Green Cures All Your Winter Blues - The Best Ways to Use Plants in Your Home

With the temperature suddenly dropping like a stone, we can no longer plausibly deny that fall is upon us. But if, like me, you dread those winter months being stuck inside, there is good news:

PLANTS!

Indoor plants boost morale, productivity, concentration, and creativity. They reduce stress, fatigue, sore throats and colds. Plants improve air quality, absorb toxins, produce oxygen and humidify that dry winter air. And most importantly for our purposes - they look great! They improve the aesthetic of any space and soften the sterile indoors.

But if you are thinking, "Yes, Linda, but I have a black thumb and have killed every plant that has ever been unlucky enough to come into contact with me," I have more good news:

We are not only going to talk about how to use plants to beautify your home and create a serene reprieve from all those gray skies, slushy sidewalks and bare branches looming in our future BUT we are also going to talk about the 10 best houseplants for natural born plant-killers like yourself.

Talk about a Win-Win! So let's start with -

Using Houseplants in Your Decor

Re-purpose old goblets, chipped enamel mugs, or other charming containers as planters.

 

Keep fresh herbs close at hand in your kitchen to enjoy them all year round

Look for unique vessels for your plants, like a re-purposed light bulb
or this cool glass bulb your little plants 

Go all out - Fill a corner or a whole room with a lovely little potted garden

Or keep it simple and subtle with little splashes of green here and there.

So there's a little spark for your creative plant inspiration :-)

Now for those of you who are looking at these pictures and remembering all the plants you've killed, Here are the Top 10 Easiest Houseplants to care for.

POTHOS

Why you want it: First of all, this indoor plant has an air-purifying quality that can absorb and strip toxins like formaldehyde from materials in the home like carpet. How neat is that? It has trailing stems and works well in a hanging basket or as a climbing plant with some training onto a trellis or whatever object you like that will support it.

How to care for it: This indoor house plant can produce stems that trail eight feet or longer, so just cut them back when they get too long and your plant will continue to look full and healthy. It can thrive in an array of lighting conditions, but low light may diminish the leaves' variegation. Allow soil to dry somewhat between watering. Pothos does well in an array of normal room temperatures.

ALOE

Why you want it: This succulent with long pointed leaves has medicinal properties you probably well know from product labels. It can grow three feet high for big impact indoors. Smaller varieties like the popular aloe vera, work great in small, sunny indoor spaces.

How to care for it: Aloe likes room temperatures around 70 degrees and a lot of sunlight. As you might expect for a succulent, this indoor house plant prefers dry soil, so avoid frequent watering for the best result.

SPIDER PLANT

Why you want it: These unusual-looking indoor plants add visual interest to a room, and they haven't fallen out of fashion after years of popularity in the home. Spider plants come in a number of varieties, and work well as hanging plants.

How to care for it: Spider plants do well with evenly moist soil and bright or medium lighting conditions. Room temperatures of 60 to 75 degrees keep them thriving.

ENGLISH IVY

Why you want it: There's a real timeless elegance to ivy, and it trails down furniture for a pretty effect. Plus, it's super easy to start a new plant for yourself or a friend by cutting a section of the stem. Instant hostess gift! (OK, not really instant, but give it just two weeks or so.)

How to care for it: English Ivy likes moist soil and cooler room temperature conditions, ranging from the mid-50s to about 70.

JADE PLANT

Why you want it: For those who love the look of a succulent—not to mention the ease of care—a jade plant offers thick, lush leaves and visually interesting branches. It grows slowly and has the potential to live from your kids' birth until their high school graduations— at least! It also looks great in a pretty pot when paired with other succulent varieties.

How to care for it: Jade plant does not require a lot of water, so keep soil somewhat dry. It prefers bright light and ordinary room temperatures.

RUBBER TREE

Why you want it: This easy-to-grow indoor house plant will grow into an eight-foot-tall tree for a major pop of greenery in a room. If you prefer a smaller plant, just make your rubber tree into a shrub shape by pruning any long stems. The dark green leaves have an attractive shine to them.


How to care for it: Allow the surface of the rubber tree's soil to dry out in between watering. It thrives in lighting conditions from medium to bright, and a range of room temperatures between about 60 and 80.

DIFFENBACHIA

Why you want it: The leaves of this pretty indoor plant can grow to a foot long, and provide a tropical-looking accent to home decor. The whole plant can grow six feet high for a cheery room focal point.

How to care for it: Diffenbachia thrives in normal room temperature not colder than the mid-60s. Keep the soil evenly moist, and provide medium or low lighting conditions for the best result.

PEACE LILY

Why you want it: Surely you've seen this indoor house plant in many homes, since it has such pretty, curving white blooms and dark leaves—and it's super easy to grow.

How to care for it: This house plant favors low humidity and also low light, making it great for rooms with few windows. It prefers moist soil throughout the pot and tolerates standard temperatures ranging to about 85 degrees.

SNAKE PLANT

Why you want it: It doesn't get much easier than this indoor house plant—also sometimes known as mother-in-law's tongue! It has variegated leaves that grow upright, and some varieties' leaves have yellow or white edges. It has small white flowers that bloom only rarely.

How to care for it: This indoor plant grows well in a whole range of lighting conditions. The air should be somewhat dry, as should the soil. Any normal room temperature should suit it just fine.

FICUS

Why you want it: This indoor tree has shiny leaves to add cheer to any indoor space. Its stems can be braided for a tidy topiary effect we love.

How to care for it: This tree likes full sun, or at least bright filtered light. Most varieties (there are about 800!) prefer several days of dry soil in between thorough watering. Room temperatures between 65 to 75 degrees work best.

Plants make every space better. With these great tips and ideas, you can create your own little indoor paradise to enjoy throughout the winter and all year round.

Thank you to Today.com for content.

Get a Luxury Bathroom Inexpensively

We spend quite a bit of time in the bathroom. Not including the "half-hour with a magazine" times, we are showering, getting ready for the day and for bed, and if we're lucky, relaxing in a bath every now and again.

And no matter how nice your sitting room may be, guests will get a much more accurate picture of your lifestyle from the bathroom. 

Also, if you are thinking you might sell, the bathroom is also one of the most important value-adding aspects of your home.

It's important that your bathroom is nice, but that does not have to mean that it has to cost a small fortune. There are simple ways to make your bathroom look classy and expensive that are easier and cheaper than you may think. Here are some how-to's for how to class up your bathroom on a budget.

We'll hit this from two sides:

1. Surface Remodeling - you can change structural aspects of your bathroom without a major remodel of the floor plan or layout
2. Decor - Little superficial changes that can make a huge difference for the overall look

Surface Remodeling Tips 

Anytime you are dealing with plumbing, electrical, flooring, etc, it's going to be complicated, dusty, and expensive. However, if your bathroom is structurally sound and just needs a new look, here are tips for how to do that well.

1. Cover, Don't Replace

This is the guiding principle of any surface-level renovation, with the caveat that you never want to cover anything because it needs to be replaced.

For example, there is no better way to cover up the lower potion of walls than with easy-to-install wainscot. It's a pre-fab board that extends as high as 48" and will eliminate the need to fix any unfortunate wall dings and minor holes. But should that wallboard be speckled with mold and mildew, the last thing you want to do is cover it up. Unfortunately, you need to track down the source, stop it, and replace affected portions of wallboard.

2. Refinish Tub Instead of Replacing It

Bathtub or shower refinishing is a prime example of "cover, not replace." If the problem is mainly cosmetic--a yellowed surface and some cracks and nicks--you can refinish your shower or bathtub .

Bathtub and shower liners--a staple of infomercials and the hidden secret of many nice-looking bathrooms--are actually not as cheap as they seem. Never a permanent fix, they will carry you through a few years. Liners require professional installation.

3. You Don't Need That High-End Flooring

You think you want that radiant-heat granite floor but we are talking about a relatively small space here - a durable and highly cost-effective option is Vinyl Flooring.

Vinyl looks better than ever these days with innovations such as luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) and plank vinyl. Give it a try; you'll never look back. Trust me. 

4. Install Your Own Toilet

Don't call in the plumber to switch out the old toilet with the new. Install your toilet yourself . It's much easier than you can imagine following the step-by-step guide at this link.

5. Paint It Yourself

Bathroom walls are taken up with mirrors, showers, tile, bathtubs, etc. You're only dealing with a few square feet. You can paint the bathroom yourself in two days using this great step-by-step guide.

8. Install Your Own Bathroom Vanity and Top

Because bathrooms are small, it's possible for you to buy nearly or fully assembled bathroom vanity units and vanity tops and have them in place within a couple of hours.

Vanity units come in certain sizes ranging from 24 inches to 60 inches wide. Coordinating tops (counters) can be purchased that even have sinks fused into them--no sink installation and caulking woes!

Remember, these are SURFACE solutions. If you are doing anything more complicated (moving plumbing or electric, changing the floor plan, etc.) hire a professional. 

Decor Tips

If you already like the blank canvas of your bathroom, there are lots of inexpensive options for improving the decor and making it look much more expensive than it was.

1. Light It Up

Bright lighting makes your bathroom look bigger and cleaner. You try lighting fixtures like bulbs fixed into the bathroom sill or the false ceiling. You can also have mood lighting in the bathing area.

2. Keep it Clean

Even expensive bathroom fittings are of no use it is dirty and drab. Keep the sink, the tub and the tiles spotless clean. Your bathroom will automatically look classy.

3. Classy Mirrors

You must use mirrors that look expensive (but are not). 
For example, try covering an entire wall of your bathroom with a mirror. In this way, you will be saving on tiles.
Or, you can find unique used mirrors and re-purpose them to create the personalized look you want.

4. Bathroom Fixtures

Fixtures are like your bathroom's jewelry. They must be functional, of course, but there are so many options and looks that they are a great way to add a bit of pizzazz. Remember also that if you have furniture-like vanities, the drawer pulls and handles are included as fixtures.

5. Shower Curtains

This is the biggest piece of fabric in your bathroom, so this could be your gorgeous focal point, a splash of color, or just subtly blend with your other decor. Good quality shower curtains are not expensive and they really impact the look of your bathroom.

6. Bathmats

Chances are, if you are ready for a new shower curtain, you are also ready for a new bathmat. Remember from our Decorating Mistakes Blog that toilet rugs are no longer acceptable, but there are many options to add interest and class to a bathroom from the ground up.

7. Details

What is around your sink and on your shelves? These details make a big difference in the overall impression of your bathroom. Pour your favorite products into decorate pump bottles.

8. Artistic Touches

Dried flower petals and scented candles can give your bathroom a relaxing feel. Wall art and photos add you personality into it. But your bathroom decor could be anything from vases and lamps to themed decorations - there is no limit to what you can do.

Whether you are changing out a counter top or changing out a bathmat, there are many ways to get a gorgeous and classy bathroom for not a lot of money. You spend at least an hour a day in the bathroom. Your guests see it. Your family bathes there. Make it the beautiful bathroom you deserve.

How to Correct the 20 Most Common Decorating Mistakes

We all make mistakes. Styles change and what was once perfectly acceptable is now fodder for interior design hipsters to mock.

Don't Worry - Aiva has 20 great solutions for how to update your home easily and inexpensively. Here are the 20 most common decorating mistakes and how to fix them. In Countdown Form:


20. Toilet Rugs

Problem: Toilet rugs are cut to fit around the toilet and sometimes have the carpet-like matching seat cover.

Solution: Small Rectangular Rug

Opt for a rectangular rug placed away from the base of the toilet

19. Too Many Photos

Problem: People that are really into photos have a hard time giving up all their photos, which end up cluttering many surfaces

Solution: Gallery Wall
Display your favorite photos on a gallery wall and switch them out whenever you'd like. You can organize your other photos by decade or event and display the albums on a shelf.

18. Ignoring the Foyer

Problem: The foyer is a terrific opportunity to make a statement about who you are and what your house is like. It doesn't have to be something grand - any statement is better than none at all.

Solution: Make a Statement

Use paint or patterned wallpaper to add color, and hang a beautiful mirror or painting. A mirror is especially great because it reflects light and creates the illusion of more space. Use the horizontal surfaces to hold mail and keys when you first walk in.

17. Out-of-Place Themes

Problem: A home's decor needs to be authentic and provide a sense of where you are. Decorating too much in the same print is overwhelming and tacky.Choices okay in some places are unacceptable anywhere else (I'm talking to you, Florida!)

Solution: Stylish Accent Pieces

Use accents to incorporate the look you enjoy without being overwhelming. If your house is in the mountains but you love the beach, display a collection of seashells or coral on a bookcase or end table instead of designing an entire beach-style room. 

16. Outdated Accessories

Problem: Don't let your room feel outdated because of old cabinets and hardware

Solution: Updated Hardware
Make small changes like switching the hardware on your
kitchen and bath cabinets for a big impact

15. Lopsided Furniture Arrangements

Problem: If you don't have an eye for furniture arranging,
look at decorating magazines to get ideas

Solution: Balance Furniture Pieces
Keep your furniture arrangements balanced to the eye.
If your furniture has heavy bottoms, use a glass table
or tall floor lamp to bring the eye up

14. Keeping Something You Hate

Problem: Just because something was a gift does not mean
you are obligated to keep it. Keeping something you hate
out of obligation or apathy is a common mistake.

Solution: Get Rid of It
When it comes to your home, you have the right
to get rid of something you don't like
(give it away, throw it away, donate it to charity, sell it, etc).
Drop hints to friends and family to avoid getting
something in the future that doesn't fit.

13. Visible Clutter

Problem: Unsightly clutter and disorganization not only contribute to a more stressful life, but ruins the look of the space.

Solution: Hidden Storage
Storage baskets, storage ottomans, under-the-stairs shelving units...there are many options for hiding and stylizing your stuff.

12. Furniture that Doesn't Fit

Problem: Furniture showrooms are much bigger than your living room, making it tough to choose furniture scaled to your home.

Solution: Choose the Right Sized Furniture
Follow these tips to avoid buying furniture that doesn't fit: 
1. Draw a to scale floor plan or purchase a room design kit so you can find the best layout without moving heavy furniture. 
2. Embrace "less is more", and don't try to put too much into any space. 
3. Measure the room before buying furniture pieces, and you'll decrease the chances of making a mistake.

11. Too Many Color Patterns

Problem: Too many colors and patterns tend to look busy, crowded and distracting.

Solution: Choose a fun pattern for a wall or a piece of furniture, but keep other pieces solid to balance it out.

10. Floating Rugs

Problem: A small rug in the middle to "bring the room together" actually looks disproportional.

Solution: A Rug that Touches All Furniture
Before purchasing, use measuring tape to create an outline of where you want to place the rug. Place the front feet of all furniture on the rug.

9. Frames Hung Too High

Problem: If you have to bend your neck to see your art, it's hung too high. You want your artwork at eye level, whether sitting or standing.

Solution: Hang Art at Eye Level
About 60 inches is the optimal height for hanging art and mirrors. If your pieces are big enough, they should just reach the top of the door frame. To hang art over a sofa, the bottom edge should be 6 inches above the top of the sofa.

8. Tacky Couch Covers

Problem: If you love your furniture, there are better ways to protect it than plastic covers

Solution: Stylish Throws
Use a throw blanket that doesn't overpower the couch, brings together the colors in the room, and doesn't hide your furniture. Keep it simple and sleek.

7. Pushed Back Furniture

Problem: Pushing back furniture to the walls creates a look that is too boxy and uniform

Solution: Use a Sofa Table
Create a comfortable sitting area in the center of the room. A console table behind a sofa is a great place for a gorgeous display

6. Ignoring Windows

Problem: Bare windows do not make a room feel inviting and comfortable. Also, your neighbors can see you naked.

Solution: Hang Curtains High Up
As a rule of thumb, hang curtain 2 inches above the window frame. OR you can make the most of high ceilings by hanging them near the ceiling to seem bigger. Or you can add a Roman Shade to block light and add interest

5. Fear of Color

Problem: Most people love color but are too scared to use it. But you won't enjoy a boring room.

Solution: Paint a Wall
Pick a color you love that works in the space, test it out at different times of day with different lighting, and if you don't like it, just paint over it. Color is a great punctuation and doesn't have to be overbearing.

Add caption

3. Too Many Knick-Knacks

Problem: We all have too many of them, and they can make a room seem cluttered (and a nightmare to dust)

Solution: Display on a Few Items
Edit your collections so they look good in small groupings. Rotate items that you really love. Leave shelf space around them so they don't get lost in the clutter. Less is more.

2. Pillow Overload

Problem: If pillows hinder being able to sit on a couch or lie in a bed, it's too much.

Solution: Create a Serene Look
Select a few pillows that you really love. Instead of buying so many, spend your time creating a perfect space that you want to spend time in.

AND THE #1 DECORATING MISTAKE IS:

1. Fake Flowers

Problem: Fake flowers and plants gather dust and they don't bring life into your home the way real flowers do. Fresh flowers are expensive but there are alternatives to buying them all the time.

Solution: The Real Thing
In addition to occasional fresh flower centerpieces, you can add lemons or other fresh fruit to a bowl, or use dried natural material like curly willow or bamboo stalks for a fresh look

Thank you to HGTV for content!