| When thinking about polished floors, cushions in | | | | outside for ease and comfort. |
| place, an exquisite flower arrangement, crisp and | | | | 5. Showers: Though showers are top on Elegance |
| folded napkins on the table, take time to think | | | | list and Hand Showers are blamed for 'spoiling the |
| about comfort, family time and kids activities also | | | | look' with their long hose, there cannot be |
| when decorating or designing your house. A lively | | | | anything better than an adjustable hand shower |
| place full of warmth and chatter is what makes a | | | | with a hose for bathing big dogs and kids. |
| 'House' a 'Home'. There are times when we | | | | 6. Lighting: Make sure that all your rooms have |
| overlook some important details to give that | | | | ample light. Reserve subtle lighting and other |
| 'Designer Touch' to our houses. Household | | | | lighting effects for special occasions and parties. |
| accidents, unhealthy personal conditions and lack | | | | Good, clear light helps maintain everyone's health |
| of family activities are the result. | | | | care easier and is especially good for school-going |
| To avoid such a situation, take care to make | | | | children and elderly people. |
| your house a comfortable and healthy place to | | | | 7. Artifacts: The next time you see your little kid |
| live in. Look around you and observe carefully if | | | | hardly daring to breath when passing by your |
| any difficulty and threats are being posed due to | | | | favorite antique lamp for the fear of breaking it, |
| faulty placement and wrong choice of objects. | | | | you know its the time for a revamp. Place glass |
| Here are some tips to get you started: | | | | objects and other breakable treasures in safer |
| 1. Rubber Mats: Though not much decorative, | | | | areas so your family members can move freely |
| rubber mats are the best things to have outside | | | | without worrying about spoiling your decor. |
| your bathroom or near the kitchen sink. They will | | | | 8. Comfort Level: At all times, keep in mind that |
| help avoid slipping and add safety to your home. | | | | your home needs to be comfortable and not rigid. |
| Never use any kind of rugs at the top or bottom | | | | Things get monotonous when they are 'too |
| of stairs. | | | | perfect'. A cozy nook by the window with a small |
| 2. Work Delegation Diary: Keep a diary in a | | | | coffee table, extra pillows thrown in for a |
| conspicuous place and write down in it, the daily | | | | comfortable tête-à -tête, a sparkling |
| chores of all members. Make sure everyone | | | | fireplace with a warm rug sprawled across are |
| takes turn feeding the pet, mowing the lawn, | | | | some examples. |
| dusting the furniture and setting the dinner table. | | | | 9. Family Space: A 'Home' is all about a family! |
| 3. Sitting Space: Keep some extra, light-weight | | | | Include in your design/decor, special 'Family' places |
| chairs or stools that can be carried to any place | | | | like a sufficiently large dinner table, a card table |
| to make immediate sitting space. Garden sitting | | | | for indoor games etc. Like I said above in 'Sitting |
| space, preferably under a tree or any other | | | | space', a mini dining table or wicker table-chair set |
| shade, is a lovely idea for spending family time. | | | | in your garden or under a tree in the backyard is |
| Get cane chairs or a bench placed in your garden. | | | | a lovely idea. If you have a spare room for your |
| Chairs and a table in the porch is another great | | | | crafts, make a separate shelf for Family crafts |
| idea. | | | | like Scrapbooking. A Wall Gallery of photos is a |
| 4. Door Knobs: Round door knobs give your room | | | | great way to bind family members - past and |
| a nice appeal, but are down on the Comfort-level. | | | | present. |
| Children and Elders suffering with Arthritis etc. find | | | | You know what works best for your family. So |
| if difficult to grip them. They are also difficult to | | | | develop this list further according on the needs of |
| grasp with wet hands. They can be replaced with | | | | your family and watch your pretty house take |
| Lever Handles both on the inside as well as the | | | | the shape of a 'Pretty Home'. |