Allow Your Space to Breathe

"_MG_2804" by CharlotWest is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

It’s getting cold outside, so there’s no doubt you’ll be spending more time indoors than you did over the spring and summer. So how can you spend more time indoors without feeling smothered by your apartment? By decorating in a way that gives your space room to breathe. You may be pressed for space as it is, so don’t overcrowd your apartment  (yes, there is such a thing as over-decorating). Use these tips, courtesy of Apartment Therapy, to create a space that is both aesthetically pleasing and spacious!

1. Declutter and use furniture that pulls double-duty

In a small space, sometimes sacrifices have to be made to make a space feel more airy. If you've got a piece of furniture you're no longer using, get rid of it. And then make the furniture you do have in there work extra hard, like in the image above, where an upholstered ottoman doubles as a coffee table or extra seating.

2. Rearrange and move big furniture to the back

Consider moving your bulkier furniture away from the room's entrance. Place your heaviest, most important pieces on the wall the farthest away from the door, and then arrange the rest of the furniture based on trying to visually balance out the space. You won't feel like a room's furniture is ganging up on you when you first walk into the space.

3. Use paint to unify and disguise

Camouflage a piece of furniture — take away its visual weight — by painting it the same color as your wall. It's drastic, but it works (find images in this post as proof). By camouflaging a piece of furniture in this way, it doesn't grab your attention as easily, and it doesn't feel heavy or imposing. But also use paint to disguise and hide bulky, unwanted things that stick out in the way like radiators, fans, anything else that gives visual clutter to a room.

4. Keep surfaces clear and free of unnecessary clutter

Getting to create vignettes and display your favorite items on surfaces is always fun. But keeping them clear and clutter-free can have a huge impact on making a room feel more airy. You don't have live in an empty space, but try clearing off surfaces and see which ones make a room feel better when they're empty.

5. Don't choose oversize art or go crazy with wall collages

Though oversize art can certainly play an important role in interiors (as can wall collages), oversized pieces of art, even if they make for a dynamic look, can feel imposing in a small room. Wall collages, if they're too large or randomly sized, can feel busy. It can literally feel like the walls are squeezing in slowly. So stick to a moderately sized piece of art that complements your space (and as you can also see illustrating our point about not choosing all these tips at once, this room sports a not-clear coffee table).

6. Keep window coverings simple (or don't use any)

I love a set of curtains that pool on the ground dramatically, and they can really up the feeling of coziness and softness in a room. But, pool on the ground a little too much, especially too close to furniture, and it might feel like they're inching toward you. While you're consider curtains, think about your rugs, too. Too many small ones in one space can add to the feeling of clutter in a room. Keep the textiles simple in your space for a more wide open feel.

7. Use mirrors to your advantage

It's a common suggestion around here, but it's because it works. Not only will it make a small space feel bigger, it'll help cut down on that claustrophobic feeling by not letting those walls feel too imposing or solid. And spreading more light around a space can't hurt.

Keep Fall Allergens Away

"Fall Back" by Ian Sane is licensed under CC BY 2.0

When you think of allergy season, you probably think primarily of spring and summer, but fall is a part of allergy season, too. We still spend time outside, and keep our doors and windows open until the weather gets too cold. What should you be on the lookout for and how can you protect yourself from the sneezing, itchy eyes and congestion? Apartment Therapy offers some tips for allergy-free apartment life.

The main culprit of fall allergies is ragweed. A WebMD article on the subject says:

Scientists estimate that a single ragweed plant can release one billion grains of pollen over the course of a single ragweed season. And the grains are so light that they float easily even on gentle breezes. Pollen has been detected as far as 400 miles out to sea and up to two miles up in the atmosphere.

Here are some ways you can help keep these microscopic nuisances out of your home:

Take your shoes off at the door, or better yet, in a separate area that's not in your living zone, such as a garage or front porch. A much debated topic on Apartment Therapy, the fact remains that we track many allergens into our homes through our shoes. If you struggle with allergies, it's a practice worth considering.

Stay indoors when the pollen count is high. This means trying to stay inside between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and noting days that pollen counts are especially high. Check out pollen.com for the National Allergy Forecast. Arrange outdoor activities around high pollen count hours. For instance, stick to early evening outdoor dining over picnic lunches. Not only does this help minimize your exposure to ragweed pollen, but it helps prevent bringing too much pollen into your home through your clothes and hair.

Time your showers. Since ragweed pollen is so lightweight and ubiquitous, it's going to get on your during allergy season, especially if you live in the Midwest or the Eastern states. So consider taking a shower right when you get home from work rather than the next morning. This is especially important for keeping the allergens out of your bed and your nighttime breathing zone.

Watch those windows. As tempting as it is to let all that cool, fresh fall air into your home, realize that you're opening the window to much more than a breeze. At least make sure to observe high pollen count times of the day (see point above), and shut windows between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Consider long-term, year-round solutions. There are many ways to control the amount of allergens in your home, ragweed season or not. And if you or members of your family suffer from allergies, implementing environmental control of allergens can significantly improve your quality of life. Some long-term ways to reduce at-home allergens include investing in a high quality air purifier, minimizing carpeting, and choosing leather furniture.