Need some motivation for deep cleaning? According to Psychology Today, household clutter causes stress, lack of focus, and poor quality of sleep.

Sept. 17 is designated as Professional House Cleaners Day, and our real estate agents suggest getting a helping hand from these great Nassau County cleaning services.

• Tri-County Carpet Cleaning - 55 Hawk Lane, Levittown, NY 11756
  Dirty carpets look and smell bad, but cleaning them yourself is such a hassle. Tri-County Carpet Cleaning earns high marks from clients for their quality service and reasonable prices. Staff members use eco-friendly, pet-safe products with a pleasant hint of citrus aroma. Have a leaky basement? Tri-County specializes in flood damage restoration. While the company is headquartered near Levittown homes for sale, as the name implies, they serve an extensive part of the NY area. Hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The pairing of wine and cheese has been practiced for centuries—in France, of course, but also in Britain. In both countries, it was recognized that cheese just seemed to bring out the best of the wine, and vice versa.

Turns out, it's all about chemistry. The astringency of wine is caused by a substance known as tannins, the acidity of which makes your mouth pucker. Cheese, on the other hand, is creamy and fatty and coats your mouth. Your mouth reacts pleasurably to the creamy coating at first, but then needs the wine to cut through it, cleansing your palate. Wine and cheese truly do complement each, causing you to crave the opposite whenever you consume one or the other.

Adding plants to a room is a fantastic way to add color and express the decor scheme. They make a room feel more welcoming and can be a relatively low-maintenance focal point for any room. Our real estate agents appreciate it when they see that each decor element in a home has been chosen with care. If your family includes pets, you'll want to make sure that the plants you choose will be as kind to them as you are. Some plants can pose a serious risk to animals, and you'll want to be cautious when shopping at your local nursery. 

• Consider The Lilies 
  Calla lilies are striking and graceful in appearance but can be toxic to animals and humans. These are normally grown outdoors, but you may receive an arrangement, including lilies. If you grow them outside, keep them well away from pets and children. If you receive a bouquet or wreath, including lilies, keep it out of reach until it's time to dispose of it.

Pools, spas, and meticulously manicured lawns are lovely but few backyard amenities are as exceptional as an outdoor kitchen. An outdoor kitchen is a staple of luxury living. Whether it's poolside, atop a patio, or used to create the transitional indoor-outdoor space that so many homeowners desire, the outdoor kitchen is a fantastic feature. Unfortunately, it's also one of the easiest luxe renovations to botch.

When you're transforming your outdoor space with luxurious upgrades, it's important to make sure your investment is protected before, during, and after the project is completed. Our real estate agents have identified five of the most common mistakes homeowners make when installing an outdoor kitchen and how you can avoid them.

1. Mistake: Not Planning the Project Professionally
   Solution: Hire A Consultant
   
   How do you turn the outdoor kitchen of your dreams into a reality? You're going to need some help. Even if you plan on completing most aspects of the project yourself, you should still consult a team of professionals before you begin. This project will involve the installation of ventilation, electrical, gas, and water lines, all of which aren't elements an amateur should attempt to handle alone. Bringing in a professional consultant to help you detail the logistics of your vision will help you avoid mistakes.