August 2017 - Bruzzese Home Improvements

Space Saving Ideas for the Bathroom

August 31, 2017adminBathroom Remodeling, Home Improvement Tips, Home Organization Tipsbathroom remodeling, home improvement, home organization, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Having a compact space for your bathroom shouldn’t necessarily compromise functionality. The following are tips to help you maximize your small bathroom area:

Innovative Storage Spaces

Floating Storage Spaces. For a small bathroom, a large portion of the floor area may already be occupied by the sink, toilet, and shower, leaving limited space for storage.

To maximize space, replace your cabinets with wall-mounted ones. Having them installed in your bathrooms will keep toiletries organized and accessible whenever you need them.

You may opt for open shelves to keep towels and other items which you need to use often.

Floating Roll-out drawers/Cabinets. On the other hand, there are some products which you will only occasionally need to use, such as the bathroom cleaning products. You can keep these items in roll-out drawers or closed cabinets.

Another advantage of installing floating storage cabinets is that kids won’t be able to reach them. Also, they are kept away from sight especially when you have guests.

Spice Racks. For toiletries such as shampoo, soap, tissue, and others, you can use deep-space storage items such as spice racks which you can place near the shower area.

If you wish, you may even place racks in cabinet doors to keep items organized and maximize the space of the cabinets. For instance, you may place your blow dryer in the racks so you don’t need to mix them with the other items.

It may also be better to choose cabinets or drawers with multiple compartments so each member of the household has their own storage cabinets for their personal grooming items and toiletries. If they need them, it will then be easier to find them.

Hooks. Additionally, you can use hooks for your robes and other clothing garments instead of towel bars which may consume more space.
Magnetic Cosmetics Board. If you have cosmetics or other grooming products, it may be quite a hassle to keep them in drawers when you need to use them frequently. As a solution, you may avail cheap magnetic boards which you can hang in the wall.

Frameless Shower Enclosures

If you have a very limited bathroom space, your best option is to have an open shower area. You may choose a shower that does not spray out water too widely to keep the surrounding areas dry.

However, if you want to install shower enclosures, the frameless ones will make it appear less-confining. Sliding glass doors will also be a better alternative.

Remodeling Ideas

Are you considering of remodeling your bathroom to maximize a space without the compromise for style and functionality?

Aside from the tips already given, here are other things you may want to consider:

Choose the right fixtures that you need.

The primary concern is the need to maximize the functionality of your bathroom given the limited space. Thus, choose the fixtures that you will really need such as the sink, toilet and shower and it will be better if they are as small as possible.

Soak or Steam?

After a stressful or tiresome day, we just want to relax our body. It may make us feel better while we soak on warm water. However, will it be practical to install a bathtub to suffice that need?

Having a steam shower may just also suit your needs to soak. It can be just as relaxing plus it consumes lesser amounts of water.

However, should you choose to install one, there are small bathtubs which are still ‘soak-worthy’ as those with the big ones and they can also come in affordable prices.

Install wall-mounted or pedestal sinks

If you are conserving space, the wall-mounted or pedestal sinks are your best choice since you can easily install them even in the corners of your bathroom. This way, you maximize even the corners of the room, thus providing more elbow space to move around.

Open shower area

As previously stated, having an open shower area will give you a more spacious feel for your bathroom.

Like the small bathrooms in France, sometimes a thin wall divider is placed to cover the shower area.

You can also place the shower head high above the ceiling to contain the water sprays in a smaller area or you may also choose a handheld shower head, so that you can also control its position while you are using it.

A bathroom should serve its purpose, that’s a priority concern when designing the area. Most homeowners often compromise the area, the house area is small – more spaces are allocated to the living room area, kitchen and dining area, and the bedrooms.

However, you can ensure that you have everything you need in the bathroom by maximizing the limited space.

Author Bio:-

Dustin Harrison is an expert in the field of Home decor and Interior design. He is work in Aquant India. Aquant India is among the most leading sanitary ware suppliers providing excellent shower panels, stylish wash basin like onyx basin, mosaic basin, Counter Basin and so forth as well as other sanitary ware items. To learn more about Interior design visit this website and blog.

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Transitional Design: What Is It and How to Pull It Off

August 30, 2017adminHome Decor, Interior Designhome decor, home trends, interior designLeave a comment

For some interior designers, it’s easy to choose a design style. They’re staunchly French country, bohemian or beachy. For them, it’s easy to put together a cohesive room because their style is, well, cohesive.

And then, there’s you: you don’t quite know what your design style is because you like a little bit of modern and a little bit of old school. With such a diverse range of tastes, you have a hard time pinning down what you want a room to look like because there are so many different looks you like and want to incorporate.

Rather than throw your hands in the air and give up or, worse yet, settle on a single style just to make your life easier, keep reading: you might just have a transitional design sense, and you’re not alone in your love of a mix of styles.

What is Transitional Design?

Transitional design meets in the middle of contemporary and traditional tastes, creating a look that still feels timeless. In fact, it ends up looking like a fresh take on the traditional design schemes you might find in, say, your parents’ house.

You might see traditionally curved furniture made from a modern, shiny material — think: a traditional chest of drawers covered in pieces of mirror. But transitional design doesn’t start and end with the furniture you place in your room. Often, transitional design spaces incorporate traditional furniture choices and some accents, like crown molding, with more neutral, modern color palettes. Another key design feature are the accessories in the room — or lack thereof. Transitional design aficionados appreciate clean, clutter-free spaces with just the perfect amount of ornamentation.

Millenials have made this design style as big of a deal as it is today. The youngest generation of homeowners still like having the traditional touches of home, but want to put their own stamp on it by blending natural materials, modern updates and all the tech you could want to make your home run smoothly.

How Can I Pull It Off?

It may sound hard to come up with your own version of a transitional space, but the great thing about this hot design style is that it’s easy to replicate and customize. There are virtually endless ways to give your home this blended style.

Start off with the color of your space. Most transitional rooms blossom from a neutral palette in order to maintain modernity. It just so happens that many simple, neutral shades create a more calming, serene vibe, too.

Once you’ve chosen your color, look the rest of the room’s existing elements and work from there. If the space has a traditional fireplace with wooden mantel and overhead crown molding, for example, you’ll need to balance the scale with some modern, clean lines. A rectangular sofa without arms would do the trick, as would a piece of contemporary art hung over the fireplace.

Where you can get a bit more experimental is with the fabrics and textures you bring into your space once you’ve painted your neutral palette. You can add pops of color with fabric, or create interest with textures: contrasting a soft, sleek suede sofa with worn leather armchairs, for example, would be a great mix of new and old.

You can even incorporate this blend of old next to new in the kitchen, where a quick weekend project can update your cabinets. One myth of cabinet hardware in design is that you can’t update a traditional built-in simply by replacing its hardware with a more contemporary knob or pull. Thanks to the rise of transitional design, this is simply not true. Try the same treatment in your bathrooms to give those spaces a modern upgrade as well.

It’s important to remember as you accessorize to always keep it simple. One stunning accessory does the trick, as opposed to a bunch of tiny accessories filling a bookshelf or covering your coffee table. Place an extra-tall orchid at the center of your wooden dining table, for example, to draw attention to the traditional piece of furniture while still keeping it looking sleek and clean with a single accessory.

So… That’s It?

It’s true: your transitional design requires only a balance of what’s old and what’s new. You can easily find that middle ground on your own, updating traditional curves and ornamentation with clean, modern finishes and fixtures. And, by choosing this design style you guarantee your house will be fresh now and classic for longer.

However, if you’re struggling to find your design footing, don’t worry: you can find plenty of inspiration on sites like Pinterest, where more and more home designers are showing off their blended design schemes. You can also enlist the help of a design professional, who will bring your vision to life. No matter what, you’ll come out with a finished product that hits all the right notes.

Author Bio:

Kacey is a lifestyle blogger for The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts.

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Top 5 Home Décor Trends to Follow in 2017

August 29, 2017adminHome Decor, Interior Designhome decor, home trends, interior designLeave a comment

Every year comes with new trends, no matter what it’s about, clothing or home décor. Home décor is one thing that is very important because it tells a lot about our personal choice and sense of style. Here we have the best home décor trends for 2017:

Technology, technology, technology

In this modern world, the lives of people revolve around their phones, and now our homes will be too. You can now use the technology to make your home appear more and more smarter. You can control so many items that you use in everyday life with the help of technology. From the televisions to the air conditioners, you can manage everything with a single remote or even with your phone. In the coming years and months, more creative ways will be introduced. It is all going to be extremely convenient for all of us and will be quite suitable for the lives we all are living.

Wood

Wood is another popular thing that is being used these days by everyone for the home décor. Wood flooring looks more than amazing and it instantly makes a space look better and expensive. Other than the floor, wood can be used for the ceilings, it will make your room look great in a matter of seconds and last but not the least, wood is great for the wall décor. This trend is here for years now and will stay forever.

Wallpapers

Wallpapers are trending way too much this year. They are kind of a material that is used to cover and decorate walls in the house; you can choose the designs (seismic, high-tech, custom wallpaper printing) and contrast them with the rest of the things in the room for a more suitable look. You don’t have to paint the wall if you are going to use the wallpaper and the best part is that wallpapers will cost you literally nothing as compared to the wall paints. Wallpapers are available in lots of colors and designs; markets are full of them. You can choose the one that goes with the theme of your house, if you have bright colored furniture, select the wallpaper in lighter shades and if the furniture is light in color, for example, white or light gray, go for the wallpaper in darker shades like navy blue or maroon.

Lighting

Lighting is important. It is that one thing which gives a final touch to the whole space. If the lighting is good, your space will automatically look great, and in the case lighting is bad; your space can never look good no matter how much you spend on it. You can get a nice chandelier for your house to hang in the living room or dining area. It will add a look of luxury to your space.

The colorful curtains and rugs

Curtains and rugs are an absolute necessity when we talk about the home décor. They accommodate the room pretty well and help complete the overall look of a house. Add colorful curtains and rugs to your space and make it look all bright and beautiful. There is a great variety of both available in the markets these days, choose the one you think is better.

Other than all these things, don’t forget to keep the best comforter in your living room, after all your living room should be comfortable for those afternoon naps. All these simple things are on trend and great for the home décor. Stay safe!

About the Author:

This post is written by Julie Austin. She loves traveling, home decorating and hanging out with her friends. She regularly blogs at http://mybedcomforter.com/

How To Clean Your Retractable Shade Awnings

August 27, 2017April 1, 2021adminHome Improvement Tips, Home MaintenanceDIY projects, home improvement, home maintenance, summerLeave a comment

Many people forget to care for their retractable awning once it’s installed and keep using it every day and for months and years till one day they realize that multiple problems have developed with the uncared for awning. The awning may stop rolling in or out smoothly, or may develop mildew and fungi, or may have too coarse and thick covering of dust on it to make it frizzy, etc. Most of these problems can be avoided easily with a little maintenance and periodic cleaning. A clean and well-maintained outdoor retractable awning would last for many years. Here are some expert tips and steps to clean your outdoor awnings.

Retractable Shade Awnings

Steps for general cleaning

A general cleaning is advised every month to keep the awning in good health. This just needs a broom and a water hose.

Clean the awning fabric outside and inside with a broom
Now clean the awning with a jet of water and use only cold water
Allow the fabric to air dry completely before you retract it

This cleaning is required once a month, and without any serious steps, the awning will keep looking nice and shining with this much care. However, you need to clean the retractable shade awning once in 2 to 3 years with soap water.

Soap water cleaning steps

To clean the awning with soap water, use only mild soaps, and avoid the use of harsh chemical and detergents. Also, use only cold water for this.

Use a broom to clean the fabric outside and inside very well.
Now with a hose of cold water, wet the fabric.
Make soap water solution, and then sprinkle the solution on fabric and gentle rinse in patches with a soft brush. Start from the bottom and move upwards.
Now leave the soap water and give some time for the soap to work, as it loosens the dirt.
Now rinse off the soap with cold water.
Allow the fabric to air dry completely
Retract it

All types of dirt and stains can be removed from outdoor awnings when you use the right cleaner for the problem. Oil stains, paint stains, bird droppings, mold and mildew, rust stains, and everything will be gone with the right cleaner.

Facts you must know to keep the awning good

Besides cleaning the awning periodically, there are some words of caution, which you must know and follow. They are:

Shrubs and vines, which twine around the awning or touch it, may contain chemicals and acids, which will slowly corrode the fabric and the metal bar. Hence, you should try to keep such elements away from the awning and prune shrubs and vines nearby.
Never retract an awning while the fabric is still wet. This way the fabric will develop molds and mildew on it, and eventually smell awfully bad, and freeze while rolling on or out.
The awning frame is made of aluminum like metal, which does not demand much cleaning etc. Hence, you may loosely broom it in a month and forget.
Never wet the motor part of the awning. Wetting the framework or the motor will bring trouble.

Outdoor retractable awnings need little and general care mostly

Generally, retractable shade awnings are made of stain and mold resistant fabrics, which are treated accordingly to show such characteristic. However, when too much of dirt builds up, then molds may grow not directly on the fabric, but on the dirt clumps. Hence, a periodic cleaning ensues that you won’t face challenge while retracting the awning or rolling it out. It will look fresh and stay as it is for longer period of time.

3 Home Improvement Projects You Should Probably Leave To The Professionals

August 26, 2017adminhome improvement, Home Improvement Tipshome improvement, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Even if you are handy around the house, there are still quite a few repairs and upgrades that you should never tackle alone. Carrying out certain projects without professional training could potentially result in expensive damage that your home insurance policy won’t cover. An experienced contractor is going to have all the proper permits and policies to insure their work and protect you from future financial problems. Here is a look at three common home improvement projects that you might want to leave to the professionals.

Installing Appliances That Use Water

Plugging in a new microwave or toaster isn’t the same as installing a dishwasher or washing machine. Even a minor mistake during the installation could result in a leak, and a few drops an hour will waste hundreds of gallons of water every year. If you are uncomfortable installing those types of appliances, then you should speak with the company that sold you the device. Many home improvement stores offer discounts on their installation services or free installations if you buy certain brands or products.

Replacing or Repairing a Roof

Patching a roof is more complicated than most homeowners realize, and it is one of the most dangerous projects that you can carry out on your own. Experienced roofing contractors, like the professionals at Stevens Roofing Corporation, utilize a variety of different tools and gear to keep themselves safe while working that far above the ground. Homeowners who want to avoid expensive damage down the road should check their roofs for leaks and cracks once every few months. You might also need to replace the roof entirely if it is more than 15 years old.

Upgrading the Lighting

Installing new bulbs is a great way to cut back on your electric bills, but you might not want to change the fixtures on your own. Not only is there the possibility of getting shocked, but a damaged or exposed wire could result in an electrical fire. Even if you install everything correctly, the new fixture could still overload the system and cause the breaker to constantly pop. Other than plugging in appliances and changing out old bulbs, you need to leave all electrical work to a licensed electrician.

Before working with any contractor on a new project, you must make sure that they are licensed, bonded, and properly insured. Hiring an unlicensed contractor could lead to huge fines, and it might even put your family in danger if the repairs aren’t carried out correctly. Most residential projects that involve changes to the primary structure or mechanical systems of a home must be approved by a local governing body. Some contractors and homeowners use permit service companies to expedite the approval process.

7 Simple and Affordable Additions for Your Home

August 25, 2017adminhome improvement, Home Improvement Tips, Tips to sell your homeDIY projects, home improvement, home trends, real estateLeave a comment

Whether you’re trying to sell your home or simply upgrade it for your own enjoyment, additions do not have to be that pricey. OK, OK, so as you haven’t been born yesterday you do know that any high-quality improvements to your house – the only type worth doing – won’t be as cheap as your daily shop. But the following additions have been selected for their relative low cost and high impact.

The seven recommended additions are applicable to you especially if you feel like modernizing your house, have guests to stay with specific needs, are buying or selling your home and are aware of updates needed.

Garden

It’s always easy to forget the outside area and palm it off as a “dad-job” for a Sunday in the far far distance! Sometimes those days arrive sooner than you think and a good job too because taking care of your outside area is as important as your house.

Built-in seating can be a great alternative to expensive garden furniture and one way to make your outside space guest-friendly and welcoming in a matter of days. Recycling concrete blocks and stacking to make a rectangular bench can be transformative. Top with an upholstered foam mattress and pillows and you’re good to go!

Patio

Patios are pretty self-maintaining year round aside from the odd weeding but if you want them to be extra special you could consider putting in a little more care. More and more folks have opted for patio walls over the last few years to create a homelier space. Adding in a custom-built fireplace to the area will make your regular patio every home-owner’s hosting dream. If you need to start from scratch you certainly can build your own patio yourself and save on the tiresome labor costs!

Railings

Injuries do unfortunately happen regardless of your capabilities and a railing to help you get around the bathroom and in and out of the bath itself is a must. These guys are quite literally a life-saver. Whether in or outside the house – preferably both depending on the terrain – railings give much needed support as well as detail. Protect you, your family and your guests with railings where you need them the most – they can be beautifully designed to match your preferences, too!

Smart Appliances

Smart appliances are the quickest way to add value to your kitchen, your house and to your life! We all know a good real estate agent will make the most out of these centerpieces of our kitchen – dishwasher, fridge-freezer, oven and microwave. If yours could do with some updating it may be time to take the plunge. They can instantly modernize your kitchen into a chic and sleek operating room – stainless steel appliances are still a la mode – and raise your house-cred immeasurably.

Connectivity, intelligent communication and full-on integration is what people want in their new appliances to the point where your fridge will text you when you run out of an ingredient! If you don’t have that much to spend on a major appliance, try revolutionizing your kitchen routines with some of these portable options, however you might want to check second hand options before giving up!

Lighting

Much like your smart appliances, improving your lighting game is a quick and easy addition to your household that will bring admirers wide and far! Looking at spotlights for example bring a welcome minimalist feel to a home whilst not massively interfering with your interior décor. Lighting is also an easy way to bring balance to a room through adding or taking away warmth depending on the style of fitting and the glow emitted.

Lighting should be uniform throughout your house to some degree to give continuity, therefore if you aren’t careful this can rack up a bill. However, simply moving to energy efficient lights in the meantime will be a fantastic addition to your household.

Upholstery

The DIY and home improvement community has talked about up-cycling a lot for good reason – you have unpolished treasures in your room as you read this and you’re considering buying replacements?! A perfect and easy-going initiation into the up-cycling club is re-upholstering a chair, sofa or headboard. It is guaranteed to be far cheaper than buying new furniture, allows you to pick out exactly the material you want and adds to the atmosphere of your room in a relatively low-effort way!

Windows

I won’t start with a quote about windows and eyes and souls, but windows are very important. Seasonal Affective Disorder sufferers are particularly sensitive to amount of light in their living areas and frankly the majority of us are too. So let’s get as much light as possible into your houses! The easiest way to do this without complete overhaul of your existing windows is adding in a sky light where possible.

So, this may be in the same cost ballpark as smart appliances, however adding in a skylight will entirely transform your space and your mood, and add major value if done properly to your property.

Additions do not need to be time consuming, complicated or massively expensive, however they do need to be well thought out. Positioning, overall design and feel and appropriateness all come into play when making changes to your house regardless of how small they might be. But one thing is for sure, simple home additions can bring major positives to your life whether practical and adding convenience or aesthetic and adding comfort!

Author Bio:

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How to Maintain Metal Surfaces in Your Yard

August 23, 2017adminHome Improvement Tips, Home Maintenance, lawn and gardenDIY projects, home improvement, home maintenance, Outdoor LivingLeave a comment

Since the early times, people have praised metal for properties they couldn’t get from natural materials. But actually, metal is much closer to nature than many people think. The iron ore comes from the depths of the earth, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that metal feels in our gardens like at home. Still, as a man-made material, metal is more susceptible to elements than other materials used in landscaping. Its arch-nemesis is rust – so homeowners need to intervene from time to time to keep metal features like fences, furniture, posts, taps, gates, rails, and grates in a mint condition.

Coating vs. painting

Rainfall and unsteady temperature always conspire to chip away the metal coating. Once the protective layer is damaged, rust is never far behind. One way to avoid it is to choose the most suitable metal for the intended use. Products with baked-on enamel or powder-coated surfaces will last long, without any special maintenance. On the other hand, varnished metal or surfaces protected with regular paint are prone to peeling, flaking, and chipping. Metals with superior coatings are expensive, but their longevity definitely justifies the initial cost.

Debris attracts moisture

With its intricate details, metal patio furniture is particularly exposed to a risk of decay. However, a few simple routines can make it last many years. The first defence against rust is cleanliness. At least twice a year, let’s say in spring and autumn, give your patio set a good scrub. Stir some liquid detergent in a bucket of warm water and use a sponge to remove dust and debris that attract moisture. Use an old toothbrush to reach hidden areas. When you are done, rinse away the detergent with a garden hose and leave the pieces to air-dry in the sun.

Physical protection

As mentioned above, it is the coating that safeguards metal from rusting. Careless handling can make two metal surfaces clink and cause chipping on one or both pieces. Whenever you need to move metal furniture, lift the pieces from the ground instead of dragging them. When the time comes to pack your outdoor furniture inside, make sure you protect the pieces with old towels or bed sheets to prevent them from scraping against each other.

Quick and effective solution

Still, even if you take all precautions, no one can guarantee that rust won’t develop over time. Although seemingly a small problem at first, it can get more serious if left unattended. Once you spot a small patch of rust, clean the area as described above and stop the corrosion in its tracks by using a quality rust converter. These products interact with iron oxide, converting it into an adherent black layer that is moisture-resistant and provides an excellent surface for latex and enamel paints.

Highly damaged surfaces

In cases of more extensive damage and negligence, you may need to refinish the metal – a task that demands more time and effort. Before you can start refinishing, you need to get to the bare metal surface. Using a wire brush or a special wire wheel drill attachment, scrape away the old coating. Take care not to damage crevices and folds that may be a part of the design. After you have removed the coating, wipe down the dust with a damp cloth and let everything dry before you apply the primer and metal paint.

The majority of homeowners regularly tend to their lawns and shrubs, trimming and clipping to add appeal to their gardens, but only a few pay the same attention to metal elements in their yards. With rust, prevention is the best protection, but when the surface layer is already damaged, quality anti-corrosion products can save the day.

Tips for a More Organized Bathroom

August 21, 2017adminBathroom Remodeling, DIY Projects, Home Organization Tipsbathroom remodeling, DIY projects, home organizationLeave a comment

Your bathroom is the place where you and your family clean and groom. It’s also usually the first room you head to in the morning and the last room you hit before bed. It contains a lot of products: everything from your laundry to your make up, your hair products, shower products, and sometimes even your cleaning supplies. Some of us store interesting reading material, and those that like a touch of luxury will make their bathroom the backdrop for gorgeous towels and candles, along with wonderful bath salts or bubbles. Unless you have a huge bathroom with tons of storage, this can become a bit overwhelming, and it pays to stay organized so your bathroom doesn’t become a haven for clutter.

One way in which to get great storage out of your bathroom is to keep like products together. This helps to eliminate a frustrating treasure hunt every time you want something specific, and it might help eliminate excess shopping since you can easily identify exactly what you’ve got already. Your vanity cabinets are a great way to hide products from view, and generally contain enough space for tubs or containers to keep things neat and tidy. If you’ve got open shelving, it’s nice to get a set of matching or complimenting boxes or baskets to keep things tucked out of sight. As a bonus you can often get containers like this in a variety of styles, patterns and colours to match your existing bathroom decor. In fact the organizers can become a cute feature in your bathroom, drawing the admiration of guests. If you’ve got cupboard doors on your vanity, you can try adding standing shelves to tuck even more supplies away, or use the same baskets or bins as you would with open shelves. You can also try to increase more space by adding baskets or hangers to the backs of your vanity doors. Hair dryers and flat irons can handily tuck into these, ready when you need them.

If you’ve got available wall space, it’s a great idea to add some shelves. Once again, the shelves can hold decorative organization bins and create a great look in the room. Some baskets even come with tiny chalkboard panels so that you can list exactly what each of them holds. One could be for makeup, while another holds shaving essentials or your favourite supply of soaps or lotions. Shelves can also hold your baths reading material, or dishes of bath salts or candles if you’re a fan of adding romantic flair to the space.

Your drawers offer an opportunity for being wonderfully organized, or they can hold a mess of products that you have to scramble through on a daily basis. There are some super options out there for keeping everything in order! Drawer dividers are extremely flexible and come in all shapes and sizes so that you get a customized look for your space. Divide each of your drawers so that your dental hygiene products, feminine products, grooming tools, makeup and hairbrushes all have their own individual areas. Everything will be tidy, organized and easily accessible when you need it, cutting down on grooming time in the morning and maybe even allowing you a few more minutes in bed.

If you’re a parent you know how kid’s stuff can quickly clutter a bathroom. There are so many fun bath toys and products for our kids from the time they arrive right through to the teenage years. A very simple and cost efficient way to handle their mess of supplies is with a hanging net. These can be very handy especially with regards to tub toys – which seem to multiply over night! You can also get tub toy holders in cute animal faces that hold a lot of things at once and attach to your tub or shower wall with suction cups. You can even tuck the kids shower gel or soap into the same bin to keep all of their supplies together.

One really cute idea is to make your mason jars do double duty. If you’re an enthusiastic canner, you probably have a bunch of these things sitting around collecting dust, and with a little time you can turn them into unique and beautiful holders for your Q-tips, tweezers, make up brushes, and a variety of other little easily lost bathroom products. Simply take a nice piece of wood, and either paint or stain to match your decor or rough it up to add a rustic touch. Use clamps to attach the jar neck to the wood, and mount into the studs in your wall, ideally over your bathroom sink for easy access.

If you’ve got the floor space, a cute cabinet or a cart is ideal for holding bathroom products, cleaning products, or even rolled up towels and face cloths. The nice part about the cart is that you can quickly roll it around depending on where you most need it at the time. It can be tucked into one corner with toilet paper rolls, or moved over to the tub where it can serve to hold all of the bath products you need for a luxurious soak. This is great for renters too, where putting up shelves or making other alterations to the bathroom isn’t an option.

Home improvement doesn’t need to be extravagant. Starting with simple things such as this can ease your mind in the long run and help you remain motivated for bigger projects in the future.

This article was written by Martin from Poshh. He has over 10 years’ experience in writing health related topics and specializes in the health benefits of saunas and hydrotherapy.

Is Your Home Ready for Fall? 4 Things You Must Do Before the Season Changes

August 19, 2017adminHome Improvement Tips, Home MaintenanceFall, home maintenance, home repairsLeave a comment

Fall is a time when the leaves change color, football is back on television and the temperatures start to cool off. This is a good time to inspect your home and make sure that it is ready for the cooler and wetter weather typical of fall and beyond. Let’s look at some items that you should check before summer ends.

Check for Nests of Any Kind

While there may not be any wasps or bees flying around this late in the year, it is a good idea to check for nests. If you see any, it is a good idea to knock them down as it increases the odds that they don’t come back next year. You should also spray for bees, ants and any other pest that may try to make a home in your home.

Organize and Clean the Garage and Shed

As the weather gets colder and wetter, dirt can easily turn into mud that gets tracked into your house. If you have old grass clippings or other debris in the garage or shed, it can turn into sludge or otherwise decompose, which can lead to a nasty smell. It may also attract insects looking for an easy meal. If you own a lawn mower, make sure to clean it and store the gas securely before putting it away for the fall and winter.

Have Your Roof Inspected

Even a slight amount of water damage can wreak havoc on your home. In many cases, water leaks from the roof and flows throughout the entire home. Inspecting your roof and having it worked on by a professional, such as one from Berwald Roofing Inc, can prevent water damage from becoming a major issue. It can also prevent damage caused by insects and exposed roof decking.

Get the Furnace Inspected Too

The summer months are the perfect time to have your furnace inspected because demand will be low. This means that you can get someone to look at it in a timely manner and for a lower price. Many contractors offer service packages that provide seasonal inspections for a flat fee, and repairs may also be covered with a service package.

The fall season is considered to be a transitional one. While it won’t be cold and snowy for another couple of months, you know that winter is coming sooner rather than later. Therefore, now is the best time to get your home ready for the changing weather conditions. If you aren’t up to doing this work yourself, don’t hesitate to call a professional as soon as possible.

5 Things to Know before Converting Your Garage to a Living Space

August 18, 2017adminHome Improvement Tips, home remodelingaddition, garages, home improvement, home renovation, home trendsLeave a comment

If you have decided to add new living space to your home by converting your garage into an additional living space, you’re in for a treat! This is a popular trend in home renovation. However, before you begin making any changes, make sure you read these five things to be fully prepared for your project.

Budget

Know exactly how much you are able to spend for your transformation project. Keep in mind that unexpected expenses will probably occur, and you should budget for them accordingly. Also, don’t forget to budget the cost of furniture for your new living space! You will be disappointed to learn you don’t have any money left over for these items.

Check Your Cars

Double check to make sure you won’t need your garage to store your cars. If you plan on getting an additional vehicle in the future, you may want to delay your renovation. Also, if you are comfortable keeping your vehicles outside of your garage, you still may want to consider investing in covers for your cars to protect them from the elements.

Know Your Purpose

Make sure you know the exact purpose of your new living space. Are you interested in using it as a place to quietly relax? Do you intend to use it for parties or social gatherings? Will you be using it as an additional bedroom? The choice is up to you. However, knowing exactly what you want to get out of the new living space will give you the focus you need to complete your project successfully, whether that be managing the garage door or adding amenities like air conditioning or more electrical fixtures.

Checking Permits

Remember, transforming your garage into an additional living space is a type of renovation project. This means you may need to obtain permits for some of the work. Double check with your local officials to learn if you will need to get any paperwork done before you begin. If you don’t, you may be forced to pay a fine or undo your entire transformation!

Can It Be Undone?

Keep in mind that the future owners of your home may want to use the garage for more traditional purposes. This means you should consider how easy it will be to undo your renovations. There also may come a time when you need to use the garage for other purposes. Having a plan to transform the garage back into a great storage area for cars and other big items is something you should consider.

Transforming your garage into an additional living space is a great idea. After you have considered the above points, get started on that transformation!

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