Recent research suggests that by 2030 the UK and the USA could be entering a new “mini ice age”. This isn’t an ice age at all, but does mean that winters could be harsher and summers colder. This infographic guides you through the steps you need to take to make your life mini ice age proof!
A little bit of sun never hurt anybody. Actually, it is quite recommendable for people to enjoy the natural rays of sunlight than to use artificial lighting. Adding a sunroom to your house is a great way to create a perfect little haven where you can spend some quality time with your family, friends or just by yourself and also to be more in touch with nature as well. Here are some useful tips on how to redesign your sunroom in order to make it more lively, enabling it to exude all that much needed positive energy around you.
Walls
The color of your walls is a very important aspect when it comes to bringing a specific space back to life. But as the main focus are actually the windows that are surrounding the whole room, that leaves you in a situation with quite limited choices. When you have chosen the perfect window structure, it is best to paint the rest of the walls in some neutral and natural colors such as beige, white or even light blue or green. Another thing to consider is adding curtains that would match furniture and rugs.
Floors
The type of flooring in your sunroom will be determined by your personal preferences, as well as the purpose of the room. If you are looking for a more sophisticated look, ceramic tiles are perhaps the best option. Other than that, carpeting is a good option, as it is low maintenance and it comes in various colors and patterns and it is easily changeable. Of course, there is always an option of wood flooring that will give your sunroom a warmer and cozier look.
Repurposing
There is really no need to spend money on expensive furniture when you can easily DIY. For instance, reusing pallets for making tables, chairs and even wine racks and pathways is a great way to save money on furniture. Also, making use of wooden crates for the pieces as shelves, shoe benches and tables is a wonderful idea that will allow you not only to decorate your space, but also to be more environmentally friendly. You just need a little paint and a glimpse of imagination.
Details
Even the smallest of decorations can be a great way to transform your space. For example, just by adding a new picture or some other art piece is already a step forward. It is always 
beneficial to add as much nature as you can to the sunroom, so don’t hesitate to improve your space by adding plants. Also, details as handmade accessories, colorful cushions or figurines are a great way to add more spirit to the room.
Redecorating any space in your home should be a wonderful, liberating experience. If you plan on using the sunroom together with your family, than it is recommendable to include their ideas in the whole process of decoration, as this will allow you to create an area where everyone can feel comfortable and have a space for themselves. If you have children, a small nook for to play and keep their toys will surely be appreciated. And don’t be afraid to experiment. The key to decoration is to be creative and let the artist in you be your guide.
If your monthly energy bills have begun to spiral out of control, then it is time to start searching for inefficiencies around your house. Here is a look at some of the most common reasons that utility bills will skyrocket and what you can do to stop it.
Families are often surprised to hear that vampire electronics could be costing them hundreds of dollars a year. This phrase is used to describe gadgets that consume a small amount of energy when they are plugged in but not being used. Connecting smaller devices to a power strip and then unplugging that single strip before heading to bed or leaving the house is a great way to solve this problem.
Appliances are an integral part of our life, but it is important that they are used correctly in order to avoid wasted energy. Two of the worst offenders are dishwashers and washing machines. Families should only run the dishwasher when it is completely full and keep it on the coldest settings whenever possible. The same can be said for washing machines that are often used to clean just a handful of clothes instead of being filled to the brim.
Setting your thermostat just a few degrees in the wrong direction or leaving it on when no one is home can cost you thousands of dollars per year. The first thing that a family should do is invest in a smart or programmable thermostat to have more control over their home’s temperature. When a family is home and awake, the thermostat should be set at 78°F during the summer and 68°F during the winter.
A home’s HVAC system is almost always the biggest energy hog, and these systems consume even more energy when they have not been recently serviced. Biannual service calls to Avery Heating & Air Conditioning or an HVAC provider near you will allow a technician to check for any damaged parts, change filters, lube moving parts, fill the coolants, check the accuracy of the thermostat, and give you an idea of when the system will need to be replaced.
Fixing just these four problems around your house could save you thousands of dollars on your energy bills every single year. In addition to saving some money, your family will also be reducing their carbon footprint and helping to protect the local and global environment.
We love Infographics! When we saw this one about bathrooms from bathrooms & more store, we had to share it with you. It’s full of fun and interesting facts about bathrooms like “who invented the shower?” and “who invented the first toilet?”. We hope it provides inspiration for you when you start thinking about remodeling your own bathroom!
Working from home is the process which keeps evolving. More and more people confirm that it is the best and the most productive way of finishing your daily tasks. Having this in mind, those who decide for this kind of work will definitely have to make some changes in their bedroom or living room in order to create a home office. Here are several things one should do with the home office to make it work for you:
Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nkeppol/5824776984/
Set the territory
Decide where you want to create your home office, and dedicate space to it, separating it from the rest of the house. Use this space for work and work only, and enter it only when duty calls. This way you will be more focused on your work and more efficient in completing your everyday tasks.
Arrange creatively
Your office is a crucial element in reaching success, and therefore boosting your creativity is very important. Invest in better lighting, decorate the walls with inspiring pictures and before you know it, your work will improve in quality and you won’t feel as tired as before. Also, having a picture of your family or pet can be a significant boost in hard times. That little emotional boost can be the difference between hitting the deadline and missing one. Also, add greenery to keep you inspired and happy at all times. Keep in mind not to exaggerate, and make your office look professional all the time.
Increase productivity
This is a key element in creating and improving your home office, and one has to take it seriously. The best home-offices are designed so that everything needed is within arm’s reach. This is definitely something to keep in mind, and apply immediately. Once you have everything you need right next to you, you will start saving time on every task. Seconds will turn into minutes, minutes into hours, and before you know it, you will have a lot more extra time to dedicate to some other tasks. Time is money, literally.
Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mkosut/2716945252/
Create a comfort zone
Comfort and free space are two main factors which affect the productivity of a home office. Having this in mind, spend some extra cash and get a more comfortable chair, preferably one with an ottoman for your feet. This will pay off in a long run. Feel free to check interesting In One Projects’s office designs that are being known as one of the best. Also, consider adding a coffee machine and a small table for it. Lamps are a great addition in creating a comfort zone, so make sure you spend some extra time on getting one. Put everything exactly where you want it to be, and enjoy your working hours.
Keep your tech updated
Your best accomplice is your tech, so make sure to keep it up to date and improve it on every occasion. If you are one of those who still hold on to their old gadgets and devices, just because they’re still working, you are doing it wrong. Don’t get over-attached to tech, and replace it whenever you can, with a better and never model. Keeping a step with a technological advancement can be a game changer.
Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lovemaegan/3570583545/
Choose the true colors
Keep your mind refreshed with the right combination of colors. Adding wallpapers is known to be inspiring, especially ones with bright colors reflecting nature. You can also paint the office in different colors, so that it provides additional creativity boost and relaxation.
Stock on supplies
The best thing to do is overstock. One can never have enough pencils, staplers, stamps, printing paper. Instead of leaving your office every now and then, get everything you need and stock it somewhere inside the office, so that the next time you run out of printing paper, you just open a drawer and take a fresh stack.
Author’s Bio: Lana Hawkins is a crafty girl and a food lover from Sydney, Australia. She studies architecture and loves writing about home décor. Most of her free time she loves spending outdoors, with her friends.
A loft conversion is one of the most affordable and profitable ways to add some extra space and style to your home. Usually there is no need for planning permission, which is yet another perk of this endeavor. Every house which has an attic suitable for conversion on disposal can benefit from this extension, with just some essential space planning. The interesting roof shape will give the new rooms more character and make them totally different than the rest of the rooms in your house. Read on, to find out what you should consider once you decide for loft conversion.
Assessing the Potential
The first thing you should do is to assess the potential of your attic. The space between the joists and rafters should be 2m at least. It is important that once you finish with the flooring and insulation of the roof, you have around 1,9 or 2m of headroom left. If, due to roof height, shape or the roof truss design, that isn’t possible, there are some design solutions to make it work. For instance, just by increasing the volume of the roof, you’ll have more usable space.
The Possible Conversions
Depending on the design you choose for, you’ll have to make some changes. Those changes can vary from simply adding roof lights to increasing the volume of the roof. You can install dormer windows into the pitched roof plane. It is also possible to replace the whole roof with a new structure, if needed. Mansard roofs (four sided roofs) can add more available space. It is possible to achieve similar effect if you lower the ceiling in the storey below.
Insulation Issues
This is a logical issue to consider, when you are already replacing the tiles, slates and the other coverings. It should be done with breathable roofing membrane, which is both air-permeable and waterproof. That way, you’ll have proper ventilation and a ‘warm roof’. Some other space efficient options are foil-backed rigid foam and thin multi-foil insulation materials. You shouldn’t worry about the pricing, it is possible to find affordable offers and even get free loft insulation deals.
Soundproofing
If you’ve decided to use the loft as a living space, be aware that there will be a lot of noise transfer, through air and impact. Airborne sound transfer can be reduced by using under skirting boards and floorboards and by taping insulation materials. As for the noise transferred by impact, it can be toned down with high-density cement-impregnated chipboard, while acoustic mineral wool can be used for filling the voids between the floor joists. You should also check other hacks you can employ to reduce inside and outside noise.
Design and Position of Staircases
This decision is crucial in the process of loft conversion. What kind of stairs you’ll have and where you’ll position them will dictate how much of the floor below is lost in order to gain access to the loft doors. Your options concerning where the stairs will land are limited by the height of the headroom. In that particular area, it has to be at least 1,9m. One of the most space efficient staircases shapes is the spiral one. If you are not a fan of them, then opt for some other steep and narrow shape.
Additional Considerations
Besides all the things said, you should have in mind the lighting, and include all three types (ambient, accent and task), depending on the space requirements. Some of the crucial issues are concerning the heating and ventilation. If you’ve done the insulation job well, you’ll have just a little work here. Upgrading the boiler (if you’ve added the bathroom) and including extra ventilation in the bathroom and background ventilation should be enough.
With some work and time, you’ll be able to turn your attic into an additional storage room, guest space or even a home office. That will, not only make your life easier, and your home more pleasant space to live in, but it will also turn it into a more appealing property for potential buyers, should you decide to sell one day.
Staying green by trying to save up on energy is not as difficult as it may sound. There are plenty ways of staying green while cutting costs and much hope exists when it comes to saving our planet in the near future, bit by bit. Walls are, as you know, the outer casing of a home. Protecting it from various weather conditions is not the only benefit the walls can provide.
A prime step towards being energy efficient, that which your walls are lined with, is the first thing to keep in mind. Depending on where your insulation will be placed and what type you’ve opted for, you can save up quite an amount of money. Sealing air leaks not only keeps you warmer, but prevents the constant need to get up and fiddle with your thermometer, thus making sure you remain green and keeping your pockets turned the right side in. Unfortunately, an often neglected factor, the Insulation is a key factor towards achieving and maintaining energy efficiency.
If walls are the outer shell of a building, siding is definitively the walls’ answer to human skin. The first line of defense from wind, rain and sun, how it’s applied has a direct influence on your house’s outer layer durability. Cladding systems that are energy efficient have a higher heat resistance, thus resulting in less energy spending. When it comes to protecting your walls (and on that note, your home), stone makes for an extremely durable type of exterior wall cladding. Requiring less energy to maintain the indoors temperature, siding and wall cladding are a great way to support energy efficiency. Therefore, it is of huge importance that you keep quality cladding in mind and reinforce your home’s first line of defense.
Not only will green walls make people turn their heads in interest, but are a fantastic way of staying energy efficient. Consisting of a frame, panels that are waterproof, irrigation systems and plants, this kind of your home’s outer shell is a great way to save up money, as well as energy. The frame is placed along the walls, making sure there’s air between them to avoid having to deal with moisture. Then, the panels are set up, as a means of holding the whole thing together. Green walls have a great deal to brag about. If you’ve covered your walls in green, you’ve chosen sustainability and durability. In addition to providing quality thermal and acoustic isolation, they work as natural air cleaners, even more so if you cover your home’s interior with them.
While staying green by keeping energy efficiency in mind may not come as a breeze after all, a bit more dedication and motivation are a low price to pay for all the benefits provided. Not only will your energy bill be kinder to you in the long term, but it’s a great and progressive
way to nurture a green consciousness in your mind. If you want to help raise global awareness and be that person that supports the trend of saving the Earth, one wall at the time, Think about keeping the last couple of paragraphs in mind.
A bathroom renovation is on everyone’s wish list, but not necessarily in the budget. If you’re looking to upgrade this space but can’t afford a complete overhaul, there’s no shortage of cheap fixes that will leave you with a brand new bathroom without the true expense of one.
Replacing the Vanity and Shower Door
Vanities are one of the few opportunities to furnish a bathroom with a statement piece reflecting your style. While modern designs with smooth lines are the current trend, there’s no 
reason you can’t go the antique route with a solid wood construction that’s a tribute to craftsmanship.
For the shower door, bring elegance to the room by replacing the old, dirty door with a high-end frameless model with clear glass. The clear glass and frameless design will make the space look larger and feel richer.
Changing the Fixtures
One of the easiest ways to date a room is with fixtures. If the faucet and shower handles are chrome, the bathroom probably hasn’t been updated since at least the ’90s. Brushed nickel is the most recent trend, but it’s slowly being replaced by darker finishes such as oil-rubbed bronze. In terms of style, antique designs are making a comeback as well and they’re a great way to bring attention to the small details of the space. Continuity is key in this tip. If you’re going to change one, change them all, including the light fixture and door hardware.
Re-grouting
Redoing the tiles in your bathroom can be an expensive endeavor. Instead, consider re-grouting with a different color. This works best with subway tiles. The grout color in older bathrooms were chosen to blend into the tiles rather than standout. When re-grouting, go the latter route. Instead of a muted color, choose one that accents the tiles or stands in contrast, such as a dark gray grout against white tiles. It’s a simple job that will completely change the look of your bathroom.
Laying New Flooring
Flooring is another cost-effective upgrade. While wood flooring is the premium option, a cheaper route is faux wood tiles at $2 per square foot, less than half the price of hardwood floors. If it’s a do-it-yourself project, these porcelain tiles are also much easier to install, don’t require the same degree of maintenance, and are more durable under heavy traffic.
Painting and Window Treatments
When all else fails, add a new coat of paint and window treatments. True for any room, changing the paint color can breathe new life into a space and is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to remodel. The majority of indoor paint sold in stores is water-based latex paint, so use a brush with synthetic bristles, and if you want to cut in along the edges of walls and around frames, use a two-inch brush with a tapered edge. The thicker the nap on a roller cover, the better the results. For this project, you’ll want one that’s 3/8 an inch in thickness. Lambswool roll covers will work best, but if you’ve installed new drywall and have smooth walls, opt for mohair or microfiber covers.
If there’s a window, upgrade the window treatments. Swap the dated vinyl blinds with real wood Las Vegas shutters from Sunburst for a rustic look. If it’s a large bathroom and the window is far enough away from the toilet, shower or sink, floor-to-ceiling panels on a decorative rod is a nice touch. For smaller spaces, go for an understated valance.
The cost of upgrade projects on this list range from $50 for a can of paint and quality tools, to no more than $1,500 for a high-end vanity and shower door. What’s more important is they’re all DIY projects with the help of a few online tutorials.
First impressions of your home are often made based on its curb appeal. As odd as it may seem, you may seldom focus on the exterior appearance of your home. The problems that you fail to notice are often the features and issues that immediately catch the eye of potential buyers and visitors. Some of the things that can adversely affect the beauty of your home are subtle issues that can easily be resolved.
Overgrown shrubs are an immediate eyesore in any landscape design. This is especially true when the shrubs partially cover a window or obstruct a walkway. If you have hanging baskets or containers that have dead or dying plants in them, it’s best to either remove the baskets and containers or plant new flowers in them. Bare spots in the lawn also distract from your home’s curb appeal.
There are certain items that can distract from the beauty of your home, yet you must endure their presence. The placement of your heating and cooling unit may be in a location that is easily in view from various angles. Adding a custom AC cover to the unit can make it less of a distraction. Trash cans and recycling bins can also distract from your curb appeal. When it comes to hiding your trash cans, the options include ideas such as putting up a simple lattice panel, adding decorative fencing or constructing a sophisticated wooden trash bin or recycling area enclosure.
Clutter is just as unattractive outside your home as it is inside your home. It may accumulate there without you even giving it much notice. However, other people will immediately focus on an excessive amount of toys in the yard, too much yard art, an over-abundance of outdoor furniture, or lawn and garden items that haven’t been put away. Clearing the clutter can make a dramatic impact on your home’s curb appeal.
House numbers that are hanging crooked, faded or rusted can negatively affect the appearance of your home. The same is true for mailboxes that are attached to the house. If your mailbox
is on a post at the edge of your lawn, the box and the post it is attached to should be in good condition. A faded front door and a welcome sign or a door knocker that isn’t in pristine condition may seem like a small detail to you, but others might consider it a sign of neglect or unconcern on your part.
Lighting that is non-workable or fixtures that are outdated or covered with cobwebs and dirt will distract from the curb appeal. If you never turn on your front porch light or some of the other exterior lights, you may not realize how unsightly they have become. It’s a good idea to use the exterior lighting you have to showcase your home and specific landscape features in the evening.
You may not think about the influence specific exterior features of your home have on its curb appeal. For example, gutters that are bent or over-flowing with debris can distract from the most impressive and meticulously maintained landscape design. There’s an extensive list of exterior issues that can wreck your home’s curb appeal available at Blog.credit.com. Addressing these issues can make a significant difference in your home’s curb appeal.
It’s often the small flaws that people notice first when looking at a home. Take a close, objective look at your home to discover subtle problems that need to be addressed. Repairing, replacing or making improvements to resolve these problems can enhance the curb appeal of your home.
Anica Oaks
Freelance writer and web enthusiast
Read some of my published work on my Google+ page.
Instead of being just a place of study and work, the study space in your home can become a truly inspiring environment where you can fully develop your potentials and creativity. The study atmosphere needs to tilt towards relaxed and forthcoming, even playful. In short, a study should include a supple desk space paired with comfortable chair, computer desk, drawer unit, open storage and functional lighting solutions.
Desk Area
The big desk should be the centerpiece of every study. The best position is against the wall so that the occupant is having the window on the opposite side of the hand they use. If the desk lacks in-built drawers, invest a movable drawer unit. They are convenient as their top surface can dub as a small table, or they can be anchored under the desk if their wheels are removed. The computer desk is best positioned in L shape to the work desk, so you can use the same chair to look something up before continuing your project.
Open Storage
Open storage is important as it provides easy access to materials, notes and books that are often used. Wall mounted honeycomb shelves can hold many items that will add a bit of personality to your study. A supple amount of storage means less of a mess and clutter.
Lighting
A recent study has revealed the connection between lighting and creativity. Apparently, keeping the lighting low can help us generate creative ideas, while when we are concentrated on a particular problem, the lighting needs to be adjusted to keep us focused on the spot. Moreover, dim lit spaces make us feel free of constraints and trigger our explorative side. This means that your study has to have adaptable and adjustable lighting solutions, which means ceiling lights and a good task light. Browse online lighting shops to spark some ideas about what kind of table lamps and wall lights can be implemented in your overall study décor.
Colors
The study room should be inviting and charged with positive energy to begin with. This should be reflected in the color scheme you will use. Combinations of colors like yellow and white, pink and blue, orange and light green, leave virtually no space for work-related stress to settle in. The good mood of the inspiring morning will linger around through the good part of the day.
Accessories
A complete and functional study can be further upgraded with color-accenting drapes, a natural fiber rug and even a comfortable sofa, for those situations when inspiration is best achieved in prone or supine position.
The point is to avoid the formal and compulsory office look, while investing in designs and furnishings that will motivate your creative side and make the long hours studying come as natural as breathing or listening to music.
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