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Buying A New Wardrobe

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The wardrobe is one of the most popular forms of storage used in bedrooms today, and has been in use for hundreds of years. Wardrobes are generally used to store clothing and items of a similar nature, but what you keep in your wardrobe is up to you.

If you are planning on buying a new wardrobe then there are a number of factors you should take into consideration before beginning your search, and doing so will result in more confident shopping. Buyers may be confused as to what it is exactly that they need from their storage unit, but this article will detail on the important aspects you should think about.

What is it For?

The first thing you should think about is what you are going to store in the wardrobe, as this should influence the size and style of unit you purchase. For example, if you are mainly going to store dresses in the wardrobe then you should look for a tall model with a high rail, as this will keep the dresses straight and stop them from trailing on the bottom.

If the wardrobe will be used for a combination of shirts and trousers then you can buy one with an in-built shelving system for folded clothes. A number of modern wardrobes have customisable rail heights, and it’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for these.

What Space do You Have?

As well as the size, style and amount of clothes you are looking to store, the actual space you have in your bedroom will play a big part in the decision process. You need to decide on where the wardrobe will be kept and measure out the dimensions of the space available.

You should also consider the form in which the wardrobe will be delivered, as if it is already built you will need to ensure that it can be successfully brought through your house. The size of the wardrobe will also have a direct influence on the price of the unit, so you will need to consider your budget when working out measurements.

Freestanding or Fitted?

Wardrobes are divided into two categories; freestanding units and those that are fitted. Freestanding wardrobes are the traditional style and as the name suggests these are an independent unit that are not connected to the room in anyway. Freestanding wardrobes are less expensive than the fitted style, and can be bought in a large variety of materials, designs and colours.

A fitted wardrobe is built into your bedroom and this style offers you much more room for storage. If you are thinking about buying a fitted model, or have an existing wardrobe but want to update its look, then I recommend that you think about purchasing sliding doors for your unit.

Fitted wardrobes traditionally have hinged doors but sliding doors are much more aesthetically pleasing and can be bought in a large number of styles, sizes and with different finishes. If you are considering buying a fitted wardrobe then I advise you to buy your sliding doors from a professional manufacturer such as Superglide Wardrobes. This will guarantee that the doors are expertly made and fitted.

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Terance Nichols is a DIY fan who spends his time devising ways to get the maximum space out of his home. In his spare time Terance enjoys visiting art galleries and museums.





How To Save Water In Your Shower

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Water conservation is an extremely important aspect of life that the majority of us ignore or are unaware of. As the planet’s population continues to grow at an alarming rate, water becomes more and more precious. Those of us lucky enough to have access to clean drinking water and appropriate sanitation need to ensure that we are not wasting water.

Most of us could save over one hundred litres of water a week if we cut our showering time by one minute. Water conservation is not hard to do, and it will save you a lot of money on energy bills.

The easiest place to save water and money is in the bathroom, and the best place to implement your water saving ideas is the shower. There are a number of inexpensive devices you can buy that will cut you shower water consumption in half, and these devices are easy to install and require virtually no maintenance.

I advise you to purchase one if not all of the following as soon as possible.

Water Saving Devices

shower headAs I’ve previously mentioned, water saving devices for use in your shower are very low priced and will help save you a lot of money in the coming years. The first thing you need to do is determine if your shower utilises a fixed head or a handheld head as this will influence what devices can be used. A fixed head is connected directly the pipework within the wall and is non-operational when removed.

A handheld head is connected to a shower hose and held in place with an adjustable wall rail. Handheld heads can be removed for use in precision cleaning. You will generally find fixed heads in older houses, while handheld heads are typically found in newer houses and apartments.

Low Flow Shower Heads

Low flow shower heads are the most popular water saving device sold on the market today. A low flow shower head works by adding air bubbles to water. This increases the mass of water released, but reduces the overall amount needed to clean. Contrary to belief, low flow shower heads do not affect water pressure or spray strength, and can dramatically improve your shower experience.

These devices can reduce water consumption by up to 50%, and are available in a variety of designs offering you a number of spray styles to choose from. If you’re considering purchasing a low flow shower head then I’d advise you to buy oneFaucet Aerators from a specialist site such as Agua Flux.

Aerator

An aerator is a very small metal device that can be attached in between the shower hose and the faucet. Aerators work in the same way as low flow shower heads, and are able to reduce water consumption by up to 60%. These items are extremely low priced and very easy to install. If you’re interested in buying an aerator then make sure you buy one made from brass and coated in chrome.This will ensure that the device is resistant to corrosion and lime scale build up.

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Terance Nichols is an energy saving expert who specialises in energy efficiency within the home. Terance likes to spend his free time visiting galleries and museums.

Thrifty Ways To Make A Better First Impression For Your Home

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Whether you are looking to sell your house or you simply want to give your guests a good welcome, it is important that your home’s exterior look amazing. After all, this is the first feature that buyers and visitors will see when they drop by your house.

However, making your home’s exterior memorable and inviting does not mean you need to purchase new plants or add expensive hardscapes to your space. With a little creativity and a little investment of time, money and effort, here are some frugal ways to improve the view of your house from the street.

Clear out the clutter

An unkempt yard or porch is always an eyesore and it can be a turn-off for potential homebuyers. So to ensure this does not get in the way of a possible sale, start clearing up the clutter on your yard and around your home’s exterior. Take away hoses, kids toys, garden tools and mismatched ornaments and transfer them into your shed or garage. Also, refrain from making your yard or porch as a catchall for unwanted stuff.

Clean up the area

 

Nothing is more disappointing for a homebuyer and visitor than a house that is both dirty and in disrepair. To avoid giving a bad first impression, fix flaws on your home’s exterior such as sagging gutters, fading paint, cracked windows, missing roof shingles and damaged siding. After you have done all the necessary repairs, take out the hose or rent a power washer and make your driveway, paved paths, windows, and siding spic and span. Just be sure that the surfaces you plan to wash can withstand the pressure coming from the hose or power wash to avoid damaging them.

Upgrade exterior hardware

Your exterior hardware should be stylish, distinct and consistent to the architectural style of your house. So if the existing numbers, mailbox, door knocker and handle, and porch lights of your house are starting to show signs of their age, it is about time you upgrade them. You will find a number of styles and options available in the market and most of them are competitively priced and easy to install. A new set of hardware will freshen up the exterior of your home and will make a subtle yet solid first impression to guests when you invite them to come inside.

Pay attention to your landscape

 

If the exterior of your house is well maintained yet you still feel that it does not make a good visual impact, try looking at your landscape. Maybe the bushes and shrubs look too busy and you have too many flowers within a space. Or, perhaps there are worn spots on your yard that’s making it look unsightly.

In such case, your best bet is to prune overgrown greens and ensure your yard is mowed regularly. It is also a good idea to trim out dormant ornamental grasses and improve the look of your flower beds. Likewise, repair the worn spots on your yard by applying a roll of sod which you can purchase from your local garden centre.  If you have too much plants on the yard, consider transferring some of them into containers and organize them on your porch or front entry stairs.

Make your front door and windows wow

 

Your front door and windows are among the focal points of your house’s exterior. So never leave them looking drab. An investment in a can of paint or stain can do wonders to restore the beauty or improve the appearance of your front door. For your windows, on the other hand, you may choose to add decorative moulding or trim to frame them and give them a new look.

Carrie Abraham is a seasoned writer and home improvement warrior. She combines these two passions by providing insightful posts and advice on home repair, maintenance, and décor. She also contributes content for Skip Hire in Stirling expert, Lothian Skip Hire.

Spring Cleaning Tips- How To Get It Done In An Easier Way

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If you would like to clean out your house in the spring, but do not know how to begin, there are some useful tips that can help you. Clearing out the clutter and getting g rid of dust and debris will make your home a more enjoyable place to be.

Break Down the Jobs

When thinking about cleaning an entire house, you can get discouraged by all the different tasks you need to perform. The best strategy for spring cleaning is to break down the chores into several small jobs. It is best to plan ahead for the more difficult areas to tackle, such as the garage and basement. These places can be cleaned out on a weekend.

Focus Your Energy

When preparing to clean your home, you will find it easier to focus your energy on on specific task or one specific room. The best way to begin spring cleaning is to go through all of the closets, cabinets and cupboards to discard items that are broken or no longer used. You can also create boxes of items you can donate to area thrift stores or sell at a rummage sale

Prepare for Cleaning with the Right Supplies

You can also make your tasks easier if you create a list of the supplies you need to clean the different areas inside your home. Carpeted areas could be vacuumed or steam cleaned depending on how dirty they appear. Counters, mirrors and glass will require cleaners designed to cut through the grease and grime that builds up on their surfaces. You also want to make sure you have enough sponges, dry cloths and buckets. When choosing products to clean your home with you also have the option of choosing green products designed to be safe for the environment.

Utilize Fresh Air and Sunshine

One of the best ways to get the musty smell out of fabrics is to place them outdoors. You can freshen up your bed linens, area rugs and clothing by placing them outside in the fresh air. This is also a good way to dry items that have been laundered. You can even place the cushions from your arm chairs and sofas outside to freshen them up. Opening up the windows in your home will also allow the fresh air to circulate throughout the rooms.

Tackling the Bathroom

 

The main bathroom is usually the most difficult room to clean because you have to do a lot of scrubbing to remove soap scum. If the surround has tile on it you can use an all purpose cleaner and a toothbrush to get into the small crevices where dirt often accumulates. The sink in your bathroom should be cleaned using an appropriate cleanser designed for the material it is made of. You can also find products that will safely bleach out any stains on porcelain sinks or toilet bowls.

Mold can be a common problem in bathrooms where moisture is present. If you see dark spots along the ceiling or walls in your bathroom, they probably indicate the formation of mold. This mold can be removed by pouring full strength bleach onto a sponge and wiping the area. Be sure to protect your hands by wearing rubber gloves. To prevent mold from forming in the future you can give your bathroom a fresh look using mold resistant paint.

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Robert lives in New york with his wife and three kids. Hre is an avid blogger and marketing consulatant. Here he wrote very useful tips based on his own experience by spring cleaning together with his wife.

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.

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