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Spring
SATURDAY EDITION
A Special
Supplement to
❘ APRIL 16, 2016 ❘
SECTION C
Siuslaw News
Home Improvement
FRESHEN
UP YOUR HOME
THIS SPRING
Simple changes can
improve interior spaces
and brighten a home’s
atmosphere before the
weather warms up
METRO PHOTOS
Fresh flowers, new throw pillows and lightweight draperies are some easy ways to transform a home in time for spring’s arrival.
A
fter a few months of chilly temperatures, come spring, many homeowners are
eager to throw open their windows and doors and breathe new life into their
homes. Simple changes made now — even before the weather begins to warm
up — can improve interior spaces and brighten the atmosphere of a home.
At least once a year, rent or enlist the sur-
faces of carpet and upholstery cleaners to give
floors a thorough cleaning. You may be sur-
prised at how clean and fresh a home looks
and smells once rugs and carpets are deep-
cleaned.
You also can make a dry carpet cleaner
using baking soda, corn starch and desired
fresh herbs for fragrance. Sprinkle and then
vacuum up after a few hours.
Go plant shopping
Research from NASA suggests adding at
least one plant in your home per 100 square
feet is efficient enough to clean air. Fresh
foliage also makes a home feel warm and
inviting.
Watering and misting plants introduces
moisture into indoor air, which can make
rooms overcome with dry air from heating
systems feel comfortable.
Just be sure to avoid overwatering plants,
which can lead to mold growth.
Color-coordinate bookshelves
Group all books with similarly colored cov-
ers together for an instant and eye-appealing
look.
Swap out throw pillows
Accent pillows on beds and sofas are quick
and inexpensive ways to add new bursts of
color to rooms. You may be able to make over
a room’s entire color scheme with new pil-
lows.
Invest in pillows that you can switch with
each season so your decor will never look
tired or dull.
Clean existing light fixtures
Another way to brighten the mood in a
home is to periodically clean light fixtures to
make sure they are working effectively.
Spend time dusting them and cleaning off
any accumulated debris. If need be, switch out
old lamp shades for newer ones that let more
light shine through.
If inadequate lighting is a problem no matter
how many lamps you have, consult with an
Simmer some homemade
home deodorizer
In a large pot, boil water and some scented
herbs, such as rosemary, citrus rinds, vanilla,
or lavender. The aroma will waft through the
home, creating a pleasing scent.
electrician about installing more overhead and
accent lighting.
Deep clean rugs and floors
Recirculated air may be full of dust and
other microscopic particles that end up blow-
ing throughout your home.
Also, it’s easy to track in dirt and other
materials on your shoes that become imbed-
ded in carpeting.
Invest in new
window treatments
Lightweight draperies or new blinds or
shades can transform the look of a room. Be
sure to keep curtains and blinds open during
the day to maximize the hours of sunlight.
Homeowners can make some simple
changes while they’re stuck indoors and reap
the benefits when the weather warms up
again. —Metro