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If your house alone just isn’t enough for you to show off your style, if you need the perfect space for entertaining or relaxing, look no further than your front porch. With these budget-friendly décor ideas, you’ll be able to enjoy your outdoor space all spring and summer.

1. DIY some planters

Whether you have a large garden or just a stoop, potted plants let you add a dash of color to welcome all your guests. One small project, which also lets you easily bring your plants inside if the temperatures drop again, is upcycling cookie, tea and other food tins.

2. Make alternate arrangements

Going vertical is an excellent alternative to a regular planter. Jenna Burger Design gives us tips for creating our own wall-hung pallet garden that still lets you grow your favorite flowers, herbs and other plants in colorful pots.

3. Consider artificial options

If you’re worried about keeping plants alive, we have another option that’s as gorgeous as it is artificial. As you outfit your porch with furniture – more on that in a moment – consider plant-inspired and floral-patterned fabrics. Pillows, rugs and wall art can give even the brownest of thumbs a natural feel. Try this tutorial from Home Stories A to Z for making an easy pillow cover for your porch furniture.

4. Brighten the front door

There's no better way to say goodbye to winter than with a fresh coat of bright paint on your front door. This project can be completed in a single afternoon. It's an easy way to give yourself a cheerful welcome every day. Check out our door painting tips to make this project as easy as possible.

5. Refresh entry door hardware

Nothing makes a front door pop better than a fresh handleset or smart lock in the perfect finish. Take some time to clean your hardware or swap an outdated set for a new style that better complements your front door.

6. Hang out with style

When you think spring wreaths, your first mental image is probably round and flower-covered. Don’t box yourself in. Two Twenty One made a jute-wrapped monogram wreath that is both budget-friendly and stylish.

7. Add a comfy seat

You’re well on your way to a beautiful front porch. Next you need somewhere comfortable to sit while you admire it. A daybed, either hanging or fixed, provides a nice lounge space for warm nights.

Some of us at Schlage love the look of the hanging daybed but don’t have the room to pull it off. That’s why we’re fans of The Merrythought’s DIY hanging lounge chair. If you’re trying to capture a Bohemian modern aesthetic in your home, this is a great project for you.

8. Have fun with fabrics

To soften a concrete, wood and metal porch with a hard, cold feel, turn to fabrics. Outdoor rugs add color, are comfortable under foot and come in so many sizes, you should easily find one that suits your style and needs. A plain mat can be spruced up easily, as Design Improvised shows us in this DIY outdoor rug tutorial.

9. Don’t forget about Fido

You aren’t the only one who wants to enjoy the great outdoors. Wouldn’t It Be Lovely shows how to make a sturdy DIY dog bed so even the biggest pooch feels welcome on your front porch.

For more front porch décor inspiration, find us on Pinterest and Instagram. We also have loads of tips, both practical and stylish, in our outdoor spring cleaning checklist.

Wipe the sinks

Take about 30 seconds to wipe out the kitchen and bathroom sinks. You’ll be in there every morning anyway. Go ahead and use the same towel you used to wash your face or stock your home with some these easy cleaning products to keep your sinks clean in between hardy scrubs.

Give countertops a once-over

Same as the sinks, wipe down counters to remove water stains, toothpaste splatter, food crumbs and other spills. We think it’s okay to brush some of those crumbs directly to the floor because …

Sweep up crumbs

In between running the vacuum and breaking out the mop bucket, sweep up any miscellaneous debris. Don’t limit your efforts to the bathroom and kitchen. Pay attention to the high-traffic areas in your home and give some extra elbow grease to anything that might be sticky. In most cases, an old-fashioned broom will be enough to keep the mess under control until you’re ready for a more thorough cleaning.

Declutter

This applies to all rooms. Hang bathroom and kitchen towels instead of leaving them on the counter or floor. Clear off the coffee table and nightstand, putting items where they belong instead of letting them accumulate into piles of chaos. Place clean clothes back on hangers or in drawers. At a minimum, take dirty dishes to the kitchen, but for real satisfaction, wash them before turning in for the night.

Putting things away goes beyond traditional clutter, too. Empty the dishwasher. Make the bed. Straighten the throw blankets and pillows on the couch. Put makeup away in the drawer or cabinet as you finish using it. File papers like receipts, bills and school notices before the stacks reach epic proportions.

Take out the trash

Depending on the size of your family, you may need to take the trash out nightly. Or if it works better for you, grab it on your way to the car before work. Daily attention will help keep odors from accumulating.

Get quick curb appeal

Your yard can become as cluttered as inside the house if you let it. Especially during high pollen season or when fall leaves are blowing, take time to sweep off your porch, wipe down patio furniture and pick up any kids’ toys or yard tools that may have gotten left behind.

Some tasks might not be needed every day. In addition to vacuuming, check these items off your cleaning list every week or so, depending on how large and rambunctious your family is.

Clean door hardware

You touch your door knobs and levers every day, which means you’re potentially transferring germs just as frequently. Cleaning your door hardware regularly shouldn’t be overlooked. You might do this more often if family members are fighting a cold or if your toddler somehow has jam hands all the time. Use this guide to cleaning your door hardware to keep your Schlage locks looking and working as nice as the day you installed them. Whatever you do, don’t use harsh chemicals, abrasives or disinfectants on your hardware. You’ll risk ruining your beautiful finish.

Purge the junk drawer

When you were decluttering earlier, did you throw random items into a junk drawer? Is there a basket in your entryway that collects miscellaneous “stuff”? Every week or so, go through those collection spots. If you don’t need it anymore, toss it. Otherwise, find a home for it.

Finish the laundry

You took the first step toward keeping your family dressed by getting the clothes in the washer. Finish the job by folding and putting away the laundry. You’ll feel better about not having clothes piled up, and your kids might actually stop asking, “Mom, have you seen my …?”

Tidy up cats and dogs

You’ve been cleaning the litter box every day. Just as important is to give your furry friend’s food and water dishes a good scrub. Don’t forget about washing their bedding and inspecting toys that might be broken. You can even pop most rubber or plastic dog toys in the dishwasher if they seem exceptionally unsavory.

Cut yourself some slack

There will be weeks when the kids have multiple games, science fairs and plays on the same night, you have to work late or you just want a break. How clean you keep your home is not a direct reflection on who you are. Go ahead and spend time with your family or treat yourself to some R&R.

Find more DIY tips for the spring, or any time of the year, at the Schlage blog.

Are you excited when you get to work from home or worried about what it’s going to do to your productivity? Some of us see it as the perfect opportunity to wear sweat pants. All. Day. Long. Others not so much.

Whichever camp you fall in, you might be wondering where you’re going to get your work done if you don’t have a dedicated office. Or, if you suddenly have the kids home for e-learning, you’re trying to figure out where to set up their new “classroom.” Below are a few ideas for where you can create a home office and the items you’ll need to stay productive while you work your way through coronavirus and social distancing.

Small spaces

When you don’t have extra room to dedicate to a home office, you might need to get a bit creative. Look for small hideaways that will give you the work space and the privacy you need to stay on top of business.

• Under the stairs: You never knew what to do with that awkward, empty space anyway. Now’s your chance to turn it into the nook of your dreams. If it feels claustrophobic to you, reserve that space for the kids’ homework zone.

• Under a window: This is ideal if your window sill is at just the right height. Add a plank or something similar to give yourself a larger surface to work on. This setup also has the bonus of extra natural lighting.

• In the kitchen: The 1990s loved these kitchen/office combos. Now might be a prime time to bring them back.

• In the closet: We gave this tip for creating a family command center, but it’s equally effective in this situation. If you or your kiddos struggle with distractions, this might be a nice tucked-away option to help stay focused.

• In a corner: Do you have a room with a random house plant jammed in the corner? Test it out as an office by adding a small table and chair. It’s not fancy and it might not be ideal for the long-term, but you never know until you try.

Large spaces

If you’re lucky enough to have more square footage, you have more flexibility. Try these ideas if you need to share workspace with a partner or the kids.

• Guest room: You don’t have to give up your guest room to have an office. These tips for creating the ultimate combination space will work for everyone.

• Long wall: Line up a couple tables or pull out the buffet you only use for your Super Bowl party. A long and sleek desk can look chic and is ideal if there’s more than one of you trying to get work done at home.

• Shed: Get out of the house without breaking quarantine by setting up a work station in the backyard. Maybe it’s a she-shed. Maybe it’s the garage. A little extra space and privacy might do everyone some good.

Storage spaces

Especially if your new desk doesn’t have drawers or you’re missing the filing cabinet you have in the office, you might need to find some alternative storage solutions. Repurposing items from other areas in the house is a handy option when you can’t get out to buy organizers.

• Overhead shelving: Consider hanging floating shelves. If you’re looking for a bigger DIY project – off the clock, of course – hang crates or boxes for effective storage and some visual interest.

• Bar cart: Instead of beverages, you’ll have someplace to set your office supplies and files without taking up valuable space on your work surface. This is ideal if your new desk is more on the petite side.
  
  
• Supply caddy: Your home abounds with items you can upcycle to corral your pens, paperclips, earbuds and post-its. It can be as simple as a drinking glass or a bit more elaborate with a spice rack. We think you’ll be surprised how many things from the kitchen in particular will work in your new office.

Kid spaces

Do your kids struggle with staying on task? Are you trying to establish a new routine with them home from school? Try including some of these items in their “classroom” to keep it fun and functional.

• Calendar: Help your kids stay on task with a DIY calendar. It could be sticky notes on a board, like HGTV shows us. Or you could turn a picture frame into a DIY dry-erase board. List their chores for the day or an hour-by-hour breakdown of what they should be working on.

• Small desk: Their paperwork might be more about finger painting or practicing arithmetic, but they’ll need a worktop, too. If you want a pint-sized option just for them, you could try a wall-mounted desk. Place it in their bedroom and it could grow with them as a vanity or trophy shelf with time.

• Display area: Just because their teacher isn’t there to admire their work doesn’t mean it has to go ignored. Devise a clip or hanger system or clear off some fridge space to show off their effort.

• Organizers: Do they have work they need to turn in later? Keep track of their finished assignments with bins, file folders or any other number of hacks that will help corral their hard work and keep them from asking, “Mom, have you seen my …?!”

Make space

No matter what kind of space you have, consider these hacks for making it more comfortable and yourself more productive.

• Lighting: You don’t need to illuminate your entire “office.” Task lighting will make it easier to complete whatever project you’re working on at the moment. If you have a window in your new office space, take advantage of the natural light to ease the strain on your eyes and your nerves.
  
  
• Comfy chair: It doesn’t have to be a traditional desk chair. It could come from the dining room or be the stool from your vanity as long as it’s comfortable.
  
  
• Binder clip cord organizer: Laptops, phones and lamps all need to be plugged in or charged at some point. Keep the cords under control with this hack from Wired.
  
  
• Something pretty: If you’re stuck inside for extended periods of time, it’s nice to surround yourself with things that make you happy. Artwork, plants, family photos or vacation souvenirs can help lift your mood. Just don’t go overboard and make your space feel cluttered.
  
  
• Privacy screen: If your new office doesn’t have a door but you still need some peace and quiet, use a screen or move a tall bookcase near your desk to create some separation between you and the rest of the house.

Do you have tips for creating an at-home office or improving your productivity while working from home? Share with us on Facebook and Twitter. And if you’re looking for some project ideas to keep yourself or your kids busy, check out the Schlage blog.

1. Wash your hands

We all know we should wash up after using the bathroom, but it’s also good to build some sudsy time into other activities. As soon as you walk in the door – from work, the store, school, the gym, wherever – wash your hands. You never know what you touched. Pet your dog, wash your hands. Put the laundry in the washer, wash your hands. Prepping dinner, even if just for yourself, wash your hands.

2. Wipe as you go

Crumbs around the toaster, water droplet stains on the faucet handles, splatters on the counter. They’re annoying in the best of times, but when the need for sanitation is at a high, like when family members are sick, this is not the time to just leave it until later. Build the habit of wiping up as you go, possibly using antibacterial cleaners, to keep everyone healthy. Be sure to pay attention to which cleaners are intended for which surfaces, though, so you don’t accidentally damage finishes and other materials with harsh chemicals.

3. Make your bed

Trust us when we say that making your bed every morning can help make you healthier. It has a psychological effect that will keep you moving and feeling good. Admiral William H. McRaven wrote in his book Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life … and Maybe the World that making your bed gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment first thing in the morning and sets you up for the rest of the day. A neatly made bed can also improve your mood by making the rest of the room feel tidy and less cluttered. And when you stick with it, you’re setting the stage for building other healthy habits.

4. Take time to recharge

This is important for any time, but it might be downright necessary when your stress levels are already on high alert. Recharging can mean something different to everyone. If you’re surrounded by family while working from home all day, you might need to carve out some alone time by meditating, escaping through a novel, listening to music or exercising. If you’ve been isolated, reach out to a friend with a phone call or video chat. Stay connected.

5. Create a smart Routine

“Isn’t that what this entire thing is about?” you ask. When you create a Routine – capital R – with your favorite voice assistant, a simple, “Alexa, wind down” will trigger a series of events to help you reclaim some peace. Some of our favorite actions include playing your favorite music or a boring podcast designed to make you drowsy, changing the lighting in the evening to help you wind down and adjusting the temperature on your smart thermostat.

Another option is to create a kid-friendly Routine. Many smart speakers will set a timer and alert you when it’s time for a certain activity. Parents might especially love this. Let Alexa or Google Assistant tell your kids when it’s time for breakfast, homework, play time and more.

Do you have tips for keeping your home and family healthy? Share them with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Choosing a color is fun … and hard

• Minimalists, fans of Scandinavian style or combatants of small spaces will want to stay on the lighter end of the color spectrum – whites, grays and beige, primarily. Some might also like neutrals as a simple backdrop for eclectic accessories or colorful furniture you want to really pop. To add depth and texture to your walls, or if you have a larger room, don’t be afraid to choose a more vibrant color. If you’re looking for your hue to set a certain mood, check out Country Living to see which colors create the right ambience for you.
  
  
• Once you’ve picked out a color – or two or three or seven – get a sample and paint a swatch on your wall. Let it dry and then check it out both in the daytime and at night. See how the light plays with the colors to be sure you’ll love how it looks in real life.
  
  
• Whether you opt for greige or coral, pay attention to the sheen. How flat or glossy your paint is can have as big an impact as the color itself. As Freshome explains, high-gloss paints are easy to clean and can stand up to wear and tear better than other sheens or finishes. However, if you want to hide imperfections in your walls, flat or matte finishes might be your best bet. Eggshell offers a bit of both worlds.

Preparation is key

• Just like when choosing door hardware, quality matters when it comes to painting tools. You want them to help you do the job right, so it’s worth paying for the right equipment. You’ll regret buying the cheapest brushes and rollers you can find when they leave streaky coverage and you have to put yet another coat of paint on the wall. Not sure what you need? Family Handyman has a nice list of the 12 painting tools every homeowner should have.
  
  
• Step one of preparing your walls is to clean them. Get rid of the dirt and grease that will keep new paint from bonding to the wall. Family Handyman offers more great advice, suggesting trisodium phosphate to clean nearly any grime off nearly any surface. It can also etch wood surfaces, which can help paint adhere later on. Just be sure to wear rubber gloves.
  
  
• Repair cracks or holes in your walls to improve structural integrity and reduce the chances of seeing imperfections when you paint, especially if you chose a high-gloss sheen. Do this even if you’re priming your walls. Primer covers up your repair jobs, not the flaws.

Go in order

• We’d love to tell you what order to paint your room – walls or trims first. There’s no consensus on this front, but we’re partial to trim, then ceilings and finally walls. When you paint the trim first, simply tape off or cover the floor and if you splash on the walls, there’s nothing to worry about. You’ll simply paint over it later with your wall color.
  
  
• You’re going to need both brushes and paint rollers when you paint an entire room – the brush for cutting in around baseboards, trim, windows, doors and ceilings, and a roller for everything else. Start with the brush work. You’ll be able to smooth out any brush strokes left behind when you roll later, says Freshome.

Bonus tips

• Use WD-40 on your roller handle before you start. Even if you like to paint, you’ll loathe a squeaky roller.
  
  
• Especially if you’re painting a large area, consider a paint extender. This add-in will keep the paint wetter longer, which can reduce the appearance of streaks and lap marks.
  
  
• Remove tape when paint is still wet. Otherwise, you could end up taking part of the paint job with you when you peel it off glass or trims. Remove the tape slowly and at a 45-degree angle.

If you removed faceplates and other fixtures from the room before painting, now is a good time to decide if you want to replace them. A new wall color sometimes calls for an update to your accessories. Schlage offers door hardware in a variety of styles and finishes, letting you create a unique look for your room. A small change like a new door knob or lever can make a big statement to your overall décor. Try our Style Selector Tool or find us on Pinterest to find the looks that’s right for your updated room.

To do …

• One surefire way to increase anxiety at home is by living amongst the clutter. Use your extra time indoors to remove items you no longer need or want. Recruit your kids to do the same with their toys and clothes. And while you’re at it, remove digital distractions from certain rooms, particularly the bedroom. That will help improve the calm where you need it most. If you’re someone who can’t take their eyes off all the news updates and social media right now, this may be especially helpful.
  
  
• Accessorize with beautiful things that make you happy. It’s hard to be in a bad or anxious mood when you’re surrounded by beauty. It could be artwork – rearrange your favorites from around the house for a fresh perspective or commission your kids to produce something totally originally – flowers or tchotchkes with personal significance. We especially like the idea of vacation photos or souvenirs that trigger happy memories.
  
  
• The right lighting can also go a long way toward lifting your mood and helping you get better sleep, something that’s especially important when we’re stressed out. Blue light exposure in the evening from computer and phone screens can keep us awake when it’s time to sleep, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. On the other hand, warm lighting is ideal for later in the day and can help bring relaxation and calm when you need it. Companies such as Brilli offer “Wind Down” and “Charge Up” lighting options, as well as devices that will do both automatically throughout the day. If you don’t already have a device that controls lighting, check online. Many retailers are still taking orders through their websites and even offering free or reduced shipping. If improving your mood is simply a matter of brightening a room, try borrowing lamps from somewhere else in the house for an extra boost.
  
  
• Get outside and garden. With spring right around the corner, you might be able to get a jumpstart on your outdoor planting. It’ll help with your cabin fever and give a healthy, outdoors activity you can do with your family. No social distancing required. Nature offers loads of psychological benefits, and right now is no exception.

… or to not do.

• In normal times, we often don’t allow ourselves time to indulge. Now’s your chance. Apartment Therapy says to go ahead and burn those candles (bonus points for lavender or other calming scents) or snuggle under your favorite blankets with your dog (pups and kitties can’t transmit coronavirus, by the way). Create your own spa day at home with a bubble bath and relaxing music. Or do nothing. The Dutch call it niksen.
  
  
• Sit and observe your home. You might do this from somewhere you never sit to get a fresh perspective, like on the floor in the corner or in front of the television looking out toward the rest of the room. What feeling or vibe does the room give? Is that the kind of vibe you want? How do you and your family use the room? Are there items that you see every day so that you’ve stopped consciously seeing them now? Do those items still serve a purpose? Try not to pass judgement on your home. Just sit back and take it all in.
  
  
• Express gratitude for your home. It can be easy to only ever see the leaky faucet or the wall that just isn’t your favorite paint color anymore. Try to find some positives, then give thanks for the large windows with a view of your garden, a play space for your kids or the mere fact that you have a roof over your head.

If are you are looking for more active projects to keep busy at home, try the Schlage blog’s DIY Tips section. You’ll find plenty of ideas for inside and out, often using items you might already have.

Make room for green

From the emerald and jewel-tone greens so popular in Art Deco to yellow- and brown-based greens found throughout nature to more whimsical mint greens, there’s something for everyone. Plus, with so many other colors that go with green, a new coat of paint for your walls gives you a picture-perfect backdrop for furniture, accessories and more.

Sit, store and accessorize with green

An easy way to add pops of green quickly and inexpensively is with green furniture and accessories. Match them to your green walls or make one an accent piece for a striking look either way.

Say hello to gorgeous greens

Green has many moods – dramatic, rejuvenating, cheerful, calming – making it the perfect opportunity to set the tone for arriving guests. Make a welcoming statement with your green door, and don’t forget the hardware to match.

Plant some green in your heart

Both real and artificial potted plants are wildly popular in 2020. Whether you favor a few easy-to-care-for succulents on the windowsill or a jungle-inspired bathroom, this one’s for you.

Find more décor inspiration (in a range of colors) when you follow Schlage on Instagram and Pinterest.

Clean your windows

Depending on how many windows your home has, this might be a full weekend project. It will be worth every ounce of elbow grease, though. Remove dirt and residue that built up in the colder months, even on the inside, and you might be surprised how much brighter your home will feel. This is a good time to dust off those blinds you've kept closed all winter, too.

Clean and/or upgrade your door hardware

You touch them every day, but you probably never really think about them. Even if they aren’t coated in last winter’s cold and flu germs, your door knobs and levers could use a good cleaning. If a quick shine doesn’t do the trick, it might be time to upgrade your look with new door hardware. This small detail can go a long way toward refreshing the style of your home.

Wash walls and baseboards

Start by dusting your walls with your vacuum’s brush attachment, then note the type of paint you have as they’ll react differently to cleansers and scrubbing. DIY Network has a helpful guide to wall cleaning solutions that will get out the stains without damaging your paint. Pay special attention to the walls down at kid and pet level. And while you’re at it, your baseboards could probably use a good scrub, too.

Deep clean carpets and rugs

Even the best vacuums won't get out all the dirt, dust, salt and winter grime. Cleaning carpets and rugs really well at least once a year will keep them looking nice and extend their life. Apartment Therapy has a great carpet cleaning tutorial to show you how.

Clean light fixtures and fan blades

Because you rarely look directly at your lights or fans, these pieces often build up more dust that you realize. Take about 20 minutes to give your lights – table lamps, chandeliers, wall sconces, bathroom mirror lights – and, ceiling fan blades a quick dusting.

Scour the obvious

We use some things so frequently that we don’t even see them anymore. Now’s the time to disinfect outlet covers, light switches and switch plates, and remote controls. Clean your dishwasher and deodorize your fridge. Your washing machine might need some attention as well. Also, when was the last time you checked your dryer vent?

Replace smoke detector batteries

Be sure your home is always protected by changing the batteries in your smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors. If you have a Schlage smart lock, this is a good time to switch out those batteries as well to ensure your deadbolt continues working properly.

Organize your entryway

Having a well-organized space to welcome you home can help you unwind from a long day of work or errands. Think about your habits. What do you set down or take off as soon as you enter the door? Create a space with hooks for coats and bags, trays for keys, sunglasses and mail, and mats for shoes. Having a designated spot for each item will help keep things from getting lost or turning into piles of clutter around your home.

Declutter

Start by putting away winter items you won’t need for a while. Only store those that are in good shape and that you’ll use again, though. Throw away or donate the rest. Next, find a home for everyday items. Add decorative baskets, optimize closet space with more shelving or create a family command center to contain the chaos that detracts from your style. Check out these creative storage ideas from Houzz.

At the end of the day, spring cleaning is all about creating a refreshing environment you enjoy. It’s time to see your home in a new light. Add a few finishing details – a vase of fresh-cut flowers or a new piece of original artwork – and embrace the season’s possibilities.

Don’t forget our outdoor spring cleaning checklist for projects to tackle when the weather gets nice. And if upgrading your style is on your to-dos, check out these nine budget-friendly spring front porch décor ideas, too.

We talk a lot about the “perfect fit” for this and the “ideal solution” for that. It’s easy to forget that, for many of us, the perfect room or home is not achieved in a single shot, and to try to pull that off can create more stress than satisfaction. Taking your time and making upgrades over the course of a few months or even years, can be even more fulfilling, and easier on your credit score, than finishing your design in one go.

As Brittany Anas from Apartment Therapy said, her first home looked straight out of a catalog, but it lacked her personality and rushing the process was hard on her finances. Now, a wiser and more established version of herself realizes that collecting meaningful décor pieces over time makes her home actually feel like a home. Perfection doesn’t need to come immediately.

Here are nine ways – no perfect 10s here – to make small upgrades to your home while you find your unique personal style. Pick and choose, don’t do them all at once and, most importantly, enjoy the home décor journey.

1. Plants

Houseplants make us happier. We also think they go a long way toward making a home feel lived in, especially if your house is still in that sterile, in-progress stage. Some beautiful flowers outside can also liven up your curb appeal while you save up for a new walkway or porch.

2. Bedroom oasis

It’s always a good idea to have someplace you can retreat to that doesn’t feel like a construction zone or where you have a constant reminder of your unfinished tasks. This is especially true if you’re living in the middle of a remodel or have just moved in. Focus on creating a bedroom oasis so you have somewhere to relax. Of course, it could also be your living room, a library or a sunroom. Just find somewhere you want to feel most comfortable.

3. Lighting

Whether you replace lighting fixtures on the ceiling or add tabletop lamps, you will see a dramatic difference in the vibe of your room. Don’t discount the impact of simply replacing your lampshades either.

4. Door hardware

The Spruce said it splendidly. Cheap or outdated hardware will make the rest of your room look that way. Thankfully the opposite goes for updated, high-quality door knobs and levers. You might be surprised what swapping out scratched and dinged builder’s grade knobs can do for your overall look. Explore Schlage Custom™ Door Hardware for some of our best styles and finishes.

5. Plumbing fixtures

Bathroom remodels can be tricky with tiling and expensive flooring and who-knows-what under the sink. Keep it simple by replacing the showerhead, faucets and towel rods. They can make a great jumping-off point for a larger project, not to mention they’re easy to coordinate with door hardware for that cohesive look.

6. Fabrics

If you haven’t found perfect sectional yet, upgrade your existing couch – or bed, comfy chair, or porch swing – with a gorgeous new throw blanket or pillows. Try tapestry on the wall to add color to a room when you’re still searching for that elusive framed artwork.

7. Area rugs

Did we mention flooring can get expensive? Cover carpet stains or soften hardwood floors with area rugs. It can be more cost-effective and lets you inject some new color and pattern to the room.

8. Accessories

These can get expensive and you might be wondering about how they’re going to coordinate with the rest of your future décor. If you choose meaningful pieces, you increase the odds that they’ll always match. Focus on photos of family and pets, travel mementos or artwork you create yourself. Frames can be switched out easily later if today’s choices clash with tomorrow’s design.

9. Gadgets

Sometimes establishing the “perfect” house is more than just making it beautiful. You’ll enjoy living in your current abode more when you take the time to make it fit your lifestyle. The added convenience of smart locks or lighting, a wall outlet with built-in USB ports or this crumb catcher for easier kitchen cleaning is worth investing in today if it makes your life easier.

If you aren’t sure where to start, look for inspiration on Schlage’s Instagram or Pinterest accounts. You can also use our Style Selector Tool to help figure out what your favorite look is. You might be surprised what your “perfect” style turns out to be.

Manufacturing mavens

Research continually shows that the more contributions come from a diverse workforce, the more successful the business. While women are largely underrepresented in the manufacturing industry – early 2020 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 29.4 percent of manufacturing jobs are held by women – Schlage has employed women in a variety of roles throughout its history.

Even as a young company 100 years ago when women in the workplace was a rarity, Schlage did not limit women to clerical work. Records and photographs from the 1940s and 50s, for example, show women employed at nearly every stage of the manufacturing process.

Patents, please

Schlage depends on its employees’ innovation to help keep your homes and businesses safe. Founder Walter Schlage was a prolific inventor with more than 200 U.S. and global patents, and we continue that legacy a century later.

According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, just 12 percent of patent-earning inventors in 2016, regardless of industry, were women.

Community and family first

Employees throughout the years have remarked on Schlage’s welcoming atmosphere, perhaps a result of the company being family-run for so long. Walter Schlage’s son, Ernest, was eventually vice president of the company and director of research, while Marron Kendrick took over company presidency upon the retirement of his own father, Charles, in 1953.

That family atmosphere often inspires lifelong loyalty to Schlage, the company’s values and its commitment to making homes, businesses and communities more secure.

A former employee of nearly 35 years, Elayne Snyder said in a recent interview, “It was so easy to work for them. And everybody was congenial, you know what I mean? Which, again, I think that’s what makes Schlage so unique and why these people after all these years are still bound together as a family.”

Snyder had a rather comprehensive career at Schlage, starting as a file clerk in 1959. Before retiring more than three decades later, her myriad titles also included San Francisco Warehouse Manager, Research and Sales Forecaster Analyst, and Sales Communications Manager. “They gave me opportunities I probably would have never had, had I worked for another company,” she wrote of Schlage in a letter to the company last month. “They were wonderful to work for. I am proud to have been associated with them for so many years.”

Following World War II, even after production returned to door hardware as usual, Schlage continued to support the nation’s soldiers. This support was particularly meaningful to the community as Schlage was still based in San Francisco at the time. The language from this 1946 internal newsletter – “Schlage Girls on Short Cruise” – is admittedly outdated by today’s standards, but it is just one example of Schlage employees’ contributions, however minor, during wartime.

“Who says there’s no patriotism left, now that the war’s over? Schlage Lock Company girls proved differently when twenty of them arose at 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, so that they could be aboard the U.S.S. Cavanaugh when she sailed through the Golden Gate at 6:30 a.m.

“Guests of the U.S. Army, the girls went out to sea to meet four shiploads of veterans returning from the South Pacific. As the Cavanaugh neared the inbound troopships, the girls lined the rail with handkerchiefs fluttering in the breeze, and welcoming smiles on their lovely faces.”

Schlage’s Social Club was incredibly active through the first half of the century, but it wasn’t just fun and games. One late-1940s record tells how the group sold nearly $400 worth of hams to send Christmas gifts to the Mount St. Joseph’s Orphan Asylum in San Francisco. One of the Sisters of the asylum later wrote to Schlage, “We were all so thrilled when the television and High-Fidelity sets arrived and then your most generous check! You may believe me when I assure you that such kindness and thoughtfulness is deeply appreciated by all.”

Many of today’s Schlage employees annually take part in the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement to end heart disease and stroke in women. Allegion Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Shelley Meador was recently published in TechPoint discussing the impact of heart disease on the career success of young women in the technology industry.

Schlage thanks the innovators, the problem-solvers, the providers and the big-thinkers, not just at our own company but among architects, designers and builders as well. For more home history and to help Schlage celebrate its 100th anniversary, visit Schlage.com/100.