Fixing Up the Kitchen? How to Give It a Fresh Aesthetic

If you live in an older home that has not been updated in a while, you may want to think about updating the kitchen. Since we typically spend considerable time cooking meals and cleaning dishes there, the kitchen should offer a pleasant environment and functional workspace to make life more enjoyable.

Paint the Walls

You will be amazed by how much a fresh coat of paint can improve the appearance of your kitchen. Choose a color that works with the room's decor and your home's color scheme. You may want to paint the ceiling white to brighten the entire room. You could alternately wallpaper the kitchen. But keep in mind that humidity and moisture from boiling, stewing, and baking might affect the wallpaper over time, causing it to loosen or peel.

Reface or Repaint the Cabinets

If you have wood cabinets that would be expensive to replace, have them refaced instead. This is a more affordable option to make your cabinet doors look like new. You might prefer to paint the cabinets in a shade that works well with the color of the walls and any trim. A thorough cleaning of the cabinet doors followed by refreshing them with a new finish or paint color will give your kitchen a vibrant look. You can also replace the cupboard door knobs or pulls for a trendy vibe.

Enhance the Countertops

New countertops can give your kitchen a completely different look, especially if the current ones are faded or scratched. Installing marble countertops can make the room feel more upscale, and they are surprisingly affordable. Choose a complementary backsplash to bring the new countertops into sharp focus as well as protect them during food preparation and cooking.

Upgrade the Lighting

Old light fixtures can date a kitchen, making it seem old fashioned and sometimes ill-lit. Replace aging lights with newer styles that accent the other improvements being made. For example, wall sconces can light up nooks and crannies that have been repainted or updated with new shelving. Add accessory lights under the cupboards to illuminate new countertops or install small accent lights in the backsplash for a special effect.

Replace the Flooring

A new waterproof plank floor will bring your kitchen into the twenty-first century and keep it safe from food spills and sink or fridge leaks. You can also opt for linoleum or tile flooring in a pattern that works with your colors and appliances.

You don't have to change everything in your kitchen to improve it. A few well-placed or much needed enhancements can make the room look its best.

Guest Post - How to Downsize from a House and Get Adjusted to Apartment Living

While owning a large house might be a dream for many Americans, having so much square footage can be incredibly challenging as well. From empty rooms and high monthly bills to constant household maintenance, large homes can come with quite steep costs. 

For that reason, an increasing number of homeowners are deciding to downsize, but aren’t quite sure how to navigate this drastic and often overwhelming change. If you’re having similar issues as well, here are some helpful tips that will allow you to downsize from a house and easily get adjusted to apartment living:

Begin by decluttering your belongings

Downsizing to an apartment will inevitably mean you’ll have to learn how to live with less and get rid of some of your belongings in an effort to fit into a smaller space. For that reason, planning and preparing for a household move in advance, even before starting an apartment search, is always advised. Begin by decluttering your entire home, and then immediately throw out, donate, or sell anything you don’t need or use anymore. 

Whether it’s clothing items or unutilized equipment, removing unnecessary items from your home will allow you to realize that you don’t really need all that living space when it’s not filled up with clutter and chaos.

Prepare for the move in advance

In an effort to make moving houses easy, it might also be helpful to downsize ahead of time. Apart from throwing out any unnecessary belongings, this could also mean letting go of any large pieces of furniture or otherwise big and bulky items that aren’t likely to fit inside an apartment. This will allow you to adjust to smaller living before you move out, and it might even make the final move that much quicker and easier, knowing you have significantly fewer large and heavy items to transport.

Consider whether you wish to buy or rent

Once you’ve done the initial preparations, the next step would be to decide whether you want to buy or rent your apartment. While owning a home might be a dream for many, apartments can come at surprisingly high costs, including mortgage, insurance, and maintenance rates, all of which can be particularly daunting if you don’t own the house you currently live in, and can’t put the sales money towards your new home. 

In places like Texas, where the prices of apartments are currently on the rise, many people tend to look for beautiful Brownsville apartments for rent in order to overcome this hurdle. Coming in stunning complexes, convenient locations, and no additional homeowner costs, such apartments are truly the perfect solution for downsizing.

Think about the necessary requirements

In case you’re looking for a condo in larger cities like New York or Los Angeles, on the other hand, there are a number of additional aspects you might want to consider when searching for the perfect home. For example, if having outdoor space and access to a pool is something you don’t want to compromise on when downsizing, you need to include these amenities in your search in order to find the right apartment, as such complexes can be difficult to come across. 

Similarly, if you need additional personal, office, and storage space, or you even plan on expanding your family in the future, these are all important details to keep in mind when choosing the most appropriate apartment size and floor plan.

Finalize the move to your new place

After you’ve found your dream apartment, it will be time to sign the lease. But before you do so, it’s recommended to carefully review the documents and pay special attention to aspects such as the rent price, security deposit, and utilities, as well as any maintenance and damages policies, to ensure everything is as agreed. When you’re finally ready to move in, a professional moving company could be of great help, but you also might be able to complete the move by yourself, especially if your decluttering efforts were successful.

Make your apartment feel like home

Whether you are renting or even buying your new condo, making the space feel comfortable and inviting, without being overly stuffed, could be one of the biggest challenges you face when downsizing. When it comes to furnishing and decorating an apartment, size should be your main priority. Simply carefully measuring the rooms and potential furniture will be enough to help you select the ideal pieces for a smaller space. 

To make your apartment feel homier, personalization will be key. From bright wall colors and printed cushions to natural materials and textured rugs, there are many ways you could add more interest and dimension to your new space, easily making it feel like home.

Wrapping up

Even though downsizing could present a challenge for many homeowners, living in an apartment can actually give you newfound happiness and freedom, without mortgages and house maintenance weighing you down. And as long as you utilize the helpful tips mentioned above, downsizing might actually be a less stressful and more enjoyable experience as well.

About the author: Mike Johnston is an experienced blogger and editor with a background in creative writing and digital media. He’s a regular contributor to the ‘Smooth Decorator’ blog and numerous other online publications where he writes primarily about home improvement, interior design, and sustainable living.

Interior Design as a Form of Expression

Every home is unique. Your home sets the tone for you each day, whether you are conscious of it or not. When you’re home, it should speak to you, and everyone who visits should see you in it. But, if you’re having trouble putting yourself in your home, here are a few ways to use interior design as a form of self-expression. 

Know Your Aesthetic

Your aesthetic is the overall theme of your home. There are dozens of aesthetics, such as minimalist, vintage, or modern. Look online for ideas of different options and determine your style.

Once you have an idea of your general aesthetic, expand on it. There’s no need to lock yourself into one look; it’s simply a jumping-off point for your style expression. You may like two different styles and pick pieces from each. If there’s ever a time for “you to do you,” it’s now! 

Set a Budget

Before you embark on getting your style on, you need to understand your budget. Understanding how much you have to spend can make it easier to pick out which pieces mean the most. 

And, you’ll feel more comfortable and confident knowing you didn’t break the bank to create your perfect, unique space. 

Choose Your Colors

Once you have an idea of your general style aesthetic, dive into the different color pallets that fit into your vision. Though you should have a color story throughout your home, you don’t need to pick the same colors for each room. 

After deciding on your color pallet, you can paint or wallpaper your space to set the appropriate background for your design. 

Pick a Statement Piece

Choosing furniture for your spaces can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Make your life easier by starting with a single statement piece for each room. 

This can be a family heirloom, something stunning you saw in a window, or a custom piece designed just for you. Whatever it is, it’s your jumping-off point for filling your room with elements that speak to your unique style. 

Add in Finishing Touches

After you have your larger furniture pieces set, you can start putting in those small finishing touches that make a room come alive. Add in artwork, throw pillows, photos, and other small items to tie everything together. 

Where to Start in Your Styling Journey

If you’re styling your home for the first time, you may not know where to start. There are a few common high-impact areas you can address first to get your design rolling. 

The Bedroom

Your bedroom is one of the best places to start when expressing yourself through interior design. This is where you spend most of your time, and it’s a sacred space for your wellbeing.

Start your bedroom design with the most important piece: your bed. Once you have that statement piece selected, move to determine some artwork that will create the soothing or sexy vibe you want. 

Pay attention to color, too. Look for something that gives a sense of calm and relaxation, like an earthy green or calming cream. Finally, sprinkle in small trinkets, comfy pillows and blankets, and other elements to put the finishing touches on your design. 

The Kitchen

The kitchen is another area where you likely spend a lot of your time. It also tends to be the central gathering space for guests. It should give off a warm, welcoming vibe in line with your chosen aesthetic. 

For the kitchen, your table is your statement piece. Select something that has the right blend of fashion and function for your space. When it comes to your walls, consider a brightening color like orange or yellow or a soothing shade like blue. It all depends on what you want your cocina to say. 

The Home Office

More people than ever are working from home these days, making your home office a very important room. You want your office to make you feel productive yet also offer a place to relax between intense meetings or tasking projects. 

In your office, your desk is your statement piece and sets the stage. The walls can be dark or light, depending on your work vibe. Decorate your desk with small reminders of why you’re working so hard: photos of family and friends or a favorite framed quote can do the trick. 

Beyond your desk, you should also include a place to relax, like a chair or loveseat. Everyone needs a break at times, and this is your refuge spot. Drape a soft blanket over it and add some custom throw pillows to show off your style. 

Express Yourself

Wherever you start, go confidently in your style! 

Your space is about you. Make it your own, and you’ll love coming home to it every day. 

7 Ways to Turn Unused Space Into the Rooms You Need

Ever dreamt of having a designated entertainment hub in your home? Maybe you desire a game room for your family or you want to add a workout space in your house. Is inadequate square footage holding you back? Don’t despair, you can create that entertainment hub or a home gym with the space at hand. Use unused spaces in your home to add more functional rooms without altering the structure or adding additional square feet to your house. Transform your house using the following ideas. 

From a Chilly Basement Into a Light-Drenched Workout Space

Perhaps you need a home gym to stick to a fitness routine. What’s holding you from enjoying the satisfaction that comes with owning a home gym? Is space an issue? Home gyms are not reserved for the rich alone. All you need is an empty space to create a breath-taking home gym for you and your loved one. You can rework your garage into a classy gym with the right planning and resources. Start by clearing and cleaning the garage. You will need to renovate the space, add more lighting, switch up the wall color to brighter colors, and replace the garage flooring with suitable gym flooring to ease and support your workout. When shopping for gym flooring, consider getting rubber flooring for the home gym. The rubber flooring adequately supports any gym equipment. Rubber flooring is durable and a good shock absorbent. 

Switch Up that Blah Attic Into a Snuggy Bedroom 

If you need an extra bedroom, look up towards your attic. It may look creepy, dark, and restricting at the moment. Don’t work. You can unleash the coziness out of your attic, by adding lighting, using warm colors on the walls, and letting in more natural lights. If your attic comes with a tall ceiling use pendant lamps. For a low ceiling attic, use spotlights. You can use floor lamps to enhance the lighting in the room. Stick to one or two patterns, colors, and textures to make the bedroom less crowded. Minimize and use sleek furniture. If the attic has beams, consider refinishing them. 

Step Up Your family’s Entertainment by Getting Them an Entertainment Hub 

Looking to ramp up your home’s entertainment? Bring the cinema to your home by leveling up the basement and turning it into a theater room. With the right skills and a bit of ingenuity, you can jack up the basement and set up a luxurious cinema room. If your basement has no windows, it would be a perfect room for an intimate and cozy theater. If there is a window, use blinds to reduce outside light. Think of adding soft lighting to give out an inviting atmosphere. 

Create an Ultimate Family Room 

Consider redesigning the garage into an ultimate family room if you need more space to entertain your guests or hold conversations with your family. Clear up the garage, add a window, warm up the garage with heating vents, insulate the walls, add lighting, brighten up the walls, and consider turning the garage door into a wall. Replace the concrete floor with laminated or hardwood floors. Add mats and rugs to make the space more inviting. 

Use The Extra Room and Set up a relaxation suite 

If you hardly have guests in your home, turn the guest room into a relaxation room. You need a sanctuary to turn to after a stressful workday. Create a sensory environment by using calming colors for this room, incorporating softer textures and lighting, and adding scented candles. Group the furniture to build on the warmth and create an inviting atmosphere. 

Position a Homework Station Under the Stair 

Use the space below the stairs to set up a breathtaking homework station. You need a little creativity to create a space that sparks productiveness and makes your kids or anyone using the space focus on their task. Ensure the space provide a semi-private space to focus 

Convert the Landing Into a Home Office

Add more functionality to your staircase landing by turning the space into an office. Use slim office furniture and storage units to avoid filling the narrow space. You can mount open shelves and racks on the walls to store extra supplies. Stick to whites to create an airy feeling. Find creative ways to make the landing and the staircase feel cohesive. 

Final Thoughts 

There is a high likelihood you’re not utilizing all the spaces in your home. Even a tiny house has lots of unused spaces. With a little patience and effort, you can turn any unutilized space in your home into a functional space.