Making Your Home Smell Better

There are numerous ways to control the scent of your home, most of which can be achieved very inexpensively and easily. The basics are identifying and removing sources of odor, introducing new scents, and eliminating odors.

The first thing one should do when trying to control the scent of their home is to identify the source of any bad smells. Most often these have to do with dampness, so it's best to start looking in the bathroom and kitchen. Dirty dishes in the sink will produce a foul smell that be easily removed by keeping dishes washed and put away promptly after use. In the bathroom, keep damp towels off the floor and on racks where they have a chance to dry. It's also a good idea not to put anything wet into the dirty clothes hamper since you'll wind up with a musty smell very quickly with wet things in such a confined space. Empty garbage and trash cans often to eliminate this common source of odors.

 

Introducing new scents to the home is quick and easy using a variety of methods. The easiest is the use of scented candles. Always exercise caution with candles. Be sure you keep the flame far from any flammable materials and never leave a burning candle unattended. If you have small children or pets, candles might not be a good option. Instead, you could choose scented potpourri, products that plug into electrical outlets and release scent, essential oils and room sprays. Another option, if you have air vents in your home or apartment, is to use your favorite dryer sheets to scent your whole home. Simply put a dryer sheet or two into the air intake (where your heating or cooling unit pulls air in). You'll find that the fresh, clean scent is circulated quickly throughout your entire home.

 

There are a variety of options available to eliminate odors which usually also introduce a new scent into your home at the same time. Look for room sprays that specifically say that they neutralize odors. Some sprays only mask the odors and do nothing to remove them. This might leave you with the smell of mold and roses, which isn't a particularly appealing combination. I am loathe to mention specific products for fear it may seem like an endorsement, but Febreeze is a great odor neutralizer. There are many other products on the market that achieve similar results, so shop around for lower cost options.

Another fantastic option to eliminate odors while introducing scent to your home are effusion lampes. These are usually glass and look like large perfume bottles with ornate metal tops. You pour a special type of oil into the effusion lampe, let it soak into the wick that is attached to a stone, and then you light the stone and let it burn for a couple minutes. You then blow out the flame and place the decorative cap over the stone. The wick pulls the scented oil up into the heated stone and disperses the scent throughout your home. The literature I've seen for effusion lampes claims that they remove bacteria from the air, but I can't swear to that. I do know that they are the most effective means of removing odors from your home that I have ever seen and the scent lasts for days after you burn them.

 

The only drawbacks to effusion lampes are that they are a little pricey. The lampes themselves can be found online from specialty suppliers or usually at your favorite florist or upscale home decor store. They usually range from thirty to fifty dollars each for a basic one (which serves the purpose just fine) and upwards of a hundred dollars for fancier versions. The oils last quite a while, but they're usually about fifteen dollars or more per bottle. However, if you have serious odor problems or just want the best smelling house on the block, these are definitely the way to go.

Whatever your price range, you can find something to suit your needs. It begins, of course, with removing sources of bad smells. After that, light a candle, spray the room or splurge on an effusion lampe. Whatever option you choose you'll have a fresher, cleaner smelling house and your nose will thank you.

Personal Space

Those who have the luxury of living alone know the comfort and joy of personal space. Those of us who share our homes with roommates, family or significant others know what a struggle it can be to find and maintain personal space. For the sake of sanity and even saving relationships, it is vital that each member of the household have a personal space to call his or her own.

No matter how small the home, each person should be able to have their own piece of it that belongs solely to him or her. Think of tweens and teens with the "keep out" signs posted on their bedroom doors and you have the idea. The space, however, doesn't even have to be an entire room.

If you are fortunate enough to have a home that offers an entire room for each person that can be off limits to everyone else, that's great. If, however, you're like most people these days and have limited space available, you can still make it work.

A person's space can be as small as a corner desk that no one else uses. The key is that it "belongs" only to one person and the other members of the household respect that fact by not using it. Everyone needs a place they can lay a piece of mail or a set of keys and know without a doubt that the item will be right where they left it because nobody else "messes with their stuff" in that particular part of the home. It gives us a sense of control and ownership that we tend to lose when living with others and can keep down tension. 

Most of us have shared work spaces in our professional lives and know that you can't count on the stapler being where you put it last because someone came along behind you and put it somewhere else. We don't need these little frustrations at home and having our own personal space helps make sure we don't. 

The bottom line is that we all need personal space, no matter how big or small. Start looking around your home and scoping out a room or a corner that you can claim so you can live a little happier and get along a lot better with your housemates.

Consider a Pull-Up Christmas Tree

While searching for artwork to add to the post on tips for selecting an artificial Christmas tree, I ran across several pull-up Christmas trees. I have to admit that I had seen these in the past and basically written them off because the old-school versions were usually sparse and rather tacky looking. However, seeing pictures of some of the new ones out today, I have to admit I am impressed.

If you have limited space, you might want to consider one of these pull-up Christmas trees. They would also be great for anyone who can't or just doesn't want to put up with the hassle of putting together a Christmas tree. The ones I have seen have been at least pre-lit and, often, pre-decorated, making them quick and easy. All fold nearly flat for easy storage without taking up a lot of space.

The only concern I would personally have as far as purchasing one of these pull-up Christmas trees is just how "full" it would look. When I zoomed in closely on one picture I could see through the tree to the wire frame beneath. Make sure that you take a close look and get one that isn't going to look too much like, well, a pull-up Christmas tree.

All in all, if you're short on space, time or patience, one of these pull-up Christmas trees might be worth considering. Happy holidays!

A Buyer's Guide to Artificial Christmas Trees

The variety of artificial Christmas trees available can be overwhelming, but by keeping a few guidelines in mind you can wind up with an artificial xmas tree that is the envy of everyone on the block. With so many different types available, including commercial trees, pre-lit or unlit and many more, finding the right artificial Christmas tree can be much easier than you may think.

Important points to consider

• Fire safety
   
• Number of tips
   
• Size, style, color
   
• Ease of assembly and storage

Most artificial Christmas trees are fire safe, but it's always best to double check. If the tree is pre-lit or fiber optic, be sure it is also Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) approved. Flame retardant does not mean the same thing as fireproof. There are some excellent holiday safety tips for both real and artificial Christmas trees on the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) website at http://www.nfpa.org.

The higher the number of tips an artificial Christmas tree has, the fuller and more lush it will look. Avoid trees with a low number of tips unless you want a sparse look.

You want the color and style of your artificial tree to coordinate with the overall Christmas scene. For more traditional decorations, choose a more traditionally styled tree. For a more modern look, opt for a tree that is perhaps less realistic and more stylized such as the metallics. Size is one of the biggest considerations. Artificial Christmas trees range in size from tiny to towering. What you choose will depend mostly on the dimensions of the room in which you are going to display the tree.

Consider how much time you want to spend putting your tree together. There are varieties that have to be put together branch by branch. There are also full size Christmas trees that come in sections and even those that are ready to go right out of the box.

Don't forget that Christmas will be over at some point and you will be faced with storing your artificial Christmas tree. Do you have enough space to store the 12 footer you've had your eye on after the holidays? If not, you may need to opt for a scaled down version.

You've hung your stockings by the chimney with care, put out the Nativity scene and lit your candles. Now all that's left is to finish adding your favorite ornaments and place the star on top. Then enjoy some milk and cookies and bask in the warm holiday glow of your perfect artificial Christmas tree. Just make sure you save some for Santa Clause to snack on while he's leaving gifts under that beautiful tree, and have a very merry Christmas!

How Your Home's Decor Reflects You

Your home's decor reflects you in a variety of ways and gives your visitors a great deal of information without a word. A stranger entering your home for the first time can quickly assess the type of person you are by taking note of how your home is decorated, including colors, style of decor and much more.

The colors you choose will be the first thing to give a glimpse into your psyche. Most people decorate using their favorite color or working around that color. Our favorite colors say a great deal about us. Color has it's own psychology and can create and convey strong moods and emotions. People who are bold, daring and passionate often favor red while people who are down-to-earth and basic tend to lean toward browns and other earth tones. Blues are often chosen by those who are calm and serene, or those who are trying to be.

If you tend to decorate in a sparse, modern style with lots of metal, black leather and futuristic accents, you're more than likely a trendy person who cannot tolerate clutter and disorder. Those who choose warm, rich woods and classic or even antique accents are usually traditionalists who value home and family above other things. If your home is an ecclectic mix of styles, it can indicate that you are a complex person who is often undecided but passionate about what you like.

The artwork you choose to display will also say a great deal about who you are and what's important to you. Abstracts? You have a complex mind and probably think a little too much, but are also a creative person. Fine art or oil paintings indicate that you appreciate the finer things in life and have expensive tastes. Family pictures, or the lack thereof can also speak volumes. People without family pictures are often loners and, obviously, don't have a lot of close ties. People who have a virtual scrapbook on theirs walls are more than likely very close to their families and are strong traditionalists.

While there are many tell-tale signs your home's decor gives about you, these are some of the first things visitors will notice. Take a look around and see what story your home is telling. Does it paint an accurate picture of who you are? If not, consider making some changes to make your home's decor a little more you.

How to Pad a Headboard

This simple do-it-yourself project can transform your bedroom with a luxurious look without spending much money or time. Padding your headboard is one of the simplest things you can do for maximum visual impact.

Start by removing your current headboard from the bed. A simple foam mattress pad is the trick to saving money and time with this project. Try to get one that isn't the eggshell type for best results. Lay the mattress pad on the floor and lay the headboard on top of it. Using a black magic marker, trace around the headboard.

Once you have the shape drawn, cut it out of the mattress pad. You'll want to cut about an inch inside the line to make the piece of foam you're cutting out a little smaller than the headboard itself.

Attach the piece of foam to the front of the headboard with a small amount of double sided tape or hot glue in each corner. It doesn't have to be held firmly in place by the glue, just enough to make it easy to work with. The fabric you put over it will keep it in place later.

If you change your bedding and bedroom decor often, you'll probably want to go with a neutral color fabric. If you want an instant designer look and you have a favorite comforter or bedspread that you use often, coordinate or match that fabric. Just make sure whatever fabric you choose is fairly heavy and will be able to be spot cleaned.

Lay your fabric on the floor and use the same process you used with the foam of tracing the outline with a marker. When you cut the fabric, cut to about at least six inches outside the line to allow enough fabric to pull around the headboard and attach to the back.

The quickest, easiest way to attach the fabric is with a staple gun. Simply lay the fabric over the headboard and foam, line it up properly and then stand the headboard up. Start from the top middle and pull the fabric to the back of the headboard and staple in place. Next, turn the headboard over, firmly pull the bottom middle of the fabric to the back and staple into place.

Work from the middle out, being sure to keep the fabric pulled tight and avoid wrinkles. Corners and curves can be a little tricky and you may have to tuck some of the fabric under the way you do Christmas paper on a package.

For an extra fancy touch, still on a shoestring budget, visit your local hardware or home decor store and get several of the decorative tacks often used to secure curtain tie-backs. These are often brass and are basically short nails with a decorative head. Tap them lightly into the headboard, evenly spaced in rows or any pattern you choose. It will give your headboard an expensive button-back look. Voila! A fabric padded headboard straight out of an elegant designer bedroom.

Choosing a Paint Color for Your Bedroom

As with choosing a paint color for any other room, the main thing to keep in mind when choosing a paint color for the bedroom is how color affects our moods, senses and emotions. Different colors can trigger different things. For example, red is a color that excites and has been shown in clinical studies to actually increase appetite. As you can see, shades of red would be much more appropriate for a kitchen or dining room than for a bedroom.

Another consideration is the size of the room. If you have a small bedroom and want to make it appear larger, you would want to choose lighter shades of whatever color you decide to go with because lighter colors open up a room, reflect more light and actually make the room appear larger. Darker colors, on the other hand can make a room look smaller. If you have an older home with unusually high ceilings or simply have a monstrous bedroom, you might actually want to choose darker colors to make it appear smaller.

People who sleep during the day, such as those who work third shift, might want to choose a dark paint color regardless of the size of the bedroom simply because it does reflect less light. Less ambient light reflected off the walls would definitely be a bonus and help someone sleep better during the bright daylight hours.

If you're using your bedroom for sleep and relaxation, primarily, you'll want to go with colors that calm and soothe. Soft neutral shades are good choices and you can even add a few splashes of color if you don't like the dullness of the neutrals. More common choices are cool colors like blue and green. You've probably noticed that most hotels use lots of blues and greens in the color schemes of their rooms. This is because they are calming, soothing colors which actually help most people rest and sleep better.

If you just don't like blues and greens, there are still ways to apply the principals of cool, soothing colors. Say your favorite color is red and you're just determined to decorate your bedroom in red. Consider a compromise. Perhaps you could paint the walls in a more neutral shade of taupe or a cool tan and then add some bright red accessories like a red bedspread and pillow shams. Maybe even use red curtains.

You could also try to find a shade of red that is on the cooler side. In color terms, warm and cool refer to color families. Warm colors are primarily bright reds, oranges and yellows while cool colors are mostly blues and greens or colors that contain a lot of those colors.

You could try to find a red that has more blue in it, leaning more toward purple, instead of a red that has more yellow in in. This would be a "cooler" red. You'll find more shades of each color than you thought were possible when you visit your paint supplier. You can even ask them to recommend a cool shade of red. Any clerk who knows his job at all will know what you're talking about. 

The main thing to keep in mind is that the bedroom is yours and you should choose a color you like and are comfortable with. It's best to get some paint samples from your local paint store or home center and actually tape several to the walls in various places around the room. Don't make the mistake of just doing this during the day and choosing a color. Leave them there for a day or two and see how each color looks in different lighting. Odds are, a good part of your time in the bedroom will be at night. See how each of the paint samples reacts with the lighting in your bedroom at night. Some colors that look great in natural daylight look horrible with the soft lighting often used in bedrooms.

Finally, just go with what makes you feel good. If you find a paint color you absolutely love and it doesn't fit with any of the advice given in the decorating magazines, or even in this article, go for it. That's the great thing about paint. If you get the room done and decide you don't love it nearly as much as you thought you would, you can always repaint!

Keeping Your House Warm on a Winter's Day

Warm and cozy. This is how we all want to feel on an icy cold winter's day. Making your home a warm and cozy haven from the bitter chill doesn't have to cost a fortune if you just keep a few basics in mind.

Keeping the Cold Out

Proper insulation is the best first step toward keeping the cold out of your house. However, even older homes and those with poor insulation can be helped with a few quick fixes. First, perform the lighter test. Walk around your home with a simple butane lighter and watch for where it flickers to see where cold air is leaking inside. Attack these areas with a few simple items from your local hardware store: expanding foam, plastic sheeting, duct tape and weather stripping.

For large cracks in walls or around windows and doors, simply fill with expanding foam. It is available in an easy-to-use spray can at most hardware and other stores. For windows and unused doors, cover with plastic sheeting and secure around the edges with duct tape. Seal around doorways with weather stripping to keep drafts at bay.

Keeping the Warm In 

Remember what your mom or dad always told you about running in and out? It's especially important during the cold winter months when you want to keep the air you've warmed from escaping your home. Keep as much of your warm air inside as possible by opening doors only when necessary and closing them quickly.

Keeping Yourself Toasty

Invest in a few winter essentials to cuddle up in and keep you nice and warm. A fuzzy throw or cuddly blanket kept on your couch or favorite chair gives you something nice and soft to snuggle up with. Also consider a pair of plush socks or slippers to wear when you scoot around those cold floors. Pack away those summer sleep clothes and opt for warmer materials like jersey or flannel.

Create a Warmer Look

The mind is a powerful thing and there are numerous ways to make it believe things that aren't necessarily so. You might not be able to convince yourself that you're in the Bahamas, but you can create some subtle psychological schemes to make you "feel" like it's a little warmer than it really is. Surround yourself with warm colors like reds, oranges and yellows. Hang pictures of bright, sunlit places. Light candles and bask in their glow. All these things will help your mind believe that your body is warmer and can even stave off the winter blues.

Start with these basics and expand with your own ideas. You'll find it's easier than you may have thought to keep your house, and yourself, warm on a winter's day.