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No matter how diminutive your shared dwelling happens to be, everyone needs their own space. Whether its to find a few minutes respite from busy family life, or to create necessary boundaries with a roommate or among siblings, here are some creative and effective ways to carve out personal space in a small home or apartment.

1. Use decorative screens. An attractive screen will not only add style to your home, but will instantly create a private space in any room, or in a studio apartment. Use a screen to create an intimate reading nook or distraction-free work space, or use one in a shared bedroom to give each person a bit of privacy.

2. Convert a closet. If youve got a roomy closet or walk-in pantry, clear it out, remove the door and shelves, and outfit it with a small desk and chair. Now youve got a quiet spot for paying bills, writing letters, doing homework or journaling.

3. Build a loft. Whether its in a bedroom or common living area, if your ceilings are high enough, construct a loft space for sleeping, reading or binge-watching. Furnish it with cushy throw pillows and blankets to maximize relaxation value.

4. Hang a curtain. A shared bedroom can easily be turned into two separate spaces by hanging a fashionable curtain in a track or on an extended curtain rod down the center of the room, size permitting. The nice thing about a curtain, is that it can be drawn back to open up the space when privacy isnt required.

5. Use furniture. Any room or area can be instantly sectioned off for privacy with a large piece of furniture, such as a bookcase, wardrobe or hutch. Fill it with your favorite books for a studious look, or use plants, framed photos, or your favorite collections to add interest. If youre worried that a large furniture item will truncate your space, paint it the same color as your walls so that it blends in and flows better with your design.

Remember to keep design in mind when creating private spaces, so that the result looks natural and fashion-forward instead of forced and clunky.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Theres a lot that you must think about when putting your house up for sale, but sometimes a simple thing can help attract people to your home and appeal to buyers.

Take the case of crown molding. While probably not on the top of anyones must-have list, once a potential buyer sees some elegant crown molding throughout the home, it may help boost your house on the top of their list.

True, spending money on crown molding is most likely an upgrade that wont allow you to raise your asking price, but it can separate your home from some of the other houses on the market. If someone is comparing your house to another at a similar price, that crown molding might be the thing that puts your home over the top.

When done properly, crown molding can make ceilings look higher, rooms more interesting and gives the home a more unique feel. Plus, it can be used in virtually any room in the house to create the wow factor that people crave. These little touches can help get a buyer interested.

Crown molding can be used at the base of a wall, but its also used to separate wall and floor and other types of molding on windows, doors, fireplaces and more.

Unless you are truly handy, dont attempt to do the crown molding yourself. It looks simple enough, but it takes precise measuring, special tools and lots of patience. Finding an expert wont cost too much and you will be glad you did when its finished.

Once up, a good tip is to paint the crown molding off-white, instead of white. Crown molding will collect dust and the white color may make it look dingy. Also, you should paint it a different color than the ceiling or wall to really make it stand out. Finally, having all crown molding the same color throughout the house will create a unified look, which is welcomed by homebuyers.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When the spring season hits, it is natural to think about blooming tulips and beginning your vegetable garden. Unfortunately, spring landscaping can become a bit more complicated for some unlucky homeowners. If those spring showers bring along some spring flooding, what can homeowners do? Here is what you need to consider to help you prevent flooding and protect your property.

How do I Know if my Property is at Risk?
Depending on many factors, any property could be at risk for a spring flood. However, those particularly at risk are homes that are located in a low-lying area near a body of water. For example, this can include a stream, river or culvert; along a coast; or downstream from a dam or levee. Check FEMAs Flood Map to determine your propertys flood risk.

FEMA Offers the Basics on Flood Prep
There are a few steps you can take to prep your property for a flood and even reduce your risk of damage. These tips from FEMA can help:

Elevate utilities, electrical panels, switches, sockets, wiring, appliances or heating systems.
Ensure basements and flood-prone areas are waterproofed.
Install a moisture alarm in flood-prone areas like the basement.
Clear all debris from gutters and downspouts to keep water from pooling at the homes foundation.
Anchor fuel tanks.

Double-Check Your Coverage
No one wants to get stuck footing the bill after a flood. In spite of the fact that floods remain the nations most common natural disaster, unfortunately, many homeowners do not have homeowners insurance that covers floods. Evaluate your policy to make sure that you are protected in the event of a flood.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

There’s more to buying a home than your mortgage.

When planning for your purchase, be sure to budget for:

Homeowners insurance
Home maintenance
Property taxes, and
Utilities

When it comes to homeowners insurance, get quotes from more than one provider. This can help maximize savings.

Budgeting for home maintenance can be tricky, so, begin with the expenses you know you’ll have every year, like a furnace tune-up.

Remember that when budgeting for utilities, your costs can fluctuate from season to season, and

when it comes to property taxes, your real estate agent can be a helpful resource.

Ask them what your property taxes are, and how you can financially prepare for them.

Published with permission from RISMedia.