Tag Archives: ~Decorating

5 Home Designs That Can Really Improve Your Life

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If you’re one of those people who feel their best when they’re at home, we can freely say that you aren’t the only one! This is completely natural and logical, as everyone is able to relax and unwind to the max in the comfort of their home, right? So, if you want to improve the quality of your life, you should start with upgrading your house! Here are five awesome home design ideas that can make it happen for you, so check them out and enjoy!

Opt for multifunctional rooms that feature indoor play area

If you have a big family with kids, you know that incorporating an indoor play area into your home can be a bit challenging. This is particularly true if you don’t have enough free space, which is what a lot of parents are dealing with nowadays. Well, this is exactly why you should opt for a concept of multifunctional rooms that feature indoor play areas within them! The majority of people choose to combine playroom with their kids’ bedroom simply because that’s the most practical solution, but you know what? You can also combine it with your living room or even a dining room, so get creative, bring the playground inside, and keep your kids entertained when the weather is bad!

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Bathtub in the bedroom? Why not!

Yes, we know that it seems a bit silly, but the fact is that a lot of people are deciding to put a bathtub in their bedroom these days. The reasons for that are more than good, and the first one is not having enough space to fit the tub in their bathrooms. Even though a bathtub isn’t an obligatory part of a bathroom, many people love to have it because it provides the ultimate spa experience in the comfort of their homes. Of course, designing your bedroom with a bathtub in mind is much easier when you’re building a new home, so make sure to contact new home builders if that’s the case and consult with them about everything you want. That’s the best way to make your wishes come true!

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Convertible bedrooms are all the rage these days

On the other hand, if your bedroom is a bit smaller than you hoped for and there’s nothing you can do to get more space, we must say that a convertible bedroom should be your first choice. This is the perfect time to get creative with your sleeping arrangements, too, as traditional beds tend to take up a lot of floor space. In order to utilize the space in the best possible way, you should take fold-down beds into consideration. Such beds are very popular because they are hinged against the wall at one end, which means that you can store them vertically inside a closet or cabinet. Just give it a fair shot and you’ll see how sleek and practical they actually are!

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Kitchen and dining room combo is a winning one

As mentioned above, multifunctional rooms are gaining momentum these days, and that’s because they are designed to maximize your space and make your life much easier. So, if you want to save some space and contribute to a warm family atmosphere in your home, you should certainly opt for a kitchen and dining room combo. We can freely claim that this is a winning combo – especially if you’re into open-floor plans, so don’t go for a separate dining room and you’ll see what we were talking about. Also, more and more people are very much into cooking and socializing at the same time, and this concept allows you to do that. Of course, it’s a great choice for smaller homes, too, so don’t waste your space unnecessarily and merge these two together!

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Integrated home office for a much easier living

If you’re one of those people who spend a lot of time working from home, you surely know that a home office isn’t a luxury, but a bare necessity. This is particularly true if you have small children who don’t understand that mommy or daddy can’t play because they have to work, so don’t wait any longer and design your own home office. This room doesn’t have to be big at all – in fact, the majority of people don’t have a separate room that can be turned into a home office, so work with what you have and you won’t go wrong. For example, if you have a large bedroom, you can choose one silent corner and add a desk and a chair to it. A cool room divider made from wood is a great idea if you want some privacy, and the best thing about it is the fact that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on it. Instead, put your crafting skills to good use and make one on your own!

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As you can tell, there are so many home designs that can truly improve your life, and these five are undoubtedly the best ones out there. So, if that’s your ultimate goal, all you need to do is to stick to our tips and you’ll surely accomplish it. That’s a promise!

 

 

7 Steps To Take Before Your First Renovation

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House renovation is a great way to get a ‘new house’ without moving to a different place. But planning your first renovation can be complicated because there are so many elements to consider. You can’t just focus on what you’d like your home to look like, it’s important to remember about the practicality of such changes. To achieve the best possible results, there are a few simple steps you have to take before any work starts.

Consider the location

Depending on the area you live in certain changes, like house extensions, may not be possible. If you are still looking for a new house, which you’ll want to renovate before moving into, it’s also important to consider the neighbourhood when deciding on a purchase. For people planning on removals to Chelsea, going there and having a look at the other buildings in the area may not be a bad choice. It’ll give you an idea of what to expect.

Set a budget

Calculate how much money you are willing to spend on a renovation. Some changes may just be too expensive and will have to be discarded. Focus on the most pressing matters at first, smaller alterations can be implemented further along the line. You should also count in a contingency of around 20%, which will let you avoid stress in case of any unexpected expenses. Knowing exactly how big your budget is will help you plan the renovation.

Plan the changes

When you think about what your dream house would look like, there are definitely elements that are more important to you than others. But your expectations may not always fit in nicely with the rest of the project. Consider what will work within the space you have. A glass stairs design is great for modern interiors, while wood floors will help in achieving a cosy atmosphere. Figure out what you’d like to change, this way, you’ll be able to ask contractors for exact quotes.

Find contractors

Price should never be the deciding factor when choosing a contractor. The cheapest one will not necessarily be bad, but there’s no guarantee that the most expensive one will be the best as well. Try to find good contractors through the recommendations from people you know. If this doesn’t help, at least try to look for reviews online. Renovations can get messy and time-consuming even at the best of times, and hiring inexperienced contractors will not help the matter in any way.

Get the necessary permits

Some parts of your renovation, especially if you plan on changing the structure of the building, may require planning permissions. You need to apply for those before starting any construction works, so make sure to find out what is necessary in your case. If you’re still unsure whether you need one or not, it’s advisable to check with your local authority. Having a house that is listed or located in a Conservation Area can limit your options, but even if you don’t need any permits, you’ll still need to comply with building regulations.

Check the insurance

You may already have your property insured, but does the insurance cover eventual damages sustained during building work? Will your insurance still be valid even if you move out of the house during the renovation? You need to carefully consider all the aspects to avoid unpleasant surprises later on. It may be a good idea to consult a specialist on the matter. Another important thing to check is whether the contractors working on your renovation are insured. Accidents can happen during construction works, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Schedule the renovation

Some parts of your renovation have to be finished before the others can start. It’s especially important in situations when you have hired different contractors to perform different tasks. You’ll need to schedule the works carefully. Make a list of all the changes in the order they have to be completed in. This way you’ll make sure that the whole renovation will go smoothly and you’ll avoid unnecessary damages and additional expenses.

The properly planned renovation will allow you to avoid unpleasant surprises during construction works. If you follow the steps listed above, you’ll get a house that’s, if not perfect, then at least close to your dream one. And after all the building work is done, you’ll be able to focus on the more enjoyable task of decorating your newly acquired space.

How To Choose Furniture For Small Spaces

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So you’ve scored a place to live, which is a massive achievement in today’s times, but you still need to furnish and decorate. Maybe you’ve resorted to small space living, or maybe you just have a small room you want to make use of, either way, choosing furniture for small spaces is a difficult task. Here are some tips to furnishing the space you have, no matter how small.

Use the perimeter of your room

It seems obvious, but so many people skip out on this. Mount your television to the wall, so you don’t waste floor space on a cabinet or table to hold it up. You can also find wall mounted shelves which, honestly, are lifesavers.  Another good option is to purchase tall dressers and bookshelves to make the most of your wall space.

 

Go multifunctional


Multifunctional furniture for small spaces is a great way to save room in your home. Your beds and couches are usually the most space-consuming pieces of furniture in your home. It’s an all too familiar scenario: You walk into an empty room thinking it’s reasonably big until you throw a bed into it and realise how little floor space you have. Take advantage of this and buy beds and couches with storage underneath. This way you can re-purpose otherwise wasted space, saving room elsewhere in the house.

 

Though it can be more expensive, modular furniture is also a stellar way to save room. This can be particularly exciting for parents with creative children, as you can teach them about the functionality of space and let them get creative with designing it themselves.


Small Space Solution Sunroom Corner with Built-In Beds.

Photo Source Design Folly, Flickr.

Control your light


A classy and elegant way to transform a space is with light. Unless you’re a photographer, lighting is probably something you rarely think about in your day to day life. But the truth is, we go about the day being constantly manipulated by light. It changes the way we feel. For instance, people tend to feel happy and safe in sunny and warm areas, or suspicious and uneasy in dark and shadowy areas. This is why you can completely change the way your home feels with something as simple as blinds, as you can take complete control over the lighting in your home. On top of that, you can purchase dimmable lamps and various bulbs, small furniture for small spaces that puts you in control of the room’s mood.

Re-evaluate your furniture

 

How much of your stuff do you actually need? Once you start breaking down the purpose of furniture in your home, you can really start to consider whether you need it or not. I have a cousin that always complains about how little space he has for his kids to play around in. He has a large coffee table right in the middle of the room, taking up an enormous amount of ‘playable space’ but he never actually uses the table. He’s too scared of scratching it up or getting burn marks on the wood. Once I asked him why he even needs the table and his response was so he can store his magazines. I never saw anyone in his family touch those magazines once! Instead of children using the space to play and learn, he decided to waste it on storing magazines he didn’t even read. Your scenarios may not be as ridiculous as that, but I guarantee if you go through your house and mentally break down all of the furniture you have, what it’s purpose is, and whether you really need it, you will most likely find some items you could get rid of. You could even sell them and make some money.

 

Furniture design for small spaces can seem like an almost impossible task. You need to build up, and you need to build smart. Make the most off all of the wall space you have available, and don’t let any area go to waste. Re-evaluate what you need, and if you have items that are hogging half your room, get rid of them and find something else.

How To Eliminate Air Quality Problems That Plague Older Homes? – Zoe Clark

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1Older homes are special places brimming with character and charm of the bygone. They have a distinctive atmosphere, magnificent architectural elements, and attention-grabbing design features. The only problem is that these are not the easiest environments to maintain and one of the common issues is air quality.  On the brighter note, there are some measures and steps you can take to immerse in your striking space while at the same limiting the exposure to risk.

Dust in the wind

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Interior air is bustling with life. Most of it is harmless, but there are also little bits of substances that can impede your health and wellbeing. Nuisances like allergens usually call for some cleaning and maintenance. So, keep the dust at bay and you will deal a serious blow to allergens. Furthermore, dust is also a base of operations for other uninvited guests such as mildew, mold, pet hair and dander. See to it that horizontal surfaces are cleaned on a regular basis.

Pay special attention to wall-to-wall rugs and carpets since they are the Promised Land for animal allergens and dust. One other thing you can do is purchase an air purifier. Personally, I am quite satisfied with air purifiers from Oransi. Of course, do not forget to ventilate your living space as well, and let the rejuvenating fresh air in. This decreases the level of allergens, as well as odor and moisture.  A relative humidity level should be between 30 and 50 percent, and both humidifiers and dehumidifiers serve as a means of monitoring it.

A clean slate

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An older insulation can contain asbestos, a mineral fiber which was used to provide heat insulation as well as fire resistance. However, breathing airborne asbestos puts you at an increased risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma and other conditions. It is precisely the poor condition of asbestos products that launch this menace into the air, which is to say that a professional inspection, removal, or repair is required. Likewise, bear in mind that the products like cleaners, pesticides and garden supplies can also emit fumes and odors, so keep them in sealed containers.

The next crucial element is plumbing. Installations made prior to 1940s often used lead, a notoriously toxic material. Even if the pipes were made of galvanized steel, another popular solution, they are still prone to corrosion and leaks. One signal that the detrimental process has begun is low hot water pressure. Homeowners who fail to anticipate this are faced with potential damage to structural elements. Even worse, this nurtures a fertile environment for mold and mildew to take hold. While this usually gives rise to allergic reactions, some molds are even toxic.

The only remedy against this is regular inspection and maintenance, and in many instances, the replacement of aged pipes. Finally, do not overlook masonry chimneys and fireplaces that reveal their more fragile nature over time. Namely, cracks can occur, and once that happens, gas leakage is soon to follow. Carbon monoxide is something you do not want in your home, so before the disaster strikes, muse on relining the chimney with clay tiles, cement or metal. To minimize the risk, it is also advisable to make good use of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

A breath of fresh air

The indoor air quality is of the utmost importance for your and your family’s health. There are various sources of pollution you need to keep an eye on, so do not let them offset the allure of an old home.  Control the interior climate, increase the ventilation, conduct regular maintenance, and keep track of elements that spoil it. Take action promptly and address the root of the problem: That way, you can breathe more easily, and do away with a wide range of dangers that lurk in the shadow of the antique.

 

Remodeling Your Home? Here’s How to Avoid Some Common Mistakes By Diana Smith

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image-1A thorough home renovating project requires some major planning and even if you know precisely what you wish to accomplish with your remodel, you can expect to run into more than a few obstacles on your way. So, let’s see what are some of the most common mistakes in home remodeling projects and in what ways can you avoid them:

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Avoiding Budget Mistakes

Definitely the most common and, at the same time, biggest mistake in remodeling projects is not setting a realistic budget beforehand. A budget can undermine your project in a variety of ways, spending more than you can afford being the most common. This leaves many people in debts and with unfinished remodels. On the other hand, there’s also the mistake of trying to save money by saving on materials and tools. This can lead to some shoddy work, which can later on end up costing you much more than you originally hoped. The best way to avoid all these things from occurring is to make a detailed budget plan, list all the work you need to do and add another 20% on your original sum. This budget is going to cover all your expenses, but also give you a bit of space to cover some minor accidents (just in case.)

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Avoiding Contractor Mistakes

Many people tend to fall into the trap of hiring the first contractor they find, or even worse – the first that offers them the lowest bid. While paying the lowest fare for a contractor surely is tempting, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best deal you can make. It’s important to find an experienced and qualified contractor, so you can be sure that you’re getting your money’s worth (even if that means paying a bit extra). The other common mistake is not hiring a contractor at all and relying on your own two hands to do all the work. It would be best to realistically evaluate what type of work you’re able to do on your own and where you should seek help from an expert.

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Avoiding Safety Mistakes

While you might think that you can save both money and time by avoiding to meet some basic safety standards, this can greatly sabotage the remodeling. This is exactly why it’s crucial to take all the safety precautions into consideration, including not only safety equipment and gear but also conducting a detailed home inspection before officially starting your remodeling project. A hired professional inspecting your home can uncover a lot of irregularities and failures which need to be taken care of during the renovation. The best solution is to identify all the potential issues beforehand so you’d get an opportunity to add these errors to your to-do list. Hiring an inspector to examine your house after you’ve finished with the remodel is also smart, but it’s much better to fix everything before the end of the project.

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Avoiding Planning Mistakes

Planning is a crucial aspect of every home remodel and it’s critical to plan everything to the smallest detail if you want your remodeling to go smoothly. This includes not only designing a timeline of the repairs, but also considering their factors such as the complete layout of the house. Professionals who design project homes in Sydney advise to carefully plan the location of your electrical and plumbing systems so you’d be able to construct a functional residence suitable for future development.

Big projects such as these are known to be quite overwhelming at certain points, but very rewarding. So, before you dive into this venture, it’s best to be prepared for what awaits you in the following period. It’s best to inquire about all possible outcomes and get a grasp of some of the most common obstacles and mistakes that you should strive to avoid.