This is what I remember the most about Laurie. We met at a workshop for the NCIDQ (National Council of Interior Design Qualification) exam. Since we lived close to each other, we became study buddies and we attended trade events together.
Laurie loved cooking and had prepared delicious meals for us a few times. I would bring tea and/or desserts to share. Interior design brought us together, and food bonded us.
I will always remember her impeccable style and bright laughs.
There are many reasons why you might want to redecorate your home. Whether you’re looking for a change or need to optimize the space in your rental property, there are many benefits of redecorating your home.
One of the most popular reasons is that people are getting older and their homes no longer suit their needs as they once did. In this case, it’s important to know what changes need to be made. For example, if your living room is on the ground floor of your home and you’re now in a wheelchair, it might be time to update with a more accessible layout. This article that explores some ways you can make the most of your space.
Reasons for Redecorating
If you have kids, work from home, entertain often or want a more relaxing space at home, there are specific ways you can redecorate depending on those needs.
For example, if you have kids and need more storage space for toys and games in the basement, consider building an additional staircase or railing so they can reach the storage better while still being safe.
If you work from home but don’t like having clients over because it seems unprofessional in your current setup, consider adding some plants around the house to make it seem more inviting and professional-looking.
Redecorate to Accommodate a New Hobby
If you’re interested in trying out a new hobby, there’s an abundance of home décor options that can make it a more pleasurable and enjoyable experience. You’ll want to consider the type of hobby you’re getting into.
If you’re into baking, for example, then adding a few baking supplies or other items related to your hobby will be helpful. If you like to knit or crochet, then some yarn and needles would be ideal additions. The same goes for cooking. If you like to cook, then having some pots and pans, as well as spices on hand, will help with your kitchen craft.
Whether it’s an interest in photography or jewelry making, being able to decorate your home according to your hobbies can provide an excellent way to enjoy them even more. Consider what type of crafts or hobbies you enjoy most and how they relate to redecorating your home space so that all your interests are met through decoration.
Redecorate Your Living Space if You Work from Home
If you work from home, your home office is likely where you spend the majority of your time. If you’re looking to improve your productivity, it’s important to make sure that your home office is tuned into what helps you be most productive.
The key to creating a productive space is to eliminate potential distractions in and around the office. These distractions come in many forms: clutter, pets, children, noise levels, and more. Making sure these distractions are eliminated will help you focus on getting things done.
Turn off all notifications on your phone, so they don’t interrupt.
Taking these steps will go a long way in ensuring better time management. Your productivity will greatly improve, which will serve you well when working from home.
Guest Author: Alice Robertson
Alice Robertson began her career in the home organization industry as a professional house cleaner. After cleaning and organizing her clients’ homes for years, she decided to open her own home organization business. Over the years, she has built an impressive client list, helping to make spaces in homes and businesses more functional. She recently created tidyhome.info as a place to share the great cleaning and organizing advice she has developed over the years.
There is this one designer I constantly saw at trade events. I could recognize her because she always carried her dog in her arms. That poor thing seemed to have given up and never made a sound or move. Besides being unprofessional, isn’t this a kind of animal abuse?
Sales representatives also have stories of designers behaving badly. They lack respect for other professionals in the trade and often demand to be accommodated. One example is some designers do not draw out tile layouts and calculate quantities. They buy more than necessary (with the clients’ money) and insist on returning the excess. Most tile stores do not accept returns unless the products are defected. It is possible the refund did not get credit back to the clients.
Some people just have problems being prompt. Once I referred an engineer to a residential renovation project. He connected to the homeowner and made an appointment to visit the jobsite. I was shocked when the homeowner called me and said the engineer missed the appointment with no explanation. We were concerned if anything bad had happened. It turned out there was no good reason.
People are increasingly looking to incorporate an office space within their homes. It may be because their job calls for it or as a way to get the kids to knuckle down to do their homework. Whatever your reason may be, here are some ideas if you’re looking to do the same but only have a small space to work with.
Is It a Shelf, or Is It a Desk?
It can be both. If you have limited space, placing a shelf, preferably streamlined and curved for aesthetic value, under a window is an excellent way of creating a workspace. Add some paint on the wall the width of your desk/shelf to define your workspace, and as it’s by the window, you can place an indoor plant on it, such as a jade plant that thrives in the San Fernando sunshine.
Utilize Every Inch of Space
When creating a home office in a small space, your wall is your best friend. You can make your walls pull double duty by attaching a storage unit with fold-down compartments to save space and provide ample room for a desk and storage. Best of all, when you’ve finished your work, you can fold the unit against the wall.
Hidden Office Space
When is an office not an office? When you can’t see it. Concealing your desk inside a cupboard is an excellent way to help maintain a healthy home/work-life balance. Transform an old or unused cabinet by putting in shelving for storage and a board on runners for a keyboard if you use a PC. Being able to close the door on your place of work at the end of the day makes it easier to switch off.
Planning and Budgeting for Your Home Office
Make the best use of your space by creating a floor plan. As your home office plans come together, determine which jobs you can do yourself and which require professional services. You can save money by using things you already have around the house. Maybe you have some old pictures in the basement that may look great above your desk, or perhaps you can repurpose an old comfortable chair for use as your desk chair.
Sprucing Up Home Furniture
If you have clients visiting your home office, you want to impress them, so if any of your furniture has stains that don’t respond to conventional cleaning products, contact an upholstery cleaner. Consult online reviews using sites like Angi before getting a quote and discussing your needs. Once you’ve narrowed the options down to a few companies, insist on several referrals from satisfied customers, and avoid working with cleaners who use all-in-one cleaning tools. In addition, when creating a home office, keep receipts and take before-and-after photos to help quantify your home’s increase in value, particularly important if you’re planning on selling anytime soon.
No Matter How Small
With the right ideas, planning, and budgeting, you can make a space for an office in any room, no matter how small. All you need is a work surface, a comfortable place to sit, and somewhere to store your office supplies.
Guest Author: Alice Robertson
Alice Robertson began her career in the home organization industry as a professional house cleaner. After cleaning and organizing her clients’ homes for years, she decided to open her own home organization business. Over the years, she has built an impressive client list, helping to make spaces in homes and businesses more functional. She recently created tidyhome.info as a place to share the great cleaning and organizing advice she has developed over the years.
MICHELLE CHIANG 