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All too often, powder rooms are an afterthought in home design. Being small and utilitarian, they just dont get the same attention as the rest of the house. For some designers, however, thats exactly why you shouldnt be afraid to take a chance and be bold in the powder room. Its the perfect way to introduce some surprising flair to your home and make it more memorable!

Here are five tips for designing a powder room thats worth getting excited about:

Tactile Textures and Bold Patterns
The walls are going to define the ambiance in such a small space, making them a good area to focus on first. Ornate patterns that would be too overbearing anywhere else in the house can be fun to use here and provide an unexpected visual pop. A fabric wallpaper, like velvet or linen, will make it a tactile experience thats far from the ordinary.

Sinks That Inspire
Go with an exciting design for the sink and vanity, like a stone vessel or a marble under-mount. Metallic fittings, such as nickel and brass, are another way to mix it up. And dont forget about the mirror, which is an opportunity to bring in an artistic or antique focal point.

Creative Lighting
With all the layers and textures that youre adding to the powder room, lighting is an essential component. Decorative sconces that flank the mirror or lavish pendant lights hanging from above can illuminate the room while contributing to the overall aesthetic.

Daring Color Schemes
A unique color palette is integral to the dramatic powder room. Even if you choose to stay away from textures and patterns, you can give the walls an imaginative shade, like a deep, navy blue that complements metallic fixtures or a vibrant burst of orange. If youre going for more of a chic look, another option is all black.

Look Up and Down
Finally, dont overlook the floors and ceilings. A hand-painted ceiling makes a delightful surprise that shows your home has serious attention to detail. For the floors, patterned tile or stone slabs add further appeal and ensure your powder room is a showstopper from top to bottom.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Mortgage lenders used to require a minimum of 20 percent down, but many financial institutions now accept much lower down payments. Nevertheless, homebuyers often still think they should make the largest down payment possible. That could be a mistake.

Why Many Homebuyers Make a Large Down Payment
If a borrower puts down less than 20 percent, a lender requires the borrower to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI) until reaching 20 percent equity. PMI is designed to protect a lender if a borrower defaults on a loan, but it can add hundreds of dollars per month to the cost of homeownership. Buyers who put down at least 20 percent usually do so to avoid paying for PMI.

Why You Should Consider Putting Down Less
Many people, particularly first-time buyers, focus on the cost of a house itself but dont plan for closing costs, which can total thousands of dollars. Buyers also tend to underestimate the costs of homeownership. Maintenance, repairs and property taxes can add up quickly. New owners often decide to purchase appliances and furniture or to make renovations. Making a low down payment and setting aside money for necessities and desirable upgrades can give you some breathing room.

When you make a down payment, that money gets tied up in the house in the form of equity. You could access those funds through a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit, but both involve an application and approval process that could take weeks or months. If you make a smaller down payment and have an emergency fund, you wont be stuck if you lose your job or face a surprise medical bill or urgent repair.

Avoiding PMI could lower your monthly payments, but making a large down payment could prevent you from using that money for other things. For example, you could make a smaller down payment and contribute more to a retirement account or college savings plan for your kids. If you havent saved as much as youd like and your retirement age is approaching or your children are in or nearing high school, you might be better off making a smaller down payment and investing in other goals so the money can have as much time as possible to grow.

Choose the Right Down Payment Amount for Your Circumstances
When shopping for a home, think carefully about how much money to put down. A large down payment could help you avoid PMI, but it might leave you strapped for cash in an emergency or unable to invest as much as youd like for retirement and college. Consider your entire financial situation, and talk to your real estate agent and financial advisor.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional or legal advice.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

All the green smoothies and exercise in the world wont keep your body healthy if youre living in a contaminated environment. In order to help keep your body happy and thriving, try these four quick and easy DIY projects to improve your homes health.

Inspect for Mold
Mold spores are everywhere, but when living in your house, they can give you pesky allergies or endanger your life.

To ensure your home doesnt have any dangerous mold growth, do a walk-through and know where to look. Mold loves humid, damp areas. This means your bathroom, washing machine, kitchen, attic and basement are prime real estate for all types of mold.

If you spot a suspicious area, use an at-home mold testing kit to determine if its harmful. Certain types of mold (like black mold) require professional remediation, so dont try to remove it yourself. However, you can treat most molds with a bleach solution, proper drainage and a dehumidifier. Just make sure youre on the lookout to keep your home safe.

Install a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats do so much for your home. Not only do they help you save money on energy, but they can also monitor your air quality. Smart thermostats like Nests send an alert to your smartphone if it notices air problems. That way, you can make the necessary changes to breathe better. Installation of most smart thermostat models is relatively simple. Just make sure the product is compatible with your home, and follow the instructions carefully.

Change Air Filters
If you have an HVAC unit, you have air filters. These hardworking filters sift out impurities in the air so that they dont wind up in your lungs. If youre super sensitive and live with furry friends, replace your air filters every month or two. If you dont use the heating and cooling system often, you can stretch that to twice per year. You could also purchase air purifiers for your home to keep pollutants down.

Dust and Vacuum
Sorry to add to your chore list, but keeping a clean home is essential to your health. Dust doesnt just look dingy; its made of pet dander, human skin cells, dirt, grime, pollen and a lot more icky stuff that causes all sorts of health issues.

Do your lungs, eyes, sinuses, ears and immune system a favor by getting yourself a wool duster or disposable duster product. Then, run your duster along the backside of appliances, the tops of ceiling fans, under furniture and other places large collections of dust might be hiding. Once you see how dirty your duster gets, youll be glad everything you picked up isnt floating around in the air anymore. Finish by vacuuming all the carpets in your house to remove more dust and other particles.

Staying healthy is a 360-degree endeavor requiring you to mind what you put in, on and around your body. Follow these tips to tackle an essential part of home health and add to your overall well-being.

Source: Fatima Puri/RISMedia’s Housecall

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Are you relocating for a new job? Have you chosen to move in with a significant other? If youre a renter who needs to break a lease to move out of an apartment, youre not alone”but it could cost you.

A lease is a legally binding contract between you and your landlord, and if you decide to terminate that agreement early without legal grounds, your landlord can impose penalties. Although every lease is different, you might be subject to fees, have to pay for the remaining months of your lease, or forfeit your security deposit. Even worse, not paying a required penalty could destroy your credit and lead to a lawsuit.

Check Your Lease
If youre considering breaking your lease, find and thoroughly read the rental agreement you signed. Look for an early termination or opt-out clause that specifies rules and penalties. If your lease doesnt have an opt-out clause, you could be responsible for paying rent for the rest of your lease period.

Know Your Rights
There are legitimate reasons for breaking a lease that protect you from penalties. The laws vary by state, but legal reasons might include an uninhabitable property, military duty, a serious illness or domestic abuse. Research your local laws, and if you believe your landlord isnt honoring your rights, consult a tenant union or seek legal advice. Unfortunately, getting married, finding a new job and buying a home arent legitimate reasons to break a lease.

Talk to Your Landlord
One of the best ways to avoid penalties is to be upfront and appeal to your landlords softer side. If you explain your reason for breaking the lease, a landlord might be sympathetic and decide to waive or lessen penalties, especially if youve been a good tenant. Most importantly, make sure to give your landlord as much notice as possible”no one likes being caught off guard. Plus, the longer the notice period, the more time a landlord will have to find a new tenant before you move out.

Help Find a Replacement
In many states, the landlord is required to make reasonable efforts to find a new tenant if you break a lease. However, you could still be on the hook for rent for the remainder of your lease term until a replacement is found, or you might have to pay the entire balance if the landlord doesnt re-rent the apartment in time. Offer to help your landlord find a replacement. In addition to saving you some money, the gesture could make the landlord feel better about the situation and more open to working out a solution with you.

One option is to sublet your apartment to someone whos willing to take over the remainder of your lease. Keep in mind that you could still be held accountable for any damage caused by the subtenant or missed rent payments. Discuss the option with your landlord, and make sure to find a responsible subtenant you can trust, such as a friend or family member.

You could also take steps to find a new renter. Advertise a listing on websites like Craigslist, and ask people in your social media network whether theyre looking for a new place to live. The landlord will need to sign off on the potential tenant, though, and might require background and credit checks.

Get It in Writing
Regardless of what you and your landlord agree on, make sure to get the deal in writing. Include details such as payments, refunds, timelines and any other important terms of the agreement. This could help protect you later on if your landlord has a change of heart and the matter ends up in court.

Breaking a lease isnt optimal, but if new circumstances make you decide to move out of an apartment early, be honest with your landlord and explore your options to avoid or lessen penalties. In the end, though, you might need to accept the fact that you need to pay up.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional or legal advice.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

No one wants to think too much about garbage, but its actually pretty important, especially when you move into a new home. Thats because without the right equipment and without knowledge of your towns rules and regulations regarding collection, you can end up with uncollected trash, and a smelly situation.

Know the schedule: Your local townships website should let you know when garbage pickup is in your neighborhood. Its best to put everything out the night before, in case your sanitation workers come very early in the morning. Also find out which holidays affect pickup, and when the makeup day is.

Recycling regulations: Virtually all municipalities have some sort of system involving recycling. Chances are youll have to separate glass, cardboard, and newspaper, but youll need to find out if your town provides receptacles for these or if you need to get your own.

Other rules: Most towns have standards regarding putting your garbage out. For example, if Monday is your trash collection day, you may not be allowed to put your garbage out earlier than, say, 3 p.m. on Sunday.

In the fall, find out when leaf collection is, and if leaves need to be bagged or simply raked to the curb. There also may be limits on the size and weight of garbage cans, and restrictions on the collection of items such as electronics and pool chemicals.

Buy the right garbage can: This may seem simple, but there are a lot of options out there. Obviously, you need a garbage can because putting bags out at your curb is an invitation for animals to invade your trash for food. But wind can knock over cans or blow the lid off, which creates the same situation. Invest in a quality garbage can that is sturdy and isnt easy to tip over, and which has an attached lid.

Special pickup: Lets say you take on a home improvement project, such as installing a new floor or renovating your bathroom. This is likely to create a large amount of trash and debris that cannot be placed in cans. Your town may have regulations as to how to prepare these things for collection, or you may need to rent special bins or receptacles. Otherwise, you may be responsible for carting the materials to your local municipal dump.

Following local trash collection regulations can make your life easier, and help you become a good neighbor.

Published with permission from RISMedia.