If you have ever been envious of the high-end bathrooms that are portrayed in your favorite home improvement magazines, you're probably not alone. If the size of your bathroom leaves something to be desired, then you can feel at a loss as to what to do. The following design ideas seem big by nature, but the can turn your little bathroom into a luxurious room.
Older homes tend to suffer from smaller bathrooms that measure about 5 feet by 8 feet. In order to combat the impending fear of claustrophobia, scale down some of the items in your bathroom. Start by choosing a pedestal sink instead of one that comes with long counter space and cabinets that can limit you. Choose light colored tiles and paint to create a feeling of space as darker colors can make your bathroom feel even more cramped.
Use an Asian inspired design in your bathroom to enable the play of light and dark colors. A powder room vanity with a Japanese feel to it can enable you to mix modern elements with old world designs. Meanwhile, an all brown layout can make your bath feel extra cramped, rotate the chocolate and deep brown colors with white and beige.
Take advantage of all the space in your bath, but don't make it feel too cramped. Incorporate vanity lighting and light wall colors to create a feeling of more space. When necessary, use light oak finish furniture to expand your bath and use storage wisely.
If you prefer a more modern appeal to your bath, use horizontal tiled lines to create an illusion of more space and pair it with a frameless mirror. Use ceiling and wall vanity lighting to complement your space and lead the eye seamlessly around the bathroom. Last but not least, incorporate a curbless shower and pair it with a small toilet to create a larger appeal and a luxurious feel.
Take advantage of the shape of your bathroom by choosing a small yet effective vanity. Use a dark colored vanity for light walls and a light vanity for dark walls. Maximize the storage space by purchasing a vanity that has drawers under the sink to hide your accessories.
If you have too much wall space, but nothing to cover it with choose a Zen way of decorating by using a long horizontal mirror. It can help you stretch the wall space and create the illusion of a much larger bath. In this case, choose a dark framed mirror with thick framing.
Paint is not always the best way to make a cramped space feel bigger. Choose white marble tiles and frameless mirrors to work together in order to create a feeling of space. Instead of installing a tub, install a glass door shower and pair it with a floor-to-ceiling cabinet system.
There is no reason why a small bath can't be stylish or luxurious. Most people feel the need to expand their bathrooms for extra added cost, but it really isn't necessary. Use your bathroom space the right way and incorporate light and dark colors to trick the eye.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Monday, July 8, 2013
Are You Making These Home Improvement Mistakes?
Home improvement projects can add comfort to your daily living right away and add value to your home over the long term. But if you want your upgrades to have the results you desire, there are at least three common mistakes that you need to avoid. When hiring a contractor, if you don’t make the effort to verify their qualifications and check their references, you may end up being disappointed in their performance. Not making sure you get all of the necessary permits and inspections required by your local community could be a very costly mistake. Planning and executing a home improvement project without creating a reasonable budget ahead of time will lead to overspending or skimping on cheaper materials. Learning how to avoid these mistakes will save you the pain and frustration of a home improvement project gone wrong.
Too many people don’t make the effort to check credentials and references. They may be intimidated by the contractor. Some people may be so excited about getting started they don’t want to “waste” time checking references. But simply assuming that the contractor is qualified could lead to a big disappointment when the job is done. Remember, you are ultimately in charge of the project and if you hire a contractor who is not qualified to do the work, you have only yourself to blame. Calling up some of the contractor’s prior customers can give you a wealth of information. Did the project start and end on time? Did the contractor respect the homeowner’s privacy? Would the customer hire the contractor again? Getting the answers to these questions will ensure you don’t encounter unpleasant surprises during your home improvement job.
You may find this hard to believe, but many homeowners fail to get the necessary permits and inspections required for their home improvement project. It is true that dealing with your local government employees may be frustrating at times. Permits cost money. Waiting for inspections can throw off your schedule. But not having properly certified work could lead to more expensive fines later on. A future buyer may insist on having the work done over again. Depending on the type of project, not having the work properly inspected could even be dangerous to your life and property. The stakes are too big to make this mistake.
Another important element of home improvement that some people ignore is creating a budget ahead of time. Granted, it’s not much fun to sit down and crunch numbers when you would rather be demolishing a wall with a sledgehammer. But if you don’t plan your spending up front, you might spend too much on phases that don’t matter and not have the money you need for more important parts of the job. Coming up with a budget for the total project will help you plan the entire job from start to finish.
Avoid these top three home improvement mistakes to get the maximum benefit from any project you undertake. Make sure you check the references of your contractor and verify that he is qualified to do the work. Don’t try to complete your job without getting the permits and inspections that your community requires. Finally, budget your project from beginning to end. When you follow these simple recommendations, you will be able to view your finished project with pride and a sense of accomplishment.
Too many people don’t make the effort to check credentials and references. They may be intimidated by the contractor. Some people may be so excited about getting started they don’t want to “waste” time checking references. But simply assuming that the contractor is qualified could lead to a big disappointment when the job is done. Remember, you are ultimately in charge of the project and if you hire a contractor who is not qualified to do the work, you have only yourself to blame. Calling up some of the contractor’s prior customers can give you a wealth of information. Did the project start and end on time? Did the contractor respect the homeowner’s privacy? Would the customer hire the contractor again? Getting the answers to these questions will ensure you don’t encounter unpleasant surprises during your home improvement job.
You may find this hard to believe, but many homeowners fail to get the necessary permits and inspections required for their home improvement project. It is true that dealing with your local government employees may be frustrating at times. Permits cost money. Waiting for inspections can throw off your schedule. But not having properly certified work could lead to more expensive fines later on. A future buyer may insist on having the work done over again. Depending on the type of project, not having the work properly inspected could even be dangerous to your life and property. The stakes are too big to make this mistake.
Another important element of home improvement that some people ignore is creating a budget ahead of time. Granted, it’s not much fun to sit down and crunch numbers when you would rather be demolishing a wall with a sledgehammer. But if you don’t plan your spending up front, you might spend too much on phases that don’t matter and not have the money you need for more important parts of the job. Coming up with a budget for the total project will help you plan the entire job from start to finish.
Avoid these top three home improvement mistakes to get the maximum benefit from any project you undertake. Make sure you check the references of your contractor and verify that he is qualified to do the work. Don’t try to complete your job without getting the permits and inspections that your community requires. Finally, budget your project from beginning to end. When you follow these simple recommendations, you will be able to view your finished project with pride and a sense of accomplishment.
Simple Tools For Your Gardening Needs
Having the correct tool for the job always makes any job much easier. When you are gardening, you only need a small handful of very inexpensive tools to perform most all of your garden maintenance and lawn needs. As a side bonus, they also make great housewarming presents.
To start with, you want a good shovel. When you are looking for a shovel you want to try to find a round pointed shovel that is tempered steel. The average shaft length should be 44 to 48 inches long, and it can be made from fiberglass, wood, or can be metal.
Try the handle to make sure that you can grip it and lift it comfortably. A shovel is very versatile and can be used for anything from planting shrubs and trees, to mixing large quantities of compost and dirt, as well as mixing similar materials.
Finding a good hand pruner is also important. Look for handheld bypass pruners that have comfortable grips and smooth operating blades. These work great for removing small unwanted dead branches from your shrubs and trees.
A good hand trowel is also a must. Try to find one that has a nice comfortable grip with a sturdy narrow blade that will pierce the soil easily. This is great for when you need to dig holes in your containers or your garden beds for plants. It is also wonderful to use for hand mixing your soil with compost, other additives, or fertilizer.
Do not forget about the versatile utility bucket. Look for a basic plastic 5 gallon bucket with a good handle. Sometimes they will have a frequently used measurement that is printed or stamped on the side, which is even better.
Utility buckets are great for carrying all your hand tools, gathering weeds and clippings, and combining plant foods and fertilizers together, as well as so much more.
Having a good leaf rake is also very important. The big super-sized rakes can be somewhat difficult to maneuver, so try to find a medium-sized rake head that has metal or plastic tines. This rake is great for helping to gather up lawn clippings and leaves as well as spreading mulch and other materials for ground covering around your planting beds.
The garden rake is a little bit different. When looking for this rake, you can make two choices. The nice flat-head rake is great for leveling soil, while a rake with a bow-head is usually easier to maneuver.
You can try both to see which one you prefer. These rakes are great for working the soil in your planting beds, as well as pressing seeds into the soil, and removing dead grass from your lawn.
And last but not least do not forget about your watering can. Using a one half or 2 gallon metal or plastic watering can that has a removable rainfall spout is easiest for most of your outdoor watering. The smaller size makes transporting your water from the outdoor tap to thirsty plants much easier.
These are just some examples of the simple and inexpensive gardening tools that you can use to help your tasks become easier.
To start with, you want a good shovel. When you are looking for a shovel you want to try to find a round pointed shovel that is tempered steel. The average shaft length should be 44 to 48 inches long, and it can be made from fiberglass, wood, or can be metal.
Try the handle to make sure that you can grip it and lift it comfortably. A shovel is very versatile and can be used for anything from planting shrubs and trees, to mixing large quantities of compost and dirt, as well as mixing similar materials.
Finding a good hand pruner is also important. Look for handheld bypass pruners that have comfortable grips and smooth operating blades. These work great for removing small unwanted dead branches from your shrubs and trees.
A good hand trowel is also a must. Try to find one that has a nice comfortable grip with a sturdy narrow blade that will pierce the soil easily. This is great for when you need to dig holes in your containers or your garden beds for plants. It is also wonderful to use for hand mixing your soil with compost, other additives, or fertilizer.
Do not forget about the versatile utility bucket. Look for a basic plastic 5 gallon bucket with a good handle. Sometimes they will have a frequently used measurement that is printed or stamped on the side, which is even better.
Utility buckets are great for carrying all your hand tools, gathering weeds and clippings, and combining plant foods and fertilizers together, as well as so much more.
Having a good leaf rake is also very important. The big super-sized rakes can be somewhat difficult to maneuver, so try to find a medium-sized rake head that has metal or plastic tines. This rake is great for helping to gather up lawn clippings and leaves as well as spreading mulch and other materials for ground covering around your planting beds.
The garden rake is a little bit different. When looking for this rake, you can make two choices. The nice flat-head rake is great for leveling soil, while a rake with a bow-head is usually easier to maneuver.
You can try both to see which one you prefer. These rakes are great for working the soil in your planting beds, as well as pressing seeds into the soil, and removing dead grass from your lawn.
And last but not least do not forget about your watering can. Using a one half or 2 gallon metal or plastic watering can that has a removable rainfall spout is easiest for most of your outdoor watering. The smaller size makes transporting your water from the outdoor tap to thirsty plants much easier.
These are just some examples of the simple and inexpensive gardening tools that you can use to help your tasks become easier.
A Home Improvement Project Can Increase Your Home’s Value
There are numerous types of home improvement projects, even the ones that seem insignificant, which can significantly improve the interior of your home, while increasing its value. Many times, individuals simply will not remodel their home because they believe the project will be extremely overwhelming. However, by making any type of quality improvement on the interior or exterior of the home, it can be worth more, and be more enjoyable to live in and around.
Basic Home Improvements
Consider the basic home improvements that can be performed around the home. There will be significant things in the home that require attention, including mechanical or structural issues, such as managing a leaky roof, or fixing a plumbing problem. Replacing a leaky faucet can be accomplished for less than $100, and replacing a broken towel rod can make a traumatic improvement on the aesthetic qualities of the interior of the bathroom.
Painting the Exterior
Painting the home’s exterior has been known to pay back a substantial amount of the investment (up to 300% or more). Reaping huge benefits, the homeowner can help protect the siding on the home’s exterior, while enhancing its curb appeal. However, it should be performed correctly, by a professional that has the right tools, equipment and experience for getting the job done correctly.
Painting the Interior
Painting the interior of the home offers just as much benefit to the homeowner as painting the exterior. It can easily freshen up the look of every room, and add a touch of style to its decor. Consider taking the time and energy necessary to do it right, even if it means hiring a professional crew.
Replacing the Doors
As a home begins to age, the doors can easily crack, and begin leaking air through the weather stripping, or openings around the door jam. Sometimes, it is simpler just to completely replace the damaged door to improve the energy efficiency of the home. However, remember it is very easy to go from a replacement to an extensive remodel, when changing the size of the door and sometimes the style.
Enhancing the Landscaping
The curb appeal of the home is often highly dependent on the landscaping design, and how well the yard is maintained. Installing a beautiful stone walkway, adding an elaborate fence, or blending in high-end trees and shrubs can make a dramatic positive impact while enhancing both the quality of the home, and its value. Taking the time to do the landscaping right can create the ideal first impression, and offer the entire neighborhood a beautiful view when passing by the home.
Installing a Deck
Updating the exterior of the home by installing a deck can offer a significant return on investment while it adds additional square footage to the home’s exterior. A quality made deck is often a high dollar investment. However, when properly installed, a deck can add years of enjoyment during nearly every season of the year.
Making a home improvement does not need to be time-consuming or costly. By selecting the right types of projects around the house, it is easy to add embellishments along with extra value to its equity.
Basic Home Improvements
Consider the basic home improvements that can be performed around the home. There will be significant things in the home that require attention, including mechanical or structural issues, such as managing a leaky roof, or fixing a plumbing problem. Replacing a leaky faucet can be accomplished for less than $100, and replacing a broken towel rod can make a traumatic improvement on the aesthetic qualities of the interior of the bathroom.
Painting the Exterior
Painting the home’s exterior has been known to pay back a substantial amount of the investment (up to 300% or more). Reaping huge benefits, the homeowner can help protect the siding on the home’s exterior, while enhancing its curb appeal. However, it should be performed correctly, by a professional that has the right tools, equipment and experience for getting the job done correctly.
Painting the Interior
Painting the interior of the home offers just as much benefit to the homeowner as painting the exterior. It can easily freshen up the look of every room, and add a touch of style to its decor. Consider taking the time and energy necessary to do it right, even if it means hiring a professional crew.
Replacing the Doors
As a home begins to age, the doors can easily crack, and begin leaking air through the weather stripping, or openings around the door jam. Sometimes, it is simpler just to completely replace the damaged door to improve the energy efficiency of the home. However, remember it is very easy to go from a replacement to an extensive remodel, when changing the size of the door and sometimes the style.
Enhancing the Landscaping
The curb appeal of the home is often highly dependent on the landscaping design, and how well the yard is maintained. Installing a beautiful stone walkway, adding an elaborate fence, or blending in high-end trees and shrubs can make a dramatic positive impact while enhancing both the quality of the home, and its value. Taking the time to do the landscaping right can create the ideal first impression, and offer the entire neighborhood a beautiful view when passing by the home.
Installing a Deck
Updating the exterior of the home by installing a deck can offer a significant return on investment while it adds additional square footage to the home’s exterior. A quality made deck is often a high dollar investment. However, when properly installed, a deck can add years of enjoyment during nearly every season of the year.
Making a home improvement does not need to be time-consuming or costly. By selecting the right types of projects around the house, it is easy to add embellishments along with extra value to its equity.
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