Surfing isn’t just for ocean waves and the Worldwide Web anymore. In fact, in the world of the serious traveler, couch surfing not only facilitates matching free accommodations of a lone traveler with a willing host, but also serves as an international network of people hoping to seek and create a deeper sense of cultural understanding.

This is the mission of Couchsurfing.org, an online community connecting people with others around the globe by providing a sort-of matchmaking service for the true wanderer. The initial appeal of couch surfing may very well be the absence of a bill slipped under your door in the morning. But after scrolling through the testimonials and statistics of “positive experiences” on Couchsurfing.org, it seems that once you crash on the couch of a welcoming local in far-off places like Poland, Ghana or Jamaica, you may never opt to stay in a centrally-located, expensive hotel again.

Couchsurfing.org is the non-profit brainchild of 28 year-old Casey Fenton, whose full-time job is now keeping the Web site and its thousands of members up and traveling. As a registered member of Fenton’s site, you can request accommodations according to your planned travel route — much like requesting a friend on Facebook — and then, if offered a couch, a bed or even a whole room, you can connect with your host and secure your accommodations. You are under no obligation to host if you surf. Don’t feel like riding the couch? Then just register solely as a host. You can even simply support Couchsurfing.org as a project without offering up any space in your home.

Membership is on the rise among young, independent globetrotters who hope to experience more than the typical tourist list of things-to-do. These new set of explorers also are looking to stretch their travel budget. The art of couch surfing seems to have manifested into an underground culture of its own, complete with its own lingo, set of rules and a strict adherence to etiquette, gratefulness and most of all, adventure.

In a way, couch surfing represents a commitment to the human spirit by encouraging people to interact, share and learn from each other. It brings travelers closer to the real experience of a place so that they can reflect, understand and ultimately appreciate the true dynamic of their destination.

photo by ryan jesena

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Unfortunately decorating your house or apartment can be quite expensive. Here are some ways to add a little flair to your living space — without draining your bank account.

Give your couch the slip. Buy a slipcover for that sofa you’ve had for ten years. Purchasing a new couch can cost upwards of $1500 and reupholstering can run around $800. Uncover great slipcovers at HomeGoods and Tuesday Morning stores. Just make sure to measure the sofa before buying a slipcover because they come in different sizes.

Go green. Plants add so much to a room, but can be a big responsibility. Orchids are beautiful, but extremely fragile. Larger plants or small trees can add shade to your home and naturally lower the temperature. If you don’t exactly have a green thumb, don’t worry — there’s always succulents (which look cool and don’t require much water or care). Spring for fresh flowers whenever you have the chance. Lovely blooms in a glass vase can totally change the feeling of a room.

Pick a wall. Paint, wallpaper and artwork can be expensive. Put the focus on only one wall and make it absolutely spectacular. Look around your place and find the wall you’d like to use. The wall across from the front door is a good choice because it’s the first thing you see when entering. Would a simple paint color improve the mood of the room? How about some wallpaper for a funky edge? Perhaps some cool art work would make the room more alive. (Attention renters — make sure your plan is approved by your landlord before you start.)

• Paint is relatively inexpensive, and you can complete this project by yourself. Be sure and invest in some painter’s tape and drop cloths (painting can be messy). Psychologically, different colors make people feel different ways. For example, red is associated with stimulation and increases appetite (that’s why red is used in restaurants so much). Grey is often used in offices to promote creativity. (Check out this Wikipedia article for more color decoding.)
• If you’d like to spruce up your place by adding some cool wallpaper, there are a few great options out there. Wallpapering is extremely difficult — even on just one wall. Sherwin Williams’ Easy Change Wallpaper or Tempaper designs are both marketed as removable. Multiply the width by the height of the wall to get the square feet needed to cover the space. If this sounds like too much work than try wall decals. They’re basically huge removable stickers for your wall. Find a great selection at Whatisblick.com.
• Art is one of the best ways to decorate a wall. Arrange a bunch of framed art, photographs, posters and mementos on a wall to create a larger piece of art — like a collage. If this feels too unorganized for you, hang items on the wall that are all the same color. But above all, be creative!

photos from endless design and domino mag

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