installing paver stones

A friendly and welcoming stone path makes for a great way to come home! Paver stones are easy to install, and they add a nice Zen touch to a front yard. These elements come in a variety of shapes, materials, and sizes, adapting to your needs and preferences. The most common stones are travertine, slate, and granite. Concrete and porcelain are other options for paver materials, but they are not as durable as the latter.

 

3) Cleaning the home’s facade

This may seem simple, even trivial, but cleaning the home’s facade can make an enormous difference. Perhaps you bought the house and have never taken the time to remove the accumulated dirt and grime? This means that you may be in for a surprise once you’ve finished with the cleaning process.

For this action, the tools and techniques you employ will depend on the type of cladding material that is installed on your home. A pressure washer will be extremely efficient on plastic-based materials. Other types such as wood paneling need special treatment, and hand-washing may be best to ensure good results. Do proper research regarding the most recommended techniques and go to the effort of doing things properly. In the end, you may realize that your beige facade is actually mustard yellow!

4) Doing minor landscaping

Large-scale landscaping jobs are not accessible to everyone, and thankfully, smaller ones can also have a major impact. Although gardens are usually set up behind a home, flowerbeds and even small herb gardens are a great way to add life to a front yard. It’s all a question of space and personal preferences. Searching for privacy, some will even decide to create an oasis in front of their home, with trees, plants, and flowers. This little corner of heaven can become a nice spot to relax if you set up a few lawn chairs or hang a swing from a tree.

5) Installing or transforming a carport

This last project is the most onerous of those described in this list. If you don’t yet have a carport and are currently parking your car in a yard, with no roof, setting up this structure can be a great option, both for esthetical and practical purposes. In cold and snowy climates, carports can be extremely useful as they protect the car and keep the snow away, ensuring that you save time in the morning. In terms of appearance, are also carports interesting architectural elements, making the home more unique.

If your home is already equipped with a carport but you feel that you aren’t using it to its fullest, consider transforming it into a patio. This area which spills into the front yard can be turned into a wonderful getaway spot or a place to entertain guests under a roof but outdoors at the same time.

Transforming a front yard: endless possibilities

Other, bigger renovation projects are also possible if you have more money and feel that your home’s exterior needs major changes. For example, people often opt to replace the exterior cladding that covers and protects the home. However, as stated in the previous paragraphs, there is often no need to spend a fortune to make a front yard look nice. Simply set aside a weekend, head to the hardware store and let your imagination run wild. Otherwise, if you have no manual skills whatsoever, hire a trustworthy contractor!

Article was written by Léa Noémie Plourde-Archer from Renoquotes.com