Has it been a while since you spruced up your home? Do you find yourself bored of your surroundings? Add a little more interest to your space without going broke. The following affordable ways to upgrade your living space will bring a smile to your face every time you walk in the door.
Drawer Pulls and Handles
Instead of replacing your drawers and cabinets outright, update the handles and pulls. Go for matching chrome handles for a sleek, modern look. Or if you’re a little more creative and crafty, mix and match! Home improvement stores offer a wide variety of fun and funky drawer pulls. Make your dresser, TV storage, or kitchen cabinetry unique to your style.
Easy Upholstery
Vinyl fabric offers a smooth, leather-like look without the hefty price tag. Learn to reupholster your own chairs (it’s deceptively easy!) and choose a vinyl color that makes you smile. Vinyl fabric comes in a wider range of colors than leather does, and it’s easy to clean with just a little soap and water. Vinyl is affordable, durable, and versatile.
Creative Lighting
You could buy a brand-new chandelier for your dining room… or you could check out estate sales and online listings for secondhand fixtures. When people redecorate their homes, they’re often desperate to get rid of the old stuff. They might give it to you for cheap (or free!). Look at alternative options, too. String lights are a popular décor staple, whether you hang them from the ceiling or put them in glass bottles as centerpieces.
Paint a Door
Accent walls are a common way to brighten up a living room, but an accent door is more unexpected. You can welcome guests in style with a bright green front door or make your guest bathroom easier to find by painting the door a gentle shade of blue. Finish off the look with a unique doorknob.
Redecorating on a budget can be fun—creativity flourishes under limitations! Spruce up a few parts of your space, like doors and drawers, and breathe new life into the whole room. These affordable ways to upgrade your living space will come in handy next time you’ve got a case of the decorative blahs.
Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday sit side by side on the calendar, but they feel very different.
One is full of color, music, and celebration. The other is quiet, simple, and reflective.
Together, they form a powerful transition from feasting to fasting, from Carnival to Lent.
Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on the evening of February 17, 2026. The first day of fasting will likely fall on February 18. The month will end around March 19, 2026, depending on local moon sightings. These dates may be changed, depending on the country.
A red robin watches a Ramadan family prayer with warmth and wonder.
Ride into the rare Year of the Fire Horse with legends, dragon dances, lucky foods, and a fiery red robin salute to Lunar New Year. The Year of the Fire Horse is one of the most dramatic and culturally charged cycles in the Chinese zodiac. It appears only once every 60 years, and when it does, it ignites stories of passion, rebellion, creativity, and change.
From ancient legends to modern festivals filled with dragon dances and lanterns, the Fire Horse gallops through history
as a symbol of both risk and possibility.
Quick Fire Horse Snapshot:
Rare 60-year cycle • Fiery passion • Bold change • Artistic energy • A time to move, create, and transform.
Fire Horse-inspired lantern art at a Lunar New Year celebration.
As mid-February settles in, Presidents' Day arrives as a welcome pause in the winter season, a moment when
communities across the United States step outdoors for parades, visit historic sites, and reflect on the
leaders who shaped the nation. The holiday blends civic pride with the comfort of a long weekend, creating
a unique mix of celebration, education, and family time.
In 2026, the holiday on February 16th carries added significance as the nation enters its 250th anniversary year,
inspiring expanded programming, special exhibitions, and renewed interest in the country’s founding era.
From record spending to instant downloadable gifts for couples, pets, and families. For late shoppers, these ideas make a great solution for finding meaningful gifts.
Valentine’s Day 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet. Recent retail surveys show
that total Valentine’s spending is expected to reach record levels, with average budgets per
person climbing close to the $200 mark. Consumers aren’t just buying for romantic
partners anymore; they’re also celebrating kids, pets, friends, and themselves.
At the same time, how people express love is changing. Instead of defaulting to last‑minute
flowers and generic chocolates, many are looking for gifts that feel personal, meaningful,
and easy to deliver, especially when they’ve left things a little late. That’s where
downloadable, print‑at‑home, and digital gifts step into the spotlight.
