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How To Transform Your Home Into Your Sanctuary of Rest and Relaxation

May 6, 2015adminDIY Projects, Home Improvement Tipsbathroom remodeling, DIY projects, home improvement, home organization, home trends, paintingLeave a comment

Image source: flickr

With all of the stress that surrounds us, one place we shouldn’t have to deal with added stress is in our own homes. The problem, however, is that too few of us take the time to make our homes the center for relaxation, our safe haven or sanctuary if you will. If you’re willing to put in a little time and effort, though, you can easily transform your home into a relaxing, stress-free place just for you, and all you need is a little paint, the right lighting, and a few other unique upgrades.

Get Rid of the Clutter

Over-stuffing is one of the biggest distractors from relaxation. Piles of books and clothes or items in general disarray is one of the biggest stress-inducers in any home. So, as you begin your home transformation, the first place you should start is getting rid of some of the clutter. Go through your things and sort what you want to keep and what can be donated or even sold. Be mindful that your goal is to create a relaxing space, and it’ll be easier to get rid of a few things here and there.

Change the Paint

Painting is one of the single most effective ways to change the feel of a room without making too big of an investment. If your room is bathed in a loud print or a bright color, it is obviously not going to be soothing or relaxing. Opt for colors that are soft and airy instead. Shades of blue and green are especially good for bedrooms while neutral earth tones are great for rooms throughout your living space. Whatever color you choose, just remember to keep the combined color scheme simple, calming, and comforting.

Select the Right Furniture

As you transform your home, you’ll want to consider comfortable relaxing furniture as well. For everyday pieces, focus on choosing furniture that is functional and comfortable. Remember to choose pieces that work together, too, instead of combat one another in form or design. If you want to really up the relaxation factor in your home, look for a massage chair that you can home to each evening. Having unique pieces that exude relaxation and comfort is one of the best ways to make your space relaxing and renewing.

Check Your Lighting

Lighting is another component that can really add to or take away from the ambiance of your home. To increase the relaxation-factor of your home, focus on lighting locations, not the whole rooms. Bright overhead lighting is often too aggressive, especially in the evening when you are trying to calm down and soothe your senses. Lamps and other single lighting features are great for adding soothing lighting to an area. To soften the light of larger overhead options, add a dimmer to the lighting fixture so you can adjust the brightness to fit your mood. Also, select full-spectrum bulbs that are made to mimic natural light, instead of standard bulbs that are too bright. These lighting options will help create a more soothing, natural atmosphere in your home.

Create Your Own Personal Spa

Don’t have time to make it to the local spa? Don’t worry. You can have a spa in your very own bathroom. This change is a slightly more costly renovation, but it is well worth the investment. Consider installing a jetted tub where you can sit and relax at the end of the day. Heated floors are a nice touch for coming home and relaxing or even just staying warm on an especially chilly day. And, there are few things more relaxing than a shower after a long stressful day. Finish your bathroom off with fine touches like granite countertops and tile flooring and you’ll have a space that rivals even the most upscale spas.

Your home should be your sanctuary, and with a few simple upgrades, it can be. Transform your home into your haven of relaxation and look forward to living right where you are every single day.

How to create curb appeal

June 6, 2014adminexterior painting, Home Improvement Tips, Tips to sell your homehome improvement, home repairs, painting, springLeave a comment

Exterior Makeover Tips To Create Curb Appeal

Spring is in the air, so it’s time to give your home an exterior makeover and add curb appeal. A few simple tricks can help boost your home’s profile, and ensure visitors get a good first impression when they arrive on your doorstep.

Make a statement with your front door

Your front door is one of the first things people notice about your home. Is your door drab, drafty or just plain past its prime? Make a bold statement and improve your home’s energy efficiency with a new Energy Star-qualified front door. Consider options with decorative glass accents and stunning sidelights to add more natural light while maintaining a sense of style and privacy.

“Pella entry doors feature stylish options in a variety of popular materials from wood to fiberglass and steel options, and the real beauty is in their performance,” says Kathy Krafka Harkema of Pella Windows and Doors. “When replacing your old front door, choose from one that accents your home’s style, with high-performance features that help keep out air and water, and low-maintenance convenience like durable prefinished options with coordinating trim.”

Accessorize with new hardware

Replace your front door hardware for a quick, easy facelift. Choose hardware finishes consistent with those of your home’s light fixtures, mailbox and house numbers to maintain a polished, cohesive look. You’ll be surprised what a difference new hardware on your front door can make in creating a positive look and feel.

Refresh exterior and trim colors

Now’s also time to add a new storm door to help keep out the elements, or to add a refreshing coat of paint on your existing exterior doors for a fresh look.

For a dramatic change, repaint your home’s exterior. You can also change trim color to refresh your home’s exterior impact. When updating trim, choose color schemes that match your home’s primary exterior color, or complement it with a fresh twist.

Accent with lighting

For night-time curb appeal and safety, add a row of exterior accent lighting to illuminate a walking path with ground-insert solar lights. Or consider solar spotlights to bring out landscaping or architectural focal points. Install new matching light fixtures outside your front door, garage door or patio door to create an inviting feel and provide well-lit doorways to greet you and visiting neighbors and guests.

Create points of interest with plants

Add pops of color by arranging potted plants around your front door, or on a porch or deck. Incorporate planters or container gardens of varied sizes, shapes and colors to add visual interest. Also, planting flowerbeds along driveways and walkways gives your home a softer, more inviting feel.

For more curb appeal inspiration, contact us for a free in home consultation. We are happy to offer our customers high quality Pella products!

Transform Your Home With Expert House Painting Tips

May 4, 2014adminexterior painting, Home Improvement Tips, interior paintinghome improvement, home trends, painting, remodeling tips4 Comments

Designer tips to create inspired interior and exterior spaces with color

Ready to transform your home this year? The key to creating your dream interior space could be as simple as updating with color.

Seven-in-10 homeowners plan a home improvement project in the next six months, according to the Sherwin-Williams National Home Design and Color Survey. Of those homeowners planning home remodeling, painting tops the list with 42 percent wanting to liven up their space with color, followed by landscaping (39 percent) and redecorating (30 percent).

Adding color with paint makes sense to internationally celebrated interior designer Jeff Andrews, who has decorated the homes of celebrities from Ryan Seacrest, to Michael C. Hall to the Kardashian family.

“Paint can incorporate distinctive touches that will liven any living space. Everyone has the potential to live in his or her dream space, and a touch of color can easily make it a reality,” Andrews says.

Andrews offers the following tips on how to create the ultimate dream space:

* Upgrade living areas with creative color choices: Changing the color of your walls can transform a room from ordinary to extraordinary. For stunning color for years to come, Sherwin-Williams Emerald Interior paint offers paint and primer in one, with advanced stain-blocking technology, ensuring a statement color that’s easy to maintain and perfect for any room in your home.

* Highlight accent pieces with vivid color to bring a room alive: A distinctive color adds a layer of visual elegance to any room. Painting an accent wall, trim, crown moldings or a ceiling in a color that complements the walls can give a room a customized look.

* Channel your inner designer: From stripes to geometric designs, infuse vibrant energy to a room with an on-trend painted pattern.

* Create curb appeal with a bold use of color: To help your home make its best first impression, paint the exterior of your home with a bold color. Among homeowners surveyed, almost two-thirds (64 percent) are confident handling outdoor painting projects. Consider coordinating your palettes from the inside out by painting your front door a few shades darker than the entryway.

* Transform the ordinary: A fresh coat of paint can elevate a simple piece of furniture and provide a distinctive look. According to the survey, nearly two-in-three homeowners (64 percent) want to add more color into their home. Pick a favorite desk or nightstand and use color to create a signature focal point in a room.

Bruzzese Home Improvements has been painting homes and providing superior customer service to our clients in Westchester, NY since 1957! Contact us today for a free estimate!

Decorating with light captures the fresh spirit of spring

March 25, 2014adminHome Improvement Tipsenergy efficient, home improvement, home trends, lighting, paintingLeave a comment

Tips To Bring More Light Into Your Home

Something about spring seems to inspire us to lavish attention on our homes. Whether enthusiastically cleaning or freshening decor, Americans seize spring as an opportunity to breathe new life into interior spaces. While painting and decluttering are great ways to revitalize home decor, for sheer spring-like impact it’s hard to beat decorating with light.

Incorporating light into interior design can go far beyond a few strategically placed, attractive lamps and some upgraded overhead lights. It’s possible to use both natural and artificial lighting to complement other decor and architectural elements, and to create a brighter, upbeat mood that’s perfect for warm weather. Not sure where to begin? Here are a few concepts to keep in mind as you begin decorating with light:

Natural beauty

There’s no debating the benefits of natural light for boosting mood. After dark, short winter days, spring brings abundant sunshine, and you can put all that natural light to work in your home. Boost daylighting by lightening up window treatments to admit as much sunshine as possible, choose fresh paint colors that interplay well with the direction from which light enters a room, and consider adding skylights to rooms that demand drama or where adding a window isn’t practical.

A relatively low cost home improvement that can be accomplished by a professional in a day or two or over a single weekend, adding a skylight not only enhances home decor, it delivers energy-saving benefits as well. Skylights can help reduce dependence on artificial lighting – saving money on electricity bills. And, if you choose an ENERGY STAR certified solar-powered, fresh-air skylight like those made by Velux America and add remote-controlled, solar-powered blinds, you can improve the skylight’s energy performance rating by as much as 45 percent while improving indoor air quality through the venting effect of open skylights (which close automatically in case of rain). -Solar-powered skylights and blinds qualify for a 30 percent federal tax credit, as does the cost of installation. Visit www.whyskylights.com to learn more.

Lightening colors

Some hues absorb more light, making them appear darker which causes the room to look dark as well. Spring is a great time to lighten colors throughout the home, and not just wall colors. Fresh paint brightens any room, but to amplify the effect, choose lighter, less intense colors such as pastel yellows, peaches and soft blues.

Continue the color upgrade through key decorating elements such as upholstery fabric, accent rugs, window treatments and wall art. Choose colors that speak to you of spring, whether it’s an Easter egg pale purple, a cheerful sky blue or a bright grass green. Replace heavy winter drapes with translucent sheers that admit natural light and give rooms an airy, open feeling.

Upgrading other light sources

While you take steps to maximize the amount of natural light that enters you home, artificial lighting will always be needed, especially when spring showers darken the skies for a while. Choose light fixtures – including floor and table lamps – that continue the bright, easy atmosphere you’ve already created with color and natural light.

Keep in mind the importance of layering light with a mix of sources throughout a room, and choose lighting styles that fit the room’s purpose. For example, in kitchens where a lot of work gets done, overhead and under-counter lights provide the best illumination for cooking and other chores. In bedrooms, wall sconces and table lamps provide softer, more soothing light.

Don’t overlook energy efficiency when you’re revamping your artificial lighting. Spring is a great time to boost your home’s energy efficiency by replacing old, electricity-guzzling incandescent light bulbs with energy-sipping CFLs and LEDs. While these bulbs may cost more to purchase, you’ll save money over their usable life. Energy.gov says these bulbs use 25 to 80 percent less energy than incandescents, and can last three to 25 times longer.

How color affects your exterior home makeover

March 6, 2014adminexterior painting, home improvementhome improvement, home remodeling, home trends, painting5 Comments

How do you know you’ve chosen the right colors to accent your home’s exterior? What colors on windows, doors, trim or shutters can highlight architectural details? Try these tips to help choose an exterior color scheme for your home.

Accent your home’s style

Consider your home’s design. Blend existing features, like the roof, stone or brickwork, into a cohesive look.

For modern homes, earthy neutrals complement contrasting sharp lines and the shine of glass and steel. Soft hues, like variations of pastel blue, white, beige or green complement country cottage-styled aesthetics.

If you live in an historic home or neighborhood, check with local officials for appropriate colors for your region and your home’s architecture.

Consider curb appeal

When choosing a new exterior color palette, consider how it will look next to neighboring homes, or blend with your homeowner’s association guidelines or other local requirements. If most homes in your neighborhood convey a monochromatic look, consider colors that complement it.

Add a boldly painted front door or contrasting window or door trim to help your home stand out without sticking out. Check the Pella Pinterest board to see how bold red doors instantly add curb appeal.

“Before painting exterior doors, consult a professional and choose a paint or finish with good blocking resistance,” says Kathy Krafka Harkema, spokesperson for Pella Windows and Doors. “Choosing a beautiful new factory prefinished window or door saves you time and eliminates the guesswork.”

Test color on small sample first

Sometimes testing the color on your home or its doors can help. If you are torn between options, test paint samples on a small area where colors will converge on your house.

If you’re thinking about repainting, residing or remodeling your home, it’s also a good time to replace windows and doors. Once you’ve picked the base color for your home, add coordinating or contrasting window and door trim. Pella EnduraClad exterior finishes come in a variety of color options for aluminum-clad wood windows, patio and entry doors. With 27 standard colors and virtually unlimited custom color options, it’s easy to find the right color for your home’s exterior makeover. Pella can even create a custom color, for a truly unique look for your home’s windows and doors.

2014 home exterior color trends range from bold to subdued

For design inspiration, consider the latest exterior color trends:

1. Overall exterior colors, -including creams, whites, shades of gray and neutral pastels like sky blue, provide a unique but simple style that is reflective of the homeowner’s individual tastes.

2. Trim colors are going to be seen on both ends of the spectrum with neutral pastels or bold, dark statement colors.

3. Boldly painted doors in a vibrant blue, deep red or edgy black add instant interest and curb appeal. Choose a color that best represents your individual design personality.

Are you ready to give your home’s exterior a makeover? Give us a call or contact us online to schedule a free in home consultation. We specialize in exterior home makeovers in Westchester County, New York!

New Year, New Home: Easy Home Improvement Tasks

February 20, 2014adminDIY Projects, Home Improvement Tips, interior paintingDIY projects, home improvement, home remodeling, paintingLeave a comment

Fans of 1990’s TV will fondly remember Home Improvement. The sitcom showed us the exploits of Tim “the Tool Man” Tailor, who hosted a local cable show about home improvement, while still managing to make a mess of projects around his own home, such as a super-powered radio controlled lawnmower. While most of us probably wouldn’t think to build a radio controlled lawnmower, we still want to build and fix things around the home. There’s a real sense of achievement to stand there and look at something knowing that you’ve made it yourself; whether it’s a birdhouse or building a brand new garage. Now that a new year is upon us, it’s time to think about all those tasks you might have been neglecting. So what are some great home improvement projects you can get started on in 2014?

A Fresh Coat

The easiest and most simple way to give your home a brand new look is to give everything a fresh coat of paint. Painting a home is actually quite a lot of work, but it’s not that difficult. Since you can’t take time off work just to paint, you might want to do it room by room over the course of several months- and this gives you more time to decide on the best color. For kids’ rooms, chalkboard paint is a fantastic idea. It allows kids to draw their own artwork on the wall and then you can just wipe it clean.

Pull It Up, Pull It Down

Depending on your home, it might not have undergone any major renovations for a couple of decades and your carpets and drapes might be seriously dated. If you’re lucky enough, your old carpets might be masking some beautiful hardwood floors, so carefully pull up a corner and have a look; and it’s best to do this in a closet- just to be safe. New carpets can be expensive, so it would be perfect to have a gorgeous floor right underneath that old surface- it will probably need a buff and polish though. Your drapes might be looking a little tired too, so pull them down and choose some new fabrics to highlight the room. If you’re good with a needle and thread, you might even be able to make them yourself.

What’s In the Room?

Some of us might crave a big screen TV, a convertible in the driveway or a swimming pool in the backyard, but new furniture is always something that figures pretty highly on our wish lists. It’s not the cheapest option, but replacing your furniture sure breathes new life into a home. You might be able to find some sensational vintage furniture online or at a flea market and you can mix and match it with some great ready to assemble furniture to give you a look that’s both contemporary and classical.

It’s a very good idea to know your limits when it comes to home improvement projects- you don’t want to get in over your head, and so if you’ve never picked up a hammer before, you probably shouldn’t attempt to build a brand new bedroom onto the back of your house. You should also take your time and remember that a new project can take a while to get things just how you want them. It’s sure worth the effort, even if it’s just a birdhouse… or a super-powered radio controlled lawn mower.

Bio: This is an article by Lizzie Wale, a freelance writer and part-time blogger. In daytime she also writes for Higher Click and one of their clients is Macy’s. She loves everything connected to home improvement and design, working on DIY projects and spending time with her family & friends.

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Contractor for Interior Home Painting

December 14, 2013admininterior painting, Tips to sell your homecolor schemes, home improvement, painting, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Are you planning to paint or repaint the interior walls of your home? If the answer is yes, then you should consider hiring a professional contractor. While it is true that you will spend a higher initial cost compared to just doing the paint job your self, the benefits of hiring a professional contractor are better felt in the long run. If you are not yet convinced, take some time reading the following benefits of acquiring the services of a professional contractor.

Expertise

A professional contractor is not just your average painter. They have the expertise of the best painter in town. They have the training and the specialty skills to deliver the best services. For example, as the professional contractor paints your wall, they can spot structural defects and weaknesses. They can easily find factors that may affect the integrity and life-span of the paint on your wall. In addition to this, if they cannot handle the structural problem themselves, they can refer you to other experts to fix the problem.

Advice and recommendations

Professional contractors know what they do. They can look into your walls and determine the best course of action possible. You will be presented with various color schemes and how it should be done. Of course, if you already have a plan, they can involve you in the planning phase to come up with the best solution.

Cost effectiveness

Like what was already mentioned above, you will have to pay the contractors as well as the paint you use. Nevertheless, they will help you save in the long run. In case you have a larger than usual project, then you will save more by hiring a professional contractor. Moreover, they can suggest cost-effective means to save on your project as they already have the experience and knowledge to know what really works or not. Mistakes can be very costly. However, if you work with a professional, then you will surely avoid potential mistakes.

Experience

Professional painters exist solely for this craft and the years of their experience are a valuable asset of their profession. Through experience, a professional contractor acquires the best knowledge and expertise. They gained enough time to hone their craft.

Creativeness

Professional contractors will paint your interior wall with an artistic touch. They have a wide range of paint style and paint color. If you have wallpaper in mind, just let them know. Professional contractors will be able to take into consideration the color of other elements within your room and choose the best color to blend these elements.

Increased real estate value

The value of your home will surely increase exponentially with the help of professional contractors. If you are planning to sell your house, then you should consider repainting the whole building. With the expertise of a professional contractor, you will be able to increase the selling price of your home.

These are just some of the benefits of hiring a professional contractor. Your home will surely never be the same again when you hire the best contractor to do the job.

Guest Post By:

Morton Karrie has worked in the landscaping industry in various roles. She loves to write topics about child care, organic gardening, patio pavers and landscaping.

Contact us today to take advantage of our limited time 10% discount on all painting services! Gary B.

Give your living room a new lease of life

October 21, 2013adminDIY Projects, Home Improvement TipsDIY projects, home decor, home improvement, paintingLeave a comment

The living room is arguably the most used room in any home. Watching television, entertaining guests, chatting and chilling with family are just some of the activities that take place here, so the right planning is important to ensure it’s up to the job.

Assess your needs & requirements

Before you start planning, think about how you’ll use your living room and what furniture and accessories need to be included within the confines of its shape and size. For example, if you plan on making it the main entertainment area, you’ll need an adequate seating arrangement plus space for the television and related accessories. Or maybe you plan on creating a dual purpose room that incorporates a dining area into the design.

Create a main focal point

Living rooms always work better when they are planned around a main focal point, such as the TV, a great view, or the fireplace, so it’s important that you arrange you’re seating to make the most of this. If your living room doesn’t have a natural focal point, create your own! You can do this by painting a bold shade on the main wall of your room or place your armchairs and sofas around a coffee table in an interesting and creative way. Make sure access from the patio doors or doorway isn’t obstructed and that you can easily move around the room. If you have enough space, don’t push your furniture right up against the wall as being able to see behind it can create the illusion of more space.

Getting the layout right

Use the proportions for the living room to your advantage. Long, narrow rooms are often divided into separate areas, for example, one end of the room can be used to watch TV and relax, while the shorter area of an L shaped room can be used as a dining area or home office. Take a piece of paper and draw a plan of your living room and include any accessories and furniture that will need to go in it, then alternate between different layouts until you find one that works. It is also worth doing this with your furniture, spend some time moving it around until you find the best arrangement. Quite often, the least obvious layouts are more effective than the ones that look good on paper.

Plan adequate amounts of storage

From CDs and DVDs to games, toys and television equipment, there are so many items to store in a living room. You can keep your living room clutter free by hiding unused objects in floor to ceiling cupboards. These can be fitted along one wall or in alcoves either side of your fireplace. If you prefer to display your books, you can incorporate open book shelves into your design. Other space saving ideas include footstools with space for storage underneath, or built in window seats, and dual purpose pieces of furniture, such as coffee tables or sofa beds that have adequate room for spare bedding.

Sofa suggestions

Sofas are usually the pieces of furniture that cause the greatest amount of difficulty. They are one of the most used items in any home so it’s important that you get it right. Will your chosen sofa fit into your living room? If you’re considering a corner sofa, make sure that all the doors will open properly when it’s in place. Chesterfield Leather sofas are ideal; they are durable, attractive and easy to maintain. If you choose a material sofa, it’s recommended that you buy one that has washable covers, these are very practical.

Dress your windows

Unless you live in an ultra modern glass walled home, bare windows aren’t a good look. Even if you have an amazing view and aren’t overlooked by neighbors’, roman blinds, sheer curtains or shutters will enhance rather than detract from your windows. For larger windows, go for curtains, vertical blinds or roller blinds. If your room is plain, you can add any pattern or color with curtains and blinds.

This is a guest post by David at Thomas Lloyd Leather Furniture

4 Repair Jobs to Leave to the Pros

October 19, 2013adminHome Improvement Tipshome improvement, home repairs, painting, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Many people delay hiring contractors for home repairs because they think that they can complete the work for less. While this may be true, there are some jobs that absolutely benefit from the help of a professional. General contractors earn anywhere from 10 to 25 percent of the job cost, according to WSJ.com. Some contractors don’t want to inherit botched repair jobs from you, and may even charge more to fix your mistakes. Additionally, you may pay more in the end if you DIY, factoring in time and effort. While smaller projects can be accomplished yourself, leave these four projects to the pros.

1. Don’t DIY paint that older home: Homes built before 1978 may contain lead paint. When you remodel your home or scrape off that old paint, you create lead dust and lead chips that pose a health risk. The Environmental Protection Agency requires that you have a professional remove lead paint, and provides information on finding professionals in your area. Find a certified contractor to assess your home’s risk of lead paint and remove the paint.

2. Stay off the roof: If you’ve done some home repair projects, you may have enough confidence to climb up on that roof and make repairs. Barrett Roofing Services advises homeowners against getting overconfident with roof repair and suggests hiring a contractor to save time and get the job completes in hours, not days. While you might climb up on the roof and nail down those loose shingles, leave the hard work to the pros. If you do plan to tackle roof repair, look for rental companies that offer lifts, such as sunbeltrentals.com. This way, you can load your tools and supplies onto the lift and enjoy safe and simple access to the roof.

3. Don’t Tackle That Deck Job: There’s a good reason you might want to leave that deck to a contractor: Decks require ample support underneath, and a deck built without the proper support can be vulnerable to sagging. A contractor will get the job done better and faster that you can, and knows how to accommodate the quirks of your particular dwelling. If you need to nail down or replace some loose boards, go for it. You’re probably better off leaving the deck building to a pro.

4. Find someone for foundation repair: If your home is settling and your crawlspace foundation has started to sag in the middle, you may be able to fix it yourself, writes Edwin Moore. This requires you to prop up the middle of the foundation. However, if your crawlspace foundation is sagging around the perimeter, not the middle, you’re better off hiring a pro because you do not have the knowledge or expertise to prop up the walls. Moore absolutely recommends that anyone with a slab foundation hire a contractor to fix the foundation, because this requires more than DIY know-how.

Tips for a Cozier Apartment

September 26, 2013adminDIY Projects, home improvementDIY projects, home decor, home improvement, home trends, painting4 Comments

When you’re renting a place, it can be easy to forget all the ways you can make it feel like a home and less like a rental. Whether you will be renting short term or long term, there are many ways you can make your rental feel cozier. Even if your space is small, adding the extra touches below will make it feel warmer, more inviting and more like your home.

Paint

Check your lease to see what restrictions you have when it comes to painting your rental. If you are able to paint, add a warm or trendy color to your walls. If you don’t want to paint your walls in their entirety, paint the wall trims a different color or stencil a pattern around the center or top of your walls. If you are not allowed to paint at all, check your local home improvement store or visit websites for temporary wallpaper or decals.

Decorate the Walls

While paint, wallpaper and decals can give your room more style, color, and textures, you still want to decorate your walls. You can use artwork and framed photos to create focal points that will make your rental feel more personalized and cozier. Your wall décor can be large or small; just make sure scale matches the size of the room.

Add Natural Elements

Adding a touch of nature to any room will make it feel more like a true home. You can do this by decorating with items found in nature like placing beautiful stones in a decorative bowl or filling a vase with twigs and branches. You can also buy art that depicts nature such as a photograph of a forest or a painting of a landscape. If you have a green thumb, you can place plants on shelves, create a windowsill garden or bring in fresh and dried flowers arrangements.

Buy Window Treatments

Many rentals come with inexpensive white or off-white blinds. While they do the job of creating privacy, they are not particularly decorative. A simple way to make your rental feel cozier is to install a rod and hang single or double paned curtains. The curtains will add a pop of color to your room, will allow you greater control of incoming light, will help keep cold air out and can help muffle outside noise. If curtains aren’t your first pick, opt for higher-end blinds that come in different colors, textures and materials other that the standard plastic or metal.

Buy Comfortable Seating

Sometimes when you select seating for a rental property, your primary focus is size and scale. While you do want your seating to be size-appropriate for your room, you also want it to be livable. When picking seating, make sure it is something comfortable and inviting: something that you would want to curl up in or sit in for long periods of time. To make less comfortable seating more comfortable, add throw pillows, throw blankets or chair cushions for hardwood seating.

All of the ideas above are easy ways to make your rental feel warm, cozy and inviting. By adding a few extra touches, you will express your personality and sense of style, and you will create a space that you’ll enjoy spending time in.

This article was provided by Chase Roberts, home & garden expert and current apartment dweller. If you’re renting your place and were looking for ways to keep your belongings safe and secure, Chase recommends Protectyourbubble.com renters insurance.

Looking to spice up your walls with a new coat of paint and live in the Westchester NY area? Give us a call and take advantage of our 10% discount for all painting projects scheduled for the month of September! ~Gary B.

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