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Health & Home Recreation & Leisure

Why Christmas Will Cost 17% More Than Before

According to economic specialists evaluating numerous sectors and current pricing patterns, Christmas activities will cost 17% more in 2019 than they did before the epidemic. The cause of this? The dreaded inflation that is impacting nearly every industry and every aspect of our everyday lives.

What Is Inflation?

And what exactly is inflation? Simply put, inflation is the gradual loss of a currency’s buying value over time. The rise in the average price level of a selection of chosen goods and services in an economy over time may be used to calculate a quantitative estimate of the pace at which buying power declines. An increase in the overall level of prices, which is frequently stated as a percentage, signifies that a unit of money now buys less than it did before. Right now, America is facing what could be a very serious period of inflation, following the devastating COVID-19 pandemic.

How Does This Affect Christmas?

According to estimates, gifts, a normal Christmas lunch for ten people, and a tree will cost an average of $1,700, up from about $1,500 only a few years ago in 2019.

Experts have calculated how extreme the price hikes will be across the board. They do this by evaluating the pricing of prominent goods on many holiday wish lists. As well as the prices of components for a holiday feast and other Christmas mainstays. For example, the cost of a gallon of milk has increased by more than 27% since last year.

Christmas trees are considerably more costly, especially if you buy a new artificial one. The typical fake tree is 26% more expensive than last year. The average natural tree is around 5% more expensive.

It’s vital to remember that the news isn’t always negative! Not everything on your Christmas wish lists has been affected by inflation. Numerous popular gift items have remained unchanged in price since last year, including smartphones, footwear, and a Nintendo Switch or Sony PlayStation.

Despite the fact that inflation is skyrocketing—at its highest rate in over 30 years, according to government officials—shopping seems to be unaffected so far. Many big stores have already claimed record sales, both online and in person.

Conclusion

According to the National Retail Federation, this year’s Christmas retail sales will be the largest on record.

The consumer price index, a key indicator of inflation, has grown 5.4 percent in the last year, the highest level in more than a decade. While President Biden and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell have stated that the price rises are only temporary, indicating pent-up demand as a result of the epidemic, many economists anticipate the scenario will endure far beyond 2023 and 2024.

An overabundance of money is the primary cause of the current inflation in the United States. The money supply in the United States increased by $5.5 trillion between December 2019 and August 2021, an astounding 35.7 percent growth in just a year and a half, owing mostly to the Federal Reserve’s purchases of Treasurys and mortgage-backed securities. Of course, this has benefited the economy at a time when it was most needed. However, it has also resulted in the present Christmas price issue.

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Health & Home Recreation & Leisure

8 Indoor Hobbies To Get You Through The Winter

You probably don’t like to leave the house other than for household essentials and work routines during winter, right? Well, that’s the case with most of those living in chilly regions around the world. However, life can easily become boring inside the house, and old habits can get uninteresting. Whether you’re on holiday or taking a break from work, here are 8 of the best indoor winter hobbies.

1.    Listening To TED Talks

If you’re a lover of information in the sense that you seek knowledge about anything at any given time, TED talks are the perfect indoor hobby for you. You can check out the most famous talks and discussions to enhance your perspective.

2.    Sewing and Tailoring Hobbies

This idea doesn’t need an introduction since, at some point in your life, you must have seen someone knit or sew a clothing item. Being as versatile as indoor hobbies get, you can sew your own scarves, socks, or even sweaters to try on.

3.    Scrapbooking Hobbies

If you’re really stuck inside the house due to extreme winter conditions, don’t let yourself down. Try to make a scrapbook and track your journey through family photos. Remembering nostalgic and enjoyable times can surely regulate the production of “stress” hormones in the body.

4.    Painting Hobbies

Why let your thoughts and words go to waste? Try out the best oil and watercolor paints at your disposal to express your thoughts onto a bright and ready canvas. Instead of thinking in terms of words, emotions, and facial expressions, try to focus on the flamboyant color combinations present on your color palette.

5.    Household Restorations

It might be time to take care of that broken chair or loose sink in your house. This way, you can avoid the morning frustration of stubbing your toe on the broken furniture.

6.    Plan and Workout

Did you previously have trouble starting and sticking to a fitness plan? Winter’s the perfect opportunity to work on your stamina and explosive power. Use a well-ventilated space to create a home gym and start working out by taking tips and guidance from professional trainers.

7.    Practicing Fighting Techniques

If you want to let go of your emotions and calm your frustrated mind, try practicing martial arts or jiu-jitsu. Meditation techniques can help you become more focused and concentrated, provided there’s a given task at hand.

8.    Start a Healthy Diet

Being indoors gives you an ample amount of time to take care of yourself, whether emotionally, mentally, or physically. Surprisingly, taking up a healthy and planning your foods in advance can offer physical as well as mental issue relief.

Conclusion

The abovementioned hobbies aren’t the only ones you can pick up during your time indoors this winter. You can start cooking, working on your fashion, house improvement, learning new languages, and making new online friends. There’s a wide variety of hobbies and difficult tasks that you can perform.

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Health & Home Wellness

Diabetes-Friendly Swaps For Holiday Cooking

The holidays are here! That means it’s time for wonderful festivities with family and friends – and wonderful holiday meals as well.

As yummy as your holiday snacks will be, many of them can load you up with calories and carbs and sugars that can make maintaining a slim tummy and healthy sugar level awfully hard. But keeping track of your sugar levels is important, especially if you’re diabetic. Therefore, there are vital steps and things to remember when you are enjoying the holidays with those closest to you. You don’t have to be a Grinch, you can still enjoy Christmas! You just need to be extra careful and keep these food facts in mind as the holidays approach. 

Shortbread Over Frosted Sugar Cookies

A buttery shortbread square has just 9 grams of carbs, which is 75% less than a frosted sugar cookie. Better still, go for the shortbread with almonds for a boost of protein and fiber.

Salsa Over Creamy Spinach Dip

Choose naturally low-carb salsa (just 4g per 14 cup) over mayo and sour cream-filled dip to add zip to your chip. In addition, each 14 cup, you’ll save 120 calories and 14 grams of fat.

Healthy Fresh Veggies Over Crackers

A pound of wheat crackers has the same amount of carbs as 212 cups of raw vegetables. You’ll also cut down on salt and fat, as well as get a vitamin and mineral boost.

Healthy Mixed Nuts Over Snack Mix

Instead of a snack mix containing cereal, dried fruit, and candy–which may have more than 24g carb every 12 cup–go for simple mixed nuts. Nuts are high in protein, fiber, and heart-healthy fats, with just 7 grams of carbohydrates per ounce.

Lemon Sparkler Over Soda

A 12-ounce can of soda has 40 grams of carbohydrates, all of which come from sugar. That’s almost three tablespoons! Instead, combine 4 ounces fresh lemonade with 8 ounces sparkling water to make a drink that is two-thirds lower in carbohydrates and sugar. Serve with a lemon slice as a garnish.

Holiday Pumpkin Pie Over Pecan

Corn syrup and brown sugar raise the sugar content of pecan pie. Instead, save 10 grams of carbs by eating a piece of pumpkin pie. Slowly chew it and relish just a few nibbles.

Dark Chocolate Over Brownies

A single ounce of dark chocolate has half the carbs of a sugary brownie. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, which may have heart-healthy properties.

Turkey Over Glazed Ham

In comparison to a glazed ham, which may typically have more than 7g carbohydrates and more than 800mg sodium, a well cooked turkey may include just 2g carbs and roughly 300mg sodium. Turkey is a bit more adaptable than ham, and it gives you a lot of leftover possibilities.

Wild Rice Stuffing Over Bread Stuffing

Depending on the recipe, substituting rice for bread may save you more than 20 grams of carbohydrates and more than 100 milligrams of salt. Hot cooked wild rice is nutty and aromatic, making it an excellent complement to fresh spices.

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Health & Home Home Improvement

All of the Holiday Essentials You Could Need

The best approach to enjoying sweater weather is to savor each and every day with fun and memorable activities. With friends and family, you get a chance to make plenty of memories during the holiday season. But whenever you’re planning a gathering with family or friends, especially during the holiday season, you have to keep a checklist of all the essentials you need.

So without any further ado, let’s get down to some of the most important holiday essentials that everyone needs.

Coffee Mugs

Did you accidentally break your favorite coffee mug? Don’t wait up! This is an opportunity to get a fashionable new mug to sip on your hot chocolate and coffee. Coffee mugs are the highlight of your life indoors during the winter season. They hold some of the most pleasant smells like coffee, tea, and other hot and soothing beverages.

Soft and Cushy Slippers

Do you want to avoid the dreaded feeling of your feet hitting the cold floor first thing in the morning? Well, there’s an easy solution for that! You can purchase the comfiest and stylish cushy slippers, so you don’t have to walk on cold floors if you don’t have carpeted or heated floors.

Ball Garlands and Holiday Wreaths                        

You can’t argue that it just doesn’t feel like the holidays when you don’t put up garlands and wreaths around the house. Find the best pairs of garlands and wreaths to become one with the holiday season during the most cheerful time of the year.

A Wonderful “Welcome” Doormat

If you regularly host guests during the holidays, you need a ‘Welcome’ doormat. They’re a great way of welcoming friends and family to your humble abode. It’s also a warm and wholesome way of making sure that all your guests feel at home. So, buy a doormat that resonates with the winter and holiday theme inside your home. Besides, doormats can keep out the dust and snow, so you have to do less cleaning around the house.

Flocked Holiday Christmas Trees

Is it really the holidays if you haven’t put up a Christmas tree? Make sure that you have this holiday-centric indoor decorative item on your winter holiday shopping checklist. When you spend more time with friends and family indoors, you must consider keeping the theme consistent with the ongoing holidays. Besides, decorating the Christmas tree is a fantastic activity to engage in with friends and family.

Conclusion

Do you have all the winter holiday essentials jotted down for your next shopping trip? Well, in case you forgot something, cross-check with the list above and make sure that you haven’t forgotten anything in advance. Winter is the best time of the year to stay indoors and get cozy. Thus, having all the required amenities and essentials at hand might improve your experience.

Categories
Health & Home Home Improvement

10 Holiday Living Rooms We Want To Copy

There’s always room for improvement when you’re standing inside the most beautiful of places. Do you have the skills to identify which areas of your living room need improvements? If you don’t think you’re creative enough, here are some reliable holiday decoration ideas.

1.    Going Traditional on a Modern Landscape

You can try out some interesting traditional-like furniture items over your modern living room interior. Think of a wooden garland and wreaths stationed over a hand-cut Christmas tree in the corner of the room.

2.    Upholstering Living Room Walls

Bold artwork is one of the best techniques to accommodate a sense of celebration, especially during the holiday season in winter. However, don’t leave your living room wall unattended. You should improve it with suitable upholstery, such as leather, velvet, or vinyl.

3.    Creating Timeless Characteristics

If you’re a fan of simplicity, you’ll fall in love with this décor idea. Paint the living room with a bright white color to give off a timeless vibe. Incorporate metallic appliances or furniture to add a contemporary look to your room.

4.    Holding Onto an Off-White Plain Living Room

Painting the walls with subtle shades of off-white, along with traditional jute rugs and carpets around the house creates a solid impression for the holiday season in the most unconventional manner.

5.    Adjusting the Furniture

Adjust your furniture according to a holiday theme. For instance, make the coffee table a focal point for your living room since it is the Christmas holidays and winter season. Remove old books and place ornaments or planters that are perfect to match the ongoing season.

6.    Include a Blend of Different Shades Minimally

Even if your furniture remains the same color, you can try to blend in several different combinations to the walls and lampshades. Marigold shades and navy highlights could do just the trick for your matching interior décor.

7.    Chase an Eclectic Living Room Profile

You can play around with your accessories by placing oriental rugs suitable for sitting, standing, and walking around in the living room with a big comfy cushion. Keep the accessories to a minimum while including the light-colored rugs and carpets around the room.

8.    Accomplishing a Monochrome Profile for the Living Room

If you appreciate feminine energy and wish to accomplish an eye-capturing living room profile, you can incorporate Monochrome vibes. Try adding a unique crystal chandelier with shiny and bright accessories near the focal point to grab your guests’ attention.

9.    Paste a Wallpaper around the Living Room

There are no holds to what kind of wallpapers you can have in your living room. However, for a holiday impression, consider going for lively and cheerful wallpaper that resembles the rest of the room, including accessories and colors.

10.  Hanging Geometrical Paintings on the Walls

Geometrical patterns are bound to grab visitors’ and guests’ attention at first glance. They include intriguing shapes and designs that make a room look more complex than it actually is. But, be careful not to give your guests headaches with illusion-like pattern paintings.

Conclusion

Now, you can try out appealing changes to your living room without feeling too much work. In fact, try to include a combination of the above mentioned changes to elevate the décor and create a more eclectic ambiance for your house interior.

Categories
Financial Savings

10 Ways To Save Money During The Holidays

In the trail of creating a holiday budget, most people end up overspending and buying products that they don’t usually need other than for a few days. If you think that you might be on the overspending wagon this holiday season, you can practice the 10 tips below to become a money-saver.

Saving money is undoubtedly one of the best personality traits of the most successful people. Besides, there’s no better way to enjoy your holidays than knowing that you spent less without missing out on the festivities.

1.    Track Spending through Cash

On a card spending spree, it’s hard to know that you have overspent until you receive the bill. Running to the ATM and then back to the mall will ensure that you’re mindful of how much you’re spending.

2.    Double-Check Shopping Checklist

Done with the shopping checklist? Double-check it attentively and think about the things you’ve listed down. Do you really need them all?

3.    Plan for the Holiday in Advance

Don’t forget the power of budgeting because that’s how you can set a monitoring framework to know how much you should spend to save a certain amount.

4.    Try Home-Food and Less Treats

Holiday seasons bring a joyous mood. So much so that you forget to track how often you’re treating yourself. Avoid going for “lunch-outs” so you can save more money.

5.    Go for Homemade Presents and Gifts

Showing up on a party with the most expensive gifts is amazing. However, bringing a homemade cake that you put effort and time into shows the same if not more gratitude.

6.    Use Real-Time Spending Trackers

Don’t worry if you’re not well-versed in monitoring financial spending because there’s a sea of applications that can let you know when you’re about to go overboard with your spending.

7.    Shop in Advance for Discounts

During off-peak seasons such as months before holidays and festivals, companies sell products and gift-like items at lower prices. Plan to shop accordingly and benefit from discounts.

8.    Go for Bulk-Shopping

If you really have a long list of household and holiday essentials, the best course of action is to visit cheaper stores. While you may get more than you need, you will also save money in the long run, especially when it’s toiletries and cooking ingredients.

9.    Avoid Sending Physical Post-Cards

You can send e-cards and e-postcards to friends and family, especially if you’re out of the country or city. Electronic messages show the same gratitude but are cheaper financially.

10.  Plan on Gifting Cookies

Christmas and New Year’s Eve have always encompassed cookie gifts, so cut back on the expensive gifts if you’re on a tight budget because cookies can make the neighbors smile just as much.

Conclusion

Don’t underestimate the power of saving loose change regularly because a dewdrop is what creates an ocean, as most successful people have believed. In addition, if you think that you’ll miss out on a special occasion or festivities due to a low budget, try going for alternatives to keep the excitement and fun constant. In other words, aim for the long-term!

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Health & Home Recreation & Leisure

9 Stylish Holiday Outfits Under $100

There are plenty of options to help you look your best this holiday season. But if you’re looking to avoid overspending on holiday outfits, this post can help you put together cheaper outfits that will look great during the upcoming winter holidays. Here’s how you can make jaws drop in under $100! These outfits are among the most enthusiastic and appealing clothing combinations.

1.    Cable-Knit Top & Bottom with Slippers

Nothing beats the comfort of walking around in your favorite soft and plush slippers along with cable-knit trousers/pants. While that’s one heck of a comfy combo, you can improve the look by opting for a cable-knit sweater that showcases texture and outlines a bold white color.

2.    Single-Shoulder Dress

If you really want to make jaws drop at this year’s holiday parties and celebrations without spending too much, you’re looking at the perfect option for yourself. Combining earrings and rings with the bold red single-shoulder dress will give you desired fantastic look.

3.    Sequined Dress-Up with Festive Holiday Purse

Do you want to make a statement through your holiday get-up? Try out a sequined maxi dress with a festive purse hanging around your shoulder.

4.    Pleated-Dress with Tights

There’s always a dress that you can wear to many types of parties, events, and occasions. For one, you’re looking at the best combo to take with you on different occasions including holidays. Wear a pleated dress with tights and your favorite shoes to make everyone a great impression.

5.    Split-Hem Jeans and Festive Holiday Blouse

Don’t worry if you don’t have a bigger budget for holiday dressing. Dress yourself in split-hem jeans and a festive blouse that’s no less than a sweater for a warm experience. A padded headband can do the trick for under $100!

6.    Sweater and Pants with Jewelry

Try a red full-sleeved sweater with satin pants or trousers for the holiday season to wow the crowd. With pearl earrings and a classy ring set, you will stand out from the rest.

7.    Split-Hem with Loafers

Try out a pair of black-split hem pants with bold loafers that are a remarkable statement for simplicity. Taking on a bold-colored blouse in green, yellow, or red will complete your amazing get-up for under $100!

8.    Flared Trousers and Plaid Sweater

You can’t deny the appeal and definitive look of a plaid sweater. However, combine it with a pair of flared trousers, and you’ll get plenty of compliments. Add a pearl headband if for an appealing get-up this holiday season.

9.    Cable-Knit Sweater Dress and Tights

Want to stay casual without compromising on style this holiday season? The perfect outfit for that is a white cable-knit sweater-like dress to combine with black tights and attractive bow earrings.

Conclusion

Are you ready to rock holiday parties and festivities? The 9 outfits above are among the most loved and desired options to dress within a budget for the upcoming winter holidays. Try out the ones you like to see how they suit you and your personality.

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Health & Home Recreation & Leisure

The Best Places to Buy Christmas Decorations

Christmas is that one holiday that demands a lot of preparation, which explains why Christmas preparations can begin months prior. After all, there is always a lot of cleaning and decorating to do. While the festive cheer that Christmas brings can’t be ignored, preparing for it can often be quite stressful, and the shopping part can just add to the stress and anxiety. Christmas means that you’ll have loads of shopping to do, whether you want to replace old stuff, get holiday presents, or find the best Christmas-themed décor items.

When you talk about Christmas decorations, the first thing that comes to mind is the tree. However, a Christmas tree is not the only thing you have to put out and decorate. Most people like to decorate their entire houses, including porches and backyards. But even when the Holiday is so close, it can be hard to get your hands on the best Christmas decorations. To help you out, we have compiled a list of places you can visit to help you out.

Anthropologie

The home décor and holiday decorations that Anthropologie brings are always chic, artsy, and at times, very unique as well. They have a lot of variety and options to choose from. However, their elevated holiday collection is often limited, so you might need to hurry up. With Anthropologie, you can get ditch your regular tree and get a pre-lit mushroom.

Or, if you want an out-of-the-ordinary stocking, you may like the bright stockings at Anthro or the ones that come with tassels. They also have an incredible festive-smelling selection of candles that you can get to the light at your holiday dinners. Moreover, they have all the other décor must-haves like throw pillows, ornaments, and chic figurines.

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn is the go-to for many homeowners as it comes with plenty of décor inspiration each time. If you are looking to expand your collection of Christmas decorations, this must be your go-to place. You will find that Pottery Barn has almost everything that a person might be looking for, ranging from advent calendars to festive-themed pillows.

Not to forget, it is also the best place to head out to if you wish to turn your home into a winter-themed space. Pottery Barn has some really attractive stocking holders and an impressive assortment of stockings and tree skirts that everyone loves. What’s better? They have an entire collection of holiday gnomes for people passionate about them.

Target

This may be your easiest option, for when you don’t want to spend a lot of time and energy on the decorations. This is especially helpful when you have a holiday party at home and less time to set up the space. Target has come up with a shoppable rooms tool through which you can click on a décor piece on a farmhouse living room, and it will be added to your cart. What’s great about Target is that it is just a drive or walk away for many.

Moreover, it has an entire Christmas section that you can browse through. It allows you to see through all of their Christmas-related items like wreaths, lights, and stockings, etc.

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Career Career & Education

Got Stood Up in a Job Interview? Here are 3 Lessons

Getting stood up should be no big deal. People get stood up at dates, friend meet-ups, and even awards. A lot of people also get stood up in their final job interviews. While it is not at all uncommon and completely okay, we should try our best to avoid it.

When you fill out a job application and send in your resume, you feel like you’re the best fit for the job. Most people are very sure that they would get selected and ace the interviews. However, most of these people clear all the steps and get rejected at the very last step: the interview. If you’re someone who got stood up at the final job interview, we’re sure you had a lot to learn from that.

Let’s have a look at what lessons you can learn from getting stood up at a job interview and how you can improve.

Notice the Red Flags

This may sound very cliché as you obviously can’t ignore the red flag of getting stoop up. However, for most people, it is the only red flag that they notice. The truth is, you might be ignoring a lot of other warning signs that are becoming an obstacle in the way of your success.

Oftentimes, we think we are the perfect fit for a certain job position. While it may be true, a lot of people start to blindly believe it. In reality, you may not really think that and might have just convinced yourself to believe it. Being overconfident about getting the job can lead to a massive downfall. There are also a number of other such red flags that become part of our personality.

Get a Control of Whatever You Can

If you get stood up at a final job interview, how would you react? A lot of people freeze in such situations and find it a hard challenge to exit the situation sensibly. People start to panic, send impulsive texts, or even get angry when they are disappointed.

One lesson to learn is that you cannot change the circumstances. It is completely out of your control to reverse things. However, there is still something that you can control. It is the way you react to the circumstance that you’re in. Your response can make a significant difference in what happens next. Try not to let your emotions get the best of you and understand that the job might just not be the one for you.

Look at the Good Side Of The Job Experience

You may have already experienced and know that every experience comes with lessons and a chance for betterment. While you may feel overwhelming emotions about the rejection, the experience may have taught you something valuable that will stay with you your entire life. Look for it, and you will find the value in your experience.

You will realize that when you look at the experience sometime later, it will only bring you gratitude. You might have learned big lessons like not taking the job search process as seriously, or you may have found out that you just dodged a bullet when you lost the opportunity. We think you may have gained more than you lost.

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Health & Home Home Improvement

The Don’ts of Designing Small Spaces By An Expert

Whether it is your first-ever apartment or a tiny hostel dorm, it is important to decorate it so that your small space feels more homely. You may have already tried a few things to make your home feel welcoming, cozy, and beautiful. However, decorating small spaces can be a real challenge as the slightest change in positioning furniture can take up all the available space or free it up for more room. In fact, a lot of things that you think would enhance the ambiance end up doing the opposite.

There are no hard and fast rules to what furniture or décor items you should pick for your personal space. After all, it’s yours, and it’s totally okay if you love how your space feels and looks. However, interior designers have a lot to say when it comes to designing small spaces. And we agree that such tricks make a big difference. Let’s have a look at what you shouldn’t do while decorating your space.

No Dark Colors

Darker hues like navy blue or black surely make for great décor as they add sophistication and personality to a space. However, it is not the best choice when it comes to spaces that are already small and congested. The dark colors can often give the feeling of the walls closing up on you.

You may have already realized that your space looks smaller and congested when you paint the walls or install curtains in dark colors. Therefore, it is better to go for lighter hues and neutral tones to paint your walls and decorate your space with. Such colors can make a small room appear bigger and more spacious. They will also serve to brighten up the area.

No Patterns

Similar to how dark tones can make a space look small, patterns can make it look busy. If your space already has a lot of things sitting in it, it is best not to go for patterned décor. While it can look really stunning and stand out, grabbing a lot of attention, it is not a good option for smaller spaces.

Small spaces generally do not allow room for a lot of décor. And if you add patterned pieces, it can just get worse. Patterns and vibrant colors can give the space a busy feel and overwhelm it.

An easy way to make your space reflect back your personality is to experiment with textures instead of colors and patterns.

Don’t Overlook Light Fixtures In The Small Space

 When it comes to small spaces, interior designers choose décor and designing methods that can make the space appear more spacious and bigger. Adding lighter colors and subtle textures helps with eliminating the feeling of a closed and busy space but is it enough? Using light colors and allowing as much natural light as possible inside your space is good yet insufficient. While you may not feel the need, they can make a big difference in brightening up your space.

Make sure you get your hands on some traditional lamps for the heavy lifting up that will make your home look lighter, brighter, and bigger. Make sure you use all kinds of lighting fixtures you can get.