As a new homeowner who is on a budget, I am always trying to find inexpensive ways to add some sunshine to my home.
While I have a lengthy to do list of projects such as painting, bathroom upgrades, recess lighting installations, new windows, and other pretty major changes to make to my home, I know it is going to take awhile (maybe years) to get to all these ideas.
In the meantime however, I would like my house to feel clean, fresh, and homey. I have found some ways to add color, cleanness and a warm feel to my house.
Keep it Clean
This probably sounds like a no-brainer, but keeping your home clean will add a warm feeling to the ambiance.
One example is the difference a clean window can make. The kitchen in my house when I moved in was very dark and completely outdated. One time I decided to make more effort in cleaning my kitchen window. Washing the inside and outside of the window made such a difference and gave my kitchen a brighter feel.
Another way I like to keep my house feeling bright and homey is through frequent mini-cleanings. I will spend just ten minutes vacuuming a couple rooms that need it the most. Then I will swifter jet the kitchen and bathroom floors. Although my house isn’t big, it can take less than twenty minutes to spruce things up till the next mini-cleaning.
Add Some Life
I love to put some flowers and plants throughout the house. Lately I like having an orchid in my kitchen, which adds the final touch of warmth to a clean kitchen. I have not always had the best of luck with orchids before, until I found the perfect combination of sun and shade my kitchen windowsill provides. If an orchid doesn’t work for you, try another plant.
If you have flowers in the garden, put some on a vase in your entry way or front room. Adding a flower or plant can really change the ambiance of a room adding color and life.
Sound and Smell
To help make my home feel inviting, I sometimes play some light music. I live on a busier street so this can really help drown out the noises. Having the radio playing can sometimes be a drag with the commercials and DJs. I suggest seeing if through your TV there is a non-stop music channel. During the holidays I love to play a Bing Crosby CD that is really festive and definitely makes the house feel inviting.
I am not a huge fan of candles, however, every now and then burning a scented candle can really add a nice scent to your home.
Another great way to add a good scent is by baking! If you don’t actually want to bake, they even have candles that smell like cookies, an easy way to cheat the baking smell.
In the bathrooms I use scented plug-ins. If you are on a budget, you can find similar to the name brand ones at the dollar store. Recently I scored and found some for a dollar on sale at my grocery store and stocked up. This can be a nice way to add a fresh smell to your house.
What do you do to add sunshine to your home?
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