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Essentials to Replace in Your Home Post Divorce

August 27, 2013adminhome remodelingDIY projects, home improvement, home remodelingLeave a comment

Making a few key changes in your home will help smooth the transition from marriage to divorce. Your mini home makeover doesn’t have to break the bank, though. This time around, do it your way by adjusting the lighting, changing out the bedding and ousting his scent. There will be a huge payoff of style and serenity.

See the Light

Seeing the light is easy if you opt for a new set of window treatments. Get rid of those dark, heavy curtains he wanted so he could sleep in darkness and lighten it up in there by adding some flowy, sheer window treatments to truly see the light. If you like it dark too, hang some sophisticated wooden blinds that can be lifted during the daytime.

Place LED candles throughout the house to soften the lighting while giving your home a warm glow.

Sleep in Sweetness

Take the same level of personalization to your master bedroom, an area you definitely want to revamp. Redoing the master bedroom not only ensures you get rid of threadbare, worn-out sheets but it takes the worn-out memories with them.

Go wild with colors and patterns you’ve always wanted to incorporate that he would have absolutely hated. Take a few tips from RealSimple.com by picking an overall color scheme and mixing a deep solid-colored wall with a bedspread, pillows and accents done up in florals and striped patterns that include the same hues. Take the details right down to your lampshade.

Replacing the furniture is not necessarily a must unless it comes to the bed or mattress you two shared.

Oust His Favorite (Fill in the Blank)

Anything that oozes with the aura or the odor of your ex should go out the door. His favorite armchair, coffee table and even paintings or artwork are fair game. This especially applies to artwork the two of you purchased together that holds strong memories. Take the blank wall as a cue to have your favorite photos enlarged and framed or choose other works that bring you peace when you gaze at them.

Divorce causes major change in your life, and matching it with changes in your home can more readily help you break free of the past and move forward.

Flickr photo: Jhayne

Living With Less

August 25, 2013adminDIY Projects, Green LivingDIY projects, green living, home improvement, home organizationLeave a comment

Modern American society is materialistic. People are frequently judged not only by the things they own, but by their ability to buy more things. Simply put, we as a society like stuff.

Unfortunately, that’s not always healthy. TV and other media are full of stories of homes that are so full of material possessions that they are practically uninhabitable. Most people aren’t this far gone but could certainly stand to live with less than what they think they need. A challenging economy has led people to compromise over what they should and shouldn’t own, and many younger Americans are now living minimalist lifestyles.

Maybe you don’t need to get rid of all of your possessions and live in a tiny studio apartment, but you would probably enjoy a little less clutter. Here are some tips to help you live with less.

Get Rid of Your Desktop Computer

Computers have developed from their roots as a tool for programmers, accountants, writers and gamers to all-purpose media centers. People watch their favorite TV shows, read the news and chat with family and friends from computers. Technology has advanced to the point that even the most powerful devices come in book-sized, portable laptops. If you have a decent laptop, you don’t need anything else. If you have a desktop PC, consider trading it in for a laptop. You’ll save space and you might even find that you can use the laptop to replace your TV as well.

Use Minimal Furniture

You would be surprised at how little furniture you need if you live alone in a small apartment. Many people who live in studio apartments get by with a special unit that doubles as a window seat and a bed. All it takes is a roll-up mattress and some bedding. Add some compartments for storage and it could be all the furniture you need. Floor cushions also make for great places to sit if you have company. When it comes to furniture, plan large purchases around practical, daily demands, and find cheap, easy-to-store solutions for special occasions, like when family visits or friends come over.

Keep Minimal Clothing and Linens

When it comes to clothes, all you really need are seven versatile outfits, a hooded coat and some gloves. Keep a pair of sneakers, a pair of dress shoes and a pair of boots to make sure you have appropriate footwear for any occasion.

Your bathroom linen should consist of a few towels, a couple of washcloths and two kitchen towels. Consider keeping just enough linen so that you store as few pieces as possible. Have one set of sheets for your bed and one towel for your use, plus one or two guest towels. This will not only save space, it will force you to develop good laundry habits as well: you’ll have to wash your towel and hang it back up the moment it’s dirty instead of letting it sit around in a hamper while you use a spare one.

These are just a few tips that can help you enjoy a more minimalist lifestyle. If you’re still not convinced that you should live with less, consider the benefits that this lifestyle provides. Living with fewer possessions is less stressful, makes a home easier to clean and makes packing for moves much easier. Above all else, it will teach you to appreciate the things that you have and help you understand that it is entirely possible to live without giving into society’s materialism.

This article was contributed by Mike Gordon, recent college grad, tech nerd, and minimalist in the making. If you’re looking to de-clutter your life but aren’t quite ready to part with your possessions for good, Mike suggests to go and find self storage near your place of residence.

5 Creative Ways to Set a Mood in Your House

August 20, 2013adminDIY Projects, Home Improvement TipsDIY projects, home decor, home trendsLeave a comment

Setting a mood in your home or business is a great way to help friends or customers feel welcomed in your abode or commercial space. From adding colors in specific areas to brighten the atmosphere to arranging the furniture in your living room to help increase the energy flow through your house, there are many ways you can set a mood that will be beneficial to you and your visitors.

So if you are looking for a change of atmosphere in your home, here are a few ways you can set a mood in your house to make it feel like a home to everyone.

Focus on Feng Shui

Feng Shui, or ‘wind-water’, is an ancient Chinese practice that involves positioning objects, furniture, and even whole buildings to influence the flow of energy, or chi, through a specific structure. While its effectiveness has been debated, many supporters believe that modeling your rooms with feng shui in mind is a wonderful way to set a supportive and flowing mood through your house.

To design your rooms in the fashion of feng shui, imagine that the energy in your home is water, and think about how well it would flow through the rooms. If the water would flow circuitously through the rooms, pleasantly splashing everything it touched, then your feng shui is in line. If the water would be blocked immediately, or simply rush out the back door, you may want to do some reorganizing to help the flow of energy.

Colors on the Wall

Another fantastic way of setting a mood in your home is by adding specific colors that increase positive energy. But before you go splashing paint on your walls, think of how different colors affect individuals.

Red is known to affect mood strongly, but can also cause tension and irritability. Black may be slimming in clothing, but it induces sadness or temporary depression for some. Instead, add decorations that include greens, blues, and yellow: all colors that appear frequently in nature. Visitors coming in contact with these colors will immediately feel welcomed and nurtured.

Wood Looks Good

If you have space for decorations or sculptures in your home, consider adding a few to serve as a focal point or conversation piece, or simply to be icons that your visitors can admire as they traipse through your halls. But don’t just throw in whatever you see: think about how the materials of the sculptures will change the ambiance of the room.

While metal sculptures may look smooth and sleek, they add an unnecessarily cold feeling to any room and can end up making the space uninviting. Clay sculptures also demonstrate mastery of the trade by the artist, but have a worn look that can increase fatigue amongst the people in your home. Push these aside and opt for wood sculptures instead. Wood sculptures can carry the same smooth texture as metal ones, yet emit a warm natural feel that leaves admirers feeling comfortable and happy.

Set the Mood at Home

Setting a mood in your house is important if you want to create a positive air for your friends and guests. Try these simple steps to add a wonderful ambiance and have a house that truly feels like a home.

The author, Anthony Lepore, is a retired interior decorator, DIY aficionado and freelance blogger. Mr. Lepore has years of experience designing homes and gardens, and hopes to inspire readers to take on new home projects. He is currently working on a review of different types of outdoor accommodations and music for business.

Simple Hot Tub Troubleshooting Tips

August 20, 2013adminDIY ProjectsDIY projects, home improvement6 Comments

If you have a hot tub in your home or elsewhere, learning some simple troubleshooting and repair skills could go a long way in helping you save both time and money. Most of the costly repair works performed on machinery and electrical appliances could easily be avoided by conducting simple and regular maintenance work. It is important to learn what you should do in case you experience any form of ineffectiveness on your hot tub cover, water leakage, heating hitches as well as clogged and dirty filters. Below are some of the common problems you are likely to encounter with your spa and how best to troubleshoot them.

Hot tub taking too long to heat

In case of any heating problems, the first place to check should be the filters. Clogged and dirty filters can be ineffective when it comes to the clearing of impurities and this will eventually mean that the heating cycle is reduced due to poor filtration. You can solve the filter problems by carrying out a simple cleaning procedure or replace the aging filters with new and effective filter cartridges. If you replace them, make sure that the selected cartridges are of high quality for maximized effectiveness. It is advisable that any hot tub parts you buy for replacing the old ones should be branded as this will help guarantee durability, effectiveness and reliability. If the problem doesn’t end after checking the filters, look at the thermostat or the cover insulation.

Poor water quality

Your hot tub water should be clear and clean. However, it is possible to experience a situation where the water looks cloudy. This could be as a result of chemical imbalance or dysfunctional filters. Check the chemical levels and add the necessary ones to either adjust the PH up or downwards. You should avoid the usage of excess amounts of chemicals as this could cause rashes and skin allergies.

When the hot tub is not heating at all

Apart from slow or poor hot tub heating problem, it is possible to experience a situation whereby the water is not heating at all. This could be caused by factors such as poor insulation, or simply the thermostat being off. You should check these two and if the power is turned on, make sure that the motor is functioning. If all your troubleshooting efforts fail, call in a professional.

Frequent damage to the filters

A spa can easily bring you stress especially if it requires frequent filter replacement. If you clean your filters regularly and they do not serve you as they should and for a prolonged period of time, it could be that they are of low quality. You should consider replacing the existing parts with new ones, but make sure that that the new ones have advanced features to help enhance the filtration process.

These and many other simple repair and troubleshooting procedures will help reduce breakdown rate and thus save you money and time. Your hot tub should not cause stress. Don’t be in a rush to call a repair professional before checking out the different components as aforementioned.

Author About:

Jacqueline Mya is the author of this article who loves to write on Hot Tub Service Raleigh. If you would like to find out more information about Hot Tub Service Raleigh you could go to risingsunpools.com. Here I found some helpful information while writing this article.

If you own a hot tub and are experiencing problems, we hope you find this article helpful! ~Gary B.

Odd Home Transformations

August 13, 2013adminhome improvementDIY projects, home decor, home improvement, home trendsLeave a comment

Odd Home Transformations Are Gaining in Popularity

It is still a buyer’s market in real estate prompting many homeowners to transform their existing properties rather than buying a new one. The great news is that you can take your standard home and turn it into something amazing.

Contractors and homeowners are working together to improve properties and make them more impressive. There are countless ways to make any home more appealing and enjoyable as people begin to transform their modest homes into alluring and spectacular abodes.

Hidden Televisions

People have often hidden their televisions in cabinets when not in use. However, this lacks style and imagination. Modern homeowners can choose to have their massive televisions disguised as mirrors or artwork when not in use. This way, you can have the incredible picture size without letting it dominate the room even when it’s turned off.

Water and Fire

Make your outdoor patio more enjoyable with a water feature and a fire pit. If you’re really clever, you’ll have the two combined into one amazing fixture. It’s an impressive addition to any outdoor living area and the neighbors will be green with envy.

Master Controls

Did the kids leave the lights on in the basement again? Are you hearing a television on in another room but there’s no one in there? With a master control system, you can have complete control over your home electronics and electrical system from your Smartphone or tablet. Control temperature, turn off lights and even turn up the heater for the pool from one central device.

Open Designs

Lofts have been popular for years and homes with cathedral ceilings often have banisters or entire rooms that overlook the main level. Open designs take this to the next level by eliminating the walls and solid banisters on upper levels.

More Space, More Storage

A common reason people move is because they need more space and storage. However, the space you are looking for may be closer than you think. Transform the space under the stairs into a beautiful office complete with a built-in desk, shelves, and lower drawers. Make large pull-out shelves for items you don’t use frequently. With a little creativity, you can make your existing home more functional by adding storage.

Outdoor Playground Equipment

Slides and swings aren’t just for playgrounds anymore. They are now moving indoors. Massive swinging beds can be added to the basement or even the living room for relaxing and taking a long nap. Swings can also be used in the children’s rooms for them to enjoy on a rainy day. Do you have a boring stairwell? Replace it with a circular one featuring steps on one side and a connecting slide. Before adding swings to the joists, check with an engineer to ensure that you swing will be secure.

Natural Elements

You don’t have to build a log cabin to enjoy natural elements. Use large branches from a birch tree as the posts for an awesome bed. Include natural elements like branches in your home decor and use natural elements as supports or other structural elements. You can change the look of your home and add a whimsical feel without having to move.

Contractors and homeowners are working together to improve properties and make them more impressive. There are countless ways to make any home more appealing and enjoyable. Whether you want sophisticated storage in the kitchen or a fun swing for the kids to enjoy on rainy days, you can transform your simple home into something amazing and impressive.

Cassidy Lewis is a freelance home improvement blogger and proud Texan. She is a contributing writer with her local Braun’s Roofing company, who have helped many Houston-area homes undergo transformative renovations.

Tips For Staying Cool This Summer

August 8, 2013adminDIY Projects, Home Improvement Tips, Summer TipsDIY projects, home improvement, Safety, summerLeave a comment

Homeowners who enjoy taking care of minor DIY projects around the house are often stymied in the summer. For families who take an active role in their homes upkeep, summer brings along with it an intense heat that can be difficult to manage. However, there are solutions to this issue that have been designed by others with similar concerns. With the following tips in mind, homeowners who want to work on some light home improvement projects no longer have to give up because of the heat.

Find Those Pulse Points

This is a straightforward solution that can be immediate relief for individuals. It revolves around the idea of cooling down your “pulse points”. These are areas where the heart beat can be felt as the blood is being pumped throughout the body. For example, the wrists are one such area that should be continuously cooled.

Why the pulse points? These are areas that have a significant impact on the heating and cooling of the body because of how close the blood runs to the surface. By cooling down these specific areas, the chances of persevering through the intense heat increases tenfold. How does one go about cooling these pulse points? Chill your pulse points by running cold water over your wrist for a minute or so. This is a simple solution to a conundrum that tends to perplex and frustrate many home owners and can be repeated as often as necessary.

Wear Light Clothing

The worst decision to ever make while working in the heat is to wear darker shades. The sun gets absorbed more readily by these colors and intensifies the heat. The best course of action is to put on lighter cotton clothing with a more tropical feel. Essentially, the goal should be to wear lighter colors that are made for the heat. These colors will not attract the sun and ensure the body is kept cool.

Stay Hydrated

It sounds obvious but it is frequently overlooked by homeowners working on home improvement projects. Water is a must in these situations as the body is losing fluid constantly through sweat. If the body starts showing signs of dehydration, the heat will worsen the situation. The body will not be able to produce an adequate amount of sweat to cool the body down.

Cool water can help provide short and long term relief. Make sure to drink plenty of water but make sure you don’t flush out all the electrolytes in your system. Snacking on some fruit or veggies during the day should help.

Implementing These Solutions

The solutions listed in this piece are easy to follow and should be implemented by all homeowners working on DIY projects in the heat. Home improvement is already a difficult task and the heat of the summer only makes it harder. If you’ll be working outside this summer, make sure to stay cool!

Guest author Jasmine Bosworth enjoys staying cool while taking care of pesky home projects. In hopes of making the interior of her home more comfortable this summer, she is currently pursuing a complete home window replacement with help from local contractors.

The Return on Investment of Landscaping (Infographic)

July 31, 2013adminlawn and garden, Tips to sell your homeDIY projects, home improvement, landscapingLeave a comment

Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, a landscaping project which is done by professionals who know their stuff can not only increase the value of your home, but provide you with additional benefits. Alberta Arborists compiled some interesting statistics and facts about how embarking on a landscaping project can provide you with an extremely satisfying return on investment.

5 Ways to Spice up Your Home Decor

July 22, 2013adminDIY Projectsdecorating, DIY projects, home decor, home improvement, home trendsLeave a comment

Are you bored with the look of the rooms in your home? Would you like to spice things up a bit? Here are some simple tips to update the look of anyone room in your home even if you’re working with a tight budget.

1. Put some decorative pillows in the rooms

Decorative pillows are a great way to express your personality and add a little something special to any room in your home. Be adventurous! Try different colors, textures and patterns. If the pillows you fell in love with at the department store don’t quite thrill you when you get them home, simply return them and try again. Most department stores have great sales on decorative pillows making them a terrific choice for updating any room in your home.

2. Change the paintings on the walls

If your old paintings have been hanging on the walls for years, then it is high time you change them with some new ones! The walls of your home are a wonderful place where you can express your personality and show off your imagination.

3. Be a little eccentric

Try to be a little more unconventional when it comes to home decoration and interior design. Interior design trends are constantly changing so don’t worry too much about adhering to any strict rules.

For example, try to mix modern art with more traditional furnishing and decorations. One idea is to put a modern flat screen TV in a living room that is furnished in a classical style and add a couple of paintings with floral motives around the TV to create the necessary balance.

4. Stickers here, stickers there, stickers everywhere

The easiest way to hide an ugly spot on the walls without painting the whole wall is to use some decorative wall stickers. This is not only very easy and effort-free, but it is also inexpensive. Decorative stickers are the perfect way to make your home different, especially if you want to add an artistic and more urban touch here and there.

5. Change the night lamp

Your bedroom is one of the most intimate and important places in your home. Something as simple as changing your night lights can make the room more comfortable and bring a sense of piece and calmness.

Author Bio: July Minor is blogger and writer that loves home improvement. She owns a small company that provides one off cleaning Belgravia in London, UK. July loves to spend her free time sharing her decorating ideas with her readers.

30 Blogs Containing Creative Way to Decorate a Boys Bedroom

July 20, 2013adminBedrooms, Home Improvement Tipsbedroom remodeling, DIY projects, home decor, home improvement, home trendsLeave a comment

Decorating your child’s bedroom can often be quite the undertaking. From picking the perfect paint shade to coordinating furniture and accessories, it can quickly become overwhelming if you don’t already have an idea of where to start. One way to cut down on the stress of decorating is to come up with a theme that you are able to tie colors, bedding and accessories into. Age is another important factor, as a nursery is much different to put together than a teen’s room. These 30 blog posts are full of photos of various rooms for boys, and hopefully will give you some inspiration for creating a room for your son.

Nurseries

Because nurseries are short-lived and your baby boy will transition into toddlerhood quickly, some people prefer to paint the room in a versatile color palette and then change it as the boy ages. Others take on the project with big plans of murals and mobiles and stars on the ceiling. How you create the nursery for your son will depend on whether you want to use a theme or not. These six blog entries share tons of nursery ideas from which you can draw inspiration.

Toddler

Once your baby boy enters the toddler phase, you’ll want to upgrade his room to a “big boy” room. Buying the bed is an important factor in this, as you’ll have to decide between purchasing a toddler bed or a regular bed. If you opt for the toddler bed, keep in mind that you’ll need to upgrade again in a few years. On the other hand, if you choose a bigger bed, you’ll be able to use the bedroom as a guest room any time you have company. These six blog articles will help you determine how to go about decorating your toddler’s room.

Teen

Pre-teens and teens often have a pretty good idea of how they would like their room to look, so you’ll have less to discern when decorating a teen’s room. They also are more likely to want neutral colors or to integrate a hobby into their room’s theme. Look over the room designs in these six blog posts with your teen and see if you can come to a meeting of the minds.

Themes

Using a theme to design a room can be a lot of fun. If your child loves dinosaurs, use that passion to create the ultimate dinosaur room. If he’s into skateboards, use actual skateboards as shelving instead of basic shelves. Check out the themes in these six blog entries for more unique ideas.

Timeless

Timeless rooms are those that focus on using neutral colors and colors that grow with the child instead of rooms that are full of age-specific colors and designs. Many people also opt for white furniture instead of furniture that is trendy or has designs on it. Timeless rooms allow you to build on the basics. These six blog entries will share some pictures of timeless room designs and make some suggestions on how to create a timeless room.

Author Bio:

Maria Wells is a freelance writer & a regular contributor for “Housekeeping.org”. You can view one of her recently published article “http://www.housekeeping.org/blog/30-blogs-containing-creative-way-to-decorate-a-boys-bedroom/“.

How to Turn Your House into an Elegant Home

July 18, 2013adminDIY Projects, home improvementdecorating, DIY projects, home decor, home trendsLeave a comment

Creating a beautiful and timeless look in a home shouldn’t require a herculean amount of effort if a few basic principles are followed. There are many ways to dress up a room, but none will be as aesthetically pleasing or serene as including a timeless design in a home. If you want to achieve an elegant look to your room or home, here are some tips to follow:

Minimize the Excess Clutter

If you have a small space, you may have rooms that do double duty, but keeping the room uncluttered and free of unnecessary objects is a way to ensure the space does not become overwhelming. If your office doubles as a spare guest room, then a good way to ensure elegance is to use an armoire or cabinet that doubles as your desk space to keep unwanted papers and clutter out of sight when a guest is using the room.

Choose a Focal Point

Whether it’s an original or vintage piece of art or a stunning mirror, each room in your home should have a focal point. A fireplace, fountain, or large portrait will set the tone of the room and give you the ability to decorate around your focal point.

Choose a Color Scheme

Your color scheme is a reflection of who you are as well as your tastes. If you’re attempting to create serenity and elegance, a muted or lighter shade may be the key to achieving this look. However, if you’re more interested in bolder colors with a slight flare for the dramatic, a darker color is the way to go. Additionally, once you’ve chosen a color scheme, all of the furnishings in the room should adhere to this scheme.

Keep It Neat and Tidy

Nothing can ruin an elegant home faster than uncleanliness and disarray. If you’re not the neatest person in the world, a slight investment in weekly housekeeping, or cajoling your children into helping you keep up with the clutter, may be necessary. Cleanliness is one of the main keys to giving off an air of sophistication in your home. Keeping your counter tops clear, your bookshelves dusted, and your windows sparkling shows that you have pride in your home and enjoy keeping it well maintained.

Keep Cords and Wires Out of Sight

Much like keeping your home neat and tidy, keeping unsightly cords out of the way is a must. There are many ways to do this and a visit to your local home-improvement store could easily elicit some ideas that are inexpensive and easy to do. You may want to invest in a power strip to concentrate all power cords in one area, and mask this with a potted plant or side table.

Consider Cohesiveness

If the inside of your home is a calm oasis, the outside of your home should reflect those same inviting qualities. Invest a weekend into trimming the hedges, cutting the grass, painting the siding, or planting shrubs and flowers. Creating a unique theme between the inside and outside of your house can be a great way to add balance to your home. The inside of your home is where you’re going to spend most of your time—but creating an overall picture of elegance starts from the curb.

This article was written by Kevin Law, a freelance blogger and retired home contractor. When Kevin doesn’t have his hands dirty in a home renovation project, he hopes to provide helpful insight into DIY home projects, and is currently looking into adding a fixture from Fathom Fountains.

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