Living Room Tips

CLEANING TIPS
Create a list of things you need to do. Start with the big things & work your way to the smaller things (you get a sense of accomplishment every time you check off a big thing).

Dust before you wash windows & vacuum or sweep.

Clean your TV screen with vinegar. Cuts dust more than Windex.

Clean crayon marks off walls with WD-40. No elbow grease required  Then wipe with damp sponge & dish detergent to get rid of greasy stain.

Remove stains from carpet with club soda or ginger ale. If it is a grease stain, use WD-40 like the crayon marks.

Use your vacuum attachments to remove dust/dirt from ceiling fan, curtains, blinds, cushions, knick-knacks, etc.

Get rid of excess clutter (ex. Knick-knacks you don’t truly love). It will be less to clean next time. Those that you do keep spray with pledge to repel dust. (Don’t due this to porcelain dolls & other things that might get ruined by it).

USE COASTERS.

DECORATING TIPS
Put up pictures of your kids & other family members. Buy decorative frames to put them in, buy wall & shelf frames.

Put pretty, scented candles out.

Wrap a swag of silk ivy around the top of your curtain rod.

Rearrange your furniture to have living areas. Ex. Figure out what activities the living room is mainly used for. Ex. Listening to music, watching TV, reading, office. Make a corner for listening to music--cd player, cd’s in cd tower, headphones, room to “shake your tail feathers”. Watching TV--corner for entertainment center, tv, DVD, vicar, videos/DVDs, remotes, etc. & likewise for the reading & office areas.

Have a focal point.

Put furniture closer to the center of the room & utilize the space behind it.
Decorate with soft, soothing colors.

Use mirrors to look like your room is more spacious.

Place magazines/books, etc. in whicker baskets to look less cluttered.

Use a theme for your decorating. Ex. Country, floral, birdhouses, oriental, lodge, deco, etc.

Use quilts, decorative lamps, rugs to decorate.