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If youre living in an apartment in the city, or even a small house in the burbs, your kitchen is probably not very spacious. With limited storage and counter space, its easy to put style aside and only focus on function.

But, just because your kitchen is on the small side doesnt mean you cant give it character. Here are some tips to spice up the style in your tiny kitchen:

Add a Pop of Color
Adding a bright color to your kitchen can be done in many ways. If you have a small island or breakfast bar, consider adding colored stools. Display vibrant bowls and jars on your countertop and put them to use, holding fruit or storing tea bags. Even find a matching teapot to display on your stovetop. Or, you can take another approach with color and paint your cabinets for a more dramatic look.

Bring in Patterns and Textures
From patterned tiles to an eye-catching backsplash, adding a pattern can easily make a small room feel larger than life. Go for a Medditerranian look with a tile backsplash either all across your counter space or only on an accent wall, just behind the sink or stove. Add a stylish rug – or two – to bring some texture into the mix and tie the room together.

Utilize Functional Decor
When youre confined to such a small kitchen, especially since most of the action happens here, anything you choose to add to your countertop should serve a purpose. Utilizing your decor is the best way to ensure youre not sacrificing style for space. Wooden or marble cutting boards are always useful and can sit on your counter discreetly, while bringing in natural elements. Also, consider using pretty bottles for products that get daily use, such as olive oil or vinaigrette.

Dont Forget the Details
When styling your kitchen, its easy to overlook some obvious aspects. Hardware, for example, can be changed to fit the theme or tone of your kitchen. Whether youre going for a more modern look or a country style, there are plenty of faucets out there to completely update your sink. Also, adding new knobs and pulls to your kitchen cabinets can make a huge difference to the overall feel of the room. Though these are minor updates, in a small space, every inch counts.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre an avid art collector, then you are probably aware that the biggest threat facing your collection is damage that occurs while in transit or during installation. However, the last thing you want to deal with during an already stressful moving process is having one of your favorite works of art improperly cared for. When its time to package the collection and ship it to your new address, here are few helpful tips to keep in mind.

Get Art Insurance
Before you do anything, make sure that every valuable item is insured because even the act of packing can potentially harm a delicate canvas painting. Fine art insurance will keep you covered in the event of catastrophe and, while youll hopefully never need it, the fact of the matter is that accidents do happen when priceless artwork is being transported.

Art Handlers
Unless youve received professional training, this is probably not the time to show off your DIY skills. Moving a masterpiece is a serious undertaking and there are services readily available to handle it every step of the way. Whether its just one piece or an expansive collection, these companies will use custom-made crates to mitigate risk and carefully install your art upon arrival at your new home.

Qualified Movers
If you have a beloved collection but may not feel its necessary to bring in professional art handlers, at the very least its important to make sure that your moving company has experience with valuable items. From inherited antiques to your childrens first drawings, irreplaceable items come in many forms and your moving company needs to understand the significance of each and every piece.

Climate-Controlled Storage
Sometimes, logistics require that your artwork be put in storage, either for short or long term, before being installed in your new home. If thats the case, its essential to choose a facility that knows how to care for precious works and can provide climate-controlled storage.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Maintaining your homes curb appeal shows more than pride of ownership; it shows respect for your neighbors. Plus, when or if you decide to sell, a well-maintained home means it will sell faster and likely for top dollar. Similarly, maintaining your homes interior is likely to pay off in the end.

Real estate experts shared these eight missteps that could cost you in the long run with House Beautiful Magazine:

Landscaping Without Thinking Ahead. Trees planted too close to the house or driveway without much thought about how big theyll get can cause major problems later, such as roots causing breaks in the pavement or interfering with sewer or water lines.

Letting the Entryway Languish. Unkempt shrubbery around the front entry, or a door that needs updating, makes people wonder what else has been let go inside.

Choosing Funky Paint Colors. Dont choose an exterior paint color that is too far afield of neighboring homes. And stay away from contrasting trim colors that distract, instead of attract, the eye.

Neglecting the Small Stuff. Watch out for dirty windows, torn screens or broken light fixtures that show a distinct lack of care.

Hanging on to Old Appliances. Pay attention to the age and quality of your kitchen appliances. A stovetop too old and scratched to be cleaned properly is a turnoff. Also, appliances that arent energy-savers are costing too much money to run.

Skipping a Deep Clean. Details matter when it comes to home care. Look out for dirt in the window tracks, dirty grout in the tile or badly stained carpets.

Thinking Too Small. A small bathroom will seem smaller when tiled with small tiles rather than with larger ones. Peruse decor magazines for ideas that help to open your space.

Neglecting Wood Floors. If you cant afford to refinish them, have them buffed every few years.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre lucky enough to have a spare bedroom, you may want to think of it less as a rarely used landing spot for guests or a place to store extra stuff, and more as a blank canvas – a pleasant spot you can use for rest, relaxation, hobbies or exercise, or even as a money-making option.

Consider these inspiring ideas from room designers and creative thinkers:

Get crafty – Do you sew occasionally? Like to draw or paint? Love to do amazing gift-wraps? Fill the room with smart choices of furnishings, storage, tables and accessories to make your hobby more fun than ever.

 

Make it personal – Turn the room into a maam- or man-cave, with comfy furnishings, a TV and sound system and anything else you need to make it a cozy, personal retreat.

 

Make it a study – Create a cheerful home office space where you or your kids can pay bills, read online or study without interruption. Install a work counter/desk across one wall, add enough chairs and supply drawers, plus computers and printers as needed.

 

Build your own library – Booklovers can line the walls with shelving, collect books to their hearts content, install a chair or two and some great reading light, and revel in a private library.

 

Make music – For parents and/or kids with a passion for making music, lay down thick carpeting to soak up sound, add a few comfy floor cushions for musically inclined visitors and make room to jam with friends or solo with as many instruments as you wish.

 

Start a garden – Wish you had a greenhouse? You can cultivate seedlings in that spare room from the waning days of winter through early spring. Buy ready-made shelving and add light fixtures and supplies appropriate for nurturing baby plants.

 

Sweat it out – Whether you practice yoga, run or do strength training, you’ll be more motivated, better disciplined and more excited about your workouts in a dedicated exercise space. Drag that treadmill out of the basement, add all the exercise equipment you want and go!

 

Airbnb it – Make a few extra bucks by renting out your guest room through Airbnb. Outfit the space with attractive towels, linens and toiletries, and make sure your home’s Wi-Fi password is prominently displayed.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If, as is often the case, your home is your biggest investment, it stands to reason you want to protect it against damage, theft or other disasters. Your lender, who also has a stake in the property, wants to protect it, too. In fact, they will require proof of insurance coverage before you can close on the purchase.

If you are ready to purchase homeowners insurance, here are six things you need to know:

1. There Are Different Types of Policies.

Policies differ in terms of what they cover, so be sure you understand what you are buying. Does the policy protect you in case of any disaster except those omitted in the policy, such as flood damage? Does it include total replacement coverage? Coverage if someone is hurt on your property, and/or loss of personal belongings? The more substantial the coverage, the more the policy will cost.

2. Not Everything Will Be Covered.

If youre covered up to $2,000 on personal belongings, for example, and your $4,000 ring is stolen, you wont be fully reimbursed. But if your luggage is lost or stolen while you are traveling, you will be covered up to the policy limit.

3. Home Maintenance Counts.

Damage incurred because of homeowner negligence, such as failure to fix a longstanding slow leak, will likely not be covered. Also, some companies are leery about dog breeds known to bite, so be sure your dog is covered”and keep potentially dangerous breeds contained.

4. Your Credit Score Counts.

Except in Maryland, California and Massachusetts, insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores to predict losses and determine which customers are more likely to file claims. The scores also evaluate your outstanding debt, length of credit history, whether you pay bills on time, etc. The higher your insurance score, the lower your premium will be.

5. Document What You Own.

Keep receipts and appraisals for your belongings and maintain a list of personal possessions and their value.

6. Ask About Discounts.

Will your premium be discounted if you buy other insurance, such as auto or life insurance, from the same provider? Will making home enhancements, like adding a security system, lower your premium?

Published with permission from RISMedia.