• Creative Ways to Make Your Home Spacious and Brighter

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    Imagine what it would be like to have a spacious and bright home — the perfect environment for relaxation, productivity, and entertainment. Creating such an atmosphere can be easier than you might think. But before you start making changes, consider your lifestyle and how you want to use the space. In the US, the average person spends 70–90% of their time indoors, so making sure your home is comfortable and inviting should be a top priority. And especially in places such as apartments and small homes, it can be even more necessary to make the most of what you have. 

    Before you know it, you'll have a cozy and inviting space that looks like something out of your dreams. And who knows, you might find something new and unexpected to add to the room's overall atmosphere.

    Here are some creative ways to make your home more spacious and brighter.

    1. Install Mirrors

    Adding a few strategically-placed mirrors is an easy, cost-effective way to make any room appear larger. Mirrors also reflect light, making them great for brightening up dark corners and adding a little bit of sparkle to your home. They create optical illusions and provide a unique focal point in your space.

    Now while you're at it, don't forget to liven up the walls with eye-catching wall art. But what about the clutter and stuff you have collected over the years? That brings us to the next point. 

    1. Declutter

    Nothing makes a space feel more cramped and uninviting than clutter. Whether it's an overflowing closet or a bunch of knickknacks that don't have a home, having too much stuff lying around can make it feel like there's no room to breathe. Take some time to get rid of anything you don't need or use anymore. Not only will it free up space, but it can also help to clear your mind and make the room feel lighter and airier. And in such a situation, you can turn to a storage facility and store your excess items. Due to the shortage of space, residents in Louisiana are increasingly opting for storage units and pod rentals to store their items.

    We recommend StrongPoint Self Storage as a reliable storage facility that provides the best solution to store your extra stuff. Especially for residents in Lake Charles or Lafayette, undoubtedly, they are the best storage option. They offer climate-controlled storage units with 24/7 access, making it easier to store and access your belongings when needed. If you're a nearby resident seeking a storage unit near you, call them or look up the keywords storage units Lake Charles for the best deal.

    1. Add Natural Accents

    Now that you have decluttered the space, it's time to add some natural elements that can make your home look and feel more inviting. Bring in plants for a pop of color and to bring in some nature vibes. Adding a few houseplants or even an indoor herb garden can add life to the room and help purify the air, creating a healthier environment for your family. Try adding a few pieces of natural wood furniture, such as a dining table or side table, which can add warmth and depth to the room. The more realistic elements you can add, the more expansive and inviting the space will feel. And as a rule of thumb, incorporate enough texture through different materials and art pieces to create a sense of depth in the room.

    1. Let in Natural light

    Next, let's talk about lighting. Natural light can do wonders for brightening up a space and making it feel more open and inviting. If you have windows, keep them open during the day so that natural light can stream into the room. You can also hang lighter window treatments or even add some skylights to allow in more light. Try to use brighter bulbs for your overhead lighting, and don't forget to add accent lights for a softer, more inviting atmosphere. Another reason to love natural light – it's free! And in the long run, it will help you save on your energy bill. 

    1. Create Zones

    So far, our focus has been on creating a more open and spacious feel for your home. But don't forget to create different “zones” in your space. You can always use furniture, rugs, and art pieces to separate a room into different areas. For example, you might place a rug in the center of the living room for a cozy seating area or put up a bookshelf to divide the kitchen from the dining area. This will help to break up the space and make it feel more organized. Furthermore, defining different areas in your home can help to make it feel less cluttered and provide a more pleasing aesthetic overall. Making your space look and feel more inviting is worth every effort.

    1. Experiment or Rearrange

    The more you experiment with rearranging and reorganizing your space, the better you'll get at creating a more inviting atmosphere. Repositioning furniture can open up a room and make it feel more prominent than before while also allowing you to get creative with your decor. Don't be afraid to move your furniture around and switch up the layout occasionally. This will help to keep your home looking fresh and new and will help to prevent it from feeling stale and boring. In addition, rearranging your furniture can be a great way to make the most of your space and create a more organized, spacious atmosphere in your home. And, of course, it's always fun to experiment with different ways of arranging furniture! It might take some trial and error, but eventually, you'll get a better sense of what works for your particular space and style. 

    1. Add a Personal Touch

    To finish off, make sure to add those personal touches. This could be anything from framed family photos, souvenirs from your travels, or art pieces that have a special meaning to you. These items will make your home feel unique and inviting, giving it a sense of warmth and personality. And don't forget about adding fun accents like pillows, throws, and plants — these small details can impact a room.

    Final Words

    Once you get the hang of it, creating an inviting atmosphere in your home can be an easy and enjoyable task. Keep experimenting with different decor pieces, colors, and textures, and don't be afraid to rearrange your space occasionally. And, of course, don't forget to add those personal touches that will make your home feel like it's truly yours. With these tips, you'll be able to create an inviting home in no time!

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  • 4 Home Improvement Ideas to Enhance Your Home’s Aesthetics

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    Home improvement and renovations are a fabulous way to add value to your property’s structural and cosmetic appeal. By improving your property’s structure, you are enhancing the aesthetics of your home, street, and neighborhood. After all, well-maintained and enchanting neighborhoods are created by devoted homeowners who prioritize property upkeep. 

    Real estate is subject to deterioration and depreciation, and both these factors reduce the overall market value of your home. But you can maintain and increase market value with strategic and cosmetic enhancements that upgrade the utility and aesthetics of your property. For instance, constructing a basement or a swimming pool works wonders, or you can boost market value with a well-maintained lawn. 

    Keep reading to explore some incredible home improvement ideas to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your property. 

    1. Mission: Decluttering Everything 

    Your primary mission, should you choose to accept it, is to declutter every item that you no longer use or find useful. In the words of the wise Mary Kondo, declutter everything that doesn’t spark joy in your heart. All households carry the clutter of hideous heirlooms, inherited sentimental belongings, broken appliances, discarded furniture, and unwanted clothing. 

    Decluttering these items will create space to organize your home, bring in new furniture and fixtures, and repurpose rooms. Is your attic currently functioning as a storeroom for old furniture, appliances, and unwanted belongings? Consider looking into a nearby storage facility to repurpose the attic into a home office or a fitness studio. 

    The internet can help you in this endeavor! Suppose you live in Corpus Christi, Texas, and are looking for a temperature-controlled storage unit to store artwork and wooden furniture. In that case, use the search query ‘storage units Corpus Christi’ to find the most relevant results. The keywords matter while searching for reliable and high-ranking businesses on Google. 

    It’s wise to explore credentials and sift through customer reviews to understand the experiences of other Corpus Christi residents. Once you’ve exhausted all means of online research, you can head over to the facility and inspect security protocols. Renting a nearby storage unit is more practical and efficient than converting precious residential square footage into storage space. 

    You can also hold a yard sale by rounding up all the belongings you no longer wish to keep. Think about selling that old refrigerator, your preschooler’s old toys and furniture, and unwanted clothing items. You can put the money you raise towards repainting the walls or installing a deck.

    2. Transform the Floor Plan 

    Do you want to undertake a major renovation that transforms your home’s floor plan and cosmetic outlook? If yes, consider changing the floor plan to create new living spaces or alter the existing rooms. There are several ways to modify the floor plan, but it involves significant dismantling and hiring a licensed contractor. 

    You can transform the floor plan by merging two living spaces to create a more spacious and airier room. For instance, you can join the living room and the dining space into a larger room to eat and lounge. Merging two rooms will improve heating and cooling efficiency and give your home an open and inviting aesthetic outlook. 

    Suppose you want to add more space to your kitchen with a large walk-in pantry and breakfast nook. In that case, you can alter the kitchen floor plan and create two more sections. However, you will have to sacrifice indoor or outdoor space to achieve this. Many homeowners prefer open kitchen floor plans with walk-in pantries, breakfast stations, and small herb gardens. 

    Here’s another fabulous idea: transform the attic floor plan to create a home office and a study area for the kids. There are millions of ideas you can explore to add value and living spaces to your property. Connect with your inner architecture and focus on creating spaces that elevate your life quality.

    3. Construct a Basement 

    Constructing a basement can work wonders at boosting market value and enhancing your property’s structural and functional appeal. Even if you don’t want to sell, a basement will give you more rooms and living spaces to improve life quality. 

    For instance, the basement can function as an office for your home-based startup. Or you can use it to open a yoga studio and hold sessions in a noise-free and ambient environment. A basement will allow you to cash in on the rental potential of your property by listing it on Airbnb. 

    The basement can also house an extensive home entertainment system, a gaming room, and a mantuary for entertaining guests. Possibilities are endless, but constructing a basement involves hiring a construction team and undertaking a home renovations loan.

    4. Repaint the Walls 

    Behold the easiest and most affordable home improvement idea to enhance the aesthetic appeal: repaint the walls! It’s natural for the walls to become dusty and unappealing with time, especially the exterior walls that absorb debris. Repainting the walls is the perfect idea to recreate the color palette of your exterior and interior spaces. 

    This idea encourages you to channel your inner Picasso and experiment with the colors you’d like to see in your environment. We recommend extensive research to find colors that align with your home’s architectural appeal and the neighborhood. You can also examine the Pantone colors of the year and architectural color trends to find the trendiest combinations.

    Don’t hold yourself back from experimenting and trying out colors that you adore.

    Final Thoughts 

    Aesthetics and cosmetic appeal matter significantly. But not more than the utility and functionality of your house. We advise prioritizing home improvement ideas that enhance your property’s functionality and aesthetic appeal. For instance, transforming the kitchen floor plan will make it more functional, storage-efficient, spacious, and lively. 

    It’s wise to plan your budget before you start exploring ideas. You can look into home improvement loan products to finance extensive renovations that will elevate your life quality.

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  • Tips on How to Light Up Your Living Room

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    From time to time, we allow a company or craftsperson we know and trust to place a sponsored post here at Hewn and Hammered. This particular piece is from Bunning's Warehouse, a dependable supplier of lighting for a wide variety of residential projects.

    Lighting is a very important element when it comes to creating the atmosphere of a room. Here are some tips to assist you light up your living room.

    Planning and preparation is a big ingredient when it comes to a successful project. Some people decorate a room and only late in the piece, do they think of lighting, but if you can have it in the equation at the beginning, it will assist you greatly. Not just in terms of fixtures, but in terms of having an electrician set up the wiring to accommodate your needs.

    Your lighting needs are going to be contingent on how you use the room. This will be determined by things such as the amount of people in your family, their age and the way you entertain. As the living room is a room that requires versatility so too, the lighting in the room will need to be able to fulfill a variety of functions. So bear this in mind.

    As opposed to pendant lighting which a lot of people have traditionally gone for, wall lighting will make the room rich in light. This is great in terms of making the room very friendly and warm as well as creating an atmosphere which is conducive to entertaining.

    If there are things in the room such as a piece of art that you would like to draw attention to, don’t be afraid to highlight it or them with a spot light. Strategically placed spot lights can create a very powerful affect.

    As can lamp shades, which apart from providing light can help contribute to the aesthetic of the room. High quality lamp shades can be very expensive so pick one that is within your budget. The same applies to chandeliers which will add depth to the room. Certain pieces can become the centre piece of the whole room and depending on the atmosphere you want to create, this could be one way to go.

    If there are times when you don’t want all of the light on, you may rely on some smaller more subtle plug-in or task lights. A table lamp work wells for this scenario and be very effective. Something that people fail to remember is to avoid placing a lighting fixture next to a wall. If you don’t, you will find that much of the light will be wasted.

    Feel free to utilize as many different types as you need. Blend task and ambient light as well as lamps to form the combination you are looking for in order to create that right feel for the room.

    Remember that installing a dimmer provides you with instant flexibility and is great if you would like some mood lighting.

    While you may be blending different types of lighting, you need to be sure that the theme you are working on creating is consistent. All of the fixtures need to be in-sync with each other. If you are doing it yourself and without a decorator, make sure you keep this in mind.

    Another great way to add some color to an otherwise bland room – or, alternately, to complement a very colorful theme that you already have – is to use custom-sized perspex sheets from Simply Plastics. Often overlooked, these sturdy and archival plastics – which are really more like glass in that they don't fog, bow or deform over time – can be used as window inserts or in a wide range of other places to add a splash of bright color. They come in a wide range of colors, transparency/opacity levels, and can even be pre-cut to almost any size you can imagine.

    You shouldn’t be afraid to experiment and change things up. Trial-and-error is a sound way to find the successful living room lighting combination you are looking for.

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