How To Brighten Your Living Space This Summer

Summer is just around the corner and having a nice, bright living space can make all of the difference to your mood throughout the wonderful sunny months. So, we’re here with a guide on how you can brighten your living space this summer, all on a budget, so you can fall in love with your home again. We’ve got something for everyone in our guide, so prepare to feel inspired and transform your home for less!

A Lick of Paint!

The first point on our list might seem a bit obvious, but it’s also one of the best so it had to feature in our guide. Painting your space a lighter and brighter color, or giving the room a fresh coat of paint if it’s looking a bit grubby, is one of the best and most affordable ways to transform a room. You could go to your local homeware store and get some cheap paint, or look on local marketplaces for people who have spare and are selling it cheap. You might buy the bulk of your paint at a homeware store, then look for feature wall colors secondhand so you’re not wasting paint or money which is a great tip for your next painting project!

Go with a bright white, cream, or very light pastel shade for the majority of your walls and watch the space completely change. You might then want a feature wall with slightly darker paint or wallpaper, or keep it the same color and add something unique with a gallery wall of wall art prints. You could also paint things like kitchen cupboards or wooden furniture if you wanted! No matter the combination, you can completely change the space for next to nothing (or potentially completely free if you have spare paint lying around, or a family member/friend does). Don’t underestimate the power of paint when you’re wanting to brighten your home!

Change Up Soft Furnishings

Now that you have a nice bright room, it’s time to focus on the furnishings. Buying new furniture is probably not an option if you’re looking for a cheap makeover (again, make sure to look on marketplaces as you might find something for an absolute bargain), so we’re going to focus more on what you can do with existing furniture!

Firstly, we have a great hack if you have a dark-colored sofa and want a change for the summer. There are so many cheap sofas covers online that you simply stretch over and tuck into your sofa, and it completely changes how it looks. You could go for a cream cover for the summer, and they’re mostly fully washable, so you can simply wash it and put it away ready for next summer once you’re finished with it.

Then, get yourself a summery rug, perhaps some fresh curtains, some brighter cushions, and a lovely lightweight throw. Once you’ve done this, it will completely transform the room and again, you can spend as much or as little as you can afford whilst still seeing a difference. With soft furnishings, you can look on websites like Vinted for great second-hand options if it’s not in your budget to buy new at the minute!

Get Some Plants!

Another thing that is affordable, and can completely transform your living space for summer, is plants! You’d be surprised at how plants can transform the feel of the room, whether you want all real plants, some artificial, or a combination of the two! There are more benefits to real plants in terms of purifying the air, however, this isn’t always realistic if you don’t have the time to look after them. Perhaps get one main plant that is larger and then usually easier to look after, then you could have more artificial plants and flowers elsewhere. We might sound like a broken record, but make sure to have a look for second-hand artificial plants or spare plants that people have propagated at home and are selling for free.

About The Author

Daisy Moss is a freelance writer specializing in vintage jewelry. When she isn’t writing you will probably find her looking for her next investment in Hatton Garden.

12 Easy Costumes You Can Throw Together for Halloween

It’s time to nix Jim and Pam.

Halloween is a time to hang out with friends, eat candy, and dress up in great costumes. Of course, there is the typical alien, hippie, Jim and Pam… But, if you’re looking to elevate your costume game this Halloween, there are some costumes that will make you stand out in the crowd. And, even better, you can find these items on your own for a cheap DIY.

1. Scarlet Witch (Endgame)

Re-made famous by the recent show, Wandavision, a Scarlett Witch costume is both cool and easy. For the costume found in Endgame, you’ll need black pants, a red crop top or tank top, black boots, and a long, red jacket (or long sweater).

2. Loki (Loki on Disney+)

Another character re-made famous by a Disney+ show, Loki is the bad guy that everyone secretly loves. An easy costume would be one found in the TV show. You’ll need a grey suit, green vest, white shirt, and green tie.

3. Britney Spears (One More Time)

Celebrate the #FreeBritney movement and duplicate one of Britney’s iconic looks over the years. One of the easiest may be her look from One More Time which consists of a white tied shirt, grey sweater, black skirt, and black knee socks. And don’t forget the pigtail braids.

4. Cruella

The movie, Cruella, recently premiered and starred Emma Stone as none other than Cruella de Vil, herself. As soon as this movie came out, a huge emphasis was placed on fashion, since that was a majority of the plot. Because of that, there are several outfits you could use for Halloween. However, the easiest may be one of her all-black ensembles that includes a mid-length black skirt, black leather jacket, black gloves, and a cane. Tie it all together with a black and white wig you can find at just about any place that sells Halloween costumes.

5. Steve (Blues Clues)

Who can forget the moment not long ago when Steve from Blues Clues released a heartfelt video message? It definitely brought back nostalgia to the kids who used to watch that actor on the show before he left. Thankfully, the costume is very easy to replicate, if you’re looking to relive your childhood. All you need are khaki pants, a white collared shirt, and a green striped sweater.

6. Olivia Rodrigo

I think we all can agree that Olivia Rodrigo took the music world by storm. Between her catchy songs, incredible talent, and bubbly personality, we’ve grown to love her and her music. For an easy Olivia Rodrigo costume, all you’ll need is a pink tank top, a blue plaid skirt, some jewelry, and tons of stickers for your face. If you have a hard time keeping the stickers on, get some lash glue that is safe for your skin.

7. Bridgerton Characters

Although it seems like more work, dressing up as these iconic characters is much easier than it seems. Your best bet is to go to a thrift store and check out their dresses and/or. Nine times out of 10, you’ll be able to find something that fits the Bridgerton vibe.

8. Mabel Mora (Only Murders in the Building)

Only Murders in the Building is a whodunit show that is streamed through Hulu. The story follows three people who start a podcast to figure out who killed someone in the building they live in. Mabel Mora, played by Selena Gomez, is one of those people – and her outfits are incredible. To dress up as her, you’ll need a yellow sweater, a yellow or orange jacket, checkered pants, a yellow beanie, black boots, sunglasses, and a pair of big headphones (preferably red).

9. David Rose (Schitt’s Creek)

Another easy costume is David Rose from Schitt’s Creek – the TV show that totally took comedy to the next level. One of the most lovable characters, David Rose, has some great outfits that are easy to replicate. One of the most popular ones is the black and white outfit that he wears which can be made from a black and white sweater, black leggings or pants, a black skirt, and white sunglasses.

10. Beetlejuice

One of my favorites (and my costume this year) is none other than Beetlejuice. This iconic Halloween movie features many incredible characters to copy, but the most popular is Beetlejuice, himself. If you’re looking to copy the costume as close as possible, try and find a vertical black and white stripe suit. If not, you can improvise, much like I am this year. For a DIY version, you’ll need a vertical black and white shirt or jacket, black pants, black boots, and green hair spray (for an extra bonus, check out two makeup products I found specifically for my Beetlejuice costume).

11. Harley Quinn – The Suicide Squad

Not to be confused with Suicide Squad, the sequel to the original movie came out and featured several of the classic characters from the first movie – one of which being the infamous Harley Quinn. Harley got a drastic makeover in the second movie which makes her outfits perfect for this Halloween. You can copy one of the most popular ones with a frilly red dress, black combat boots, and two low pigtails.

12. Joe and Love (You)

Season three of the beloved TV thriller, You, dropped on October 15, with a promise of season four following soon. In seasons one and two, we (unfortunately) fell in love with two psychopaths. Why? You’ll have to watch the show and find out. Needless to say, these costumes will be hot this year. For Joe, all you’ll need is a baseball cap, blue shirt, dress pants, and a belt (bonus if you carry a book). For Love, there’s a lot of outfits you could go with, but the most iconic is one she wore at the end of the season (if you know you know). For that, you’ll need a low-cut cropped peach or tan cardigan, a long necklace, hoop earrings, and jeans.

If you haven’t given much thought to a Halloween costume for this year, take a look at the above list and see if there are any that you can piece together. Grab a friend, go thrifting, and enjoy the rest of spooky season!

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About the Author

Emmie Pombo is a latte and tattoo-loving Tennessean who specializes in mental health and beauty writing. She holds a degree in Journalism and a certification in Makeup Artistry and Airbrushing. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

10 Tips to Remodel Your Dream House

10 Tips to Remodel Your Dream Home

To those who have recently got married, you must be excited about your new life. The dreams you’ve been seeing until now have finally become true.

While you’re enjoying your life together, planning for the honeymoon, and maybe a baby, you should not forget there’s something else you need to consider: renovating your house.

Whether you’re buying a new house or shifting to the one your spouse lived in before, you should do some remodeling before you start living as a couple. And things can be even more interesting if you and your spouse take it as a DIY project.

Renovating a home might sound interesting, but it’s also stressful work. Things can really go wrong if you don’t have proper planning and the necessary tools.

Tips to Remodel The House

As a couple, you may have different opinions on how you want to renovate the house. Instead of fighting over it, make a solid plan that you both agree on and go for it.

Here are some tips that will help your renovation go smoothly.

Make a Budget

No work can be done perfectly without a budget, and remodeling a house is no exception. If you want to renovate it economically, it’s crucial that you determine the total expenditure limit before you start to change things.

As a newly married couple, you must have some other costs to think about. So, sit with your spouse and make a solid plan of how much you want to spend on the kitchen or on the bedroom. If you want to save a place for the future baby’s room or not.

Also, there will be some unexpected costs when you start working on your home. Keep that in mind and plan accordingly.

Get The Right Tools

When you have finished planning how you want to remodel your house, it’s time to get the right tools for it. No matter how experienced of a DIYer you are, you will find it challenging to work without the right tools.

One of the most essential tools every DIYer needs is a cordless drill. Whether you’re fixing the cabinet door or drilling the wall to hang photos, a drill machine can be your best friend.

However, don’t forget to research and go through customer reviews. This review will help you find the right cordless hammer drill for you. Also, you will need a measuring tape, pliers, speed square, Japanese cat’s paw, and much more.

Know Your End Result

You cannot start renovating your house without knowing the end goal. Why do you want to remodel the house? To raise its resale value or just make it comfortable for a couple to live in?

Before you start working, consider the neighborhood and determine what kind of remodeling will be a good return on investment. Working without knowing the end result will make your work messy and delayed.

Make a Timeline

You may be renovating your home with a special day in your mind. Or maybe you’re hoping to finish it before the next Christmas or planning to hold a party on the next Thanksgiving.

No matter what the case is, it’s important that you mark the end date on your calendar and make a plan to meet that. Check it regularly to see how many weeks are left before you finish the project and if there are possibilities of delays.

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9 Simple Ways to Make Your Place Look Great And Add Curb Appeal

Your Home Sweet Home

Are you looking for simple ways to make your place look great? Are you looking to increase your curb appeal? Maybe you want to move, and you need to attract a buyer or tenant. You might just want to make your home a little more welcoming.

Regardless of motivation, you can complete any of the projects below in a single weekend. They don’t cost much in terms of time and energy, but they’ll significantly improve your property’s look and feel.

So where should you get started?

1. Coat Your Driveway

If you have a bumpy driveway, you’re putting unnecessary stress on the axle of your vehicle. You’re also creating unnecessary wear and tear for your tires. Without protection, your driveway can quickly become a rutted, unsightly mess. Fortunately, you can handle this project without much effort. And a coated driveway will definitely make your place look great.

Make sure it’s a warm day. The temperature has to remain at 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for the 24 hours it takes to complete. Two thin coats look better than one lumpy one, so try not to rush. If you have to repair any considerable cracks, you’ll need to wait six months before applying a sealer.

2. Retrofit Your Garage Door

The next time you pull up to your home, observe the outside layout. Chances are, your garage door makes up 30% or more of your home’s exterior. It makes the entire place look shabby if you don’t take care of it. Plus, poorly maintained doors create a significant hazard for your family.

Set aside some time to retrofit your garage door, inspecting it for any missing or loose parts. It’s a wise idea to change the codes regularly as well. That way, if you’ve previously handed out your code to a cleaning or construction company, you can prevent unauthorized entry.

3. Add Extra Storage Space

When you ask homebuyers what they want, garage storage space makes the list time and again. Fortunately, you don’t need to spend a lot to make a your place look great.

Some hardware stores give out wooden pallets for free, and you can use these to construct shelves. Pegboard is pretty low-costand makes the ideal place to hang lawn equipment and other tools. You can use plastic storage bins for items like toys and sports equipment.

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7 Pointers for Your Next Painting Project

Applying a fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest, most effective ways to raise your property value. It costs relatively little, and you can complete multiple painting projects over a single weekend. Creative types can let their inner Picasso loose and transform their home into something beautiful.

That said, it’s a little more complicated than finding the right color. To make the most out of a painting project, you’ll need to create a clear vision of what you want to achieve. Here are seven tips to get you started.

1. Ask Yourself Why You’re Painting

Your reasons for painting will vary. Maybe you want to sell, but the exterior of your home is peeling. Perhaps the previous tenant turned the spare bedroom into a nursery — but now you want to create a home office where you meet with accounting clients. Maybe you just need a change.

Your painting goals guide your project. Painting your interior results in a 107% return on investment when you sell, but only if you select a palette that appeals to most buyers. Conversely, if you’re painting because you’re expecting a new bundle of joy, you might not care what a teddy bear mural does to your property value temporarily. You only care about your family’s opinion of the space.

2. Consider the Style of Your Building

If you own a Victorian mansion, darker paint tones can project a somber, funereal atmosphere. However, colors like black and dark gray provide striking accents to modern, contemporary homes. Keep the following guidelines in mind:

For a country cottage look: Select warm tones like golds and light greens.
For a Tudor-style home: Opt for red and brown accents.
For Southwestern flair: Stick with a light-colored palette with turquoise and copper accents.
For minimalist decor: Go with white with subtle pastel undertones like lavender.

3. Select Your Color Palette

Now that you have a grasp on your purpose and style, you’re ready to select your palette. If you’re painting your entire house, choosing hues that work well together will improve value. A successful painting project starts with planning.

Start by picking a color scheme for the largest, most central part of your home. For many people, this refers to your living or family room. Alternately, if you have your heart set on a burgundy tone for your dining area, start with that bold color and work outward from there.

Then, select variations of that hue for any adjoining rooms or areas you can see from the original vantage point. For example, if you paint your dining area a deep red tone, consider a rose-gold for an adjacent living area or hallway. Create a brick accent wall in the kitchen. The goal is a harmonious blend of colors from every viewpoint.

4. Choose an Accent Wall

Accent walls can create a cohesive look. If you choose to paint your kitchen cabinets hunter green, making a pine or emerald-colored accent wall in the living room unites your look. Such walls are a stunning backdrop for family photographs or decorative mirrors.

Your accent wall belongs where your eyes naturally gravitate. If you have a fireplace, you want to gaze at it while you sip cocoa — so highlight this area. If you have large windows lining one wall, make the opposite one your highlight.

5. Create a Striking Effect

You don’t have to paint all your walls a solid color. Stripes create a unique look for game rooms. Wainscoting adds an Old-World flair to the traditional study. Borders introduce whimsical elements to guest bedrooms.

Imagine that you’re Jackson Pollack and use splashes of color to bring a child’s bedroom to life. Create a mural of Middle Earth on your library wall.

6. Set a Specific Mood

Colors influence your mood. Tones like yellow and red energize your body and spirit. They work well in kitchens or home offices where you need to be alert. Light blue and lavender shades relax you, so paint your bedroom in that kind of hue. You’ll find it easier to slip into dreamland at the end of the day.

7. Tie Everything Together

Once you finish your painting project, take your time in laying out photographs and paintings. Keep beloved heirlooms and favorite pieces, but visit your favorite online or retail art shop to pick up new things as well.

Add a centerpiece that highlights the paint in your dining room. Set out decorative candles and books in flattering shades around living areas and studies.

Take Your Project to the Next Level

With planning, you can get the most out of your next painting project. Whether you want to increase your home’s value or simply freshen up your look, you’ll delight in the fruits of your labor when finished.

Dylan Bartlett writes about a variety of topics on his site, Just a Regular Guide. Check it out for more info on home improvement, DIY projects and remodeling apps. Follow him on Twitter @theregularguide for frequent updates!

Window Replacement Cost: What You Need to Know

Improving your house often times involves designs of a new kitchen or expanding the master bath. All good things, but one area of home improvement often overlooked is replacing old, worn windows for new ones. The downside is that they can be expensive. That’s the reason why you should be aware of how deteriorated they are when it comes to a replacement windows

New windows can give your home some added curb appeal while also adding performance by making the home quieter, less drafty and more functional by combining storm glass and screens. The average cost of window replacement can vary, but can provide a return on investment in the form of energy savings and increased home value.

While the investment in new windows has many benefits for your home, the downside is that they can be expensive. Getting new windows for your home involves many decisions and we have some tips and info to keep in mind when making that decision for your home.

the downside is that they can be expensive. — That’s the reason why you should be aware of how deteriorated they are when it comes to a window replacement.

1) What Is the Cost of Replacement Windows?

The average cost of window replacement varies significantly. The range could be somewhere between $500 to $2000. However, this variation is usually determined by a myriad of aspects. The aspects that affect the cost of replacing windows include materials, size, and the style of the windows to be installed. Different styles of windows cost different prices and also the installation of such windows is also different, hence the difference in cost. For instance, it will cost you more to install a bow window compared to a casement window. Also, the cost of replacing double pane windows is higher compared to that of a single hung window. When it comes to the materials, wood windows are typically expensive compared to vinyl windows. Lastly, you expect larger windows to cost more than smaller windows. Here is a sneak peek of the average window replacement cost.

Casement window	The average price per window.
uPVC	$500-600
Wood casement window	$750-900
Aluminum casement window unit	$800-1000
Sash window	The average price per window
uPVC sash window	$750-1000
Wooden sash window	$1300-1550
Aluminum sash window	$1350-1650

If you are planning to carry out window replacement in your house, it is essential that you familiarize yourself with various materials available in the market sash as aluminum, uPVC, and wooden windows so that you can make the right decisions for your project. All these types of materials come with varying benefits and demerits, and as such, they also have different prices and knowing this can aid you in your decision-making process.

For instance, let’s assume you want to replace your old windows with 4-single pane wood casement units. When you calculate this, you will get a figure of $3000 in total. However, if you opt for uPVC, you could save a considerable amount of money. When you compare the same arrangement in uPVC which totals to $2000, you will find that you save $1000 on window replacement. However, bear in mind that these calculations are founded on the average size of a window, so you would want to do your calculations for different window sizes and get the actual cost.

2) Look for The Best Prices of Replacement Windows.

Home renovations are among the most significant projects we undertake, so you must do your homework and know what you will need to pay as the window replacement cost. You definitely don’t want to be caught off guard with high costs. You can obtain the actual costs of windows you are interested in by visiting the local manufacturer or having a one-to-one talk with him. You can do this by visiting their websites and entering the required details and then they will get in touch with you. You will not be obliged to buy the windows, just know what they have in store and compare prices with other window manufacturers.

3) How Size Affect the Cost of Replacing Windows.

We highlighted some of the factors that affect windows cost, and one of them was the size. So how does the size affect the cost of replacing windows? The answer is quite straightforward. The larger the window, the higher the cost of replacement. First thing, it will cost you more to buy a bigger replacement window compared to the price you will pay for smaller windows. Take note also that a bigger window takes relatively more time to install compared to a smaller one and all that adds into window replacement expenses.