Creating An In-Home Yoga Studio
If you need a place to practice your sun salutations but can’t always find time to make it to the studio, you may want to consider creating a space for yoga in your very own home. What could be better than a multi-functioning room where you can practice yoga, meditate, or just relax whenever you please? It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a trained yogi – the room itself will exude peace and simplicity. Here’s how to create an in-home yoga studio.
- Choose the room. In order to get the most out of your practice, set up shop in a room that’s free of distractions. An empty, open space will allow you to keep a zen mindset while you go through your Vinyasas. If you don’t have a spare room available, use an area in your home where you can shift furnishings around. Maybe you have a walk-in closet capable of fitting a yoga mat, or maybe you can move a few pieces around in your home office. No matter where you find space in your home, ensuring you’re comfortable is essential.
- Set the atmosphere. Adjustable lighting is paramount in any home yoga studio, according to Jennifer Jones, an interior designer in Conroe, TX. If the room features a window, let the natural light pour into the space. Use double bracket curtain rods so that you can hang sheer and room darkening curtains to control the light as needed. If the room you’re using as your studio is windowless, install a light dimmer so you can adjust the lighting. Another variable you’ll want to be in control of is the temperature. Some people love a hot yoga session, while others may want a breeze blowing through the window. Consider this factor when choosing your in-home studio.
- Acquire the equipment. You can’t have a functioning yoga studio without the proper equipment. For starters, you’ll need a mat. If the room you chose is carpeted, you can place a wood board underneath your mat for a firmer surface. Use a yoga towel so you don’t slip and slide on your mat once in your in the thick of that day’s practice. You may also want to invest in blocks and straps to help stay grounded and with flexibility. Lastly, place a portable speaker in the room so you can do your flow with a yoga-inspired playlist.
- Pick out the décor. Though minimalism is best in a yoga studio, there are ways you can add décor without going overboard. Choose elements that are going to jive with your vibe. If your practice focuses on meditation, hang tapestries on the walls and incorporate various candles and incense into your decor. If you enjoy checking your form while you practice, line one wall with mirrors. Color is another important consideration for your at-home yoga space. Lehigh Valley painters recommend soothing colors in shades of lilac, cerulean, or a vibrant white. If neutral is more your style, various shades of gray can create a tranquil yoga space.
It doesn’t take a lot to create your own yoga oasis. You can push aside furniture or create an entire studio – when it comes to designing the space of your dreams, it truly comes down to your personal choices!
Interested in becoming a trained yoga therapist so you can help people right within your home (or their own)? Breathing Deeply offers yoga therapy classes to become a yoga therapist, where you can earn your certification to help those with chronic pain disorders, anxiety, depression, and more.
Home Upgrades: A Romantic Touch
Home upgrades are fun ways for individuals to add a personal touch to their home, which can vary based on a person’s style needs and preferences. At some point, however, we all long for a little bit of a romantic atmosphere within our home. From warm color options to simple accessories, check out these tips on how to add a little romance to your home decor.
- Roses are Red: With so many color options to choose from, it should be no surprise that one of the easiest ways to achieve the ideal mood and tone for your home is through a color scheme update! If you’re looking to build on a romantic setting in just one room, the expert Flower Mound painters recommend a simple upgrade to the color of your walls. Combine warm reds, soft pinks, and deep neutral beiges to enhance the atmosphere in the best way possible. Paint an entire room deep red to add warmth and comfort, or add in an accent wall to a dark beige color scheme for a fun pop of color that will make your heart flutter. Lighter colors, such as pinks and whites, can be added in as accents or within the furniture, such as through pillows or bedding.
- Accent Your Heart Out: Accents are the most universal way to liven up any space. In the case of turning your room or home into a romantic getaway, the accents you choose must match this aesthetic. Sticking with the warm red, light pink and deep beige color scheme, look for accents that enhance this palette. Blankets and throws are a comfortable choice and, with the right material, provide a relaxing, snuggly option for watching a movie or reading a book. In addition, accents that offer an uplifting feeling to your sense of smell, such as candles or diffusers, will tie everything together from the moment you walk through the door. Scents such as lavender and jasmine are perfect for those relaxing thoughts and feelings after a long day.
- Wooden Details: When you think ‘romantic’, the idea of wood doesn’t come directly to mind. However, worn wooden details will add an unexpected romantic touch to any home design. Find a chair with a carved wood back and add a whitewashed finish to achieve the worn look, which will be a conversation piece as well as a beautiful ‘antique’ looking seating option. Find antique wood pieces at thrift shops or yard sales that you can give new life to throughout your home design. Often, these types of furnishings are unique, amplifying their romantic qualities.
Adding a romantic touch to your home doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. By finding a beautiful color option, including warm accessories, and customizing pieces to offer a more rustic look, you can turn your home into the romantic getaway you’ve been dreaming of!
For more help bringing romantic accents into your home, contact Sandra Burroughs and Allison Fikejs, Overland Park, KS interior decorators.
Creating A Budget A Home Improvement Project
Home renovations can be stressful, take more time to complete than you anticipate, and wind up costing you a fortune if you aren’t careful. To ensure that your home improvement project doesn’t become a money pit, it’s essential to create a plan before the remodeling begins. More importantly, you should come up with a budget. Not sure where to start? Here are tips on creating a budget for your next home improvement project.
- Come up with an estimated figure. Imagine your dream renovation and how much it would cost. Now, come down to reality and decide where you’re going to begin. Will it be a single room? An entire floor? Just a paint job? If you can’t determine how big or small the renovation is going to be, work backward. Think of a dollar amount that makes sense for you to spend at this time – that will help you figure out what your priorities are.
- Consider taking money from your savings or financing. Once you have a number you’re comfortable with, you must decide if you can afford to pay for the renovations out of pocket or if you need to finance the project. If you have the money saved and can pay with cash up front, that’s great- no interest! If you don’t have the money, talk to a financial advisor and decide what the best option is for you. The three most common borrowing options are: a cash-out refinance, a home equity loan, or a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Choose a plan that has a low-interest rate and one that you will be able to keep up with month-to-month.
- Find a contractor that fits the scope of the project (and your budget). Now that you’re getting to closer to the number you are going to spend, it’s time to start getting quotes from contractors. When interviewing potential contractors, make sure they’re licensed, have reviews and references, and a portfolio of their work. With a contractor, the work will get done quickly and efficiently, but it will cost more than if you were to go the DIY-route. If the estimate prices you’re receiving seem outrageous, it may be smarter to do the work on your own.
- Itemize what you need. Start from the beginning. What’s it going to take to complete this home improvement project? Create a spreadsheet and include everything from inspection costs to a roll of duct tape. When you have everything written down and in one place, it’s easier to see where your money is going. Whether you’ve hired a contractor or are doing it yourself, you should still create this list to keep your budget on track.
Is the home improvement you imagined bigger than what you can afford? Consider tackling a smaller portion of the project first like simply painting a room. You should also leave room for mistakes. You never know when an unexpected problem is going to occur or if something winds up costing you more than you had hoped. Leave room in the budget for these mistakes and you won’t be surprised along the way.
This post brought to you by Bohnne Jones, an interior decorator in Brentwood, TN.
Keeping Your Bathroom Organized In 2018
Picture your bathroom – the place where you clean and prepare yourself for everyday life – a place many homeowners tend to ignore on the list of “places to clean.” Many people’s bathrooms quickly become cluttered with hair product, makeup, razors, and bath toys in the blink of an eye. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get organized, take a look at these ideas to help remove and prevent clutter in your bathroom.
- Under Sink Storage: Many disregard the area right under the sink, considering it as a space that won’t quickly become cluttered due to the lack of space from plumbing.Many homeowners forget that there is still plenty of space there that can quickly fill up with cleaning, personal care products, and other bathroom accessories. To avoid clutter, install a shelf or pull-out bins for storing items. When you need something, you’ll be able to find it!
- Wall Storage: Never underestimate the power of wall space in your bathroom! Try adding a narrow cabinet above your sink to store washcloths, hand towels, and everyday toiletries. Medicine cabinets are a popular choice, as they often double as a mirror and serve as discreet bathroom storage. If you’re still in need of extra space, add shelving to your walls. Sleek, minimal and functional floating shelves provide the right amount of space without looking bulky. Storing your toiletries on exposed shelving has become a very popular trend, as long as you keep them organized! Use decorative baskets to disguise items usually left out in the open on shelves and a hamper for placing dirty towels or laundry clothes. Don’t forget about the space above your toilet – take advantage of it by adding shelves or a small cabinet.
- Tiered Storage: Layering has become a popular trend within interior design. Try incorporating this trend into your bathroom with tiered towel rods or bath caddies. Instead of using a single towel rod, try using a tiered one that allows for variously sized towels to be stored in one place. For added storage, keep all of your shampoo bottles and soaps under control in one area of the shower with a tiered bath caddy. If you’ve utilized all of your wall space for storage, consider your bathroom door! Mount a towel rack over the door to hang robes and towels, or hang a shoe organizer to store various toiletries.
Whether you are a new homeowner or have lived at your residence for years, be aware of your bathroom and how quickly it can become cluttered. Maintain organization in your bathroom this year with these awesome tips!
Trending In Home Design: Barn Decor
The rustic barn look has become increasingly popular in home design. Homeowners in the city and beyond crave the welcoming country vibes this style gives off. Here’s how you can achieve this style in your home, no matter where you reside.
- Play around with natural elements. The key to any rustic decor are the natural accents and features you incorporate into the room. Elements found in nature like stone, wood, leather, and linen, are utilized to give that comfortable, natural feel. Wood accents are a major component to any rustic home. Whether it’s wooden wall panels, hardwood floors, or exposed ceiling beams, the appearance of wood amplifies all that is warm and welcoming in modern farmhouse design.
- Add a focal point. Barn doors are an extremely popular accent that homeowners want to feature in their farmhouse design. Install them as sliding doors to create room dividers or on larger walls to create the look of more depth. Barn doors can also be repurposed into coffee or end tables, chairs, or window shutters. Using this element as your focal point will tie the entire barn look together!
- Accessorize with rural fundamentals. Accents are a homeowner’s best friend, particularly when it comes to barn décor. Compliment hardwood or stone floors with a woven rug. Dress your walls up with photos in frames made of reclaimed wood. Treat your windows with natural layered fabrics like canvas or cotton. Other accessories in fabrics like burlap and striped or checkered patterns make for great accessories that will give your home the feel of an old farmhouse.
- Create harmony with color. Loud, vibrant colors aren’t used throughout barn house design. According to the color experts at Glenview painters, light neutrals like white, linen, cream, and beige create a backdrop that pairs well with the accessories and country-style elements incorporated into barn décor. Play around with variants of these colors, like caramel and cream, to bring even more warmth to your decor. Adding pops of color in shades of rust red or navy blue can tie the look together and add personality to the space.
Try something new in your home with these rustic barn looks. For all the best in home décor and design, stay tuned to Jaron’s Furniture blog.