(ARA) – When it comes to impressing your mate, forget about diamonds and designer gifts. You’re more likely to snag a date based on your decorating taste than with bling.

A majority of men and women – 88 and 85 percent, respectively – would prefer to receive a room makeover over a pricey pair of diamond earrings or watch, according to the KILZ Roller Report . The annual survey, which polled 1,000 people across the United States and Canada, revealed surprising insights into how men and women perceive home decor in its fifth edition, “If Your Walls Could Talk.”

Lisa LaPorta, host and designer of HGTV’s Designed to Sell and Bang for Your Buck, has interpreted the survey results and created some corresponding tips to add personality and appeal to your home’s decor.

“A person’s home offers insight into who they are and how they live their life, so it’s not surprising that suitors consider the decor of potential mates in the early stages of dating,” says LaPorta. “Thankfully, it’s easy to seem design-savvy by making quick updates with inexpensive options that won’t break the bank.”

Men and women want to wine and dine at home
Given the current economy, 56 percent of people would rather dine in with friends than eat out at a restaurant. According to LaPorta, a restaurant’s decor is one of its key draws, and most restaurant designers rely on the same basic ingredients: lighting and color.

“For less than $100 – often the cost of dinner for two – you can create the same ambiance in your own dining room by replacing overhead fluorescent lights with lamps and candles that create a flattering glow and cast dramatic shadows,” says LaPorta. “Choosing neutral, inviting wall colors like warm gray or buttery tan and finishing the look with appetite-stimulating bright red, orange or pink accents will ensure your guests come back for seconds.”

Your apartment speaks volumes
Sixty-three percent of women consider home decor a key indicator of a man’s personality and maturity level. LaPorta advises guys to lose the dozens of rock ‘n roll posters and sports memorabilia they’ve been collecting since childhood.

“Select one or two of your favorite pieces and have them professionally matted to make them feel more like one-of-a-kind art than part of a giant collection,” says LaPorta. “You may also want to consider rearranging your furniture so oversized TVs aren’t the focal point of the room.”

Ladies, bright wall colors are a buzz kill
Sixty-six percent of men prefer neutral walls to bolds, so LaPorta suggests that bold wall colors can be intimidating and distracting to a new male suitor.

“Try giving your space a weekend facelift by changing a bright colored wall to a more appealing tan or beige,” says LaPorta. “Start with a high-quality, fast-drying primer like KILZ Premium, which allows for fewer topcoats to hide any traces of your past extravagant paint decisions. Add your own style through colorful accent pieces like paintings, area rugs, floral arrangements and candlesticks.”

Being environmentally responsible is sexy
Nearly half of men (41 percent) and one-third of women (33 percent) would rather date a person who uses so-called “eco-friendly” products, like low- or zero volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, versus one who does not. LaPorta emphasizes that the perception that environmentally-responsible decorating is expensive is a myth.

“Start small by using a zero VOC primer like KILZ Clean Start and water based paints, which are generally lower in VOC content than conventional solvent based paints (labels will reveal actual VOC content) or switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs,” says LaPorta. “These small changes will refresh your home and could have a positive impact on your energy bills and the environment.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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(ARA) – The hectic pace of day-to-day life shows few signs of slowing; however, the peaceful sanctuary couples are seeking may be closer than they think – in their own bedrooms.

For many of today’s couples though, the terms “bedroom” and “peaceful sanctuary” are more an oxymoron than a reality. A recent survey from the National Sleep Foundation found 25 to 33 percent of couples feel their relationships are negatively impacted by their partner’s bad sleep habits, and Tempur-Pedic’s 2009 Wellness Survey supports this notion, finding 61 percent of adults admit they wish the bedroom was a place where they could relax.

All this said, relationship expert and Tempur-Pedic Wellness Advisor Dr. Scott Stanley found that a few simple changes to a couple’s sleeping habits can ensure their bedroom offers the restful retreat they need. Stanley, a research professor and co-director of the Center for Marital and Family Studies at the University of Denver, studies how to improve relationships, with growing attention to the crucial role of being able to get a good night’s sleep.

First and foremost, Stanley says couples need to set the mood for a good night’s sleep by creating a relaxing, “conflict-free” sleeping environment. By keeping the stress of the day on the other side of the bedroom door, partners will be able to achieve the right frame of mind to sufficiently wind down for a restful night, so be sure to shelf anything that may be upsetting for a more appropriate time and place.

“Good sleep requires your mind and body to be moving into a calmer, settled state,” says Stanley. “Conflict, anxiety and stress will interfere with falling and staying asleep. When you feel like you have to be on your guard, you will find it hard to calm down into the state where you most easily fall asleep.”

Secondly, couples must find a way to deal with common sleep distractions, including regular movement from one’s partner during sleep. Research has shown sleep movement is more prevalent when sharing a bed, and as such, it is critical for individuals to keep their partner’s sleep quality in mind. Investing in mattresses that minimize motion transfer, like those in Tempur-Pedic’s line of Swedish Sleep Systems, allow couples to be close without disturbing each other when moving.

Additionally, different sleeping patterns and schedules can cause couples to imperil what Stanley calls the “Sleep Zone.” However, with a little planning, and maybe even some compromise, couples can create a sleep schedule that works for both bedmates – whether they are the lightest of sleepers or the latest of night-owls. Setting a bedtime that works for both parties and establishing a routine allows couples to work around the differences in habits and biology that get them out of sync to begin with. “It’s important to talk openly together – to be a team – about what you each can do to help the other get better sleep,” says Stanley.

Finally, some couples need to tackle the unpleasant issue of snoring – a prevalent bedroom offense. Have a plan for how to handle the situation when it arises. Agreeing ahead of time that it is alright for one’s partner to roll, poke or wake the snorer can avoid an argument and effectively abbreviate what could otherwise become an all-night snoring session or sleep-disrupting argument.

“Couples should keep in mind that if snoring is a chronic occurrence, a serious health issue may be to blame,” warns Stanley. “Because of this, couples should consult a doctor to ensure the pattern is not a symptom of a more serious problem – and if nothing else, to get some suggestions for how to alleviate the snoring.”

“Studies have proven that better sleep will benefit your relationship,” says Stanley. “If you do all you can to help each of you, individually, get a good night’s sleep, you will find it easier to be your best for and with each other.”

For more relationship research, visit www.slidingvsdeciding.com, or to learn more about the Tempur-Pedic sleep experience from satisfied owners, visit www.tempurpedic.com/owners.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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(ARA) – Summer is all about spontaneous getaways, romantic interludes and young love, but the current economic condition can take its toll on your relationship. With financial stresses at an all time high, it’s often easy to put your romance on the backburner. In fact, 43 percent of U.S. couples say the recession has caused them to argue more often and primarily about finances, according to a recent survey by PayPal.

“Everyone is looking for ways to cope with the recession — whether it’s dinner on a budget, staying on top of your game at work, or cutting back on travel, and in the midst of trying to find these solutions, relationships are sometimes the first thing that suffers,” says Microsoft senior product manager, Karin Muskopf. “MSN.com put together a recession survival kit that offers our readers simple tips for coping with the stress of the economy, including a special section with tips and tricks on how to keep your relationship fresh and stress-free during the tough times.”

There are also some interesting ways to keep spending to a minimum and fun to a maximum, such as date night ideas for under $15.

* Watching the Sun Set: Like our love lives, it’s easy to overlook the beautiful things that happen around us every day. Watch the sun go down and share kisses under the stars.
Blanket to sit on: $6
Sunglasses: $2/each at your local drugstore
Lemonade: $1/each
Total: $15

* People-watching: Not all dates have to be steamy. Simply spending time together is what dating is all about. Pick a beautiful day to sit on a bench in a park and marvel at the wonders of nature.
Bottle of wine: $8
Plastic cups: $3
Bench: free
Marveling at the wonders of the public: More fun than you think
Total: $11

* Movie Night with Friends: Miss the wild abandon of your college days? Have the gang over for beers and movie — but save the make-out session for later.
Renting “Old School”: $5
Inviting your friends over: free
Going old school and having people throw in beer money at the door: awesome
Going streaking through the quad: optional
Popcorn for 20: $10
Total: $15

Other simple and affordable tips from MSN include:

* Stay on the same team: Remember you are not mad at each other, you are mad at the invisible enemy — money. Expressing disagreement, distress, and anger is part of problem solving. But, there’s healthy confrontation and then there’s kicking someone when he or she is down. Use your fingers for grabbing hands and holding on, not pointing. You’re in this together.

* Withdraw your identity from your bank account: We measure a lot in this society by the wealth a person appears to have. When it feels like the rest of the world is looking down, be the one who keeps your mate’s chin up. Affirm other kinds of success: friendship, parenting, a talent. Everyone needs to hear the words, “I believe in you,” and more so in times of self-doubt.

* Maintain a one-man-down policy with each other: If one is feeling depressed or anxious, the other has to stay up on his or her end of the seesaw.

* Reach out: Let friends and family in on what is going on with you and your financial situation. It will open the door to a flood of support. Admitting you are vulnerable will allow others to let down their own facade of “fine, thank you.”

* Take time out from worry: As with checking accounts, you aren’t always able to put into your relationship what is taken out. It’s hard to afford romance and intimacy when you are consumed by worry. Set aside time for you and your significant other, to enjoy time-out from worry.

* Always kiss each other good night: Don’t let the magic fade with overpowering conversations of the economic downturn, keep the romance alive, and never forget to kiss each other good night.

For additional tips on how to survive the recession, check out the MSN Recession Survival Guide at savings.msn.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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