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Heres how to revamp your garage to take your home to the next level.

Start With the Floors

Porcelain tile is the perfect surface as it combines an elegant appearance with durability.

Look to the Lights

If you want to really show off your cars, quality lighting is essential.

Lift it up

A car lift is an exciting way to, quite literally, take your parking situation to new heights.

Doors Matter

Matching your garage doors to your homes architectural style creates a cohesive design.

Take it for a Spin

When you truly want to take the leap from garage to showroom, a car turntable is the way to do it.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Creating an atmosphere that stimulates the magic and whimsy of childhood while retaining a sophistication that can grow with your child can be a difficult balance. A great theme can help you walk that line beautifully. These kids bedroom ideas inspire playful adventures and peaceful nap times, all while exhibiting a modern appeal that even teens and adults can enjoy.

Black, White and Green
A modern take on a quintessentially boy theme, this color scheme is perfect for any child who loves sports and wants to bring their joy of the game into their room. A black and white base offers a modern, minimalist edge, while a few pops of kelly green adds interest and nods to the grassy fields of your players favorite sport. Repeat black and white stripes for a referee motif or a few hexagonal designs nodding to the classic soccer ball. Add in a few pennant flags, and a trophy or two, and youll have a modern sports theme that your all-star will adore for years to come.

Nautical Nods
Sailboats dont have to be relegated to guest bedrooms and nurseries. A nautical theme offers childhood fun with a grown-up approach. Choose shades of blue, grey and creams for a nautical beach feel or sail the high seas with deep reds, navy blues and white. Coastal lanterns, sketches of seafaring vessels, a dappling of seashells or even some lighthouse paraphernalia all lend a whimsical and grown-up feel.

Jungle Vibes
What is more exciting to a child than the idea of exploring an untouched jungle? A white base keeps this theme fun but modern and allows for pops of accent prints throughout the room. Keep the room perfectly on-trend with an accent wall of banana leaf wallpaper, while keeping furniture and bedding neutral to anchor the space. Add texture and a playful feel with an animal print area rug and accent pillows. Jutes and light wood furniture serve to balance the space and ensure that your child can enjoy a jungle oasis as they age out of the playtime years.

The perfect theme allows your child to have a place of their own to explore and play during their younger years while providing the perfect space to relax, complete homework and enjoy with friends as they age. The ideal theme will serve your child far longer than this year, or the next, and will help them to cultivate a space they can truly call their own as they age.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Your bedroom should be your oasis, a place to relax and recharge after a busy day. Unfortunately, if your bedroom is filled with disorganized clutter, you will be unlikely to find that peaceful state of mind when retreating to your bedroom for the evening. Set yourself up for the best rest possible with these organizing tricks, and get ready to love your room again.

Large Lidded Baskets
Whether you have a shoe horde or an affinity for fuzzy throw blankets, your lidded basket can keep items consolidated when not in use. While a shoe rack or a tote may offer the same services, a lidded baskets design and colors can add style and beauty while still remaining functional.

Blanket Ladder
Blanket ladders may not seem like a unique tool for your bedroom, but their true usefulness reaches beyond just blankets. Laundry is often the culprit when it comes to bedroom clutter, and nothing causes more strife than the semi-clean clothing piece. These items are often difficult to launder and complicated to store. What do you do with that dry-clean-only sweater that was only worn for a few hours to an office party? A blanket ladder can be an aesthetically pleasing way to avoid laying items on a nearby chair or dresser while avoiding intermingling them with your freshly laundered items. The ladder will keep your clothes wrinkle-free and ready for the next wear.

Shelf Over the Door
When space is tight, it is vital to utilize all the vertical space possible. When you need more storage opportunities, look no further than a shelf over the door. This ideal location will allow you to store more while not sacrificing large swaths of space on the wall that could be dedicated to art or other wall items. Use the dead space over the door to gain a little more wall space.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When you decide to rent a home or apartment, you will most likely need to put down a security deposit. This chunk of money that you hand over on the first day of your lease is essentially on hold until you move out. However, there are many reasons why you may not get every penny back.

Damage from hanging artwork, broken doors or windows, permanent stains on carpets and scratches on hardwood floors are just a few examples of why a tenant may not reclaim the full amount. Basically, any damage caused by a tenant that is not fixed will be charged against them at the end of the lease. Here are five tips for renters to guarantee the return of their full security deposit:

1. Read Your Lease
Though you may have read through your lease agreement thoroughly when you first signed it, be sure to refer back to it as soon as you decide you are moving out. Read through the entire lease, including any fine print, to see exactly what you are responsible for, as well as any other rules to stay in good standing with your landlord. In general, the guidelines should be straightforward, but others may require you to paint spots, fill nail holes or even have carpeting and appliances professionally cleaned.

2. Document Everything
When first moving into your new rental, take pictures or video of the entire unit. Include wide shots of walls and floors, as well as details of scratches, holes or other imperfections that already existed prior to you signing your lease. Though natural wear and tear are often overlooked or ignored, some landlords will hold a deposit for something you may not consider to be damage or excessive wear and tear. Any updates or enhancements made, with permission from the landlord, should also be documented. For example, if you are approved to change a faucet, take photos before and after, as well as keeping any and all receipts of work done.

3. Take Precautions
Because you do not own this property, you want to be sure that you create the least amount of damage as possible. From hanging artwork with nails to pushing your couch across a hardwood floor, there are many alternatives and ways to navigate living and decorating a rental. Instead of putting a hole in the wall, hang your artwork using hooks with adhesive backing. For heavy furniture, place felt underneath the feet to avoid any potential scratches. Tricks like these will help in maintaining the condition of your rental.

4. Make Necessary Repairs
If a pipe bursts or an appliance breaks down, the landlord will more often than not handle the repairs and payments. However, for smaller repairs and maintenance tasks, tenants should take responsibility. For example, if a lightbulb in the kitchen or on the front porch burns out, be sure to change it before moving out. If you decide to use nails in the walls for decorative purposes, fill the holes and paint over each spot. The landlord will most likely appreciate the small repairs and will be less likely to withhold a deposit.

5. Clean Thoroughly
Lastly, before you give back the keys, give the place a deep clean. Dust, vacuum, disinfect and mop the entire unit. Not only does this show respect for the property, but it also allows for a quicker turnaround if another tenant is planning to move in. Be sure to get in between, under and behind appliances, as well as the smaller details, such as light switches and door frames. Even hire a professional cleaning company to come in and do the work for you. Again, check your lease. If the landlord requires a deep cleaning upon departure, you may qualify for reimbursement.

Published with permission from RISMedia.