You put time into how your home looks, how it feels, and the energy the atmosphere portrays, but how much time do you invest in making your home smell beautiful.  The fragrance of a home can be one of the quickest influences on changing how an environment is portrayed.  If you have animals, you may need to be overly cognitive of scents in your home that you may have grown accustomed to smelling.  We put together some tricks and tips on how to eliminate odor, some great smelling remedies, and natural methods to bring indoors.

N’odors (No Odors)

If your home has a bad scent, it can really hurt your overall atmosphere.  You can either mask a smell or try to eliminate it.  Try to locate the odors throughout your home.  Are they coming from your carpet, maybe the trash, or even your furniture?  You will want to tarnish the source, eliminate the smell, and prevent the return of unwanted odors.

• If you have pet-damaged carpet, you will need to replace it to remove the smell.  If it soaked through to the subfloor, try putting baking soda down before installing a pad.  
• If your trash is smelling bad but continues to smell after you take it out, you will need to deep clean the inside of your trash receptacle.  Take it outside or in the tub and wash it out.   Wipe down the inside with a disinfectant wipe and vinegar.  Make sure you dry it properly to prevent mold.  At the bottom of your receptacle, put some banking soda to absorb odors and place in a new trash bag.  
• Furniture can be as simple as washing your sheets, but some furniture can trap bad odors.  You can try cutting an apple and sitting it face down on the odor to absorb it.  Also, baking soda can be applied and left overnight and vacuumed off in the morning.  Abolishing the odor at its source is key to making your home smell better.  Consider investing in an air purifier.  Air purifiers also can help clean out the old scent and leave your home with a fresher air aroma.

Scents You Need

Now, that the bad odors are gone, its time to create the scent you want in your home.  Candles are a great solution to apply to your space to have a great smelling area.  You can also get fragrance or sprays to put them in areas where you do not want to light candles.  This can keep the room feeling fresh throughout the night or while you are away.  Another great natural remedy is adding flowers, put eucalyptus leaves a vase or burn scented oils.  Adding the scents to your home will make it warmer and more inviting to your guest.

Make sure you eliminate bad smells before trying to create new ones.  Seasonal scents are great ways to keep festive but no matter what you do make sure it is not too overwhelming.  Fragrances in your home should tease a pleasantly scented atmosphere.  For more great tips and tricks, visit us at https://proudtobuild.com. 

Arizona has beautiful, colored scenery, unique plant life, and dazzling landscaping.  Yet, many homeowners get intimidated by customizing their landscape and adding plants because so many plants cannot survive in the desert heat; however, there are so many kinds of native, beautiful plants that can withstand these harsh climates and can have your landscape looking like a desert land dream oasis.  Consider these three principles in customizing your landscape into the curb appeal you desire: 

• Irrigation System

You will need to make sure you have the proper irrigation system for your landscape.   Making sure that the drainage is adequate for your landscape is key to plant life. Ordinary landscapes can consist of gravel, concrete, rocks, or even some turf or grass.  Keep in mind that most of the native plants do not need to be watered as much but should have proper drainage, irrigation, and landscape care.

• Pool or Firepit 

Add some personalization and class to your backyard by adding a fire pit or even a pool.  Add to your patio and make it a welcoming hangout for guest and family. You can customize your backyard into a focal feature for entertainment with some minor tweaks of seating and lighting.  A well-lit patio will keep the entertainment outside even after dusk, where you can enjoy your firepit.  A pool is another great addition to help compensate for Arizona’s intense heat.

• Plants

Your curb appeal starts with your landscape.  There are many desert plants that you should consider including in your landscape to personalize it and make it feel stunning.   Cacti and shrubbery can be used as the foundation of your landscape, but beautiful palm trees, lemon trees, and orange trees can help add height and color to your yard.  Different flowers can also add to the value of your home and can be added around your property.  

Your landscape is your first way to express yourself and your style.  Adding the perfect balance of trees, shrubberies, gravel, and cacti can make your curb appeal spectacular.  Make sure to keep up and maintain your landscape, so it does not get out of control.  Your curb appeal is just as important to your home and expressing yourself as the inside; therefore, you do not want to neglect it. 

Congratulations on your brand new Fulton Home! This is an exciting moment. Owning a new home rewards homeowners with exciting change and unique opportunities for design. But for some, moving can seem like an overwhelming project. To help comfort you on moving day, we want to share our top ten packing and moving tips so you can have ease of mind. Let’s take a look! 

10 Packing and Moving Tips: 

1. Get The Packing Supplies + Moving Accommodations. 

Before you begin packing, you want to prepare for the move by gathering all of your supplies and finishing your moving accommodations. Accommodations can include a moving day schedule, the truck rental, moving route, etc. Once you have everything organized, you can begin packing. 

2. Load The Moving Truck in Order. 

If you decide to rent a moving truck and load it yourself, you will want to follow a distinct order when loading the truck. All heavy items will go in first. You want your boxes to cap off at around 50 pounds (any bigger may cause tearing in the box or an issue with lifting). After your truck is almost full, you want to load your essential items in last. These items can include cell phone chargers, toothbrushes, etc. 

3. Add a Protective Barrier. 

Sometimes, you can use the budget-friendly alternative of bubblewrap by utilizing extra socks, pillowcases, and linens to fill out the box. These items will help to add a protective layer without costing an extra dime! 

4. Write an Inventory List. 

You may find it valuable to write an inventory list before you move. The list will say what each box contains inside of it.

5. Leave Dressers as Is. 

Instead of purchasing extra boxes and taking up room in the moving truck, you will want to leave your contents inside of your dressers and tape up the outside of it. This allows you to unpack easier once you get to your new place. 

6. Have Important Documents on Hand. 

There is no better person to trust than yourself with essential records and documents. Do not rely on movers or family members to hold onto your important papers. Take them with you in your hands during the move to ensure their safety. 

7. Buy Heavy-Duty Trash Bags.

The last thing you want on moving day is a torn or ripped trash bag. Be sure to invest in heavy-duty bags for moving day to ensure everything gets there safely. 

8. Organize Items by Room. 

Your boxes should be organized by room. This will help make unpacking more manageable and ensure that everything is kept in place. 

9. Ask for Help.

Moving can be overwhelming and stressful. There is nothing wrong with asking for a little help from family and friends. Promise them something like a pizza dinner if they help you with the move. The odds are that they will pitch in and be willing to help! 

10. Keep Tools Nearby. 

Lastly, you are going to have to reassemble furniture once you get to the new place. Be sure to keep your toolbox nearby and ready for use by keeping it with you during moving day. 

For more advice and expert tips, be sure to check out our other blog posts at https://proudtobuild.com. 

Has your bedroom’s organization gotten out-of-hand lately? Are you struggling to find a place for everything? Do not worry! With our top five tips, you can reclaim your space and have it looking great. Let’s take a look! 

Easy Tricks for Bedroom Organization: 

1. Start off The Day Right. 

There is nothing better than coming home to a freshly made bed. Make your mother proud by setting aside time in the morning to make your bed. Not only will it help you to keep the rest of the room organized, but it will also feel great to lay down in a made bed each night. 

2. Declutter Your Life. 

You cannot begin the organization process until you have removed excess clutter from your bedroom. A good rule of thumb is to remove anything that you do not need or use. Whether it is old clothing or shoes you never wear, put it in a box to donate. Not only will someone benefit from your donation, but you will have far fewer items to organize once you remove unwanted/unused items. 

3. Every Square Inch.

There is a lot of extra space to be utilized for storage purposes. The space, underneath your bed and over your doorway, can be taken advantage of for extra storage. We even recommend adding shelving and hooks on your walls for the maximum amount of storage. If you currently do not have space under your bed, you can purchase a bed riser to accomplish this elevation. 

4. Out with The Old. 

Once you have decluttered your room, it is time to organize your closet. You want to only have items inside of your bedroom closet that actually belong in there. This will help the closet to stay organized and efficient. Afterward, we recommend buying a couple of closet organizers and even a shoe rack to tame the mess. You can even store last season’s clothing items in a box underneath your bed for extra room inside of your closet. 

5. Bedside Dreams. 

Your nightstand’s organization should be taken into consideration when you are purchasing it. If it only serves as a decorative piece, pass for now and move onto a more functional piece of furniture. Ideally, you will want a nightstand that has drawers for organization and storage. You can remove the clutter from the stand’s surface and store it inside of the nightstand. Items like tissues, notepads, books, and beauty essentials should be stored inside of the drawers for a more organized look and feel. 

We hope you enjoyed these five easy tricks for better bedroom organization. Check back weekly for more expert advice! 

While whipping up a fast family dinner, your refrigerator can get messy and out of sorts. To help keep things looking crisp and clean, you can follow our five tips for maximum fridge organization. 

How to Organize Your Refrigerator: 

Tip No. One: Let’s Make it Clear.

An easy way to find the things that you are looking for is to put the items in clear bins. Your fridge probably already has a few clear drawers installed, but it is never too late to add more clear bins. They can help you organize and maintain your food system without breaking the bank. Add the bins on top of your shelves to help organize any clutter. 

Tip No. Two: Groupings.  

To navigate quickly throughout your refrigerator, you will want to organize items by category. Place fruits in one bin/drawer and dairy items in a different bin/drawer. Make sure your family is clear on the system and encourage them to put things in the correct spot. 

Tip No. Three: The No-No Zone.

Dairy should not be placed in your refrigerator’s door, because the air and temperatures fluctuate a little too often for comfort. To keep your dairy products safe, make sure you have a place on the shelves for them.

Tip No. Four: The Safe Zone.

Meats can contaminate your other food products if they come into contact. A good way to prevent any dripping or contamination is to place your meat products on the lowest shelf possible. 

Tip No. Five: Labeled. 

Keep track of eggs, milk, and meat expiration dates by writing them on the product. You will only need to write on one egg and it will be the last egg you use. For example: if you buy a dozen eggs and they expire on August 17, you will write “August 17” on one of the dozen eggs. Throughout the week, you will use every egg except for the “August 17” egg. You want that to be the last egg that you will use. This will help you efficiently keep track of your egg’s expiration dates. Your other products you can simply use duck tape and a permanent marker to write down their expiration dates on their packaging. 

Have you found any personal organization tips that work for you and your family? We would love to hear about them in the comment section! 

A good night’s rest is essential for a happy and healthy lifestyle, but is your bedroom affecting the quality of your sleep? If so, here are seven hacks to help you have a better night’s rest. 

Bedroom Hacks for a Better Night’s Rest: 

1. Embrace a Calming Color Palette. 

Believe it or not, but color can truly impact the way we feel and the amount of energy we have. By selecting the right shades for your room, you can completely transform the way it makes you feel. Expert designers recommend choosing relaxing hues like earthy tones, light blues, and subtle greens to help create a more calming oasis. 

2. Escape The Disruptions. 

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things inside of a bedroom that can disrupt your quality of sleep. Things like electronics, bright lights, and loud noises. To avoid these disruptive characteristics, we recommend following these simple tips: 

1. Try to remove all electronics from your bedroom. We understand that this can be difficult and in some cases, unfeasible. But if you have the chance, try to remove as many electronics as you can. You may be surprised by the restful night of sleep you have after you do. 
2. Loud noises can be another disruptive characteristic in bedrooms. If you are looking to drown out unwanted sounds, you can invest in a white noise machine or even utilize a fan. 
3. Lastly, having too much lighting in a room can really affect the quality of your sleep. To help ensure that you are not bothered by the heavy lighting, we recommend getting an eye mask or even blackout curtains. These two items will help reduce the amount of light in your eyes while you try and fall asleep. 

3. Clear Clutter. 

A cluttered life can lead to a cluttered mind. After a long, stressful day of work, the last thing you want to do is clean your bedroom before you go to sleep. To help reduce the stress after work, we recommend keeping your surfaces clear of clutter. A good rule of thumb to follow is that you can only have three items on each surface at a time. For example, your bedside table may hold your phone, glass of water, and a light fixture. By following this simple tip, you will be able to unwind and clear your mind from a long, hard day.  

4. Discover The Right Temperature. 

Your bedroom’s temperature can truly affect your quality of sleep. In fact, sleep.org recommends homeowners to keep their thermostat between 60 and 67 degrees at night. This cool temperature can help your body transition into the sleep cycle. 

5. Find The Perfect Pillow.  

Have you ever slept somewhere that did not have the best pillows? It probably affected the quality of sleep you had for the night. Be sure to buy pillows that are best suited for yourself and always replace them when it is time. 

6. Smell Relaxation. 

Breathing scents of relaxation can help put your mind and body at ease. To help encourage relaxation, we recommend trying to incorporate scents like vanilla or lavender. You can purchase these scents in lotions, linen sprays, fabric softeners, candles, and diffusers to help you become more relaxed. 

7. Unwind.

You want to be sure that you give yourself some time to unwind each night. Whether it is taking a warm bath, reading a good book, or writing your thoughts in a journal, decompressing can be an essential part of a good night’s rest. 

We hope you enjoyed these hacks and have a good night’s rest! 

Congratulations! This is a monumental moment for you. You are officially a first-time homeowner. With owning a home, you will learn that there will be a lot of up’s and down’s (hopefully, mostly up’s). This is finally your chance to make your home unique and personalize it to fit your unique style. While you have always dreamt of the day, it has finally come for you to make your mark on your place. We are here to help you make your mark without breaking the bank. That is why we have created a guide with four tips for decorating your first home. Let’s take a look! 

First-Home Decorating Tips:

1. First Things, First.

Typically, the bedroom is where homeowners spend a majority of their time. Also, it is the least expensive room for you to redecorate. Depending on your budget, you have several options for decor ideas. If you are tight on a budget, we recommend starting with the bed. The coziness of your bed is definitely a top priority. You want your bed to be an escape from everyday life. We recommend starting with your comforter and working your way down to the sheets. If you have leftover cash, you can begin working on the room’s overall decor. Pieces like the curtains, rugs, and decorative finishes can turn your bedroom into a wonderful retreat. 

2. Pace Yourself.

It is exciting to own a new place and we are sure that you have a lot of dreams in place. But before you get too excited, you will want to budget yourself. It can be a great idea to create a check-list of your needs and wants. Before you make any purchases, you want to make sure that you are checking off your “need” list before your “want” list. 

3. Do Not Go Matchy, Matchy.

Design experts recommend steering clear of all matching furniture. Having a completely matching set of furniture can look nice, but it tends to make your home look dull and even staged. Whenever you have the chance, try to incorporate different pieces to spice up the place. 

4. Replace vs. Repurpose.

If you are trying to budget yourself, you will want to focus on making temporary adjustments to your home. By repurposing items, you can save a lot more money than replacing the item completely. For example, if you do not have the budget to replace all of your cabinetry, try repainting it and replacing the hardware until you can afford for a complete update. This is a simple hack to save you more money for a greater investment.

We want to help guarantee that you get the home of dreams. For more information on Fulton homes and check out our main website at http://www.fultonhomes.com.