10 Simple, Must-Have Feng Shui Decorating Tips for Your Home!

We all want our homes to be clean, harmonious, and a true reflection of who we are and what we want. But could we be sabotaging ourselves and our homes with cluttered rooms, negative symbols, and improper placement of furniture in the rooms?

If you want to have a calming, harmonious home, try decorating in the ways of feng shui – the art and science of organizing space to maximize positive energy or chi. Originating from ancient China, feng shui has been practiced for centuries and is quite popular in the western world as well. These 10 tips below can help you fix up your home to how you want it and give you a sense of balance and calm. Try them out today!

Free-Float Furniture on Rugs – Never put all of your furniture against walls. Not only does it not look very good, but it also makes it difficult to hold a conversation when furniture is placed on the other side of the wall. Instead, place some of the furniture away from the walls and arranged more closely to each other to help support communication. Remember to put at least the front legs of all furniture on the rug, if you have one. It will help people sit down and talk with ease!

Make Your Front Door and Entryway Inviting – It’s said that positive energy enters the home through the front door, so be sure to make the front of your home welcoming and clean with no clutter or obstacles! Sweep the steps and sidewalk in front and add a potted plant to the entryway. Make sure, too, that nothing in that area is broken and that dead plants have been cut away.

Hang Mirrors – Mirrors are believed to reflect positive energy; therefore, you double the good vibes when you hang up mirrors in your home! On a physical level, mirrors also reflect light and make rooms appear larger and brighter than they actually are. The only place a mirror is not recommended is facing the front door since it will reflect good energy right out the door.

Add Happy Family Photos – Want to keep your relationships in tip-top shape? Add some happy photos of yourself and your spouse, your family, and your friends! Place these in high-traffic areas in the home such as hallways, the kitchen, or even the living room. Seeing these happy photos in times of stress can also help calm any negative emotions or arguments.

De-clutter Every Room – This step is essential when it comes to brining harmony in your home and your life. Studies have even shown that clutter can cause us to stress out, so start de-cluttering! Go through your things little by little and decide what you want to keep, what you want to recycle, and what you want to toss. You’ll feel so much better as soon as your home is de-cluttered!

Make Your Bedroom Fun – If you feel that your bedroom is just too neat and lacks some whimsy, add something fun that makes you smile. This could be some artwork or a photo or two of you and your significant other laughing together. This will help bring positive energy into the room!

Keep Work and Rest Areas Separate – Any work or home office space should be kept in a very distinct area away from living or sleeping areas. If they are mixed, then relaxation will be next to impossible, and work material will prevent getting a good night’s rest. Make a designated home office where you accomplish all your tasks and make sure that your bedrooms are places of rest and relaxation.

Bring the Outdoors Inside – Houseplants are one of the cheapest and best things you can purchase for your home. Not only do they keep your air clean, but they also promote positive energy in your home! Display a bouquet of your favorite flowers or grow some cute and quirky little houseplants to add pops of color and positivity to your home!

Make Repairs Right Away – Don’t leave any broken things behind in your home – get to them promptly! Any house features that are broken such as stairs, windows, or doors should be fixed as soon as possible to allow the energy to flow freely in your space.

Use the Right Colors – Colors have a special meaning in feng shui and represent different things. For example, green symbolizes nature, life, and hope; yellow represents power, and red and purple are known as lucky colors. Relaxing colors are also great to use in living areas and in bedrooms.

These fun and easy feng shui rules can help create a more prosperous, harmonious, and organized home and give you a sense of calm and well-being. We hope that these tips help you turn your home into the safe haven that it’s meant to be! If you’re in the hunt for a home to call your own and give you rest, then talk to the experts of the Metro East St. Louis region – the Massey Team! Call us today at either (618) 791-5024 or (618) 791-9298 to talk to one of our knowledgeable agents, or view our listings online at www.dianamasseyhomes.com to get started.

9 Tips to Throwing the Perfect Housewarming Party

Whether it’s across the street, across town, or to another city entirely, moving is an exciting time in one’s life! After you find the home of your dreams, you will want to move as soon as possible, put your things inside, and decorate it the way you like it.

Of course, you will want to show your brand new home off to your friends as soon as you can! That’s when it’s time to organize the perfect housewarming party for you and your friends to celebrate this new chapter in your life.

Here are 9 tips to help you throw a great housewarming party with little stress!

Plan Ahead – When it comes to something big like a housewarming party, it’s smart to give people plenty of notice in advance so they can come to your party, especially in the summertime. Giving 2 to 3 weeks of notice should do just fine. Choose a day and time that will work the best for most, especially if there’s a long travel time involved. Remember to put out a sign and some balloons in your front yard for your friends and family to see easily from the road!

Keep the Weather in Mind – Be sure to check the weather forecast a day or so before the party and plan accordingly. You wouldn’t want to have an outdoor party if the forecast calls for rain. Additionally, if you live in a warm climate, consider hosting your party outside. That could help minimize any stress or pressure you feel in making your new home look “perfect.”

Unpack As Much As Possible – Your things don’t need to be completely put away, but boxes should be in their appropriate rooms, at least. Since your guests will more than likely be hanging around your living room, dining room, and kitchen, try to make sure that these boxes are unpacked before any others.

Choose Food Wisely – Food can be quite messy sometimes, so be sure to choose something that is easy to eat and makes the least amount of mess. Finger is a safe bet when it comes to housewarming parties, so try to have food like sandwiches, chips and dips, cookies, sliced fresh veggie sand fruits, kebabs, and meat and cheese trays on hand for your party. Not only are these foods easy to eat, but they also won’t leave a mess on your furniture!

Remember the Details – You don’t have to go all out at your party, but small details here and there can make a big difference. Fresh flowers, easy snacks, and a few lit candles will make a world of difference without having you to do much work at all. Be sure also to keep one table clear to store and display any gifts that your guests may give you.

Show Off Your Home – Your friends and family will be stoked to see your new place, so plan on giving a quick tour of the space. If you haven’t fully unpacked your things, don’t worry – no one’s going to mind a few boxes here and there in your home. Take them through the place and tell them your plans on what you’ll be doing with each room, what color of paint you will choose, and how you will decorate it.

Keep It Simple – Don’t worry about making your party or your house perfect. Your guests know that you recently moved, so they’re aware that not everything will be put together and, believe us, they’re fine with it! Instead of stressing over fancy decorations and getting your best dishware ready, opt for cute paper plates and cocktail napkins and fresh flowers.

Have a Few Activities – Give your guests some entertainment options. If you have your party outside, try implementing some fun outdoor games like Frisbee, beanbag toss, washers, or ladder golf. If you’re inside, set up some fun board games or group-friendly video games at certain stations so your guests can mingle from activity to activity.

Send ‘Em Home With Favors – Thank your guests for coming to your party with a simple favor. A small bag of candy works perfectly fine as a favor. Be sure to give your guests a card or printout with your new address and contact information so they can stay updated!

If you’re looking for more housewarming party ideas or are in search of that perfect home for you, we can help! Just call us at (618) 791-5024 or (618) 791-9298 or visit us online at www.dianamasseyhomes.com to get started right away.