I don't know about you, but there are a handful of things I just can't justify spending a fortune on, such as mascara, scrunchies and...decorations. *ugh* The thought of spending $30 for a fake white rose to spice up a $50 golden tray to go on a $200 padded ottoman where I'll also be putting my sweaty socks and greasy grilled cheese makes me rue the day I ever discovered the Target Home section. No amount of touching every home item and cooing "ooooh, this is pretty!" will ever make me justify spending money investing in decorations that could buy me a trip to Greece instead.
Unless...
What if I told you that you don't have to sacrifice form over function? Or if there was a way to cut the cost on chemicals to keep critters out, and multitask with your decor instead? I've finally gotten around to decorating my apartment, and these next five decor ideas serve a much greater purpose than simply eye candy!
Spoken like a true alcoholic, wine is the answer to all my problems! Ok not all, but wine does solve the unwanted kitchen bugs problem. Red wine attracts flies, gnats, and other small flying/crawling bugs. The sugar from the wine attracts the bugs, and they end up getting drunk and trapped in the bottle. So much prettier than a hanging sticky tape, amiright? After you've finished that special occasion bottle, surround the bottle with some small candles, flower pot, or even some spice jars as your table centerpiece. Even if you don't drink, I'm sure your neighbors will only be slightly confused when you gift them with a fancy wine but ask for the bottle back when they're done.
Citronella, peppermint and lemongrass scents are natural insect repellents. I've read dozens of blogs and nobody really knows why, other than they are extremely strong and potentially nauseating scents for small critters. It doesn't kill bugs that have made it in, but it will keep the outside bugs out. If you're not a superfan of candles like I am, you can always opt for an essential oil diffuser with the same scents. I've been using my peppermint essential oil for months now and my basement is still spider free.
If you have pets or insects chewing on your real plants, vinegar is the way to go! Dip a cotton swap or paper towel in some white vinegar and dab a bit on the leaves to say good-bye to unsolicited snack time. Keeping real plants as opposed to plastic plants also helps clean the air, and aids in reducing stress, lifting moods, and boosting productivity.
After trying this trick, you may need to call all your Pinterest friends to apologize for taking over their feed. Eucalyptus branches are not only super pretty, but when mixed with steam can help relieve upper respiratory problems, aids in easier breathing, and can clear nasal congestion and inflammation. While healthy for humans, eucalyptus is not healthy for pets, so hang it high! One eucalyptus plant should last you 1-2 months at a time, depending on how big the plant is. My best recommendation is to replace your plant as the scent begins to faint.
Now please excuse me while I add a rain shower and black grout tile to my Amazon cart...
Maybe the days of DIY are past, but I seriously recommend this easy home project for a fun group project! Remember the essential oils that I mentioned early to use as insect repellents? The candles and diffuser will work as a great line of defense in your home, while essential oil rollers or travel spray bottles are optimal for your outdoor adventures. You can probably find pre-made rollers in stores such as Sprouts and Good Earth. I'm not going to go into detail on how to make your own roller, but you can read this blog post on how to make your own!
Are there any housekeeping tricks I didn't mention? Add your thoughts to the comments to let me know anything I missed!