• Install some interesting architectural features such as beams to the bare ceiling.

• Add texture to the open space such as tile or wood detailing.

• Bring the ceiling to eye level with hanging light fixtures. It’s also wise to have a variety of light sources such as recessed lighting, chandeliers and fan lighting.

• Choose a paint color for the ceiling that will tie the room together. Semi-gloss paint will make the ceiling look higher, so if you don’t want this effect then avoid glossy finishes.

• Arrange the furniture differently to create a warmer mood and comfortable or elegant atmosphere.

• Highlight your hobbies and interests. Show off your collectibles, small paintings, crafts, etc. The point is to display whatever makes you happy.

• Group your possessions into a category. Maybe your belongings share a same theme, color or shape so arrange these items so they compliment your books.

• Add some flair with tall vases, decorative balls or pottery.

• Arrange accessories in threes, fives or sevens to create asymmetry.

• Combine a variety of pieces on your shelf so you have some short, medium and tall items.

• Use heavy glass or crystal objects as book ends.

• Softer colors such as pastel shades or neutrals can open up the space in comparison to bolder colors.

• Add lightening to increase the brightens of the room. Choose fixtures that don’t take up space such as recessed lighting, wall sconces or skylights.

• Replace your large vanity with a more compact one. A pedestal or wall-mounted sink will give you more floor space and cleaner lines.

• Eliminate current decorations that stick out and take up unnecessary space. Wall shelves and hanging racks can be convenient, but can you live without them? Another option is to find versions of these pieces that are have functional qualities in a space-saving design.

Secure yours or your children’s school supplies. Those mathematic calculators are not cheap and neither are those other special supplies that you need for school. Add a return address label to pencil cases, calculators, protractors, books, binders, etc. If you leave a book on the bus or in the classroom, someone might actually return it to you since they know your name and address.

Mark items that are going out for repair. If your sweeper, stereo, chair, etc. breaks and needs to go to the repair shop, add a return address label in a conspicuous area that isn’t broken. Then you can make sure that you got your possession back and not a different one.

Place personalized tags on your bags to prevent them from getting lost. You can put the address label inside of your laptop bag, eyeglass case, gym bag, luggage, etc. If you want to ensure that it’s secure, cover the label with a clear piece of packing tape.

Label your expensive possessions in case you would misplace them. Just because you didn’t take out an insurance plan on your laptop, PDA, MP3 player or camera, doesn’t meant that you shouldn’t take extra steps to prevent your pricey item from becoming lost. The return address label doesn’t guarantee that your high-end item gets returned, but it does increase the chances.

When your pet’s emotions are out of control, it can be challenging to get them to relax. Sometimes homeopathic stress relievers such as Bach Flower Remedies can make a difference. This product is made from flower essences, which can help alleviate different types of emotional stress. Since this formula is nontoxic, you can add it to your pet’s water bowl or drop it in the mouth.

You can also prepare your pet for thunderstorms by letting them listen to a CD of weather sounds. Try decreasing and increasing the volume, so your pet can become desensitized to these noises when an actual storm hits.

Creating a calming and peaceful environment can reduce your pet’s stress during the storm too. Sometimes putting them in the crate they were potty trained in gives them a sense of security, so this as well as familiar toys and blankets can be helpful tools.

The best way to start your cleaning is to do it on a day when the weather is mild. Depending on the size of your garage and how much stuff you have stored, you might need to dedicate an entire day to it. Once you get all of your cars outside, you can go through all of your shelves and throw things away and reorganize.

Power washing is an easy way to take care of the dirt and bugs so you don’t have to touch anything. Once your garage is clean, you won’t have to be embarrassed about letting family or friends in your house that way.

The Cambelback or Chippendale has a gently curved back and bench cushion, so it looks more formal. The Chesterfield is also formal and has a high back and arms.

More casual styles include the Bridgewater, Lawson, Tuxedo and Sectional. The Bridgewater has a slightly angled back with loose seat cushions and low profile arms. The Lawson has T-cushions and a high back with lower arms. If you desire a more streamlined look, the Tuxedo or sectional might be best for your space. These have more square designs, but the best seating design for a couch potato would be the sectional.

So which couch exudes the look you want to express?

All you will need is scissors, a pencil, wallpaper, glue and a slice of wood.

Start with a slice of wood and also purchase a wallpaper design that you like. Put the wood on top of the wallpaper and trace out the oval. Then cut out the wallpaper. Mist the back of the wallpaper with 3M Super 77 Spray Adhesive and lay it on top of the wood. After it dries, you can apply shellac if you want.

Maybe choose a few wallpaper designs that have some deer or a forest scene, because then you can mix up the designs and add variety to the wall.

• Start a compost bin so that you can use the refuse as fertilizer. Homemade fertilizer is nutrient rich, and you are fully aware of what is in your fertilizer.
• Use gardening tools that are made from recycled metals and plastic.

Gardening is a process, and you have to learn how to be patient and how to accept failure. With unpredictable weather conditions, you can never be certain about early frosts, sunshine or heat waves. The smallest change in weather can have a serious impact on your garden, but when you put in the effort to grow and protect your crops, you can be pleasantly surprised.

It’s also beneficial to include your children in the gardening process too. You can teach them at an early age how to grown their own food and what it means to live off of the land. Plus, your entire family will benefit from eating organic crops, and they will be more aware of what all goes into growing food. When you have toiled everyday to feed, water and protect the garden, you are less likely to waste the food you worked so hard to grow.