Italy Mag

You don’t need to be a professional interior decorator to give your home a unique personalized touch.

Here are a few of the best creative and affordable ways to take your home from mundane to fun all on your own.

1. Freshen Up the Front Door

The entrance to your home is the first thing people will see when they visit, so it should reflect the design of the rest of your house.

Depending on your budget, you might want to give your front door a fresh coat of paint, or completely replace it.

A customized front door does not actually cost as much as you might think, and it can completely restyle the exterior of your home in one glance.

2. Ditch the Dining Room Table

Do you have a big, outdated oak table in your dining room that no one ever sits at? If you do, you are not alone.

Huge dining tables are one of those antiquated pieces of home décor that are still lingering from older generations.

Most of us never use our dining tables, so why hold on to them?

Lighten up that room by replacing the big table with a smaller, cozier round table.

The whole family will still be able to sit there, and it won’t feel quite as polished and stuffy.

If you have a chandelier hanging over that dining table, you don’t have to take it down.

Keep it, and add a little flair to your friendlier dining room.

3. Stack Up the Shelves

There is no such thing as too much storage space, in any home.

Get creative with your shelving – you can build your own custom shelves, DIY-style, or bring in a professional carpenter.

Bespoke shelving adds a charming touch to any room in the house, and it is a great way to renovate an awkward space or alcove.

Add a pop of color to your shelf design to lighten up the space.

Once you have built and painted them, use your shelves to show off some important family photos and heirlooms, or find some fun knick knacks that will give the room personality.

4. Let in the Light

Nothing brightens up a space like a little natural lighting.

Installing a skylight is a wonderful way to let more light into a room, making the space appear bigger, brighter and friendlier.

This could be the perfect solution for a renovated attic or a gloomy upstairs bathroom.

Off-the-peg skylights are generally pretty affordable to have installed.

If they can be propped open to let some fresh air circulate, it will do even more to expand the room.

5. Change Up the Curtains

Curtains and blinds are perfect for adding a fresh and tasteful splash of color to a room.

They will draw the eye without completely overwhelming.

Don’t be afraid to pick out a new set of curtains with a dramatic pattern or vibrant colors – it will give the room some personality.

While you might not want to go dramatic with your curtains and blinds in every room of the house, we recommend it for a sitting/living room and bathroom, or maybe the kitchen.

6. Grow Some Green

Houseplants never go out of style.

A little green will soften up the room and add some life to dim spaces.

And don’t worry – they don’t have to require a lot of maintenance.

Try jade in a sunny spot, or a winter fern or lily in a darker corner.

They will grow just fine with regular watering.

If you have a really busy schedule or travel a lot, succulents are an extremely low-maintenance option.

They are also trending right now – you can find some beautiful arrangements for an extra low cost.

7. Class up the cabinets

Another fun way to throw a little sparkle and shimmer into your décor is with cabinet handles and knobs.

Head to a thrift store or flea market and pick up some vintage sets; look for bright color and spunky designs.

A matching set will tie the room together more, but a mix of handle designs in your kitchen or living room can give it a unique flare.

They are easy to swap out and install, so it can be an ongoing process.

8. Build a Better Bookcase

A new bookcase, or a re-designed version of your old bookcase, will change up a living room or bedroom design.

Paint the back wall of the case a soft color, and add some carefully selected trinkets that match each other.

It is important not to overload your bookcase.

Too many books, photos and knickknacks will end up looking tacky; make sure that the shelves are sparse enough for the back wall to show through.

If you have a lot of books, consider investing in a bigger case, or a second case – two well-decorated shelves will look better than one cluttered one.

9. Bring in a Brand New Sign

If you have a home bar or man-cave, there’s no reason to shy away from a little quirky, personalized design.

A neon sign shows off your personality and makes a space much more fun.

Signs can be great for the kitchen, outdoor bar or patio – wherever you find yourself entertaining guests.

Check out this selection of creative neon beer signs for some inspiration.

They will give your home bar an awesome, customized twist.

Conclusion

Cookie-cutter is the last thing any of us want for our homes.

With a little elbow grease, creativity and DIY motivation, you can take your home interior from drab to fab.

All of these creative renovations can be accomplished on your own or with the help of a professional, depending on your budget, and can be adapted to suit your design style and personal taste.

Remember, it’s your space – add a few twists and splashes of color, and really make it feel like your own.

Author Bio

Lara Douglas is a young woman who loves interior designing and home decor. She is passionate about new trends and fashion forward home décor ideas. She regularly posts at Neon Signs Depot.

One of the major factors of a healthy life is good nutrition.

A well balanced diet forms the basis of a healthy diet and is necessary if you want to improve your health.

A balanced dietincludes foods that contain vitamins and minerals and those which are less in saturated fats and sugars.

Having said so, following are the four groups of edibles that we can bet on, will help you achieve a balanced diet thereby promoting health and wellbeing.

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Grains, cereals and legumes
• Himalayan salt
• Meat and poultry
• Dairy family that includes milk and its derivatives

1. Fresh Fruits & Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables form an amazing source of minerals, vitamins and dietary fiber as well as give your body a wide range of nutrients.

You should ask yourself how many portion of your daily diet is filled with fruits and vegetables.

If the answer is around 4-5 cups each day, then you are on the right track.

But if this is not the case, you should make sure to add them to your plate.

From mangoes to apples and berries, there are so many colorful healthy choices you have, to add to your food plan.

Some fruits such as mangoes and lychees are seasonal and are the center of attraction seasonally while others such as apples and bananas are available all year round.

Likewise, the same goes for vegetables as some such as potatoes are available for the entire year and others such as carrots are seasonal.

2. Grains, Cereals & Legumes

Whole grains such as brown rice and oats are healthier for you than refined ones as they are richer in dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins.

Whole grains provide protection from heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

They also prevent excessive weight gain and protect from some types of cancer.

Grains and cereals that have added sugars or fat like cakes, biscuits, pies, etc. should only be the ‘occasional foods’ in your dietary pattern and not form the habitual or usual consumption for you.

Legumes and beans are a good source of protein for a balanced diet.

Thus, they should be a definite part of your diet plan as well.

A standard serving for a day should include 1-2 cups of legumes and beans like lentils, chickpeas, etc.

3. Himalayan Salt

Salt has always been an important ingredient in cooking.

Every food is incomplete without the kick of salt.

Apart from adding saltiness to the food, it is also required to fulfill the mineral requirement of the body.

While choosing salt, we mostly don’t think much and just buy the easily available salt in the market that is usually the regular table salt.

Considering the importance of salt one must think and search the best kind of salt for consumption.

One better choice of salt is Himalayan pink salt that is considered to be the pure, unrefined and additive-free salt.

It is hand-picked from the world’s second largest salt mine, khewra salt mine.

This natural salt is known for its rich mineral content.

By choosing this healthy salt you can increase the nutrition value of your food.

4. Meat & Poultry

Meat, chicken, fish, and eggs are also very rich sources of protein.

Adding these foods to your diet plan, not only provide for your daily requirement of protein but also supply you with a wide range of other nutrients like iron, zinc, iodine, essential fatty acids etc.

Fish is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids which are very beneficial for a healthy heart, strong hair and glowing skin.

Experts in nutrition recommend the use of both fresh and canned fish such as Salmon.

They opine that the canned fish is less pricey than the fresh one but it is as good in nutrition.

5. Dairy

Milk, cheese, and yogurt are loaded with calcium, vitamins, minerals as well as protein.

They reduce the risk of blood pressure, providing protection against heart disease and stroke.

Dairy products are also very beneficial for bone health and growth and are especially important for growing children.

Children below two years of age should not be given low-fat milk.

In case if you don’t like to drink milk, you can opt for its derivatives like yogurt and cheese for calcium.

One serving of dairy includes a cup of milk or a three-quarter cup of yogurt.

The daily requirement in men is 2-3 servings with the need of up to 4 servings for women.

A balanced diet with regular exercise will work wonders for you to achieve better health and lifestyle.

Although following a diet plan and avoiding scrumptious and mouthwatering edibles is not an easy task, you should try to be consistent in pursuing a healthy dietary pattern.

You can take advice from a dietician for drafting a diet plan for yourself.

Also remember to consult your doctor before starting on a diet plan if you have health conditions like hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol level, etc.

Author Bio

Hi! My name is Jeffrey Lewis, a blogger at Ittefaq Salt. I love to share my knowledge and experiences with others and help to bring a positive change in their lifestyle. I enjoy enlightening others about unknown and little-known facts about health, nutrition, fitness, and natural beauty.

Sleep is one of our most important bodily functions and is something that we do to improve our well-being, mood and longevity.

Whilst so many people are searching for the latest health fad, taking supplements or looking for a magic cure for their ailments or health issues, one of the most obvious ways to feel better is to get a a good night’s sleep.

But, some people – around 35% – struggle to get more than 7 hours sleep each night and insomnia is a growing issue thanks to the increase of technology, work stresses and day-to-day worries.

When it comes to improving our sleeping patterns, many of us search for tips and tricks to help better our sleep quality and there are plenty of myths around that some of us use as the truth.

These myths tend not to be backed up by science or any rational form of reasoning, so can actually be harmful to our health if carried out for a long period of time.

With that in mind, here are six of the worst sleep myths which you might believe that are almost certainly damaging your long-term health.

1. It Doesn’t Matter What Time You Sleep

Many adults hold on to the myth that it doesn’t matter what time you sleep, so long as you manage the daily recommended amount (i.e. between 6 to 8 hours).

However, our animalistic instincts take over when it comes to sleep cycles and the benefits to us on a species level.

We are diurnal – the opposite of nocturnal – so, a sleep pattern which follows this is subsequently much better for our bodies and mental wellbeing.

Of course, career choices can often impact this without much choice on our part.

Night shift workers can’t cite being a diurnal creature as good enough reason to never go to work and often suffer the most when it comes to getting good quality sleep and this can lead to increased risk of accidents or health issues.

2. You Can ‘Catch Up’ on Sleep

This is one myth-busting fact which actually pains us to pen.

But, the fact is that sleeping in at the weekend really isn’t good for your sleep health and doesn’t help you catch up on the lost hours during the work week.

Some studies set out to test the power of the lie in.

Conducting a study where there were consecutive nights of sleep deprivation, then one night of ‘recovery’ showed that the additional sleep on the recovery day did not, in fact, help.

The subject actually showed signs that their mental functioning had still not recovered to the previous state prior to deprivation.

So, however much we all may value our lie-ins; they don’t actually help you to recover from elongated periods of deprivation.

But the fact is that altering your sleep schedule to a nocturnal pattern can be extremely unhealthy in the long-term.

This means that changing or at least trying to make sure your shift switches, to allow normal sleep, can be vital for your health.

3. Closing Your Eyes is as Good as Sleep

Another big sleep myth is the fact that if you close your eyes and lay still, it’s just as good as actually falling asleep.

Well, the answer to that one is a quick and simple no.

You may feel rested on some level, but this is actually one of the most harmful myths surrounding sleep.

Resting, but not actually sleeping, can lead to a serious deprivation – which can impact you both physically and mentally over time in major ways.

All of your body knows when you’re awake and when you’re asleep, so it functions very differently.

If you don’t sleep, then your body does not function in this ‘rest mode’ and it can be extremely harmful if done for too long.

If you really do need to rest, then rather than closing your eyes and lie down, there are other things you can do to wind down, such as going for a walk or having a shower.

4. Falling Asleep Instantly is a Good Sign

Some people are very proud of their ability to fall asleep anywhere, at any time and in practically any position.

They call it a ‘natural gift’.

But, in fact, this isn’t necessarily a good thing in terms of your sleep health.

It actually is more than likely a sure sign that you are not getting enough sleep overall.

Falling asleep instantly or all over the place is clearly a sign of sleep deprivation or another serious medical issue.

And for that reason, seeking the help of a medical professional is advised.

5. Loud Snoring is Annoying, But Not a Health Concern

Snoring can be the bane of your partner’s existence.

But, it’s just an annoying habit and nothing serious, right?

Wrong. Chronic snoring can actually be a sign of sleep apnea; a disorder which may lead to the person to stop breathing while they sleep.

Snoring is an indication that the airway is being blocked during the night.

Though not all snoring is a sign of sleep apnea, it is important to get this checked out rather than miss the very obvious signs.

Fatigue is often a symptom of this, both for yourself and your partner.

Snoring doesn’t just affect only their sleep but your own as well, so this can be a sure sign that sleep apnea may be something which you suffer from.

Which you can have an increased risk of if you are a smoker, have higher blood pressure, overweight or a combination of all of these factors.

6. Drinking Alcohol Helps You Sleep

Having a soothing, relaxing nightcap before you go to sleep, whether in the form of whisky, wine or beer, is one of the most common things that people think of to help them get to sleep if they are struggling to nod off.

Whilst alcohol may help you to fall asleep, it dramatically reduces the quality of the sleep you are getting that night.

In particular, alcohol disrupts your rapid eye movement, or REM, stage of sleep, which is the most important stage for your memory and learning.

So, whilst you will have gotten some sleep and nodded off easily, some of the most important benefits of sleep will be lost.

Alcohol also acts as a diuretic, so it is likely you will have a more disturbed sleep as you will need to go to the toilet in the middle of the night.

If you are struggling with maintaining or setting a regulated sleeping pattern, then it is best to get professional medical advice.

There are some other ways which have been said to improve your sleep quality, such as high strength fish oil, decaffeinated drinks and melatonin supplements, but it is always best to check before taking any measures.

For the majority of people, their homes are their biggest investments.

All of us dream of being able to, one day, afford a piece of land we can call our own.

However, it can happen that one day you realize that you’ve outgrown your current home – either you got a new member of the family or you are simply no longer satisfied with your current living situation, and you decide to move out and sell it.

If and when that happens, you need to realize that you shouldn’t simply list your home for sale.

Rather, you should first see to it that give your place a “facelift” and make various upgrades that will surely boost its value once you decide to list it on the market.

Here are some of the most important projects you should focus your efforts on, to ensure that you get the best bang for your buck.

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

A good starting point when it comes to home remodeling upgrades that will boost your property’s value is definitely boosting its energy efficiency.

While the majority of homeowners think that simply staging their homes well and boosting its aesthetics will be enough, the upgrades that increase the energy efficiency of the property away bring better ROI.

Therefore, make sure you upgrade your HVAC, water and heating systems, ensure that your home is well-insulated and upgrade your doors and windows.

Touch Up Your Interior

While it is definitely true that it’s not all about the looks, you still should pay attention to your property’s interior.

First, make sure you remove any dirt and skid marks from your walls by either cleaning them thoroughly or treating them with a fresh coat of paint.

Additionally, declutter your home and get rid of all the unnecessary mess.

Since you’re planning on moving anyways, you can even start by packing up all of the things you don’t consider to be essential.

This will provide your space with a much cleaner look potential buyers will find more appealing.

Don’t Forget About the Exterior Either

On the same note, don’t forget to spruce up your exterior either.

Since people usually make the first impression of your home based on its curb appeal, you need to make sure that the impression is a positive one.

Furthermore, if you have a backyard consider either installing a pool or upgrading your existing one.

Invest in lighting your pool with waterproof LED lights and add glass swimming pool tiles for a fresher look.

The pool is one of the key backyard features that will instantly boost the value of your home and having it come with the property is certainly a win.

Pay Special Attention to the Kitchen

The home is like a body. Its walls are its skin, its pipes – the veins. And, as everybody has a heart – so does the home.

The kitchen is the heart of every home as this is the place where the entire family gets together to spend some quality time while enjoying a delicious meal.

Therefore, you need to pay special attention to this room and spruce it up to make it look cozy and inviting.

Some budget-friendly tips include repainting your cabinets, replacing the old handles with newer alternatives and even redoing the backsplash.

And Show Some Love to the Bathroom As Well

Another room that’s definitely worth investing in is the bathroom, especially if your current one is somewhat outdated.

Studies show that even the smallest bathroom remodel may bring as much as a 102% ROI, which is definitely something to keep in mind when upgrading your home for a quicker sale.

As you can see, these are just some of the things you can do to boost your home’s market value.

The fact is that the more you invest in your home, the easier it will be to sell it and get the desired price.

About the Author

Lilly Miller is a Sydney-based graphic designer and a passionate writer. Loves everything about home decor, art history and baking. Shares home with two loving dogs and a gecko named Rodney. You can find her on Twitter.

All photos are stock free. Source: unsplash.com, pixabay.com, pexels.com