Make Your House Your Valentine

This Valentine’s Day, skip the fancy jewelry and expensive chocolates. No more golf clubs or silk ties, and please, give up on the cheesy Hallmark cards. Try something new this year: remodel your home to bring your family closer together. End petty squabbles by designing your space to promote harmony, comfort, and fun for everybody.  Reignite the spark and put old grievances to rest with some simple changes. Here’s a few remodeling ideas to solve some common household disputes:

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1.       Double sinks in the master bathroom

If you and your partner are still battling over a single sink, it’s time to streamline your morning routine and de-stress your bedtime ritual. Add another sink and enjoy a little space, so you don’t have to deal with his beard trimmings or her over-flowing make up cabinet. And when you can both be in that bathroom at the same time, try a saucy wink in the mirror to spice up your day!

2.       Hi-tech Laundry Room

Almost everyone in the world hates doing laundry. Some couples fight over whose turn it is, or who left the soggy towel on the floor this time. End the drama! Invest in a gorgeous new laundry room so you’ll want to spend time in there. Paint it a fun color, get the latest washing and drying technology, and build in shelves to keep everything in its place.

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3.       Kitchen Island with Bar Stools

Tired of having people under foot while you’re cooking?  The kitchen is one of the most used spaces in the home, and it can be a fantastic spot for families to congregate, but it can get a little crowded. Make an area for your kids to do their homework and your partner to go over the bills, so that you can spend a little more time together- without getting in each other’s hair.

4.       Open Floor Plan

Do you ever feel like you never get to see your family, even though you’re all in the same house? Make it easier to be together with an open floor plan. A smooth transition from kitchen to dining room to living room makes your main space feel welcoming. It also gives you enough space to spread out but still feel connected to each other. Encourage openness in your family and your home.

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5.       Dimmer Lights in the Bedroom or Bathroom

Add a little mood lighting- you know why.

6.       Built-In Organization

Are you one of those families that needs three pairs of scissors- one for mom, one for dad, one of the kids- because they keep getting lost? Are you constantly fighting over the missing tape or where the pan lids ran off to? No more! Make sure everything has a place, conveniently in reach and cleverly hidden. Install some cabinets in the island for your bigger pots, then hang the lids from the door for a space saver. A long, shallow drawer makes it so everything is easy to see and find quickly, and nothing gets buried underneath. More storage, more happiness.

Make your home your valentine this year. Show it some attention, and watch how it brings more harmony to your family. Let Lifespan bring the love to your house this year.

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