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Bring Nature Into Your Home: Tips & Tricks

by LifeAsMama
written by LifeAsMama

Your home should be your personal sanctuary, and there’s no better way to make your sanctuary truly beautiful than to bring nature into your home. This can be especially therapeutic for those who prefer to spend time in nature, but due to other commitments, they can’t do it that often. So, whether you’re a nature lover or simply want to add a touch of nature into your home, here are some tips and tricks that will help you get there:

Use the right colors and patterns

Opting for the right colors can make or break the space. If you prefer natural vibe, then it’s only logical to use colors inspired by nature such as various shades of green, blue and brown. Other great choices are grey, black and white, but it’s important to keep in mind that choosing a color palette requires a lot of planning, so you won’t end up overdecorating your place. That can often have the opposite effect from the one you’ve originally intended to achieve. If you prefer wall art, then getting wallpapers with floral or palm motifs can contribute a lot to the overall design of your nature-inspired home.

Green Living/Dining Room with Backyard View

Don’t forget the importance of the right elements

Bringing nature into your home means having to play with different elements. The best way to add a dash of a luscious forest or a romantic stone castle vibe is to use nature-inspired elements such as wood, stone, seagrass, and leather. Having a stone-wall in your living room can surely make your home look more elegant and better-planned, or adding wood logs as decor pieces can surely make your home look more visceral and beautiful, but always keep in mind to use only those elements you personally connect with.  That way your home will have elements of nature, while also being naturally inviting to you and your guests.

Make it comfortable and snuggly

Obviously, not many things in the forest or a field is truly snuggly, but there are ways to incorporate some comfort into your nature-inspired home. For example, incorporating some wabi-sabi decor can make your living space seem more in sync with nature and its realities.

Also, adding a braided wool rug will surely make your space look unique and more sophisticated. Nature by itself doesn’t necessarily have to be comfortable, but adding certain nature details will surely have a positive effect on your home and the way it feels to you.

Stylish and modern scandinavian interior.

Plants are also a great idea

Having a lot of greens in your home is the ultimate way to bring nature into your home while still making it look balanced. For those who prefer minimalism, the best way to add plants is to have only a few plants strategically placed wherever it’s suitable. On the other hand, those who love maximalism can play with plants of different types and sizes to create a perfect indoor jungle or a forest. In case you’re inexperienced with caring for the plants, you can always get those that are low-maintenance so you won’t have to worry about watering them every day.

House indoor plants collection. Succulent and cactus in different pots on white background

Have a lot of natural light

Living in a home with a lot of sources of natural light will definitely make you feel like you’re standing on a sun-kissed field. Therefore, installing large windows and having light and breezy curtains is a great place to start. If you don’t have a lot of access to natural light (living in a surrounded place), then there are still ways to maximize the amount of light you have during the day. Painting your walls light color and having lightly-colored furniture will surely make your home look more lit.

Making your home more in sync with nature can also have a lot of benefits to your mental health since a lot of natural elements can make you feel more peaceful and balanced. Just make sure to not go overboard with certain decor elements, as that can make you feel a bit redundant. Therefore, consulting a decor specialist can be of great help, since an expert can give you the right advice, while also taking your preferences into consideration.

About the Author

Lana

Lana is a stay-at-home mom, writer, and interior design enthusiast. She loves writing about interiors, but her specialty is landscape design. She enjoys playing in the kitchen and cooking for her friends and family, spending time in nature and learning about other cultures by traveling.

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DIYHome

7 Home Repairs Everyone Should Know

by LifeAsMama
written by LifeAsMama

Owning a house is something that we all dream about, but with being an owner comes more than just relaxing on your deck and having fun times with your family around the fireplace. It needs someone who will be dedicated to keeping your home safe and running smoothly. Occasionally repairing things around your house is the part that comes with it, even if you are not a big DIY person, there are a couple of things that you need to know how to fix by yourself.

1.   Learn How to Unclog a Toilet

Toilet bowl in modern bathroom interior

Most times clogged toilets are difficult to deal with because most of us start making bad decisions at that moment. When we start realizing that the toilet is clogged it is filling up with water and overflowing. Therefore, you need to know how to fix it in advance so you know what to do when the crisis strikes.

It’s fairly simple. The only crucial thing you need to have is a plunger. If you think you need something more heavy-duty is a plumbing snake, and both of those are under 10 dollars. In most cases, the snake isn’t necessary, but if you have a child that can throw things like toys or jewelry in the toilet bowl, then only the snake will do the trick.

This is the best tip someone can give you. If you don’t have a tool close to you and you need to fix the clog quickly, mix dish soap with four cups of boiling water and put it into the toilet bowl. That should clean it out if the clog is made out of biological things.

2.   Learn How to Fix a Leaky Faucet

There are many ways of fixing leaky faucets. In most cases it only depends on the type of sauces you have. There are two types of faucets, two-handle washerless faucets and single-handle washerless faucets. But in most cases, you don’t need to worry about what type your faucet is. Most leaks can be fixed with a wrench and in some bad cases, it can require a trip to your local hardware store to buy the replacement part.

3.   Learn How to Replace a Faucet

fix a faucet

You might hear some people bragging about how they can replace the faucet on their own, but that is not that impressive because replacing a faucet it is simple. All you need to do is find a new fixture that has the holes as your old one because it needs to fit properly on the sink. Before you start, take pictures of everything before you start working so you know how to put it back together. After that shut the water odd, drain your faucet and them follow the instructions that came with the faucet.

4.   Learn How to Unclog a Garbage Disposal

There are many ways you can fix clogged garbage disposal, sometimes it can even be fun like doing a mini science experiment. All you need to do is pour half of the box of baking soda into the drain on the side that the disposal is on, and then pour the other half into the disposal. Chase the baking soda with white vinegar and let it do its magic for an hour. After the one hour has past pour hot water over it and your disposal should be unplugged.

5.   Learn How to Fix the Washing Machine

If your washing machine breaks don’t immediately start searching for a handyman, thinking about how you can do it on your own. It may sound complicated but in most cases, it’s nothing that you can’t fix by yourself. You just need a few tools and light. Most times the filter is clogged or you just need to buy a spare part. Most washing machines like LG or Bosch ones have the same problems. Therefore, there are a lot of places that sell LG washing machine parts.

6.   Learn How to Clean Grout

It is important that you clean your grout from time to time. Even though this may not sound like a repair, by cleaning it you are repairing it. All you need to do is mix some baking soda and bleach. Apply it to the grout and scrub the grout with a small brush or a toothbrush. After you scrubbed it to clean it with some water and you will have a new looking grout.

7.   Learn How to Replace Outlets

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If you need to change outlets, the first step is to cut the power and with a voltage, tester confirms that there is no electricity in them. Take off the faceplate, unscrew the outlet and memorize which wires connect to which outlet. Connect the new outlet, screw it back on and turn the electricity back on and test your work.

Be confident in yourself, you don’t always need a handyman. You can surprise yourself with your independence. But make sure you evaluate the risk that comes with repairing things before you start doing it.

About the Author

Stella Ryne is an art historian, traveller, conscious consumer and a proud mother. When she is not trying to improve the things around her (and herself, for that matter), she likes to lose herself in a good book. Stay in touch with Stella via Twitter and  Facebook.

 

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Mom’s Home Office: Decor Tricks for Boosting Creativity

by LifeAsMama
written by LifeAsMama

If you’re a full-time stay-at-home mom who also happens to work from home, chances are that you are already familiar with all the struggles such a lifestyle can throw your way. Add to that the struggle of not having a designated work area and things can easily become even more hectic.

 Not only will you find yourself feeling unwilling and unmotivated most of the time, but high chances are that your work will begin to suffer, sooner rather than later. That’s why creating a home office should be your top priority. No matter the size of the space you choose for this purpose, the most important thing is to try and create a space that will make you feel motivated and get your creative juices flowing. Here’s how you can achieve that.

Decide on the area

First of all, you’ll need to decide where you want to set up your home office. Since you probably can’t afford to entirely isolate yourself from the rest of the household, you should consider an area that’s close to either the living room or your kids’ bedrooms. This way, you can easily reach them – and vice versa – if necessary, but you’ll also be able to enjoy some peace and quiet. Keep in mind that a home office doesn’t need to have four walls, meaning that it doesn’t necessarily have to be a separate room. Any area that will enable you to equip it as necessary and get some work done will be just fine. That being said, if you absolutely can’t devote an entire room for this purpose, you might want to consider investing in noise-cancelling earphones that will help you reduce distractions.

Make the design kid-friendly

Next, while you certainly need to design the space to feel more thought-provoking and motivation, you also need to keep your kids’ safety in mind. What this means is that you need to ensure that all of the structures, such as bookshelves or file cabinets, are well secured to prevent tipping and that no sharp objects can be easily reached by those curious little hands. For instance, you can install floating shelves in your office just beyond your kids’ reach and keep utensils, such as scissors and pens on higher shelves. Keep in mind that, just because you’re designing your home office that doesn’t mean that you’ll be the only one spending time there.

Spruce it up

Furthermore, to quote a famous movie character “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. This means that, while it is certainly important to have your own workspace, that doesn’t mean that it should only be used for working. No matter the type of job you do, you will still need to take regular breaks if you want to ensure that your motivation stays on an optimal level. That’s why you should also create a small chill-out area in your home office you can use for relaxing and even brainstorming. For this, you will need a comfortable armchair – or a sofa if you have enough room, a coffee table and a cozy rug. As far as the chair is concerned, always go with something comfortable and supportive that will allow you to relax properly. A modern coffee table will instantly bring more pizzazz to the space, making it look and feel more luxurious. Finally, a cozy shag rug will not only provide you with a soft underfoot, but it will also tie all the other elements together.

Add color and pizzazz

Finally, to make the space feel truly motivational to you, you should consider implementing colors that have such an effect on your mind. Since all of us are vastly different, the colors that might be working for someone else might have the opposite effect on you. That’s why you need to choose the color according to your own preferences, but make sure you don’t overdo it. When introducing color to any space, it is best to do so with details and other elements you can easily replace once you grow tired of them or if you happen to notice that the color you’ve chosen doesn’t have the desired effect.

So, if you ever feel like you are struggling to find the motivation that will enable you to excel at your job, consider doing something about your workspace. Even once you are happy with the way your home office turned out, you can keep on adding design and décor elements that will elevate the look even further. The key takeaway is that you need to design a space you will feel comfortable in that will enable you to do and give your best.

About the Author

Chloe is a journalist from Adelaide and a regular contributor to Smooth Decorator. She loves everything related to decor, aesthetic and lifestyle topics. She is also passionate about photography. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world and take some stunning photographs of beautiful places. Beside all this, she enjoys drinking coffee and reading a beautiful book from time to time.

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How to Make Your House Look Modern on a Budget

by LifeAsMama
written by LifeAsMama

When renovating your home’s exterior, you might want to set a theme in order to facilitate your decision-making process, as well as be able to customize the impression that your home makes on first-time visitors. The best thing about designing your home’s exterior is the fact that it also leads to a boost in the place’s resale value, which benefits you as the owner even if you don’t intend to sell. Still, is it possible for you to achieve all of these benefits on a budget? Let’s find out!

1.    Focus on the first impression

When aiming to leave an impression on people, what you need to focus on is to ensure that you properly set the expectations. This is why you need to focus on the first impression that your household makes. Sure, cladding and rendering, doing a new façade or replacing windows are popular and effective but also incredibly expensive. On a budget, you can replace your house number with a custom one, repaint your front door and hang a new wreath (no, these are not just for the holiday season). One more amazing idea that you could invest in is the light fixtures that you will use for your front entrance.

2.    Add a porch

The next thing you need to consider doing is expanding your living space by adding a porch. This way, you get another area of your home where you can meet and greet guests, as well as a chance to make your home unique-looking in a completely new way. Why? Well, because modern spaces try to blur out the line between the exterior and interior decoration. Making a porch is not a particularly expensive investment, especially if you take a more frugal approach and do some of the works yourself. All you need is a wooden deck and some outdoor furniture. Moreover, this is not a project that you have to complete all at once.

3.    Improve your roof

The project of replacing your roof is incredibly effective, seeing as how this is the element of your home that will be seen while people are approaching your home from far away. Depending on the material that you chose for this project, the cost will vary. Fortunately, one of the most common roofing materials, asphalt shingles, are quite inexpensive, which gives you a chance to redo your roof on a budget. Adding a new guttering and downspout system is another great addition. In order to add something extra, as well as further protect the place, you can consider flashing the roof. Flashing and guttering go great hand in hand, which is why agencies like Flash Roof Plumbing provide you with both guttering and flashing services.

4.    Garden and a patio

One more cunning way to invest in your home’s exterior is to work on your garden and your patio area. This is one of the best ways to transform your home’s backyard and turn it into a proper oasis. One more thing that’s relevant here is the fact that you can definitely do it on the budget. Sure, concrete or stone pavers give you the most modern look, however, a strong argument could be made for pea pebbles, as well. What’s best of it all is the fact that these pea pebbles cost you about $6 per square foot, as opposed to stone pavers whose cost can go as high as $25.

In conclusion

As you can see, the above-listed four methods are there to provide maximum value for minimal investment and effort. Keep in mind, nonetheless, that simple as they are to implement, once you’re done with them, you won’t have to repeat these tasks for years and years to come.

About the Author

Miriyan Muller is a passionate blog writer who is fond of writing about renovation, design. She usually spends her time reading the related articles which are inspiring in order to learn a lot of things in the world.   

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Autumn Home Décor Ideas: Keep it Orange, Keep it Warm

by LifeAsMama
written by LifeAsMama

Autumn has arrived, and even the slightest sign of chilly weather makes you want to cozy up indoors and create a warm, magical atmosphere at home.

The time is right to consider adding some autumnal tints and touches to your home to create that special ambience. Here are a few wonderful ideas for decorating your home for harvest time.

Decorate Your Porch

To create that mellow autumn mood in your home, begin with the first thing you and your family will see when approaching it – your porch.

The classic pumpkin-lined porch will always be everyone’s favourite, but you can make it even more charming if you personalize the pumpkins your own way, along with traditional jack-o’-lanterns kids simply adore.

You can add an extra touch of seasonal warmth by placing a welcome doormat in the colours of autumn foliage. Hanging a wreath on the front door (made out of natural materials, like wreath grass or dried leaves) would also make a neat touch.

If you want to take it a step further, consider painting your chairs bright red and your front door in a jolly orange hue. This will help make your house feel homey and inviting even when the cold and rainy days take over.

If you don’t have enough room on the porch, relocate some of your decorations to your front yard. Add some bales of hay and tin pots with dried flowers to jazz things up. 

Spice Up Your Kitchen

With a little bit of seasonal decorating, your kitchen may easily be the most comfortable and pleasant room in your home. It can be the place you will use not only for cooking and dining, but also sharing precious moments with your loved ones.

For starters, make a centrepiece that you will put on your kitchen table or island. You can use an old cutting board, a wooden tray, or a wooden basket as the foundation for your decoration. Add elements such as mini pumpkins, pinecones, berries, twigs, and bright leaves.

Next, find an unused corner for a unique vignette: place a glass jar filled with green apples or some fresh veggies of your choice, and pep it up with an Autumn Acres Wood Print sign. Arrange pumpkin spice-scented candles alongside decorations to accentuate the cozy vibe. Scents of warm cider, cinnamon, apple, vanilla, and berries all work great and bring out the best in cloudy days.

Get your youngest ones engaged with decorating as well. Display their projects, such as paper scarecrows or owls as decorations on your fridge and walls.

Bring Comfort to Your Living Room

One of the best ways to introduce the warm autumn feeling into your living room is by bringing in some new textures.

Replace all the linen materials you’ve used through the summer with velvet, mohair, and wool.  Start with the pillows and blankets, and move on to curtains and table runners, with fall foliage as an inspiration for your choice of palettes. Add a few new throw pillows with an autumn motive for a budget-friendly upgrade and extra comfort.

If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace in your home, autumn is the time to clean it up and make it a part of your seasonal decor. You can even transform the fireplace into a living room centrepiece – just decorate the shelf according to your taste and the rest of the interior. You can choose a colourful design, with bold red and bright orange dominating the fireplace, or opt for soothing colours for a more calming atmosphere.

Tuck Up Your Bedroom

Crispy autumn days can make you want to spend your afternoons in bed, underneath cozy blankets.

So, if you want to start your days feeling warm and cozy but invigorated enough to get up and be active, make sure that your bedroom is filled with brilliant colours of the season. 

When it comes to decorations, you might want to opt for a leafy wall decal to add some autumn flavour. Place a jug or tainted glassware with a few branches of red leaves at your nightstand, add a few smaller pumpkins as accents, and scented candles to soften the lighting.

Also, change the textures you use in your bedroom.

Layer your bed with a knit or faux fur throw. Alternatively, you can go for autumn-coloured blankets made out of wool, suede, or velvet. Change your summer pillows for the ones in felt or textural wool cases, and place them on your bed, armchair, or all around the floor.

With a few simple interior decoration tricks, you can transform your home into a cozy setting for some fun times with your family and friends, a perfect place for you to cuddle up next to your significant other, or an intimate space to enjoy your time alone with a book and a glass of wine.

About the Author

Hannah Thomas is a gardening and home décor enthusiast. Garden is the place where she feels most comfortable, that’s why there are always a lot of books and empty coffee cups on the back porch. Always learning, exploring and smiling.

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5 Beautiful Lighting Living Room Ideas

by Guest Contributor
written by Guest Contributor

You have probably worked long and hard on designing your living room. The colour of the couch perfectly positioned vases and an ornamented fireplace are just some of the detail that took you hours to arrange. However, there is one element of the living room’s décor that can cast a shadow over the entire space, quite literally.

The lighting levels need to be adjustable in order to accommodate different activities that take place inside the living room. After all, this is the social hotspot of the entire house/apartment so it is essential that several lighting levels are at your disposal, like ambient light.

Softening the edges

If your living room faces the north side of the house, then creating a glow around the edges of the room should be a top interior design priority. The glow should meet two general guidelines: it should be warm and it should be even in intensity, running the entire length of the wall. That’s why lights should be mounted onto the wall, rather than on the ceiling.

From here, they will be able to send the light back into the room, basically “cooperating” with the fading natural light or moonlight coming from the outside. As the end result, the room will not only appear to be brighter (and bigger, which is ideal for small apartments) but you’ll get a level of depth that overhead lights could never provide.

A touch of the Orient

If you’ve dreamed of living in a Bedouin tent fit for a chieftain, you can turn this dream a reality just by playing with the lights. The first thing you’ll need to get are lanterns that differ both in size and the patterns printed on them.

Once you place an ottoman next to the coffee table and spread out a couple of silk cushions on the floor, you’ll get the atmosphere of the Orient you have been aspiring to. Modern lanterns come with LED lights inside that are elongated and made to look like candles. Of course, you can always go with the real wax or paraffin candles but be aware that they pose a fire risk.

Controlling the lighting levels during the day

All the lighting forms we have been discussing so far relate to the period after dark. However, it is equally important to regulate lighting levels during days with plenty of sunlight, as too much sunlight can prove to be a nuisance.

What you need are plantation shutters like the ones Suncoast Shade Sails make. The slates of the shutters can regulate the amount of light that enters the living room. In this aspect, plantation shutters are far more efficient than blinds and curtain that let light in near the frame of the window.

Facilitating a home office

If you have ever noticed a difference in the quality of light at your office and back home, that’s because there does exist a disparity. While you are arranging your note or just doing the taxes, you need a stronger source of light in the form of a desktop lamp.

Such functional lighting is an integral part of any home office so you should place a lamp inside the part of your house reserved for the office. The best solution is a wall-mounted lamp that you can extend using just one hand. Once you are done reading or writing, just return the lamp to the initial position to save on space.

A well-lit gallery wall

We have been mentioning lamps so much that one might forget that they are art pieces of their own, not just a source of lighting. In fact, lamps can be couple with the art hanging from the walls to form the ultimate luminescent gallery wall. You can line the frames of pictures with inexpensive LED strips or turn the lights themselves into art pieces by covering them with multicoloured glass. Modern LED light bulbs that change colours are nothing compared to these wacky, one-of-a-kind gallery wall pieces.

In the end, any of the 5 ideas listed here can be used to illuminate the amount and the type of lighting inside your living room. Remember that light is not merely a switch and light bulb but an integral part of interior décor of the most important room in the house/apartment. By toying with lighting just a little bit, you can create wonders in terms of interior décor solutions.

Photo by Vecislavas Popa from Pexels

About the Author

Patrick Adams is a freelance writer and rock-blues fan. When he is not writing about home improvement, he loves to play chess, watch basketball, and play his guitar. More than anything, he loves to spend his time in his garage, repairing appliances and creating stuff from wood.

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Best Backyard Add-ons for Your Kids

by LifeAsMama
written by LifeAsMama

For a family with kids, younger or older, no backyard can truly feel like part of home unless it is adjusted to children’s needs and interests. If you want your child to fall in love with the outdoors and the endless variety of activities it offers, start by transforming your yard into a children’s fantasy world. Though the options are many, we can elaborate on a few favorites that certainly won’t let you down.

1 – Outdoor chalkboards and easels

Have you noticed that your child enjoys the magic that a paintbrush or a simple colored pencil can create? Don’t hesitate to get a couple of chalkboards for your yard so your son or daughter can continue to nurture their talent. Outdoor chalkboards (or canvas on an easel) are a highly convenient solution for parents who wish to keep their children entertained while also avoiding having a big mess inside the house. If you want to do something even more interesting, you can turn part of the fencing into a big chalkboard wall.

2 – Yard sandbox

If you think back to your own childhood, you are more than likely to reminisce of your own little sand haven you loved to play in. Not only do sandboxes help develop an outdoorsy spirit in kids, but they also have multiple other benefits. Set one in your own backyard and your children will get a chance to further learn and improve their social, motor, and practical skills, grow genuine curiosity and eagerness to explore their environment through direct physical contact, and also stimulate and enrich their own imagination. These add-ons are physically beneficial as well, as they help kids strengthen different groups of muscles, especially those in the arms and hands.

3 – Child-friendly swimming pool

Okay, this one probably should be the first item here—undoubtedly, almost every child wants to have a pool at home. Funwise and healthwise, it goes without saying that swimming pools are an absolutely fantastic add-on for a backyard. They are an endless source of entertainment, not only for children, but for adults, too.

It needs to be emphasized, though, that they do require a higher level of supervision and caution on behalf of parents, so children should not be left alone during their fun time in the water. Preferably, for extra safety, you could also add a fence around the swimming pool to prevent children from accidentally falling in if they do spend part of their time in the backyard unsupervised. Whenever we are talking safety measures, the best thing is to consult specialists and professionals. Exterior are a really wise choice if you want the perfect combination of adventure and safety in your children’s swimming pool.

4 – Swings

Swings sound like a great option for backyards with limited space and if you prefer to keep your child engaged in a single activity for a longer period of time. Even in a smaller area where there isn’t much room for running or playing sports, a nice swing can give your child a sense of freedom, movement, and spaciousness thanks to its dynamic nature. Even on a cold and rainy day, your little one will probably ask to go and play on the swing rather than stay indoors.

5 – Hammocks and silly spinners

If you have bigger trees in your backyard, you could also consider getting a sturdy hammock and/or a silly spinner. They are both excellent alternatives for standard swings, not to mention that they are just as much fun. If you are in a creative mood, you also have the option of making a silly spinner yourself instead of buying one. What is more, you can ask your child to contribute to the process of making the spinner, for example to paint it. This will only make your son or daughter enjoy it even more since they will know they helped bring this creation into existence.

6 – Slides

Slides are also a truly convenient add-on, being that both younger and older children find them a lot of fun. They also come in different shapes, sizes, and are made from different materials, so it is easy to find a slide which will be suitable to your child’s age and physical characteristics.

7 – Climbing tires

If you have some old tires lying about in the garage, here’s a great way to recycle them. Turn these eyesores into an attraction by transforming them into climbing tires. What makes them such an excellent addition to your backyard is that little kids in particular seem to find them irresistible when learning to walk and establish balance, while also strengthening their muscles at the same time. Climbing tires are budget-friendly and even more fun when painted in bright colors kids will easily fall in love with!

In conclusion…

For any parent who wants to inspire in their child an affinity and respect towards the great outdoors, smartly chosen backyard add-ons are the right call. Allow your little one to explore and grasp the world through a thought-provoking, inspiring, exciting corner of their own home where they will feel safe and taken care of.

About the Author

Ron Wolf is a freelance writer, hobby designer and DIY enthusiast.

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How To Get Your Home Ready For Your Baby

by LifeAsMama
written by LifeAsMama

Becoming a parent can be so stressful. There are so many things that you need to get done and so many changes to your body happening at the same time. However, getting your home ready doesn’t need to be complicated. There are three main things that you need to do to get your home ready for baby – get the furniture you need, pick out some fun toys and do your best to babyproof the spaces your baby will be in. 

Acquire Furniture

You are going to need a crib for your baby, even if you plan on co-sleeping for any stretch of time. You can even get ones that transition into a toddler bed and even a full-sized bed so that you have a little more time with a fairly large purchase before it needs to be returned. You’ll need to make sure you get one with a comfortable mattress in it so that you don’t have any additional issues.

You will also need to get enough storage for your baby’s things. This doesn’t have to be expensive. If you have friends or family that have had kids, chances are they have some things that they can pass your way. You can also usually find kid’s storage furniture for cheap on the Facebook marketplace and from thrift stores, which is a great way to make your life – and your wallet – greener. 

Find Stimulating Toys

Gender shouldn’t play into the kind of toys your baby gets. Make sure that you have a variety to choose from so you can see what things your child gravitates toward. As for the rest of the toys that your child wants nothing to do with, think about reselling them or donating them to a local charity. That way, your home will have a little bit less stuff for you to have to tidy up later on and you’ll be helping someone else’s baby out.

Babyproof Your Home

Babies have an almost magical ability to injure themselves on anything and everything in their paths. It’s kind of impressive. However, as a parent, your job is to do everything you can to keep your baby safe. 

With that in mind, you need to make sure that anything made of glass or easily breakable is moved far, far out of your baby’s reach. If you have tall shelves that are not built into the wall, do your best to keep your baby away from them to avoid any tipping issues. 

You should also pad any sharp corners that you have in the room. This will save you a lot of tears and headaches in the long run from babies grabbing them or running into them.

Last but not least, put babyproof handles on doors to anywhere that your baby could get into trouble. This means kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, even older kids’ bedrooms. By limiting the space that your baby is in, you will keep them just a little bit safer every day. As they get older and more responsible for their own bodies, you can start to open the house up a little more. 

If you aren’t sure about something, don’t be afraid to reach out to your support network, whether that is online or in person. Other parents will have some advice that might work out well for you and your family. 

About the Author

Heather Viera is a lifestyle expert and researcher for FamilyLivingToday.com. She is dedicated to achieving a balanced lifestyle, even with two small children and a full-time career. In the little free time she has, she enjoys hiking with her partner and taking her dog to the beach.

 

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DesignDIYHome

5 Ways To Make Your Kitchen Warm And Welcoming

by Guest Contributor
written by Guest Contributor

Everything happens in the kitchen. Life happens in the kitchen.

– Andrew Zimmern, a culinary expert

It’s a cold, rainy day, and you’ve just come home from a long, excruciating day at work. The best way to lift your spirits and warm your soul is to make a hearty soup in your cozy kitchen.

For many of us, the kitchen is a cozy place where we relax, cook some delicious food, and chat with the people we love. That’s why it’s important for this space to reflect and radiate warmth and comfort.

Here’s how to truly make the kitchen the heart of your home.

Photo by Rustic Vegan on Unsplash

1. Add an island

Kitchen islands have several benefits, as they allow you to expand your food prep space, provide extra storage, and can serve as a buffet counter for appetizers and refreshments.

Even if your kitchen is tiny and the floor plan doesn’t allow for a permanent island, you can still install an isle that can be rolled or stored away when not in use.

Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash

2. Pick the right color

As you probably know, colors can influence our mood. They have the power to make us feel happy, hungry, or relaxed, which is why you should carefully consider the color palette for your kitchen.

For example, warm colors such as yellow, orange, and red can evoke feelings of happiness and warmth. Yellow, in particular, is known for its ability to lighten up a room and bring sunshine into it, as well as to calm people and make them peckish at the same time.

But other colors, including mint green, grey, and lighter shades of blue can transform your kitchen into a comfy place for hanging out and spending time while you’re whipping up something yummy.

Photo by Becca Tapert on Unsplash

3. Knock on Wood

Nothing says warmth and coziness like wood floors and cabinets in your kitchen.

However, this can be pricey, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a couple of wooden details to enrich your kitchen space and make it more inviting.

You can try several reclaimed wood projects, an obvious choice being simple wooden shelves that give a rustic feel to your kitchen. Similarly, cutting boards are best when they’re made out of wood – plastic is a material that you should definitely avoid because it’s not particularly visually appealing, let alone eco-friendly.

Some people avoid wood cutting boards, believing that they’re not sanitary enough. But that’s just a misconception which can’t be further from the truth. Wooden cutting boards are even safer because the bacteria sink down beneath the surface, where they don’t multiply. In short, these practical and decorative kitchen accessories will remain germ-free if properly seasoned and taken care of.

Photo by Toni Osmundson on Unsplash

4. Let there be light

Lighting plays an important role in making your kitchen comfortable and cozy. You’ll certainly want to make sure that you have enough light when you’re preparing meals, as well as that you can dim it when you want a more relaxed, perhaps even romantic ambiance.

Something as simple as candles can also go a long way. They can add a hint of calming light to your kitchen, as well as a homey scent that will make your entire space even snugger. You can use the ones with a whiff of vanilla, cookies, or cinnamon to spice up your winter nights or remove that lingering smell of cooking that’s not so pleasant the day after. 

Photo by Mitchell Henderson from Pexels

5. Add a touch of green

A couple of low-maintenance plants in your kitchen can help purify the air and serve as natural, sustainable décor. Along with decorative leafy greenery, you can also add herb plants, such as basil, chives, oregano, parsley, and rosemary. All of them will come in handy when you’re cooking, while simultaneously giving the kitchen space a wholesome, organic feel.

For example, aloe vera is an extremely resistant plant, which means that it can survive in your kitchen. But besides being beautiful to look at, this plant is useful – the gel found in its interior has cooling effects which makes it good for burns. English ivy can hang near the window or over your sink, and it’s great for reducing indoor pollutants, including benzene, mold, and bacteria.

No matter whether you’re a full-fledged Julia Childs or a person whose greatest culinary achievement is heating up a TV dinner in a microwave, you’ll enjoy spending your time in the kitchen if it’s warm and welcoming. These simple tips can point you in the right direction and help you re-decorate your kitchen without spending too much.

About the Author

Hannah Thomas is a gardening and home décor enthusiast. Garden is the place where she feels most comfortable, that’s why there are always a lot of books and empty coffee cups on the back porch. Always learning, exploring and smiling.

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DesignDIYHome

The Best Ideas For Styling Your Entryway

by Guest Contributor
written by Guest Contributor

Your entryway is the first impression of your home. No matter who comes in, they’ll judge the beauty of your home by what they see first. On the other hand, you have your family who has to walk through that same entryway every day. In this respect, it’s important to make your entryway more stylish because both your guests and your family members will benefit from it. The guests will get to visit a beautiful home while your family will get to enjoy the superior style each and every day.

Let your creative juices flow and don’t be afraid of any ideas that come to your mind. Here are a few to start off your brainstorm session.

1. Add a nice plant

Houseplants can generally do wonders for your home. The same can be said about houseplants and your entryway. If you pick the right plant, you’ll give your entryway a warm and welcoming feel that your guests will love. As well as that, there will be a lot of oxygen in the room, so you’ll feel fresh and get a quick energy boost as soon as you come home.

If you have awkward spaces you can’t fill anything with in your entryway, you can always fill them with plants. Whether they’re tall or short, stubby or slim, they’re bound to fit in the room perfectly. You can go for a neutral green if you want to keep things smooth and elegant or for colourful plants if you want a more creative vibe.

2. Create a pattern

When you play with the colours correctly, your walls can speak volumes. Creating a pattern with paint or tiles can make your entryway look amazing. Of course, you’ll need to make sure you’re combining the colours in the right way so as to achieve maximum effect and really up the wow factor. You can do this by picking a base colour like white or beige, then picking an accentual colour. The accentual colour should be visible through the décor in the room.

So, if your base colour is beige, your accentual colour can be red. In this case, you’d pick a red coat hanger, a red chair or seating bench, and maybe even paint the front door red. You can also choose more than one accentual colour, but that might make the entryway overwhelming. The ideal balance of playing with colours is to add just enough pizazz to make it look like you did it on purpose, not that you made a mistake.

3. Focus on the doors

We tend to forget about the doors of any room way too often. In truth, they’re part of the room as much as every other object is. The way you style them can completely change the ambience and improve the overall look of the entryway. When it comes to your front door, you can always repaint it to match the rest of the entryway. As well as that, put a personal touch on it and leave a permanent stamp on your home. You can ask your kids to help you with this and turn it into a fun family project.

When it comes to the doors leading to the other rooms, they should be styled as well. What this primarily means is that you’ll need to fix all the imperfections on the doors. You could repaint them as well. Choosing one colour for all of them means you’ll create a unifying effect and tie the room together. If there are any gaps between the floor and the doors, consider turning to companies like Access Hardware for help. Door seals aren’t that expensive, yet they make a huge difference. The room looks more sophisticated and elegant without you having to replace the doors entirely and waste valuable resources and time.

4. Add a blackboard

A blackboard on the wall is the perfection entryway addition for a big or busy family. As well as giving your entryway some style and a unique look, the blackboard can help you keep track of everything you need to do. You can easily write your weekly schedule on it. This way, it will be much easier to actually do what you have to do. The kids will be less forgetful as they’ll always have a reminder right before they leave the house and you’ll be able to organize yourselves much more easily.

There will also be less room for miscommunication about who was supposed to do what. As well as the organizational part of the equation, you can also use the blackboard to leave your family-friendly and motivational notes to help them have a better day.

Conclusion

As you can see, styling up your entryway can be both fun and exciting. Think of this as a challenge instead of an obligation and you’re bound to have a good time doing it. The entryway of your dreams is only a few modifications away. Style comes with beauty, creativity, and originality. Sprinkle a little bit of each all of your home, and especially in your entryway, and you’ll get exactly what you were looking for.

About the Author

Sarah Jessica Smith is a young blogger from Sydney. She is in love with life and all the things that can make her daily routine easier. She loves to write about home improvement, lifestyle, and all the small things that make life such a great adventure.

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