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There’s something wonderful about coming home to a vibrant space that reflects your personality. As beautiful as your home might be, it’s important to spruce things up every once in a while. Decorating doesn’t have to be expensive and time-consuming. Here are five ways you can change the look and feel of your home without creating a major dent in your monthly budget.  

Adjust the layout

You might not be able to move to a new space but you can make the most of the space you have. Pick a room and make it feel brand new by organizing the furniture in a new layout. Try to design or decorate your space to optimize each room’s flow and feel. If your living room is small, try to come up with ways to make it feel spacious and airy. Will moving your furniture away from the wall help? Or can you add mirrors to give an illusion of space? Find a focal point for each of your individual spaces and arrange your furniture around it. In the living room, it could be your coffee table, whereas in the study, it could be your work desk. This is a zero-cost decorating idea that only requires a bit of time, creativity, and some muscles.

Revamp your walls

If you have plain boring walls, it’s time to give them a revamp. And the options are endless. You can wallpaper a portion to create a focal wall. Or you can paint one wall of your living room a bright, contrasting color. Mirror tiles can make a space look regal as well as maximize lighting. These days you get ready to install DIY wooden or laminate wall panels that you can simply attach to a surface with glue or a few nails. They come in a variety of colors and patterns too. It’s a simple way to give your home a facelift without breaking the bank.

Focus on the floor

Adding some rugs, runners, or floor cushions is a cheap and effortless way to style your home. Area rugs can also be used to cover faded flooring. Get some in bright colors to add a bit of cheer to your space. Stack some big floor cushions in a corner of a room to give it a cozy, laid-back ambiance. Also, just swapping out the carpets from one room to another can change the feel of your space without you having to spend a single paisa. If you want a completely different look, these days you can also get many peel-and-stick options for which you don’t have to remove the current flooring.

 Consider layering

Just like how a layered outfit looks more put together, layering works equally well for homes too. Layering is a great way to get a luxurious, high-end finish on a budget. Consider layering patterns and textures through soft furnishings such as cushion covers and throws. It’s a practical and pretty way to upgrade your space. Try to layer patterns, both big and small, to create visual interest. Work with different types of patterns, like for instance floral prints and geometric shapes, to allow each one to stand out on its own. A throw draped over one end of the sofa can lend a lush feel. Make sure the fabric matches the weather—wool works well for winters while cotton or linen are great for summers.

 Use trays or catchalls

Clutter not only makes a space look unkempt it also takes away its charm and elegance. Use trays and bowls for your glasses, keys, lip balms, and other stray little items. Pick pretty dishes and trays while you are at it and don’t just use any chipped item you have in the house. Metal or wooden trays, artfully decorated with knick knacks like candles, coasters, and potpourri, can elevate a simple coffee table. You can use a similar set-up on the dining table or on the bedside table too. A candle, some flowers, and salt and pepper shakers on a pretty plate on the dining table can be functional and beautiful at the same time. Use trays and bowls interestingly around the house to keep clutter at bay while making an impressive style statement.

A police constable murdered his wife and son in Ghorahi of Dang.

Pim Lal Nepali (32) stationed at the District Police Office, Dang murdered his wife Tika BK (22) and two-and-half-year-old son Sushant Nepali, Dang police said.

According to a preliminary investigation, Nepali, who had left the office on Saturday night, strangled his wife and son to death with a shawl on Sunday.

District Police Office Chief Ram Bahadur KC said that Nepali of Rolpa turned himself in after murdering his wife and son.

Nepali was transferred to Dang two months ago.

Police said that further investigation into the incident is underway.

World Cancer Day is being observed by organizing various awareness programs against cancer today.

The day is celebrated every year on February 4, with the theme for this year internationally being “Together, we challenge those in power”. This theme encompasses the global demand for leaders to prioritize and invest in cancer prevention and care and to do more to achieve a just and cancer-free world, according to the World Health Organization.

Likewise, the theme for the day in Nepal is ' Challenge of cancer is on the Rise, Lets increase access to care'.

According to the WHO, in 2022 about one million people died due to cancer. About one-third of cancer deaths are caused by tobacco use, obesity, alcohol consumption, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, and lack of physical activity.

Similarly, the most common is lung cancer. Although there are no accurate statistics of cancer patients in Nepal, according to WHO, the casualties in women in the country are high due to cervical and breast cancer. Similarly, lung, stomach and liver cancer are more common in men.

Privately-owned vehicles will have to be scrapped after running for 25 years in Gandaki province. This is the first time that such a provision has been made for private vehicles in the country. So far, the provision was applicable only to public transport vehicles as provided by the federal law, which is 20 years.

The new provision comes into effect in Gandaki province, after the Gandaki Province Vehicle and Transport Regulations, 2080, was published in the provincial gazette last Thursday.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management, Tikaram Paudel, said that the age of private vehicles has been set at 25 years for the first time in Nepal. There is already a provision for public vehicles to be scrapped after 20 years.

For e-public vehicles the limit is for thirty years. It is mentioned in the regulations that the ministry can create and issue necessary standards to convert public and other vehicles into electric vehicles.

Spokesperson Paudel said that the regulations have also provided legal ground to regulate and legalize the transport services provided through the Ride Sharing app. Transportation service can be provided through the use of Ride Sharing App at specified fares after completing the necessary procedures along with passenger insurance.

The regulations have also increased the fine to be paid by taxis that do not run on the meter system.  From now on, the minimum rate of fine will be increased to Rs 10,000 from existing 2,100. Furthermore, the road permit license can be suspended for six months as the maximum penalty.

There are around 3,500 taxis operating in Gandaki province including 2,500 in Pokhara alone.