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Our homes are continuously evolving and you may develop a love/hate relationship with them. You may sometimes feel a disconnection with your home or even your room. In reality, there is no perfect relationship that will make you feel at ease at all times. Most of us can see at least a few flaws in our homes. Whether you are talking about the arrangement of your furniture pieces or the appearance of your decorative items. These may not be visually appealing as you see them every day. Time to refresh your home to boost the overall appearance. 

There are different ways to refresh your home. Even if you are tight on the budget, you can still successfully achieve an interior appearance that will surely be adored by anyone. Sometimes you just need to be innovative and creative in looking for ways to spruce up your homes. With these easy steps, you can have a home interior that is worth flaunting on your social media account.

Remove all accessories

Sometimes, the decorative items that you add become eyesores. Remove any item that is not needed except for furniture pieces, drapes, and rugs. You may find other places for them in other rooms such as the dining or the kitchen. Start with this step and you will see the overall appearance of your home from a bird’s eye view.

Rearrange the furniture

Check the arrangement of your furniture pieces. Sometimes just rearranging them can give your home a whole new look. This is possible if your room allows them in different arrangements. The good thing about this is that you may be able to do the cleaning simultaneously.

Collector’s items

Time to see if you have unwanted items in your collection. Time to discard or sell them to prevent the accumulation of clutter. Check where they are usually located such as the bookshelves, corners of your house, study area, and others. Old books and magazines may be donated or sold. Use boxes to temporarily store them until such time that they will be disposed of. 

Add plants 

Plants and flowers can totally transform the overall appearance of your home. They can make your rooms look fresh and pollution-free. Studies also have shown that flowers and plants can provide health and environmental benefits. In addition to these, a mini garden can be the focal point of your room.

Add texture to your rooms

This can be achieved with a nicely decorated blanket, rope-wrapped candlesticks, and rugs. You can also add texture to your walls with cool poster art. These can make your room look trendy and stylish.

Light a candle to your home

Scented candles are great not only to illuminate your home. They can also add fragrance to calm and relax your mind and body. In addition to these, scented candles are also perfect to display if you want to add colors to your home. Display them in the living room or on the console table.

We spend a lot of time in the office. As employees, we are expected to be productive and be our best. As such, the office environment should be inspiring and appealing to help us show and do our best while at work. Transforming the overall appearance of the office will help the workers accomplish their daily tasks. Though it is not easy,  the good news is there are ways that will help you achieve the desired appearance. 

The goal of office decorating is not to exaggerate it with decorative and personal items. You may also want to keep the office dedicated to work and professional while also making it look comfortable just like your home.

Make the office look professional 

Keep it practical and professional by not exaggerating the decors and personal items. Add inspiring artwork or motivational posters. Do not display your personal photos such as the photo of your beach escapade. 

Make it clean and functional 

Avoid clutter in the office. Keep your desk surface and your floor space clear of clutter, papers, and books. Be sure that the office functions well whether you are sitting or standing. Try to set the office up so that it is easy for others to work also. 

Maintain a healthy environment                                                               

One way to make a healthy office environment is to add elements of nature such as plants, flowers, and water. These not only add beauty to your space but also evokes health benefits. The natural colors are likewise soothing that help in your concentration as well as being productive with your respective tasks. Pothos, aloe, and jade plants are all great options as they remove toxins from the air and are easy to manage. 

Keep it look and feel comfortable

In addition to good office appliances and equipment, you should also consider making everything comfortable and cozy. But be sure not to overdo it to the point that the workers tend to sleep on their work. That would be bad news for the company and for the employees too. Have a comfortable back or butt pillow or throw hanging around to help you become comfortable all day. In this way, you could also bring colors to your office without any difficulty. 

Use the proper lighting

Leave the tradition behind and be innovative when it comes to lighting. Add desk lamps with softer lighting so that you can see your work properly.

Add some art

The addition of some art is perfect to complete the wall design of the office. Sometimes wall art is neglected and not given some attention. Add different themes that will blend with the interior design of the office. It is also recommended to add motivational posters to inspire the workers and also to complete their day. 

Display photos for a nostalgic atmosphere

Yes, you can add photos of your family or pet. But remember that it is the office and you should limit personal items being displayed. Choose the appropriate photos and limit them to 1 to 3 only. 

Add accessories

Add items that are functional but also personalized to your own style and taste. Examples are your hip mug or Mason jars to hold your pens and pencils, an attractive bowl for your paper clips, an antique box for business cards, and others.

When designing or decorating a space, it is important to consider the 7 key elements to make it look balanced. Read on to learn more about these elements and how they can help you achieve a striking and stylish living space. 

Space 

The first thing that a decorator or designer will do is conduct an ocular visit. Knowing the overall size and the positions of doors, windows, and others is vital for a smooth design. A living space that is filled with furniture pieces is called a positive space, while an empty one is known as a negative space. A balance between the two makes the room look inviting and cozy.

Lines

A line brings structure, creativity, and a sense of direction. There are three types and these are horizontal, vertical, and dynamic. Horizontal lines are commonly seen in tables, chairs, and other furnishings. Vertical lines are common in doors, windows, and other tall structures. While dynamic lines invite activity, such as the staircase. 

Form

This element refers to the shapes of the room. This may be the shape of the whole room, including the furniture, decor, and light fittings. Forms have two types: geometric and natural. Geometric forms are anything that is man-made, such as furniture pieces. Natural shapes, on the other hand, are organic, such as plants. 

Light

Light sets the mood in any living space. Whether it is man-made or natural, a balance of both is needed to ensure a good atmosphere throughout the day. Lighting also influences the choice of colors for the space. 

Colors

Colors make any room look vibrant and lively. They can be used as a complementary or contrasting element. They are often based on color psychology to ensure that the right mood is set in the room. 

Texture

Adding texture also means incorporating depth and interest. Two types of texture exist: visual and actual. A texture that is visual refers only to the appearance, while actual textures are both seen and felt such as velvet. 

Pattern

The use of patterns can add interest and excitement. Patterns are defined as any repetitive decorative element.

Life is a combination of both happiness and sadness. Becoming happy is not that impossible, but depends on our perceptions. There are many things that can make us happy, such as traveling, reading, shopping, cooking, playing, and singing. Our life is packed with excitement and satisfaction and happiness can easily be seen on our faces. Happiness is all about getting inner satisfaction and the well-being of the mind and body. It is expressed in various forms like excitement, pride, joy, and gratitude. 

What makes us happy?

This is probably one of the questions that are difficult to answer and probably a confusing one. We find happiness even in the smallest things in life. It is difficult to list all these things as they greatly depend on every individual. It may be your family, doing some volunteer work, the beauty of nature, your room, your favorite music, or your most-loved pet. The list may be long and not the same with even your closest friend or family member. People can be happy with different things. It is likewise a misconception that wealth and success are crucial for being happy. If this is true, then only the wealthiest will be happy in this world. Happiness comes from the things that we love to do and these cannot be bought with money. 

Being happy in your home

In a fast-paced world, it is important to have a space to relax and slow down a little. We all need a place where we can be healthy and happy, and feel safe, secure, and protected. However, this is not just about emotions. They have to be supported through materials, interior design, and decorative items. Colors, for instance, play an important role in boosting the mood of an individual. Cheerful, mood-boosting colors bring optimism and energy to your rooms. 

Interior decorations are likewise crucial in creating a happy ambiance. Decorating the walls with various items like personalized framed art, personal keepsakes, souvenir items, wall coverings, and others. Any blank walls can be seen as dull and boring. However, with these wall decors, everything changes. This is your chance to level up the overall appearance of your home. 

Plants and other natural elements

Mental health is quite a big topic nowadays. While we are still battling the pandemic, we also need to take care of our mental health. One of the easy ways to improve our mood and help reduce stress and anxiety is to fill your home with plants. Indoor plants help a lot in improving our health and indoor air quality. Gardening is a great activity to do with your loved ones. Not only gardening can evoke health and environmental benefits, but it can likewise strengthen the bond between the family members. 

Make a memory wall

Memory walls display artifacts, pictures, and other items from family and friends. It celebrates the family as a whole and shows all of the good times you spent all these years. Among these, the easiest way to create a sophisticated memory wall is to display pictures in black frames or white frames. The items should take up the entire wall and each item needs to be equally spaced from the other. This wall design can help you remember all the memorable moments that you have spent with your loved ones.

It is a fact that home renovation projects can boost the value of your home. However, not all homeowners can upgrade their homes with a flick of their fingers. This is due to various reasons, especially when it comes to budget. We know that materials and labor costs these days are not a joke. Worry no more as there are many ways to upgrade your home without going into debt or breaking your savings. Read on to know some of the interesting ways to increase the home value with DIY projects.

Give your walls a new look

It is common to have scratches, dirty paint, outdated colors, and fading wallpaper. These can be remedied with a little style, creativity, and a few cans of paint. Choose a neutral color scheme such that it can unify the whole house. This scheme can likewise be appealing to potential buyers. 

Update your fixtures

Some fixtures need to be replaced or updated. Switch plates, outlet covers, curtain rods, light fixtures, and doorknobs. Old ones tend to be boring and with a little spending, the overall appearance of the room may be different and lively. Be smart in purchasing these items. No need to choose the expensive ones as they may have the same quality as those cheaper items. You still need to do some research, though, so that you may not end up buying the wrong items. 

Ceiling fans

Want to cut down on your electricity consumption? Install ceiling fans as these are good alternatives to air conditioners. Ceiling fans also reduce heating costs b circulating warm air await from the ceiling. 

Improve the window treatments

Replace vertical plastic blinds, paper shades, or horizontal aluminum blinds. These are no longer in trend and don’t add value to your homes. Use plantation shutters, wooden blinds, or drapes. Neutral colors are the best choice, especially if you are planning to sell your home.

Restore hardwood floors

In many instances, older homes have hardwood floors hidden underneath the carpet or any floor covering. If you have squeaky floors then you have wooden floors. If you are still not sure, pull up your carpet and check. Before revealing them, there is a good chance that you need to refinish them to restore them to their original state. This is cheaper than installing new flooring. 

Paint or stain kitchen cabinets

You could buy new cabinets and save money by purchasing prefabricated cabinets and installing them yourself. White cabinets tend to brighten the kitchen and never go out of style. To do this, you need to remove all the hardware from the cabinets, including the doors. Clean them so that dirt and grease will not ruin your work. In doing so, you may also want to upgrade the bathroom cabinets as well. 

Final Thoughts

Upgrading your home does not have to be expensive. It does not require hiring contractors or other experts. These days, there are many ingenious ways to boost your home without spending that much. As a result, the value of your home may likewise be improved for future buyers or even for your own satisfaction.

Sushi anyone? Many people have loved this dish and there is something into it that makes it comforting and pleasurable. A Japanese restaurant is never complete without sushi and other signature dishes. However, there is more to a Japanese restaurant than just the food. In addition to the menu and service, the overall appearance and ambiance of the Japanese restaurant are important. All of these factors complete the Japanese restaurant experience that will take you to the Far East with a snap of the finger. Planning to start your own Japanese restaurant business? Here are some interesting ideas that will help you with your brand.

See and feel the ambiance

The culture and tradition of the Japanese have greatly influenced the aesthetics and architecture of Japanese homes and restaurants. By principle, the Japanese-styled interior revolves around uncluttered and clean living, sticking to order, balance, love for natural beauty, and ancient costumes. 

If you have watched Japanese tea ceremonies and other traditions, you will fully understand and appreciate the interior of every Japanese home and restaurant. Japanese restaurants have that relaxing touch that will make you enjoy your food more. 

Starting the Japanese restaurant business

Starting a Japanese restaurant is quite challenging but rewarding. Think about the different factors that need to be considered and incorporated to be successful in the business. Examples are the location, market for Japanese cuisine, and available resources, especially the budget. Be sure that you have devised a marketing and business plan. You will also need to hire professional staff members, such as experienced Japanese food and sushi chefs, interior designers or decorators, and servers. 

Characteristics of a Japanese restaurant

Achieving an authentic Japanese restaurant is not that hard, especially if you are a fan of Japanese food and culture. Some elements distinguish a Japanese restaurant from other Asian restaurants. In terms of the interior appearance, Japanese culture has respect and love for nature. As such, the interior appearance should reflect this passion. Bring nature in with traditional plants such as bamboo and bonsai. Palm and orchids work well with traditional plants. The important thing is that you make the restaurant look natural, green, and simple. You can enhance the look with wooden elements around the restaurant. 

In addition to plants, water is another important element that will boost the Japanese appearance of your restaurant. The sound of water has a calming effect and can evoke a tranquil room environment. 

Adding shoji adds to the beauty of the interior. Shoji is a Japanese screen that slides back and forth. This is used as a replacement for doors to save up space and likewise allow natural light in the room. The screen is usually made up of fine translucent paper found inside a wooden grid. 

The entry or “genkan” is also an important concept of Japanese culture. Guests are greeted in this area while shoes are taken off and replaced with indoor slippers. Add shelves in the entryway to store the shoes and remember that this should look simple and made up of wooden elements. It should be uncluttered and the furniture pieces are mostly low to the ground. In many instances, floor cushions are used instead of furniture pieces. 

Japanese restaurant interior designs also have a minimalist appearance. Remember that the restaurant should always be clean, uncluttered, and simple. Use culture-inspired furniture pieces, made up of wood, clean-lined and modern. When it comes to lighting, it is recommended to have angular and modern lighting. These help in imitating Japanese-styled lanterns.

For centuries, Oriental decor has influenced Western decor. The Asian-inspired decor is basically based on Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese traditions. The Oriental decor is basically not confined to any one country or culture and spans centuries. The decor can highly be ornamented, with carved surfaces and bold color, or simple lines, free of ornamentation with soothing neutral tones. 

You can choose from the various elements when creating your own Oriental-inspired home interior. What important are the balance and clutter-free features of your home?

Characteristics of Oriental design style

The Oriental decor is broad in the sense that there are many countries with their own decor style. The decor evokes an image of serenity and calmness. The style greatly helps people who are in a fast-paced kind of lifestyle. The decor style can be successfully achieved by ushering in harmony and balance. Precision and clear thought allow you to do away with unwanted additions. 

The Oriental decor is greatly inspired by the colors of nature and often mimics scenic landscapes and colors to suit the interior. With these, it is recommended to keep the backdrop in neutral colors. The backdrop, as much as possible, must be soothing and offer a relaxed and laid-back ambiance. 

The decor is popular for having vibrant accent hues that stand out when placed in a calm and neutral setting. Combining a soft neutral backdrop with exquisite golden tones creates a majestic room. A hint of gold can create a trendy and fashionable statement as well.

Balance is an important element when you want to achieve the Oriental decor in your home. What you need is the right harmony of colors, textures, and elements. Natural stone decorations, wooden floors, bamboo blinds, and some organic textures will do the trick.

Water is another great way to create an Oriental atmosphere in your home. The sound of flowing water in your rooms, as well as the exterior, can create a welcoming and calming mood. A pond is one way to achieve this style, and this can be the focal point of your room.

Just like in any other interior style, lighting can greatly influence the overall appearance of your home. It adds to the visual and accentuates the theme. Examples are hanging paper lanterns, sculptural lighting installations, and a few candles. 

Organic and sustainable materials are highly recommended to achieve the Oriental style in your home. Smooth polished stones, sustainable bamboo blinds, intricately woven tatami mats, and potted plants and shrubs will bring nature into your home. 

Oriental decor in your rooms

Oriental-inspired rooms must be natural, serene, soothing, calm, and Zen. Many rooms, which are Oriental-inspired, bring the outdoors inside through the use of natural materials and the colors of nature. A minimalist approach is also one of the features of the design style. 

In order to achieve the Oriental decor in your room, certain things need to be considered, such as natural color palette, simplicity, bringing nature indoors, and the incorporation of nature-themed wall decor. 

Oriental decor in the backyard

The backyard is fun to design with Oriental decor. As long as you achieve and incorporate the elements for the design style, you will be able to achieve the desired output. Keep in mind that Oriental decor is also nature-inspired, incorporating the elements of nature such as water, earth, plants, and colors. A Japanese garden is one of the perfect examples of an Oriental-inspired backyard. The garden is composed of a koi pond, a Zen garden, bamboo, plants, shrubs, and others. Looking at this type of garden is truly calming, refreshing, and rejuvenating. You will love this kind of backyard and will surely enjoy staying and contemplating it. This is highly recommended for people who want to go home to a place where they could relax after a stressful day at work or school. 

While the food that you serve is the main attraction of your restaurant, the design will give a welcoming ambiance that will help boost your business. The overall appearance of your restaurant is of utmost importance to attract more customers and ensure their loyalty. Here are some tips on how to transform the appearance of your restaurant and increase your revenue.

Define your style, concept, and theme

There is a big difference between entrepreneurs who are starting with their restaurant business and those who already have one. Start with an idea and work your way through to the decoration. For, instance, a Japanese-themed restaurant focuses more on simplicity, minimalism, and traditional accents. You may want to add natural elements, such as wood, bamboo, and plants will enhance the theme and design. Italian restaurants are bolder with red and white checkered tablecloths and rustic walls.

Captivating entrance

If your restaurant is located in an area with heavy foot traffic, then you need to do something to invite them. In addition to the impressive interior, decorating the entrance is vital to increase the number of your customers. Make the entrance pop with murals or neon signages. Use glass so that passers-by can take a peek at the interior. Bold colors can catch the attention of the neighborhood, especially those who are looking for a place to dine. 

Choose the right colors

Colors are known to convey messages and emotions. In color psychology, various colors have their effects on room atmosphere and overall design. Ask experts for their recommended colors according to the theme and concept. The best colors for the walls of the restaurants are shades of red, brown, green, orange, yellow, blue, and purple. Be strategic in adding them so that they will not become an eye-sore. You may have seen that fast food restaurants use shades of red or orange as these hues can stimulate the appetite and make food look more sumptuous. Fine dining restaurants are quite different and the use of earth tones like browns promotes a relaxing and calming vibe. 

Focus on the design layout

The layout of the restaurant is important to create the right ambiance. Start with the layout of tables and chairs as this can help create a cozy and welcoming vibe. If you have a bar, check out the stools and bar table that you will add. The colors and style must blend with the overall theme and concept. If you are planning to create a sports bar or already have one, make the television the center of attention. Add sports memorabilia and posters to enhance the restaurant theme. Add games like football, darts, or pool to attract more customers. 

Use the right lighting

Light can set a mood that cannot be achieved by any other decor. When designing restaurants, properly plan the lighting so that you will successfully achieve the perfect atmosphere. Red lighting can attract more customers and stimulate hunger. Adding candles and diffuse lighting can add a romantic and intimate vibe. 

Good aroma, good vibe

The smell also has a great impact on the restaurant atmosphere. Invest in scented candles as these may have dual purposes. In addition to making the room smell enticing, candles can add a romantic vibe. The smell of freshly ground coffee beans can likewise be a huge come-on to customers, especially if you have a coffee shop. 

Use music and ambient sounds

A restaurant is not just about the taste and smell of food. You may want to create a more comfortable and inviting mood with music and ambient sounds. You may choose from a wide range of music and sound genre depending on the concept and theme of your restaurant. 

Focus on details

A good restaurant interior focus on the importance of details. If you are short on space, add elements that will create a visually larger room. Examples are mirrors, indoor plants, folding tables, and bar stools.

We all know the problem we are facing these days when it comes to the environment. Global warming still poses to be the biggest threat to the planet and this can be blamed on the hundreds of years of exploiting natural resources and the rampant use of fossil fuels. We are now experiencing the effects of our negligence. What more will happen in the years to come. Environmental conditions will continue to deteriorate. We will still experience hotter summers, stronger typhoons, floods, and others. Unless we do something now and contribute to the improvement of our planet. 

We may think that as individuals, there is nothing we can do to change this situation. Even a small contribution can give a big impact on the environment. For instance, segregation of your waste and turning off the lights when not in use can help in sustaining our environment. There are more ways that you can do to save the planet. 

Replace your bulbs with LED lights

Changing your regular light bulbs with LED lights can make a big difference. LED bulbs are more cost-efficient than regular ones. They consume less electricity but emit the same or even better lumens. 

Don’t forget to add a recycling bin and compost bin

Recycling bins are very helpful when you are segregating glass bottles, jars, bottles, and other rubbish. Compost bins, on the other hand, are helpful in discarding leftovers. It can also give you free fertilizer for your garden. You can improvise your own compost bin if you want to save money or buy commercially available compost bins. These are designed to keep your backyard tidy and odor-free.

Herbs and spices in your garden

Plant your own herbs and spices and you will receive many benefits from them. These plants do not take much space and can be done in small pots. Do this on the patio or even provide a small spot in your home. These can even be used for your favorite dishes. 

Decorate your home with indoor plants

Indoor plants are not only effective in improving air quality. They can also make your home look vibrant and refreshing. Just don’t forget to give them what they need, such as sunlight and water. 

Use attractive and functional window treatments

Curtains and blinds are commonly used as insulators. As such, room temperature can be regulated without the use of air conditioners, thus saving electricity. These can also be used to add style to your home. 

Use homemade natural cleaning products

Natural cleaning products are effective as those that are bought in groceries. Moreover, they do not contain any harmful chemicals which is important especially if you have kids at home. You can make your own cleaning agents by using vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. If you’re not sure how to use them, there are a lot of videos on YouTube that can help you.

DIY instead of buying new items

Why buy new items when you can create your own. DIY items can unleash your creativity. The good thing about this project is that you can do this with your family for a productive weekend. You can recycle old items in your home and use them to create new products. For sure, your kids will have a great time doing this project with you.