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February is the month of love - why not use the occasion to put some TLC into the place you spend so much of your time? There are tons of ways to get back to loving your space, no matter the budget. Read on to learn about ideas for easy projects you can tackle this month to feel more smitten with your home!

Buy live flowers or scented candles

An easy, inexpensive way to spruce up your home is to make it smell good. Candles can be a great way to switch things up from season to season, like using a flowery scent for spring and a cinnamon or pumpkin-scented candle in the fall. Fresh flowers can also add life and color to any space! Spring and summer are great times for live flowers, and in the fall you can utilize dried greenery or gourds and colorful leaves to brighten things up.

Rearrange your furniture

As a kid, wasn’t it always so fun to reorganize your room? We should do this more as adults! A simple way to get things feeling fresh is to move your furniture around! In your living room, your bedroom, an office or maybe even the dining room – liven up your space without spending a dime.

“Shop” from inside your home

Sometimes we put décor or keepsakes away for safekeeping, and we often forget about them until we move or clean! Take stock of any extra décor in your home that may be collecting dust. Now is its time to shine! Grab that extra art piece or family heirloom, give it some love and display it proudly.

Really clean your place

Nobody wants to hear this, but really cleaning your space helps you get into a different mindset about your home! We all talk about spring cleaning, but a full cleaning of your house is recommended about four times a year, usually with the change in season. This way, dust and clutter don’t pile up, and cleaning takes less time in the long run. Consider scrubbing under your appliances, dusting off ceiling fans, deep cleaning the shower and washing windows, doors and floors. You may also want to clean upholstery like curtains, pillows, carpeting and even areas like pet beds or blankets. Breathe life (and love) into places you haven’t touched in ages!

Declutter and donate

Once things are clean, it’s time to organize. Go through your closets, cabinets, and other tucked-away places and make sure they are in order. Garages and sheds are sometimes used as a dumping ground, so check that things are good to go in those areas. Make a pile of items you don’t have a need for anymore, as well as those things you don’t really love. When you’re finished, take these items to your local thrift or Goodwill store. Having a decluttered home can alleviate anxiety and guilt while you’re relaxing in your space, letting you enjoy it even more.

Paint walls (and furniture!)

If you’re looking for a way to breathe new life into a space but want to keep things on a budget, consider adding a fresh coat of paint to the walls. This is a great way to give a room a new feel, or you could even paint a piece of furniture and make it really stand out.

Purchase plants or install an outdoor garden

Plants are known to bring happiness and help de-stress. Do you have a sunny windowsill sitting empty? How about a sad patch of grass in the backyard? Get yourself some lovely green plants! If you’re limited on space, potted plants are a great place to start. If you have space outside, planting a small garden can provide you with fresh flowers and produce in exchange for very little work! You’ll love the outcome.

Invest in your bedroom

Is your sleeping space…lacking? This month would be a great time to spend some money on new sheets, cushy new pillows, a fancy plush rug or some new bedside tables! Investing in frequently used spaces will help you look forward to spending time in those areas, and we should all love where we sleep!

Renovate your main entranceway

It’s a small space, but it’s the first impression that all guests have of your home: your entryway! Is it dark? Are there places to hang coats? Do you need a table for keys and other items? If you’re unhappy with the current layout, consider giving that often-overlooked area of your home a little TLC. Paint your front door, hang a cool wreath, add some storage for shoes or splurge on an exotic runner rug for the front hallway – a little bit goes a long way in these tiny areas, and guests will love to visit.

Think about light

Another area in homes that doesn’t get a lot of attention? Lighting! It’s in every room, but how often do we think about it? If you’re looking for a simple way to add some interest to a room, consider updating window treatments, getting a cool new lamp or switching out overhead lighting fixtures. You can also update light bulbs to less harsh, warmer lighting (look for those labeled “soft white”). You’ll be amazed at the effect it has!

A place to dine al fresco

Here in the Pacific Northwest, our outdoor seasons can be finicky. But when the weather is great, we’re outside as much as possible, and that includes when we’re eating! An outdoor dining setup is a luxurious way to add value to your home and help you enjoy your space! Just think about the garden gatherings or BBQ parties you could host.

Build an in-home “spa” room

If you have a little more money to spend on this kind of project, a great way to add value to your house and get a lot of use out of it is by upgrading your bathroom. Whether you add a soaking tub, re-tile your shower, upgrade the flooring or replace an old vanity, putting some money into your bathroom can make a huge difference in how you feel about the space.

Finish the DIY project you’ve been putting off

We all have those to-do list items that get pushed off for days (or months or years) at a time. Spend some time this month and actually cross something off that list. Whether it’s finishing putting together a new piece of furniture, painting a room, installing a light fixture, building that desk or whatever it might be, just do it! Finishing something provides us with a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment – who doesn’t love that?

Expand your home!

One of the coolest (but more expensive) ways to give your home a whole new vibe is to add to it! If you’ve outgrown your space but still love it, now is a great time to start figuring out how to remedy that. Your home (and its residents) will thank you.

Now that you have plenty of ideas on how to upgrade your living space, it’s time to choose. And if you’re looking for a little extra cash to be able to finish the project, let Solarity help. With flexible financing options and expert guidance, we are here to help you love your home all over again!