House

Of all the living spaces in a house, most people spend the majority of their time in the kitchen. From cooking to conversing with friends and family, your kitchen needs to be a place where you can prepare food as well as gather together.

Sadly, many kitchens aren’t laid out in a functional way. If the design of your kitchen is an issue you’re having within your home, here are three tips to make the design of your kitchen more functional.

Make Use Of Cabinet Corners

In most kitchens, the majority of storage space can be found in the cabinetry. But without properly designed kitchen cabinets, you might have a lot of wasted space in the corners where your cabinets connect.

To combat this, Gillian Lazanik, a contributor to Houzz.com, suggests that you find a way to maximize your storage in this space. This can be done by installing additional shelving or a Lazy Susan fixture so you can make the most use of every inch of space in your corner cabinets. With these unique storage options in place, you can store almost anything you need to keep in your kitchen in a more convenient place.

While this might require a little demolition or construction work, it could be well worth it to you in the long run.

Create Wall Storage

if you still feel like you don’t have enough storage space in your kitchen, you might want to start thinking outside the box of your cabinets.

According to Kristin Wingard, a contributor to HGTV.com, your kitchen walls can easily be used as vertical storage space. To do this, consider using shelving units or installing rods and hooks to store whatever it is you don’t currently have space for. Not only is this a great way for your kitchen to be more functional, but it can also serve as a piece of interest for your kitchen decor. Just make sure you keep this area organized, as it will be very visible to anyone in your kitchen.

Add Another Sink

Another design element you might want to add to your kitchen in order to make it more functional is an extra sink.

Stefan of Homedit.com shares that especially if you have a kitchen island, installing an extra sink there can serve a great practical purpose. With this extra sink, you’ll be able to get so much more done in your kitchen, especially if you have extra sets of hands for help. For example, if one person is cleaning the dishes, another person can be washing and preparing your next meal without getting in the way of each other.

If you’re ready to make some changes in your kitchen that will turn the space into something more functional for you, consider using some of the tips mentioned above to help you achieve this.

The holidays cause decorators to choose kitschy knickknacks and over-the-top color schemes in their homes. If you’re interested in doing a more sophisticated look, you might be searching the internet for “interior designers near me.” Consider these tips for creating a stylish household during the winter season:

Do More With Less

Sophisticated is the opposite of cluttered. This doesn’t necessarily mean minimalist, but wall-to-wall decorations tends to scream quirky rather than elegant. If you’re already adding a tree and mantle to your living room, a few touches might be all you need.

Create a beautifully wrapped present vignette if it’s a little too early for real gifts under the tree. Little additions such as lighted garlands in the bedrooms or cut evergreen branches in the powder room are classy with little work and expense. Don’t be afraid to incorporate your everyday items into your holiday décor. Something as simple as hanging ornaments from a conversation piece can add whimsy and Christmas cheer.

Warm It Up

The holidays carry nostalgia that can stretch back to your earliest memories. Sophisticated decorations can feel like you’re living in a museum if you don’t include a bit of warmth. Mountain lodge interior design combines cozy with Christmas. A stack of firewood, flannel throw blanket, and a tree adorned with graceful string lights can bring the mountains to you. For extra flair, create a faux mudroom by adding a bench with storage to a hallway or entryway.
Use a Nontraditional Color Scheme

Bright red and green may be Christmas-y, but you wouldn’t invite them to a tasteful dinner party. If your room features an all-white design, you can find plenty of winter and holiday decorations in this scheme. If your colors are more varied, be sure to keep your overall palette neutral with a few color accents. Stick with whites, champagnes, and mercury glass but add in one or two of these colorful ideas:

1. Blue: It’s a winter color that’s always in fashion and brings bold color to any design. The eye will be naturally drawn to it, so use it to accentuate your centerpieces.

2. Metallic: Precious metals will always suggest style and opulence. Gold and silver are most often found at Christmas, but copper and bronze are unique and gorgeous inclusions.

3. Classic: You can make the traditional combination more sophisticated by opting for splashes of deep crimsons and dark forest green. This can be anything from the ornaments to the flower arrangements.

Host a Classy Dinner Party

Carry your dining room’s color scheme over to your tablescape. Instead of typical holiday plates, use your formal china with cloth napkins and a table runner. Upgrading your dinner setup can complete your sophisticated holiday home design.

A few strategies can help you to create the sophisticated holiday style you’ve always wanted. There’s nothing wrong with asking for a little help if you’re feeling overwhelmed with doing the decorations. Find the interior designers Los Angeles that can add your voice and personality to your home at the holidays or at any time of the year.

Tree removal is a very dangerous job, and everything you do can turn into a beautiful masterpiece, or a complete disaster, if the one that’s working is not actually qualified to do the job. If you’re not a master with a chainsaw, you’ll probably want to hire a tree removal service, especially if you’re in the Central Coast, where there are plenty of trees that can cause damage to your home, and even cause problems with electrical lines.

How to Find the Right Tree Removal Service

Well, other than experience, you will know that the best tree removal services have insurance. This is the first question you should ask, and the answer should always be that yes, every employee is automatically insured from the beginning. Tree removal is an extremely dangerous job, and the employees face numerous hazards to do their job. You’ll want to also make sure that the company is licensed, and that all of their employees are licensed for their position, whether it be bucket licensed, all the way down to every groundsman.

Get a Quality Estimate

The best tree removal services can easily give you an estimate. You’ll want to make sure that you get one before you sign anything, and that you get it in writing as well. If you find that a tree service is hesitant about providing anything in writing for you at all, then this should be a red flag and you may end up paying for service fees that you didn’t want to sign up for in the beginning.

Equipment is Important

When it comes to the best in equipment, you want to make sure that your tree removal service of choice uses the best quality products available. You may hear things like “We only use Husqvarna chainsaws, chippers, and bucket-boom trucks.” Some of the best companies out there even have other equipment such as tractor operated boom-saws and high quality professional chippers and dump trucks to make sure that they can offer a one hundred percent cleanup guarantee, which is extremely important.

Know Who the Employees Are

While you don’t need to know every detail about each employee, it doesn’t hurt to ask about the different employee backgrounds that you’ll encounter when you hire a tree service. You’ll know that a tree company that has a lot of experience will hire mostly people who are qualified arborists. While some people may be journeyman to the trade as well (such as starter groundsmen, also known as “green horns”), you should know that you and everyone is safe.

Conclusion

In the Central Coast, there is one company that is a cut above the rest. They’re known as the Everwilling Tree Specialists (found online at http://everwillingtrees.com.au), and they work hard so you don’t have to. They’re a team of licensed and insured arborists that are headquartered on the Central Coast of NSW and cover numerous surrounding areas, offering tree removal, pruning, hedging, cleanups, as well as a wide variety of residential and commercial clients.

When it comes to bathroom construction or renovation, the first thing that many homeowners think of is the shower. If you’re one of them, you’ve probably already imagined how you want your bathroom to look and the vibe that you’re after. Besides, the shower is the bathroom’s heart because it’s where you prepare to face a new day. So, it’s one of the major parts of your home that you want to focus on.

If the design elements align with the luxurious bathroom you’ve always dreamed of, every day will be a great day.

Avoiding common mistakes

Homeowners often make the mistake of making decisions about the shower enclosure at the last minute. If anything, it should be the first as it takes up a huge chunk of the total budget.

More often than not, fixtures, hardware and tiles are the first things homeowners decide on, which messes up the budgeting during the early part of the project.

If you’re doing a bathroom renovation project, you may want to keep in mind that the shower enclosure is the primary design element that reflects your style and luxurious taste.

Making the choice

Glass shower cabins are becoming popular, especially with small bathrooms, because they give the optical illusion of having a bigger space. Having one installed also gives a luxury spa vibe in your home.

But what do you need to ask yourself to make an informed decision when shopping for a shower enclosure?

• How will I know it’s the right choice? The perfect shower cabin will look like it’s a natural part of your home and not like something that you put in there because it looked good in the catalogue. It should give you the feeling that it was custom-built for your bathroom. Also, while the price is a major deciding factor, you want to consider the quality and its long-term value.
• DIY or get a contractor for the job? The answer to this question is, it depends. It depends on what kind of shower cabin you buy and if it’s custom-built with the features that you want. Simple, out-of-the-box shower enclosures should be easy to install on your own. On the other hand, you may want to hire a professional for the installation of intricate designs and cabins equipped with custom features.
• Classic framed or modern frameless? The style depends entirely on the look that you’re after. The glass thickness may vary, and you can also choose the shape and size of the opening. Framed enclosures are more flexible when it comes to installation, while frameless can give you more options when it comes to customising the final look. Either way, both options will complete the look of your bathroom.

Renovating and designing your bathroom is an exciting process. But this can only be done successfully if you know the look that you want and you allocate your budget for materials correctly. Remember that the shower cabin may take up a huge part of the expenses, so it’ll be better if it’s one of the first things you decide on.

To read more on topics like this, check out the house category.

We never know what Mother Nature is going to bring us. We do know that during the summer we’re likely to get sunshine and the winter is likely to bring us rain or even snow. So how can we make our homes weatherproof so they can stand up to everything Mother Nature throws at it? Here’s how:

1. Repair your Walls

If sections of your wall render are cracked you need to mend them. The render is what protects your bricks and ensures they last longer. They also ensure your home is less susceptible to wind and rain.

If the wall render is cracked you will need to have them checked out by a professional. This is because they could be caused by structural issues.

If the cracks in your wall render are small you could mend them yourself. Using exterior polyfilla you could fill the cracks yourself if you’re confident enough to. This will help your walls to stay protected against the elements.

2. Check your Roof

From the ground look up at your roof. Try to determine if there are any missing or loose tiles. You may also want to have a look at your chimney pots to ensure they are secure. Don’t forget to check your aerials too. If you think your roof is damaged or you’re worried about it you may need to call a professional in. A new roof doesn’t have to be too costly but if part or all of it needs replacing it’s better to let the experts do it.

You may also want to make sure that your roof has adequate ventilation so your home is not too hot during the summer months.

3. Clean your Gutters

Clean your gutters at least twice a year. Debris and leaves can get stuck in them and cause a buildup of water. The water is then unable to flow properly and it could run into your home. Water that has become trapped and frozen can expand and damage your guttering in the process. Using a mesh or leaf-guard filter can prevent debris and leaves from building up.

4. Get Rid of Those Draughts

Cold air coming in through the gaps in your doors and windows can make your home seem very cold. Add a draught excluder to the bottom of your front door. When it comes to windows you could add some self-adhesive foam around the frames as they can make a big difference.

5. Check your Windows

It’s important that you check your windows at least twice a year. Window frames can rot and become worse in the cold winter months. Hire a professional to get rid of any damaged wood so they can fill the hole. Make sure you also check the condition of any window surrounds. If your windows are in desperate need of repair you may want to consider replacing them instead.

Use the above tips to help you make your home more weatherproof so it can stand up to what Mother Nature throws at it.

When it comes to owning a house, looking after it properly is key. This not only makes it more enjoyable to live in but also ensures it stays safe and secure. At times, this will involve sitting down to think about giving your home a thorough makeover and maintenance check. It may also involve changing up your interior design and décor to move with the times. But what should you be thinking about when giving your home a makeover in this way?

Repainting the interior and exterior

The first thing you could do to give your home a bright new look is repaint. This is especially true if you have had the same paint on the walls for a while or the paint outside is starting to peel off. You would be surprised at just what a visual impact this tip will have. Once the new paint is on, you will really see how much better your house looks. Of course, repainting is also a great chance to try out new colors in rooms and change up the look of your home to fit in with the times.

Carry out basic electrical maintenance

Did you know that the second leading cause of fires in US homes between 2012 and 2016 was electrical malfunction or failure? In simple terms, this means issues with your home electrical appliances causing fires which then spread through the home. Very often, this can be when you are out or asleep!

To stay safe, a great idea is to give your house an electrical maintenance makeover now and then. This involves basic jobs like checking the power cords of appliances and replacing if damaged, testing outlets and replacing any loose plugs on units. These kind of electrical maintenance tips are vital for keeping your home safe to be in – if you are unsure of how to do electrical maintenance, check with a professional first.

Deal with small home improvement jobs

As well as electrical maintenance, it is wise to identify any small home improvement jobs that need doing. Completing these can really give your house a new look, so they are worthwhile. The best idea is to walk around your home and do a visual check for things like cracked tiles and holes in walls. It is also wise to do the same outside too. When you have a list of the small jobs you can handle, get them sorted out to transform the look of your property.

Deal with the clutter

This simple and free tip is one that will really help your home get a new lease on life. In basic terms, we all have far too much clutter on show in our houses which can make it hard to relax or feel comfortable. To beat this, get rid of what you do not need and tidy the rest away.

Simple home makeover tips that deliver

Not everyone has lots of time or money to spend on giving their home a stunning makeover. This does not mean it cannot be done though. As the above tips demonstrate, there are lots of cool ways to make your home look better and also keep it safe to inhabit.

Given the opportunity, many of us would undoubtedly pursue projects to improve our homes. After all, changes and modifications that enhance our properties will not only increase comfort and convenience but can also have a positive impact on their value as well. But because of the high costs that these remodeling and renovation projects often entail, home improvement projects are often pushed back if not forgotten altogether.

The good news is that home improvement doesn’t always have to be an expensive endeavor. In fact, it can be a lot more affordable than you might think. To this end, here are a few ways that will help you make improvements to achieve the home you aspire to have without breaking the bank.

Do your homework

Home improvement is, generally, an involving activity. The tasks require not only a considerable investment of money but time and effort as well. And if you’re taking a do-it-yourself approach, it’s good standard practice always to do your homework first. In this way, not only are you far more likely to avoid safety hazards but you’re also bound to mitigate any potentially costly mistakes too.

Consider all your options

In any home improvement project, you’re undoubtedly going to have to spend on equipment, materials and services like junk pick up to complete the tasks at hand. And while this might sound small, the expenses can easily spiral out of control if left unchecked. As such, it makes sense to check out and consider all of your options first before making any purchases. It might sound tedious and time-consuming to do, but you’ll be surprised at how much money you can save by doing so.

Never do more than one task at a time

Unless the situation calls for it, it’s essential to stick to one task at a time when tackling a home improvement project. After all, working on multiple areas at a time will not only divide your focus and make your more susceptible to mistakes, but it can push the project back even more which will cost you more money as a result.

Leave certain jobs to professionals

While the DIY approach is an effective way of minimizing expenditure for a home improvement project, there are certain tasks that are best left in the hands of professionals. We can’t do everything on our own, after all, and if we bite off more than we can chew, we risk making mistakes that can be expensive to rectify. So, when in doubt, it’s always better to acquire the services of the experts.

It’s not easy to stay within a modest budget when tackling a home improvement project. After all, these kinds of projects can often require a considerable investment of resources. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize your expenditure significantly. By doing your research first, investing time in finding inexpensive alternatives, and knowing your limits, you have a better chance of staying within your allotted budget without sacrificing the quality or productivity of the project.

To read more on topics like this, check out the house category.

Do you feel burdened by cleaning your house and keeping it in order? You can seek help from companies offering the best services to reduce the burden. You might need to pay them for these services, but you will save a lot of time. The service staff will also ensure that you receive the services you deserve.

Cleaning services

You might say that cleaning your house does not take much time. You can finish it in no time. The truth is that it could take several hours depending on when the last time you cleaned your home was. When you ask the cleaning company to come over, they will do everything that you wish related to home cleaning.

Junk removal

After cleaning, you will end up with tons of trash. You might not know what to do with it. If you are environmentally-responsible, you want to segregate the garbage and ensure that it ends up in the right location. Therefore, you need the help of junk removal companies since they will come over and remove the trash. They also know what to do since they are experts in this regard. They have worked with many homeowners before who also sought similar services. Even with deck removal, you can count on them if you need them for the job.

Laundry service

If you have piles of laundry to deal with each week, you do not want to spend hours cleaning it. Even if you have a washing machine, it will still be challenging for you. Therefore, you need laundry services to ensure that the clothes will become clean without breaking your back doing the job.

Repair services

Instead of throwing away items that are not functioning well, you can decide to repair them. There are repair service companies that will ensure these items will work again. Whether it involves major or minor repairs, you can count on them. You also do not want to spend a lot of money on buying a new replacement if you can use the same thing after repair.

Home organization

If you are familiar with Mari Kondo, you might find her ways to be weird. The truth is that it is not a novel idea. You can find people who can come over and be your Mari Kondo. They will help organize your home and, to a certain extent, your life. They will see to it that you let go of the things you do not need and keep the ones that are useful to you.

Appliance setup

Setting up appliances and equipment could take time. You can ask someone else to do it instead of spending hours figuring out how to do the job. You can also do the same for furniture that you have no idea how to assemble. By spending a few dollars, you can relax and use the items almost right away.

You need to be wise about what you do with your salary. Using it on essential services that will reduce your burden at home is an excellent idea and worth the money you will spend.

To read more on topics like this, check out the house category.

For some people, the mention of the word ‘vinyl’ brings to mind the typical and old-fashioned sheet vinyl which was popular in the past and mostly used for kitchens and some bathrooms as an affordable alternative to ceramic tiles or wood. But today, vinyl has transformed, becoming ‘luxury vinyl flooring’ which is a kind of flooring that is not only affordable but beautiful as well. Luxury vinyl flooring is a far cry from the standard vinyl of old, and it often comes in gorgeous wood grain hues and patterns which make it a much better-looking flooring solution for many homeowners. So, if you’re thinking of replacing your old flooring or are building a home and wondering which flooring solution to use, luxury vinyl wood flooring can certainly be a viable option. Here’s a look at the primary advantages of luxury vinyl flooring over other types of flooring.

• The appearance

As mentioned, luxury vinyl flooring is not your usual vinyl flooring which comes in sheets. In fact, it comes in either planks or tiles, which gives it a more realistic look and appeal. What’s more, it comes with a natural texture and feel which makes it virtually indistinguishable from real wood flooring. You can easily choose the pattern or shade you want, and you’ll have no trouble mixing and matching it with your home’s theme. If you like the look of wood flooring but know that it’s too much for your budget, luxury vinyl flooring is a much better option. And you can even use it in your bathrooms and basement as well, as it can be fully waterproof, much like the vinyl wood flooring available from FirmFit, which is scratch- and impact-resistant as well.

• The pricing

The pricing is definitely a big factor which contributes to the popularity of luxury vinyl flooring today. It’s a flooring solution which is much more affordable than real wood flooring, and it requires less maintenance as well. With real wooden flooring, you can’t just think about the price of the actual floor – you also have to think about other considerations such as maintenance and repair. Replacing even a small portion of a real wood floor can cost you a significant amount of money and installing a real wooden floor can cost a lot as well. But with luxury vinyl flooring, you not only save on the cost of the flooring – you save on the cost of installation and maintenance, too, as it doesn’t require as much maintenance as other types of floors. Your overall expenses related to luxury vinyl flooring can be much lower compared to other flooring.

• An environmentally-friendly choice

Luxury vinyl flooring is made with environmental-friendliness in mind, and when you choose your flooring wisely, you can end up with flooring that is also accredited by various environmental bodies, helping you adhere to certain ‘green standards’ when it comes to building regulations. Some of the best luxury vinyl flooring can even be recycled as well.

• No maintenance issues

With luxury vinyl flooring, you don’t have to worry about special sealing or finishing – the floor comes as is, with no requirements for maintenance except regular sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping. Spills are easy to clean, and you don’t have to deal with stains, either, as the flooring is stain-resistant. If you want flooring that’s stress-free, elegant and beautiful, affordable, and durable, then luxury vinyl flooring is your best choice.

To read more on topics like this, check out the house category.

When looking for ways to cut costs and save money, reducing your utility bills is a great place to start. According to the Energy Information Administration, the average U.S. residential utility customer uses 10,766 kWh per year, or an average of 897 kWh per month. That means average residents are spending more than $100 per month on electricity alone. Add an additional $100 per month for water, gas, and the average homeowner is spending well over $2,000 per year on their bills.

Be more mindful about your energy use to save money and help the environment.

“You have the power to save money and energy in your own home,” says a white paper from the U.S. Department of Energy. “Saving energy reduces our nation’s demand for the resources needed to make energy, and improving your energy efficiency is like adding another clean energy source to our electric power grid. The result is reduced utility bills and money in your pocket.”

Reducing utility usage begins with a conscious effort to make a difference. Here are a few places to start:

1. Join an Energy Savings Program

Clogged air filters, blocked vents, thermostat connections, sluggish fans, dirty coils, low refrigerant levels, and an obstructed condenser unit are all common problems with your HVAC system that can cause it to work overtime, driving up your utility bills.

Many HVAC contractors offer energy savings programs designed to keep your system in top condition. They offer cleanings, inspections, free diagnostic fees, discounted service charges, and priority on service calls. It’s one of the best ways to stay on top of all maintenance problems before they cost you big.

2. Have an Energy Audit

With a home energy audit, an assessor will evaluate the current use in your home and make personalized recommendations for cutting back. A professional will come to your home and evaluate a number of factors like electricity use, miles-per-gallon on your car, and water use.

You can also do an energy audit yourself using a Home Energy Saver tool. Most hardware stores carry these, or you can order one from Energy.gov.

3. Wash Clothes in Cold Water

Most people wash their everyday clothing in warm water and their whites in hot water. However, unless your clothing is extremely soiled, it will come clean using cold water from the tap, especially if you use a cold-water detergent. You can save more than $60 a year by making this simple switch.

4. Replace Faucets and Showerheads with Low Flow Units

The average household uses about 100 gallons per day per resident. That means a family of four consumes about 400 gallons of water in a 24-hour period.

You might not be able to cut down on the activities that require water (you still have to use the toilet and shower, after all), but you can reduce the amount of water that comes out. Install low-flow shower heads and faucets to cut your water consumption in half.

5. Install Smart Thermostats

Today’s thermometers do much more than simply set the temperature. They also allow you to program the settings, and many even learn your habits so that you can enjoy a more comfortable environment.

You might enjoy the AC set at 72 degrees when at home, but it doesn’t need to be that low when you’re at work. However, many people forget to change it before they leave. A programmable thermostat will adjust the temperature automatically so that you can save money without thinking about it.

6. Adjust the Lighting

Your home’s lighting can contribute significantly to your utility bills, but it doesn’t have to. Old, incandescent light bulbs use more than twice the energy of new, LED light bulbs and they don’t last nearly as long. You’ll save money on both your utilities and the cost of new bulbs.

Additionally, natural lighting doesn’t cost anything at all. In rooms with plenty of windows, let the sunshine light the room as often as possible.

7. Be Careful with Appliances

Appliances are a huge contributor to energy use in the home, but they don’t have to be. Here are a few things you can do to reduce the cost of operating your appliances:

• Buy Energy Star rated appliances when replacing yours.
• When possible, use your microwave or a slow cooker rather than your oven.
• Set your refrigerator and freezer at the manufacturer’s recommendation.
• Don’t open the oven door when baking or cooking.
• Keep your fridge and refrigerator full so it can operate more efficiently.
• Don’t let the ice build-up in your refrigerator get thicker than ¼ inch.
• Avoid placing appliances that give off heat near your thermostat, TVs, or lamps.
• Turn your oven off a few minutes before you’re done cooking. The food will continue to cook, but you’ll stop using electricity.