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Do you dream of a light, airy living space? Do you want to feel like you’re living inside of a cloud? Below are five tips for a lighter living space, now.

Paint it white.Well this is an obvious one. From walls to wood paneling and hardwood floors, two coats of white paint will turn your living space into a year-round winter wonderland. Done and done!

Minimize.Do you really need all twenty of those awkward family photos on that side table? De-cluttering surfaces will lighten space with smooth lines. Cut clutter by adding hidden storage systems (like an ottoman with stow space), and minimize furniture to a handful of necessary pieces.

Add mirrors.Mirrors have long-since been a go-to trick for opening up a space. In addition to wall mirrors, consider adding mirrored back splashes or mirrored trays. Not into mirrors? Sparkle can do the trick, too. Glass-top tables and crystal candle holders, anyone?

Lighten the linens.Breezy, airy curtains and snow-white throws will make your space seem plush and comfortable, like snuggling with a sheep.

Shades of gray. To avoid looking as if you doused your house in bleach, consider adding soft, light shades of gray or blue to your color scheme.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Everyone is familiar with For Sale or For Rent signs, but every now and again, you might be driving down a street and see a sign sitting in front of a house with the words Coming Soon instead.

So, what if it happens to be a house that you would love to own?

The National Association of REALTORS defines a coming soon property as one thats listed or unlisted that is not available for showing or sale until a later date. This can be a legitimate advertising technique as it allows the owners more time to complete repairs, pack or otherwise get a property ready for showing or sale.

A coming soon property may be either an unlisted home that will be listed with a broker in the near future, or one subject to listing agreements where property is available to potential purchasers only through the listing broker and not available, temporarily or indefinitely, for showing or purchase through other MLS participants.

Many people are drawn to things they cant have, so when they see a sign for a home thats coming soon, it adds a bit of excitement to the house hunting process. Some believe that if a potential buyer does get an appointment to view the home, they would be more willing to make an offer on a house they like for fear that it could go quickly.

Additionally, they may seem less inclined to negotiate because of the special circumstances.

Plus, by having people drool over a property for weeks, without having seen it, anticipation builds. Just think of what happens when you see a trailer for a movie you really want to see months and months ahead of when it comes out and how that excitement builds as the date gets closer. Its the same principal.

Conversely, theres a belief that a coming soon sign might scare off some potential buyers because theyre not willing to wait or simply dont understand what it all means. That could mean less people seeing the home, so less chance at an offer.

Truth is, for most coming soon properties, the current owners mainly just want to do some extra work to get a property ready”making renovations, decluttering, painting, etc.”and hope to build up a little interest as they get it ready. If youre thinking about selling your house and want to consider this strategy, talk to an experienced real estate professional as there are regulations about when and how a property can be marketed in advance.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Having a spare house key hidden on your property can come in handy, especially if you need a house or pet sitter while youre on vacation or, of course, if you lose your main set of keys. However, leaving a key in an obvious spot can make it easy for potential burglars to find it and walk right in through your front door.

If you decide to leave a spare key, youll need to be clever and avoid the most common hiding spots burglars are likely to check. According to home security specialist ADT, these are the best and worst places to put a spare:

Best Hiding Spots

In a hollow, realistic-looking false rock that blends in with its surroundings.
In a small lockbox under the porch.
In the barbeque grill in the backyard.
Under the foot of a chair on the patio.
Under a loose brick in the walkway.
Inside or under a children’s toy in the front yard.

Worst Hiding Spots

Under your doormat.
Under a potted plant by the door.
Under a garden statue.
On the doorjamb.
In the mailbox.

Even the best hiding spots for spare keys arent fail-safe, though. For added security, ADT suggests installing an alarm system and cameras. To eliminate the need for a spare key altogether, you could also invest in smart door locks, which offer keyless options and can also be controlled and monitored remotely on your smartphone.

By taking the proper security measures, you can have peace of mind knowing your home is safe while youre away.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

As the temperatures begin to drop, its time to make your home as cozy as possible. If theres one tried and true method for doing so, its hygge (pronounced hoo-gah). Loosely translated as a warm feeling of happiness, this Danish concept is really more of a lifestyle than a design aesthetic. But creating a living space that exudes warmth and sophistication plays an essential role. With chilly winter mornings right around the corner, here are a few ways to bring hygge into your home.

Keep it Comfy
Above all else, your home should be personal and inviting rather than formal or trendy. Focus on how it makes you feel and try to choose dcor that you find calming. Plush pillows, rugs and throws that beg to be curled up in are always welcome when introducing hygge to your living space. Indoor plants and natural materials, like wood and stone, are also typical characteristics.

Bare Necessities
Like other forms of Scandinavian design, a living environment that achieves hygge has a minimalist element to it. By stripping away all of the clutter, you will naturally feel more relaxed and at ease.

Sentimental Effects
Hygge is certainly not about buying into the latest styles when it comes to interior design. After youve gotten rid of all the unnecessary items, try to decorate with a few objects that have sentimental meaning to you. Ultimately, this will help to create a home that reflects your personality and lifestyle.

Neutral Colors
Shades of white, gray and beige are the most common colors used because they contribute to a clean and soothing environment. When paired with natural materials, this effect is effortlessly modern and welcoming.

Warm Lights
Lastly, you can round out the setting and incorporate hygge with soft lighting. Recessed lights with dimmers, lamps and candles can all be used to provide a warm aesthetic and keep you cozy no matter how cold it gets outside in the coming months.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Lighting is a defining feature in our living environment, and, like virtually every other aspect of the home, it has received the smart treatment. While smart lighting might sound gimmicky at first, the reality is that it can provide serious advantages. If youre on the fence about upgrading to a high-tech light system, here are a few ways that it can improve your daily life.

Boost Your Energy Levels
Believe it or not, there are a variety of ways that smart lighting can help you feel more energized. These days, you can set most systems to align with your circadian rhythm and mimic natural light throughout the day, meaning the lights gradually brighten in the morning as youre waking up and slowly dim in the evening before you go to bed. Research suggests this may help to improve your sleep quality and naturally end your sleep cycle in the morning, leaving you feeling fresh and ready to seize the day.

Energy Efficiency
If you want to make your home more eco-friendly and lower your energy bill, the good news is that smart lighting systems tend to use significantly less energy than traditional lights. In fact, an energy-efficient LED bulb, which these systems use, can run on anywhere from 25 percent -80 percent less energy than an incandescent bulb and last up to 25 times longer. You can even use smart sensors that turn the lights on when someone is in a room and automatically turn off when its empty.

Take Control
Being able to control your lights via your smartphone is an extremely handy feature. For starters, you can turn the lights on as soon as youre in the driveway and avoid the unsettling feeling of entering a dark house. When youre on vacation, youll never have to worry if you forgot to turn all the lights off and, even better, you can turn them on at night for an extra layer of security when youre away.

Mood Lighting
Lastly, smart lights are an excellent way to set the tone for any occasion. You can have specific settings for a moody dinner party that lends a touch of warmth to the atmosphere or task lighting that you can switch on when curling up with a book for the evening.

Published with permission from RISMedia.