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Creative Ideas For A Better Bedroom

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Whether you are moving into your own place, heading off to stay in shared halls or a shared house at university or desperate to revamp your current abode, there are many different creative design ideas that can be implemented to make your bedroom, no matter how small, into a trendy and spacious living area. Leaving those home comforts behind need not be a worry with the following handy tips to both personalise and maximise your boudoir.

Personalise the walls

Add character to your room by decorating your walls in creative and unusual ways. Most student accommodations and landlords will allow tenants to paint rooms as long as everything is restored to its original condition at the end of the tenancy.

There are many student websites that provide great ideas for wall decorations such as using different shades of blackboard paint to create a wall-sized, grid-like calendar – an especially resourceful idea for students with busy schedules. Funky murals, patterns and even graffiti can be painted on walls to create a more personal feel to such a private domain.

However, painting the walls to make a bare room a home is not the only way to personalise your space. Sticking up collages of photographs may be more of a traditional choice for covering bedroom walls, yet it does help to relieve homesickness and being surrounded by your favourite snaps certainly adds an element of cheer to a new home. Alternatively, use CDs or pages from old books or magazines for a more original choice of wall covering.

Add some striking colour

You can make your bedroom appear bigger than it actually is by opting for light and bright colours rather than darker hues. Pastel shades are perfect for more feminine bedrooms, creams and beiges offer a subtle, more mature feel and bold reds, greens, blues and yellows are on-trend, loud and fun. Rugs, bed linen, curtains and light-shades can all be either mixed or matched to suit your own individual tastes and trendy throws and cushions are perfect as finishing touches.

Some fantastic ideas for adding flashes of colour to any bedroom include painting the sides of doors and drawers and is a unique and exciting way to brighten up the most unlikeliest of places. Using coloured tape to decorate clothes-hangers is another fabulous idea, especially if your wardrobe is exposed or open-fronted.

Maximise the space

Clever tricks such as using mirrors to make a bedroom appear larger or only painting the walls halfway up to make the ceilings appear higher are great for creating an illusion of space. You can also maximise the space in a small bedroom by being a bit more creative. To get more out of the corners of a room, use rods, rails, shelves and pegs to create extra storage space in out-of-the-way places whilst making your bedroom organised and individual. Putting your bookcase behind your bed is a unique way to store your things and at the same time, save on space. The lower shelves covered by your bed can be used as storage for things you do not use on a regular basis. Risers for underneath your bedframe is another great idea as they provide extra under-the-bed storage space. If you want to browse a selection of top quality bedframes then this site could help.

So, when moving into a new bedroom that needs to be stamped with your own individual personality, try out a few of these ideas and create a relaxing and comfortable living space that will show off your unique character.

Featured images:
  •  License: Image author owned

This article was produced by leading interiors and lifestyle blogger coming straight out of South East UK – Jamie P.





Microfiber And Regular Couch Upholstery Cleaning Tips

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The best way to protect your furniture is to invest in regular upholstery cleaning. Dirty furniture does not only look untidy but it will also wear down your furniture much quicker. This is especially true for couches where dirt can become an ideal breeding ground for mildew, mold, and bacteria. That said keeping the upholstery clean in your home and office is relatively easy.

Below are a few guidelines which should help you keep everything clean:

  • To start off with you should treat your couch using a good protective off the shelf fabric guard. Alternatively, a specialty protective finish can also be applied when you purchase the couch, you can also hire a professional to do it for you.
  • Ensure it is UV protected. Many office cleaning services in Sydney advise that home and office owners add some type of UV protection to their furniture. Since UV rays can damage fibers and fade the dyes fast the earlier you get UV protection the better. One example of UV protection would be tinted windows near the couch. UV protection can also be added with a special spray. You should also rotate the furniture so that it fades evenly.
  • Make sure to treat any spot as soon as the accident happens by cleaning the upholstery with a spot remover which is especially designed for its fabric.
  • Moisture from the condensation also needs to be removed immediately.
  • Your couch should be vacuumed weekly by removing all the cushions and vacuuming the frame and then every cushion. However, set the machine to gentle suction.
  • In order to get smoke and pet smells out of the couch you should place dishes which are filled with white vinegar close to them. When left for 24 hours these absorb the odor. If this is not effective just sprinkle some baking soda around the cushions and then vacuum it after around 20 minutes.
  • Make sure to use a good enzyme cleaner to remove pet stains.

Cleaning your microfiber upholstery

Many people resort to high pressure cleaning when they have microfiber upholstery. This is mainly because high pressure cleaning works for their draperies and carpets. Even though microfiber upholstery is relatively forgiving it can be damaged if too much pressure is applied or the wrong method is used.

Reading the fine print

Even though the majority of microfiber upholstery is easy and safe to clean there are specialty versions that you shouldn’t dampen with water or any other liquid. These are often suede like fabrics something that you’ll instantly know if you have on your couch or a chair in your room. In order to make sure that you use the right cleaning method you should check the manufacturer’s website for instructions and materials. Many manufacturers have a whole list of instructions you can follow to clean the fabric.

Generally speaking microfiber upholstery cleaning falls into two categories i.e. with water and without water. Water should be used only if the label on the fabric permits it. If water is permitted simply use a white cloth and some water along with fabric detergent to clean it. However, if the fabric is of the “no-wet” variety then you will need to use a brush in order to buff the surface. Once you liberate the dirt a vacuum can be used to clear it. If this does not yield satisfactory results you can use a dry cleaning solvent. Before you use any type of cleaning solution or solvent always test it on a small area. If you do not notice discoloration then it can be used for the entire fabric.

Professional cleaning services

At times regardless of if you have microfiber upholstery or regular couch upholstery it can be difficult to clean. In commercial establishments cleaning all the upholstery on a regular basis can be a difficult task. The easiest way is to hire a professional and expert upholstery cleaning company. A service that has years of experience cleaning upholstery of all types will know exactly how to make sure that everything remains clean. They will also be able to advice on what measures you should take to protect special and expensive upholstery. However, in a domestic setting a professional company can come in every 2 months to clean everything which extends the life of your furniture.

Citations:
  • Carpets & Rug Wash Specialists
Featured images:
  •  License: Image author owned

Manu Alias is a cleaning expert with a degree in chemical engineering. He specializes in cleaning fluids and techniques. He know how to do the perfect cleaning services for his clients. He had been worked for http://www.waterdamagespecialist.com.au/ for the last 4 years as Senior Manager and served thousand’s of clients in the Sydney Metropolitian.

Trying To Keep Up With The Joneses? 5 Improvements To Make To Your Home

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Trying to “keep up with the Joneses” can be a bad thing if you feel pressured to spend more money than you can afford; but it can be a good thing if it motivates you to apply more effort in various aspects of your life. One way in which trying to keep up with the Joneses can be beneficial is if it motivates you to invest more money in maintaining and updating your home. Investing money and effort into improving your home can increase property values for your whole neighborhood.

Here are 5 home improvements worth making:

1. New siding or outdoor paint

If the outside of your home has siding, adding new vinyl or fiber/cement siding gives the outside of your home an instant facelift. According to HGTV, new siding is an investment that will definitely pay off if you ever choose to sell your home. Similarly, if you don’t have siding, painting the outside of your home can bring equally good results. Make the outside of your home something that reflects well on your neighborhood.

2. New roofing

A roof that’s in poor repair instantly brings down the value of your property – as well as the value of the surrounding homes. Leaking roofs can bring water damage, which can in turn wreak havoc on the inside of your home. An old, worn-out roof is noticeable and unattractive. Even though a new roof is expensive, it’s definitely a worthwhile investment. When it comes time to sell your house, potential buyers will be relieved to know that they won’t be facing the ordeal of having to repair their roof.

3. Plantation shutters

Window treatments are an important but often overlooked investment in your home, and plantation shutters are the top of the line choice. Many people opt for less expensive blinds, shades and curtains, but the trade-off is a significant difference in quality. Taking shortcuts on your window coverings is a bad idea, and it’s a mistake that’s sure to be noticed by your neighbors. Plantation shutters last longer, do a better job of keeping out the weather and they look better. In addition, plantation shutters improve the value of your home.

4. Extra bathrooms

The larger your family, the more bathrooms you want to have. Adding an extra bathroom should be a high priority if your house only has one, or if you have fewer bathrooms than other houses in your neighborhood. Today’s home buyers want multiple bathrooms. Although adding another bathroom is not inexpensive, but it is an investment you will appreciate on a regular basis. When it comes time to sell, you’ll especially appreciate the way the extra bathroom increases the value of your home.

5. Adding a back deck

Curb appeal – the impression your house makes when a visitor first drives up – is a big deal. However, focusing only on the front yard is missing out on the fact that the back yard holds a lot of potential. According to the DIY Network, building a deck adds to your property value in several ways. By providing an extra space for relaxing and including amenities on your deck such as a hot tub and furniture, a deck increases the total square footage of your home and provides a great place to unwind.

Keeping up with the neighbors can be a very positive form of peer pressure, especially when it motivates you to invest more in making your home a source of pride. Your home is your biggest investment; treat it accordingly!

Nicole is a freelance writer who enjoys writing about home decorating and home improvement projects, including everything from home decorating on a budget to the best shutters in Perth, Australia.

How To Keep Your Refrigerator Gleamingly Clean In 5 Easy Steps

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How To Keep Your Refrigerator Gleamingly Clean In 5 Easy Steps

1. First, take all removable components out of the fridge

Many people make the mistake of trying to give their fridge a good, deep clean without taking out all the drawers and shelves. You can’t do the job properly unless you remove them, so this is the very first thing to do (obviously after removing all of your food and drink stuffs).

Take all the removable components out and soak them in warm water. You can use your washing up liquid if you wish; however, bicarbonate of soda works just as well, if not better because there is no lingering after smell. Please note: it is probably a good idea to let the components come up to room temperature before soaking them in hot water, especially if made of glass.

Be sure to check all evidence of grime and food is removed from these items. Take particular care to make sure all the shelving brackets are free of grime, as these are ideal places for bacteria to flourish. Never put anything back into the fridge until it is 100% dry.

2. Work your way down – top to bottom

Cleaning your fridge is going to be a lot more straightforward if you start at the top and then work your way down. Simply because if you start at the bottom, you’ll only have to clean it again since scum and dirty water from the top will probably be knocked off and drip down as you start cleaning the top of the fridge.

3. Make sure you clean all food containers before putting them back in the fridge

There is no point spending time cleaning your fridge and getting it gleaming with cleanliness if you’re going to put dirty containers back into it. Take time to clean the outsides of all your jars, tubs, tins, crockery and anything else you store in your fridge.

This is also a very good time to check all containers are tightly sealed and that the foodstuffs within them are still nice and fresh. People often forget about the old ham in the plastic container at the back of the fridge, or the baked beans that have been in the bowl under some foil for weeks. Keeping gone off food in your fridge will cause other food to turn bad.

4. Aim to do the following at least once a week:

– Take out every shelf and removable compartment, soak and then wash them in a warm water and bicarbonate of soda (or washing liquid) mix. Make sure they are rinsed off fully.

– Use a warm water and bicarbonate of soda mix to clean up the entire inside of your fridge. Use paper towels (kitchen towels) to dry off the inside of the fridge. Make sure it is dry before putting anything back.

– Take time to really get into all the small sealant areas around the door. A top tip is to use an old toothbrush for this grimy job.

– Give the exterior of your fridge a good wipe down too, especially the door handle!

5. Aim to do the following at least twice a year:

– Take everything out of your fridge (and freezer if you have a combination.) Note, if you have a fridge/freezer, it is a good idea to do this cleaning activity when you don’t have a lot of foodstuffs. Aim to do it when you’re due to go on a big grocery shop.

– Turn off your appliance.

– Take your duster and give the cooling elements at the back of the fridge a good clean. You may even need to resort to getting the vacuum cleaner out if you haven’t done this before. Not only does this make your fridge a lot cleaner but it also makes it a lot more efficient too.

Laura writes for Accessible Hire. When not writing about AHR cold storage, she can often be found cleaning out her fridge–over and over.

5 Surprising Window Treatments For Different Rooms In Your Home

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Are your drapes a drag? Are your blinds too blinding? To paraphrase an old saying, windows are the eyes to the soul – of your house, that is. More than simply a functional portal to let stale air out and sunlight in, windows represent a wonderful opportunity to showcase your home decor style.

Here are 5 rooms in your home you can “snazzy up” with unexpected window treatments:

1. Living Room Windows

Beyond curb appeal, the first impression that visitors receive of your home is typically a front window. As designer Tosha Scott recently told HGTV.com, big, bold grommet curtains are a hot trend right now. Rather than using clunky rings or suspension strings, these curtains have metal holes pierced through them, allowing the curtain rod to thread directly through the fabric. The results are crisp, consistent pleats that look as lovely from the outside of your home as they do from the inside. For added punch, pick a bright retro pattern when it comes time to select your fabric.

2. Kitchen Windows

Of all the rooms in a home, the kitchen is king when it comes to staging unexpected artistic flair. Though it’s a practice born of necessity in the old days of apothecaries, putting small colored bottles on the upper ledges of your kitchen window will add a cheerful “stained glass” feel to the light hitting your linoleum or tile. Select bottle colors that complement your existing decor or opt for a line of cobalt blue for a truly electric effect. Need to open your window often? Consider hanging the bottles with thread from the top frame – this technique makes a unique curtain that remains in place whether the window is open or closed.

3. Garage Windows

Transoms and sidelights are excellent at letting light into a garage or workspace, but clear versions aren’t a great choice if you’re trying to finish a project uninterrupted. If you’d prefer a little more privacy when you’re changing your oil or building a birdhouse, look into window films. With both adhesive or residue-free vinyl versions available, these translucent films allow light in while hiding the interior of your space from prying eyes. Plain opaque or frosted films will certainly get the job done, but for a little extra flair, try out a stained glass pattern and enjoy the view!

4. Bathroom Windows

Homeowners have long struggled to find the perfect window treatments for this humid, privacy-demanding space. Cloth curtains tend to mildew and retain odors, while blinds are often too large or awkward for smaller bathroom windows. The answer is curtains – but not traditional ones. Shower curtains are easy to modify with nothing more than a pair of scissors, and are custom-made to withstand high-humidity conditions without flinching. The next time you’re selecting a shower curtain, simply pick up two and a sill-mounted rod system – you’ll have a snazzy matching bathroom set. If you end up embracing this decorating trick, Apartment Therapy notes that fabric “outer” shower curtains also make excellent additions to other rooms in the home.

5. Bedroom Windows

When most people think of beaded curtains, they think of the cheap plastic or splintering bamboo travesties from several decades ago. But things have changed for the better in recent years. Modern beaded valances use beautiful ribbons, velvet cords and subtle crystal beading for an elegant bohemian vibe. Pair a beaded valance with some dupioni silk curtains and turn your bedroom into a bedchamber fit for exotic royalty.

These window treatments are a great start to making the look and feel of your home into something truly personal. Ditch the drapes and tweak, swap and experiment your way to home decor heaven!

Nicole is a freelance writer who enjoys writing about home decorating. For more traditional window treatment options, she recommends looking into blinds in Perth from Sola Shade.

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