How to Make Your House Look Sophisticated on a Budget

A home is a place of sanctuary from the busy day-to-day routine of work. You want your home to feel as comfortable and elegant as possible. However, you may not have the means to spend an extravagant amount on updating your home. Luckily, there are inexpensive ways to make your house stand out. Here are some tips to help make your home look sophisticated on a budget. 

Declutter Your Home

With a busy schedule between career and family, it can be hard to get rid of things you don’t need at home. What you can do is start following a schedule for vacuuming, dusting, recycling, or just donating. The free space not only makes your home feel more sophisticated, it can give you a peace of mind as well. The general decor feels livelier and accessories will start to stand out. 

The Right Furniture 

Furniture can make or break a room with a lot of space. Luckily, you have different consignment shops, secondhand stores, and even estate sales that can help you keep the costs down. Also, you may be able to shop online to find good deals that can enhance your bedroom. Invest your money in one large statement piece of furniture to create the illusion that each room is larger than it actually is.  A great example of this is to buy a large luxury bed instead of having lots of small pieces of furniture that can make you room seem small and cluttered.

Better Lightning

Lighting can be pricey depending on your look. However, you have a number of cost-effective choices. You can be a bit eco-friendlier, for example, by using lights that use energy more efficiently. Adding lights that detect motion gives your home a modern aesthetic as well and they’ll turn off when someone isn’t in the room. You can even have lights that dim to lessen the amount of energy used, which can help you save money on your electric bill. 

Upgrade Your Hardware

You don’t always have to go out and buy a new refrigerator or washer and dryer. There are smaller things you can do inside the house that will give your home an updated feel. For example, you can add towel rack to your bathroom or perhaps put a new coat of paint on your kitchen cabinets. These small changes really enhance the look and feel of different sections of the house without digging deep into your pockets. 

Putting in Hardwood Floors

While you might be thinking that hardwood floors are expensive, they aren’t as costly as they might initially seem. You can find quality hardwood that’s relatively inexpensive, such as birch and oak. It gives your home a classic and elegant look. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about vacuuming or cleaning stains out of the carpet – it’s much easier to maintain a hardwood floor. 

These are some tips to help you add some elegance to your home without emptying your bank account. That means that you don’t have to sacrifice your savings for some quality aesthetic. Surrounding yourself with décor that you love can help you feel more peace and tranquility in your humble abode, so start looking for reasonable options today!

8 Ways To Cleanse Your Home After A Breakup

By Stephanie James

Calling it quits in a relationship is tough for a number of reasons. You’re not just breaking up with your partner, but saying goodbye to all of the bad energy that filled your house prior to, or during, the breakup. You don’t have to cut your hair, move to another country, or do anything out of left field. The goal is simple; to refresh and renew your life, and your headspace. For a fresh start, it’s important to have a clean space and mind. Below are a few cleansing tips to jump-start your breakup recovery!

1. Replace Your Pictures

The last thing you want in your home are pictures of your ex, reminding you of the good, the bad, and the ugly, in what’s supposed to be your safe haven. You may be tempted to burn all of your old pictures featuring your ex, but before you do this,  find new ones to replace them with right away. So instead of burning old photos and leaving an empty space in not just your heart, but on your walls, you can instantly replace them with photos that remind you of good times and memories!

2. Sage the place

You may have heard of sage, or used smudging tactics before. It’s an ancient Native American ritual used to cleanse and purify your space after encountering bad energy. However, the practice is now commonly used for ringing in the New Year, spring cleaning, and just when your space needs a positive boost! What you do is burn a sage stick and visit all rooms in your home, while waving the stick in the air like you’re ringing a bell. After the smoke clears, the energy in your home should be neutralized, giving you the positivity that you, and your home, need for recovery.

3. Declutter

This might be the time to do a little cleaning. The reasoning behind this is because having a clean house makes you more relaxed, and even sleep better. Additionally, going through a breakup may put your body through more physical and emotional stress, ultimately lowering your immune system. Having a clean space with lower the risk of illness when you’re going through this time. Trust me; you’ll need all your energy to get back out there on the dating field!

4. Get New Candles

Often times, different smells take you back to a certain time, feeling or memory.  Because of this, you might want to think about replacing the candles in your home! That way you don’t feel drawn to the past and can focus on moving on. Another reason to stock up on candles is that they are great tools for relaxation, and promoting self-care. 

 5. Decorate With Himalayan Salt Lamps

You’ve probably seen the new-agey and trendy Himalayan Salt Lamps around recently — they’re everywhere! These lamps, made from pieces of Himalayan salt crystals, not only add a tasteful and trendy touch to your home decor, but they are great for cleansing your home because they produce negative ions which promote better air quality and may protect you against airborne germs! Try placing a Himalayan Salt Lamp in every room — Bonus:  The warm light is great for relaxation!

6. Replace Your Mattress

While the general rule of thumb is to switch out your mattress every 7- 8 years, you might expedite this after a breakup and consider getting a new mattress. For many couples, the bedroom is a place to connect and feel safe with your partner. If your bedroom isn’t giving you the same vibes as it did before, or even just in the spirit of cleaning and cleansing, try treating yourself to new sheets or a mattress — whatever will help you sleep at night!

5. Get A New Place

Maybe you’ve tried cleansing, replacing photos, salt lamps, etc., and you can’t escape the memories with your ex in your home, and you’re having a hard time moving on. It’s okay to pack up and move! If you think that having a place to call completely your own will help you heal and (quite literally) move on during this process, then go for it!

6. Fill Your Home With New Memories

Now that your living space is cleansed, and hopefully your mind is clearer too, start making new memories! Recovery from a tough break up won’t happen overnight, but it’s important to fill your life with positivity and the people you care about most. Maybe host the next girls night, dinner party or football viewing party.