Category Archives: eNews

Avoiding Insomnia in a New Home

A woman sleeping with a mask to avoid insomnia in a new home.

Sleeping in new environments can sometimes trigger latent insomniac tendencies. It can manifest in difficulty falling and remaining asleep or waking up early. It’s a well-studied phenomenon in sleep science known as the “first-night effect.” In that state, half of your brain remains alert while the other half sleeps. It’s your brain’s way of protecting you against danger in unfamiliar places.

You may experience the “first-night effect” when sleeping at a friend’s house, hotels, or new places. Don’t worry, though. This article will give you advice on how to avoid insomnia in a new home.

Continue reading

Eight Inexpensive Ways to Upgrade Your Kitchen

A modern kitchen with blue cabinetry and open shelving.

Whether you are hoping to increase the value of your home or simply want to rid yourself of an outdated eyesore, upgrading your kitchen is an excellent option for any homeowner. Contrary to popular belief, upgrades don’t have to break the bank or be life-altering changes.

In the case of your kitchen, there are plenty of ways to make inexpensive changes that boost the appearance of your home and may help you reach a higher price tag when it comes time to sell. Below are a few options for upgrades under $100 that make a huge splash!

Continue reading

Promoting Relaxation with Color

a person considering relaxation with color when decorating a room.

While there are many different style preferences when it comes to your home, every homeowner can agree that the goal of their home is to be an oasis among a hectic life. Not everyone can afford (or find space) to install a Zen garden, but there are plenty of other options to bring relaxation into the house. The easiest method is to choose colors that promote relaxation effortlessly.

Scientists have found that colors can evoke emotions. Just as clashing neon pieces can sometimes induce uneasiness, calm, cool colors can help you unwind. Read on to learn more about some color palettes that can provide some peace and calm in your home.

Continue reading

When is the Best Time to Update a Kitchen?

A kitchen that has been updated with new gray cabinetry and backsplash.

A home reflects the type of lifestyle it houses. The kitchen in a house with kids will be very different from the one used by a single person or empty nesters, and this will often lead to design decisions for the space.

If you are looking to sell, the consensus among real estate experts is that kitchen updates are important at some point before selling. What if you’re planning on staying in the house for a decade or more? It still may make sense to make them part of a renovation project rather than doing minor touch-ups here and there.

The best time to update a kitchen space can vary depending on your circumstances. However, there are some general guidelines that you can follow to help make the process easier.

Continue reading

Simple, Low-Cost Ways to Revive Your Home

A living room showing that you can revive your home by rearranging your bookshelves.

After spending so much time at home, you may be looking forward to sprucing it up as people start coming over again. But these upgrades don’t have to do serious damage to your wallet. You can revive your home without spending too much by following these inexpensive home improvement tips.

Continue reading

5 Ways to Keep Your Kids’ Closets Organized

A little girl standing between clothes hangers.

When living with kids, there’s bound to be overflowing amounts of love, endless laughter, and lots and lots of mess. One part of their bedroom that will never cease to be in a constant state of disorder is their closet. It’s a never-ending battle, and as parents or guardians, you must be ready with a few ideas and strategies to keep their wardrobe organized and free of clutter.

Keeping a well-coordinated closet is not just for your sake, it’s for your children too. It impacts the way your child gets ready and sets their mood for the day. If they are attending school, a wardrobe that is easily accessible and properly labeled can get them prepped in no time. It might seem like a trivial thing, but an organized closet can help boost your child’s confidence.

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks you can use to keep your kids’ closets in tip-top shape.

Continue reading

Creating a Family Time Capsule

a collage of items that could be included in a family time capsule.

If you’re looking for a fun activity to bring your family closer together, consider making a family time capsule. By creating one, you’ll not only spend quality time with your family, but you’ll also learn valuable information depending on what your family members put into it. The best part is that the rules for the time capsule can be made up by the whole family so everyone has a say. Plus, you can take the time and decorate your time capsule with your family and make it unique!

Continue reading

A Beginner’s Guide to Planning a Home Addition

a blue home over a blueprint, showing plans for a home addition

Does your house seem to be feeling increasingly smaller? Perhaps your family has spent too much time cramped together over the past year, there is a new baby on the way, or you simply need some extra space for the home office or hobbies. If moving isn’t a desirable option, it is finally time to add more square footage to your house. How do you go about it? How do you plan a successful home addition?

This article discusses the steps involved in a home addition, how to make sure you are not in violation of zoning regulations, what to consider when building an addition, and how to budget for the project.

Continue reading

Make Your Bedroom Feel Like a 5-Star Hotel

A bedroom that looks and feels like a 5-star hotel

What makes a night in a nice hotel so endlessly alluring? Is it the crisp linen, the luxurious pillows, the complimentary hand lotion? Maybe it’s the room service, the neatness, or the peace and quiet? The truth is, it’s all those things and more. Over the years, a lot of thought has gone into what it takes to make hotel rooms as relaxing and welcoming as possible.

The good news is that you don’t have to travel the world or spend lots of money on a hotel to experience this. You can emulate most of these things in your very own bedroom.

Read on to learn 9 simple ways to make your bedroom feel like a 5-star hotel. All our tips are simple and easy to implement, and most are affordable too! 

Continue reading