Amidst a sea of cleaning products that promise miracles, nature has given us a simple yet powerful solution – lemon juice. Besides refreshing drinks and meals, lemon also has an astonishing effect on household maintenance. Cheap, effective, and completely natural, this citrus not only cleans thoroughly but does so safely for both humans and pets.
Limescale deposits are a common nuisance, especially in bathrooms and kitchens, where hard water leaves white traces on surfaces. Fortunately, you can easily get rid of these stains with homemade solutions, without expensive chemicals, and lemon can be your ally – writes Sombor.info.
Lemon is not just a refreshing fruit, it is also a powerful natural cleaning agent. The citric acid it contains naturally and safely dissolves limescale, making it an excellent ally in the fight against these stubborn stains. It is ideal for cleaning faucets, glass surfaces, and tiles, leaving them sparkling clean and pleasantly fragrant.
Unless you’re dreaming of a 1,000-square-meter villa. In that case, you’ll need to get rich.
If you’ve ever redecorated your living room and suddenly felt like everything started going better – you weren’t imagining it. In her new book Spatial Alchemy, interior designer and stylist Olga Naiman argues that your home is not just a reflection of who you are – but a blueprint of who you are becoming. And what’s her method? A spiritual, step-by-step process that helps you channel the energy of your future self into your space, setting off a wave of change that goes beyond the boundaries of your home. Think of it as conscious transformation – with intention, and maybe even a touch of magic.
On the website Domino.com, her five steps to a dream home are presented.
Olga helps her clients transform their lives through strategic changes in the home. The book is designed as a logical sequence, where each step builds the foundation for the next. Over time, the effects accumulate – as you begin to notice how changes in your space trigger a domino effect in other areas of your life.
The process unfolds in several phases, beginning with a series of questions to help clarify your life intentions. The idea is to invoke your future self, and then you’ll learn how to bring that energy into your home. Here’s what it looks like:
Express Your Desires
The first step toward connecting with your future self is to clearly express your desires. To set clear and concise intentions, first identify which parts of your home support that new energy, and which ones deplete and suppress it.
Let Go of Old Patterns
The next step is to break away from old behavioral patterns. Ask yourself which outdated routines are maintaining your personal status quo, and eliminate them by removing the objects that represent them. This often takes more than one try. Remember, it’s a process, not a one-time change.
Establish New Patterns
Once you've cleared your space of things that no longer serve you, it’s time to establish new behavioral patterns. To consciously shape your space according to the identity of the future self you want to develop, introduce a few new items that support those patterns and spark new energy.
Meet Your Emotional Needs
Next, address how your home can respond to your emotional needs – what you want to feel more of in life. The goal is to build an emotionally safe base from which you can grow and expand.
Embrace Pleasure
Finally, after letting go of the old and reinforcing the new patterns, it’s time to let your home bring you joy. Tie everything together in a way that excites you and fills you with positive energy, because this is what accelerates your personal transformation.
In its essential form, spatial alchemy is not just about interiors. It’s deep inner work that manifests through space. Your home, according to Olga Naiman, can be your greatest ally in becoming the person you want to be.
If you want to change the look of your interior but don’t have enough time or money for major renovations, check out 5 quick and affordable home improvement ideas.
Home decoration usually requires a lot of money, effort, and time, but there are ideas that can refresh the look of your interior in just one day. The change will be significant, yet it won’t cost you much. Try one of these 5 interior decoration ideas that won’t cost you more than 50 euros.
Accent a Single Wall
If you recently painted your apartment and don’t want to change the wall color again, or simply lack the money or time for such a project, go for the option of accenting just one wall in a room. A 3-liter can of wall paint (enough to cover about 10 square meters) starts at around 1,500 dinars, making this a favorite option for those looking to refresh their space.
If you're into modern design and have a bold approach to decorating, consider using chalkboard paint on a wall. It works on wood, MDF, plaster, and drywall, giving you a lot of options. Many choose to do this in the hallway for leaving fun messages or shopping reminders in chalk, though it’s great for the living room too. One liter of this paint costs about 15 euros.
Tapestries and Macrame Decor
Wall fabric is back in style, especially tapestries and macrame decorations. They’re great for covering stains or nail holes and can blend well with your interior, adding warmth and coziness. If you have empty, monotonous walls, check the current offerings at local home decor stores and pick a tapestry that suits your taste. If you’re a fan of the ethnic style, go for rustic or floral patterns. For modern design lovers, choose simpler pieces with motivational messages or graphic prints.
Medium-sized tapestries can be found for around 20 euros, making them an ideal option to refresh your living or bedroom without spending too much.
Decorative Frames
One of the trends that has recently gained popularity is wall decorating with frames. It might sound unusual, but those who try it notice a major difference and a pleasant refresh to the space. You can opt for one impactful frame or several different ones arranged as a creative "gallery." You can use old frames you already have or buy new ones. Prices range from 2 euros (for smaller sizes) to several tens of euros.
If you want to change up your kitchen easily and affordably, find LED strips at a nearby store and stick them along your kitchen elements—but in a way they remain hidden when off. It’s best to place them under upper cabinets or below the kitchen counter. These strips are very decorative, and a meter costs about 10 euros.
Curtains
You may have noticed how a space feels colder without curtains. This detail might seem unimportant, but with a little attention, it can completely transform a room. Find curtains of the appropriate length and replace the old ones, or add thicker ones alongside existing sheer curtains. If you want a glamorous and luxurious effect, go for red or royal blue. For minimalist and modern style lovers, white and beige are ideal options. Curtain prices vary depending on quality and design, but the lowest price is about 30 euros for a standard window — according to Lepa i srećna.
Water is the source of life that enables us to survive, but when it comes to our homes, water can be enemy number one. Moisture that penetrates through walls, floors, or roofs can cause serious damage, mold growth, and threaten the structural integrity of the building. That is precisely why waterproofing is a key preventive measure against such issues. Without adequate waterproofing, a home can be susceptible to numerous problems that may compromise its safety, comfort, and value. In this blog, we will explore why waterproofing is vital for preserving your house and how to properly apply these techniques to ensure a dry, healthy, and safe living space.
What types of waterproofing exist?
Waterproofing membranes: These are key elements in protecting buildings from moisture and water. These membranes are typically made from special materials such as bitumen, polyurethane, PVC, or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), and are applied to surfaces that are prone to water penetration, such as foundations, basement floors, roofs, walls, or bathroom floors.
Waterproof coatings: These are liquid materials applied to surfaces to create a waterproof layer. These coatings are widely used to protect various construction elements from moisture and water penetration. There are different types of waterproof coatings, including bituminous, polyurethane, silicone, and epoxy coatings. Each type has its own characteristics and advantages depending on specific needs and conditions of application.
Waterproofing tapes: These are flexible tapes used for sealing joints, cracks, and openings on surfaces prone to water penetration. They are usually made from rubber, bitumen, polymers, or other waterproof materials and may be self-adhesive or require additional bonding. Waterproofing tapes are especially effective for sealing joints between different materials such as concrete, metal, wood, or plastic.
Waterproofing panels: These are mainly made from various materials such as polyurethane, glass wool, or expanded polystyrene, and are used to create a waterproof layer on surfaces susceptible to water penetration. These panels are often used for insulating walls, floors, roofs, or foundations to protect against moisture and water.
Waterproofing foils: Plastic sheets used to cover walls and floors for moisture protection. These foils are typically made from polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, or other similar materials that are waterproof and wear-resistant.
5 key steps before choosing the right type of waterproofing
Analyze the needs of the project: Consider which parts of the building are most exposed to water and moisture, as well as the specific waterproofing requirements for those areas. For example, basements require a different approach than roofs or walls.
Research different types of waterproofing: In this blog, you’ve learned about several types of waterproofing, but there are many more, each with its own pros and cons, so it’s important to explore which ones will best suit your needs.
Evaluate material characteristics: Consider durability, resistance to wear, UV stability, as well as the ability to expand and contract without damage. These characteristics can affect the long-term efficiency and lifespan of the waterproofing.
Consult experts: Seek advice from construction or waterproofing professionals to get recommendations and insights that will help you choose the best type of waterproofing for your project.
Consider your budget and desired lifespan: Think about how much money you’re willing to invest in waterproofing and how long you want it to last. Some types may have higher upfront costs but offer longer lifespans and require less maintenance, which can be more cost-effective in the long run.
Investing in quality waterproofing can save you money and trouble in the future by protecting your property from potential damage and extending its lifespan. It’s important to understand that waterproofing is an essential investment in the safety and sustainability of your building, and that the right choice can provide long-term peace of mind and protection.
Choosing wall colors for your home is one of the most difficult tasks in interior redesign. A good choice of wall colors greatly contributes to the overall appearance of the room. Color choices in the home shouldn’t be left to chance or momentary mood. When selecting colors, you must coordinate wall colors with furniture, the purpose of the room you’re decorating, and perhaps even align everything with your favorite color.
Don’t forget that any furniture you purchase later should match the colors you choose.
Living Room Wall Colors
The living room is the space where you spend most of your time. You can experiment with colors here, but remember not to create too much contrast between the furniture and wall colors. The best choices for living room walls are pastel shades. Applying photo wallpapers and wall stickers has become very popular in recent years. If using photo wallpaper, choose just one wall for it, and paint the others in solid, coordinating tones.
Kitchen Wall Colors
Choose pleasant colors for the kitchen and dining room to make cooking and dining more enjoyable. In addition to cabinet colors, kitchen walls should also match the tiles or backsplash glass, which are essential parts of any kitchen. Light, soft, and vibrant tones work best here. Avoid cold shades of gray and blue as they tend to reduce appetite.
Bedroom Wall Colors
The bedroom is a place for relaxation and rest, so wall colors should reflect the room’s purpose. Blue, purple, gray, or beige are ideal for bedroom walls. Neutral shades of these colors help promote better sleep. Avoid using orange or red as they tend to stimulate rather than calm.
Children’s Room Wall Colors
Children’s room walls can be painted in a variety of shades. The colors should be vibrant but not overly bright or fluorescent, to avoid causing agitation. For a baby’s room, use softer, lighter colors and pastel tones. In kids’ rooms, you can use different colors on each wall or even mix two contrasting colors on a single wall. Wall stickers can make the space even more engaging.
Choosing Colors
Start with a color palette – there are primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.
Primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. These are pure colors and cannot be created by mixing others. Secondary colors – orange, green, and purple – are formed by mixing equal parts of two primary colors. For example, equal parts blue and yellow make green. Tertiary colors are made by mixing different proportions of primary and secondary colors. White and black are often added to adjust brightness or darkness.
Create Your Own Color Scheme
Use the color palette to create a scheme that best matches your personality. There are four types of possible color schemes:
Harmonious Schemes – all colors are in harmony and do not compete with one another. No color stands out, so the overall mood is calming. There are two main types of harmonious schemes.
Monotone Scheme – this uses one low-intensity color like light beige, gray, or white in a narrow value range. It's often used in showrooms because its calmness makes a perfect backdrop. Any bold object will stand out in such a scheme, which you can use to your advantage if you want to highlight something.
Monochromatic Scheme – based on a single hue, but in a broader range of tones and intensities. For instance, a yellow-based scheme might include light yellow, lemon yellow, and golden yellow, used separately or together. This creates a special visual atmosphere.
Contrasting Schemes – unlike harmonious ones, contrast schemes are made to draw attention. The color choice becomes the focal point. You can create contrast with analogous colors (e.g., blue and turquoise), which are next to each other on the color wheel. These may resemble harmonious schemes depending on intensity.
Alternatively, combine complementary colors from opposite sides of the color wheel, such as blue and orange. You can play with different tones on each side or expand the palette using triadic color combinations. Mixing warm and cool colors or using various textures and materials can further enrich the design, though that’s a topic for another time.
Applying Your Chosen Palette
Be careful when choosing wall paint – it’s affordable and available in any shade. So when decorating a room, start with furniture and rugs, which are harder and more expensive to replace. Once you’ve chosen those, select matching wall colors.
You can decide whether to apply bold colors to accessories and furniture or to the walls. Many people prefer a neutral furniture base with bold walls, while others do the opposite.
Four Common Color Choice Mistakes
Colors are an important decorative element in interior design and can greatly affect the style, beauty, and comfort of your home. Therefore, you should pay special attention when selecting them, seek expert advice, and take time to find colors that will enhance your space.
When choosing furniture colors, wall paint, decorative elements, or your home's overall theme, it’s easy to make mistakes. To help you avoid that, here are some of the most common ones:
Matching the decoration color with dominant items in the space. To highlight key elements like furniture, choose decor in the same color but in lighter, softer shades. Using identical colors closes off the space and diminishes emphasis on focal points. For instance, pair dark furniture with lighter rugs, pillows, curtains, etc.
Choosing White or Cream Just Because You Think It’s Safe
If you believe that white or cream is a foolproof choice, think again. Even neutral tones like white, gray, or beige come in countless variations, so you still need to invest time and thought in choosing the right one.
Use samples and limit yourself to three or four favorite colors that match the space. For wall painting, test a sample section and evaluate it in both daylight and nighttime lighting before deciding.
Choosing Colors That Are Too Bright or Intense
Overly bright or vivid colors are usually too intense for most interiors. A large, sunny room might handle lemon yellow or light green, but generally, it’s better to choose tones that feel comfortable and conceal imperfections. If you’ve always dreamed of a red living room, opt for brick or raspberry tones instead of bright red.
Using Inappropriate Colors for a Specific Room
Warm colors uplift the mood and enhance comfort, making them ideal for living rooms. These include earthy red, dusty purple, and deep gold tones. Cool colors like silvery blue, natural green, and lavender are calming, perfect for bedrooms.
On the other hand, green walls in a bathroom or bright yellow in a bedroom might be irritating. So think carefully about how you want to feel and what atmosphere you want to create in each space before choosing a color.
Decorating small spaces may seem almost impossible – you want to fit everything you need, but without making the space feel cramped. You want it to be filled with personality, but without looking chaotic and cluttered.
Although it doesn't sound like it, a small space can be decorated just as effectively as a large one, and coming up with smart solutions for all the obstacles actually makes the decorating process fun. Whether you live in a studio, want to make the most out of a small room in a smaller house, or are simply choosing a minimalist lifestyle, you don't have to sacrifice elegance or functionality.
We’ve gathered our favorite ideas for decorating small spaces to help you tackle the challenges of decorating your apartment.
Use Reflective Materials
Choose white lacquered walls or glossy tiles. High-gloss materials provide the same effect as mirrors – reflecting light and visually expanding the space.
Replace Regular Doors with Sliding Ones
Sliding doors with glass panels allow you to separate space without interrupting natural light. Additionally, they slide into the wall and take up significantly less space than traditional doors.
Invest in Built-in or Foldable Furniture
Of course, you need a desk and a dining table, but do you really need them all day long? Consider furniture that folds away when not in use, such as a sofa bed or a bed that lifts up to the wall. This will free up floor space and prevent clutter from piling up.
Think Vertically, Not Horizontally
You need space for storage, but a space won’t work if you can’t move around it. Install shelves on the wall or even lift your bed onto a platform to create space underneath for storage. Wall lamps are also a great choice instead of floor lamps.
Mirrors Are Your Friends
It’s the oldest design trick in the book: mirrors make your space feel bigger, brighter, and airier. Place one large mirror on a wall, or create a gallery of smaller mirrors in various shapes.
Choose Your Furniture Carefully
Choose furniture that offers more functions in a small space – a bed with drawers, ottomans with storage space, multifunctional sofas. Each piece should be maximized for use.
Design According to Your Needs
Built-in shelves, wall units, and custom furniture help you utilize every corner. No room for a pantry? No problem – any wall can become useful.
Downsize Your Dining Table
A small table is not just for decoration – it can be the perfect spot for dining for two. Replace a large table with a smaller one to free up more space.
Forget Large Cabinets Under the Sink
While space under the sink can be useful for storage, large cabinets can appear bulky and awkward in small spaces. Choose smaller, sleeker solutions.
Edit Your Space – Carefully
You don’t need to display everything you own. Use the limited space for personal expression in creative ways, like decorating your fridge or choosing a bright color. Remember – nothing makes a space feel smaller than clutter.
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