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When people think of home improvement, most think of remodeling or drastic renovation that costs a lot. Contrary to these ideas, improving the quality of your home starts with a single concept according to most interior decorators: increasing space. As simple as those two words sound, they are probably the most difficult to accomplish in terms of house design and decorating. However, there are ways to make this home improvement goal possible with the least amount of cash and effort. Starting with the most visited room in your house sets the tone for your project.

The bathroom is the most overlooked place in the house in terms of design. The common excuse of homeowners is that visitors do not really see the inside of the bathroom unless they ask to use it. But design experts argue that this should not be the case. The use of the bathroom is gradually changing from being functional to aesthetic. It is not only for bathing and other bodily functions but also for relaxation and de-stressing. It is important to keep the dual nature of the bathroom’s function in mind as you go about your home improvement project.

Increasing bathroom space has a lot to do with ceiling and wall dimensions. However, you do not have to remove walls or reconstruct your ceiling as part of home improvement. Simply placing borders along the conjunction of your ceiling and walls is often enough to “increase” their dimensions. The color provided by the border tricks the eyes into perceiving more space. Using wallpapers or tiles with vertical stripes or dainty prints also makes the room appear taller. If you are not using tiles or wallpapers, painting the bathroom ceiling and walls with a neutral shade illuminates and broadens the space. Plain white looks boring, and designers advise the use of other shades like ecru, beige, and oyster to update your bathroom’s color.

As much as bathroom space relies on walls and ceilings, floor space is just as important. Uncluttered floor widens visual space so keep this in mind in furnishing your bathroom. Instead of standing cabinets which interrupt floor space, install floating cabinets and storage spaces. Mount vanities in walls and choose claw-footed tubs instead of flat-bottomed tubs. These maximizes visible floor space which is an essential in any home improvement project. Painting floors in neutral shades or getting them a woodwork finish is best to increase space. Using light-colored tiles need more cleaning but gives your bathroom the illusion of being wide and spacious.

A home improvement project is not complete without furniture. In choosing bathroom fixtures and furniture, go for those that are slim and sleek. Go for the modern fixtures in chrome or silver. Installing mirrors also add to room dimension by giving the illusion of space. Put in a window to let natural light in. Not only does natural lighting make everything look fresher, it also illuminates spaces better. No matter what path you choose to take in the crossroads of home improvement, it is imperative that the room’s function is not hindered by its aesthetics.

For more valuable information on Home Improvement, please visit http://www.ccext.com.

[tags]bathrooms, home improvement[/tags]

Your deck is a favorite gathering place in summer and lets the whole family enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. In order to keep your deck functional and looking great for years, you do need to make sure the deck is properly weatherproofed. Taking the steps to weatherproof your deck now will insure your investment for many, many years.

Weatherproofing a deck isn’t difficult; it requires a minimum of materials and a bit of elbow grease. You should seal your deck to weatherproof it when it is first built and periodically (every few years or so) reapply the sealant to make sure the wood continues to hold up.

Materials that will you will need include a hose, dust mask, pail of water, safety glasses, deck cleaner, waterproofing staining sealer, broom, belt sander or sandpaper, and paintbrush. Try renting a paint sprayer if you can as applying the sealer with a sprayer instead of a brush can really save you some time.

It’s important to gather your materials together beforehand so that you have them ready the day you plan to weatherproof the deck, but what’s even more important is the weather. You must be certain that there is no rain in the forecast for that day and the next before you call over all your friends to help with your weatherproofing project!

After you have verified that there is no threat of rain and you have all your materials on hand, you should start by giving the deck a thorough cleaning. Make sure you get all the cracks and corners. If you find any rough spots sand them down. Carefully remove left over sawdust and debris with the broom. Always use a dust mask as well as safety glasses while sanding.

After the deck has been cleaned and has dried fully, you are ready to start sealing. Be sure to
follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the weatherproofing seal. If you are going to use paint after you seal the deck, make sure that what you use for sealant will work with a paint overcoat.

Whether you are using a paint brush or sprayer, you must make sure to cover the entire deck - every crack and crevice, leaving no spot unsealed. This means paying close attention to things like railings, beams and wall supports if they’re present.

Once you are done sealing, you will have to resist the urge to get on the deck and enjoy it right away. You need to let it dry thoroughly according to the manufacturers instructions on the sealant. This might be difficult, but, making sure you can enjoy your beautiful deck for years to come is well worth the wait.

Lee Dobbins writes for Home Improvement publications. See more on remodeling and home improvement at http://www.dailynewz.info

[tags]deck, home improvement, remodeling[/tags]

Kitchen remodeling is one of the biggest home improvement projects that you can take on. You can help minimize the frustrations and spread out the expenses of this time consuming project by doing it in stages. One of the most helpful improvements you can make is to get a dishwasher.

I am amazed at families who live without a dishwasher. I grew up with one in every home, then when I got married we didn’t have one in our first home. It was incredible how time consuming it was to wash dishes by hand. I definitely had better things to do with my time. When we moved to our next home I made sure there was one already installed, or at least plenty of room to put one. There’s no way I’m doing without it again.

Dishwashers are more complicated than you’d think. They come in a variety of styles and have an astonishing range of features. There are built-in dishwashers, stand-alone dishwashers and countertop dishwashers. For instance, Bosch has a line of dishwashers that is so quiet you might forget you turned it on. I know because my mother in law has one. It’s phenomenal. The most recognized are built-in dishwashers which are less visible once installed. If you have a very small kitchen and no available slot for a built in you’ll need to get a portable rolling dishwasher, which are self contained units often with a counter top that can be useful for other kitchen needs. Some come with a full blown chopping block on top.

In addition to their obvious time saving factor, dishwashers can also be energy efficient. Electric dishwashers use less hot water than washing and rinsing dishes by hand. (If your spouse is complaining about the money for a dishwasher give him that fact). Many of them carry the energy star label and have special settings specifically to use less water and if you have a water softener you can use less soap, too.

If you don’t have a dishwasher already I highly recommend one. From that point on you’ll never voluntarily go back to hand washing again.

Get more information on dishwashers and portable dishwashers at our resource site. This is a sister site to Compact Refrigerator review.

[tags]dishwashers, kitchen remodeling, appliances[/tags]

Different colours affect people in different ways. A purple kitchen might not be for everyone - but for some it works, and surprise, surprise others like it too Individual space is a concept that speaks for itself. Colour stays an individual’s choice, and colour, any colour, is an essential part of our well-being. It forms part of our homes, our gardens - even the way we look, dress and display ourselves to the world. Here are some happy colours to brighten your home.

Red - Motivator and Stimulator
This colour promotes life and suggests power, vitality, passion, pleasure and energy. It is a good colour to surround yourself with when you are feeling lethargic and out of sorts.

On the negative side, red is linked to anger and shortness of temper. People with short fuses should not let too much of this colour into their lives. They’re usually fiery enough - and need a colour with a more calming effect. Red should not be used around people with psychological problems or those who suffer from neuroses.

Dining rooms, kitchens, children’s playrooms and reception areas are great places to go wild with red. Red stimulates activity and also creates a sense of warmth. On the coldest of days you will feel cosy in your red space.

However, more sensitive types might find red too dominating to live with. The way to benefit from the positive energies of this colour and not be overwhelmed by it is to introduce snatches of it in furnishings like curtain fabrics, pictures, cushions and throws

Green - Nature and Harmony
This colour can help balance your life. It symbolizes harmony, sympathy and wholeness. People with high stress levels can benefit a great deal from using green in their bedroom, as it is a relaxing and restful colour. Green is used a lot for healing and is often used in hospitals. It has antiseptic properties, which help heal infection.

The negative side of this colour is the ‘green eyed monster’. Green represents jealousy, selfishness and laziness. Rooms that will benefit from a lick of green paint are bedrooms, hospital rooms, doctor’s waiting rooms, and dining rooms.

Green on its own can be cold and often needs to be enhanced by warm tones like peach and yellow in order to set the right mood.

Orange - Joy and Happiness
Imagination and ambition are enhanced by Orange. This colour also stimulates the appetite which is why Orange is often used in the colour scheme of restaurants. It also helps to release endorphins in our body that combat those melancholic moments.

Orange has shown to be beneficial in cases of bronchitis and has an anti-spasmodic effect which is helpful in the treatment of cramps. On the negative side; too much orange can cause uneasiness and agitation.

Terracotta, peach and apricot all have an orange glow and work very well in kitchens, dining rooms, hallways, reception rooms and restaurants. Peach is a softer version of orange that will work well in a bedroom.

Blue - Peace and Tranquillity
This is the colour associated with honesty, clarity and peace of mind. Soft blue can calm the nerves and is often used in the rooms of mental patents and in prisons.

Blue gives the feeling of space and can benefit any room by making it look a lot bigger than it actually is. It is also an appetite suppressant, for those who want to lose weight - a blue light in the fridge or eating off a blue plate will help to reduce those food urges.

Blue is used to treat fear, tension and insomnia. It is also valuable in the treatment of inflammation, tonsillitis, sunburn, headaches, burns and shock. Blue also commands respect and authority which is why it is often a colour used in uniforms, and in the business world the ‘dark blue suit’ always impresses.

The downside is that too much blue can be depressing. Bedrooms, bathrooms, relaxation rooms and offices are areas that can benefit from the colour blue. Used correctly this colour can enhance any space and give you plenty of room to exercise your interior design ideas.

Brighten up your life with Terry’s Fabrics who host a range of fabrics available online. Their philosophy is that peace of mind should cost nothing at all! Their soft furnishing manufacturing team are dedicated to maintaining their high standards and suppliers are carefully chosen so fabrics are of the best quality.

[tags]Cushions and throws, interior design ideas, curtain fabric, the benefits of colour, enhance your hom[/tags]

Architects and builders have been saying for years: “Good design doesn’t cost the earth, but poor design does.”

Long before “sustainable” and “environmentally friendly” became public statements, the professionals already knew all about the energy-saving possibilities of a well designed home.

Unfortunately, they were often forced to conform to “houses must face the street”, rooms had to conform to what worked in the past rather than what was best for local conditions.

Because of this many structures are not in line with today’s standards of sustainability. Across Australia, and in some other countries in the world, new houses and renos are required by law to provide minimum standards of energy efficiency. While these laws vary from state to state, country to country, all require a 4-star or 5-star energy efficiency rating.

The homebuyer then has to decide on whether to pay out the extra cash at construction, or have regular and continuing savings in the future.

The critical component in sustainable design is the building’s orientation on the land. Not only the direction the house faces but particularly way the windows are facing. In small buildings (houses) orientation allows the proper control of summer and winter heat loads which penetrate through a building’s outer shell.

Research needs to be done on movement of sun, slope of land, prevailing breezes, existing trees and vegetation and any other special characteristics in each individual state/territory. Different climate zones within the area must also be taken into consideration. Strategies for the tropics are different to those in temperate or alpine areas.

In the southern hemisphere, ideally the longest axis for the home should run east to west, with living areas facing north. North-facing rooms accumulate winter warmth, but can also be shaded during the summer heat as the sun is higher in the sky.

The southern side is coolest and is best for bedrooms. The western side will get hot in the afternoons and is probably the best side for laundry, bathroom, garage or storage areas. The east will catch the morning sun which is good for breakfast room or kitchen.

Of course any special characteristics, such as a beautiful view which is facing the west in summer would want to be seen year round, not only from the garage or storeroom. Under these circumstances it is important to plan with careful attention shading and type of glass used. Use natural cooling rather than air conditioning to further protect our environment and save on energy costs.

Of course if your home is not in the “perfect” position and you are considering renovations, always plan for easing the problem. This could simply be adding insulation, shading windows or walls, swapping rooms around, or planting trees and shrubs.

Author is Brendan Hogg. Brendan is Manager of Cardiffair natural cooling fans. He is Green Smart Qualified and able to assist with queries on energy efficiency and sustainability design. Visit http://cardiffair.com.au

[tags]home improvement,home renovation,energy efficient,natural cooling,building orientation,home design,[/tags]

A bedroom is a place where we relax. Depending upon the age group normally bedrooms are categorized as master bedroom, teen bedroom, child/kid bedroom.

But a home building may also have a provision for a guest bedroom
in it. If the architect of the building has taken enough care
while designing the building, a guest bedroom is located on the
ground floor.

I have seen home designs where a guest bedroom is deliberately
located on ground floor and used as a income source by
giving the room o rent. This is common practice in crowded cities.

Because of its location on ground floor it is easy to
give a separate access to the space without disturbing the privacy
of the entire house.

Ideally a guest bedroom should have a good natural lighting and
ventilation. A good view of the surroundings from the window is
also appreciated. It is like treating the guest bedroom just
like the master one.

Good quality furniture with easy access to attached toilet block
is also strongly recommended. The most important aspect according
to me is cleanliness. Since a guest has a very limited time span
to spend in his bedroom, it is extremely important to take care of
hygiene. A room which is easy to clean and maintain is preferred.

A bedroom, which is too small in area, will have restrictions as far
as experimentations in design are considered. By experimentation
I mean trying different furniture layouts or decorating ideas will
be somewhat restricted.

A good example to study, is to start with bedrooms in large hotel.
All rooms in a hotel come under the category of “guest bedrooms”
The only difference is, we “pay” to stay there, which is not the
case with a bedroom in our home. The architect of the hotel
takes good care of providing natural sunlight and ventilation and
a good view of the surroundings. Thought now a days most hotel
rooms have air conditioners to artificially control the internal
environment, a provision for natural control is a must.

Use of dark colors can be avoided. You can always try to be a little
creative while designing the guest bedroom. The reason here is, the
guest is there at your place probably to have a change in his daily
routine life and if a room in YOUR home gives him such a nice
feeling of “change” then he might visit again the next month.

As mentioned before in most cases the guest bedroom is located
on the ground floor. This can be used creatively to provide an
access to the landscaped backyard or an open patio with informal
seating. The space must have a provision for sliding or
folding door shutters so that can be easily closed if required.

So the entire success of the guest bedroom design project lies
in finding out how the guest feels when he/she lives there. Was she
comfortable there. Did she find things easily. Even small things like
light and fan switches, water taps in bathrooms, wardrobe shutters,
door and window hinges etc.. must be kept in well maintained and
proper working condition for the guest. Small thing add up and can become a reason for uncomfortable environment for the guest. That’s
the meaning of the statement “easy to maintain” which I mentioned
above in this article.

I hope this article was informative to everyone.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

Shrinivas Vaidya is the webmaster of Bedroom-Design-And-Decorating-Ideas.com Visit today to find some great concept level design tips for bedroom sets.

[tags]interior design, bedroom design, home improvement[/tags]

Kitchen countertops are one of the largest design decisions you’ll make planning a new kitchen. Depending on your budget, care, and maintenance, there is certain to be one today that will give your kitchen the wow factor. One of the first decisions considering a countertop is to think if you want it to make a statement , complement, or be background to your cabinets.

Lately I’ve seen many way-too-busy countertops in homes that I’ve been touring. And, some countertop materials are too high-maintenance for busy people or families. Remember if you are planning to sell your home with it’s fabulous new kitchen in the next couple of years, you’re better off with something very mainstream design-wise.
Here is an overview of options.

-Granite. Everyone has it, many want it in their next kitchen. We have it and it looks luxe. It’s relatively easy to keep clean, doesn’t stain, but it is noisy when setting dishes and pots and pans on. Plus it is so hard, that the glass the falls over or drops, is history-no forgiveness in granite. You have to apply sealer when new and every two years.

-Concrete. Must be sealed when new and every year. Great for contemporary spaces. Stains easily and can be colored if needed. Very today, but the average buyer shies away from concrete countertops.

-Marble. Great look if you really don’t use your countertops for more than coffee in the morning and take-out at night. Very porous and susceptible to stains.

-Glass. If you want a concrete look, but a longer visual life-span consider glass. Hip-looking but can scratch and chip, and next to impossible to repair without replacing.

-Stainless steel. Pricey as it usually is custom made to your specifications. If you like high-tech, industrial, chemistry-lab edginess, this is for you. Ask around about how your friends like to maintain their stainless steel appliances.

-Wood. Butcher-block is back. Must be oiled and cracks open up with alternating humidity and dryness. Less is more.

-Corian. Indestructible except by very hot pots. Easy to repair and a variety of colors. Good basic countertop.

-Caesarstone. Man-made quartz. Think a blend of Corian and Granite, the best attributes of both. A home run in countertop technology.

Mark Nash is the author of “Fundamentals of Marketing for the Real Estate Professional”, “Starting & Succeeding in Real Estate”, “Reaching Out: The Financial Power of Niche Marketing”, and “1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home”. Mark is a contributing writer for: Realtor (R) Magazine Online, Broker Agent News, Real Estate Executive Magazine, Principal Broker, and Realty Times. His tried and true real estate tips has been featured on Business Week, CBS The Early Show, CNN, HGTVpro.com, The New York Times, and USA Today. Purchase his books at http://www.1001RealEstateTips.com.

[tags]kitchen,countertops,decorating,design,remodeling,authors,experts,real,estate,mark nash,tips,home,buy[/tags]

There is no reason why you can’t grow any vegetable you want in a container and this is the best time of year for dreaming. For example, my container is going to have an entire salad in it , complete with lettuce, basil and tomato.

The first thing I’m going to have to do is find suitable containers. I know I can grow a tomato in a green garbage bag holding six shovels of soil but unless I want to water it twice a day, I need a container that will hold at least twice that. I want a big container for my garden (twenty-four inches across is ideal) and clay will be a little too heavy to move around. Half whiskey barrels are ideal although a bit on the heavy side. I’m going to ensure there are at least three holes in the bottom for good drainage because vegetables really do not like to have wet feet.

If I had a wooden deck, I would put several bits of wood under the pot to keep it off the deck and prevent staining.

I am also going to fill my pots from top to bottom with an artificial soil mix like Pro-Mix.

Caring for your antique metal items requires know-how. Each metal has its own particular characteristics and requires its own brand of tender loving care.

Brass

Brass is commonly found on decorative items, hardware and fixtures. Avoid cleaning with acids such as vinegar or lemon. The acid is too harsh. Likewise, avoid ammonia- based products such glass cleaners. A coat of clear lacquer is often applied to brass to prevent tarnish. A coat of paste wax will slow tarnish. But antique brass should not be polished because the patina that develops over time is desirable.

Bronze

Sculptures, lamp bases, fixtures are sometimes made of bronze. There is good news with this metal. The less you do the better. The patina that comes with aging on bronze is desirable. So, don’t do anything beyond a light dusting to maintain any of your bronze items.

Cast-Iron

Cast-iron is a metal of choice for fireplace accessories, cookware and garden accessories. Cast-iron that has become wet should be thoroughly dried as it will rust. A coating of oil, wax or paint can prevent rust. You can use a small knife to remove small rust spots. Avoid submerging in water any cast-iron cookware as it is often seasoned. Don’t scrub this off. It is desirable.

Copper

Copper is a popular metal used for home and garden decorative ware and cookware. For your outdoor copperware: left untended it develops an appealing green patina, yet people do tend to polish their copper cookware. A timeless homemade remedy continues to be a popular cleaning method. Sprinkle the item with coarse salt and use a half of a lemon to scour until clean.

Gold

Gilt is often applied as a decorative element to furniture and is found in antique jewelry. Gilt and plating found on furniture are very delicate, so gently dust with a very soft brush. Pure gold doesn’t tarnish. But impurities in hard water might discolor gold, so make sure that any gold that gets wet is thoroughly dried.

Pewter

Pewter is found in serving and decorative items. Vintage pewter was made of a soft mixture of tin and lead and is more delicate than modern pewter. Using a light hand is your best course of action with any pewter. A light dusting and good washing with soap and water is all pewter needs. It does not buff up to a bright shine.

Silver

Sterling and silver plate is commonly used in flatware, serving items and vintage jewelry. Buff with a silver polish as needed. The more you use your silver flatware, the less polishing it needs. In a pinch, toothpaste makes a good cleaner. Store silver in silversmith cloth bags.

Tin

Tin is found in decorative items and kitchenware. Vintage tin might be gray. Don’t try to buff it away. The tarnish protects the tin. Dry thoroughly because any moisture remaining could cause rusting.

Martin Swinton owns Take-A-Boo Emporium, an antique shop located in Toronto, Canada. He does furniture restoration, caning and rushing repairs, custom reproductions, upholstery, teaches courses on antiques and does appraisals for estates and community events. He can be reached at 416-785-4555 or by visiting http://www.takeaboo.com

[tags]antique, collectible, old, furniture, metal, vintage, metal, silver, tin, bronze, cast iron[/tags]

If you are looking for the very best in kitchen sink manufacturers then you need go any further than the very accessible Internet. You will find just about every reputable company and manufacturer that makes and sells these sinks from almost every country in the world. That is one of the great things about the Internet, being able to do your own research and purchase what ever you are looking for conveniently and efficiently with the added bonus of affordability. Yes that is right there will be something to suit every budget.

Most kitchen sink manufacturers will make and sell a variety of quality sinks to suit every household’s individual needs. You may be very surprised at what you will find on offer. There are ceramic, enamel, plastic, granite and of course the most popular of all the stainless steel varieties. If you need to match a color then you can almost purchase any color you wish when ordering a sink that is of course not stainless steel. What better way to dress up your kitchen than by having a color theme?

Kitchen sink manufactures around the world such as Franke, Kohler, Blanco, El Kay, Kindred and Carron just to mention a few can offer you a range of styles and designs as well. These styles may include single, double or even triple sinks. Perhaps you would prefer a deep, wide or narrow version to fit into your kitchen. There really is something out there for everyone.

And of course don’t forget the added accessories that you can purchase to enhance your sink such as made to fit chopping boards and colanders. How handy is that? And what about the very popular disposable waste units that are becoming common place in every fashionable kitchen. You will find these and much more when you take the time to look and do some all-important research right here online.

Susan Dean is the webmaster and publisher of
http://www.bargain-repo-buys.com/sinks
Visit her site for a huge range of discount office chairs.

[tags]kitchen sinks,sink,bathroom sink,renovations,home renovate,kitchens,home renovations[/tags]