Ways to Update Your Dining Room Décor on a Budget

For many, the dining room is only used for special occasions or family get-togethers, and can often become neglected and forgotten when its not in use. For others, the dining room is a room that is used frequently for some valuable family meal time, but again, can become overlooked or put to the bottom of the list for when it comes to a quick makeover. There’s no reason why renovating your dining room should be an expensive process, as there are many different ways you can update the décor without having to spend too much time or money doing so. Here are a few ways in which you can update your dining space whilst keeping things cost-efficient and simple.

Brighten up

The way you light your dining areas can completely transform the overall atmosphere and ambiance of the room. Brightening up your interiors will create a brand new, fresh feel that will lift the atmosphere in your dining area and create a welcoming feel. From spot lighting to oversized pendant lighting, you can create a stunning look without having to make much of a change at all.

Another way to brighten your dining areas is to allow as much natural light to travel through the room as possible. Natural light is perfect for brightening the room and making it seem more spacious and roomy. Natural light is also a perfect way to create a welcoming, homely atmosphere.

Bold Furniture

Every dining room deserves a statement piece of furniture to draw the room together and create the perfect focal point. Investing in one bold piece of furniture will lift the rooms atmosphere and create the perfect finished look. It’s always a good idea to keep your furniture pieces similar, from the same material, to keep the consistency and make your dining area look complete. As the largest piece in the room, the dining table is usually the centre piece that stands out and can be dressed to make the room that little more creative. Whether you have an oak dining table or a glass top table, there are so many stylish ways that you can dress the table and make it stand out beautifully.

Bursts of Personality

Your home reflects your personality, and therefore the way you decorate your home is crucial to highlight your interests and personal style. If you’re a bold, bubbly individual then incorporating bright, bold artwork or colours into your dining areas décor will emphasise your bright personality. Similarly, if you prefer to stick with a contemporary, chic look then introducing neutral palettes and chic detailing will highlight your personal style beautifully. Introducing items such as family photographs and artwork adds a really simple yet effective touch of character to the room and instantly creates a warm, welcoming touch.

Add a Rug

A statement rug will add a touch of energy and life to your dining area. Whether you opt for an out-there style with a bold pattern, or a simplistic style that simply adds some extra detail to the interiors, adding a rug is the perfect finishing touch for any dining room.

You can find many inexpensive rugs that still look great and add character to any room. It’s best to choose your rug to suit the room, for example smaller rooms may look better with a smaller rug that doesn’t create a cramped look. Similarly, placing a tiny rug in a really large room will look out of place and create a strange look, so adding a rug that suits the rooms size is key.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2fhwwd4 Ways to Update Your Dining Room Décor on a Budget - International Home Design Interior

Easy Ways To Enhance Your Home’s Interior Design

As a homeowner, you will want to do everything in your power to optimize your home’s appearance. This includes keeping your home clean and well maintained. Some homeowners will strive for something more. They’ll want their guests to gasp in awe, when they enter their home. If you fit into this category and share this mindset, you will want to tweak your home’s design frequently until you get it just right. Just remember that there are numerous aspects of your home’s design that can be tinkered with. Within this guide, you will discover easy ways to improve your home’s appearance.

Organization

Many homeowners make the mistake of loading their rooms down with too many items. Unfortunately, this can cause the room to feel chaotic and cluttered. This can also make it difficult for guests to navigate through the room. If you feel the need to add more items to a specific room, you should choose those that will remain out of the way. Wall art and rugs are a good choice. These items will remain out of the way, while enhancing your home’s appearance. Also, make sure the furniture within the room is well organized.

Add A Rug

Hardwood floors and carpets are beautiful, but they can wear out over a period of time. Also, the floor’s appearance may eventually become tiresome. When this happens, you will want to consider making a change. Since it would be too difficult to tear up the wood or carpet, you should consider opting for a brand-new rug. Rugs are available in various styles and can be found in numerous colors. This helps to ensure that you’ll be able to find classic or modern rugs, which match your room’s current color scheme. Purchasing a rug is effortless and you can add it to your room within a matter of seconds. Despite the simplicity, a new rug can do wonders for your room’s appearance.

New Coat Of Paint

If you wish to completely change the appearance of a room, you should purchase paint. A new coat of paint can dramatically alter your room’s appearance. Using light paint over a dark green can help to bring the room to life. Alternatively, it is possible to cool down a room and make it more relaxing by covering up that light paint with something a little darker in tone. The difficulty of painting will depend on the size of the room, but the effort will be well worth it. Just remember to choose a new color that matches the other items within the room.

Lighting

When it comes to altering your home’s interior environment, you will need to start with new lighting. There is a long list of lighting option available to you, making the task of just choosing one a challenge. First of all, you should consider the location, since some areas will require more lighting than others. If you are unsure about the type of lighting fixture that will suit that area, be sure to speak with an expert. Independent shops are the best place to go for advice, because these are often run by individuals that have a lot of experience with accent lighting and décor.

If you are looking for a lighting fixture that will also be utilized as a decoration, you should consider a contemporary pendant or traditional chandelier. These fixtures have personality and will liven up any entranceway or hallway. The decorative design will also enhance the existing décor, bringing your home to life and drawing attention from all angles.

Patterns To Match

Renovation is a challenging project to undertake, plus the steps must be broken down and completed in a timely manner. Mixing and matching your décor, pillows, furniture pieces, rug, lighting, and flooring is a crucial step to perfection. Your furniture will play a huge role in the appearance of your home. The colors and design of the furniture should match the rug in your home. Coordinating these pieces will not be easy, but with a little assistance from a home designer you will do just find.

Believe it or not, the furniture is the most important part of each room in your home. Once you pick out the furniture pieces, you will then start to choose the other items, just make sure that they match in color and design.

Simplify The Materials

Instead of having a home scattered with different materials try using just one simple fabric. Whether you choose a floral or solid design on every piece of upholstered furniture, this technique will allow people to notice the shape of the furniture. If you are thinking about using a patterned fabric, you can really make a statement by using large quantities.

Hanging Artwork At The Right Height

There is a reason that galleries and museum hang artwork at a certain height. Each piece is usually hung around 57 to 60 inches off the floor, because this is level with the average human eye, and you should practice the same technique in your home.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2eUwR8K Easy Ways To Enhance Your Home’s Interior Design - International Home Design Interior

Burglar-Proofing Your Home from the Outside

Home security can often be an element that is overlooked and mainly considered for the inside of the home. Whilst ensuring your home is safe and secure on the inside is really important, it’s just as important to ensure the safety is carried through to the garden, as this can often be a starting point for any burglars targeting your home. Making sure both your interiors and exteriors are safe and secure will enable you to rest assured that your home is as burglar-proof as possible.

Install Sensor Lighting

One of the most obvious yet surprisingly forgotten features to any garden security is motion lighting. Motion or sensor lighting is ideal for adding extra security to your garden, especially through those wintery months. The lighting will help a great deal when used in areas that may have extra foliage or built up hedges. If you look into your garden and cannot see a certain area, this is an indicator to you that you may need to add some motion lighting to ensure that if needed, you can see exactly what is going on in your garden at all times. When the lights are detected, you can set them to stay on for 2 to 30 seconds, dependant on where they are and how practical that is for you. If the motion is no longer picked up then the light will automatically switch off, however, if there is something there and it does not leave the area, the lights will stay on and you’ll be able to see exactly what has set the sensor off. As a result of this, motion lighting works as a very, very good deterrent, as potential burglars will become spooked and leave the area immediately.

Add Fences or a Wall

Whilst fences are ideal for privacy within your garden, they also work very well as keeping unwanted people or animals out of your garden. By surrounding your garden with strong fencing or a built up wall, you can create a difficult obstacle for the potential burglars which will hopefully prevent them from being able to enter your garden. The fencing needs to be strong, however, as that will prevent anyone from being able to break it down in order to gain access to your garden. When it comes to the top of your fencing, you’re best to go with a design that causes problems for anyone who tries to climb it. Picket fencing or fencing with a pointy or sharp top is ideal, as this is really difficult to climb and would be even more of an issue when trying to climb in the dark!

If you choose to put a gate in your garden leading from the front to the back, you should invest in a locking mechanism. Ensuring you can lock your gate is important as otherwise the burglar won’t need to worry about climbing the fence as they’ll have instant access through your garden gate. You can find all kinds of really effective locking mechanisms, from the traditional padlock to a simple latch that cannot be opened unless you’re inside the garden. You can then invest in locks with a key, which may cost a little extra but will really ensure nobody can enter your garden when you don’t want them too!

Protect Your Belongings

The garden can be a great place for social gatherings and get-togethers, and often you find yourself purchasing some stylish outdoor seating, tables and even features such as fire pits or fancy umbrellas. These belongings are all great and so beneficial to have, however they can also be seen as an invitation to the garden by a burglar, as they may see enough money in your garden furnishings to not even need to enter your house! The last thing you want is to attract the attention of any burglars by having fancy items left outdoors overnight, so making sure expensive items are stored away in the garage or storage areas overnight or when not in use is essential. Another key thing to consider is where you position your outdoor items. Items such as ladders, seats, steps or even bins should never be stored next to your fencing. This can, without noticing, create a step or easy access point for burglars as they climb your fence, so don’t make things easier for them!

Make them Aware

Burglars often assess somewhere before they choose to target. This is because they’ll need to know they’re not walking into a garden or home that is going to illuminate and alarm, exposing who they are. Investing in an alarm system is really important, as not only will it let you know when something isn’t quite right, but it will also show any potential burglars that you have the system fitted and they have no chance of getting into your home without sounding the alarm!

Don’t Forget to Check

It’s usually the same routine for each homeowner, checking all doors and windows to ensure that they are locked or closed. It can often be an easy thing to overlook however, especially if your home has a few residents and each are coming and going at different times. Making sure your door locks, sliding door locks, window locks and even back door locks are in full working order and locked will really help make sure nobody can enter your home without permission. Closing curtains is another helpful thing to do, as you’re preventing anyone from the outside looking in!

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2ePoJVl Burglar-Proofing Your Home from the Outside - International Home Design Interior

Important Services Every Homeowner Should Be Aware Of

There are certain phone numbers every homeowner should have close at hand in case of an emergency. Preparing in this way gives you a better opportunity to react to any problem or potential problem that could occur in your home. Below are the main service providers every home homeowner needs to be aware of and be able to contact quickly when things go wrong.

Plumber

Water has the potential to cause serious damage in a home. This is why it’s vital to call out a plumber as quickly as possible. The faster a burst pipe is fixed or a flood is cleaned up, the less damage it will cause. However, not all plumbers are the same, so you want to ensure that the plumber you contact is able to provide a range of plumbing-related services including a leak detection service, pipe fixing service and flood cleanup service. 

Electrician

Electricity plays an important role in a modern home. Over time, faults can occur and home appliances fail. Safety should be your main concern and having a reliable, experienced electrician on standby will ensure that any electrical problems are dealt with in a safe and professional manner.

Fire Fighters

Reacting quickly to a fire can prevent injuries and reduce the amount of damage that occurs in a home. Fire has the potential to spread quickly, but it is often smoke that causes the most problems when a fire breaks out. Isolating the fire and putting it out fast prevents this kind of damage from spreading to other areas of your home.

Local Doctor

It goes without saying that your doctor is one of the most important people in your locality. However, when an accident or other health-related incident occurs in a home, your local doctor’s phone number may not be close at hand. Finding this information can take time, which could be the difference between saving someone’s life or leading to a much more serious situation.

Local Hospital

When someone suffers from a serious health problem, every second counts. You should always place the number of your local hospital in a prominent place in your home and add it to your list of phone contacts. This is particularly true if there is a family member who has a health condition you already know about.

Pest Control

A wide range of pests will make your home their home if you let them. Rodents, wasps, ants and other creatures can quickly invade a home and have to be dealt with by professionals who are equipped to control these kinds of pests in a humane and effective way.

Emergency Dentist

Any work carried out on your teeth usually comes at a high cost. An emergency dentist can save a tooth or reduce the need for more expensive treatment later, if you contact them in time with any dental problems you or your family members have.

As you can see, being prepared for any emergencies or unusual events in the home can make a huge difference. This is why it’s vital to be able to instantly contact each of the service providers above and reduce the impact of these events.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2dxMUEV Important Services Every Homeowner Should Be Aware Of - International Home Design Interior

Burglar-Proofing Your Home from the Outside

Home security can often be an element that is overlooked and mainly considered for the inside of the home. Whilst ensuring your home is safe and secure on the inside is really important, it’s just as important to ensure the safety is carried through to the garden, as this can often be a starting point for any burglars targeting your home. Making sure both your interiors and exteriors are safe and secure will enable you to rest assured that your home is as burglar-proof as possible.

Install Sensor Lighting

One of the most obvious yet surprisingly forgotten features to any garden security is motion lighting. Motion or sensor lighting is ideal for adding extra security to your garden, especially through those wintery months. The lighting will help a great deal when used in areas that may have extra foliage or built up hedges. If you look into your garden and cannot see a certain area, this is an indicator to you that you may need to add some motion lighting to ensure that if needed, you can see exactly what is going on in your garden at all times. When the lights are detected, you can set them to stay on for 2 to 30 seconds, dependant on where they are and how practical that is for you. If the motion is no longer picked up then the light will automatically switch off, however, if there is something there and it does not leave the area, the lights will stay on and you’ll be able to see exactly what has set the sensor off. As a result of this, motion lighting works as a very, very good deterrent, as potential burglars will become spooked and leave the area immediately.

Add Fences or a Wall

Whilst fences are ideal for privacy within your garden, they also work very well as keeping unwanted people or animals out of your garden. By surrounding your garden with strong fencing or a built up wall, you can create a difficult obstacle for the potential burglars which will hopefully prevent them from being able to enter your garden. The fencing needs to be strong, however, as that will prevent anyone from being able to break it down in order to gain access to your garden. When it comes to the top of your fencing, you’re best to go with a design that causes problems for anyone who tries to climb it. Picket fencing or fencing with a pointy or sharp top is ideal, as this is really difficult to climb and would be even more of an issue when trying to climb in the dark!

If you choose to put a gate in your garden leading from the front to the back, you should invest in a locking mechanism. Ensuring you can lock your gate is important as otherwise the burglar won’t need to worry about climbing the fence as they’ll have instant access through your garden gate. You can find all kinds of really effective locking mechanisms, from the traditional padlock to a simple latch that cannot be opened unless you’re inside the garden. You can then invest in locks with a key, which may cost a little extra but will really ensure nobody can enter your garden when you don’t want them too!

Protect Your Belongings

The garden can be a great place for social gatherings and get-togethers, and often you find yourself purchasing some stylish outdoor seating, tables and even features such as fire pits or fancy umbrellas. These belongings are all great and so beneficial to have, however they can also be seen as an invitation to the garden by a burglar, as they may see enough money in your garden furnishings to not even need to enter your house! The last thing you want is to attract the attention of any burglars by having fancy items left outdoors overnight, so making sure expensive items are stored away in the garage or storage areas overnight or when not in use is essential. Another key thing to consider is where you position your outdoor items. Items such as ladders, seats, steps or even bins should never be stored next to your fencing. This can, without noticing, create a step or easy access point for burglars as they climb your fence, so don’t make things easier for them!

Make them Aware

Burglars often assess somewhere before they choose to target. This is because they’ll need to know they’re not walking into a garden or home that is going to illuminate and alarm, exposing who they are. Investing in an alarm system is really important, as not only will it let you know when something isn’t quite right, but it will also show any potential burglars that you have the system fitted and they have no chance of getting into your home without sounding the alarm!

Don’t Forget to Check

It’s usually the same routine for each homeowner, checking all doors and windows to ensure that they are locked or closed. It can often be an easy thing to overlook however, especially if your home has a few residents and each are coming and going at different times. Making sure your door locks, sliding door locks, window locks and even back door locks are in full working order and locked will really help make sure nobody can enter your home without permission. Closing curtains is another helpful thing to do, as you’re preventing anyone from the outside looking in!

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2e9zzt2 Burglar-Proofing Your Home from the Outside - International Home Design Interior

Add Value to Your Home with Beneficial Updates

In order to work your way up the property ladder and add value to your home there’s a few things to know for maximising the final cost. You may think that huge changes like refitting your whole kitchen or converting your garage into a games room may make large differences to the price, but you’d be surprised at the smaller changes that will have just as much of an impact on your home’s value.

Central Heating

Possibly a very obvious feature to have in the home, but surprisingly many homes today still do not have central heating throughout. Central heating systems always add more value to a property, and even though they may be a slightly expensive feature to add, they are very beneficial. You can rest assured that central heating systems add more value to a home than they cost to install, so this is a benefit in itself.

If you’re going to update your central heating in your property, then it’s essential to check other elements to your homes energy efficiency. Sealing any potential drafts, especially in doorways or windows, is a great place to start. This will ensure the home contains the heat and doesn’t have a cold draft blowing through and wasting the energy being used to warm it. Double glazing is another element to consider. If your windows aren’t double glazed then you may eventually find they don’t insulate the home as much as you’d like and you start to waste heat warming the home. Double glazing will also add value to your home as it’s am modern feature that many homebuyers are looking for in their new home.

Introduce Sliding or Bi-folding Doors

One of the biggest interior trends today is the sliding door. Sliding doors have become a huge desire in many homeowner’s eyes, as they come with a whole host of benefits. Whilst the sliding doors may be pricey, you can invest in some cost-effective ones that add so much more value to your home than you’d have ever thought. Sliding doors are ideal for opening up spaces, for example opening up the living room to the dining room and so on. You can create an open-plan look and close the rooms up whenever you feel it necessary. With an easy installation process and simple features such as their sliding door track and sliding door locks, they are a great addition to any home.

Bi-Folding doors are another hugely popular feature in interiors today. Seen mainly on the exterior of the home, leading from rooms such as the kitchen to the garden, you can create a beautiful look around your home whilst still keeping it practical and secure. Whilst bi-folding doors are often glass panes, you can invest in some stylish blinds that are situated inside the door panels to ensure your home is secure and private whenever you wish it to be.

Revive Your Garden

As easy as it is to pay little attention to your garden, it is a huge factor in the overall value of your home. Many homebuyers are looking for a beautiful garden that they are able to enjoy and make the most of. Viewing a home with a messy, overgrown garden sets an instant sour taste in the mouth and instantly gives people a negative impression of the home they’re viewing. Your garden is a part of the home you should show off and be proud of, as to many people having a garden is a huge benefit in a home.

Give your garden some TLC by making sure the lawn is cut and fresh. Remove any overgrown or dead plants or bushes, and trim down any weeds. The changes you make can be simple and quick, but they will make a really big difference to the value of your home.

If you have any garden furniture that is rusty of broken, now is the time to throw it away and replace it with some stunning garden furniture that creates a vision in your viewers mind as to how they can enjoy the garden themselves.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2e9ye5i Add Value to Your Home with Beneficial Updates - International Home Design Interior

4 Ways to Save Money with Electrical Upgrades

Even though it appears as though the economy around the globe is getting back on an even keel, there is always a need to save money. No one knows what tomorrow may bring and if you have any hope of tucking some money aside for that rainy day that just might come again in the future, one of the best ways to save a tidy sum is with a few electrical upgrades that can greatly reduce what you spend month after month. Here are a few of the best ways to save money.

1. Automate Wherever Possible

How many times have you yelled at the kids for leaving the outside lights on when they come in after meeting with friends in the evening? Or what about all those times you forgot to turn off the basement lights off when coming up from the root cellar? Some families like to turn off the hot water heater at night to save money and others still want to set climate control to switch off at certain times of the day or night when heat or air conditioning just aren’t needed. An electrician can actually hard wire automatic controls into circuits so that all the guess work is taken out and with a simple smartphone app you can even remotely control all your automated settings from wherever you happen to be.

2. Energy Efficient Appliances

This one should go without saying. There have been tons of commercials over the past few years on the way in which energy efficient appliances can save the average household a good sum of money each and every month, but it does bear mentioning again because this really is one of the ways to save money over the long term. It is suggested that you simply change to an appliance that is more energy efficient as each one reaches the end of its lifespan. In this way, you don’t have a huge layout of money all at one time but will be chipping away at what you pay to power those appliances one machine at a time.

3. Solar Power Systems

Solar Power Systems are becoming more affordable with each passing year and with advances in technology, it doesn’t make sense not to have a solar system on your rooftop. Not only can you power your home but you can feed power into the grid for others to use and within a very short time those solar panels can pay for themselves.

4. Rewiring Old Circuits

Here is one that few people actually stop to think about. Did you know that older wiring in a house can become faulty, causing energy loss day in and day out? A little trickle here and a little trickle there and before you know it, you’re spending a lot more money on electric than you’re using! Get faulty old wiring replaced as soon as possible.

The average household spends altogether too much money on waste each and every year. Why not take care of those problem areas one by one so that within just a few short years your energy bill will be reduced to just a fraction of what you are paying now. By upgrading today you are saving for your future and with uncertain times ahead, that may be one of the wisest moves you’ll ever make.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2e9wsRL 4 Ways to Save Money with Electrical Upgrades - International Home Design Interior

Tips and planning to preserve garden in winter

Winter is coming with all its comfort and cosiness of home and yet, it brings a great challenge with it. The moment blizzards and snowflakes touch garden, the beauty of summer comes to a halt. In order to preserve the beauty of garden, it requires little care and up keep. OECO Garden Rooms provide some nifty and helpful tips in order to maintain your garden.

Preservation of lawn

Winter is an ultimate time of the year for any new garden to be prepared. Cultivate the required area leaving some tuft of soil on the surface which will be broken by rime frost, making it a great base.

For existing gardens, grass cutting is required by one third. Summer is the time of growth and if the the size of grass is kept at medium by feeding it less then it will not become fragile and will outlive winter. Weeds and moss are also required to be kept under control and fallen leaves need to be scraped up regularly for a good access to sunlight.

Preservation of plants

Plants become inactive, with drop of temperature, which are not annihilated by frost. Dead stalk and leafage must be removed in order to prevent any disease to be spread to rest of the garden. Spread around fertilizer to insulate plants and soil so that they will be accustomed to new climate and keep the temperature even. Fallen leaves are also a good source of fertilizer.

Equipment maintenance

Gardening equipments which are seldom used during winter must be cleaned and lubricated with WD40 to avoid corrosion before storing, for instance, lawn edgers, shears etc. Lawnmower also needs to be serviced. Concerned practice includes emptying fuel tank, proper working of electricity lead, draining of all hoses to avoid freezing, wrapping and piping Hessian fabric, sharpen the blades and service engine.

Planning the future

Planning in good time is always fruitful. Therefore working needs to be done before the weather warms up. Following are some of our predictions:

Countryside view

The trend has been changing from traditional gardening to easy-going approach means less effort leading to lower level of maintenance. Producing abundance of colors and textures by planting low care shrubs, grass and perennials to have a beautiful natural landscapes.

Fruits in containers

Berry lovers can grow berries, such as strawberries. Blueberries and raspberries, in containers. It is easy to maintain and hassle free than maintaining large bushes. It can be placed anywhere in the garden as it is movable and it is an attractive way of involving whole family in gardening.

Growing herbs

Growing herbs at home give fresh flavor free from pesticides. It is the easiest plant to grow in pots either small or big and requires little tending. It can be grown in pots on window ledge or outside.

GARDEN ROOMS

A new concept which is becoming popular is of Garden rooms. It is a cost saving approach by extending the living space without spending on constructing new or on converting a space. Garden Rooms have become multipurpose and can either be used for home offices, studio rooms, hobby rooms. They can be used all year round because they are protected from unpleasant influences.

GARDEN TECHNOLOGY

Technology has become an important gadget in every field of life. Integration of technology into gardening has developed many different applications which are helping in maintaining a perfect garden. They provide great tips, a reminder to water the plants, a notification related to garden health, smart lights which turn on to create ambient environment etc. In a nut shell, advancement in technology leads to the advancement in health of gardens.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2em6WUo Tips and planning to preserve garden in winter - International Home Design Interior

5 Ways to Prep your House for Winter

You may think that getting ready for winter involves nothing more than stashing the swimsuits and pulling out the heavy coats. Yet, one of your biggest investments, your home, needs a bit of prep to get ready for the cold season as well.

Winter weather can be tough on a home's systems, and there are several reasons to winterize your home. A well-prepped home can save a lot of money on energy bills. Also, properly preparing a home can prevent costly damage down the road. Here are just five things that you can do to prep your home for the coming cold snap.

1. Clean Out the Gutters

The gutters on your home should be inspected and cleaned twice per year - in the fall and the spring. Leaf and debris build-up in your gutters can block them from performing their intended function which is to move water away from your home through the downspout. If they are blocked or damaged, water could leak into your home or damage your roof, causing costly damage.

2. Check the Heating System

Whether you heat your home with a furnace or a boiler, you'll want to make sure that your system is in top shape for the coming season. This usually requires the services of a professional at least once a year to perform an inspection and check for parts that may need replacement. Aside from this, make sure that heating vents around your home aren't blocked and inspect ductwork for rips and tears that can be easily repaired.

3. Window Maintenance

Did you know that leaks in windows can cost you as much as an additional 10 percent on your energy bills each month? Not only are leaky windows costly, but they also allow humidity and moisture, outside noise, and unwanted pests to enter your home. The best news is that drafts and leaks in windows are both easy to identify and inexpensive to fix.

Identify leaks either by looking for pooled condensation at the bottom corner of the window or by holding up a small tea candle next to the window seam to detect air flow. If the window seal needs replacement, you'll need to remove the old caulking and apply a new seal to close the gap.

4. Check Your Insulation

Windows are major culprits, but they aren't the only place in your home that allows energy to escape. In fact, most homes in the U.S. are under-insulated and adding home insulation is one DIY project that pays off in spades. Check your attic to see if you can beef up your home's insulation. You can also save energy by wrapping an energy blanket around your hot water heater.

5. Prepare the Lawn & Garden

As winter approaches, it's time to store away or cover the deck furniture. If you maintain gardens, prepare them for the winter season and then put garden tools in the garage or shed until spring. Winterize and store the lawnmower and drain the water from outdoor faucets and garden hoses.

Old man winter may be calling from a distance, but you still have plenty of time to jump on these tips for your home to both save energy and prevent some costly repairs in the future.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2dlhMth 5 Ways to Prep your House for Winter - International Home Design Interior

How to Keep Your Neighbors Happy During Your Remodelling Project

A lot of DIY is done and dusted (or not, according to many wives…) in a day or three. A remodelling project, however, could take weeks or even months. While you’re bearing the brunt of the noise, mess and inconvenience, it’s your decision, so you need to think about your neighbors, who have had no say at all.

Construction work can cause stress on both sides of the fence, so start off on the right foot and show some consideration and empathy, as well as respect, and you’ll probably come through unscathed.

Here are some tips to help you keep everyone happy during the period of work:

Let your neighbors know well in advance

At least two weeks before work is due to start, let everyone know – knock on doors, post notes through letterboxes and fix flyers to communal noticeboards if possible.

You should tell people the start and projected end-date of the project, where the construction team will be parking, their days and hours of work and whether there will be some periods that parking or access will be restricted. You could get some safety signs designed and posted at the appropriate places, too. Make sure you apologize in advance and give everyone your phone number just in case there’s any problems. You should aim for the streets in front of and behind your house, as well as immediate neighbors either side.

Talk to your contractor before work starts

Talk to your contractor ahead of the start date to work out if there are any restrictions likely to happen. Find out which neighbors don’t like any parking outside their house and let the work crew know well in advance so they can make other arrangements. Maintain vigilance so that you are aware of any blocked drives or brewing annoyances.

You should also make sure that your work team doesn’t drop litter or smoke cigarettes in your garden or yard – or, even worse, your neighbors’ yards. They should also clear up rubbish and work-related debris every day before they leave. If this is ever forgotten or becomes a problem, work out a plan with your contractor.

Check in with your neighbors halfway through

Talk to your neighbors to make sure they’re bearing up ok or if they have any concerns or gripes about the noise, smell, dust or anything else. Remind them of the end date and let them know how it’s all going.

Deal with complaints yourself

Usually neighbors show a lot of tolerance for a remodelling project, but if there are any issues, you have to deal with them in the first instance, not the contractor. If a worker bumps a side mirror or squashes some plants, pass this information onto your contractor and make sure it can be sorted out as soon as possible.

Throw a party!

All projects end, even if it’s a bit later than expected. Once the place is finished and looking great, you should have a party so that your neighbors can see what all the fuss was about. They may well be considering a remodel themselves, so you can swap stories and, most importantly, be a patient neighbor in return!

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2d8yNqX How to Keep Your Neighbors Happy During Your Remodelling Project - International Home Design Interior

Get your Garden Ready for the Autumn Chill

Better weather and warmer temperatures encourage everyone to spend more time outdoors as people like to host barbecues and generally just enjoy the alfresco lifestyle. However, as the summer months draw to a close, your garden will have been used more now than any other time all year and hence, unluckily for you this may have had a detrimental effect on its appearance! The hot weather can make your plant life grow faster than ever and it can be very hard to keep on top of. Therefore, now is the time to whip your garden into ship shape before the colder weather of the autumn months claims your garden and leaves it a dying mess.

There are a few areas of the garden that you should organise first; for example, if you have been adventurous and splurged on some garden furniture during the summer, make sure that you tend to these first and either find suitable covers or somewhere to store them so that they will be protected from the expected harsher weather. For example, garden sheds are a great place to store your furniture in.

When it comes to your outside areas such as patios or decking, it is a good idea to also prepare them for the winter too. If you have any wooden features in your garden you can help prevent their deterioration from the wetter weather by applying a layer of wood preservative paint. Unfortunately, this does mean that you will have to reapply the paint as the seasons change and this can sound a little costly to do, however it is definitely a better alternative to ripping it out and starting again due to issues such as wood rot. As well as this, it is a good idea to keep on top of the sweeping of leaves and other kinds of debris which may have fallen on your patio or decking, as this prevents moss, algae and other weeds from growing in between the cracks.

General tending to your garden before the winter will help to also keep plants alive for longer; cutting them back and tidying up your borders will mean that they will flower much better in the next spring. For long leafed plants it is a smart idea to find covers for these as well as the wind and cold weather can damage the leaves over the winter, making it harder for them to recover in the springtime. If you have already noticed some of your plants withering and wilting away, it is best to remove the diseased plants from your borders to prevent any pests from making any nests in the decomposing debris. There is still a lot of activity in your garden going on under the soil until it freezes as certain bulbs and perennial plants continue to grow their roots, so don’t feel like you can’t continue gardening!

It is important that you remain attentive, it can be easy to become lazy as your garden will look like it is completely lifeless during the winter. But as long as you keep on top of the general tidying up and keep your garden’s greenery alive and well, you will be able to reap the benefits of this when the summer comes back around.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2dbb6RM Get your Garden Ready for the Autumn Chill - International Home Design Interior

Sowing Seeds: Beginners Guide

If you are feeling adventurous and want to try your hand at growing your flowers and vegetables from seeds, this is the perfect beginners guide. We must first cover the benefits of growing plants from seeds; one of them being that you can start gardening earlier in the season. If you have the right lighting and environmental control you will be able to see your plants flourish from seed to harvest. However, here are a few top tips to get you started;

1. Don’t stretch yourself

For any experienced gardener it can be very easy for elements in the growing process to go wrong. So, therefore it is best to try and keep the first batch of seedlings you grow nice and simple, by growing just a small variety. For example, some seeds like tomatoes are easiest to grow indoors so as a beginner it is best if you grow these first. Other good choices for beginners are basil, sweet pea and marigold.

2. Sunlight

Whether you are growing seeds indoors or outside in the garden, you will only have the best success if you choose to plant your seeds where they will receive lots of sunlight. Patio areas which are unshaded and greenhouses are perfect if you want to keep the gardening outdoors, but even a south-facing window indoors would do a sufficient job. As long as all the areas get lots of sunshine! The beginning stages of your seeds growth require the most sunlight because otherwise they will grow weak and will be more likely to die. If you do not have access to lots of natural sunlight and live in somewhere like a tower block apartment, you could invest in some artificial lights and timer which will trick the seedlings to grow.

3. Timing

Every seed plant has a different optimum growth period, you must time their full potential with the seasons and environments that they flourish the most in. Some seeds and types of vegetables grow best when they are planted outdoors, it prevents them from sprouting and growing too quickly.

4. The right equipment

Make sure that you have all the right equipment in place so that you are ready for any eventuality; for example, having the right containers will really help. They need to be a few inches deep with some drainage holes, you can even make these yourself with a little DIY using some yoghurt cartons or paper cups.

Having the right soil will make a big difference too, don’t use soil from your garden as it is much better to start with a healthy, sterile mix which will ensure your seeds stay disease free! When you fill the trays with soil, dampen the soil a little so that the soil will mould well around your seeds. If your soil mix doesn’t contain any nutrients, you will need to spray the seeds with a little fertilizer once they have germinated to help them keep growing. You can buy all of this equipment from a local gardening store, just ask for help if you are unsure!

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2cVB7p7 Sowing Seeds: Beginners Guide - International Home Design Interior

5 Ways to Liven Up Your Walls

Are you tired of staring at the same walls every day? Do you dream of refreshing and rejuvenating your home decor? Here are just a few ways to brighten up your living spaces through the use of fun, creative wall designs.

1. Paint

First things first: When's the last time you painted your walls? A simple change of color can be all that it takes to make your home feel like new again. Don't be afraid to step away from the boring world of whites, browns and beiges, either; eye-popping colors can really transform a room. Think about yellows for warmth, blues for homeliness and crimsons for dramatic effect.

2. Wallpaper

If you aren't in the mood to paint, decorative wallpaper can be used to liven up your home without fuss or mess. You won't have to worry about things like spills on your carpet and cracks in your foundation. Best of all, wallpaper can be ordered in literally any color, shape, pattern or design of your choosing, so have fun! Go wild! Wallpaper is an easy way to make your imagination come to life.

3. Stencils

Stencils can add personality to a room with a flick of the wrist. In a nursery, for example, stencils can be used to sketch suns, clouds and animals cavorting around your baby's crib; in a guest bedroom, they can create flowers curling around closets and windowpanes. They can also be used to create dramatic silhouettes in living rooms and other open-air spaces. The sky is the limit when it comes to stencils!

4. Vinyl Applications

Vinyl applications come in all shapes and sizes, so they're another decorative tool that affords a lot of flexibility. You'll have plenty of options when you go shopping for appliques. You can even buy appliques that mimic the appearance of other wall materials like hardwood!

5. Decorations

Last but certainly not least, there's a way to decorate your walls that requires no permanent change on your part: hanging decorations. From famous artwork to family photos, you can give your wall a unique look without making a long-lasting commitment in the form of paints and glues. It's a no-fuss, no-stress type of interior design.

These are just a few tips for breathing new life into your home decor. Whether you're building a new home from scratch or just trying to redecorate a certain room, these ideas should be enough to inspire you towards creative greatness.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2ch4GyV 5 Ways to Liven Up Your Walls - International Home Design Interior

Tips For Using A Pressure Washer Safely

A pressure washer can be incredibly beneficial and will give you the ability to make difficult, tedious tasks quick and simple. Whether you’re utilizing an electric or gas model, the machine will help you clean almost anything outside of your home. And, using a pressure washer can be fun! Before getting started, it is essential to learn how to use the machine safely. Be sure to use the guide below to ensure safe, effective use.

Starting It Up

If you happen to be using a gas pressure washer, you’ll need to take a few precautions, before switching it on. The process is fairly similar to powering up a lawnmower. Make sure the filter is clean and all accessories are attached to the machine. Be sure to allow water to run through the system for a minute or two, before turning it on. This will prime the system, while also removing air. Squeeze the hand, until all of the hair and pressure has been removed. Now, grab the starter cord and give it a yank. It will take quite a bit of force, but you’ll get it!

Protect Yourself

Using a really solid pressure washer is fairly safe, but it is a good idea to protect yourself just in case. Wearing protective gloves is a good idea, but wearing goggles is truly a necessity. The goggles will help to protect your eyes from the water and any chemicals mixed in. Since the motor can be a little loud, you may also want to consider wearing earplugs.

PSI Level

PSI or pounds per square is an extremely important measurement for pressure washers. The higher the PSI means the more powerful the water pressure. So, if you are looking for a heavy-duty pressure washer, you should opt for one that is capable of producing between 2,650 to 3,000 pounds per square. A heavy-duty model will be capable of cleaning siding or fence panels, corroded with algae, dirt, and grim. If you are only looking to clean your lawn furniture a unit that produces up to 1,900 PSI will be sufficient.

If this is your first time utilizing a washer pressure, you should preset the machine on the lowest PSI level. This will prevent any risks of damage, caused by a powerful force of water. You want to avoid presetting the PSI on the highest level until you become more familiar with the output. When washing a vehicle, you should stick with the lowest PSI to avoid damaging the surface.

Use With Caution

Pressure waters can disperse water with a great deal of force. The amount of force could potentially cause injury to a human and could damage your property. Never point the nozzle in the direction of animals or other individuals! If you’ve never used a pressure washer before, you may want to err on the side of caution and keep the pressure low. With gas varieties, it is essential to always turn off the pressure washer, before adding gas to the tank.

Finally, make sure you watch the stream at all times. These tips will help to protect you, your pets, and others around you!

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2cANdyN Tips For Using A Pressure Washer Safely - International Home Design Interior

Why Choose Carpet Over Wood or Tiles?

When you are ready to choose the right flooring for every room in your home, you should check out all of your options. While hardwood flooring is hugely popular, it also comes with its own drawbacks, and the same holds true for tiles. In fact, many families are now opting to have carpeting installed in many rooms throughout their homes with the help of a local carpet fitter that can direct them to the best carpet types and colours for their needs. Keep reading to learn why you should choose carpet over wood or tiles.

You Won’t Need to Maintain Carpeting

Unlike wood flooring that has to be refinished on a regular basis in order to maintain its quality and its attractive appearance, all you have to do to maintain the look of your carpets is vacuum them regularly. And for deep cleaning, you can simply use a carpet shampoo and a carpet cleaning machine that you can purchase in stores, or you can hire professionals to do the job for you.

Carpeting Is More Comfortable, Warmer, and Quieter

Sometimes it feels good to lie down or sit down on the floor, especially in the bedroom or the living room. And if you have kids, they likely spend time playing on the floor. Hardwood flooring can be uncomfortably hard, and tiles are prone to getting quite cold, especially in the winter, so carpeting will really be the cosiest option available. The carpeting will always be warm under your feet when you get out of bed in the morning, and it will help to insulate your room and keep it warmer during the winter too. In addition to being warmer, carpets are also quieter when compared to hardwood and tiles.

You Have a Lot of Flexibility with the Look of Your Carpets

While hardwood flooring may be too limited for you in terms of its appearance and the colour options, carpeting offers a lot of variety. You can choose from different carpet piles and colours so that you can have the right level of comfort, as well as the right option that will suit the overall colour scheme of a room best.

You Don’t Need to Purchase Expensive Rugs

Let’s face it, decorative rugs can be expensive, but they are often necessary when you have tiles or wood flooring installed. However, when you have carpeting installed, you will not need to worry about accessorising it with a rug. Nor will you have to worry about protecting your flooring, such as your hardwood or tile, from heavy furniture that could scratch or damage it. This means that you can save money and still have a great looking floor that complements the rest of your room.

If you are planning on moving into a new home or remodelling the one that you are currently living in, consider the information above when you are trying to pick the right flooring. You may find that carpeting is the better option for you, especially when compared to wood flooring and tiles.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2cbXrbB Why Choose Carpet Over Wood or Tiles? - International Home Design Interior

A Homeowner's Guide to Decoding Lighting Terms

Wattage, lumens and lux ... what the heck do these terms mean? These terms are commonly found on lighting labels and packages. But the average homeowner has little to no understanding of what they actually mean. If you're one of these homeowners, here is an explanation that might help. And for even more terms, read this article featured on AngiesList.com.

Wattage

Wattage is simply the measurement of electrical power, in watts. Watts are calculated by multiplying the amperage, which is the strength of an electric current, by the voltage. On your energy bills you may have noticed the phrase “total wattage consumption." This is what you are billed by. Incandescent bulbs run about 60 watts, LED bulbs 12 and CFLS 15. Remember, the lower the wattage, the lower your electric bill will be. The wattage of a bulb is not the measurement of the bulb's intensity. It’s simply the amount of power necessary to produce its light or intensity.

Lumens

The actual definition of a lumen is ... a doozy. We'll leave that to Merriam-Webster. In common-speak, a lumen is a simple measurement of the intensity or brightness of light. This term has only recently been added to light bulb packaging. Lumens only measure brightness, not energy use. When shopping for bulbs, consumers should look for lumens so they can buy based on the brightness they want. The knowledgeable professionals from Earth LED compare lumens to light like gallons to milk or pounds to bananas. It’s a clever way to think about how much light you want to buy.

Lux

What is sometimes called illumination or illuminance, lux can be defined as the standard unit of measurement of light level intensity. Lux and lumens must work together. One lux is equal to one lumen spread over the space of one meter. The measurement of lux tells consumers how many lumens (or the total light output) are needed based on a measured area that consumers are trying to illuminate. A brightly lit office space requires about 400 lux. Compare that to outdoor sunlight which tops out at around 100,000 lux, according to the lighting experts from Green Business Light, a UK-based company that supplies and installs energy-efficient lighting.

Manufacturers are working to make lighting terms more understandable for the everyday consumer. A helpful lighting facts label on light bulbs is required by the United States Federal Trade Commission. It resembles a food label and provides valuable information to help consumers and homeowners make informed decisions. This lighting facts label appears on light bulb packaging and includes estimated yearly cost, brightness, light appearance (warm or cool), life expectancy (based on three hours of use each day), mercury information and energy use.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2cikbcN A Homeowner's Guide to Decoding Lighting Terms - International Home Design Interior

How to Sell a Home in a Depressed Property Market

Whilst the property market is fairly buoyant right now, there is no guarantee it will stay that way. Besides, you may not be thinking of moving home for another couple of years anyway, so when the time comes, you need to know you can sell it no matter what the prevailing market is like. Here are some tips from Property Cash Buyers to help you achieve a quick sale for the right price, even in a depressed property market.

Boost the Curb Appeal

First Impressions count. Imagine going on a first date and the person has made zero effort to look nice. No matter how engaging their personality, your opinion of them will be irrevocably damaged.

Selling a home is no different. An unkempt home with ten-foot high weeds and peeling paint will not draw potential buyers in. Most people want a home they can just move into, so take a good, hard look at your property and try to see it through the eyes of a buyer. Tidy up the front yard, plant some flowers, and tackle all the DIY jobs on your list sooner rather than later.

Make Essential Home Improvements

Flashy home improvements such as a smart designer kitchen or bathroom will make a home easier to sell, but your money will be better spent on upgrading the essentials. Most buyers would rather pay less for a home that needs a bit of remodelling, as they can then put their own stamp on the place.

With this in mind, you should consider spending your cash on upgrading the boiler or making essential repairs to the roof or windows. This type of work needs to be done no matter what, and if your buyers need to borrow money to buy, an unsatisfactory report from a home inspector could jeopardise the sale.

Sell at the Right Price

Pricing a home to sell is tricky. Too low, and you lose out on extra cash, but too high and you will not achieve any real interest in a depressed market. The only way to get the right price is to use the services of an experienced realtor. Real estate agents know the market inside out, so they will have a good idea of what price your home is likely to achieve. So be realistic about what your property is worth and take their advice, or you will have a hard time selling.

Depersonalise and Declutter Your Home

Buyers do not want to see rooms full of clutter. It makes it impossible for buyers to visualise the property with their own furniture and belongings in-situ. Before you start marketing your home, remove all extraneous clutter, box it up and store it out of the way. This will give you the opportunity to paint the walls and clean all surfaces ready for buyers to come and view.

Marketing a home can be immensely stressful, but if you follow the above tips, it should not take more than a week to achieve the right asking price.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2cC8NIe How to Sell a Home in a Depressed Property Market - International Home Design Interior

The Perfect Sofa for Your Living Room: A Buying Guide

Choosing a sofa for your living room is a bit tricky. You wouldn’t want the sofa to be too big; the room will look cluttered with a large sofa in it. You also need to choose the right colour and consider various other aspects before making a purchase decision. Buying the perfect sofa for your living room is tricky indeed, but these next few tips will help you get started with shopping for one without hassle.

Size It Up

As mentioned earlier, choosing the right size is very important. You need to consider not only the size of your living room but also the size of other furniture in it. You want the room to be spacious enough to walk around but still well-furnished and comfortable.

Aside from the couch – and the accompanying chairs – you should also consider whether you want a coffee table, a bookshelf or perhaps a nice TV desk to complete the room. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least 40% of the space open.

Lastly, choose the shape of your sofa well. An L-shaped sofa often looks bigger than a more traditional couch. Browse through online catalogues, such as distinctivechesterfields.com, and you’ll find a lot of interesting choices to contemplate.

Research Upholstery Materials

Leather couches look really great in almost every room, but they can be quite expensive depending on the kind of leather you choose to use. Suede and other materials, on the other hand, often offer more finishes, colours and budget options. All of these options are great as long as you do enough research and settle for the one option that works best for your living room.

Colours, for instance, can change the ambience of the room a lot. Since the sofa is often the biggest furniture item in the room, its colour matters more than the rest of the living room. A bright-coloured sofa, such as a tan leather couch, will create a warmer ambience. A white or black suede sofa, on the other hand, works better for a cooler, more minimalistic living room.

Don’t forget that the material you choose will also influence just how comfortable the sofa is when you sit on it. You’ll be spending a lot of time on the sofa, so choosing the right upholstery material is definitely important.

Work with a Theme

An interior designer friend once suggested the combination of black floor and black leather sofa for a very clean look. The rest of the living room can then follow the clean theme as well. You can easily centre your choice of sofa and other furniture items on a particular theme.

There are plenty to choose from too. Aside from clean and modern looks, you can also go for a brighter summer tone, a more relaxing blue or even a very chic white-on-white. When you already have a theme going, stick to it and it will be easy to create a comfortable and spacious living room you have always wanted. Be sure to use these tips to help you shop for the best sofa for your living room.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2bycoWP The Perfect Sofa for Your Living Room: A Buying Guide - International Home Design Interior

Different Types of Home Improvement to Add Value to Your House

One of the first important steps into adulthood or family life is buying a new home. There are a lot of boxes we need to tick when it comes to picking out a place: safety, atmosphere, accessibility, and community. This is why house and land packages in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and in different areas in Australia have become increasingly imperative because they can provide a safe and fun community you and your family can live in.

After a few years you will find that you are going to need to redecorate or redesign, concocting lots of home improvement schemes to add personality and texture to your house. You have all of these ideas but you cannot seem to reconcile them.

Here, we list down different types of home improvements that can be done to your house. It is important that you get to categorize all of your ideas to help your with the budget and to see which ones you should do first.

Safety repairs

When it comes to home improvements, this is the first thing you need to look out for. These are electrical and plumbing repairs, roof fix-ups, and other damages that may have been caused by natural disasters.

You also need to consider putting fire safety appliances or additions like a sprinkler system, smoke detectors, and maybe even a fire extinguisher. Put home safety upgrades like a burglar alarm for your doors and windows. And you can also have a shelter installation set-up to protect your house from earthquakes, tornadoes, and the like.

These will make sure that your family and your house will be safe in whatever situations you will find yourselves in.

Interior designing

This includes re-painting the walls, buying new furniture, installing cabinets, and more. The first thing you must decide on will be the theme of the new design. It is easier to think of paint colour and furniture if you have something to follow. So let us say you want a rustic vibe in the living room, this would mean using a minimalist colour plate with furniture that look vintage or antique-like. It does not have to be really old, it just has to look it.

Home additions and upgrades

You might want to add a few rooms or converting rooms you already have for something else; this is what the home additions improvement is about. This is when you see that your family is growing or needs something different, like maybe a playroom or an exercise room. Maybe an additional bedroom for one of your kids who is all grown up now. You can also have comfort upgrades like ventilation, air conditioning, or heating installed.

This list can guide you once you start your home repairs, it can act as a flow to help you prioritise which ones you want to work on first. Just make sure that you have planned everything before starting, we do not want a project that is half-finished, it invites in more problems. So go on and grab your notebook and start making notes!

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2b53qyT Different Types of Home Improvement to Add Value to Your House - International Home Design Interior

Creating a Kitchen for the Kids!

Moving away from the honeymoon days and entering the world of family life where babies are being born and kids are growing up, will definitely have a big effect on your home! The kitchen especially is more often than not the main hub of the house where all the activity and spillages go on. This is why the kitchen essentially needs to be bomb proofed! However, you can still retain that sense of luxury style without feeling a blow to your wallet every time something is broken or stained from the accidents that are bound to happen with children running around.

The gap in the market for durable yet cheap kitchens has been rapidly filled in the last few years, as now retailers and designers are able to source and use cheaper materials which can be disguised to look a lot more expensive... for worn down kitchen units and cupboard doors there is now a huge range available for you to replace them cheaply with and it’s amazing what simply repainting them can also achieve in your home. Following this advice, it’s best to go for materials that you can keep repainting when choosing your kitchen units as this will allow more flexibility as the family grows older and styles will need to change.

To help prevent your own kitchen furniture from general wear and tear from the kids, why not invest in kid’s size furniture in the kitchen for them to get involved with, the furniture is still useful to you but also allows your kids the chance to test out their own cooking skills! It is vitally important that kids learn the basic skill of preparing and cooking food for later life as well.

Simple features in the kitchen such as having a blackboard installed can really be a great help to a family and especially mums and dads who have a million and one to do lists! Blackboards are extremely useful for writing little messages, grocery lists and reminders for your family. They can also look extremely stylish when embedded into other pieces of furniture in your kitchen, for example, the kitchen island can be easily transformed into something a little more exciting for the kids when a blackboard is fitted on to the side of it. Other features such as having one colourful wall amidst a neutral coloured kitchen can really add brightness to the kitchen and colours are a far more interesting to kids, it will help encourage them to spend more time in the kitchen spending family time.

If you already have furniture in your kitchen that you're just not willing to let go of and see get ruined, there are many ways you can protect these and make them more kid friendly. Top end designers have saved their own furniture pieces such as a chair and table set by having slipcovers made from materials they liked to put on them and these have shown to be extremely effective!

It’s important that no matter the design of your kitchen whether it be modern and classy or more of a mash up, that you can appreciate it even with children as nothing lasts forever and you might as well be keen to renovate your kitchen as much as possible by using these cheap tips!

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2aQUTSc Creating a Kitchen for the Kids! - International Home Design Interior

Consider Pallet Furniture When Decorating Your Interior

When it comes to interior decorating there are lots of things to consider: from the light fixtures to the colour of the walls, everything must be planned down to the smallest detail.

One of the biggest decisions to make is what kind of furniture to put in the home. After all the furniture needs to be comfortable as well as stylish. It’s no good having to replace broken or worn furniture every 6 months, so durability also needs to be considered.

Pallet wood furniture is a fantastic addition to any home. This guide explores the benefits of installing DIY pallet furniture in the house. It is a decision that many homeowners have been overjoyed to make in the past.

Cost

Fancy leather couches or chrome and steel revolving chairs may seem like a good idea at the time, but soon the cost of choosing expensive materials for furniture can start to add up. In contrast, pallet wood is extremely affordable. In addition, replacing a glass coffee table that has been smashed or a marble table that is cracked is costly – in contrast pallet wood furniture can be replaced without having to fork out lots of cash.

Durability

Pallet wood furniture sold by Pallet West is treated with non-harmful chemicals which make it extremely durable and long lasting. This is especially true of chairs and loungers which get a lot of repeated use. Whereas leather chairs can split and stuffing fall out over time, the strength of pallet wood means that it very rarely has to be repaired or replaced for extensive damage.

Comfort

The smoothness of pallet wood makes it an extremely comfortable choice for furniture. Put some deckchairs out in the garden and laze away in front of the barbecue when the sun appears. Pallet wood is also a great choice for a bedframe as it is lightweight enough to be carried up a flight of stairs, yet strong enough to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep.

Stylishness

At first glance it may seem that pallet wood furniture is not the stylist’s first choice, however this is incorrect. Think of pallets as a ‘blank canvas’ which can be altered due to the whim of the homeowner. Paint the pallets a range of bright colours to make them really stand out and catch the eye of any guests or family members who happen to pay a visit.

Ease Of Use

Another drawback of big leather sofas or clunky glass coffee tables is that it can be extremely difficult to move them around. This means that if guests or family come over space can become a problem. However, pallets are lightweight and can be easily moved about the house. This means that any time extra space needs to be made, furniture can be shifted about in the blink of an eye.

Pallet Furniture is a great addition to any home – hopefully this guide has made the numerous benefits a lot clearer.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2a4QXa8 Consider Pallet Furniture When Decorating Your Interior - International Home Design Interior

Put a Stop to Chaos by Redesigning Your Mud Room

When your home is cluttered and unorganized it can cause for life to get a bit out of hand. Whether it is the kitchen, the bedroom, or the mud room, the old mantra still holds true: a place for everything and everything in its place. Now if only your kids could live by that motto, too. Family life makes a mess, but a well-designed home with clean, streamlined storage can help keep it under control. The biggest offenders for clutter tend to be the bedroom and the mudroom, but there are storage solutions.

You get organized with a couple of different strategies, including reach in and walk in closets, shelving solutions, and cabinets. The best place to start is that part of your house that seems to always be the most unorganized: the bedroom. For too many people, cleaning means cramming everything behind closed doors: that can mean a chaotic wardrobe.

A messy bedroom only adds stress to your busy weeks and daily routines. Walk in closets make the most of both your horizontal and vertical space to create an elegant extension to your bedroom. They are luxuriously made and a way to keep your shoes, wardrobe, and accessories separate and plainly visible. With this added area and extra shelving and storage the bedroom no longer becomes the place you scramble to finish cleaning before guests come over.

If you live in Toronto, companies like Space Age Closets offer customized designs that fit your space, needs, and vision. Walk in closets in Toronto can be specialized to have as much or as little shelving as you need, with a design plan that complements your home’s. They will make your bedroom feel complete and help it to become an organized sanctuary where you can relax and enjoy your down time without the constant nagging feeling that something is out of place.

Another place in the home that always seems to be cluttered and in need of some help is the mud room. It may get its name for a reason, but many still cringe when guests come over and find their children’s boots, shoes, jackets, and coats flung every which way. You don’t want to be tripping over things as you come home from a day at the office, either.

Innovative mud room designs from Toronto’s Space Age Closets offer one solution. By installing benches for taking off your boots, hooks for scarves and umbrellas, and handy drawers for your work phone and your keys, you can keep everything where it belongs. Stop worrying about tripping in the dark or losing your keys. A few simple renovations can change a messy, cluttered room into a luxurious, organized space that everyone will appreciate as they enter the house. Nobody wants to be greeted with a disaster first thing after a long day. Among Space Age Closet’s suggestions for a mud room redesign is flooring that’s easy to clean, such as large format tiles or flooring without grout lines. With a little bit of thought and extra storage space, you’ll find it’s a breeze to keep your home free of clutter.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2999VOM Put a Stop to Chaos by Redesigning Your Mud Room - International Home Design Interior

Mini Storage Can Help Your De-Clutter Your Home

Your home has the ability to feel like an oasis in the middle of the city – your personal refuge from the traffic and congestion that always manages to clog up Thornhill. Unfortunately, for far too many people, this isn’t the case, as they come home to a cluttered and disorganized space. It isn’t that their homes are dirty. They’ve just accumulated a lot of junk, and too much of it can hinder their ability to let loose and relax after a long, hard day.

Believe it or not, it’s true. Clutter has been found to affect the brain negatively. A recent study conducted by researchers at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute found that the average person finds it difficult to concentrate in a chaotic environment. It also diminishes your ability to process information as the visual stimuli of clutter distract your brain. When exposed to clutter for longer periods of time, your brain can suffer from fatigue and result in negative mental experiences.

If you’ve been feeling anxious or frustrated upon arriving home from work, it may be time to consider your surroundings. A simple plan to go through your home and discard what you don’t need is the simplest way to make your home the stress-free haven you want it to be. Dividing this task over several weekends can lighten the load of this responsibility, and you can coordinate with your family to go through and discard items on specific days. It may be hard to cut down on your stuff, especially if you and your family members disagree on what you consider to be essential belongings and unnecessary junk. Luckily, there are self serve storage units in Thornhill for when you end up keeping far more than you had anticipated.

Varying in size, these storage units can be as small as a utility closet or as large as the average garage. When you find the perfect sized Thornhill storage unit, you never end up more for space that you don’t need, making mini storage an affordable solution to your clutter problems. Regardless of how much you stowaway, the best self storage Thornhill has to offer will come with advanced security features to keep you stuff safe.

Once you take the time to go through your things, you can clear out your living space and create an organized, clutter-free home. Best of all, when you use a mini storage unit to store your stuff, you don’t have to make any sacrifices in order to arrive at your orderly home. You can say goodbye to your concentration problems as you relax in your newfound oasis.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2999nso Mini Storage Can Help Your De-Clutter Your Home - International Home Design Interior

Get Your Lawn Ready for the Summer

Summer time in Toronto is already here, and that means more sunshine, more time outdoors and more lawn care. Our yards are like our outdoor living rooms — especially because we so rarely get to enjoy the outdoors without dealing with snow, ice, rain, and wind — and the lawns are like our living room carpets. The better you feel about your lawn, the better your barbeques, parties, and game days will be. One of the best things you can do to upgrade your family’s experience is get your lawn ready for summer as soon as possible.

There are many benefits to having sprinklers installed. A lawn that is not properly watered is bound to have many growth issues. This kind of landscaping care is important for when you are having guests over. No one wants to hang out in what looks and feels like a wild, bug infested jungle with sand pits sporadically located throughout the terrain. The goal is to have a lovely yard you actually want to sit in and enjoy, not a safari adventure.

Let’s think about children for a moment. We love to see children being able to kick those sandals off and run around freely through the grass without hurting their feet on rocks, gravel, and stiff crabgrass. Children love the feeling of being able to run barefoot in the summer time. If you own a pool, the barefoot experience will be great for not only children but for people of every age who plan on spending time outdoors this season.

Looking into irrigation systems no longer has to mean thinking about breaking your summer budget because of that hydro bill; when you go to EZ Lawn Sprinklers for advice, it actually means saving water consumption and making sure every drop goes a long way. One of the most vital water saving strategies for is to ensure that the thirstiest patched of your garden get soaked during the early morning hours. They require less water at this time because nothing evaporates from harsh sunlight and the roots actually have time to soak up nutrients.

But it’s pretty doubtful that you’re going to get up at dawn every other morning to take care of that garden, right? Having a timed system set up by the experts at EZ Lawn Sprinklers will not only mean that this is taken care of, but it also means that the amount of water used is controlled and measured beforehand. This means your bills are predictable, regular, and low every single month. Another way to save water is to make sure you have updated sprinkler heads. Technology is always improving and moving towards efficiency, so make the most of it!

Other things to keep in mind throughout the summer months:

• Take a few minutes once a month to adjust the timer. The timing of the sunrise and sunset gradually change throughout the year.
• 
  
• Once a year, you should regularly tune-up your sprinkler system. When outdoor temperatures dip below zero, you need to make sure the pipes are empty of water so they don’t freeze, and this is a great time to check for other repairs as well. With a good company, all this should be automatically taken care of.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/29eL0vW Get Your Lawn Ready for the Summer - International Home Design Interior

Local Plumbers Know Your Plumbing Inside & Out

Your hunt for a family plumber should be similar to the search you completed to find your family doctor. You don’t want someone prescribing you medication without knowing your medical and family history first. Why, then, would you allow a technician to attempt repairs without having known the details of your home’s plumbing and drainage past. Without this knowledge, it can take longer for a plumber to arrive at the right solution or – in the worst case scenario – they attempt a flat-out wrong repair for your home. It becomes obvious when you think of it that way: just like you scoured Kitchener for the best family doctor, you should devote the same amount of time and effort to finding the top emergency plumber Kitchener has to offer.

A local plumber who’s completed regular inspections of your home is more familiar with ins and outs of your plumbing, and this background information can help them locate the weak spots in both your system and your maintenance routine. An expert Kitchener emergency plumber can utilize this knowledge to anticipate the best materials and methods of his or her repair, amounting to reliable work that’s both faster and more affordable to complete.

It’s important to call upon a service that supplies only plumbers who are insured and licensed to complete residential repairs in Kitchener. There are plenty of services, such as HY-PRO Plumbing and Drainage, that guarantee these two certificates for every single member of their team because they know it ensures the highest quality work. They also make sure there’s a professional waiting to take your call at any time of the day in case your emergency happens in the middle of the night. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, HY-PRO emergency plumbing services in Kitchener are the best company to call at any time.

Imagine having a reliable emergency plumber ready to take on your emergencies and not-so emergencies immediately. There’s a peace of mind in knowing that your local Kitchener plumber is there for you whenever you need them. Whether it’s a simple clogged drain or a more complex issue regarding your sewer lines, it’s important that someone you trust is ready to help.

Start asking people you trust about local plumbers and hit the websites (like the Better Business Bureau) to complete your own search. By comparing referrals to online reviews, you can narrow down the best emergency plumber Kitchener has to offer. Once you find them, make sure to save their number in your phone, just like your family doctor.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/297pJjT Local Plumbers Know Your Plumbing Inside & Out - International Home Design Interior

Upgrade Your Curb Appeal with Stamped Concrete

Perhaps it’s not something we like to think about often, but the fact is that first impressions are important. People do judge books by their covers, construct opinions quickly, and buy houses based on curb appeal. Experts have noted that about 82 percent of home buyers will reject a home or accept one simply based on the exterior. A beautiful porch, patio, and driveway that has been landscaped with careful design contributes to a good “gut feeling” for any buyer.

There are several aspects of a home that are actually thought about and judged later on, like the strength of the foundation, the quality of the materials used, and the acreage of the yard. Yet when it comes to an immediate first impression, all those areas can be overlooked in favour of a stunning house-front. You, too, can dramatically increase your curb appeal —and you should see what Elite Concrete can do for you when it comes to fostering your most creative sensibilities.

Understanding Stamped Concrete

One of the best aspects of utilizing stamped concrete is its significant malleability. In comparison to other options that involve setting individual stones into a walkway, concrete provides an incredible flexibility at a much lower cost. While concrete will never cost you as much as a brick, slate, flagstone, or limestone walkway or driveway, it is capable of holding the exact style and look of those stones without any extra effort.

Essentially, you can pick and choose from variations in pattern, colour, and acid staining or washing for texture and effect without worrying about the cost. Imagine your walkway adorned with brick, which can add a classic touch to your entryway. Or, if you enjoy the antique or vintage look of many older houses, a limestone finish created by experts such as the team at Elite Concrete can provide a rustic style without any of the fragility of an actual stone driveway.

Why is Concrete Better?

Concrete is durable, much less prone to cracking, and low maintenance compared to stones that break down due to impact from vehicles and climate. They’re not made to last long-term, whereas the process of stamping from Elite Concrete includes a few steps that make the material sustainable and tough. The first step includes adding a base color, which is done by adding a color dye hardener to the concrete in its liquid state. The second part involves adding a secondary color that helps bring out natural imperfections of the material that you want your concrete to resemble. The last step involves stamping poured concrete to create a design. The stamp is usually made of polyurethane, which is a polymer that a concrete specialist can use to mold a natural look from concrete, and usually, there’s a final step of sealer which protects it even more thoroughly from weather conditions. As you can see, you can easily increase your curb appeal without having to dig too far into your pockets.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/2999uUx Upgrade Your Curb Appeal with Stamped Concrete - International Home Design Interior

Get to the Root of Your Property's Pigeon Issues

You own or manage a stunning apartment building complex or condominium that you know is doing great business. You also know that when clients buy this kind of beautiful apartment with an amazing view that overlooks the city, especially in an urban center, where real estate prices are high and maintenance is costly, the very last thing they want to see is pigeon droppings all over their balcony or courtyard.

The fact is that pigeons are extremely well-adapted creatures. The reason they proliferate even in urban areas, which may not seem too hospitable to wild bird populations, is because they’ve learned how to ingest scraps, fight off diseases caught from vermin, and breed incessantly to grow their own numbers. Rather than being stupid, as the term “birdbrain” suggests, they are surprisingly intelligent, and have been shown in tests and experiments to be able to organize pebbles by colour, shape, and size when trained. They’ve also been used throughout human civilization as letter carriers, and fancy pigeons have been bred to develop unique and astonishing physical qualities like large feathers, bushy tails, and so on.

Now, while all this doesn’t necessarily mean that you want them damaging your property, annoying your clients, or causing mayhem in large flocks, it does mean that they deserve respect and humane treatment. To get rid of your issues once and for all in the most humane way possible, look into bird control services with Pigeon Busters, because they have years of experience as specialists in this field.

Some of the ways that professionals will handle your problem is by strategically, professionally, and carefully installing one or more of the following options:

• Nets that deter the birds
• Spikes that keep them from landing
• Bird-friendly glass
• Electrical tracks
• Wires

Because they’re trained to develop the ability to keep birds safe while making it impossible for them to roost on your property, Pigeon Busters are ideal. It could be netting or glass that will fix your problem, but there are more solutions to choose from. Today, there are actually architects and designers who work in tandem with bird control services to design and build structures with the population’s habits in mind. Instead of building ledges into every level of windows in a high rise, or creating tons of glass surfaces for birds to fly into, Pigeon Busters comes up with custom solutions to address the issues at its root. It is not only possible, but preferable, to create beautiful buildings with active architecture that provide bird intervention while making the lives of residents and employees easier.

When you begin to take notice of the pigeons around you, be sure to study the cause of the entire problem rather than only its symptoms, and remember that an issue like this is best taken care of immediately, before the birds get out of control and become even more difficult to manage.

from Home Design Ideas | Interior Design Ideas And Architcture http://ift.tt/296DnqV Get to the Root of Your Property's Pigeon Issues - International Home Design Interior