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7 Ways to Maximize Your Kitchen Space

Clean and Neat Kitchen

Clean and Neat Kitchen

Do you love your kitchen? Is it spacious enough for you and your cookery needs? Well if your kitchen feels so much squeezed and so much overwhelmed by cluttered counter tops, you must get a few tricks up your sleeve to create a cool environment with enough space to move around. Here are a few tips you could practice in order to make good use of your kitchen space.

Introduce A Shelf

Shelves will remove all the clutter from the limited floor space and send them right into the one unoccupied space that we often forget about, the walls. They are greatly affordable and give quick but easy spaces to use. When you introduce a shelf it completes the cooking spoon hooks, kitchen towels holders, and leaves you with a cool one on one space to use.

Use Less Of ALL

ALL is everything that you use in your kitchen. It includes cookware, dishes, tableware, spices and many other things. Using less of all these things gives you an opportunity to store the extras away. This will leave your kitchen pretty much organized as you will only have what you need to use is smaller and easy to arrange proportions leaving you with manageable stuff.

Have A Wall Plan

We have seen that adding shelves can create more space to your home. However it will surprise you to note the number of people who still strive to get the clutter out for their kitchen when they have awesome shelves all over the place. This is simple really, poor storage can lead to this. You must have a storage plan. Keep the least used items up the rack. Look for shelves with wide base to carry more stuff, and have items that can be stacked on each other by storing in tins.

Buy An Appliance

Home appliances for your kitchen are so many. They include coffee makers, microwaves, cook tops, rangehoods, and fridges among the rest. Buying a kitchen appliance such as the fridge will give you more space by the use of its many compartments that it comes with. You can use door racks to stock up some bottled milk or canned food, and use the freezer to throw in the turkey on time until the next day for thanksgiving.

Get Drawers Too

Apart from shelves we have drawers. Toe kick drawers are the best for your kitchen. They are so ideal for flat cooking sheets and many other small items that can be slid through and which don’t need so much storage space to remain comfy of create space. Their height is often ankle high and they draw out to reveal so much more hidden space that you might never know off.

Stack Up The Tins

If you don’t have shelves or drawers in your home you could think of stacking up a few more things in your kitchen. They might include food storage boxes, trays, and many other things that you would find easy to out on top of each other. it will give you more space and leave you with an incredibly neat kitchen.

Remove Extra Seats

Generally extra furniture makes your kitchen to look stuffed up. Maximizing the kitchen space doesn’t mean stuffing but rather using the space wisely to guarantee comfort and minimize any forms of wastage. So consider pulling in seats that you use only but not other unnecessary ones.

Having an absolute freedom in your kitchen is awesome. It will improve your safety and indeed keep all the hazards away. Use these tricks that we have highlighted today and enjoy a great time in your kitchen. And if you must buy an appliance get them online from ideal electrical retailers such as Bi-Rite.

 

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Why Not Try the All Powerful 3 Day Military Diet

Healthy Diet

Healthy Diet

For a long time, we have been told of hundreds of weight loss strategies that one can use. While a good number are amazingly effective, there are those that are just bogus. Weight loss is something that a majority of the population is fighting today. One of the seemingly unconventional methods used is this 3 day diet which incorporates military training tricks to make it more effective.

When you hear of a 3-day weight loss program, you might be a little bit skeptical. However, after reading this post you will realize that besides the program being effective, it is also fun. You really don’t need to follow a diet which makes you eat food by the millimeter or by the kilojoule for weeks; all you have to do is embrace this program fully. You will not be forced to buy supplements which at times end up being more expensive than the real food when you use the other weight loss programs.

There is the long-standing saying which goes, ‘no pain, no gain’. Well, with the 3-day military diet program, this saying is very true. You will perform some crazy boot camp antics, but which are thrilling if not fun filled. You will also have to be open to biting into some rather non-tasty foods. Still, the whole experience will prove fun, effective and for most people repeatable.

The one thing that you will love about this very unique 3-day diet program is the time it takes. Other programs take weeks or even months at any one time for any reasonable results to be realized. Many times, people are not that patient. You really don’t want to wait as if you are holding a vigil for something miraculous to happen. You need to be able to get angry when that favorite blue pair of jeans fails to fit and after a week, you get to stroll the streets in it; that’s how marvelous this diet is.

While a person who wants to cut down their excess waist fat should have the persistence, patience and willpower, so as to achieve their dream, it can be quite punishing if one expects them to hold on for months. As with the 3-day diet, your willpower will not be overly tested. You just need enough commitment to sustain you for a few days and the excellent results will follow. Moreover, this program is built around simple daily foods which are quite affordable.

Some of the dos and don’ts about this diet

  • Do follow the prescribed plan word for word. Do not negate at any point. You want that skinny shapely body back. After all, isn’t it just a 3-day program?
  • Don’t try to compensate for foods not eaten after you are done with the diet. It can be expected that after you are done with the diet that you will jump back into your rather unhealthy way of eating. The recommended calories per day, at least, the rest of the week or until you reach your goal is to consume 1,500.
  • Don’t eat snacks. Well, with other dieting programs, you are encouraged to eat snacks every so often. However, with this 3-day diet program, you should stick to the 3 daily meals outlined therein.
  • Do add an extra 100 calorieson your diet if you are a man. Men’s bodies require more calories than those of women.
  • Do have a lot of willpower. You will have a lot of hunger moments throughout the stipulated daysfor  You should hold on and remind yourself that you want to achieve a better looking you. Your esteem will also improve greatly the moment you achieve your weight loss goal.
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6 Frugal Tips for Decorating Your First Home on a Budget

Six Frugal Tips for Decorating Your First Home on a Budget

Moving is always exciting, but especially when it’s your very first place. Furnishing and decorating an empty space can quickly add up if you don’t plan ahead, though, so keep the following tips in mind as you start gathering everything you need to make your new house a home.

  1. Create original artwork

1 Create original art

Purchasing original art can be pricey, so if you’re working with a smaller budget you may want to consider creating your own. Aside from saving money, you’ll end up with something that’s uniquely you.

You don’t have to be a masterful artist to pull it off either. An old window frame could be transformed into a photo frame, and the covers of your all-time favorite albums or movies could become a fun collage. If you need some inspiration, Pinterest is a good place to begin your search for DIY art ideas.

  1. Don’t go overboard

2 Don't go overboard

When it comes to decorating, less is often more, especially if you’re moving into a smaller space. Rather than just heading out and buying anything that catches your eye, start by rounding up all the essential items of furniture and arranging them around your home.

Once you’ve done this, you’ll be able to pick out accessories and knick knacks that will enhance each space rather than just clutter things up.

Walk through each room critically and think about how it can be improved. Would a strategically placed mirror make the room feel more spacious? Maybe a potted plant in the corner would add a fresh feel, or perhaps a few colorful pillows or rugs would make a somber room livelier.

  1. Consider buying secondhand

3 Consider buying secondhand

It’s definitely possible to find affordable household goods when things go on sale, but you should also consider looking for sturdy secondhand items at local thrift shops, consignment stores or moving sales.

Of course, if you don’t have time to look for and visit these places in person, there are plenty of sites online where you can shop for just about everything. Start your search for used furniture in your area by checking the home and garden sections on sites like Gumtree. You may occasionally even come across items that are entirely free if you’re willing to collect them yourself.

  1. Repurpose and recycle

4 Repurpose and recycle

Recycling and repurposing has become extremely popular over the last few years, and it’s a great low-cost way to score some authentic items of furniture or accent pieces.

For instance, a sad three-legged table could be cut in half and secured to the wall as an entryway table, while a new coat of paint might transform an old step ladder into a unique bookshelf. Pallets have also become popular as building blocks for everything from beds, tables and sofas to wine racks and book shelves. Again, if you’re looking for ideas, Pinterest is a great place to start your search.

  1. Add a splash of color

5 Add a splash of color

When you don’t have a lot of money to put towards decorating your new flat, painting one or more walls with a bold color can really liven things up without costing you too much.

Before you choose a color, though, it’s important to think about the color of your floor, furniture, rugs, curtains and other items in your home, as you’ll want a color that blends well with everything else. Because of this, it’s often best to leave the painting until after you’ve purchased most of your furniture so you don’t end up choosing things based on the color of your wall.

  1. Throw a house warming party

6 Throw a house warming party

Although no one should feel obligated to bring a gift, a housewarming party can be a great time to let your friends know that you’re still in the process of gathering a few odds and ends for your new place.

A gift registry can seem a bit formal, so keep it casual by sending out an email or setting up a Facebook event page where you can ask your friends to bring along any duplicates or hand-me-downs that they no longer need or use in their own homes.

You could also create a simple list to let people know what sort of general items you’re looking for, such as kitchenware or household knickknacks like candle holders, rugs, photo frames, mirrors, coasters, lamps, vases or pillows.

Author bio:

Marianne Stenger is a freelance writer. She covers everything from career development to life hacks and loves coming up with DIY décor ideas in her spare time. You can connect with her on Google+ and Twitter or find her latest articles here.

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Tips For Keeping Your Office Clean

Office Cleaning Tips

A clean office enhances the smooth running of a business and keeps employees happy and healthy. This may be hard to believe but in reality, it improves productivity because every item is in its rightful place thereby making the office well organized for business. Also, to a large extent, a clean office improves creativity and focus. Yes, this is very correct, as workers are sure to remain focused without being distracted by the crumbs on their keyboard.

 

With a clean office, good health is improved because there are reduced germs as well as rodents and pests  everything is properly disinfected and sanitized. On a final note, the reputation of your business is not endangered when your office is clean. It gives everyone who walks in the impression that your company is organized and efficient. So if you are thinking of how to make your office look clean, here are some helpful cleaning tips that can ensure that for you.

 

Stock your closet with all the essential cleaning products for your office. These include microfiber wipes, paper towels, dusting spray, glass cleaner etc. Also, ensure that your employees are reminded and aware of your cleaning procedures by including a simple chart that presents common office cleaning tips.  Steve from Carolina Office Cleaning in Charlotte says that even if you do your own cleaning, you should bring in a commercial cleaning company periodically for a full top to bottom cleaning of your office.

 

Ensure that every item in your office has its own place and leave it that way. If you think you would experience trouble remembering their location, do well to label their positions.

  1. Have a limited number of items on your desk. It will be difficult to spread out your work with excess clutter. Delegate anything that is not always in use to another location such as business cards, paper clips, an extra calendar etc.
  2. Wipe your keyboard and monitor daily with special wipes that are specially made for them. They can be found in most office supply and electronics stores. Please make sure that the keyboard is dried before putting it to use.
  3. Endeavor to clean your office phone regularly. This can be done by wiping the phone with a neat cloth that is sprayed with cleaner. Wipe down the dial pad with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol.
  4.  Ensure to keep bugs at bay by vacuuming areas where people eat and taking out the trash regularly.
  5. At least, a day in each month should be assigned as “Kitchen clean-out day.” During this day, leftover food in the fridge should be thrown away except if they have long expiry dates like olives or ketchup.
  6. Dirty dishes should not be kept, immediately after every meal all dishes in the break room should be properly washed and dried. To avoid overcrowding on the dish rack, choose a specific day in a month to appoint employees to put away any dried dish.
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Replacing Your Water Heater: What You Need To Know

It’s the middle of winter, rain is pouring through the over flowing gutters outside. You get home from a long, hard day at the office and all you want to do is soak in the tub with a good book and an even better glass of wine. You open the taps, but to your dismay only cold water runs out. As you wait and wait the conclusion you’ve been trying so hard to avoid sets in: The water heaters broken.

It’s one of those things you never think about until it actually happens, but when repairing the appliance isn’t an option, replacing your geyser can be a real pain. The worst part? Not everybody knows a whole heck of a lot about them and not everyone is able to make an informed purchase, that’s for sure. Water heaters are usually already working in the homes we inhabit and so seldom break down that when they do we’re left not knowing what to do.

Well we thought we would take the time to go through the available options and look at what is realistically your best option when replacing a geyser in your home.

Firstly, there are two general types of water heaters out there:

 

The Tankless water heater

These units basically only start heating the water once you turn the tap and they’re usually gas powered.

Advantages

  • They never run out of hot water.
  • Can last up to 10 years.
  • Very efficient.
  • Smaller than conventional geysers.
  • Only heats the water being used.

 Tankless Water Heater

Disadvantages

  • They’re expensive up front (up to three times more).
  • The hot water output is divided between all the home fixtures.
  • Needs a larger gas feed.
  • They produce greenhouse gases.
  • It can take a little longer to actually warm the water.

 

The Tank Type Water Heater

These geysers keep a tank of hot water on hand at all times, they are usually run with electricity.

Advantages

  • They’re cheap to buy.
  • Smaller gas/power requirements.
  • More easily adaptable.
  • Able to include solar pre-heating applications which can save on cost in the long run.

 Water Heater

Disadvantages

  • Uses energy around the clock to keep the unit warm.
  • Larger storage tanks
  • Hot water supply is more limited.

 

So that’s a basic breakdown of the difference between the two, but you might still be wondering what the better option is. The truth is that they both have their up sides. The tank type water heater is still a very good option for the home. As insulation improves and they are now being assisted in many cases with solar power, they are becoming more cost effective. Also in living situations the amount of hot water these units are able to store can in most cases be sufficient. But in work environments where space is limited and demands are much higher, the tankless system can be a much more logical way to go.

Essentially you can’t really go wrong with either, but it does come down to what’s more practical for your situation and what your requirements are from the unit. Either way, safety is always paramount and it’s therefore really important to get a professional plumber to install the unit properly for you so you know it’s good to go.

We hope this article has helped demystify the water heater somewhat and has helped you make a more informed decision about what your home requires!

 

 

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Clean Out The Clutter in Your Home

Tired of the junk accumulating in your home?  If you’re like most people, getting the “stuff” is a lot easier than letting go of the “stuff”  We humans have a bad habit of trying to keep everything we get, even if it’s no longer useful and against our better judgement.

Take some time this weekend to declutter your home, clean up the clutter and regain some of that living space you’ve missed for so long!

And if you have an office that needs to be cleaned, work on that as well, or hire an office cleaning professional to do it for you.

Check out this infograghic from http://www.sparefoot.com/that shows you some easy ways you can clean out the clutter in your home.  Have ideas or suggestions?  Feel free to leave them in the comments below.  Happy cleaning!

Decluttering Infographic

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Selling At Your Local Farmers Market

Farmers Market Produce

The Farmers Market is a great place to sell your food because people are coming out to shop, to eat, and to not worry about the slightly exaggerated prices. There are dozens upon dozens of booths, selling all sorts of organic foods, grilled foods, raw foods, anything your heart can desire. So when folks come to the farmers market, they usually don’t have a specific cuisine in mind, they want to follow their noses and their whims. Organic produce, gluten free baked goods and local artisan foods are all very popular items at any farmers market.

So it’s up to you, the food vendor, the attract the people to your booth, and let their stomachs and taste buds choose you over everyone else.

But how?

The first thing you need to do is catch people’s attention. This can be done with the sweet smells of your fare wafting in the summer breeze, but if you rely on that you will soon be in the back of the pack, tossing all your unsold food at the end of the day, wondering where you went wrong. The first step toward getting someone to buy your food is having them know you’re there, and attracting their attention and piquing their interest. We suggest getting something like these pop-up banners and other visuals that will capture passing traffic. A passer-by will see your visuals and at least come over to your stand, where you’ll be able to engage them and sell them on your specific offering.

Farmers Market

You also want to make sure that if they do decide to buy from you, that the service is quick and efficient. If you sell the best food but it takes 5 minutes to prepare and serve, you’re going to have a tough time attracting repeat customers. And remember, these farmers market goers like to go almost every week, and they will definitely return to a booth that they loved. Do as much prep work as you can before hand, and make sure your food is easy to serve. A line is good as it shows that your booth is popular, but a quickly moving line is best. If it means hiring someone to accept payments, or someone addition to serve, do it, because an efficient food stand is one that will have return customers, and customers who talk up your food to others.

You should also never underestimate the power of the free sample. It’s a percentage game of course – you can’t expect and shouldn’t expect anyone to sample your food to come right over and buy a plate of it. But you will certainly attract some customers and the cost of samples is well worth even just a few new eaters. These new eaters will likely become repeat customers and pay off the minimal expenditure of the free sample in short time. Much like a banner display, if you can put someone out a bit away from your booth offering samples, you will direct new people to your food that may have never known you existed.

Lastly, make sure your food is amazing. That should go without saying, but if it’s amazing, people will find out about it. That’s the bottom line.

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Top 5 Brain Supplements to Help Students Focus Better

 

Lack of attention, impulsive action, hyperactivity etc has emerged as serious blights affecting a student’s ability to stay focused. The proliferations of smart gadgets with their constant chimes and social media alerts have further worsened an already alarming situation. Not surprisingly, students and parents alike are looking for ways that will help in improving focus and mental acuity.

Brain supplements have been one of the more popular ways to improve concentration. These supplements typically promise a range of benefits including improved focus, reduced mental fatigue, enhanced memory and recall and a faster processing speed among others. However, it is also an unfortunate truth that the market for brain supplements is flooded with unscrupulous operators offering substandard products. How does, then, an unsuspecting buyer make sure that he is getting the right supplement for his or her needs?

The key lies in doing your homework, so that you buy a genuine product, one that has proven scientific research backing its efficacy in helping students focus better. In particular, look out for the following ingredients when you shop for brain supplements the next time, as they have been proven to be efficacious.

1) Piracetam: Arguably one of the most researched nootropics, Piracetam has been noted to improve blood circulation in the brain as well as augmenting neurotransmitters. Although, the results have been more striking for older demographics, there is a noticeable improvement in cognitive abilities of young subjects as well. Often used as a control substance or a benchmark against which newer brain supplements are tested, Piracetam are perhaps the most widely used ingredients in proprietary supplements.

2) Omega-3: Omega-3 containing fish oil supplements have been a rage among both researchers as well as the consuming public. In terms of scientific and medical research, the focus has been on the ability of omega-3 fatty acid to significantly stem the spread of Alzheimer’s disease. While there is no comprehensive study that compares omega-3 fatty acid against a placebo to determine its effect as a memory boosting supplement, the market is flooded with supplement formulas promising a variety of benefits including improved cell fluidity and reduced inflammation.

3) L-Carnitine: L-Carnitine is a constitutive ingredient of an amino acid, the building blocks of protein. Scientific evidence in its support exists in the form of studies suggesting boost in memory among patients of Alzheimer’s disease. There are further studies on this ingredient that suggest they are moderately effective among children suffering from ADHD. This is yet another popular ingredient in a lot of brain supplements.

4) Vitamins: Certain vitamins have a proven credential when it comes to improving memory. For example, Vitamin E has been proven in its role to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin B-6 and B-12 has also been found effective in helping students suffering from ADHD. While Vitamin D does not have a direct correlation in helping subjects suffering from ADHD, several studies have noted its salutary effect on certain bodily processes that help ameliorate the condition.

5) L-Tyrosine: L-Tyrosine, an amino acid, helps through replenishing the low levels of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter, in your brain. Typically, an individual feels sluggish and mentally exhausted when there is a dip in the level of this neurotransmitter. Intake of this ingredient keeps you mentally alert, and improves your overall cognitive level.

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A Best Way to Overcome Your Hair Loss

Hair Loss

The field of hair transplant and restoration has had a chequered history. From the days of punch grafting by Dr. Norman Orentreich to the present day techniques of Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), this field has witnessed several new advancements. The advent of FUE has made the dream of no visible scarring’ on the scalp a reality. In FUE technique, individual hair follicles are extracted one-by-one from the donor area. These hair follies are implanted in the balding area using the traditional Follicular Unit Hair Transplant (FUT) technique. There are several reasons for growing popularity of FUE. Some important reasons are:

  1. Most people prefer FUE to other hair restoration treatments is because it does not leave any major scars on the head.
  2. FUE is a reliable procedure and highly effective. Also, the healing is quick and you can get back to work next day with FUE.
  3. This procedure gives natural looking results and most people will not be able to tell that you had a hair transplant surgery.
  4. It is a pain-free procedure and you won’t need any stitches after the procedure is complete.
  5. FUE is recognized throughout the world for its consistent and natural results. The hair follicles are placed by the healthcare provider in such a manner that they leave you with a head that is full of hair.
  6. Most people avoid hair transplant surgery because there is a high risk of infection after the surgery. However, when you opt for FUE, the risk of infection is minimal.
  7. The quality of hair transplanted using FUE is no different from your natural hair. It is difficult to tell the difference between transplanted and natural hair because everything will blend in naturally

 

Cost of FUE hair transplant

First of all, before you going to do hair transplant, you should know about the Cost of FUE hair transplant and then you can go further. So, all you need to do choose best and cheapest Hair transplant service. This is important one.

If you shop around for the cheapest deal then remember – there is no such thing as offers or bargains when it comes to a procedure that can change your life. If you find a healthcare provider offering a deal that too good to be true, then it probably is. The results of the hair transplant surgery will be poor and you may need another hair transplant to rectify the mistakes of the surgery.

If you pay a low price for the surgery, you will be paying for bad results and low quality service. Many people who have opted for the so-called bargain procedures’ have been left with several noticeable holes on their scalp. This is mainly due to transplanted hair falling out and never growing back again.

If you are planning to undergo FUE hair transplantation, you must understand there is no fixed price for the procedure. On an average, the prices start from £990. However, if a bigger area needs to covered, you will have to pay more. Some important factors that affect the cost of hair transplant procedure include:

  1. Pre and post-operative care
  2. Quantity and Quality of hair follicles
  3. Ease of Extraction
  4. Extraction method used
  5. Size of balding area
  6. Size of each follicle
  7. Number of people in the medical team
  8. Desired density

Don’t opt for the Cheapest

If you planning to undergo hair transplantation, you must understand that hair restoration is no different from other plastic surgical procedures such as a facelift or rhinoplasty. Like a facelift, this procedure is difficult to perform and the results of the surgery are permanent. The results of hair restoration depend on the skills of the surgeon and the talent and experience of the technician who will work with your hair follicles. It is not a branded product you can buy from a supermarket or a local store. So make sure you check out the experience of the surgeons and their team before you use their service.

If the healthcare provider is getting you involved in the details of the surgery and number of hairs to be relocated, it may be to distract you from important things such as experience, training, and background of the practitioner. Some healthcare providers may use untrained staff which can lead to disastrous results.

Final Thoughts

As with any other cosmetic surgery, cost is not the only factor you must consider when undergoing hair transplantation. The qualification and experience of the doctor, individual attention, safety provisions, and of course the result are all important factors you must consider. Comprehensive hair restoration involves intense light therapy, vitamins and medical management, and post-operative hair productions. So make sure your healthcare provider offers these facilities before using their service.

 

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Paint Colors to Turn a Narrow Hallway Into a Wider One

Painted Hallway

This is a guest post by Joel from Visions Painting which provides painting services in Hamilton. He has multiple years of experience and love sharing his passion with others on the web.

In case you have a narrow hallway or two then you are in luck because you are going to be informed of ways of making it look wider than it is! Light paint colors are your narrow hallways’ best friend. With so little space to work with it can be frustrating to beautifully decorate a narrow hallway. With a little planning and inspiration however, it is possible to turn the narrow space into a wide one.

How to turn narrow hallways into wider ones

With the right color, decorations or furniture, a narrow hallway can be easily turned into a wider one.

Let’s have a look at some of the ways of doing this:

  • Go for light shades of color to create the illusion of space. The most common color of choice is white however you don’t need to limit yourself to it. You can go for lighter shades of other color such as blue, yellow and green. As for the trim color, you need to look for colors that are two shades lighter than the wall.
  • For hallways with windows your choice of color does tend to broaden slightly. Besides the white color and lighter shades of green or blue for example, you can even go for a light tan color if you so wish.
  • Still on the narrow hallway with a window, you should consider adding a mirror on the opposite wall to the window so that the wall gives off an illusion of a much bigger hallway.
  • Contrast the wall colors (especially if you don’t have windows or doors present). For example, you can paint a deeper shade of your color of choice at the base of the wall and the lighter shade at the top.
  • As for the paint finish, go for paint with an eggshell, gloss or satin finish as these tend to reflect light well. In addition, they are also easier to clean.
  • Ideally, you should use white color for a narrow hallway.
  • Consider going for patterned floors as opposed to dark floors if you wish to create an illusion of a wider hallway.
  • In case the hallway has no windows to bring in natural light then you might have to consider adding accent lighting. You will have to place the lights at strategic parts of the hallway to give off the illusion of a spacey hallway.
  • Add accessories such as large mirrors, colorful pieces of art or wall hanging to give off the illusion of a wider hallway.

Other colors you might want to consider include grey, cream, light shades of orange, and lavender for the light side. As for the dark side, you might want to consider chocolate, black blue, tan or almost any other dark shade of color as per your preferences. The whole point is to contrast the colors and ensure that they blend well with the furniture and decoration that may be present.