Category Archives: Family Living

Spooktacular Halloween Decorating Tips for Your Home’s Exterior

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As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, there’s no better time to embrace the spooky spirit of Halloween. For many homeowners, Halloween is a chance to showcase their creativity and transform their house into a frightfully fun spectacle. Whether you’re going for eerie elegance or family-friendly fun, decorating the exterior of your home can turn it into a trick-or-treat destination that’s both welcoming and delightfully spooky.

In this post, we’ll explore fun and creative tips for decorating your home’s exterior for Halloween. From yard displays and porch decorations to safety tips for ensuring a secure environment for trick-or-treaters, we’ll help you create a Halloween display that’s sure to thrill your visitors.

1. Front Yard Displays: Make a Bold First Impression

The front yard is the first thing people see when approaching your home, so it’s the perfect canvas to set the Halloween scene. Whether you want to go all-out with an intricate setup or keep things simple, here are a few ideas to make your yard stand out:

Create a Graveyard Scene

One of the most iconic Halloween yard displays is a spooky graveyard. You can buy tombstone decorations or create your own with cardboard or foam, painted in gray and black for a weathered effect. Scatter the gravestones across your yard and add in some eerie details like skeleton hands emerging from the ground, creepy fog using a fog machine, or LED-lit ghosts floating among the headstones. To make the scene more interactive, consider adding motion-sensor props that startle passersby when they walk near!

Incorporate Halloween-Themed Lawn Inflatables

If you’re looking for a quick, impactful way to decorate your front yard, consider using Halloween-themed inflatables. These decorations come in a wide variety of characters, from friendly pumpkins and ghosts to more sinister witches and ghouls. Inflatables are a fantastic option for homeowners who want a large, eye-catching display without too much effort.

Add a “Haunted Forest”

To give your yard a more mysterious feel, create a haunted forest with gnarled, artificial trees, or wrap real trees and bushes with eerie, glowing lights. You can add creepy creatures such as spiders, bats, and crows nestled in the branches. Drape faux spider webs over bushes and trees to give everything a haunted, abandoned look. For extra atmosphere, consider adding ground-level fog, which you can create with dry ice or a fog machine, to create a misty, otherworldly effect.

Use Jack-O’-Lanterns to Light the Way

Carved pumpkins are Halloween staples, and lining your yard with glowing jack-o’-lanterns is a classic way to decorate. You can go for the traditional candle-lit pumpkins or use battery-operated LED lights for a safer option. If carving pumpkins isn’t your thing, you can still embrace the spirit with painted pumpkins or foam versions that are easier to work with and last longer throughout the season.

2. Porch Decorations: Setting the Stage for Spookiness

The front porch is where the magic happens on Halloween night—it’s where you’ll greet trick-or-treaters, and it’s also a key area for creating an inviting yet spooky atmosphere. Here are some creative ideas to decorate your porch:

Transform Your Door into a Spooky Focal Point

Your front door can be the centerpiece of your porch decorations. Try transforming it into something eerie with adhesive decals or DIY decorations. You can make it look like a haunted entrance by adding faux cobwebs, tattered curtains, or even a “Do Not Enter” sign. Alternatively, you can go with a more humorous approach and turn your door into a giant monster face, using oversized googly eyes and a toothy mouth made from paper or foam.

Hang Creepy Decorations from Above

To add vertical interest, hang spooky decorations from your porch ceiling or roof. Think hanging ghosts made from white fabric or cheesecloth, large plastic spiders suspended on faux webs, or even bats strung up on invisible fishing lines. These dangling decorations can sway in the breeze, adding a chilling effect to your setup.

Create a Creepy Wreath

Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas! A Halloween wreath can be a great way to add a touch of spooky charm to your front door. You can buy or make your own wreath with Halloween-themed materials like black tulle, plastic spiders, and faux skulls. Add a pop of color with orange and purple accents, or stick with an all-black theme for a more gothic vibe.

Pumpkins Galore

Whether they’re carved, painted, or artificial, pumpkins are a must-have on any Halloween porch. Use a mix of sizes and colors to create visual interest—stack them on either side of the door, line your porch steps with them, or arrange them in clusters. For a modern take, you could spray-paint your pumpkins in metallic shades or bold colors like black, silver, or white.

Add Mood Lighting

Lighting is essential to set the mood on Halloween night. Use string lights in Halloween colors—orange, purple, or green—to illuminate your porch. You can also use lanterns, both real or faux, to create a spooky glow. Flameless candles are another great option for adding a warm, flickering effect without the worry of open flames.

3. Making Your Home Welcoming (and Spooky!) for Trick-or-Treaters

While you want your home to look spooky, it’s important to strike the right balance so it’s still welcoming to trick-or-treaters. Here are some ways to make sure your display is just scary enough without going overboard:

Create a Clear, Safe Pathway

Trick-or-treaters of all ages will be navigating your yard and porch, so it’s crucial to ensure that the pathway leading to your front door is well-lit and free from hazards. Use LED lights or solar-powered pathway lights to illuminate the walkway. You can also incorporate Halloween-themed lighting like glowing pumpkins or lanterns to guide the way. Be mindful of any tripping hazards like extension cords, decorations that hang too low, or objects scattered across the ground.

Provide a Warm Welcome with Friendly Decor

Not all Halloween decor has to be scary—especially if you expect younger children. Consider adding some friendly elements, like smiling jack-o’-lanterns, happy ghosts, or cute witches, to balance out the more spooky decorations. Friendly signs that say “Happy Halloween” or “Welcome Trick-or-Treaters” can help signal that your home is open for candy seekers.

Offer a Candy Table or Station

If you have a lot of decorations on your porch or yard, it might not be clear to trick-or-treaters where to knock or grab candy. Make it easier by setting up a designated candy table or station. Decorate a small table with Halloween-themed tablecloths and place bowls of candy, along with some fun props like fake spiders or skeleton hands holding the candy. This also allows you to maintain some distance and avoid crowding on your porch.

4. Halloween Safety Tips for a Spooktacular Night

Safety is always important, especially when your yard and home are bustling with trick-or-treaters. Here are some tips to ensure that your Halloween decorations don’t pose any hazards:

Light Up Pathways

While it’s fun to have dark, spooky corners in your yard, it’s essential to keep walkways and stairs well-lit to prevent trips and falls. Use battery-powered or solar lights to illuminate paths, and avoid running extension cords across areas where people will be walking. Consider using ground-level lighting, such as LED spotlights, to highlight steps or uneven surfaces.

Opt for Flameless Candles

While traditional candles inside jack-o’-lanterns are classic, they can be dangerous if left unattended. Instead, use flameless candles or LED lights inside pumpkins, lanterns, or other decorations. These offer the same flickering effect without the fire risk.

Keep Decorations Off Walkways

Make sure that any large decorations, cords, or props are kept away from walkways, steps, and entryways. This prevents tripping hazards, especially in low-light conditions. If you have a fog machine, position it where it won’t obscure stairs or obstacles.

Check Electrical Outlets

If you’re using multiple lights, inflatables, or sound effects, ensure that your electrical outlets are not overloaded. Use outdoor-rated extension cords and power strips, and keep them out of the way of foot traffic to avoid accidents.

Halloween is the perfect time to get creative and have fun with decorating the exterior of your home. Whether you’re aiming for spooky, fun, or somewhere in between, these tips can help you create a memorable display that will delight trick-or-treaters and neighbors alike. By focusing on yard displays, porch decorations, and safety precautions, you can create a Halloween experience that’s both welcoming and wonderfully eerie. Embrace the spirit of the season and transform your home into a spooktacular showstopper! Pinterest is a great place to find more great suggestions for the holiday.

How to Share Space: Newlywed Tips

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So you did it! You tied the knot and you’re blissfully married. Congratulations! Now it’s time to move in together. You thought wedding planning was hard? It might seem like a breeze after you learn the challenges of living with someone new. But harmony can be had if you do some planning ahead. Take a few minutes to read these tips on how to accomplish this big change without wanting to yell at your new “roommate.”

Purge. Then merge. The space should feel open, new, and fresh so get rid of the excess. Especially anything you’ll have two of: toasters, blenders, and so forth.

Decide on a basic design scheme ahead of time so you can make informed decisions about what to bring along and what to leave behind. This is especially important with furniture because it’s burdensome and expensive to move. By knowing your general decorating guidelines you can decide things such as, “Should we keep the blue sofa?” Answer, “Blue isn’t in our color scheme.” So the sofa goes and there was no need to debate over it.

Be respectful of sentimental or prized belongings. Each of you is sure to have a few possessions that mean the world to you. These are not good things to deliberate over. Just keep them, and decide together whether they will end up in a shared space or tucked away in one of your respective personal places such as a trunk or closet.

Try it before you fly it. By this we mean, don’t be too quick to say no to every single thing your spouse wants to try keeping in the home. Let some things in as an experiment. If you still hate them in sixty days, then reasses. The art of compromise is hugely valuable and this is a great way to practice it.

Set up a large empty basket for each of you. Choose your favorite colors if you like. This is the new receptacle for all of the stuff you leave lying around that drives your spouse crazy. You’re not used to all of his gadgets and he’s not used to all of your accessories. Create a place where it’s easy for either of you to create “out of sight, out of mind.’

Successful Mornings Lead to Successful Days

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How we start each day leads to how the rest of the day is going to go. There are a few things you should be doing to start your day out right. These tips work for everyone, especially stay at home moms, working women or women who work from home.

Wake up early. Allowing yourself plenty of time for your morning routine will ease stress and ensure your day starts out a success. Enjoy your morning coffee with ample time to read the newspaper and have breakfast. If you are not a coffee drinker; start your day out by drinking water or a healthy herbal tea. Green tea is a good way to start your day and give you a little caffeine kick! Having breakfast is essential to having energy throughout the day. Keep your cabinet stocked with easy to make breakfast meals. Easy breakfast include: cereal, oatmeal, hard boiled eggs and fruit. One common trait that billionaires have in common is that they wake up really early in the morning!

Exercise and stretch. If you can get up before the kids and squeeze in a quick exercise routine, you will have more energy and stamina for the day ahead. If you do not have time to exercise then do a few quick stretches. Not sure what stretches to do? Search your online and you’ll find lots of options! If your schedule allows for exercise in the afternoon, that can help lead to a better night’s rest which can contribute to a great morning the following morning!

Shower and get dressed. This is essential even if you are a stay at home parent or if you work from home. Pick out your daily outfit that is appropriate for the day, do your hair and your makeup. Being put together makes you feel more organized and leads to a more productive day. Just rolling out of bed after hitting the snooze and getting ready as fast as possible starts the day out by rushing; which leads to stress.

Not only children thrive from daily routines, adults do too. Take the time to figure out what routine works best for you and your schedule!

Entertaining Your Kids at Home

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Children can be one of the greatest blessings but come with a lot of needs. For instance, many younger kids need constant attention and activities to do at home. It can become a full-time job. So, it is essential to find entertainment in your own homes that can hold your children’s attention for some time while also being safe. If you are a parent with rambunctious children, here are several at-home activities to help entertain your kids:

Host Playdates

Children play well with other children, so one of the best ways to free up your own time is to find another parent willing to alternate playdates. Some days you can watch the kids and host a playdate while other days the other parents can. This idea will be a blast for all the kids as well as be low-maintenance for the parents.

Play Outside

Playing outside is a great way to let the children enjoy and explore the outdoors. You can go to the park or let them pick some outdoor sports activities. Let your children learn to discover what activities they enjoy and dislike during their early youth. From flying kits to sidewalk chalk in your driveway, the options are endless. You can even take them to water parks, playgrounds, soccer fields, and more!

Educational Video Games or Movies

If you need to get away and have some own rest and relaxation times, a movie or an educational video game is perfect for distracting children for several hours. This idea is not the best method to keep your children productive yet can help you get the physical break you need. A healthy mommy and daddy need their rest too to be the best parents they can be.

Creative Puzzles

While action figures, barbies, and racecars are all great toys to entertain kids, try adding some creating puzzles into the mix. Encourage your kids to try puzzles, Legos, or even word searches. These creative and brain exercising activities are great for children in their prime mental growing stages.

There are hundreds of great ways to keep children entertained. Try to keep in mind what children can and cannot do alone at their age. Always keep safety at the forefront. What are some of your children’s favorite household activities? Let us know how you keep your children entertained below in the comment section.

Lake House Activities for Spring Break

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Throughout the United States, there are many highly desired homes. From mountainside living to high loft city apartments to a beautiful lake house oasis, we all have our fantasy home. If you grew up with a lake on your property, you probably have many fond memories of it. However, if this is your first lake house, you do not want to be missing out on the fun! There is plenty to do with your lake this spring break. Here are the top three must-dos for any lake house owner:

Boating

If you have a lake, you need to be on it! There are hundreds of different styles of boats to get for your home. Depending on the size of the lake and your community regulation, find the boat right for you. You can get powerboats like bay boats, cruisers, or deck boats, or you can get smaller options like kayaks or canoes. Depending on your swimming level, you may want to invest in some lifejackets as well.

Fishing

Fishing is also a great way to facilitate your lake. Make sure you invest in everything you need. Get your rod, extra line and hooks, bobbers, and bait. You may also want to pack some needle nose pliers and a small first aid kit for the day. Fishing is a great hobby to help relax and pass the time. Just do not forget to bring the sunscreen!

Swimming

Nothing feels more authentic and true to nature as swimming. Swimming is a timeless pastime that is great for all ages! Simply set up some lake activities and purchase some floating devices. Swimming in the lake is a great way to get the most out of your lake house.

If you are blessed with a home on a lake, make sure you use the many advantages associated with it. This exterior privilege is excellent for hosting guests and making great memories. All landscapes have different advantages, do not miss the opportunity of yours.

How to Create the Ultimate Homeschool Workroom

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Whether you homeschool your children or they attend school outside the home, creating an organized and inspirational place for them to do homework has a ton of benefits for everyone! The space needs to be a place in the home that promotes creativity, critical thinking, and makes it fun to learn! We have listed some easy tips below for creating the ultimate school workroom at home. Let’s take a look!

Seek the Perfect Spot

If you are like most of us, your space may be limited, so organization and using the proper furniture is critical in the overall design of the room. If your home has a basement or upstairs play area, then you have the perfect spot! Seek out locations for this learning area by looking at unused space in your home. It could even be as small as a corner in your dining room.

Make the Space Fun

You can add pops of color with floor pillows in red, blue, green, or yellow. If anyone suffers from respiratory ailments, eliminating carpet is a step in the right direction. Also, depending on your child’s age, you can use colorful geometrical area rugs, or tiled puzzled mats made out of rubber/silicone. Keep in mind standing on a hard surface can be hard on your back and legs. Rubber padded mats and rugs are an excellent option for eliminating aches and pains.

Install Shelving

In just about any case, you will need to maximize space for storage by going up by installing vertical shelving. Luckily, you can purchase inexpensive shelving from big box stores, online retailers, yard/garage sales, and second hand/nonprofit charity stores. If you are buying used shelving, you can easily paint them by using spray paint or rolling on paint with a small roller. If the surface is a laminate surface, we recommend taking a fine to medium sandpaper and hitting the surface to ensure the paint adheres to the surface. Priming before painting is also recommended.

Add Your Personal Touch

If you have the room, create a space for a reading nook and quiet time depending on the children’s age. Also, you can purchase an inexpensive water feature for relaxing and enhancing their creativity! The options are truly endless when it comes to adding your own personal touch to the space.

We hope you enjoyed these tips and have fun creating this special place for your children, and by all means, please let us know your creative ideas for the project below in the comment section!

Tips for Creating a Great Play Room for a Child

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If you are lucky enough to have some extra space in your home to dedicate to a play area for your child, we have some suggestions for you on how to make it great! The early years of a child’s life include a significant amount of brain development, so you want to make sure they are using their imaginations and have an enjoyable environment to develop their talents. Making sure they have a safe place to do this is essential. Here is how to get started:

You Must Be This Tall to Play

No matter the size of the room, there is something you can do to improve it for your child’s use. The most important thing to think about when the child enters the room is ease of use. Smaller chairs and tables, as well as fun colors and decor, will help set the stage and let them know that this is a space made for fun. Keep shelves lower and storage easily accessible, so whatever they take out can also be placed back there by them. This teaches them their first chores and responsibilities while simultaneously helping you out with clean up!

Let Creativity Flow

If your child has a particular hobby or interest, be sure to supply them with what they need to develop it. Whether it is art, photography, or books, be sure to create a little area for them to spend time creating and reading about new things. Provide books, a desk area, and arts and crafts supplies so they can let their imaginations run wild. Use a wall for displaying their work and create a safe spot for them to pause their progress until the next day. Knowing when to clean up items and leave them alone will not only show your child that you trust them, but it will let them know that you respect their space as well.

Sharing Is Caring

Finally, keep in mind that although they may spend a lot of time using this area as their own personal space, there are going to be times when they are going to want to share in it with others. This may include you, other family members, or friends. Be sure there is sufficient space not only for your child to play independently but for them to share the space and play well with others.

Have you created a play space before in your home? What do you feel are crucial elements of it? Let us know below in the comment section.

The Best Fabric for Family Room Furniture

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Are you currently in the market for purchasing new living room furniture or reupholstering your current furniture? If you are currently in the market for investing in a sofa/chair, it should be treated as a big decision that requires some research. We have compiled a short list of “to-dos” for determining the correct color and fabric for your pieces. Let’s take a look!

Color

If hiring an interior designer is not in the budget, we have listed some questions that will guide you in the right direction for the perfect fabric color:

  • Who Will Be Using the Pieces? If children, pets, or teenagers are in the answer, darker colors are the best for hiding stains and spills. For neutral options, grays are popular and will be around for quite some time. Do not overlook blues and greens and treat them as bold neutrals. View the carpet, flooring, and all accessories to make sure they blend with the new fabric. 
  • Formal or Informal? If you are placing the furniture in a formal living room, the color may differ from the color choice you would choose for an informal living room. For example, you may opt for lighter colors in a formal area since it will be used less and only for special occasions.
  • Are Patterns Relevant? While we do not see that many patterned sofas anymore, we do see sofas brought to life by patterned pillows and blankets. Incorporating patterns through pillows and blankets can help hide additional stains, which is ideal for households with children and pets.

Fabric

Natural fibers like cotton, linen, silk, and wool are very soft to the touch but are not very durable. When you combine them with a synthetic fiber like polyester, viscose, and acrylics, the softness remains, but the added synthetic fibers strengthen the natural fibers. All of the children and pet-friendly fibers are synthetic and also stand up to spills and stains. Heavier or thicker fabric weaves are less smooth but more textured. These fibers are perfect for a family or great room pieces.

Cleaning Code 

Have you ever noticed the tag on upholstered furniture? It will include a letter code. Sofas with a “W” must be cleaned with a water-based cleaner only/distilled, or bottled water is recommended. An “S” means the upholstery must be cleaned with a professional-grade cleaning solvent and will not react well if water is used. “S/W” means that dry cleaning solvents and water can be used. 

Rub-Count

This is the best way to determine the durability of the fabric. The rub count is determined by a machine that rubs back and forth until the fabric is worn down. 20,000 and higher rubs are perfect for residential upholstery.

We hope that you are now aware of what to look for when purchasing or reupholstering your family/great room furniture. If you follow these tips, you will make sure that you have done your due diligence in fabric research!

Dorm Room Decor Ideas

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Starting college can be stressful and intimidating at first. Since your dorm room is where you will be spending a good sum of your time, you can ease into the transition of college by making your dorm room feel more like home. College probably means you do not have a large budget, so designing your dorm room can be a bit challenging. If you are going to spend money, make sure you put it in the right places. Here are three ideas worth investing in to upgrade your dorm room:

Pictures 

Pictures can express yourself and give meaning to your room. Most dorm rooms will come in a very neutral color palleted walls and flooring. You probably cannot paint your walls, but you can add pictures! Add life with colorful and meaningful images. You can make a gallery wall above your bed or invest in one impactful photo. You can even have some of your favorite photos of your friends and family printed out onto canvases and hung in your dorm. Pictures are a great way to transform a boring space and tailor it to you. 

Rug 

Add warmth and comfort to your space by investing in a rug. You do not need to spend an arm and leg on a nice area rug. Find one that can help add comfort to your space. Remember, rugs can stain, so you will want to be cognitive on what you and your roommate do in your room after the investment (i.e., eating on the rug).

Comforter 

Your dorm is probably shared with a roommate. You both are perhaps putting elements into your space to make it more welcoming. Your bed is your personal space. Investing in a comforter that expresses you can make your dorm feel more personal. While you both may hang pictures or put décor around the atmosphere, your bed is directly and personally tied to you. Make a statement with some fun sheets, pillows, and comforter. 

These three investments are simple ways to help make your dorm room feel like home. Do not wait to personalize your room; find areas you want to improve and add a splash of you. You will not regret it.

Protect Your Pups from Arizona Heat

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While living in the Valley feels like paradise, it does not take very long for locals to recognize that Arizona’s heat is no joke. The Valley is quickly growing in population, and more pet owners are becoming unaware of the dangers this heat can have on their animals’ welfare. During the hot summer months, your pet needs to be in a well-shaded area and provided with plenty of water. The heat is brutal and can take a toll on your furry friends very quickly. To prevent some of these dangers, here are several guidelines to consider:

Indoors

While you may be accustomed to outdoor pets, Arizona may have you reconsider. Not all dogs can handle Arizona’s desert sun. If your property does not offer adequate shade, you may need to bring your animal inside. Do not just leave your dog in a closed garage! Though shade is provided, this can quickly turn into a hot box and severely dehydrate your animal.

Water

Hydration is critical! During the summer, the temperature can stay as hot as 90 degrees even during the coolest parts of the night. Because of this, even when the sun goes down, dehydration can still become a concern. Always provide an outdoor water dish for your animal. Remember to keep it filled and check it daily.

Paws

Have you ever walked on blacktop pavement or even concrete in the sun barefoot? Then, you probably know how hot it can get. While dogs and cats paws are tougher than our feet, they can still get burnt. There are several companies which manufacture footsies for animals. Consider buying these for your pets to protect their feet from the scorching pavement. This little investment can make a significant impact on your dog’s well-being.

Keep your pets safe this summer and remember to keep them hydrated. Panting can be the first sign of dehydration. Pay attention if your dog becomes lethargic as well. Your animals need your help to stay safe.