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Published with permission from RISMedia.

Does your bedroom look blah? When it comes to sprucing up your bedrooms appearance, a little planning can turn a plain old bedroom into a space bursting with visual excitement. To give your bedroom a makeover, start by considering two major elements of interior design: color and layering.

Since your bedroom is a place for repose, choose three colors that work well together and stick to the 60-30-10 color principle”60 percent dominant color, 30 percent secondary color and 10 percent accent color. For your dominant color, think soothing neutrals”a lighter or softer shade of a color whether its sand, green, gray or blue”that has a touch of earth tone in it.

Not in the mood to paint? Add color with bedding, wall decor and other accents. Use bedding to highlight your secondary color with lighter or darker shades and varying textures of fabric, or limit the palette to two contrasting patterns and a solid in sheets, duvet and shams. Reserve bold hues and playful patterns for accent pillows, a bedside throw rug, artwork, vases and lampshades that support primary and secondary colors.

And dont forget layering”a key decorating practice that creates the perfect combination of comfort, warmth and texture. Youll find that most bedroom decorating ideas are in some way related to creating layers around the room.

Ballard Designs recommends considering these four features of your bedroom when layering:

Bedding. Sheets, a soft blanket, bedspread, quilt or duvet, along with a throw and pillows in different shapes and sizes, are all building blocks that help create an inviting, sumptuous bed. Even a headboard fits in the mix and adds to the overall look, especially if its upholstered.

Windows. A simple shade or bamboo blinds under drapes create a soft, layered look while controlling the amount of light in your room.

Flooring. A wool or cotton rug breaks up the expanse of wood flooring or covers up old carpeting while adding an extra layer of color and warmth.

Lighting. Create gentle, restful lighting from multiple light sources. A floor lamp or pair of sconces adds ambient lighting, a bedside lamp provides task lighting for reading and an overhead fixture bathes the room in light when needed.

With these design tips and a little inspiration, youll be well on your way to creating a bedroom that provides both comfort and a wow factor.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Something every new homeowner wants is to feel safe and secure. Here are steps you can take to ensure that feeling.

Do a little research and look into things like the crime rate in the area. Find out about neighborhood watch groups and how they work.

Change the locks as soon as you move in. You have no idea how many existing copies of keys may be circulating.

Also, ensure that window locks are functional.

Install new fire alarms. Its easy and inexpensive.

Consider an alarm system. Its a smart investment in the safety and value of your home.

Also consider a range of smart home devices and apps, that alert you whenever someone approaches your door.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When working from home”whether its once in a while, one day a week or your daily routine”your work space should reflect the quality of work you put out. To create an effective home office, you need the right tools to keep you organized and ready for whatever work comes your way.

Get ready to work in your new home office with these essentials.

Natural Light
When you work in an office building, natural light can be hard to come by. When it comes to designing your home office or desk space, you give yourself an opportunity to situate yourself close to windows or in a room that has plenty of natural light. Being able to connect to nature and enjoy the views can keep your mind clear and your workflow productive.

Artificial Light
Whether or not you can surround yourself with natural light, a desk lamp can be just as important to your productivity. Since you dont have to settle for fluorescent lighting that can cause headaches or strain your eyes, you can bring in the right type of light. Utilize ambient lighting to create a peaceful environment. Even put lighting behind your monitor to help reduce glare from your screen.

Plants
Bringing nature inside your home office will provide stress relief, activate the mind and spark inspiration. Not only is this decorative, but plants are healthy for the human mind and body. Caring for your plants adds another level of brain power and creativity. And for those who dont have a green thumb, artificial plants can still do the trick.

Equipment
Possibly the most important part of your home office is the equipment you work with. Whether youre a writer who only needs a laptop or a lawyer who may need a bit more, you need to make sure youre prepared. Aside from your computer and possibly a spare monitor, you may also want to have the following: wireless mouse, wireless keyboard, printer, shredder and file cabinet.

Organization
With all of your lighting, decor and equipment on top of your workload, things can get cluttered quickly. Be sure to bring in bookshelves and bins to hold notebooks, reference materials and any other items you desire in your work space. Display a calendar or dry erase board to keep your schedule organized.

Creating an efficient work space for your home office doesnt have to be difficult. With these essentials, youll become more productive and ready for your next day of hard work.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

A laundry room is one of the most frequently used areas in a home. Whether you live alone or house a family of five, this space can easily get out of control and become cluttered and messy, making it harder to maneuver baskets, mixing clean and dirty clothes and impairing overall productivity.

By following these steps, your laundry room can become a more functional space where you can clean, fold, organize and truly enjoy your clothes:

Maximize Storage Space
Whether the room is large or small, adding a shelf, cabinet, drawers or an entire organization system is a great start to improving functionality. Use this space to safely store detergent and other cleaning chemicals, as well as dryer sheets, irons and other tools so you can keep the tops of your machines clear and reduce any risks, especially to children and pets. If you have extra cabinets, utilize them for storing seasonal linens, guest towels and more.

Add a Folding Station
Forget carrying clean clothes around the house, bundled up in a wrinkle-inducing pile in a basket. Create an area in your laundry room where you can fold. From a simple table or countertop, to utilizing the space on top of a font-loader, to a mounted shelf that folds out when needed, you have many options to add this functional piece to your space.

Dont Forget the Hangers
For garments that you prefer to be hung and not folded, adding hangers to your laundry room is key. Thankfully, hanging clothes doesnt take up too much room. Add hanging rods under high cabinets, a mounted, fold-out drying rack, or even simple hooks on the back of the door toutilize vertical space.

Published with permission from RISMedia.