There is nothing better than having a cozy home to return to after a hard day’s work. You want to be able to snuggle up on the sofa with a hot chocolate: warm and content. But rooms don’t come cozy, you have to make them that way, and it isn’t always obvious how to do this. To help, here are five simple steps to transform any room into a cozy space.

1. Incense Sticks and Diffusers

When you smell something relaxing, such as lavender, your olfactory senses are stimulated and send a message to your brain telling your body to unwind.

Because of this, you might want to use comforting smells to make a room feel cozier. You can do this by using incense sticks or diffusers, as each brings its unique mood. Incense sticks tend to be more earthy or woody, whereas diffusers tend to be more perfumed as they use essential oils.

As incense sticks burn, they leave a small smoke trail while diffusers emit a mist. Some people like to burn a sage smudge stick instead of incense sticks, as sage is said tohave cleansing and calming properties and is thought to enhance intuition.

2. Add Candles for Coziness

There are few things cozier than flickering candlelight. Even during the warmer months, candles have a magical effect on a room. Relatively inexpensive and available in different shapes, sizes, and colors, you can even burn scented candles to combine relaxing smells with the dim dancing light.

With candles, safety has always got to be a priority. In 2015-2019, on average, 20 home candles fires were reported in the US every day.

3. Use Lamps to Dim the Lights

Sometimes candles might not be suitable: you might have children or pets, or perhaps the light they emit is a little too dark. Lamps can be used instead to make rooms feel incredibly cozy. They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors, so you can always find the perfect light fixture to compliment your room decor.

Bright lights are known to stop melatonin, the sleep hormone, from being released. So if you want to snuggle down and allow yourself you start becoming sleepy, it is recommended by the CDC to dim the lights for up to two hours before bedtime for a great night’s sleep. Lamps will help you to do this.

4. Add Blankets

The final component to any cozy room is a set of blankets. This is the case whether you are designing your kitchen,lounge, bedroom, or even your hall. When not in use, blankets make a room look cozy when wrapped up, put in a basket, or laid out across the back of a sofa, adding texture.

When they are in use, there is nothing better than having the comfort of a blanket on your legs, providing that extra bit of warmth.

5. Create a Playlist

There is nothing more frustrating than having to click around choosing one song after another on your computer or phone – particularly when music has the power to make you feel completely relaxed. So one of the best things you can do to really enhance your restful room is create a playlist of songs in advance that make you feel cozy. When you get home after a long day, you can pop it on and nestle in with ease.

The Round-Up

So by following any, or all, of these five simple steps, you will now be able to make any room feel cozy. Whether you play music, burn sage or incense sticks, light a candle, use lamps, or snuggle down with a blanket, these easy tricks are sure to make your room soon feel snug and comfortable.

The way that light is used in outdoor spaces has a direct impact on how people experience these areas. It can also change the perception of an exterior space by drawing attention to certain features, adding depth and dimension, or highlighting other elements. Outdoor lighting strategies are usually more complex than those for indoor spaces because they need to be designed with weather conditions in mind. The following article will explore four different ideas for using lighting to transform your outdoor space into something you enjoy spending time in all year round!

Light Up Your Driveway

Driveway lighting can be a very functional way to increase the security and safety of your home. Install motion-activated lights in your driveway to illuminate walking paths at night, helping you avoid tripping hazards or unexpected obstacles that could cause an accident. These helpful features may also alert neighbors that someone is entering or leaving your property for any reason. Driveway lights tend to increase the value of homes, too!

Many homeowners don’t know that simply illuminating your driveway can increase your home’s value. The desire for safety in the dark is very apparent in this day and age, especially when you have small children or pets wandering about. As seen at https://www.viribright.com/product-category/led-roadway-lights/, installing motion-activated lights in the evening hours will let you know when someone is coming up to your driveway. That way,  you can prepare for their arrival or send them away before they ring the doorbell.

Lighting Up Your Entryway

As you already know, lighting is essential for illuminating your home for safety and ambiance purposes. Outdoor lights are used to guide guests inside after dark or even during the day when they want to enjoy the outdoors without stepping into the sun. Not only does this improve their quality of life, but it also gives them a sense of security. It’s nice to feel safe wherever you are, especially in your own backyard!

Decorative lighting can be used in most entryways to add definition and visual interest with the help of pendants, sconces, post-mounted fixtures, or wall lamps. If space allows, consider installing an outdoor chandelier that will enhance both beauty functions. This type of light is popular in many homes, no matter the style.

Lighting Up The Backyard

Your outdoor space can be transformed with the right lighting. You need to make sure you are choosing the best option for your needs while considering whether or not it will meet their requirements long-term. If you have any concerns, feel free to consult a professional who deals in electrical work at your local hardware store. They are usually very knowledgeable about every aspect of safety that has to do with lighting, and they will be able to give you advice that’s tailored to your individual needs!

Lighting can also serve a functional purpose when it comes to backyard entertaining areas, too! If you love hosting get-togethers with friends and family outside during warmer months, then why not take advantage of this area? You may want to install patio lights along concrete surfaces so people walking around your yard aren’t tripping over uneven ground. String lights are also great for creating an enchanting environment that will transform your backyard into something magical!

Lighting Up Your Pool Area

Having lighting near your pool area is essential for safety reasons, especially after dark. High-quality, low-voltage lighting can illuminate the perimeter of your pool, so it’s easy to spot if anyone accidentally falls in. LED lights are great for this purpose because they don’t give off too much heat, so you won’t have to worry about them being a problem or hazard!

You should also consider adding accent lighting within the water, which will create an incredible visual effect that guests are sure to love! This type of illumination allows people to see where they are going when they are swimming at night, but it also creates gorgeous reflections on shiny surfaces that will be truly unforgettable! You can even use underwater lights as a way to transform your backyard into something truly amazing, and it won’t be too expensive, either (depending on the size of your pool)!

Lighting up your outdoor space will not only improve the ambiance and safety of your home but can also increase its resale value. Consider these four ideas to transform your outdoors with lighting that is both functional and decorative! You’ll want to make sure you are considering what type of lighting fixtures work best for you given the size of your property, as well as any other special features like pools or fountains. We hope this article has given you plenty of ideas for sprucing up your outdoor space with the right kind of lighting!

Having your home flooded is a life-changing, scary experience. People’s lives are turned upside-down when there is water where it shouldn’t be in their homes. House flooding can happen due to different circumstances, from faulty appliances to broken water mains, and even too much rain. There are, however, steps that can be taken to prevent your house from flooding.

1. Check For Leaks

Make sure your roof is in good condition. Look for leaks, and fix any you find immediately to prevent water from getting inside your house. Also, examine downspouts to make sure that water is draining away from your house. Another thing you should do is check your water heater. You might not know it, but water heaters can be a cause of flooding. Lift the lid on the water heater and make sure there is no rust or corrosion- if there is, that means you need to replace it. If you’re not really sure whether or not your water heater is leaking, you can click here to learn more about what you can do to make sure everything is in top shape. Not every leak will lead to a flood – sometimes all you need to do is tighten a bolt or two and the problem is solved – but if you don’t take care of leaks, they can cause problems later on.

2. Keep Your Gutters Clear and Clean

Don’t let debris pile up in or around your gutters as it can divert water away from them and onto the side of your home where it should never be. You can also hire a professional to clean your gutters so you don’t have to do it yourself. Keeping gutters clear of debris is an important step because clogged gutters are often the cause of blocked storm drains which results in street flooding. However, if you run into an issue where your gutter just isn’t draining correctly, you might need to add extensions. Extensions can be added in the form of splash blocks, which help water flow down off your roof and into your drains. It’s always best to do these checks before the rain season starts in order to ensure everything is in good working order.

3. Make Sure Your Yard is Drainage Ready

When it comes to home flooding, landscaping plays a huge role. You need your yard and landscaping to be designed in such a way that the excess water from rain and snowmelt can drain away from your house so that it doesn’t gather near the foundation and cause damage. If there are a lot of flat or hard surfaces in your yard, you should do what you can to break them up and add mulch and other landscaping features to help rainwater seep into the ground where it belongs. You can also add a French drain to your landscaping which will allow water to flow away from the foundation. If you don’t mind breaking a sweat, you can even do this as your next DIY project, since there isn’t a lot of technical know-how when it comes to french drains.

4. Piping Inspection

It’s important that the piping in your house is thoroughly inspected to make sure it’s free from cracks and leaks. Leaks near a water supply can also be a cause of flooding, so you should take care of these issues immediately. However, while we already mentioned leaks, you should also see if there’s anything blocking the water in the pipes. If you notice that it takes too long for the water to drain while washing the dishes, or taking a shower, there might be something clogging the pipe, so give that a check as well. An easy way to unclog it yourself would be to pour a generous amount of baking soda and then follow it up with some vinegar. Don’t forget to turn off the water before you do this, though!

5. Know When You Need Professional Help

While you can definitely take care of most things on your own, it doesn’t mean that everything is within your capabilities. This includes any emergencies – if there’s something serious going on with the plumbing in your house, or if the water seems to be entering from an outside source, don’t try to improvise and deal with it by yourself. Call a professional to assess the situation and fix it right away, before it gets even worse. Even if you’re doing some bigger fixes on your own, if you’re not experienced with that kind of handy work, you might want to call a plumber just to check if you did the job correctly. Of course, you don’t need to call someone if you’ve just tightened a bolt that wasn’t fully in, but for bigger projects, an extra set of hands, or just having someone make sure that you did a good job, can be a load off your mind.

If your house is in danger of flooding, there are usually some signs that you should be aware of. Stains on your walls or ceiling which could indicate a leak if left unchecked, water damage to carpets and furniture – these are all things you should keep an eye out for. You can avoid much more serious problems by taking care of smaller things ahead of time, like checking your gutters and yard drainage. It’s also important to keep track of any water issues in your house, like slow draining or clogged pipes, because sometimes they’re the result of something small that can be fixed fast if you know what you’re doing.

How To Create A Luxury Home Lounge

Having a space in your home curated for leisure can help you unwind in the evenings after work. Whether you want a lounge for hobbies like reading or watching football, there are tons of simple ways to carve out an oasis in a pocket of your home.

You don’t have to be a professional interior designer or complete a remodel to curate the perfect luxury lounge space. Try some of these simple ideas to help elevate your relaxation zone.

Stock Simple Indulgences

For many, a relaxing evening may involve pouring a nice cocktail or enjoying a favorite snack. Bring in a bar cart andcomplete your drink and snack set up to create the ideal hosting space. Even your evenings alone curled up with a book or getting some work done late can feel luxurious with all your favorite drinks and accessories lined up on a picturesque cart.

If drinking isn’t your thing, bar carts can also be a great way to store and serve snacks and even cigars or delta 8 smokes. Go for a stunning and sturdy wooden frame or an easily portable metal cart with wheels. Find a smaller side table or a large unit with room to hang glasses. There are options for every ambiance and setting.

Embrace Ambiance Lighting

Did you know that lighting can affect your mood or even your ability to relax? Many rooms are furnished with one overhead light. It may be a singular bulb or a fixture with multiple bulbs. Diversifying and texturing your lighting withnumerous strategic fixtures can give the room a better feel and even help your brain relax.

Play with dangling pendant lights over a low coffee table for a stripped-down, minimalist space. Pair wall sconces with wall-mounted bookshelves for an upscale home library. There are endless combinations of fixtures and furniture that can cater to your specific desired relaxation space.

Location Is Important

One option for your relaxation space is to create it in a spare bedroom. The big problem is that many spare bedrooms are cramped and have poor ventilation, low lighting, and no or one window. If you don’t want your new oasis cramped in the back of the house, another choice is available. Carve your lounge out of an open-plan space like a large living room or studio apartment by using standing dividers.

Dividers can be an elegant and upscale way to split a room and compartmentalize a space for more versatile functions. Just because you don’t have a spare room doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to relax in a home lounge at the end of a hard day. This designer divider solution makes it possible for everyone.

Automate Your Space

Nothing quite says luxury like full appliance automation and easy voice control. Set your sound system, lighting, and television to be voice command activated. That way, you won’t have to get up every time you want to change the song. It also simplifies things when you’re entertaining, as guests can easily give voice commands instead of fussing with aux cords and Bluetooth.

Automating your space and setting voice commands also allows for lighting pre-sets. You can create different lighting schemes for reading, entertaining guests, and more and activate them by voice command.

The Bottom Line

Creating a space that helps you relax and unwind can feel like an intimidating task. With a few of these little tips, you’ll have your perfect setup sooner than you think. Host guests, spend time with family or make the most of your alone-time in a luxury home lounge of your design.

Your home is supposed to be your sanctuary, where you can relax and come away from the stresses of the world. Unfortunately, many people have a hard time feeling that way when they’re in their own homes because the design leaves something to be desired. If this sounds like a problem you have had in the past or currently, don’t worry. There are ways to improve your home design and make it feel more modern and homey.

1. Outside In

One of the best things you can do to improve your home design and make it feel more modern is to work from the outside in. This means that you should start with small changes, such as how your yard looks, your front porch, or your siding. These things are all important to your home’s design and can set the tone for everything else.

Depending on where you live, you might enjoy spending some time in your backyard, or your balcony when the weather allows for it. An awning provider in Columbus states that it gets really hot there in the summer, so making sure you have an awning or a pergola installed for your deck and patio could be just the thing if you live in a place with similar weather. On the other hand, if you live in England, or another place that gets a lot of rainfall, having a roof or an awning made of durable material, such as metal, could help keep you dry when you’re enjoying your outdoor space.

Once you’ve taken care of that, you can start thinking about what kind of furniture you want for your outdoor space. Depending on your lifestyle, you might like to use wicker furniture for a comfortable outside reading nook, or something large and plush for entertaining guests. Playing with cool colors such as grey, blue, or green can add a modern feel to your outdoor space that you will enjoy, and which will match the rest of your house.

2. Add DIY Touches

Another way to improve your home design and make it feel more modern is by adding DIY touches. If you’re feeling crafty, DIY projects are a good way to create an amazing space without too much work. You can do this with lighting fixtures and other accessories around your home that you might want to change from time to time. An easy way to bring some softness to a dining room, for example, is with candles. However, a lot of candleholders tend to be highly decorative, which doesn’t always match well with the modern look. Making a DIY candle box could be just the thing to change it up, and ensure that you’re satisfied with the look of your lighting. If you’re not up to creating something completely new, you can easily change out boring cabinet or drawer pulls for new ones that have been painted or glazed in bright colors, into a more modern design. For those that like painting, creating art pieces that play with different shapes and textures is an easy and fun way to introduce a more modern feel into your home. Think about what you might enjoy doing the most, and set aside some time to do it.

3. Color Palette

There are two main ways you can go when it comes to the colors of your home. The first might seem a bit daunting, but it is very modern – go for a monotone or monochromatic design in your favorite color. This will create almost a painted-like effect and will really make details pop since they would be the only things in the room that aren’t monotone. If you’re not a big fan of that though and want to go for something more subtle, one way to do it would be by accenting your home with neutrals such as whites, creams, and greys. You really can’t go wrong with this, as long as the contrast between the colors isn’t too stark. It can provide a clean and modern feel, allowing for a lot of flexibility and versatility in the long run if you want to change up your design. Whichever way you go, don’t forget to add a pop of greenery here and there, since there’s little else that brings a room to life like having a few plants around – and they can complement practically any color palette you can think of.

4. Fuss Free Furniture

An integral component to any modern design is furniture with straight lines. That means leaving the rounded and ornate furniture in the past and investing in sleek and modern-looking pieces that go well with your design. An easy way to solve this is by shopping online where you can find pretty much anything you could need for your home. If you have a set budget, try and work within it by investing in one statement piece of furniture for each room. A modern couch for the living room can bring just the feel you want even if the rest of the furniture is a bit more ornate. Mixing styles can actually help you achieve that homey vibe while still upgrading the overall feel to a more contemporary look. The same goes for any other room – get a modern focal piece, and decorate around it – it’s all about balance and how you use each piece in your home to create a more stylish feel without going over the top. Alternatively, you can play with fabrics, choosing a more perforated, mesh-like material for your furniture. Once again, it’s all about balance and making sure you’re happy with the end result.

5. Technology

Nothing really says modern quite like using technology to make your everyday life easier. Keep in mind, though, that you shouldn’t feel like you’re entering a spaceship when you go into your home. Technology should make your life easier, but it shouldn’t become a focal part of the design – but have more of a supporting role. You can start by investing in smart appliances – this means anything from a fridge with a touch screen to an oven that can tell you how cooked your meal is. The idea here is that you don’t have to go into the kitchen and check on anything – it’ll let you know when dinner is ready, for example. You could also invest in a surround sound system for when you feel like playing your favorite music. This is bound to add a modern touch to any room, and it can really make the house feel like home if you let it play throughout the day while you’re doing your chores.

Designing your home well means not only making sure it looks great, but that it also providing you with all the comfort you may need. Think about what you feel is missing from your home, and consider upgrading it. This can be anything from modern furniture to smart technology. All it takes is balancing your options and focusing on one thing at a time until you get that end result you’ve been looking for all along.