You don’t have to spend a lot of time or money to do some home improvement. There are straightforward ways to make your home more livable at every scale, from laying down new carpet to simply putting new hand-towels in the guest bathroom. Read on for some great ideas to liven up the look of your home.

Hardwood, tile and other smooth surfaces may seem like a good idea in high traffic areas like stairs and hallways, but those same areas can then echo and reverberate throughout the entire house. You wouldn’t want to hear every footstep going down the hallway if you were in a bedroom sleeping.

A great way to let outdoor light inside your kitchen is by using minimal window coverings. Using dark drapery and valances can block out natural lighting and make your kitchen appear dark. Using a light colored curtain or sheer, can be a …