2 minute read
Home & Garden
lifestyle Home & Garden
6 tips to double your living space
Advertisement
1. Use large wall mirrors to bounce and reflect light.
Using light-infusing paint colours or silk/satin paint will also help bounce light around. 2. Use the same flooring throughout the whole of your downstairs to give the impression that rooms are bigger. 3. Use glass or see-through furniture for side tables and coffee tables. 4. Opt for multi-use furniture such as ottomans or footrests with hidden storage. 5. Don’t over clutter rooms – keep accessories to a minimum and make sure items are tidied away regularly. 6. Stick to a simple colour palette – ideally using just a couple of colours to create an illusion of space.
THE DO’S & DON’TS OF LAUNDRY
DO…
• Wash your clothes less frequently – try airing them instead (outside if it’s nice) • Wash your clothes inside out which will help minimise colours fading • If an item is particularly dirty, put it on a pre-wash cycle in the washing machine without detergent and then put it on a normal cycle with detergent. • Mix whites and colours when washing at 30°C or below.
DON’T…
• Put too many clothes into your machine. You should be able to get two fists on top of the pile easily. • Use fabric softener when you wash your towels as it makes them less absorbent. • Leave your clothes in the washing machine for too long once the cycle is finished. It only takes 24 hours for fungus to start growing.
THE BIG SPRING CLEAN MADE EASY
• Make a schedule and don’t try to tackle too much in one go; one room at a time is great and finish it before moving onto the next. • Before you tackle a room, aim to declutter it first, making piles for loft storage or the charity shop. • Wash bedding, duvets, pillows and throws and pack them away, swapping these for lighter (and brighter) bed linen and soft furnishings. • Dust from the top-to-bottom – vac away cobwebs in corners and dirty marks on walls. Top up with a new paint job if needed. • Don’t forget to wipe down light switches, mirrors, windows and doors – these are often forgotten but are usually the first to show signs of dirt. • Throw open the windows and let some natural air into your home.
