You don’t have to do an entire remodel on your bathroom to create a spa atmosphere. Adding a few essentials to your decor and hiding the clutter will ensure that you find tranquility whether you’re soaking in the tub or just trying to escape the chaos of a busy home.

Choose a Theme

Spas will rarely have mismatched towels or a confusing theme so you may need to purchase a few new essentials. A natural garden, blue lagoon or Asian theme are just a few ideas to get you started.

Add a Little Nature

Vases with fresh flowers, a hanging fern or some bamboo are all fabulous ways to bring nature into your bathroom. These living things breathe life into your space and promote a calming environment.

Pay Attention to Detail

You don’t have to spend a fortune on decor. Roll a few towels and place them in a basket, add a small table with a tabletop fountain and make sure that you place a few soy candles around the room.

Eliminate Clutter

Spas are simplistic and so should your bathroom be. Instead of having things laying around your sink, tuck them away somewhere. There are simple storage solutions available to accommodate even the smallest bathrooms. Remember, a spa is a peaceful place. If your eyes come to rest on a pile of towels on the floor or an assortment of hair products laying around, the entire aesthetic of the room is compromised.

The way a room is laid out can have a huge impact on not only how aesthetically-pleasing it is but on how comfortable it is to be in too! Creating a balance between furniture, accents and the flow of traffic can leave you with a harmonious room.

• Control the Flow – People and pets need to be able to find their way through the room without obstacles or tight, undesirable squeezes. Keeping seating where it won’t interfere with doors and electrical outlets is crucial. Also, take into consideration recliners that may become fully extended or leafs that might be added to tables.

• Have a Focal Point – Every room needs a focal point. In homes with a fireplace, the mantle usually takes over, a contemporary bedroom has a platform bed, etc. The eyes can become lost and exhausted if left to travel aimlessly throughout a room and never reach a focal point. Wall fountains, art, biofuel fireplaces or even large aquariums all work well.

• Scale – The furnishings need to be reflective of the size of the room. You simply cannot have over-sized furniture in a small space. Choose clean lines and create balance to make the room appear larger.

If you feel a little lost in your room or something is just not quite right, you may just need to rearrange a few things. When the layout of your room is perfect, you will know right away. Sometimes it helps to leave, go get a coffee and then see how you feel stepping back into the room for the first time to determine what is throwing the space off balance.

Whether you want to hide that desk you have in your living room, create a little privacy area or make an office for your kids to study, you can easily do it even if you don’t have an extra room available. You don’t really need much space or a lot of furniture and supplies. Generally, a small desk, comfortable chair and of course, a gorgeous lamp to spice up the area is about all you need. Small cubicles are so easy to create anywhere in the house that if you have several people in your home, everyone can have their own private getaway to do homework, read, study, pay bills or simply escape!

Closet

The easiest way to create an office is with a walk-in closet. Yes, closet space can be hard to give up but if everyone can move their coats out of the hallway closet then you’re all set. Paint the area white or another light color and make sure there’s proper lighting. Closets offer a great deal of privacy. There are plenty of small desks available and you can even hang a cork board, calender or whatever else you want on the walls. The best part is, any mess is hidden with the door!

Under the Stairs

Many homes with multiple levels, have a cubbyhole under the stairs that is the perfect private area to turn into an office. Treat it the same way you would a closet and if you want a little extra privacy, buy a nice screen or hang a tension rod and a curtain to make yourself a door.

Corner of the Room

If the other two ideas just aren’t an option, section off a corner of a room and create a desk area. You can either make yourself a fabric room divider and hang it kiddie-corner or use two so your office area is square. Alternatively, you can use a room screen here as well. This is really ideal in kids rooms or dorms, especially if two people are sharing a space. A little privacy goes a long way.

Everyone needs their own personal space, a place to put their belongings that they know will be safe and things won’t get moved around. Of course, this can often turn into a mess so hiding these areas is always a great idea!

If you have decided that your home could use some skylights, be prepared to make some pretty big decisions. The main purpose of these strategically placed windows is to provide natural light which can also amount to some additional heat. This could be beneficial in the cold months but a disaster in the summer unless you add some type of shading.

Skylights have come a very long way through the years. Today they are available in several designs and from different materials. The main types are fixed, ventilating and tubular with all varieties having the option to be modified to include shades, screens, tinting and thermal insulated glass.

• Fixed Skylights – The sole purpose of these skylights is to provide natural light. They are ideal not only for your primary living space but for attics and workshops where extra illumination could be appreciated.

• Ventilating Skylights – These types of skylights provide light as well as ventilation. When they are open, they create an updraft which freshens the air in the home. These can usually be operated with a wall switch or remote control.

• Tubular Skylights – This is the newest variety of skylights that is quickly becoming very popular. They’re small in size, average about two feet across and are ideal for smaller spaces. Some have baffles which direct the light out through the tube so even though they’re not as large as traditional ones, they still provide an abundance of light.

Skylights aren’t like painting your wall where if you don’t like the color you can just redo it. This is a fairly detailed install so take the time to research styles and make sure that you will love the ones that you choose.