When decorating your home you have no doubt considered elements such as furnishings, rugs, and paint colors. But have you considered how the humble house plant can make a world of difference to the final look of each room?

Indoor plants bring freshness and natural beauty to homes of all shapes and sizes, from sprawling mansions to tiny apartments. Often we end up with a selection of plants that have entered our homes at different times and we have found any available pot and space to put them in. While this may work in some homes it is usually better to plan the selection of plants and planters as part of the whole decor.

The basement is surely one of the most neglected areas of the house.  They vary in layout, problems, requirements, and size – but some things are constant between all basements.  They're often a place of storage and utilities like our water heater, washer & dryer, air conditioning system, and more.  There's a multitude of ways to remodel and redecorate a basement so it's a bit more than just a dingy, dark dungeon for storage space and cobweb cultivation. If you're looking to give your basement an overhaul but not go too far into the “finished” territory – here's some things to consider.

Waterproofing

Seeing as basements are traditionally underground, they're prone to leaks.  This is something we need to me mindful of when remodeling or redecorating a basement.  Since most basements have a cinderblock construction and these are beyond porous – you're going to need some waterproofing paint.  You'll find this at any hardware paint aisle and can be modified into a number of different colors.  It's vital to apply this paint in two coats – the first coat is best done with a specialty brush or 3/4” nap roller, and the second coat can be done with any 1/2” nap roller.  From here, you'll have a nice waterproof barrier to help control moisture.  Another must-have for basements are dehumidifiers.  Any moisture that may build up from the water heater, washing machine, or general basement must will be eradicated with the regular use of a dehumidifier.  These two steps will help eliminate the must and dank nature of a basement and provide a fresh slate to begin decorating.

The sources of light – lamps – are decorative items that can transform your living space incredibly. First of all, due to the reasons outlined above, lamps are a must in every household. It is quite obvious that they have been turned into something that can be not just utilitarian, but also something that complies with your view on the aesthetics.

It is needless to say that the variety of existing luminaries leaves us all flabbergasted. From simple table lamps to chandeliers, from a desk lamp to a torchère lamp, there is a vast diversity in forms, styles, materials used, purposes, occurrence and availability, and, of course, in prices. When furnishing your home and selecting light fixtures, you should consider three things: style, purpose, and budget.

Every home has to have a distinct space for every type of activities. It is not a very good practice to eat, sleep and work in the same room. You always need to have an opportunity to change locations in order to set your mind to something of a different kind. Sleep is particularly important for each and every of us. It is a crucial process during which our bodies rest and our minds process all the information we have gotten throughout the day. Therefore, a healthy uninterrupted sleep is one of things that we should take good care of. We can certainly do it by choosing a bed and furnishing the bedroom.

Unfortunately, not everyone, especially younger people who are renting a flat or who have just bought their first little apartment, can afford a place with a spacy bedroom. Still, there is a good alternative to sleeping in the living room – a mezzanine bedroom. It is also called a loft bedroom, and it is your private sleeping niche on a level above the main room. This housing solution has been growing very popular, especially among younger people. If you take a look, for example, at Airbnb apartments, you will find that there is a great demand for these kinds of flats with an additional loft bed.

There is no need of proving the importance of light in one’s home. It is, however, worth remembering that illumination itself is a concern of practicality and your comfort. You will need light to do everything, from reading or working to having your meals. This means that you select the proper lighting for every room in accordance with your preferred activities. Basically, there are several main reasons why one should take good care of light in one’s home.

For a start, it allows you performing your everyday tasks in a more effective way. This is something that you cannot argue with, light is crucial for us to be able to do anything at all. Winter evenings are too long to survive without good lighting. Moreover, simply moving around the apartment seems impossible without proper illumination.