HOME DECOR, HOME ENTERTAINING

8 Fun and Fresh Home Theater Room Ideas

8-fun-and-fresh-home-theater-room-ideas

Are you getting ready to add a home theater to your abode? Do you want it to be unique and memorable? Are you looking for some popcorn-popping home theater room ideas?

A home theater can give you the same experience as a real movie theater without having to get out of your pajamas. You’ll have front row tickets and no one loud blowing their nose in front of you.

Here are some of our favorite home theater room design tips.

1. Sports Palace

Sports fans will go crazy for a team-themed theater room. Consider hanging your favorite pendants, photos, and framed jerseys while you enjoy the ultimate sporting experience.

Home theater chairs are usually movie recliner chairs that are placed together and have armrests in between. These are a great place to hold your favorite brew while you sit back and watch the game. 

Some sports fans get extra-creative with murals or baseball-diamond carpets. Add a mini-bar and you’ll have the ultimate relaxing and viewing experience.

2. Pool House Palace

Is your pool house not getting used? Consider turning it into a theater party all of your guests can enjoy while the lights twinkle off your pool.

Pool House Designs don’t need to be fancy. Place your large screen on a wall opposite two daybeds or futons. Throw up a few framed posters of your favorite screen icons, and you’ve got the perfect place to watch the magic happen.

Your pool house may already come equipped with a bar or bathroom, so making it a great place to host your friends for a great casual get-together won’t be hard to do.

3. She-Shed Show

Accessory dwelling units are a great place to house your entertainment experience. You can find movie theater seats at antique shops or online. Invest in a projector, sound system, and screen, and you’ve got an escape all of your friends will envy!

Decorate using some splashy or subtle paint color ideas and your favorite movie memorabilia. It’s the perfect place to enjoy your favorite flick away from the pressures of work and family.

4. Basement Family Room

Your basement is one of the most classic places to house an entertainment space. It’s also possible to create a theater in a small basement as long as your screen isn’t too big. 

You’ll want your movie room to be as shielded as possible from distracting noises upstairs. You can soundproof your movie section by adding a second layer of drywall, or by replacing your existing drywall with sound-reducing wallboard. 

It’s also important to know exactly where your audio-visual component rack will be. Your screen, cable box, and streaming box will all operate from the same unit. It needs to be near an electrical outlet and capable of bringing in an Internet source wire.

Your lighting system can be anything from simple track lighting to an elaborate system with dimmers and rope lights. You can add decor like red velvet walls, tiered seating, and even a popcorn maker. Before long, your basement will get transformed into a cinematic wonderland.

5. Science Fiction Fantasy

If your family’s favorite films to get lost in are all out in space, a science fiction hideaway may be the perfect place for screenings. Consider lights that dim and tiny twinkling lights embedded in ceiling tiles. The best colors for these types of rooms are grays and purples that will really enhance the spaceship experience.

6. Rustic Filming

If you have a side room or family room in a farmhouse style, these can be a great place for your home theater. Exposed beams and light woods look great when coupled with comfy leather couches and throw pillows.

A cozy farmhouse theater is a great place to invite guests to, or simply to get the whole family together for the viewing of something heartwarming.

7. Spare Bedroom

Maybe you’ve just bought your first home or you’re living in an empty nest. This could be a great place to create a movie room, although you’ll want to prepare it first.

You’ll need to insulate the room and prewire the sound. Make sure you know where your speakers are going to be so that you can run cables to them. You’ll also want to prewire your video projector and put the wiring in place for any special lighting you’ve got in mind. 

Drywall and appropriate sound barriers will need to get installed. You’ll also need to set up your video and sound systems before bringing in your theater-style seating. Decorating is completely up to you!

8. Sophisticated Theater

Maybe your movie room will be more for business than pleasure. Dark woods, recessed lighting, and leather couches welcome visitors to catch up on the news or hold video conferences.

Decor placed in more business-like theater settings is more subtle. Consider adding black-and-white photos or personal touches like horse-racing or polo memorabilia.

A minibar with leather stools makes this type of room a great place to meet with colleagues like you would in a corner office. And with so much work being remote lately, you may find it’s the perfect place to make professional connections!

Home Theater Room Ideas

Home theater room designs keep evolving as they become more and more popular in individual homes. They can reflect your favorite movies, personality quirks, or house style. With a little creativity, you can find the perfect home theater room ideas to make your entertaining space an amazing escape.

Don’t stop getting smart about home designs now. For more inspiring ideas, read our blog today.

COZY MOVIE NIGHT DECOR….

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HOME DECOR, HOME STYLING

How to Choose the Perfect Rug for Your Room

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Like many things in interior design choosing a rug can seem like a perfectly simple decision. In many ways it is, but like many other pieces a rug can literally make a break the flow, mood and appearance of a room theme.

Of course, practical restraints like budget and cost come into consideration. The perfect rug for your ideal room might be made of organic wool sourced from New Zealand or Scotland. But we can’t all have that luxury.

Unlimited budgets aside, the main points are simply style and size. So, let’s get started.

What Size of Rug is Right for My Room?

The answer to what size of rug do I need really comes down to your preference of how you want to room to look.

The first option is if the rug is going to be the defining style for what the eye sees on the floor. Do you want the main visual on the floor to be the rug? I.e. your furniture sits on it completely? If so then you’re going to want to leave at least 12-18 inches of floor visible from the wall on all four sides. This helps create a nice separation between the wooden flooring underneath and the style of the rug.

The second option is if you only want the front two legs of your major items of furniture to sit on the rug. This is more budget friendly than a ‘whole room’ rug, but still gives the rug a commanding presence in the room’s appearance.

The final option is what is referred to as the ‘no legs’ option where a smaller rug is simply placed in the centre of the room. The only legs touching a rug of this size would be all four legs on your centre piece coffee table. As you would expect this is also the lowest cost option as it uses the least material.

What Style of Rug Should I Choose?

There is obviously no ‘correct’ style of rug, it is completely down to your personal preference. But a rug that you like the look of in isolation might not work with the theme of the rest of your room.

So here are some simple rules to help you get it right:

1 – Know your colour contrasts

In most cases you’re going to want the colour of the rug to contrast with the colour of your furniture. You can look up colour palettes on a number of different interior design blogs to help you get started. But a trend which is in just now and helps demonstrate the concept would be contrasting a grey furniture palette with a mustard rug and cushions.

It’s important to create these visual contrasts to make the room flow correctly and give it an appealing look.

2 – Patterns only belong in one place

If you like the look of a patterned rug, such as a rag rug then you need to make sure that your furniture is not pattered as well. Keep the furniture plain and let the rug do the talking if you want a vibrant and visual patterned rug as a centre piece.

This is an easy mistake to make, because even a subtle imprint pattern on your sofa and chairs for example can really cause a clash and ruin an otherwise carefully constructed room design.

3 – Be careful with texture matching 

Similar to pattern matching you need to be careful on the rug texture as well. If you have a high volume fluffy rug then you need to be careful about what cushions you have on your furniture.

The hard and fast rule would be to match your rug texture with a similar feel on your cushions. For example fluffy rug matched with fluffy cushions. A tight knit firm rug should be matches with smooth cushions.

Final Thoughts…

All in all if you still feel lost you should go to showrooms and take inspiration from displays that you like there. Or if because of current covid restrictions showrooms in your area are close, you can browse Pinterest or Instagram interior design accounts.

More often than not whoever has staged a showroom will get it right and you can copy their design, and the same thing goes for popular social channels.

Good luck!

SHOP AREA RUGS…

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HOME REPAIRS + MAINTENANCE

Should You Repair or Replace Your Current Boiler?

should-you-repair-or-replace-your-current-boiler

Buying a new boiler is expensive, and it’s normal to be reluctant about it. There are some cases when your current boiler can still be salvaged, even if it’s showing signs that it’s on its way out. This could give you the extra time needed to cushion the blow and do your research on which boiler type or model you should buy next. However, there are some cases when you’ll have no choice but to replace it or when repairs are not worth it. Let’s take a look at what would be the best decision based on your situation.

Think Boiler Safety

The first thing you have to do is check to see if your current unit is running safely. And, in most cases, old boilers don’t meet new safety requirements. Consult a team like nonpareilsolutions.co.uk to see if your boiler is safe. They will also be able to tell you if it can be repaired safely or if it needs replacing.

It’s important to remember that even after a fix, your unit could still be unsafe, and, in worst cases, you could end up exposing yourself to things like carbon monoxide. Only an engineer will be able to tell you how much life your boiler still has left in it. Only once you’re sure that the boiler is safe can you consider the option of repairing it.

Could You Make Energy Savings by Replacing?

Another thing you have to consider when repairing a boiler is whether you could be making savings by buying a more energy efficient unit. You could eventually end up recuperating the initial cost quickly when you take away the money you would’ve spent on repairs. 

Not only will a new boiler be more energy-efficient, but it will also be better at heating rooms fast. If you already have a modern and efficient unit, however, having it fixed by a registered professional could be the best option.

How Much Will It Cost to Repair?

Another thing you have to consider when having an old boiler repaired is that repairs could end up costing much more on an old unit than on a new one. That’s because some of the parts might be more expensive and harder to find. 

You should also know that there’s the possibility that something will go wrong in the immediate future. So, make sure that you assess your costs and see if replacing would make more sense from a financial standpoint.

You should repair your unit only if the procedure is simple, or if it can be done at a low cost. You also have to make sure that you’ll be able to run it for a long time without worrying about future breakdowns. If you have a new boiler, then chances are it’s still under warranty, which could not only cover you for parts but service as well.

Conclusion

As you can see, deciding between replacing or repairing your boiler doesn’t have to be complicated. Make sure that you look at all the factors cited above and make the right choice.

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BEDROOMS, HOME DECOR

5 Ways to Transform a Boring Bedroom

5-ways-to-transform-a-boring-bedroom

Have you been worried about your boring bedroom?

You should always love the decor in your bedroom. It’s the place you spend at least a third of your life, and it’s sure to take a toll on you if you don’t actually like it. 

Maybe you know you want to update your bedroom but aren’t sure of where to start. After all, home improvement can seem like a daunting task, so you may not know the easiest way to breathe some life into your bedroom.

Have a look through these tips. One might resonate with you and be the transformation you need!

1. Pick a Theme

When transforming your bedroom, you could always pick a theme. If your bedroom looks boring, think about something you love.

It can be as simple as a color scheme, or as elaborate as a franchise.

Visionbedding has some great ideas for a country theme if you want to bring a touch of the South to your room!

2. Paint!

Do you think you have a boring bedroom wall? Time to give it a splash of paint!

Sometimes updating your room is as simple as choosing a new color for the walls. It’ll make the whole room feel completely different, even though only one thing has been updated. 

3. Choose Some Great Art

A boring bedroom makeover isn’t complete without some great art.

You don’t have to paint the whole wall; maybe you just need to hang some art up! Think about some styles or images you love, whether it’s nature, wildlife, cityscapes… and find some great art to put up.

It’ll breathe some much-needed life into the room and remind you of all the things you love, hopefully improving your love for the room too!

4. Get New Lighting

If your bedroom looks boring, sometimes new lighting will make a world of difference.

Pick a new lamp for the bedside table, or decorate your bed with some romantic string lights. Some mood lighting can make it feel like an entirely new room, even though you’ve only updated one thing.

Try to make sure the lights are warm and inviting, as cool lights will only make your sleep quality worse when you lie down and try to fall over. 

5. A New Headboard

You don’t need an entirely new bed, but a headboard can make it look like you got one.

Headboards come in a variety of shapes and styles, transforming the look of the place you sleep. If it’s your bed that’s really bothering you but you don’t want to buy a new one, this might be the solution you’ve been searching for. 

Your Boring Bedroom Can Be Easily Transformed!

A boring bedroom isn’t good for anyone. Even though you only sleep there, you want to lie down in a room that’s both comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.

If you’ve been looking for ways to makeover your room, try one of these. You’ll be surprised at the difference it makes. 

For more home improvement tips, check out the rest of our site!

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INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS, KITCHENS

How to Give Your Kitchen a Modern Look

how-to-give-your-kitchen-a-modern-look

The kitchen is said to be the most-used room in a home. Many of us gather there for chats, family meals, parties, and cooking, so it must be a room you like the look of and enjoy being in. If your kitchen is looking a bit tired and dated, here are some tips on how to give your kitchen a sleek, modern look. 

Paint it

Nothing cheers up and cleans up a room like a fresh lick of paint. You can paint the walls or, if you are really inspired, paint the kitchen units. The latest trend is to paint the wall cupboards a different color than the base units. Black or navy is very “now” and will give your kitchen an expensive, classy look, especially if you accessorize with gold or rose gold trinkets and utensils. If you don’t want to cast gloom on an already dark kitchen, opt for classic white paint. A white minimalist kitchen always looks clean, spacious, and modern.

Build It In

It is essential for a sleek-looking kitchen that all units are flush with the walls and with each other, and no furniture is sticking out beyond the clean lines. Opt for built-in appliances that are hidden behind doors or give them a built-in look by sealing off all spaces and gaps with gratings or panels. 

Change the Hardware

An inexpensive way to instantly update your kitchen is to replace old wooden cupboard handles with funky new ones. Hardware is available in many different colors and shapes, so look for something modern in polished chrome or even gold. If you can, create a super streamlined look by leaving your doors handleless and furnishing them with push-open fittings. A modern fridge-freezer with stainless steel trim will look like a futuristic machine as it sits snugly beside your units.

Upgrade Appliances

The design of kitchen appliances is continuously evolving. A modern kitchen needs modern devices, so rather than spending money on replacing units, invest in a quality built-in oven or free-standing modern range cooker. Stick to white or stainless steel goods as colored appliances can go out of fashion quickly. 

Accessories can make or break a look. Modern accessories will create a modern look. Clutter does not help create a sleek look, so clear all surfaces and keep worktop adornments to a minimum. Ensure you have plenty of storage in which to hide stuff away from sight. If you are lucky enough to have a walk-in larder or utility room, store small appliances and items you don’t use every day in there.

Accessorize your kitchen

Some geometric ceiling light fittings made from gold or copper wire will provide some color and interest to a monochrome kitchen. Framed abstract prints and wall art can personalize your space so that it isn’t too clinical looking.

Small kitchen appliances like kettles, toasters, and coffee machines are available in futuristic-looking designs, and they can look like works of art sitting on your kitchen worktops.

SHOP KITCHEN FAVORITES…

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home renovation, REAL ESTATE

8 Simple Home Renovations To Boost Your Property Value

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Are you looking to boost your property value or just have the coolest house on the block?

There are plenty of ways to renovate your home that can really amp up your interior style and design whether you’re looking to sell your home or stay in it forever.

Home renovations don’t have to be difficult and overwhelming. There are great small-scale tweaks that you can make to take your home to the next level. What are you going to choose?

Keep reading to learn about a few simple home upgrades and design changes that you can make to boost the value of your home. 

1. Replace Kitchen Appliances

Is your kitchen outdated? How new are your appliances?

Fresh and new appliances can do wonders for a home’s value. After all, when you’re getting ready to move into a new house, wouldn’t you rather have appliances that you know you won’t have to replace in a few years? 

This is a simple task that you can do at home, at least for the stove and refrigerator. If you’re installing or upgrading a dishwasher it’s best to enlist the help of a professional. 

If you choose not to sell, you still have a shiny new set of kitchen appliances that you can cook with!

2. Fix Your Tiling

We don’t pay enough attention to our floors. We grow blind to the things that might be “not quite right” and ignore how dingy tile floors can get over time. 

There are several ways to re-tile a floor and some are easier than others. Tearing up tile is going to be the hardest part.

If you’re going about this the hard way (yet also the best long-term way), remove the tiles that you already have. Then, you’re going to replace them with your new tiles and grout, being careful to cover all blank space. Everything has to be sealed to protect from moisture.

For a simpler route, there are plenty of options for stick-on tiles. They’re beginner-friendly and they aren’t permanent, but they hold up well and they look great. 

They’re also a great choice for a fancy kitchen backsplash! Fresh and clean tiling makes such a huge difference to the aesthetic appeal of your home. 

3. Consider Replacing Carpets

Carpets aren’t as popular as they used to be. They get dirty, they’re hard to clean, they don’t stay fluffy, and they can trap mold. 

More and more people are opting for hardwood all over. That means that if you want more potential buyers, you might want to do the same. 

Replacing the carpet isn’t easy. If you’re lucky, you’ll discover beautiful hardwood underneath your carpet, but don’t count on it. If you haven’t done this before, hire a professional. 

It’s a quick fix that makes a big difference. 

4. Add Some Fans

Have you ever moved into a new home and been disappointed that there are no fans in the rooms? We’ve been there. There’s something calming about the slow rotation of a nice fan.

You can install fans if you don’t already have them. You do need a bit of know-how but it’s still considered a DIY project for anyone who’s handy. 

Whether you want the smooth look of a classic fan or the beachy look of Gulf Coast fans, there’s something for you. Find something that matches the overall “vibe” of your home so your potential buyers get a cohesive and trendy space!

5. Basic Hardware Upgrades

Have you ever sat down and really looked at your handles and doorknobs? 

Probably not, right? You’re used to them. They’re utilitarian in nature and they aren’t meant to be aesthetic. But should they be? 

Having a cohesive style of cabinet handles, door locks, doorknobs, and all of the other metal bits and bobs around your home can make a big difference. They’re also fun to shop for as a bonus. 

This is a time-consuming but easy process once you have your new hardware pieces picked out. Why not give it a try? 

6. Paint Your Cabinets

What good is the new hardware if your cabinets are ugly or scuffed? 

Painting the cabinets is a great way to make your kitchen (with its new appliances) pop. Cabinets often get overlooked, but pay attention! Painting them is way easier than getting new ones installed and you can customize them.

We love the look of clean white cabinets with shiny gold handles, but the coloring is up to you. What do you love?

7. Re-Color Those Walls!

If your walls are looking scuffed and dingy it’s time for a new paint job or wallpaper. You can do this in a few ways.

First, basic painting. This is a DIY project that anyone can do, but it can be time-consuming. It’s best to go for somewhat neutral and agreeable colors to make sure you appeal to the widest audience, but we love a good statement wall in an otherwise neutral room.

You can also try wallpaper. This is extra good on a statement wall. Removable wallpaper allows you to make the statement that you want while also allowing your buyers the ability to remove it if they choose. 

8. Energy-Efficient Upgrades

Going green is in style right now. How green is your home? 

There are eco-friendly options for all over your home and some are easier to install than others. You can opt for a few green electrical items like a greener dishwasher or a green garage door opener. There are solar hot water heaters and large, energy-efficient windows that can keep the house’s carbon footprint low!

You don’t need to install full solar panels (though you can) to have a greener home. 

Which Home Renovations Are You Going to Do?

There are so many fun and easy home renovations that can take your home from drab to fab. Which ones are your favorites? 

Whether you’re new to renovation or you’ve done this all before, there’s something for every homeowner. 

For more posts on renovations, real estate, and more, check out the rest of our site!

 

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home renovation

Top 4 Tips for Property Renovation

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Whether you’re renovating a rundown property for yourself to live, or to sell on once your project is complete, it’s essential that you do it right. If you cut corners and don’t make the home a decent place to live, you will not make as much money as you like or live comfortably if you do move into it. A renovation project of this size is a lot to take on, so you must be willing to see it through to the end and be able to afford to make the necessary changes. Here are a few tips to help you plan for this kind of project if this is something you have been considering.

Renovation Budget

You might not have spent a lot of your budget on the property itself when you purchased it, but the surveyor should have been able to give you a good estimate of what all of the work will cost before you finalised a sale. You should also prepare for hidden costs, as often these kinds of projects have unforeseen circumstances that add more to the final bill. Once you know how much you can realistically afford to spend, you can start to think about the most cost-effective materials to use that will still be good quality for the build.

Structural Work

The most important thing to get right when you’re renovating a property is the structural work. If a house has been left empty for an extended period, there is a good chance that it has sustained damage to the roof, windows, brickwork, and possibly the foundations. Again, your surveyor should have included all of this in their report, and you can use that as a reference to what needs to be done to make the property safe to live in. Make sure you’re investing in these areas, as quality structural work is vital.

Interior

Once you know the property is structurally sound, has new windows fitted, etc., you can begin to look at the interior. For things like your bathroom or kitchen, you will need to find a company that specialises in these designs and installation, like granitetransformations.co.uk. You might also want to think about hiring an interior designer if you can, as they will be able to bring your vision for the property to life.

Reliable Team

Even if you’re a builder or a DIY enthusiast, there is no way you can renovate an entire house by yourself! You will need to find a reliable team of contractors, plumbers, electricians, and so on to help you piece together your dream home. If you are planning to make some structural changes to the property, you might need the help of an architect to draw up these plans for you. Take your time to find the right people for the job, get a variety of quotes to compare, and use reviews and recommendations to help you make your decision.

Renovating a property is a big undertaking, but taking the time to plan it properly and with a strong team to work on it, all of the effort will pay off. 

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BATHROOMS, Guest Bloggers

Finding the Right Plumber: Asking the Right Questions

finding-the-right-plumber-asking-the-right-questions

Plumbing issues are one of the most stressful and overwhelming situations that can happen in a home. Plumbing issues can cost you thousands of dollars, cause a major inconvenience to your life, damage your belongings, and prevent you from doing what you want and need to do. No matter the plumbing issue that you are dealing with, it’s important that you get it addressed right away in order to prevent it from becoming a major issue down the road. Small plumbing issues, such as a minor leak, or a leaky faucet may seem small now, but if they go on being ignored, they can turn into serious issues. It’s best to be proactive when it comes to all things plumbing, so it’s crucial that you have a quality plumber that you can trust. 

If you don’t have a quality plumber you can trust, it will be in your best interest to find one that will not only get the job done well but a plumber that also knows what he or she is doing and will not rip you off. However, how does one find a quality plumber? How does one know that a plumber is knowledgeable or not? This post will detail 4 questions that you should ask your plumber before working with him or her.

The Top 4 Questions To Ask Your Potential New Plumber

As you look for a plumber to fix either a small plumbing issue or to do an emergency job, you will want to be sure that he or she can answer the following questions.

  1. Are You Licensed?

It is imperative that your plumber is licensed through the state. It’s common for plumbers to operate without a license because most homeowners just assume that they have one- which is not always the case. A plumber in Cherry Hill commented on the importance of hiring a licensed plumber, “If a plumber does not have the proper license, his or her work may not pass inspection and could even leave you with a more complex plumbing issue.”

Don’t feel funny asking this, you need a plumber that knows what he or she is doing, and inquiring about a license will ensure that you are getting a quality plumbing service.

  1. How Does Payment Work?

Plumbing can be costly, so you should ask about payment before any work is performed. Here are some specific payment questions to go over with your potential new plumbing service:

  • What is the projected cost of this project?
  • Do you offer financing options/payment plans?
  • Is this a flat rate, or do you charge hourly?
  • When do you get paid?
  1. Who is Actually Performing the Plumbing Duties?

Every plumbing company is different. Some plumbing companies are owned and operated by one or two plumbers who work for themselves, while other plumbing companies feature a team of plumbers. Before having a plumbing service come into your home, find out who will actually be performing the job. If the person doing the plumbing in your home is not the person you are speaking to over the phone, inquire about the person’s qualifications who will be in fact coming to your home.

It’s important to point out that some plumbing jobs may require a team of plumbers, so you may want to ask how many people you think will need to come to your home to fix your plumbing issue. 

  1. What Happens if Something Goes Wrong?

Like any home project, things can go wrong when it comes to plumbing, so you need to ask your plumber his or her plan of action if something doesn’t go as planned. Ask whether or not you will be responsible if something goes wrong during the project, and who is responsible for something going wrong after the project is completed. Before you sign a contract, read it over and find out about warranties. 

Find the Best Plumber in Your Area

Hiring a plumber isn’t easy, however by asking the right questions and learning about the plumbing service, you can find the plumber that is best for your home and is the most qualified. To begin getting in contact with plumbers, search for plumbers in your area online and read reviews, or get referrals from family and friends. If you are sure to ask these questions, you are sure to get the best plumber possible.

About the Author

Jennifer Bell is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.

SHOP BATHROOM DECOR…

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HOME REPAIRS + MAINTENANCE, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS

7 Tips to Protect Your Beautiful Home Interior

7-tips-to-protect-your-beautiful-home-interior

You’ve put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into creating a beautiful designer-style home interior. Just looking at the results gives you a good feeling, but now that interior decor has to stand up to its greatest test: the rough-and tumble of daily life. Keep it gorgeous for longer with these handy hints and tips. 

1. Take Precautions Against Plumbing Mishaps

Running water is a wonderful thing – but not when it’s running through the ceiling and all over your stunning decor. Burst water pipes and water heater disasters can all-too easily turn your home into a flood zone causing untold damage to furniture, ceiling boards, and paint finishes. All in all, it’s best to avoid the nightmare altogether. In the first place, get expert advice on preventing burst pipes in your home. Even so, accidents can happen. If they do, it’s worth being aware that water damage restoration experts are out there. Call for help and see what can be saved or restored.

2. Protect Upholstery and Carpets From Mishaps

From careless kids to errant pets and those butterfingers moments when that glass of red wine slips through your fingers, it is possible to protect your carpets and upholstery from mishaps, thrills, and spills. Knowing that little accidents can be easily cleaned up will be a big stress-saver. When it comes to stain protection, Scotchguard is the big name that everyone knows and trusts – this is no sales pitch, but it has to be said. If you can find a good alternative, feel free! Either way, being able to relax and laugh off little slips that would otherwise cause costly damage is a plus that will make your and your family’s home life pleasanter.

3. Ensure that Wood Finishes Can’t Get Water Marks

If you feel the need to rush around with coasters before anyone rests a cup or glass on a wood surface, it’s time to think about protecting wood so that it can’t get unsightly water marks even when there’s an unnoticed spill. You don’t need to spoil that warm finish – it’s just a matter of finding the right product to repel moisture so that you and your guests can relax. There are plenty of options on the market. Enquire at your local hardware store, or look online to see what your options are.

4. Protect Walls From Scuffs and Scrapes

Presumably, you’ve taken the precaution of using high-quality wall-coatings that allow you to wash away the occasional grubby fingermark – but scuffs and scrapes are another matter. From bed headboards to doors that bang against walls when carelessly opened, it’s easy to spot the areas that are vulnerable. Protecting your interior wall finishes and maintaining those carefully chosen paint colors could be as easy as installing rubber stoppers in the right places. Look for possible problems areas and prevent damage before it can happen.

5. Invest In Sun Protection

Natural light is glorious, but the direct rays of the sun can fade fabrics and damage artworks faster than you might imagine. Keeping drapes closed spoils the feeling of airiness and freedom you get from having big windows that let the light shine in. Fortunately, there are many more ways to protect interiors against sun damage. These range from film coatings for windows to exterior awnings that let in the light but not the sunshine. While protecting your decor, they will also help to reduce your summer cooling bills. 

Do you need this kind of protection? Pay extra attention to South-facing windows (or, if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, North-facing windows) and see whether the sun’s rays pose a risk to the longevity of your interior decor investment.

6. Maintain Leather

Light-colored leather makes a great style statement, but it can stain quite easily. Once again, your answer lies in choosing the right products. Look out for leather furniture waxes and conditioners that help leather to shrug off stains. It’s not just a matter of spills. The dye from denim or the natural oils of skin and hair resting against surfaces can create ugly, dark marks. Choosing darker coloured leather helps, but if you’ve gone for light shades, do keep your preventative maintenance schedule up.

7. Hello Kitty

Most of the time, cats don’t actually damage furniture – but if they take to claw-sharpening on the corner of your expensive couch, the harmony between you and your feline companion will be short-lived. Scratching posts offer an alternative, but cats don’t necessarily feel the need to think the way we do. There are ways to train cats not to scratch furniture, but while you’re working on it, you might want to consider unobtrusive couch corner protectors or thick throws to protect that upholstery.

Nothing Lasts Forever: When it’s Time to Freshen Up your Interior

You’ll know when it’s time to freshen up, but do check out ways to refresh or restore items that are starting to look a little tired. In many instances, it is possible to give good quality furnishings a new lease of life. Consider doing a few simple repairs even if you want a complete change. The resale value of your furniture will be much better if it isn’t looking too tired – and the proceeds can go towards your next decorating project.

SHOP HOME DECOR NEUTRALS….

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home renovation

4 Types of Elevators: Which One Best Suits the Building?

4-types-of-elevators-which-one-best-suits-the-building

Elevators are necessary by law in buildings that are two-story or more. There are standard requirements set by the Otis Safety System and the elevators have to be designed to meet all of the needs for the different types of elevator users that visit the building. There are different elevator options that are available to meet these needs.

The lift installation services by Hin Chong uses the Otis Safety System that has been referred to the most since the 1850s. Otis Safety System has made it known that elevators have essential needs to meet these standards: control systems, counterweights, steel side-by-side pulleys, and steel beams over the elevator car. More modern elevators have emergency event items added such as phones and ceiling trap doors. Machine rooms are no longer necessary in modern elevators due to inbuilt safety mechanisms. The modern elevators come in four main types: hydraulic, traction, machine-room-less, and vacuum.

Hydraulic

Pistons for support are usually placed at the bottom to push the elevator car up while the hydraulic fluid is forced down by the electric motor. They are usually in 2-8 story buildings with 200-feet per minute maximum and the option of being roped to enhance the motion with a 60-foot limit. It is also common to have a pit with a sheave below the floor of the pit to support the retracting piston. There are also low maintenance hole-less hydraulic elevators that have a telescoping piston at the pit base and it can travel 50 feet or if it’s a non-telescoping it travels 20 feet.

Traction

A traction elevator has an electric motor above the shaft that the ropes pass over to raise and lower the elevator. It uses a counterweight to eliminate the occupant weight for easier movement. These come in both geared and gear-less traction. Geared Traction has a gearbox to power the wheel that moves the ropes up to 500 feet per minute, but the gear-less traction doesn’t have speed regulation gears so it can move up to 2,000 feet per minute.

Machine-Room-Less

These are becoming more common in mid-rise buildings. The conservation of energy and fewer space requirements make the name. They are designed with a machine fitted override space that can only be accessed by going through the top of the elevator. They also have a space-limit set at a distance of 250 feet.

Vacuum

These are air-driven and do not use any cables or pulleys to operate. It is a tube that is controlled by the air above and below the elevator car. The air pressure will push the tube upwards or the air pressure is minimized to bring the car down. It is constructed with polycarbonate and aluminum materials. There are three models that range from a single rider to wheelchair three passenger-accessible.

When it comes time to decide which elevator to install into the building, consider the most important factors after the standard safety requirements. Consider the different types of passengers and the weight of the users. If it is only going to be people, that is one thing. But, if it is going to have shipments or be used for services, consider what the shipments or service providers may need in regards to space, weight, height, double doors, and speed before deciding which elevators to purchase and install.

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