7 Best Practices for Homeowners Who Are Working From Home

Whether you’ve gone into business for yourself or convinced your boss to let you telecommute, you’ve joined the 37% of Americans who work from home at least some of the time!  Here are 7 tips to help you stay efficient and motivated even if you’d rather be watching midday TV!

1.     Set regular and consistent hours. Working from home also means you’re always at work. Stick to your schedule! Separating work time from personal time is key to preventing burnout. A home office can help you keep work “at work.”

2.     Communicate. You can work when you’re most productive, whether that’s 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., but make sure you know when you need to be available. Also make sure your supervisor, colleagues, clients and customers know when they can reach you.

3.     Get out of your pajamas. Your ducky PJs are great, but they’re not work clothes. You don’t have to sit at home in a three-piece suit, but it’s important that your brain gets out of relaxation mode and into work mode so that you’re focused, motivated, and energized.

4.     Break up the day. Plan your workflow and make sure you get up from your desk. Get some fresh air, eat a snack, and try to have a face-to-face conversation with someone. This will help you refresh, reset, and get ready to attack the next set of tasks.

5.     Set boundaries. Let your family and friends know they shouldn’t interrupt you when you’re working. One of the best things about working from home is the flexibility, but constant distractions--be it from Dave in Accounting or your adorable toddler--will break your concentration and make it harder to stay focused.

6.     Exercise! You’re not wasting time commuting anymore, so go to the gym, head out for a run, or take a walk in the brisk morning air. Exercise boosts productivity and improves your energy levels. Plus, working from home can be lonely, so getting out and about can help improve your mood.

7.     Discipline yourself. Avoiding Twitter and Facebook is hard enough when you’re in an office. Now that you’re home, and you’ve got the TV to provide extra temptation, those little distractions can seem harmless, but studies says it can take as much as 30 minutes to regain your focus. Shut down unnecessary programs, turn off instant notifications and leave the TV alone. Focus on the task at hand you’ll be more productive and produce better work.

It’s Almost Spring… Time To Spruce Things Up A Little!

It’s been a long, weird winter, so we’ve decided to spruce things up by getting some spring cleaning done.  (Did you ever notice how spring cleaning puts a smile on your face?  Maybe it’s because we know that summer is right around the corner.)

Anyway, here are a few helpful tips on cleaning your home up for Spring.

1. Safety first! Change the batteries in ALL of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  And make sure the unit is free of dust.

2. Light fixtures can be full of dust. Take a minute or two to clean easily accessible light fixtures, lamps and ceiling fixtures. Don’t be surprised if everything looks a bit brighter when you’re finished!

3. Take your area rugs outside for a good shake down and maybe a few hours of airing out. Your wall-to-wall carpeting could probably use a good cleaning too, so break out the steam cleaner! It may help with those seasonal allergies, too.

4. While you’re in cleaning mode, wash down your walls. Dust and dirt sticks to vertical surfaces, too. The easiest way to clean your walls is with a good soft sponge and warm, mild, soapy water. On flat painted walls, try using a dry microfiber cloth. It will work well on removing dust.

5. Your windows and blinds could probably use a good scrubbing, too. Take down your heavy curtains/drapes and send them to the cleaner. Let the sun shine in!

6. What about your furniture? During the winter months, it collects dust, dirt, body oils, and germs. (And if you have a pet, it has also collected pet hair and dander.) Time to haul out the vacuum cleaner. You can steam clean furniture as well. Just make sure you test an unobtrusive spot to make sure that the detergent from the steam cleaner doesn’t fade the color or ruin your upholstery.

7. Head for the kitchen! When was the last time you gave your fridge a good scrub down? Go ahead and throw out those leftovers that you’ll never actually use. Check out your condiments. Bet you have a few that have expired. Now that your fridge looks like it has been raided by a horde of teenage boys, get cleaning. A magic eraser or a sponge and hot soapy water will get the stuck-on grime. Clean the outside too. And don’t forget a fresh box of baking soda to help absorb any odors that may be lingering.

8. While you’re in the kitchen, give the stove, cabinets, walls and counters a going over with a grease-cutting cleaner. You’ll be amazed at how nice they feel when they aren’t sticky anymore!

9. Embrace your OCD tendencies! Organize that closet that doesn’t close, or those shelves that have been making you twitch. Throw out, donate or repurpose as much as possible.

10. Don’t forget the outside chores! If you don’t have them, add extensions to your gutter downspouts to keep water flowing away from your foundation. Clean out the gutters in case there is debris leftover from fall. Blow out the air conditioning condenser with a leaf blower to clean the filter. Call your sprinkler installer to get your system set up for warm weather.

We hope that these helpful hints will get you started on your spring cleaning adventure.

Five Ways for Homeowners to Create a “White Done Right” Bedroom!

An emerging decorating trend for homeowners in 2016 is white and shades of off-white. But according to Houzz, even though white goes with anything and everything, it can still be tricky!  Be sure to highlight architectural details, use charming furniture, and add funky accessories.  Here are five of our best tips:

1.     Emphasize architectural details. Texture, interesting architecture, unusual nooks or alcoves. Highlight rustic exposed wood framing or painted wood walls & ceilings. Create a handful of focal points that create ambience. Use organic materials, such as a natural-fiber rug.

2.     Lighting. While it’s true that all white or mostly white rooms will feel lighter, and airier, they still need light — preferably warm white light in order not to feel sterile.

3.     Sheen.  Often overlooked in design choices is sheen, the reflective quality of a surface. Adding shiny metallics or other sparkly finishes to a bedroom can help jazz up plain white walls or ceilings. A little bit goes a long way, though.

4.    Layers of off-white. An easy way to break up an all-white space is to layer in off-white hues. If you prefer a warmer palette, use light tans. For a cooler palette, incorporate light grays. For those who want a little more color but want to keep it neutral, try mixing whites, darker grays and browns. It’s visually interesting and warm, without going over the top with color.

5.     Accessories. If your room isn’t blessed with charming architectural details, you can add appeal with funky furniture and interesting accessories. Vintage chairs, mismatched tables, velvety pillows, chenille throws, modern artwork, burnished mirrors – it’s all about the little details.

9 Ways to Bring Even More Happiness to Your Home!

Get and stay happy at home!  According to a variety of scientific studies, there are colors, scents, and accessories you should have in your home to improve your chances for complete and utter happiness.  Take a look, and see if one, some, or all of these items are part of your home!

1. Fresh flowers

Research conducted by Rutgers found that being in the presence of flowers triggers happy emotions and heightens feelings of life satisfaction.  Consider a bunch of posies an investment in your happiness.

2. Sentimental photos

If your nightstands or end tables are purely functional, you may want to change things a little. Swap in some family photos ASAP. A study at the University of Portsmouth found that looking at old photos results in positive feelings and a sense of calm.

3. Vanilla candles

While it may not be your favorite ice cream flavor, vanilla is apparently a kick-ass mood elevator! A Chemical Senses study found that vanilla beans are super uplifting. So go ahead and light up a vanilla scented candle after a stressful day — it'll help you relax.

4. Green or yellow walls

Out of the entire rainbow, a study from Vrije University in Amsterdam found that these two hues evoked the most feelings of happiness. They're bold color choices, though, for every wall in your home, so maybe try a few statement walls instead.

5. Furry friends

This one’s a no-brainer. Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that pets provide meaningful support for owners, helping them with social isolation and ultimately improving their lives. In other words, having a pet makes us happy!

6. Floral scents

The next time you pick out a new perfume or air freshener, try one that’s floral. The scent receptors in your nose are linked to the part of your brain that determines your emotions. And according to research from the Association for Psychological Science, floral scents can boost your feelings of happiness.

7. A journal

While exercise or therapy can contribute to your current state of mind, writing in a journal contributes to your future mood. Research published in Psychological Science found that re-reading old entries (even if they're short) can make you feel happier.

8. A made bed

Never underestimate the power of making your bed every morning.  According to a survey by Hunch.com, 71% of people who make their beds consider themselves happy — while 62% of non-bed-makers say they're unhappy. Wow! Totally worth spending two extra minutes tucking in your comforter.

9. And remember: Less is more

According to UCLA's Center of Everyday Lives and Families, there's a link between high cortisol (a stress hormone) levels in women who own homes with a "high density of household objects." In other words, the more stuff you have, the more stressed out you feel. So cut the clutter for a better chance at a calm and happy life.

Spoil yourself at home this Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day is all about indulging yourself… and we have a variety of dreamy suggestions for a romantic holiday right in your own home. Some of these might take some planning, but they’re worth it!   

1. What’s the most romantic spot in your home? In front of the fire of course! So light it up and actually relax in front of it! Grab your significant other and enjoy the warm glow.
2. Share a quiet meal with your partner. Whether you cook from scratch or order take out to eat at home, it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, but something you can enjoy together. 
3. If you don’t already have one, invest in a good stereo system. Connect it to your wi-fi/Bluetooth, and you can listen to your most romantic tunes all over the house!  This is a great way to tap into one of the five senses and really set the tone you’d like for the evening.
4. Take a “Spa Day”. Relax in a bubble bath. Give yourself a mani-pedi. Wear your PJs all day and veg on the couch. Unplug your technology and enjoy the quiet.  You don’t have to have a scheduled appointment at a salon to reap the benefits of a spa day.  Not having to leave the comfort of your own home makes it that much more relaxing!
5.  Go to bed early. It’s a fact that we live in an “always-on” world. Pamper yourself with some extra sleep. Cuddle up with your sweetie, and decompress. But first, splurge on some new sheets, fluffy blankets, or new sleepwear.  Investing in a clean and comfortable bedroom is a great way to ensure a good night’s sleep, whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day or any other day of the year!