Category - Home Decor

Have you got a flair for interior design, but don’t know where to start when it comes to setting up your own firm? Many people make a lot of money and enjoy offering interior design and decoration services to offices, stores and homes. However, it’s not always easy to begin selling your services, and gain attention for your brand. Knowing these top tips will make the transition much easier. Here are all the things you need to know about starting an interior decorating firm. 

Determine Your Services

One of the most important things you need to do is identify your niche, and make sure you are marketing yourself correctly. For example, are you going to offer things such as mood boards, colour palettes, paint swatching, 3D renderings, and shopping lists? Will you just offer digital rendering services, or will you be involved with vendors and contractors? Knowing these things are important so you can come up with your business model. 

Cultivate Your Personal Style

What style are you amazing at creating? Identify this, and then make sure you know the ins and outs of your personal design style. You should also figure out what kind of space you want to design – are you great at making offices, or do you prefer to design home spaces? This will help you to know who you need to market to. You might even only want to design one type of room, for example, kitchens or bathrooms. Knowing all of this will help you find the clients who will truly benefit from your service. 

Build Your Portfolio

You will need a portfolio at the beginning of your career, however it’s okay if it’s not huge and expansive just yet. However, it’s a good idea to give potential customers an idea of your style, so they know whether or not you are right for them. If you’re just starting out, you can include some things in your portfolio so you can promote yourself in the right way. For example, you can include images from your own home, 3D renderings of your style, or mood boards. This will help people to better understand your design style.

Promote Your Business

People won’t know how to use your services if they don’t know about them. However, there are many things you can do to put your business out there – starting a blog, keeping up with social media, business cards and paid ads can also help with promoting your new company. 

Secure Your Finances

Your business finances are just as important as you promoting your company. Starting a business on shaky financial ground can lead to bankruptcy. There are many things you can do to strengthen your financial security. For example, using accounting software to keep on top of your finances can be a really clever way to keep on top of your money while keeping costs low. You should also consider investing in some form of business insurance to protect yourself. For example, professional indemnity insurance will protect you in case something goes wrong and you damage a home when you’re designing. Visiting credit insurance brokers can allow you to protect yourself from customers who are unable to pay. Insurance could really make your company’s finances much more secure. 

It can be difficult when you’re not completely happy with your living spaces. However, getting all new furniture and interior decoration can take a lot of money and time. Therefore, many people put it off and remain unhappy with the way their home looks. Luckily, there are many ways you can transform your home and easy and manageable steps. Small changes can make a big difference.  They don’t break the bank either! Here is a guide to transforming your home in just a few quick and easy steps. 

Fresh Paint

Getting new paint for your home can be a relatively cheap and easy way to completely transform the interiors of your living spaces. Paint can transform the way natural light looks in your rooms. The right paint can better compliment your home furnishings. You can paint the walls of your home without getting an interior decorator- you can D.I.Y this easily!

Paint doesn’t have to be used on the walls either, it can also be used on the ceilings and floors. 

Get A Stair Runner

There can be many benefits to investing in a cheap but stylish stair runner. They can improve your grip on slippy, wooden floors. Installing these yourself is pretty simple, and getting the right fabric can improve your safety and also make your home look much more stylish. Stair runners can also add insulation to your home, which could save you some money on energy bills. This adds colour and dimension to your living spaces and can instantly transform your home. 

Add Plants

Indoor house plants have been a home interior trend for many years now, and this will continue long into 2023. Adding a bit of natural influences to your home can be a great way to make your interiors more interesting and lively. Getting plants doesn’t have to be expensive either, there are many ways you can get plants very cheaply, sometimes even for free. Match the plants in your home to the season to get a cohesive and stylish look for your home. 

Get Door Knockers and Door Handles

One of the best ways you can instantly transform your home is through updating your doors. Although this is small, it can really tie together the space. Getting new door knockers and door handles for your front and interior doors can make your space seem much more intricately designed. You can do this for a relatively cheap price too. 

Visit A Thrift Shop

On a budget, but want to get some new homeware for your home? Nowadays, thrift shops aren’t just full of old and worn items. There are many beautiful finds in thrift stores. Many celebrities visit thrift and vintage stores to find vintage luxury homeware. Visit local vintage and second-hand stores and you might just find the perfect addition to your home. If you’re crafty, you could even find the perfect base for an amazing D.I.Y project!

Invest in Statement Rugs 

Statement rugs can really tie your home together and inject colour and style into your home. A rug can make your living room or bedroom look editorial and expertly designed. There are many online retailers that sell affordable and stylish rugs. Look for one or two bold statement rugs to instantly transform the look of your home.

It’s time to consider bedroom improvement. You want your space to look relaxing. It’s not only about the aesthetic appeal but to make you feel comfortable. In addition, your bedroom helps you stay mentally healthy. Here’s how.

You can Sleep Well

You need to sleep well at night to be healthy. It allows your body to recharge and face the challenges ahead. Apart from your physical health, it also helps with your mental health. You will notice that you’re always in a terrible mood if you didn’t get enough sleep. You can’t focus on your task. Therefore, for the sake of having a relaxing sleep, improve your bedroom now.

You Feel Rewarded

There are times when you feel bad because you work hard and get nothing out of it. You don’t see the results of your hard work. When you decide to improve your bedroom, it’s a concrete result. You know where your hard-earned money goes. Each day, you remind yourself about what hard work can do. It also inspires you to do more.

You don’t get irritated

When you’re already in a terrible mood, everything else gets affected. Imagine a messy bedroom that makes you feel cranky. Worse, you can’t find what you want to wear since the closet is too cluttered. It’s time to replace your closet with customized wardrobes like the ones at www.myfittedbedroom.com. Finally, you will be in a positive mood since the bedroom doesn’t look terrible anymore.

You Feel Optimistic

You face several challenges each day. Sometimes, you want to give up because these problems start piling up. You go home and enter your bedroom with a heavy heart. However, when you see how beautiful the place is, you somehow feel better. It doesn’t solve your problem, but you have a reason to be optimistic.

Home Improvement can be Relaxing

The process of improving the house itself can be relaxing. You can put your design ideas to good use. You can also get involved in the process. The contractor will work with you to achieve the desired results. Even if it takes time to finish the job, it’s okay. You enjoy seeing your plans come to life.

You Feel Protected

Many things in life are beyond your control. You can’t do anything about these changes. However, bedroom design is something you can control. You can determine every detail. Sometimes, it feels good to stay in control. In a way, you feel protected. Even if you live in a cruel world, there are still a few things no one can take away from you.

The point is you should start changing your bedroom now. Look at design ideas online if you wish to get inspired. You can tweak them to include your ideas. Again, you can go crazy in choosing the themes and colours. No one should tell you how your bedroom would look like. Once the process is over, you will love the results. You will also feel proud of yourself.

Are you looking for minor touches throughout your home that will make it feel new? Or perhaps you are looking to sell your home but want to get the best possible price for it. Well, these added upgrades to your home will not only be less costly but they can also provide you with the biggest bang for your buck.

Paint

Sometimes all it takes is a quick coat of paint to make something old feel brand new. If you have been considering replacing your outdated kitchen cabinetry but just can’t afford the expense at this time, paint can be your best friend. A simple change of paint color and newly added hardware can make your kitchen feel brighter and more expensive.

Molding

If your home lacks molding, then adding some can be a quick pick-me-up to make any room feel more elegant. You can purchase molding pre-cut at a local hardware store. DIY molding can also be pretty easy if you own a miter saw.

Enhance the Exterior

The outside of a home is what draws guests and potential buyers inside. If the color of your home is fading or your landscape can use a touch up, this can be a quick and easy fix. Consider painting your front door for a fast upgrade and don’t forget to focus on the landscape. You can either hire a professional landscaping company or don’t be afraid to do it yourself. With a few searches on the internet, you can become a professional landscaper yourself.

Light Fixtures

Do you have outdated light fixtures that are just plain old? If you said yes, it’s time to replace these fixtures for new modern lighting. Depending on what the style of your home is there are plenty of options today that will fit in with the theme perfectly. You’d be surprised how much of a difference this can make and it will only take a few minutes.

Rearrange Furniture

An update that will literally cost you nothing, unless you want to opt for new furniture. A simple rearrangement of your rooms can make a great difference not only in the appearance of your rooms but also the functionality.

If you’re ready to take on some home upgrades or are looking for a new home to update, these changes are sure to make a cheap, yet effective difference. If you are in the market for a new home, you’ll definitely want to check out Baton Rouge houses for sale to get a glimpse at what these incredible homes have to offer.

Renovating a space can be quite complicated, especially if you’re not very DIY-savvy. The usage of different materials and planning the actual renovation could be very complicated and could also lead to a very, very stressful time when not set up properly. Budgeting is also another very powerful part which we should consider, especially when done within small environments like a bedroom. Let’s try and break down how to do this properly, shall we? 

Picking The Right Materials 

When renovating any space, especially if very small, it’s very important to pick and choose the right materials for you. In order to choose the right materials is mandatory to evaluate which parts of the room you’re going to change and, whether in case you’ll need to paint them, it’s very important to check if they are connecting well with the rest of your furniture. Contemporary furniture is a great choice to add either a modern or authentic finish to your bedroom.

Having A Plan Of Action

Deciding how you will approach a home renovation is something which will save you a lot of time (and money when buying materials/tools). Keep in mind that a plan of action isn’t just “let’s move this here from there”, but a detailed step by step document which you should follow when actually approaching the renovation, regardless of its size. 

A plan of action should also be heavily relying on your budget and its ROI, so to speak. Don’t exaggerate on a single task if it’s going to slow down the execution of the entire plan! 

Using The Right Tools 

Always underestimated, but vital for a proper renovation or any building-related task, the usage of the right tools is something which is very likely to change amateur work from a professional one. Using the right tools for each specific task will also very likely improve and speed up each individual task, so that’s a big reason why no one should underestimate this task. 

To Conclude 

As you can see, there are a lot of things to take into consideration when planning, executing or even thinking about a small or big renovation. Hopefully, these tips will help you in making your place looking even better than now! 

Carpet cleaning and restoration routines must be consistent in every home and office. A lot of homeowners have carpet installed in their homes due to its classic appearance and the comfort it brings. The carpet is one of the best choices for flooring. However, it is essential for homeowners to properly manage and clean their carpets.

House and office carpets need routine cleaning and regular maintenance. Frequent vacuuming should also be often exercised. Aside from the manual spot cleaning, it is recommended to have a carpet professionally cleaned. Professional cleaning can help in extending the life of the carpet. Moreover, there are multiple benefits that homeowners can enjoy when their carpet is routinely maintained.

Benefits of Regular Carpet Cleaning and Restoration

Avoid Health Risks

Carpets at home can be a good addition to the home’s aesthetics. However, carpets are very notorious as a breeding ground for bacteria. If not frequently cleaned, it can collect dust particles and allergens. If a person is living in a home with ill-maintained carpets, they can develop respiratory problems. People that have allergies can also develop breathing problems. The airborne dust and particles accumulated in the carpet can lead to allergies and asthma.

Uncleaned carpets can expose the family to harmful pollutants. The contaminants in the carpets can cause various health problems. The children, elderly and pets are the most susceptible to sicknesses. Vacuuming can help in removing dirt, bacteria, and dust mites but it cannot completely remove these particles if it accumulated overtime on the carpet. Professional carpet cleaning and restoration is a needed routine for households to fully remove the disease-causing allergens and bacteria.

Save Money and Prolong Carpet’s Life

If a carpet has accumulated so much dirt and becomes too unusable, it will be discarded. Carpets are quite expensive, especially the bigger ones. Regular maintenance can help a carpet retain its good condition. Carpets will have a longer life span and avoid the expensive costs of buying a new one. It is more affordable to spend money to have a regular cleaning than buying a new one.

Frequent carpet cleaning is also essential as it can prolong the carpet’s lifespan. Carpets are always stepped upon or spilled on which can result in permanent soiling or stains. If the carpet is regularly cleaned, it can prevent any spots or stains to become permanent.

Improve the Home’s Airflow

Dirty carpets can impede appropriate airflow in a home. The carpet is clogged with dirt and small debris that can compromise the airflow. Areas along the walls that need air to move along will not receive proper airflow. The dust on the carpet will permeate within the rooms. Cleaner carpets will contribute to better airflow and better air quality.

It must be noted that if the carpets are left unclean, it will cause major problems to the air quality. It can pose threats including mites, mildew, and mold. These things do not simply stick to the carpet as it can float around, aggravating allergies and causing an unpleasant smell.

Avoid Carpet Mites

Carpet mites, which are also called dust mites, are tiny bugs that will need a microscope to see them. When a certain area is vacuumed, these dust mites will be stirred and float to the air. Once inhaled, it can irritate allergies, cause breathing problems, and can even mix to the food on the table. Vacuuming does not clean those mites. To fully clean them, the carpet must be professionally cleaned by a reliable service provider.

Minimizes or Avoids Dark “Traffic Lane” Effects on the Floor

Carpets that have the most foot traffic in a home includes areas such as kitchens, hallways, and living rooms. Carpets in these areas will deteriorate faster compared to those that are in the bedroom. Dirt is constant in those locations and can be darker than the carpets placed on the other parts of the house.

If left dirty for a long time, the dirt will stick on the floor, creating the dark “traffic lane” on the floor’s surface. The outline of the carpet will be imprinted on the floor with a black mass. If carpets are often cleaned, these dark areas can be prevented and can also restore the cleanliness of the floors.

Vacuuming and cleaning carpets are great to avoid any dust from accumulating. Nonetheless, homes and even offices need to have their carpets professionally cleaned. People must ensure that the carpet cleaning service they hire is reliable, reputable, and experienced to get the most out of their budget.

Are you wondering when is the right time to downsize your home? Well, to be honest, the answer to that question will depend on many factors as well as your life situation. Some people decide to downsize because they want to live simpler lives, some are preparing for a new chapter in life like retirement or a new job, and some just became overwhelmed by the amount of stuff around them. All these reasons, as well as many others, are more than legitimate! But, one thing is for sure, downsizing is a big trend nowadays. Moreover, it really helps people live better lives. So, it can be said that the right time to downsize is NOW! However, if you are not persuaded yet and you need help deciding the right time to downsize your home, keep on reading.

You Are Ready For Retirement

Probably the best time to think about downsizing is when you are close to your retirement. Many people actually include downsizing in their retirement plans too. So, this is nothing new. Taking care of a big house is time, money and energy-consuming. And who would want to spend their golden years looking after a big house? Nobody really. So, if your retirement is approaching, start downsizing now! Declutter your current home. You can either donate, sell or even throw away some of the items you do not plan on using anymore. Focus only on the things that are irreplaceable and valuable to you, and then call mastermovingguide.com to help you relocate them to your new address. You will see that you are enjoying your retirement a lot more when taking care of a smaller property.

Your Children Have Moved Out

Another great time to start considering downsizing is when all your children have moved out. Some children go to college, some get married and some just want to start living independently. So, there is no point in living in such a big house if you are alone or just with your spouse. Yes, selling and moving from your family home, where your children grew up is hard for all parents, but you should try to focus on more positive aspects of this downsizing process. For instance, you will have more time and energy to devote to your family. Moreover, you will have more money to do something you always wanted like go on some extravagant trip you always dreamed of or do some hobby you never had time for. You should look at downsizing as a new beginning. So, call your local real estate agent, and start looking for a smaller home.

Your Current Home Costs You Too Much

If you live in a big home, you probably know that that comes with hefty price tags. Living in a huge home is all fun and games until those big bills arrive. Everything is more expensive – utilities, taxes, and mortgage, among other things. So, it is no wonder why so many people decide to downsize for this particular reason – to be able to live more affordably and comfortably. Just think about it. You will be able to supercharge your retirement fund. You will pay off all the debts and mortgage too. And, of course, all your bills will suddenly become smaller. Sound amazing, right? However, there are also some people who are just forced to move to a smaller home too. This happens when the bills become bigger than your income. So, if you think that you are in this situation, or close to it, now is the time to start looking for some house removal tips and find a smaller home.

You Want to Live a Simpler Life

As previously mentioned, many people nowadays try to become minimalists. That is a very popular trend, and it focuses on having less material things and living in smaller spaces. People who are following this trend started getting rid of all the unnecessary possessions. They are keeping only items that are of key importance for living comfortably. That usually starts with purging and decluttering homes and then moving to smaller ones. And, they all swear that their lives have changed completely after it. So, if you think that you became overwhelmed with all the stuff around you, maybe it is time to downsize and start living a simpler life. Donate, sell or throw away all the things you do not use daily. Replace your shoddy short-term items with quality long term ones. Donate all those outfits you have not worn in ages. And, most importantly, learn to buy less and say ‘No, thank you’, to all the physical gifts. After all, New Year is the perfect time to start thinking about your new home and your new life.

You Want to Do Something Nice for Yourself

Last but definitely not the least – downsizing in order to do something nice for yourself. This should actually be the number one reason why you should consider downsizing.  Just think about, you will save a lot of money by living in a smaller home. You can finally say goodbye to all those huge bills, taxes, mortgages and similar. Then, you will save a lot of time and energy as you will not have to constantly clean and take care of that huge home. Instead, you can use that time and money and do something you always wanted. Just like we mentioned earlier, if you downsize, you can pay for that trip you always wanted or have more time to do your hobbies or simply have more energy to spend with your loved ones. And, you will finally be able to finish cleaning fast and spend the rest of the day enjoying yourself. Thus, if you feel that living in a huge home is taking all your energy and eating your budget, now is the best time to downsize and focus on yourself, not on your property.