Filed under: House and Home
Most of us are familiar with bookcases, we are all using them. However there may be some types of bookcases that you may not have thought about, and that could add a unique touch of style in your home. Bookcases come in many different styles, in this article I will look at some of the styles that we often overlook.
Whites bookcases
I hear you clamoring that a white bookcase is not a style it is a color. Granted it is a color, but using a white bookcase in a home is more a matter of style than it is color. You can use such a bookcase in a contemporary setting as most of today’s white bookcases have pure straight lines and simple design. They are also fairly inexpensive.
Headboard bookcases
A bed headboard can be a bookcase. They come in any type of wood or color that you might want. They offer the advantage of placing your books where you need them, at night, when you want to read. They can also be flanked by a couple of night stand for added functionality. This type of bookcase is particularly popular for teenagers’ rooms and for college students who may not have a lot of floor space for additional book storage.
Turnstile type bookcases.
A perfect solution for small rooms. The bookcase is attached to a turning base, allowing you to triple the amount of books you normally could fit in a small floor space foot print.
Cube bookcases
These can be arranged in any fashion you want. You simply buy a few cubes in one color or in several colors, you then stack them and lay them side by side to form the shape and size bookcase that you need. The advantage of this modular system is that if you move you will be able to re-arrange them to fit the new place. Also a contemporary solution that works better in modern home than with a classic decor.
Filed under: House and Home
Deciding what kind of laundry utility sink to have, whether it’s the fancy or the standard model, may be easy. You can opt for the former if you have wads of cash anyway. A modern laundry sink is not just a perfect partner when soaking clothes or washing your pets, but also a wonderful addition to your laundry room or mudroom collection.
However, the thing about laundry sinks is that they are a bit complicated to install. Before you could totally appreciate both its utilitarian and decorative appeal, you need to undergo some hard work first. So if you need a guide in its installation, this article is for you.
Here are some pieces of advice that need to be considered if you want your sink to be installed successfully:
- You have to make sure first that there is a water source where the sink can be connected to. Thus, the pipelines behind the walls need to be accessed to find out where the sink should really be positioned. For those who already have a sink and just need to replace them, you are just lucky because you need not change the piping or the plumbing in the house.
- Laundry tubs also need to drain water. Hence, you may also need to construct a drain.
- If you do not have enough plumbing know-how, or do no have the needed water source or piping at home, you need to call a plumbing professional who could do the job for you. Finding the right plumber should not be taken lightly though. If a more complex job is needed to be done, you need to investigate on the abilities of all professional plumbers available.
Choosing and buying a laundry sink that fits your style may be a piece of cake. However, you need to be ready with the task at hand when installing this home equipment.
Filed under: House and Home
Is your kitchen starting to look slightly past its best or a bit dated even? Well before you rush out to spend a fortune on brand new kitchen units, there is a significantly cheaper and easier yet very effective way to give your kitchen a much needed makeover.
Kitchen lighting is an absolutely crucial part of how any kitchen looks. The right lights in the right places can really lift the whole appearance, making even cheap units and counters seem higher quality and creating a distinctive ambience. Conversely, poor lighting can make an expensive kitchen look dowdy and plain.
Don’t believe it? Well, you know those photographs of sleek looking kitchens you see in glossy magazine – they’re very often not even properly installed. The whole thing is frequently a hastily put together set, staged using artfully arranged lighting; but it sure works well. And it can work just as well for you in your own kitchen. Try these three simple kitchen lighting tips.
LED kitchen lights just have “contemporary” written all over them and anything they illuminate. Their light quality is characteristically very clean and cool with an intensely “white” appearance, in contrast to the more yellow tones of conventional light bulbs, which works brilliantly in kitchens. Just be careful to purchase only high quality LED bulbs that are sufficiently powerful for kitchen lighting – 5 to 7 watts of LED, for example, is usually about as bright as most 35 to 50 watts halogen lamps.
Sticking with the LED theme, some really stunning contemporary kitchen lighting effects that were once very difficult to achieve are now extremely simple, thanks to the low weight, low power consumption and robust nature of modern LEDs. Examples include plinth lighting and a similar effect at ground level with toe-kick lighting. Lighting in kick boards gives the illusion that your kitchen units are floating and also brings the floor to life.
One are that many people unfortunately overlook is kitchen island lighting. If your kitchen has an island (or indeed simply a kitchen table) then don’t just rely on ambient overhead lighting – give it its own special lighting. This is an opportunity to add a decorative feature as well as creating another focal point. Be wary of using LED lights for this area though; one of the best ways to light an island is with a simple pendant light fitting using a conventional bulb to create a pool of diffuse warm light.
So let’s sum it up. LED lights can easily replace existing spot lights and under-unit lights. You can also use LEDs to introduce completely new lighting effects. And finally, don’t leave your island in the dark but jazz it up with it’s very own lighting.
Filed under: House and Home
Curtains and valances in casual design doesn’t really have to seem like an oxymoron. Of course you’ll be used to using these in more formal design styles. However, this can also be a very practical and a way to add a little bit of a fun element into your room and add a feminine element to a room focused on an entertainment center. You could even use them in a kid’s room or just in a family room. You really are going to have to change up the way that you decorate so that you get your own unique take and the exact feeling that you want into your space.
Consider the fabric that you choose. This is really going to turn the overall style of your piece. For instance curtains and valances can still provide you with a lot of privacy. Plus, it can also work with more of a country kind of design style. It will be solid so they can really just work with a lot of different elements if you aren’t planning on replacing them for a while. This may mean that you can go with more of an expensive material. Then you can always just use a different pattern for the valance. Often times, you can find these pieces at outlet stores just because not everyone uses them anymore. Mixing and matching gives you a one-of-a-kind look.
You can also work the same with an overall theme. This is really more of an elegant way to decorate because you can skip all that cheesy accessories that have been a staple in this design. For instance you could just use a cotton striped fabric with a solid color valance on top. This allows you to bring in different bright whites and blues for a nautical theme that can still be chic. You might even remind you of a few of your favorite designer magazines.
Filed under: House and Home
After re-doing our bathroom, our plumber suggested a soft close toilet seat. I had never heard of one before, but I trusted the guy and I’d give it a shot. I have to tell you I was very impressed with it. Here is why.
I have kids. They drop things. They slam things. Some of the things they drop and slam is the toilet seat. See where I’m going with this? Well that all ended with the new toilet seat. With this seat, no more slamming and falling seats and lids. This seat works by giving the seat a small push. It then slowly lowers itself on to the rim of the toilet bowl. No batteries or moving parts for this to happen. It’s in the way the hinges are made. When the seat is in the up position, just give it a push and it will take about 10 second to lower itself down.
As I said earlier, this is great if you have kids. No more dropped toilets as you try to sleep. And no fear of the toilet cracking and breaking too. If you have young children, a soft close seat will also prevent the seat from falling on their fingers.
Another benefit is it will help keep the seat down on the toilet. I know this has sparked wars in many a house, but this should end those fights. This is also excellent if you have pets in the home. This will help prevent a cat from falling in or the dog from using the always-full dog bowl.
Installing one is very easy. You don’t need a plumber to do it. Since he was putting in the bowl, why not let him finish it? It should take you no more than a few minutes from removing the old seat to installing the new one.
If you want to improve your bathroom for a low cost, take a look at soft close toilet seats.
Filed under: House and Home
A garden is many things to many people and for many it should be private and secluded. Unfortunately a lot of people live in built-up areas with busy roads or other neighbours nearby. Trying to get some privacy when you’re surrounded by people isn’t easy. However there are some tips that you can follow.
The easiest and cheapest method is simply to put up a fence. They are available from many DIY outlets and you should be able to install them yourself. If not, getting someone in to do the work shouldn’t be too difficult either. Fence panels made from larch wood is the most popular in British gardens however you can also buy them made from bamboo, vinyl and chain links.
Unfortunately a lot of these larch lap fences can be a bit dull and boring which is why you can opt to paint or stain them. Fencing is also a great support to climbing plants like honeysuckle, ivy and clematis. Plants help to soften the hard appearance of the fencing and can be great for the bird life in your garden.
The main problem with fence panels is that they can fall down in stormy weather. So if you live in an area that is constantly being buffeted by the wind then this should influence your buying decision. The fence you buy should be able to withstand the wind.
Growing a hedge is a great alternative to a fence if strong winds are problematic. Although you will have some difficulty growing a hedge if you don’t know what you are doing. Ideally you should look around your local area to see what plants are doing well and then see about buying them for your garden. There are also nets that you can buy from garden centres that are designed to lessen the amount of wind that gets through. By doing this you will allow the plants to get established and become strong.
There are also trees that are specifically bought because they are fast growing. The leylandii is perhaps the most famous for this purpose. Unfortunately people don’t really understand what’s involved in planting and owning a leylandii tree and they allow them to get too big. There are even laws about how big they can grow depending on where you live. So make sure you trim them regularly to keep them in their ideal shape and size.
Filed under: House and Home
Cleaning curtain drapes can be a chore to some homeowners. Taking them to the laundry shop for dry cleaning not only means shelling out extra cash on a regular basis (for gas and paying the laundry shop!), but also the added hassle of taking the curtains down and then rehanging them after the cleaning.
While a lot of people take care of their homes, paying attention to each and every detail, the cleaning and upkeep of curtains and drapes is often overlooked. Incidentally, people are not even fully aware of the possible dangers of having dusty window coverings and the negative health effects, especially to those who have allergies and/or breathing problems.
This being said, cleaning them is essential. It does not have to be every day, but regular cleaning helps in not only maintaining the life span of your window coverings but in keeping a safe and healthy living environment.
Below are helpful tips in cleaning your curtain drapes:
- Make sure that you shake the dust out of them on a regular basis. Two to three times a week would suffice. However, if they have this sandy feel on them, then it is time for you to wash them, and put fresh ones in.
- Using a vacuum cleaner is also another excellent way to clean them out. If you have a family member who has asthma, be sure to do the cleaning when they are not around, or else the dust might trigger an attack.
- Be careful in washing certain types of window drapes. Some of them can be easily washed in a washing machine; whereas others are so thick and pleated they need professional care. These types of curtain drapes have better quality, and if you doubt that washing them alone won’t help, take them to the laundry shop and have them taken care of.
Surely, there are so many ways to keep your curtain drapes looking new at all times. In fact, you’ll be surprised to know that the task isn’t as hard as what you may have imagined.
Filed under: House and Home
You may think that all you have to do is buy a rug that you particularly like and that’s all there is to it. Indeed installing most 9×12 area rugs is a comparatively easy process. Notwithstanding that there are some simple things that you can do to make sure that the very special rug that you just bought perfectly complements the particular style of the room to which you bought it. Not only that but there are some simple things that you would do well to do to make sure that you get as much wear out of your rug as possible.
The first thing is perhaps the most straightforward, the last thing you want to do is to go looking to buy 9×12 area rugs if the rooms which you are looking to put rugs in are either too small for the rugs, in which case the rug can easily crowd out all the other furniture, or too large for the rugs in which case, despite the size of 9×12 area rugs they can look insignificant in the room.
The next thing to think about, especially true if the road is to be placed on a polished or hardwood floor is to purchase some rug pads. This has two benefits; the first it is obvious, rug pad stop the rug from slipping around and be dangerous to anyone walking upon them; the second thing is more subtle, rug pads do allow the rug to aerate properly.
When actually positioning your new 9×12 area rug you need to make sure that the rug has evenly spaced areas around it. If you don’t do this even the most well chosen rug can look out of balance with the room.
Finally, if you don’t want unattractive indentations being created on your brand-new rug make sure that only the furniture you particularly want is allowed to sit on top of it. Try not to let other furniture cause impressions on the weave of the rug by accident.
Filed under: House and Home
In case you haven’t noticed, the market is flooded with all kinds of products that can make it a little confusing and overwhelming for some consumers. The same is true when it comes to bathroom tiles. If you are in the process of renovating, you may be wondering how to choose the right bathroom tile designs for your space.
Bathroom tiles have to be picked out carefully in order that they suit the overall design scheme and blend in well with your home. One of the first things you have to decide on is the finish of the actual tile. In other words, are you aiming for a high gloss or a matte finish.
There is a huge difference in the overall effect of the entire room. For one thing, high-gloss tiles require a lot of maintenance. If you’re the type of person that doesn’t have the time to remove any water drops from the tiles on a frequent basis, then you should probably go for something that doesn’t have such a shiny finish.
But if you absolutely love the polished finish, such tiles could be used as accents or as borders. In other words, you can design your bathroom with matte tiles and simply add a border that will provide that extra shine. It’s important to note that matte tiles are obviously dull, therefore do not reflect that much light as would be high gloss tiles. Therefore, the room could be darker even if the same colors are being used.
When designing your bathroom, you will have to decide whether you want to place tiles on your walls. In the past, it was almost a given to do so. But, today, many homeowners are at installing tiles only on the floors and in the bathtub or shower. Of course, the choice is completely up to you. Obviously, it’s much less expensive to go with the latter option.
Size and shapes of tiles are also another decision that has to be made. And, this is regardless of whether they are floor or wall tiles. The great thing is that you have a huge selection to pick from, including octagonal, hexagonal, Mosaic, square or rectangular. Be careful when making your decisions, because they will affect the value of your home, and will play a big role in the overall look of your remodeled room.
Having said that, if selling your home is on the horizon, you should aim to satisfy the trends that home buyers are searching for while in keeping with the remainder of the home. On the other hand, if you are planning to stay put, then by all means make yourself happy.
It’s also important to mention the different types of materials that are used to make the various tiles. Of course, there are the natural materials such as marble, granite, and Slate. Within those, there are many different selections and colors to choose from. Aside from those, there are man-made items which include, glass, ceramic, and porcelain. All of the materials mentioned are beautiful in themselves, and can make a beautiful statement and give you the best results if they are well installed, properly grouted and the design scheme is well planned.
Filed under: House and Home
If you like to sit out on your patio or if you like to walk through your garden late at night than you can’t go around external lighting. Lighting your home exterior will both create practical and aesthetical benefits. You will increase safety and security, you are able to see where you are going, you are able to read a book late at night and your home exterior will stand out it’s environment. There are several options available to illuminate your home exterior, the most used options are string lights and solar lights.
String lights are still the most popular form of outdoor lighting. They are cheap and available in many types, colors and shapes. You can use lanterns, led lights or plain bulbs to bright up your surroundings. They are well suited for connecting them to motion detectors which is very convenient when you want to install driveway or walkway lighting. You can choose spotlights to accentuate trees, statues or fountains and you can use led lights for romantic decoration. Big cons for using string lights are that they are very hard to install and they also use a lot of electricity which you will notice on your electricity bill. Many times home owners have to call a professional to get them installed for them because they can not do it on their own.
The alternative for string lights is solar lighting. This is becoming an increasingly popular way to illuminate your home exterior as it is very easy to install and even good for the environment. Many home owners are looking for ways to use lighting that does not do harm to the environment and solar lighting just does that. Besides being green and easy to install, you will also save on your electricity bill because all you need to charge the bulbs is sun light.
However, solar lighting is not yet suitable for all situations. The first con is that they are really expensive if you compare them to string lights. Another disadvantage is that you have to place the bulbs faced to the sun. If no sunlight falls on the bulbs than they will not emit light. This can be a problem if you have a garden with lots of trees or when you live in an area with not much sun light.
Solar lighting can be a great investment if you live in a country with a lot of sun but it also has some important disadvantages which makes it unsuitable for a lot of people. String lights are still used most and this is not likely to change for some time.