A quiet place to read a book is a luxury with today’s busy lifestyles. Finding space in your home to create a library can mean turning a spare bedroom into a library and/or den. Perhaps you don’t have a spare room. A library can be in a shared space like a dining room, hallway or living room.  All you really need to make a home library is a place for books, a good light and a comfortable reading chair.

This photo shows how you can create a library with unused space under the stairs. The warm wood floors and cozy red chair set the tone for an afternoon of escape into a good book!

A library nook can be carved out of a larger room like a family room or living room.  A formal dining room that isn’t used all that often can be turned into a library that is also a dining room. Built-in shelves along one or more walls can instantly give a room the feeling of a library.  Even a pair of bookshelves or glass front bookcases can make a space feel like a library.

Having a good reading light is a must for a library.  Floor lamps are a great choice next to a comfortable reading chair. Lighting along the bookshelves can make it easier to find your favorite book.  Next to lighting, the reading chair is a must. Find a chair that works for your taste and style. Leather club chairs and wingback chairs are classic choices for a library, but any comfortable chair will do.  Continue the traditional library style with a warm, textured or patterned area rug.  An area rug, antique, vintage, or new, can provide a place to sprawl out with your books. Great for family reading time too.

The holidays can be a very stressful time trying to get the decorations up, rushing around buying presents for everyone, baking holiday cookies for your kids, preparing for family to come into town, getting ready for Christmas dinner. Not to mention all of the added complications that the pandemic has brought. The list is endless when it comes to this time of year and it can sometimes feel like you just want to throw your hands up in the air and run away from it all.

Finding ways to step back and de-stress might seem impossible but it’s not if you keep a few mental exercises in mind while preparing for the holidays.

Try to keep perspective throughout this stressful time. Don’t let your preconceived notions of what the holiday season should look like get in the way of your execution. Traditions can be hard to change, but think about the ones that matter most to you and your family. Do away with the tasks and traditions that are only holding you back and draining your time and energy. This season “shouldn’t” look any certain way so allow yourself to let go of those expectations and do what truly makes you and your family happy and holds true meaning.

Be sure to plan out your holiday season carefully. Keep in mind all that you will have to do yourself for the season and then take a hard look at the different holiday events you’ve been invited to. Choose the events that are worth your valuable time and energy.

There are no rules this holiday season! Leave your decorations up as long as they bring you joy! Be sure to be mindful of live greenery drying out after an extended period of time.

Make time for the hot chocolate and egg nog. Try to keep yourself from being so busy that you don’t make time for the simple pleasures.

These are just a few ways to help you mentally prepare yourself for the holiday seasons. Don’t let your anxiety and stress drain the meaning and happiness that this time of year is supposed to offer. Allow yourself to enjoy this holiday season!

Happy Holidays!

Adapting to living in a small home can be tough, but your design does not need to be compromised. With our nine expert ideas, you can decorate your small bathroom into a beautiful oasis that you will want to use. Let’s see how! 

Design Ideas for Small Bathrooms:

1. Accent It. 

Small bathrooms need a little something to make them unique and special. Adding in an accent wall can do just the trick! Plus, with thousands of ideas out there, you have your pick of the mill to match your personality and taste. From decorative wallpaper to stylish tile, your small bathroom’s design will be anything but tiny. 

2. Add in Quirky Floors. 

Speaking of tile, there is a wide range of fun and quirky tile for you to incorporate on your bathroom’s floors. Adding unique tilework helps your bathroom feel personalized and adds a lot of character to the space.  

3. Incorporate Mini Fixtures. 

In a smaller space, it is ideal to use smaller fixtures and appliances to make it feel bigger than it actually is. You may even want to try using brass or gold fixtures instead of the classic chrome to help add charm to your small space. Capitalizing the “charm” of a smaller room can help the design feel intended rather than forced. 

4. Focus on Soothing Tones. 

Soft, soothing tones are your friend in smaller spaces. A soft color scheme can come in handy when you are trying to create a calming oasis. Seek pastels, neutrals, and soft hues when decided on a color scheme for your small space.

5. Embrace Horizontal Imagery. 

If your space feels tight, you can try using horizontal imagery to give the illusion that the space is more substantial. For example, wooden boards on the wall that runs horizontally can potentially widen the visual perspective. If the room feels too short, you may want to switch to vertical boards to make the ceiling feel taller. 

6. Spend More on Less. 

With smaller spaces, you tend to buy fewer items; therefore, you have a bigger budget for less stuff. We recommend buying higher quality items rather than focusing on quantity. Having too many decor pieces can make the room feel tight and unwelcoming. Instead, you want to focus on quality pieces that will last a lifetime. 

7. Make a Statement. 

If you have a little bit of wiggle room, you should try to incorporate some type of statement piece into your design. Whether that be a decorative chandelier or a gorgeous mirror, your space should have one part that makes your guests go “wow.” 

8. Remove Clutter + Chaos. 

One of the greatest eyesores in a small space is clutter. Try and keep your counters clear and clutter free in your small bathroom. We know that it can be hard when there is little space, but incorporating wall storage should help! 

9. Place Floating Shelves. 

Floating shelves on your walls are the perfect solution when there is no room left on the floors. This sleek shelving option gives homeowners a place to store their items without compromising on valuable floor space. 

We hope you find these tips useful!

Whether you’re a baker yourself or not, baking cookies provides a good opportunity to involve your children in something both educational and fun.

The educational side comes out in reading the recipe, following directions and measuring the ingredients accurately. To bring in the fun, have your child choose the type of cookie and add in decorations such as sprinkles and frosting to add personality.

To ensure success, make a plan. Start by taking a good look at your baking capabilities. If you’re a regular from-scratch baker, go ahead and use one of your favorite recipes. If not, there’s nothing wrong with buying pre-made dough or a cookie mix. The important thing is that you and your child have good cookies at the end.

Prepare your kitchen for the mess that is bound to happen. Choose a place with very little clutter. If needed, bring a stool to help your child reach the counter. Make sure you have all of the ingredients and tools ready and in the order needed. Even with a kitchen’s flooring and countertop designed for spills, plan ahead for messes with paper towels or a stack of kitchen work towels for clean-up. You don’t want to have to stop the fun to fix any problems.

Once your cookies are in the oven, involve your child in the clean up. Take a simple four-step approach: put the ingredients away, put all the baking utensils in the sink, wipe off the countertops and clean up the floor. By the time your last batch is out of the oven, you should have a tidy kitchen.

Enjoy your cookies, but take one more step before wrapping up. Check your little one for any flour or batter on face, hands, hair and feet. After all, the rest of the house is not baking-proof the way your kitchen is. Above all, remember to have fun! You and your child are making memories as well as treats.