Enhance the Efficiency of Your Laundry Room

Are you spending too much time sorting, washing, and folding laundry? No one wants to waste precious time in the laundry room, regardless of its size. Here are our favorite tips and tricks to transform your laundry space into an efficient and beautiful area that you’ll actually look forward to using.
Effective & Attractive Storage Solutions:
We all know how many products are needed to achieve sparkling clean clothes, but there’s no reason to display mismatched items. Instead, conceal your cleaning supplies in coordinated boxes, baskets, or crates. For frequently used items, like detergent or dryer sheets, consider using clear jars to add a decorative touch. Don’t forget to label the boxes and jars for quick access to what you need.
Time-Saving Sorting:
Utilize labeled baskets to pre-sort your laundry, helping you stay organized and saving time. This simple task can be taught to the entire family, preventing a massive pile of dirty clothes from accumulating. For added convenience, choose sorting baskets with wheels to make transportation a breeze!
Drying Solutions:
While hang drying is essential for certain garments, not all laundry rooms are designed for it. A straightforward solution is to install tension rods or a foldable drying rack. Tension rods can be placed almost anywhere, making them a versatile addition to any laundry space. Alternatively, a fold-down drying rack is ideal for smaller areas, as you can easily tuck it away when it’s not in use.
Check out this DIY drying rack.
Showcase Your Ironing Station:
While wall-mounted ironing boards may be outdated, you can still create a stylish and accessible ironing station. Install an open shelf to store your iron, spray bottle, cloths, and other essentials. Below the shelf, add two small hooks for your ironing board. Transform your ironing station into a decorative wall feature by concealing your iron and supplies in decorative boxes, and updating your ironing board cover to complement your decor.
Establish a Folding Area:
A laundry room can’t function efficiently without a designated space for folding clean clothes. Consider adding a countertop over your front-loading washer and dryer to create a generous folding station. If you have a different setup, incorporate a desk or table that suits your area. For those with limited space, a drop-down wall table is an excellent solution, allowing you to stow it away when not in use.
Check out this DIY folding table tutorial.
Maximize Your Space:
Optimize your laundry room, regardless of its size, by utilizing every inch effectively. Make use of vertical space by incorporating floating shelves or coat hooks to hold cleaning supplies, baskets, or clothing. Don’t overlook your door! Install plastic shelving inserts or over-the-door organizers for smaller items.
Bonus Tip:
Keep a Stool Nearby – This straightforward suggestion will prove useful more often than you might think! Having a small stool (or a foldable step ladder if space is limited) will enable you to effortlessly access hard-to-reach items, saving you both time and energy!
DIY Project: Make Your Own Laundry Detergent
This cost-saving project will leave your clothes clean and fresh with ingredients you can buy at your local supermarket.
Check it out here.
Faux Fireplaces For Your Living Room

Cozy Fireplaces For Your Living Room
By Brittany Loney | Inspired by C21
If your home lacks a built-in fireplace but you desire the aesthetic, a faux fireplace could be the perfect solution! These decorative facades provide your living room with a timeless, traditional ambiance while allowing room for creativity in texture and color. Create a cheerful atmosphere by choosing a faux fireplace that offers a lovely spot for your stockings, making your home festive and inviting.
1. Create A Mantle Frame With A Shelf
With no need to worry about the mechanics of a functioning fireplace, you can design a straightforward mantle that beautifully frames the space where a fireplace would typically be. The outcome is a seamless blend of a large picture frame and a fireplace—neither too large nor overwhelming, yet sophisticated enough to add charm to any room. Consider adding decorative elements such as candles, vases, or artwork to enhance the visual appeal and make the mantel a focal point. Choose materials and colors that complement the existing decor, creating a harmonious balance within the room. Whether your style is modern minimalist or classic elegance, a well-designed mantel can transform the ambiance, offering warmth and character without the need for a traditional fireplace. This approach not only saves space but also opens up creative possibilities for personal expression, making your living area truly unique and inviting.
2. Cover The Fireplace Interior With A Pattern Or Décor Items
If you choose to construct a complete fireplace façade, remember that it won’t actually be lit. Utilize that empty space inside to incorporate decorative elements. You could opt for vibrant florals in the spring, a collection of candles in various sizes for a warm atmosphere, or embrace a classic look with a stack of faux wood.Another creative idea is to use the space to display a curated collection of artwork or framed photographs, adding a personal touch to your living area. For a more eclectic vibe, consider arranging an assortment of vintage books or antique trinkets, which can serve as conversation starters. During the festive season, you might adorn the space with twinkling fairy lights and ornaments, creating a cozy and inviting focal point. No matter the time of year, your fireplace façade can be a versatile canvas for expressing your unique style and enhancing the ambiance of your home.
3. Want It To Look Real
If you’re unable to install a genuine fireplace but still desire its aesthetic, you can achieve that with a few simple steps. Start by selecting a fireplace frame with depth and painting the interior in a dark color. Next, choose a fireplace screen to cover the front, and add some elegant andirons inside to perfect the overall appearance.Consider placing a collection of pillar candles of varying heights within the frame to mimic the warm glow of a real fire. For an added touch of realism, you might include a few logs or faux log sets to enhance the effect. Additionally, incorporating some twinkle lights or LED candles can provide a gentle flickering ambiance. To complete the cozy setup, arrange a comfortable armchair or a plush rug nearby, creating an inviting nook perfect for relaxation or enjoying a good book. With these elements in place, your space will exude the charm and warmth of a traditional fireplace, making it a delightful focal point in your home.
DIY Project:
Make Your Own Christmas Laundry Wreath
If you want a different kind of wreath, this adorable DIY project will give you a piece of décor and a space for Santa to dry his suit! Stock up on some felt, twine and your favourite Christmas ribbon to pull it all together.
What Is Light Temperature and How Can It Change the Whole Feel of Your Home?

What is Light Temperature and How Can It Change the Whole Feel of Your Home?
If you have a room in your home that just doesn’t work despite the nice furniture and décor, you may be overlooking a key factor. The type of light we use has a huge impact on how we feel in a space, and while you might have taken the time to pick out the right lamps or light fixtures, you might not have considered light temperature. Light temperature refers to the spectrum that light bulbs are available in, ranging from cold to warm, and though each has benefits, here are a few tips to understanding how the light in a room can make the whole space feel different.
1. Understand The Spectrum
Light or colour temperature has a spectrum that measures in ‘Kelvins’. The lower the Kelvin temperature, the ‘warmer’ the light, while the higher temperatures are ‘cooler’ light. Warm light can range from soft orange (like the shade of candlelight) while cool light looks brighter white, the sort you’ll find in a lot of commercial spaces. Most light bulbs are available between 2700K to 6500K.
2. Think About How You Want Each Room To Feel
Lighting temperature can have a huge effect on your mood and productivity, so think about how you plan to use each space. You’ll likely want cool bright light for getting ready in your bathroom each morning, and a nice natural white will make your kitchen feel homey while still making sure you can see what you're cutting. Your bedroom and living room are where you’ll want the most ambient, warm light to make for a relaxing space at the end of the day and improve your rest.
3. Think About Mixing And Matching
You might find that you want to go between a bright top light to see all corners of a room while also having the option of ambient light for when you just want to relax. Bathrooms are a great place to mix temperatures, and if your fixtures are set up in such a way, you can have one bright ceiling light controlled with one switch while the other ceiling light is warmer, for a relaxing soak. If the fixtures are minimal in the living room and you’d like to keep bright lights for when you need them, try bringing in lamps to add décor to your space and cast soft lighting where you’ll be seated most of the time.
4. Use Smart Technology To Get The Best Of Both Worlds
Smart bulbs have opened a whole new world of colour lighting. With bulbs you can control from your phone, you’ll be able to set lights to change between cool and warm, so think about setting wake up routines that help you get out of bed more easily, or consider setting up different parameters based on what you most need the light for – game night is different from movie night!
Gift Ideas For Homeowners

Gift Ideas For Homeowners
By Brittany Loney
Help homeowners embrace the future with smart home technology. Consider gifting a smart speaker like the Amazon Echo or Google Nest Hub, which can control other smart devices, play music, and answer questions. Smart thermostats like the Nest Thermostat or smart lighting systems can also make daily life more convenient and energy-efficient. Additionally, it's important to consider safety options like doorbell cameras or smart locks to ensure your gift recipients feel secure and protected in their homes.
Customized Doormats:
A personalized doormat is both practical and welcoming. Opt for a design that features the family name or a fun seasonal message. It's a simple yet effective way to add a personal touch to their home's entrance. A high-quality doormat gets daily use and continuous foot traffic, continually proving its worth as a long-lasting gift.
Cozy Throw Blankets:
A luxurious throw blanket can add warmth and style to any living room or bedroom. Choose one made from soft materials like fleece or cashmere in a colour that complements their home décor. If you aren’t sure of their home decor choose a serene aesthetic that promotes relaxation, calming blues are best for rest, but cool colors, muted shades, or pale pastels will do. Colours associated with nature, like brown, beige, tan, and green, are associated with feeling grounded and down to earth.
Indoor Plants and Terrariums:
Bring the beauty of nature indoors with a selection of easy-to-care-for houseplants or a beautifully arranged terrarium. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of a home but also improve air quality. Furthermore, consider certain plants for symbolic meanings such as friendship, love, and prosperity. Houseplants also have staying power, lasting much longer than a bouquet of roses or a bottle of wine, highlighting it as a gift that keeps on giving.
Gourmet Kitchen Gadgets:
Find something for everyone on your list, from the home chefs to the bakers and mixologists. For the culinary enthusiast, consider high-quality kitchen gadgets like a state-of-the-art coffee maker, a spice rack with a variety of exotic spices, or a stylish cheese board for entertaining guests. Other options like a pizza stone, table runner or a cocktail shaker set can be great ideas as well!
Artisanal Candles:
Fragrant candles can create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Choose candles made from natural ingredients with enticing scents like vanilla, cedarwood, or holiday-themed fragrances like cinnamon and clove. Get creative and choose ornamental candles to match the gifting occasion and pair them with a gorgeous pillar plate which will last long after the candle has melted down.
Decorative Wall Art:
Help homeowners personalize their space with unique wall art. This could be a set of prints, a custom family portrait, or even a handcrafted piece from a local artist. Art has this magical ability to ignite sparks of joy and unleash the inner creative in all of us. It adds beauty, character, and a touch of sophistication to any space. Plus, gifting wall art shows that you've put thought and effort into selecting something meaningful and unique.
Subscription Boxes:
Subscription boxes land in a good-gift sweet spot of being thoughtful without requiring too much effort. All you have to do is select the one that best matches your recipient’s interests, and your gift will continue to surprise and delight for several weeks or months. Consider a subscription to a home-focused service, such as a plant delivery service, a wine club, bath bombs and goodies, or a gourmet meal kit.
Outdoor Entertaining Accessories:
For those who love to entertain, outdoor accessories like a fire pit, patio heaters, or elegant garden lights can transform their backyard into a cozy retreat. Furthermore, waterproof outdoor pillows, planters, placemats, or cozy blankets fit to warm up for outdoor spaces can be excellent gift options.
Books on Home Design:
Inspire creativity with beautifully illustrated books on home design and décor. They can serve as both a source of inspiration and a lovely coffee table display. ‘The Minimalist Home’ can be a unique gift that rouses new conversation topics in meetings to come.
No matter which gift you choose, the key is to consider the recipient's personal style and needs. Thoughtful, well-chosen gifts can enhance the joy of the holiday season and make a lasting impression long after the Christmas lights have been taken down. Happy gifting!
Loud Budgeting: The New Way to Save for a Home

In the journey towards homeownership, saving for a down payment is just the beginning. Enter ‘loud budgeting’—a transformative approach that’s catching on among savvy savers. Unlike traditional budgeting, loud budgeting involves openly sharing your financial goals and spending habits with your community, whether it’s friends, family, or followers online. This openness fosters a supportive environment, encouraging you to stick to your budget and normalize financial discussions.
Why Loud Budgeting?
Loud budgeting demystifies finances, making money talks more approachable. By sharing your budgeting journey, you not only hold yourself accountable but also inspire others to reconsider their financial habits. It’s about making informed decisions that align with your goals, like declining costly social events to save for a home.
Myths and Misconceptions
Budgeting comes with its share of myths. Some believe it’s synonymous with no fun, but it’s about prioritizing meaningful experiences over unnecessary expenses. Others think budgets are complex, yet numerous tools simplify the process. Remember, a budget isn’t restrictive; it’s a flexible guide to achieving your financial dreams.
Steps to Effective Loud Budgeting
- Define Your Goals: Whether it’s buying a home or building an emergency fund, clarity will guide your decisions.
- Track Your Spending: Utilize tools like the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s Budget Planner to understand your financial flow.
- Identify Cutbacks: From unused subscriptions to dining out, find areas to save.
- Start Small: Incremental savings can grow significantly over time.
- Avoid Impulse Buys: Give yourself time before making purchases.
- Share Your Journey: Talk about your goals to build a network of support and accountability.
Loud budgeting is more than a trend—it’s a movement towards financial transparency and empowerment. By adopting this approach, you’re not just preparing to buy a home; you’re reshaping how you and your community perceive and discuss money. In a world where keeping up with the Joneses is passé, loud budgeting champions financial authenticity and smart saving.
Ready to start your loud budgeting journey? Embrace the conversation and watch your savings grow!
Chat with me today.
Updating Your Home With The Seasons – Summer to Fall Copy
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