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10 Hot Trends In DIY Home Improvement

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In today’s uncertain economy most people don’t have excess money to spend on their homes. For this reason, homeowners are focusing their efforts on small DIY projects rather than hiring others to do large-scale projects. The desire to be smart and save money has forced people to take more creative approaches to home improvement. Below is a list of 10 DIY improvement projects that go along with the need to be economical and environmentally sound.

 Environmentally Healthy Paint

One way to make your home a little safer is with paint that doesn’t emit toxic fumes. To find this paint, look at its VOC. If it has a low VOC it means it has organic and safe content. Not to mention a fresh coat of paint can give your home a completely new look.

 Window Film

Lighting can also give your home a completely different look. If it’s too dark it will feel cramped and could even make you a little depressed. Instead of using curtains on your windows for privacy consider window film. You can find it at your local home improvement store. It’s fairly inexpensive and easy to apply on your own.

 Drying Your Clothes

You can save space, water, heat, money and the environment by drying your clothes outside when the weather permits. You can set up a portable clothesline or one of those retractable ones that attaches to your home. It may take a little more effort, but think about the benefits. Your clothes will also smell great if there are flowers or trees around.

 Solar Lights

Outside lights at night are important for both safety and aesthetic reasons. You may want people to see your beautiful porch or flowers when they walk to your front door. Installing lights can be expensive however. Consider buying some solar lights at your local store. The sun charges them during the day and they shine well into the night. They’re environmentally friendly and will save you a lot of money down the road.

 Storage Space

Instead of buying a bigger home or adding a room, which are both extremely expensive, find ways to store things more efficiently. This will make your home feel bigger. There are many ways to do this. One of them is with shelving. Add wood shelving or connect baskets to the walls.

 Furniture

New furniture or decorations can give the home a completely new feel. Shop at flea markets or buy antiques to save money and have less of an impact on the environment. Or simply re-arrange your existing furniture.

 Bring Nature Inside

In a world that revolves around technology people also want to be able to enjoy the beauties of nature. Bring trees or other types of plants into the home to blur the line between indoors and outdoors. Also look for furniture and appliances that use organic materials.

Solar Shutters

You might need some help installing these but with a little work you could do it on your own as well. Small solar panels on the louvers capture energy from the sun and send it to your electrical system. They might be an investment but they will save you money in the long run.

LED Lighting

This lighting is becoming more and more popular. The bulbs are eco-friendly and energy efficient. Their benefits over fluorescents include lasting longer, being mercury free, and staying cool to the touch.

Screen Repairs

In addition to making the inside of your home feel more comfortable, there are easy ways to give the outside a facelift as well. Screen doors for example can easily be patched up. Take the patch and weave the strands through the screen, bending them tight.

David Glenn is a home improvement expert.  He occasionally freelance writes for Budget Direct, an Australian insurance company that focuses on “cutting the cost, not the cover”.  Feel free to check out Budget Direct for a solid home insurance comparison.





Some Fun Things To Do With Your Wedding Photos

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After your big wedding day, life can often feel a little like an anti-climax. You’ll have had all that excitement and stress leading up to marriage, and then suddenly it will all be over and you’ll find yourself going back to what is pretty much just normal everyday life. The thing is, that married life isn’t in reality all that far removed from life before you were married. Sure you wear a ring on your finger, and maybe your self-view will have altered slightly, but mostly you’ll have the same day-to-day routine and life will carry on as ever.

One great keepsake you have from the wedding right away though, will be all your pictures. You’ll have hundreds, if not thousands, of pictures to go through and there are all kinds of fun things you can do with them to try and keep the day alive a little longer. Here are some uses for your wedding photos.

Facebook

Once you get to a certain age, you’ll find that Facebook becomes almost entirely filled with pictures of weddings. This is fine, and you will probably have suffered in silence up until now, but now it’s your turn to contribute and to show off your happiness to the world. Facebook is a great place to upload, and friends who attended your wedding will be eager to see themselves in professional photos. Likewise you should also find that there are a few great profile pictures and cover pictures for you to use from the batch which will help show how important the day – and your new spouse – are to you.

There are other places you can use these pictures on your computer too. For instance you can set a picture as your desktop wallpaper, or as your phone wallpaper, and you can put photos from your wedding as your screensaver. That way you’ll constantly be reminded of the amazing occasion.

Create an Album

With so many photos digital these days, some people will never create a physical photo album. For an event this big though that’s a big shame, so make sure that you put some time and thought into creating a real photo album that you can flick through with friends or just when you’ve got a bored moment. If you don’t want to go the traditional route of sticking photos into little plastic folders, then you should be able to order a nice book of your photos (that you design) using a site like Lulu to publish it. That way you can also pass them around to others.

Frame Them

You should also be sure to frame a few photos from your wedding so that they’re there to enjoy even when you’re not specifically looking for them. This will also serve as a good conversation starter, so pick a few of your favourite ones and ask your wedding photographers if they can print them out for you nicely. Then get a frame to do them justice and place them in key positions around the house.

One nice idea? Put a small photo in a drawer you go into regularly – you’ll find you look at it far more often than you would if it was standing on the mantelpiece.

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Today’s guest author, Riley Peters, is a professional photographer based in Toronto, Canada. She is an artistic person and is quick at learning new musical instruments. She is an ace guitar player and plays in a local acoustic band.

How To Give Your Living Room A Facelift On A Budget

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Sometimes the desire to redesign your living room will just hit you. You’ll be lying on your sofa, staring at the ceiling or walls of the room or even just at the furniture and just think “it’s about time I changed this room up a bit”. However, not everyone can afford to make really expensive changes and buy new furniture but whilst this is unfortunate, it is not the end of the world.

 

It is entirely possible to redesign your living room on a budget, so below are some handy tips which will help you do this.

1. Analyse what you currently have and what you really need

A lot of people will just go out and spend money on things they like…not things they actually need. Therefore it’s a good idea to make a list of everything you currently have and then see if you’re willing to get rid of anything (sell it for a small sum) and then it will be clearer as to what your living room is now in need of.

Keep in mind all that you plan to keep will have to fit in with your new theme or style, so be stringent but also beware of getting rid of things you might be able to customise or revamp later on. (Discussed in point 4)

2. Spend less, buy more

Many people are snobbish about buying furniture or fabrics at sales or at online auctions but that’s just silly. Just think about how much money you will be able to save through buying in the sales or from buying second-hand goods. A lot of sites like eBay, Gumtree and Freecycle offer thousands of products that have hardly been used but are at hugely discounted prices.

Buying second-hand furniture also means your goods have a bit more history to them, rather than buying brand new from the store, where they have no history at all. You need to be prepared to do a lot of digging before you find exactly what you are looking for though, so be patient because there are so many good deals out there.

3. Change the room’s layout

This is, without a doubt one of the cheapest options when it comes to redesigning your living room; this costs nothing! You’d be amazed at just how much a room’s outlook can change when you just shift the furniture around a little bit. For instance don’t be afraid to place furniture at angles or even completely remove certain furniture from the room, both of which will totally change the room’s look.

It’s a good idea to have a think about how you are going to be able to create the most space in your living room. Living rooms always look and feel nicer when they are open, so do a few trials before deciding on what your favourite layout is going to be.

4. Customise and revamp

Before getting rid of any furniture and spending any money to replace what you’re getting rid of, think about whether you can revamp your goods. Often, people will throw out sofas simply because the colours no longer match the colour scheme of the room, or the sofa covers have become a bit old and tattered.

It can often be cheaper to reupholster your old sofas than it is to buy a whole brand new suite so look into the costs involved in reupholstering. Alternatively if you’re up for a challenge, buy the fabric you want and do it yourself. With wooden furniture, it’s also very easy to revamp. All you need to do is sand down the varnished finish and re-varnish to make furniture looks as good as new, or even paint it to fit in with the new look of your living room.

5. Create a focal point and add accessories

One of the cheapest options for redesigning a living room is to paint it. Paint is very affordable and can really make a huge difference to how a room looks. It’s always a good idea to give your living room a lick of paint every few years or so anyway, just to keep it looking fresh. However, keep in mind you can really make your room stand out by adding a focal point. You can do this very cheaply by just painting one wall a different colour.

You should also look at adding a few accessories here and there, such as lamps, rugs, artwork and cushions. Not only can you pick up all of these kinds of accessories for very reasonable prices, thus saving a lot of money but they will also really make your living room look lovely and homely. You can also inject a whole range of new colours into the room, as well as make old furniture look a lot nicer, i.e. by using new throws and cushions.

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  •  License: Image author owned

Laura writes for Jaga vertical radiators. When not blogging, she can often be found switching out her radiators on a whim.

Snow Globes – Not Just For Christmas

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Snow globes are making waves in home décor. From fun and kitschy mementos to beautiful centre pieces, you can easily tailor this new craze to fit your tastes. The good news is snow globes aren’t just great Christmas present, but can be used as ornaments in your home all year round. Here are some fresh takes on the traditional snow globe that are easy to incorporate into your house no matter what you taste, style or budget.

Create a Visual Travel Diary

Many tourist areas sell branded snow globes as mementos of your vacation. Collecting one from each of your visits will not only allow you to remember the good times you had on that holiday but also create a quirky collection to show off in your home.

This is also a great reminder for the whole family of all the places you’ve visited together, especially when placed alongside framed snapshots of your travels.

Display Your Family Photos

Many companies have cottoned on to the growing snow globe trend, and are coming up with inventive new ways to integrate them into your home decoration. One of the most popular new uses for snow globes is as a unique photo frame. Many designs allow you to place a photograph of your choice in a waterproof compartment within the snow globe. These are available reasonably cheap on the high street and are useful not only as decorations for your home, but as gifts for friends or loved ones.

Get Creative

If arts and crafts are your thing, consider making your own snow globe and personalising it to your tastes. There are many online resources and blogs to help you build your own snow globe, using materials that can easily be purchased on the high street. Making your own snow globe is not only cost effective but allows you to express your own creativity in a variety of ways.

There are many inventive and playful ways of creating a snow globe of your own, including infusing the water with the liquid from a glow stick, which makes perfect decoration for parties, or children’s bedrooms.

Shop Around

If crafting isn’t your thing, or you are looking for a fun take on the traditional Christmas snow globe, there are many stores which offer personalised snow globes without you having to get your hands dirty. Many companies offer a diverse range of snow globes decorated to fit your taste. These range from traditional Christmas scenes to iconic foreign landmarks. Purchasing a snow globe online doesn’t have to make it any less personalised or sentimental, and it can still be aesthetically pleasing in your home. Whether you want your name printed on the outside, or a secret compartment containing a card to your family underneath, there is a company out there for you.

Josie Tall is a home decor enthusiast and lifestyle blogger.

Tips For Decorating Your Garden

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Garden Group ~ Tucson Botanic GardenFor most of us, our gardens are an extension of our living spaces. It’s a place to entertain guests, children and pets. Or it can be a sanctuary and place of relaxation. And with a little effort, your garden can be a little piece of heaven. Here are five tips to decorating your garden and having your own space to escape from life’s daily stress.

Choose appropriate outdoor furniture

When purchasing outdoor furniture, consider the purpose of your garden. Will you use it to entertain guests? Will it be a playground for your children? Or, will it be your own quiet retreat place? Also, consider the amount of space you have and take accurate measurements. Lastly, try to match your outdoor living furniture with your indoor design. Your outdoor furniture and décor must be able to withstand the weather, be that wind and rain. Therefore, it is important that your furniture is made of sturdy, weather resistant material.

Take lighting to the next level

Many landscapes can become romantic at night with the right lighting. By placing electric lights in trees and pathways, you can set the ambiance for your patio or garden. Consider hanging gracious outdoor lanterns from the trees. This will make for a dreamy atmosphere. You can also use streetlight-style lamps to punctuate patios and pathways. Try to pick fixtures that coordinate with the lights placed on the house’s exterior walls.

Showcase plant collections

Your garden should be the center of attention in your backyard. Display your favorite specimens in pots and pedestals. For greater exposure, place these objects at eye level. Embrace unusual displays and place plants in vintage pots or a painted chest of drawers. If you just plant flowers in beds they will disappear in the background. This is where you can get creative. Take advantage of antique shops and yard sales for the perfect outdoor décor.

Add a splash of color

Lighten up your backyard with color accent pieces such as bright colored ceramic pots and chairs. Try filling bright colored pots with plants that can draw the eye from a distance. You can also paint patio chairs in bright colors and arrange them around a neutral tabletop. Wall art is also a great way to liven up your backyard. You can even add color to your outdoor décor by covering a fence with suspended flowerpots. Create even more impact by using the same color throughout your yard.

Give life to your garden

Objects that a visitor can actually see and touch, like birdbaths and statues. For example, statues are an easy way to make your garden unique and fun. Accent your yard with frolicking animals and garden benches. Decorating your garden will make your backyard more inviting and encourage your guests to stay longer.

Accentuate with flowers

What could be more inviting than a flower-filled garden? Plant a mixture of roses, verbena and foxgloves to create a charming atmosphere. Or you could plant a bed of flowering perennials. Use climbing roses on a fence or arbor for a dramatic focal point. When it comes to planting beautiful flowers, the options are endless.

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Ann Michaels is a freelance writer with a green thumb. Every spring, Ann prepares her garden for the New Year. She recently purchased great products like dog statues from Saint Francis Garden for her budding garden.

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