A Million Lives

A million lifestyle hacks...unlimited possibilities

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A Few Handy Spring Cleaning Tips

These days it seems that there’s never enough time to do everything you want to do in a day. Between work, school, carting kids around to various extracurricular activities and more, it can seem like your free time gets eaten up in a number of ways. This time of year it can seem like you’re particularly busy as the weather warms up and your list of engagements grows, with those household chores always seemingly getting pushed out of mind.

Spring cleaning is a common thing across the world, helping to dust out the home for the new spring freshness to come in and brighten the home, along with getting rid of all that heaviness from the winter in terms of dust, clothes and boots that are weighing you down. Want to do spring cleaning a bit differently this year? Check out these cool options for helping get your home spic and span, along with your #OfficeSpringClean.

Hire A Cleaning Company

Need to clean on a bigger scale? Why not considering hiring a cleaning company such as Real Cleaning to help you tackle those enormous jobs that are just too big and burdensome for you alone. Things like entire offices can benefit from a clean with a company like Real Cleaning, helping to get all of those cleaning tasks done without needing you to do it all by yourself!

Make Your Own Products

Keen to clean your own spaces  but you don’t want to use harsh, gross chemicals? No worries! You can make amazing cleaning products easily from natural, cruelty free items you have sitting around your home. Awesome, right? For example, combining things like simple white vinegar, some essential oils and baking soda, you can come up with a great natural cleaner that works. We know what you’re thinking – vinegar and baking soda? Sure, we all know about those science project volcanoes, but we aren’t mixing enough of either to make a mess here. Mix about a half cup of vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda.

Have A Plan

Spring cleaning can seem like it’s an all-encompassing task, especially when you’re doing a proper deep clean that includes things like cupboards, closets and more. Having a plan to tackle the whole house at once won’t work, but if you break it down into room by room, you will have a much better chance at getting everything done that you need to get done while not overly stressing yourself out about it.

So if you’re looking to get some spring cleaning done this year, hopefully this article will help you make and identify a plan as to what needs to be done and when. Good luck, and enjoy your bright, beautiful new space! Want to know more? Check out this handy ebook that can help you make a great plan for spring cleaning the right way!

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Tips to revamp your home on a budget

Sometimes you may look around your house and feel no longer inspired by the interiors. Maybe some of the elements in the house don’t look as fresh as they did before or perhaps the wall paint you once adored now feels out of place. Regardless of the reasons, it is obvious that at some point you may need to refresh your house with new interior décor updates. Most people think they need a lot of money to renovate and spruce up their homes. On the contrary, there is a rich selection of ideas to refresh and modernise your house on a budget.

If you are looking for a house, there are numerous new real estate projects in Dubai, such as the upcoming Port De La Mer community by Meraas. You will also find a wide selection of apartments for sale in Downtown Dubai, which is one of the most thriving parts of Dubai.

Here are some tips to renovate the house:

  1. Replace the hardware

You will be amazed by how small changes such as a door handle can improve the overall aesthetic of your house. The options are limitless and very affordable. For instance, you can add trendy brass pulls and matching faucet. The possibilities are limitless.

  1. Feature wall

Adding a feature wall in your living room is a great way to make a significant change without spending much time, money and effort. A feature wall has the ability to spice up your design to look more rich and dynamic. You can consider a playful pattern or simply paint one of the walls with your favourite colour. Apart from painting the wall, you can opt for a removable wallpaper instead.

  • Declutter

Cluttered living space does not look appealing at all. Less stuff means you will have more space and less stress on how to arrange them. Take a bag and get rid of anything you haven’t used in the past six months. You will be surprised at how your house will brighten up.

  1. Clean the house

When was the last time you gave your house a good deep clean? After getting rid of the stuff you do not need, you should thoroughly clean the house. Make sure every part and element of the house looks sparkling clean. This can make your house look like new.

  1. Let there be light

You can completely transform and modernise your house by using appropriate lighting. Upgrading your lighting can make dingy spaces feel warm, amplify the colour scheme or even make a room appear bigger.

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5 Home Projects You Can Complete in a Weekend

You have the weekend off and want to enjoy it at home. You look around and realize that there are many DIY projects that look like a great investment for the next weekend. But you’re having a hard deciding what needs to be done and how long would that take. Because of that, we have compiled a list of 5 home improvement projects you can complete in a weekend.

Cleaning and Changing the HVAC Air Filters

Image via Flickr by aaron_anderer

When the time comes to change from the cold-oriented weather, where you have to heat up the house, to the heat-oriented weather, where you have to cool off the house; then it’s time to change the HVAC air filters. This is a perfect DIY weekend project because it’s simple, requires no technical knowledge and the best thing is that it represents the change of seasons. This not only makes it a chore, it means that the nice weather is coming and that you’re preparing the house for that.

Declutter and Organize the Closets

There is nothing better than going into your closets, decluttering them and then organizing them in a proper manner. It’s like going into your “past” and making it fit perfectly with the ideas you have in the present. Also, you can buy and install a simple closet-organizing system which many home-improvement stores have at their disposal. Or you can be a DIY master and just tinker with the closet until you deem it done.

Painting the Room

Nothing feels more like a change than a splash of fresh, new color on the walls. If you are sick and tired of the same old mundane, lifeless color on the walls; now is the perfect time to change it.

The best thing about painting a room is that it’s a room, not a house. So you can experiment with a single room and see how it feels when it’s done. Sometimes, you don’t know if you hit the perfect combination of green and yellow until you see it on the walls.

Build a Stone Path Outside

This can be so much fun for the entire family. All you need for this DIY project is sand and some stones (bricks work as well). It’s a perfect opportunity for everyone to contribute to the project by either helping carry the stone, putting the sand in the right place or aligning everything so it fits perfectly.

Create Some Natural Light

If there is one thing that announces spring, happiness, and joy, it’s natural light. So many of us tend to create a shelter out of the house during the cold, winter months. But when spring and summer comes, it’s time to remove those big drapes that prevent natural light from coming inside the house. Change the drapes and wash the windows which have collected the entirety of winter onto them. And you will see a major change in the way the natural light flows inside your home – it will feel brighter and welcoming.

And there you have it; 5 home projects you can complete in a weekend. All that is left right now is to plan out which one of these you’re taking on next weekend.

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Top Ways To Inject Some Life In Your Home

We all want to have a great home to return to at the end of a long day at work, after a long holiday or even just being out for the day, but just how can we create the perfect spot for ourselves and our families that we can look forward to returning to time and again. While some people might want to go for the big changes and have an extension, a conservatory door repair or a new deck built, there are numerous other ways you can inject some new life in your home. Here are just a few of those easy, inexpensive ways.

Change Up The Decor

Changing the decor in any room of the home – namely those commonly used rooms – is a great way to create a whole new vibe in the space. By changing furniture around or even replacing it entirely you can change the entire feel and look of a space. Not in the market to do so? Consider getting an existing piece of furniture reupholstered with new covers can be a more affordable way to change up the look of a room. If you don’t already, try adding a carpet or rug to your living space to bring more cosiness in. If you’re looking for something even easier, www.purelywallclocks.com.au has a wide variety of amazing wall clocks you can add to your living, dining or kitchen space – the perfect big and bold addition if you’re looking for something quick, easy and inexpensive.

A Lick Of Paint

Painting a room is always one of the fastest, cheapest and easiest ways to create a new breath of life in any space. Whether you go for something drastic in your colour choice and change or you’re going to stick with just a fresh coat of the tried and tested, one thing is for sure and that is the fact that painting can really help brighten a room. Be sure to check out this year’s on-trend colours and plan accordingly. Want something different? Consider the installation of a feature wall using wallpaper or different coloured paint.

Textiles Make It Easy

Need something truly quick and easy without much work or effort? Get yourself some great new textiles – curtains, throw blankets, cushions or cushion covers (but don’t overdo it), bedspreads and more to create a whole new look with just changing a few quick things. This is a great option for those who don’t have the time for a larger job or for those who might find themselves a bit cash strapped for changing floors, painting or redoing the house in other ways. Many shops offer textiles for great prices – they definitely don’t have to be expensive!

Easy Floor Upgrades

Place and click flooring has made changing your flooring easier than ever. Many people are opting for this choice when doing up their homes due to the simplicity in the execution of this particular type. One or two people can often complete a job in a day or two, and no special tools or professionals needed. Available in stone, hardwood and other linoleum style finishes, this is an increasingly popular option for those who want new flooring for less.

So if you’ve been looking for an easy or inexpensive way to create a great new space for the coming months, hopefully one of these suggestions will provide an ideal starting point for you with some fantastic inspiration.

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Great Ways To Make Your Home Summer Ready

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Now that summer is almost here in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s time to start thinking about great ways you can begin to freshen up your home for the summery weather ahead. Summertime always conjures up images of spending the days outdoors on the patio or in the backyard, enjoying the sunshine and warm weather alongside friends and family. If this sounds like the kind of summer you have planned, read ahead to learn about some top tips for making your space a place to remember.

A Touch Of Paint

Undoubtedly when it comes to doing up a space, painting is the first thing that comes to most people’s minds as a way to freshen the entire area without having to break the bank. It’s an easy task in most instances to just whack a coat of paint on the walls and enjoy your new vibe, but for a truly unique and bold change, why not go with a cool feature wall in a different colour than you normally would go with? Deep plum colours, ruby, jade or sapphire shades are popular options, depending on your tastes and the ambience you want in a room. Otherwise, consider using wallpaper for cool and funky patterns on smaller feature walls such as in alcoves.

Tell Tale Textiles

For an instant makeover why not consider using a cushion with bright red colouring on it? Red always brings focus to a spot in a room and will make any old space look new again. These linen cushions are the perfect example of a textile that can really make a space whole again and look like new. But if you want bright outdoor cushions, you can rest assured that it will really make your patio pop for all those summer barbecues you have slotted in throughout the season. So what are you waiting for? Bring everything to life again with fresh, fun textiles.

A Bit Of Brightness

Ever notice how lighting can really set a mood? We have! If you’re looking for a great way to change up a room or a space, consider adding hanging candles, lanterns, fairy lights, tea lights and other forms of lighting to create new and wonderful vibes that work well together. Lighting can elevate any space from zero to hero purely by lighting some candles in old mason or jam jars and placing them strategically around the area – especially on patios, balconies, decks or in backyards. For an added bit of pizzazz, consider painting the jars beforehand to really create a superb vibe everyone will want to emulate.

So if you’ve been looking for a great way to ignite the summer season this year, consider some of the top tips mentioned above. With so many cool ways to really make the summer nights shine, there’s no better time than now to get prepared for all the festivities the season will bring. So what’s on your list to do this season and how will you get ready?  We’d love to hear from you!

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Top Decor Tips For Making Your Home Memorable

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If you’ve been wanting to give your home a decorative overhaul but you don’t know where to begin, you might be wondering just what you can swap out to start giving it a new look. There are a whole host of ways you can redecorate – from redoing floors, tiles, painting and more – all the way up to changing out things like textiles, refitting light fixtures or buying new decor. Here are a couple of great, easy ways you can do up a house without needing to break the bank. For ease of decor info, we’ve even broken it up into style for you!

Executive Look

If you’re into the executive kind of look and you want to bring more of this into your space, consider adding things like black framed, classic looking art prints of things like Paris or London skylines and the like. Consider swapping out your sofas for more square, minimalist styles in monochromatic colours like greys, whites, black and more. Glass side and coffee tables always bring a bit of executive style into the room as well. If you’re wanting to introduce a carpet or rug of some kind, consider a faux sheepskin rug – they always look extra classy against an executive backdrop.

Cosy Home Look

Cosy home looks are typically pretty easy to pull off and don’t require much effort unless you really want to go all out. Adding things like wood side tables, coffee tables and TV stands is a great place to start. Likewise, consider adding textiles such as cushions or throw blankets in warm, cosy shades like gold, reds, oranges and more. Homes typically look ‘lived in’, so the more lived in you make your space look, the more cosy and home-y it will feel! Add photos of family and friends around the walls, coffee table books, and thick linen curtains.

Bohemian Look

The ‘Bohemian’ look is all the rage with many people today and for good reason. This cosy home-come-new age hippie look is a warm, snuggly and inspiring way to decorate a space. Think mandala art on the walls, tapestries featuring Hindu gods and goddesses such as Ganesh, Himalayan salt lamps, crystals in window sills, multi-coloured throw pillows, faux sheepskin rugs, dreamcatchers, handmade decor like curtains and lampshades and more. There is literally no wrong way to do a bohemian look and with it being a popular option these days, even just for small spaces like bedrooms to create a real womb-like, chilled atmosphere, you can find tons of ideas for inspiration on the likes of Pintrest. Salt lamps in particular are a great addition, especially considering the numerous health benefits they provide, creating a win-win situation to bettering your space as well as yourself!

So there you have a couple of great ideas on ways to improve your space if you’re looking to redecorate without needing to paint or change anything too heavy duty like your flooring or windows. Just adding a bit of colour or monochrome textiling can go a long way to creating the ultimate in beautiful spaces that you can enjoy for years to come.

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5 DIY Energy-Saving Projects to Complete This Weekend

It’s safe to assume that cutting down on energy costs is likely something we all have an interest in. Unfortunately, folks either believe that the only ways to save energy are overwhelming, time-consuming projects or that they require hefty out-of-pocket funds. Here you will find five of the best low-cost and simple DIY energy-saving projects that you can complete in a weekend!

Lower Your Water Heater Temperature

Lowering your water heater temperature by 10 degrees can also lower your energy costs by up to 5 percent! Regardless of how much hot water you use, your water heater is designed to maintain the water inside its tank at whatever temperature you have it set for 24 hours a day. So, while it doesn’t seem like a lot, it is most definitely a start.  Learn how to adjust the water heater temperature to be sure you’re doing it safely and efficiently.

Change Your Lightbulbs to LED

Image via Flickr by D Coetzee

Simply installing LED lightbulbs can cut your energy usage by an average five times. A standard 60-watt bulb produces the same amount of light as a 13-watt LED bulb. This will lower your watt usage by 47 watts per hour, and that’s just one bulb! Service all your light fixtures in this way and watch your energy costs steadily decrease. Another perk to this hack is efficiency comparison. LED bulbs have a significantly longer life expectancy than standard bulbs.

Seal Window Frames With Caulk

Older windows can most certainly contribute to energy loss in your home. An easy way to resolve this issue is by using caulk to fill in the gaps around your windows and your door casings. Doing this will help to seal off any air leaks that may be causing energy loss, forcing your HVAC system to run more than necessary. Caulk is available at your local hardware stores and is reasonably inexpensive. With a little research, you’ll learn how to caulk like a pro in no time!

Change the Air Filters in Your HVAC System

Changing the filter in your home’s heating and air-conditioning system is important for a couple of reasons. One is air quality in your home, but also, a dirty filter can drastically affect the efficiency of the HVAC system. A dirty air filter decreases the flow of air through the system, forcing it to work harder and for longer than it would with a clean filter.

Landscaping

Landscaping is an easy way to save bucks on your energy bill, and there are a number of ways to do so. Creating shade on the sunniest side of your home by planting trees not only will help deflect heat in the summer; it will help to block out the wind in the colder months.

While there are many simple and inexpensive DIY projects to help you become more energy efficient, these five are a great start and surefire ways to decrease your energy consumption — all while creating a cleaner and more comfortable atmosphere in your home!

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15 Easy DIY Kitchen Updates

Adding some new life to your kitchen doesn’t have to be hard or terribly expensive when you check out this list of ideas for easy DIY kitchen updates!

Giving your kitchen a much-needed facelift is one of the ways that can help you fall in love with your home all over again. Unfortunately, the average kitchen remodel is going to set you back a cool $22,000; that is if you choose not to go with DIY kitchen updates.

You can save a lot of money if you forego the expensive renovations and just focus on easy kitchen upgrades that you can do little by little over time.

15 DIY Kitchen Updates You’ll Love

We’ve gathered 15 affordable DIY kitchen renovations that’ll give your kitchen a new breath of life – and it won’t break the bank, either!

Let’s dive in, shall we?

1. Paint!

Painting is a quick and easy way to take a boring kitchen and turn it into a creative environment that’ll make you (and other family members) want to be in the kitchen!

Green and yellow are great color choices for a kitchen, but if you have a lively personality, don’t be afraid to go bold!

2. Change Knobs and Handles on Cabinets

Did you know that your cabinet hardware can date your kitchen? They get dirty, they don’t hold a polish anymore, and maybe they just don’t look nice.

Before you pick out new hardware, you’ll want to decide what style of kitchen you have. If your kitchen has contemporary finishes like concrete Minerva Worktops, you should avoid antique finishes.

3. Paint Your Cabinets

Along with painting your walls, you can paint the cabinets. It will take a bit of time and effort to do this (especially if you have a lot of cabinets!), but the payoff is going to be well worth the effort!

4. Install a New Backsplash

Backsplashes come in a wide variety of colors, styles, designs, and even materials. You can find affordable but stylish options at your local home improvement store, or try searching online.

5. Install Task Lighting

Task lighting under the cabinets can be a practical DIY kitchen upgrade because it’ll give you a better workspace, but it can also create an evening mood-setting if you opt for dimmable LED lighting.

6. Mix and Match Countertops

If you have an island, you can get a wood countertop for a reasonable price. The wood is a lovely way to add warmth and richness to your kitchen area without having to do all of the countertops, which can get pretty pricey.

7. Re-do the Flooring

Your kitchen sees a lot of traffic, so chances are the flooring you currently have is looking a little worn-down. You can find affordable flooring options that are easy to install and look absolutely beautiful!

8. Add More Storage

In many homes, the kitchen is one of those rooms that could do with more storage options! Since you are already doing a variety of cheap kitchen updates, why not incorporate more storage solutions into the mix?

You can do this by adding more shelving to bare walls, or use hooks and racks to store all of your odds and ends. It’ll give your kitchen charm, but more importantly, it’ll give you more space!

9. Use Chalkboard Paint

If you’re interested in adding more storage space but you aren’t keen on having all of your measuring tools out in the open, why not use a bit of chalkboard paint and contact hooks to spruce up inside one of your cabinets?

To do this, just paint the inside of your cabinet door. Then when the paint dries, you can create a measuring chart for easy measuring, but you can also hang your measuring spoons and cups on individual hooks.

Check this step-by-step guide on how to do this project.

10. Change Out Switch Plates

Light switch and electrical outlet plates are one of those things that people don’t really think about when doing a renovation because they aren’t an in-your-face improvement.

However, when you do swap out a dingy switch plate with a fun one, you’ll be surprised by how much of a difference it makes!

You can find plates in a variety of styles and materials, so you may have a hard time choosing just one! Of course, you can always replace all the plates in your home if you can’t decide.

11. Upgrade Cabinets with 2 Things

All you need is a bit of molding and stain to change the look of your cabinets. You can even add some trim to the drawers and doors of your cabinets, too.

12. Upgrade Your Faucet

It may not seem like a lot, but by upgrading your faucet can change the look of your kitchen in a subtle way.

You can either do a complete upgrade and purchase a new unit, or you could just use a bit of elbow grease to prep the faucet’s surface so it’s ready for primer, and then spray paint the entire unit.

Note: You’ll need to use a rust-proof paint because it will come in contact with water.

13. Remove Cabinet Doors

Who said that you had to have cabinet doors?

If you have a cabinet that sits on a peninsula, you can remove the doors on either side of said cabinets to create an open shelving concept.

This will allow more light into the home while giving you an open and airy feeling without having to do any real demolition!

14. Get Stainless Steel

Stainless steel appliances aren’t an affordable DIY kitchen upgrade, but you can achieve the same look by using stainless steel contact paper.

You can put the contact paper on your dishwasher, microwave, and refrigerator and the best part? A roll only costs $5!

15. Line the Inside of Your Cabinets with Contact Paper

If you have open cabinets, contact paper is available in many different patterns and design, and it’s one of the simplest ways to add some character to the kitchen.

Maybe you aren’t having any luck finding the perfect paper but you really like the idea of colorful cabinets.

You can always paint the inside of the cabinets some fun color if that would be a better option.

Final Thoughts on DIY Kitchen Updates

Updating your kitchen may seem like a big undertaking, but don’t let it discourage you! You can always do simple weekend projects that’ll make a big impact without making a big impact on your bank account!

Check out our blog for more DIY tips, tricks, and ideas!

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10 DIY Wedding Decorations to Use at Your Reception

Why buy your wedding decorations when you can make them yourself? Here are some great DIY ideas you can do to spruce up your wedding reception.

Your wedding day is undoubtedly one of the most memorable days of your life.

But with this special occasion comes mountains of planning, coordination and a great deal of expense.

It’s also a day you want to put your personal spin on, and depending on your budget, you have full license to be as creative as you please!

One of the best ways to add to your own personal touch to your wedding day is to DIY your wedding decorations. It’s incredibly on-trend and the perfect way to feel like you have directly contributed to the planning of one of the most important days of your life.

While DIY can take a fair amount of time in itself, here are a few simple, yet effective ideas for wedding decorations!

Our Top 10 DIY Wedding Decorations

Whether your personal style is country or vintage-inspired, modern or minimalist, these DIY wedding decorations will add a beautiful personal touch to your wedding reception. All you need is to set aside some time during your wedding planning, grab a basic toolkit, and let your creativity flow.

So while you are planning your fun bridal party reception entrance songs, here are a few DIY tasks to consider planning too.

1. Greenery-Inspired Table Leaf Menu

Right on-trend for wedding receptions of today is the theme of lush greenery and simple floral arrangements.

If you’re looking to cut back on your paper usage and costs, this unique table leaf menu is the way to do it! Instead of printing out individual menus to be placed at each seat, use the leaves from a large leaf plant, such as a fiddle fig.

A gold paint pen and some calligraphy handwriting can make a real statement and add a beautiful personal touch to your wedding decorations.

2. Fake Flower Wreaths

Fake flowers at a wedding? Won’t it look a little tacky? Surprisingly not!

Another great way to cut back on costs and add a personal DIY touch to your wedding decorations is by creating your own floral wreaths. These can be used as part of a backdrop behind the main table or even as a photobooth backdrop.

The great thing about fake flowers is that you can prepare these weeks in advance, set aside and hang them when setting up.

3. Metallic Candelabra Bottles

Now, this idea may require a little extra planning ahead of time, but is sure to make a simple, yet effective statement.

All you need to do in the lead up to your big day is start collecting unused glass bottles. These can be spray-painted in a metallic paint for a bit of urban-inspired flare to add to your centerpiece arrangement.

Spray-paint your glass bottles only halfway up to create a two-tone glass and metallic effect and then use as a DIY candelabra.

4. Floral Spheres

For truly effective DIY wedding decorations, nothing says ‘personal touch’ more than handmade floral spheres. These floating floral spheres create a dreamy, romantic feel to any space and can be easily personalized with all your favorite blooms.

Hang them above your main table, as part of a backdrop or from the ceiling throughout your venue.

The ideal flower to use would be hydrangeas, arranged around a floral sphere which can be found at most florist stores.

5. Luscious DIY Garlands

If lush greenery is more your speed for your wedding reception, DIY garlands make a lovely statement, without breaking the bank.

You will need some form of hardy greenery to create your DIY garlands as well as some twine and florist’s wire. Drape your garlands down the middle of each table, hang above your main table or drape over an arch for the perfect photo backdrop.

6. Gilded Balloons

If you’re looking to add a touch of glamour and sparkle to your reception, DIY gilded balloons are the perfect addition.

You will need some clear or white balloons, which then need to be dipped into liquid gold leaf, or simply spray-painted gold. Use as a fun yet glamorous addition to a photo backdrop area, drinks station, or let them float and decorate the ceiling.

7. Mason Jar Cocktail Stand

If your budget is a little tight when it comes to alcohol, a great way to cut back on costs is to use a pre-made cocktail stand.

Begin collecting unused mason jars a few months prior to your wedding and create a cocktail stand which is both decorative and practical. You can use an old ladder or some unused shelving as your stand, and pack it full of pre-made cocktails as a welcome drink for your guests.

8. Ribbon-Tied Chair Backs

Create a floaty, dreamy feel to your venue with DIY chair backs crafted from strips of ribbon.

If the idea of traditional wedding chair covers gives you chills, these ribbon-tied chair backs are a little more personalized and fun.

This may sound like a lot of work, but using wrapped wire ties which simply hook onto the back of each chair makes the process quicker. Use alternating colors of ribbon according to your wedding colors and place on every alternate chair.

9. Paper Lantern Photo Backdrop

Looking for a fun, yet simple way to create an effective photo backdrop for your guests? Paper lanterns are your answer.

Instead of simply hanging them at different heights, try stacking them on a dowel on top of each other to create large lantern columns. You can create three to four lantern columns and set them aside as a designated photo area for your guests to enjoy.

10. Sparkler Send-Off Stand

To create the grand exit you’ve always dreamed of, make sure your guests have access to a handy sparkler kit.

Prepare your sparklers ahead of time with quick instructions on how to use them and place in a basket near your exit.

Make sure your sparkler stand has a sign so that guests know to take one as they are lining up to leave.

A Million Lifestyle Hacks for Everyone

If you’re looking for information on everything to do with travel, business, technology, fitness and health, A Million Lives offers it all. We are a one-stop portal for information on daily hacks relevant to a number of industries.

Looking for more DIY / home improvement tips? Visit us here.

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How to Save Money When Decorating Your Home

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Having moved anatomy new home around 2 years ago I knew that given the outlay I had made on the home itself, any decorating would have to wait. The house however felt really old and tired and kind of made me a bit depressed when I got home from work each night. I sucked it up for around 6-8 months before deciding that I had to take action.

Now I knew that I would not be able to create something that Restoration Hardware’s Gary Friedman may be proud of but nonetheless I did my best, and it all worked out pretty well. If you are looking to give your home a makeover on a budget, here are some tips for you to make it work.

D.I.Y.

The first thing to mention about redecorating your home on a budget is that you can forget about hiring professionals to do anything, unless you have to fix gas pipes or electrical wiring. The cost that you would have to pay for a painter and decorator to come in could well be used on a new item of furniture, some paint or even a new carpet. In truth, this was the first  time that I have ever done any decorating and other than time, it cost me nothing, if you are going budget-style, DIY is the way forward.

Piece by Piece

Don’t expect to be able to radically makeover your home in the space of a few short months and in order to do the best job on a budget, you should do it little by little. Start off with the most commonly used rooms in the house such as the living area and the kitchens, then take your paintbrush into lesser used rooms like spare bedrooms and bathrooms.

Pre-Planned

Although decorating little by little is a good idea, it also makes a lot of sense for you to have an idea of what the other rooms in the home are going to look like before you get started. The reason for this is so that you can pick up pieces for the room ahead of time. For example I knew that I wanted a marine look of my bathroom, even though I wouldn’t be decorating it for some months. I was in a  flea market on vacation and I saw all of these cheap maritime antiques so I was able to pick them up and they look great in my bathroom. Plan ahead, pick up bargains.

Hacks

If you have a look across social media channels such as Pinterest, or even do a quick Google search for interior design hacks, you will find huge amount of creative and smart ideas to give your home a beautiful look, without spending crazy money. From up-cycling tips to how to make your own furniture, you can find loads of great ideas which will save you plenty of money on your design project.

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