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Is it difficult to relax in your small home or apartment? Are you having a hard time getting to sleep? How about your energy levels, do you feel drained while inside your small living space? Or maybe your mind keeps racing with thoughts that just won't give any peace. If you answered yes to any of these questions, your living space might be out of sync. When this happens, the ancient art of feng shui can snap your living space into a harmonious state. Simply put, feng shui is a way to rearrange your home to improve its effect on your quality of life. Check out the details below. 1. Clear the Clutter A clean, clutter-free apartment is a harmonious one in the land of feng shui. You want energy to flow freely through your living area, and clutter tends to impede your flow. One of the most important areas you’ll want to de-clutter is your entryway. This is a main energy source, so you want as little junk in that area as possible. Shoes, for example, can add a lot of clutter to the area. Use a decorative storage box to store shoes and only keep a coat or two near the entryway. By getting rid of the clutter, your small space will not only look bigger, but also increase the amount of positive energy that can enter your home. 2. Divide Your Rooms Each room needs balance, which means it needs its own division. In a small living space this can be tough because most rooms spill into the next, but there are some space-smart, room-dividing options. Size-appropriate screens are an option, or consider creating a small division line with tall plants. Placing two or three plants between the kitchen and dining room, for example, is enough of a division to balance the energy. A bookshelf or a row of curtains can also divide a room in a small space. 3. Hang Mirrors Mirrors are a feng shui miracle for small homes and apartments. Mirrors reflect light and give your space a larger appearance. Try to hang a mirror near a window to bounce natural light into the room. This is especially useful when placed to the side of your front door, never directly facing the front door. Try to mount mirrors where you can see the reflection of outdoor view to bring more beauty into your home. Also, keep in mind hanging a mirror behind the top burners of your stovetop to magnify wealth. Make sure you clean your mirrors often and avoid hanging mirrors right across from each other.  4. Incorporate the Five Elements In feng shui there are Five Elements — wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each element channels a certain kind of energy. Wood brings about peace and prosperity; fire symbolizes passion; earth encourages stability; metal improves focus; and water enhances communication. Depending on the kind of energy you want, you should incorporate that element in your living space.  5. Add a Small Window Garden
Lastly, for the most impact – living plants cancel negative energy and improve air quality. But, adding too many plants to a small space can make your apartment feel smaller, so give it some thought before you place your plants. Try planting a small herb garden next to your window, or add a flowering houseplant to your windowsill, such as an African violet. Despite living in a tight space, you can still achieve the energy you want in your home or apartment, you just have to be a little creative. Overall, you’re looking to make furniture and design choices that make you feel happy in your home. Namaste!
Everyone has their own style, and most people want their home’s aesthetic to reflect this. While some may prefer a more understated or minimalistic look, others may want their homes to feel bold and luxurious. If you’re part of the second group, you will probably enjoy a room that has a classy feel to it, and this is often easy to achieve with a few statement pieces. To learn more about what they are, keep reading. A bold mirror We often associate classy homes with bling, glitz, and glamour. Unfortunately, it can be hard to achieve this without it looking like you’ve gone overboard. Luckily, there’s an easy solution. Mirrors often mimic this shiny effect without looking tacky, so if you can manage to get your hands on a big or bold mirror, it will instantly add a touch of class to any room. Plus, mirrors make rooms look bigger, which adds to the sense of elegance and luxury. An armchair Of course, most rooms already have chairs in them since chairs serve a practical purpose. However, a chair can also be more than that – it can be an important piece of décor. Think about it – sinking into an armchair feels very different from sitting on a small wooden chair, right? Armchairs might be on the expensive side of the spectrum in terms of chairs, but there’s no denying that it’s one of the classiest seating options out there. A chandelier There are few things classier than having a chandelier in your house, so if you truly want to go all out and make your house feel as classy and elegant as possible, this is a good place to start. However, you need to keep in mind that not all homes will be the best fit for chandeliers – for example, if you have a smaller house or one with a low ceiling, a chandelier may make the room feel cramped. That being said, if you have the space to hang a chandelier, and it’s something that will up the class factor, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t go for it. A luxurious rug Any rug can instantly give a room a facelift, but luxurious rugs like faux fur rugs are an easy way to instantly add some jazz to any room. Of course, you may need to spend some time evaluating your options so that you choose the right rug for you – you need to consider the size, the material, and also the color. For example, if your home is decorated in jewel tones, you should choose a rug that will match the color scheme or an unusual pattern to add texture and depth to your living space. Moving into a new house or apartment brings about a feeling of accomplishment, especially if it has everything you've ever wanted in a living space. Nevertheless, we understand all you want is to settle into your new home and start living your dream life. But here's one mistake you should never make, no matter how quickly you want to move in – signing your lease agreement without reading it. I know this may come as a surprise to many; however, this can make your life at your new home a living hell if you aren't careful. Let's dive into the topic to understand why reading the lease agreement is of utmost importance. Know the House Rules Don’t assume every lease contract is the same as the last one. Going through your lease agreement allows you to know the rules the landlord expects you to follow. Think of it as a manual that teaches you how to behave while living in your new place; the last thing you want is to be the tenant constantly bumping heads with others, including your neighbors. Not following the agreement can cost you additional money that you haven't budgeted for. As you create your new monthly budget, you really don't want to additional fees to impact you over the next 12 months. Typically, most of the rules set by landlords revolve around keeping pets, having guests, throwing parties, and sharing the available outdoor parking space. Most property owners also specify if you're allowed to make renovations in the lease agreement. Know the facts before you paint an accent wall.
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AuthorDiana Alexander, a member of the Houston Association of REALTORS®, Certified Real Estate Negotiation Expert, and Property Manager provides real estate services and trending real estate awareness. Archives
December 2022
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