redecorate

Redecorating Tips on A Budget

Redecorating Tips on A Budget

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The new normal entails us to spend more time at home. Whether we are busy studying, working from home or simply just relaxing, sometimes spending too much time at home can be quite stressful. That’s why it is important to have a relaxing environment to help us handle stress. Having a new environment can help reduce stress levels. The way to achieve this is to redecorate your house. Redecorating does not have to be expensive. There are ways to achieve a fresh, new look for a room without spending too much. Here are redecorating tips on a budget:

1. Bring Some Plants

Plants make a space more alive. They also are important for your general well-being because it reduces stress and anxiety. The presence of plants bring about calmness. They also help clean the air we breathe in.

2. Create the Perfect Lighting

Lighting design is crucial in creating the right mood for your room. Not only that, the wrong lighting can be harmful to your eyes. It is underrated but it is actually the most important aspect in interior design for it can change the mood of the room at the same time it can change one’s perception on the size of the room. Functional lighting allows you to see the room clearly and do your work properly but decorative lighting like soft, dim lights is the one responsible for creating the mood and the atmosphere of the room.

3. Paint

Painting is one of the easiest ways to completely change the look and feel of a room. For example, darker colors make the room look smaller but warmer while lighter colors make the room brighter and larger. A lighter color in the ceiling as well as vertical stripes give the perception of more height. In the same way that putting a light colored decorative panelling can lengthen a room horizontally.

If painting the whole room is too tasking and too expensive, you can opt to paint just a piece of furniture or cabinets.

4. Put a Piece of Art

Putting a piece of art in a room gives character to the room. It also tells something about the personality of the homeowner. And besides, buying art pieces is a form of investment. Not everyone can afford a Picasso or a Van Gogh, but you can invest in an up-and-coming talent. Go to a local art college or a bazaar or even in the streets. Who knows, your choice might just be the next in-demand artist.

5. Re-organize and Declutter

Sometimes, all it takes is just some re-organization. Being surrounded by mess can be harmful to your health. When things are in disarray, it is time to clean them. Decluttering can help remove stress. While cleaning, throw away things that you no longer use. By keeping your things organized, you are also increasing your productivity.

6. Shop at Thrift Stores

Thrift stores, flea markets and antique shops can be great places to find some rare finds and hidden gems for a fraction of a price. These places offer great deals and some unique finds that you can use to redecorate your living space.

7. Use Accents

An accent is anything that stands out against the rest of the space. It is a contrasting piece that is normally bold and vivid. Accent pieces add warmth and character to the room. Accent pieces can include furniture, wall art, figurines and sculptures, pillows and other accessories like boxes, candles, baskets, flowers, shells, bird cages, bar carts and knobs.


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Posted by A.L. Jonas in Environmental, 0 comments
Fun Things You Can Do When You Are Stuck at Home

Fun Things You Can Do When You Are Stuck at Home

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Most countries around the world have implemented some form of lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Lockdown is the now the new normal. While some places are already beginning to ease restrictions, some are still extended while others are shut down again because of fear for a second wave. If you are one of those people who still do not have the liberty to go out of the house, here are some fun activities that you can do to keep your boredom at bay when you are stuck at home:

1.Binge-watch a TV Series

In normal times, binge-watching is bad because it is unhealthy and unproductive but during these extra-ordinary times, it can be good especially if you are watching shows that you can learn from or increase your emotional intelligence. You can also make it a family activity by watching a marathon of movies that you can enjoy with the kids.

2.Learn a New Language

Learning a new language does not only give you a competitive edge in your career, it is also beneficial to your mental health. It boosts brain power. It improves your memory. Learning a new language also sharpens your mind. It can also help boosts your confidence. In addition, it can help you understand movies or dramas without reading subtitles especially if you are a fan of foreign shows like Korean dramas.

3.Plan Your Next Vacation

In a study that was published in the journal Applied Research in Quality of Life, it shows that a great proportion of people’s happiness comes from planning the next vacation. It is largely due to the anticipation of relaxing, going on a holiday and travelling to a different place. 

So, what are you waiting for? List down your travel goals and start planning for your next vacation!

4.Play Board Games with your Family

While no one can argue with the benefits of technology, sometimes good old fashioned board games is a welcome change. Instead of individual family members holding their different gadgets, why not bond together as a family and enjoy quality time playing with your parents, children or siblings. For sure, it will be fun. It also encourages open communication among family members. You can play board games like Monopoly, Scrabble, Clue, Life, Pictionary, Battleship and Cranium.

5.Read Books

Reading books is good for you. It improves your brain function. Through reading, you will be able to increase your knowledge. and broaden your vocabulary. It makes you smarter, improves your memory and enhances your level of concentration. In addition, reading also reduces stress. It also keeps you entertained. The advantages are simply too many.

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.

Dr. Seuss

6.Redecorate your Home

The way your home looks have a great effect on your mood. A home that is clean, well-organized and has the right atmosphere can help get rid of anxiety and stress. You can start by decluttering and disposing things that you no longer need.

7.Sleep

In this modern world, a lot of people in the urban areas are caught with the hustle and bustle of city life that most are not getting the required hours of sleep that the body needs. Take this rare opportunity to get enough sleep. Remember that sleep is a vital factor in boosting your immune system. Your immune system is your best defence against diseases.

8.Start a Group Video Conference Call with your Friends

Social distancing does not necessarily mean breaking up friendships. While it may take a long time before you can party and go out with friends again, you can still connect with everyone through video chats. There are many free platforms that you can use like Facetime, Google Hang-out, Facebook Messenger, Skype, Viber, WhatsUp, Zoom and many others.

9.Start a New Hobby

Is there something that you really wanted to do when you were still a kid? Something that you have been putting off simply because you neither have the time nor money to do so. Now is the time to start doing that. There are many indoor hobbies that you can do. You can knit, weave, sew, paint, quilt, cross stitch, origami, make jewelries, write poetry, make a scrapbook, garden etc.   

A hobby helps you relax. It allows you to take a break from all the stress and just simply enjoy the moment. It is good for your mental and emotional health.

10. Visualize your Future

Success starts with a vision. When you visualize, you imagine things. You see yourself in the future in vivid details living the life that you want to live. The more specific your imagination will take you, the better it is. By doing so, you are already increasing the likelihood of success. 

Visualization is fun. It gives you something to look forward to. It also helps you rise above the storm and challenges in life because it helps focus your energy on the desired outcome rather than the problem. It is all about looking into the future rather than being depressed about the present.

If there is anything that you wish to add, please feel free to do so. Your inputs will help a lot of people go through these hard times.


Feature Image by Posted by A.L. Jonas in Intellectual, 0 comments