Show your home extra affection during the month of love. Whether they’re big or small changes, you can experience a lot of enjoyment by enhancing some amenities in key spaces. Take a look at these inspiring ways to make a big impact in your kitchen, family room, bathrooms and bedrooms.
In the Kitchen
Often considered the most important room, kitchens are prime gathering and work spaces. Transform your kitchen into a pleasant hangout with a design that optimizes your space and makes it easy to prep and clean up after meals.
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Kraftmaid Farmhouse Sink, Empire Home Center
Farmhouse sinks continue to be a favorite due to their large size, which makes it easy to wash big pots and large cookware. For an updated twist on this timeless trend, consider gold stainless steel. This Kraftmaid farmhouse sink features an eye-catching hue that adds elegance and warmth to your décor, and the sleek lines provide a modern vibe (Empire Home Center, $399). In addition, this hardworking material is easier to clean than porcelain sink varieties, and any dropped dishes are less likely to break. Since this type of sink is often installed undermount, it’s also a breeze to brush crumbs into it and quickly clean off your countertop.
Kitchen Island, Becker Home
Speaking of countertops, it can sometimes feel as though there is never enough of this important kitchen real estate. Kitchen islands can be a gamechanger by adding workspace to your layout. If you have a smaller kitchen, Becker Home suggests swapping your kitchen table for an attached island. Placing one side of the island against the wall in a peninsula arrangement provides extra cabinet and counter space. Bar seating around the sides maintains the ability to have an eat-in kitchen.
Bella Pro Series Coffee Maker and Espresso Machine, Best Buy
If you’re looking to boost your kitchen appeal without a big renovation, reserve some counterspace for a small appliance that’s useful and brings you joy. For example, this Bella Pro Series coffee maker and espresso machine is perfect for caffeine enthusiasts ($249.99, Best Buy). One half of this two-in-one machine is a 10-cup drip coffee maker. Program it before you go to bed, and you can wake up to the tantalizing smell of freshly brewed coffee. The second half of the machine lets you brew your own delightfully rich espresso. A steam wand enables you to froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos. For a special treat, you can experiment by adding flavored syrups like chocolate or vanilla.
In the Family Room
Family rooms are made for kicking back and relaxing. You can get creative with this space and gear it towards your family’s favorite fun-time pursuits like watching TV, reading or playing games.
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Reclining Sofa, Fecera’s Furniture
Make a big impact by choosing seating with comfort-enhancing features. A reclining sofa is an awesome way to put up your feet and save space by eliminating the need for an ottoman (brown: $1,599, blue: $3,399, gray: $3,599, Fecera’s Furniture). Built-in cup holders keep drinks convenient and help to prevent spills. Some sofa models come with power headrests and power lumbar. A remote control lets you discover your ideal settings for the perfect angle and amount of support. After that, you can focus on relaxing and catching up on your favorite shows.
65-inch Samsung TV, Clark’s TV & Appliance
To improve your viewing experience, choose breathtaking color and clarity by upgrading your TV to 4K UHD. Hang this slim TV on your wall or place it on a media console. Besides making movies look amazing, this 65-inch Samsung TV also includes tech to eliminate lag and provide smoother movements when you’re playing video games ($1,699, Clark’s TV & Appliance). In addition, it comes with a comprehensive on-screen guide to make it easier to search content across multiple streaming services so you can find what you want to watch instead of endlessly browsing. Besides watching and gaming, this TV can also be used as a control center for any other smart devices in your home.
Bookshelf Speakers and Juke Box E1’s Straightforward Set-up, Stereo Barn
While you’re stretched out and cozy, turn on some relaxing music. Add some speakers for a rich depth of sound and plenty of resonant bass tones. This pair of bookshelf speakers can be mounted on your wall, placed on stands or positioned on a console with your stereo system ($349, Stereo Barn). Combine the speakers with a turntable and experience your favorite albums on this timeless medium. With the Juke Box E1’s straightforward set-up, you’ll get to enjoy your vinyl collection with ease ($799, Stereo Barn). Delight in examining the album artwork and liner notes while you immerse yourself in the music. If you want to listen to something that’s not in your collection, this turntable can also stream music from your phone.
In the Bathroom
Since they’re one of the most utilitarian spaces in your home, bathrooms are entitled to a little luxury. No matter what size your bathroom happens to be, make the most of your space with some thoughtful upgrades.
James Martin Double Vanity, Empire Home Center
Improve traffic flow by adding a double sink. Two deep sinks make your morning and nighttime routines easier while you share bathroom space. A double sink also expands your bathroom counter space, allowing for extra room for toothbrushes and other essential items. This type of bathroom vanity also doubles your storage space underneath the sink. Take advantage of the extra room to store paper products, personal care items or even your kids’ bath toys. Made by James Martin, this double vanity features a hardworking granite top, cherry-hued cabinets and shiny hardware (Empire Home Center). You can pair it with a large mirror for an artistic touch and ample room to check your look before you head out the door.
Heated Towel Rack, Home Depot
For a blend or luxury and practicality, consider adding a heated towel rack. Get that fresh-from-the-dryer feeling by placing your towel on the heated rack just before you step into the shower or tub. This eight-bar rack provides plenty of hanging space, and a top shelf keeps extra towels close at hand. After mounting it to your wall, plug it into an outlet and flip the switch whenever you need a warm towel (Home Depot, $303.89). Besides giving your bathroom a spa touch, heated racks can lighten your laundry duties by extending the number of times you can reuse your towel. When you hang your towel up to dry on a heated rack after using it, the heat helps to kill bacteria and dry your towel thoroughly before the next use.
Dual-Head Shower, Bed Bath & Beyond
To maximize the versatility of your bathroom even further, swap your old showerhead for a dual-head shower. A fixed rain showerhead provides a relaxing, gentle pressure, and the handheld sprayer offers five spray options ($247.99, Bed Bath & Beyond). You can use the handheld showerhead to massage specific areas, increasing the spa-like vibe of your bathroom. On the practical side, a handheld sprayer is also useful for rinsing during a bath or when you’re cleaning the shower. Some models even come with a three-way diverter, allowing you to use the showerheads individually or simultaneously.
In the Bedroom
In contrast to the other rooms in your home, bedrooms are a private, highly personal space. Make your bedroom a restful haven with touches that are uniquely your own. For starters, control the amount of light entering your bedroom with window treatments. You can pair sheer fabric shades with room-darkening fabric for ample sunshine during the day and block out distracting light while you’re asleep. For even more flexibility, consider automatic shades from Blinds and Designs. These window treatments come with rechargeable batteries and can be adjusted via remote control or with an app on your phone. In addition to eliminating cords that can get tangled, these shades can be programmed to automatically raise or lower. For example, to make your morning routine easier, you could schedule them to let in daylight around the time you wake up each day.
Serta Comforter, Kohl’s
Maximize your sleep quality by giving your bed the upscale treatment. In addition to soft sheets and supportive pillows, top off your bed with a fluffy comforter. Consider down for supreme warmth and coziness. Filled with white goose feathers and goose down, this Serta comforter will make you feel like you’re sleeping inside a cloud ($164.99, Kohl’s). Since the cotton exterior and down interior are breathable fibers, they’ll keep you the perfect temperature in any season. Using the FreshLOFT process, the feathers are thoroughly cleaned to eliminate potential allergens. Because down is known for durability, you can enjoy this fluffy comforter for years to come.
Yogasleep Sound Machine, Target
While you’re settling down under the covers, soothing sounds can help you get to sleep faster. A sound machine can help you discover which calming tones lead to optimum sleep for you. This Yogasleep sound machine has 26 options, including nature sounds like rain and the ocean as well as relaxing sleep songs ($29.99, Target). It also provides different noise options like Dohm sounds and brown noise. Dohm sounds are a type of white noise that mimic the whisper of air from a fan. They can be a relaxing way to block out any distracting background sounds or changes in sound that might disturb you while you’re already sleeping. Brown noise is similar to white noise but focuses on low tones that are more robust, like rushing wind or rapidly moving water.
Sources
Becker Home
31 E. Philadelphia Avenue, Boyertown
484.300.9019 | becker-home.com
Bed Bath & Beyond
Best Buy
1701 Crossing Dr., Wyomissing
610.375.3340 | bestbuy.com
Blinds and Designs
826 Penn Avenue, Wyomissing
610.374.9392 | blindsanddesignsreading.com
Clark’s TV & Appliance
13 W. Main St., Fleetwood
610.944.7335 | clarkstv.com
Empire Home Center
2741 Bernville Rd., Leesport
610.926.0500
641 Penn Avenue, West Reading
610.484.3700 | empiresurplus.com
Fecera’s Furniture
4710 Penn Avenue, Sinking Spring
610.670.8000 | feceras.com
Home Depot
1731 Crossing Dr., Wyomissing
610.375.2996
5410 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading
610.582.7064 | homedepot.com
Kohl’s
2700 Paper Mill Rd., Wyomissing
610.371.0237 | kohls.com
Stereo Barn
4631 Penn Avenue, Sinking Spring
610.678.2122 | stereobarn.com
Target
Locations in Exeter, Muhlenberg, Wyomissing | target.com
