Home Improvement Thoughts

Nothing makes a room feel more comfortable as a little greenery. Ever noticed how many silk or artificial plants and trees are used to fill a model home? With the high ceilings and many plant shelves used in the newer home designs, the need for decorative plants is rising.

In a large room, sometimes filling it with too much furniture can make the room appear cluttered or too busy. It’s amazing what the addition of a large tree in a corner and a few plants and flowers on the table (s) can do to fill up the look of a big room without becoming distracting.

As with any accessorizing, silk or artificial plants need to be tasteful. There are some styles that just don’t coordinate well with specific decor. Palms, for instance, look best in a casual or tropical room. No dining room table is complete without a centerpiece. A well arranged artificial flower arrangement is great for a long-term centerpiece. Possibly something incorporating fruit or candles says dining room and makes a nice statement.

Adding flowers or greenery can soften the look of a cold bathroom full of tile. In an unused guest bathroom, the addition of a plant inside the bathtub adds an unexpected touch. A pulled back curtain, exposing the hardware/faucte and a beautiful bush or plant is very current.

Many new homes are filled with high ceilings and plant shelves. These plant shelves are made for just that; plants however it is almost impossible to use live plants so high on these shelves because they have to be watered frequently. This is another place where silk and artificial plants are commonly used. A few decorative accessories and a few vine-type plants, like ivy or philodendrons are a perfect way to add interest, color, and texture to a plant shelf in a kitchen or anywhere in the house. Be certain that the accessories used on the shelves are the proper type and scale. A small clock, which cannot possibly be read from below, is not a good idea, or a candle that could never actually be lit either.

Greenery, florals, plants and trees are beautiful on their own in their natural state but many can’t be used indoors because of lighting and watering conditions. This is why silk and artificial plants are so popular and so widely used in decorating. You can have the exact flowers you want in any climate if it is never going to die. You can add color and beauty to your decor with just a few simple arrangements.

Moving into a new home is quite exciting for most families, however moving into a new-used home offers a few challenges. Moving in to someone else’s filth is disgusting. Before the big move you should either hire a professional to come in and do a thorough cleaning or do it yourself. This is the first and one of the most important steps to home improvement. There are several things you can do to turn someone elses filth and germs into a home you can feel comfortable in.

Before you begin any cleaning, you have to be prepared both physically and mentally.

Physical preparation should include:

* get some old dirty disposable clothes on.
* Wear comfortable shoes but preferrably not open toe shoes.
* Get cleaning supplies such as: all purpose spray cleaner, plenty of rags, paper towels, a scraping tool, a straight blade razor, broom, dust pan, mop, bucket, bleach, disenfectant or antibacterial cleaner, large trash bags, rubber gloves,a vacuum.
Mentally preparing may be the hardest. Be sure to remind yourself that what you do now will help you enjoy the home more after the move. Try to forget the fact that you are cleaning someone else’s filth. Once you are mentally and physically prepared you are ready to take on the task at hand.

Before you can begin the nitty gritty cleaning, you have to clear out the space. Remove anything that was left behind. Anything you do not plan on using in your new home must be thrown out. Then perform a complete and thorough sweeping and vacuuming. When the previous tenants moved out, no matter how clean they were, the move itself created a lot of dust and debris. Clean it now before you begin with the chemicals to avoid clumps of wet dirt.

When you begin to use the spray chemicals, be sure you are using the right product for the job. You want to totally disinfect the bathrooms and kitchen. A strond disenfectant or antibacterial cleaner is best. Bleach works well for this purpose and will clean just about any non porous surface. Be sure to have window cleaner and toilet cleaner for specialty areas. If there is a mold issue in the tub/shower, Tilex or that sort of chemical works very well.

For the floors, you will want to mop, however you will most likely have to get down on your knees to do a completely thorough job. This is when the knife and scraping tool will come in handy.

Once you think you are finished and all surfaces are clean and disinfected, look over it all. If you are satisfied then this is when you can take your disinfectant spray, like Lysol and spray over every surface one more time. Be sure to include all door knobs, window treatment handles/cords, toilet seats and drawer handles.

After this greusome job is complete you can sit back and enjoy your totally clean, disinfected new-used home.

The kitchen is said to be the heart of the home. If you have recently made improvements to your kitchen there’s one factor you may have overlooked. The kitchen renovation is not complete until you update all of your kitchenware. This includes the utensils, the serving pieces and the cookware. A brand new kitchen is only as functional as it’s instruments.

Start by sorting out the utensil drawer. Look through and see which tools are old,useless, ugly or unsanitary. Anything that is stained should probably be replaced. Bamboo spoons are the newer greener idea for wooden spoons. Bamboo is a grass, it does not stain or hold bacteria like a traditional wooden spoon. Plastic spatulas should be replaced with silicone. Silicone spatulas do not stain and can tolerate higher temperatures and won’t melt. The kitchen tool drawer should be filled with useful items that you will use on an every day basis. The turkey lifters and the rolling pin should be stored elsewhere (along with other items yoy don’t use regularly) to avoid clutter.

Pots and pans need to be replaced if they do not function properly. If all the non-stick coating has worn off of your skillet, it’s time to go. This is not only a health hazard, but it’s performance is not adequate any longer. Do not keep anything that is no longer performing as it was intended.
Most average kitchens need a good quality large skillet/fry pan with a lid, a few stock pots 2,3,5 and 7 quart are good sizes and one large pasta pot. These are the basic pieces of cookware of an average kitchen. A good baking dish 9×11 and a good cookie sheet are necessary as well.

Non-stick cookware is not a necessity as much as a preference for some. If you plan on investing in one piece of non stick cookware it should be the skillet. That will be used most frequently and the type of cooking done in it will require the most “clean-up”. With non-stick cleanup will be a breeze.

A good quality piece of cookware cooks evenly and performs as it was intended. If it doesn’t, get rid of it.

Another group of items that should be replaced upon making improvements to a kitchen are the plastic food storage containers. When they look bad it’s time to replace them as well. They become stained and warped in many cases ans should be tossed. Any container that does not have a lid should be thrown out as well. The new kitchen workspace should be neat and organized. A new set of plastic ware will go a long way in keeping the kitchen a comfortable place to work in.

Lastly, kitchen towels. They are inexpensive enough that they should be considered for replacement as well. Keep a few as rags, but select pretty new coordinating colors to complement your new kitchen.

A clean dryer vent improves the safety and efficiency of your dryer. As a  dryer vent becomes filled with lint or other debris, the time it takes to get the clothes dry increases.  This can cause mechanical problems with the dryer and cause it to overheat, as well as increased energy usage and costs. The longer running time also leaves your dryer at risk for starting a fire within the clogged dirty duct or within the dryer itself. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports dryer related home fires are rapidly increasing.  Figures show that in 2007 there were 20,000 dryer fires which caused 80 deaths, 630 injuries and over 100 million dollars in property damage and the numbers are on a steady incline since then.  Another very dangerous problem created by a blocked dryer vent involves gas dryers. The possibility of carbon monoxide seepage into your home is much greater in a blocked duct.  If the dryer is not exhausting properly to the outdoors it is very possible for CO to back up into the home.

If you begin to notice a slowing in your dryer’s performance, and it’s taking longer than it used to to dry your laundry, you may need to have the dryer vent cleaned. This procedure can be done by the homeowner with the aid of a specialty tool or kit, or you may choose to hire a professional to get the job done.

In some cases,  dryer vents are relatively short and straight and can easily be cleaned and maintained by the homeowner, while others aren’t quite so easy.  These may require the use of the special tools and equipment of a professional. These professionals have tools specifically designed to clean dryer vents. With the use of these items the professionals are able to do a more thorough job of cleaning even in the most difficult situations.

While the most common cause of dryer vent blockage is lint, another frequent problem is animal nesting. In this case a professional cleanout is necessary.

There are many kits and tool available for the homeowner to do it themselves, but if in doubt, hire a professional.  You will have confidence the job is done and done properly and avoid possible injury or worse in your home.

A carpet steamer/shampooer is a great investment for any homeowner. The cost of having your carpet professionally cleaned varies, but the well known steamer companies, are quite expensive.  There are many schools of thought regarding cleaning carpets.  Some believe dry is better, some thing non-chemical deep cleaning steam is best, others believe shampooing with cleaners is the right choice.  Each application has its benefits.  With your own steam cleaner you can decide and do it yourself.

These machines go by many names; extractors, steamers, shampooers most commonly. They are only slightly bigger than a standard upright vacuum cleaner, so storage is not an issue.  I personally believe it is best to get a commercial grade model.  These models are only slightly more costly than the standard “superstore” models and the quality and workmanship is far superior.  In most cases these units are made to be rental machines, and to withstand a lot of wear and tear. A vacuum specialty store is a great source for these units and often can be purchased in used or refurbished condition.

A carpet-cleaning machine is great for households with pets and children.  Most pets have accidents at one time or another, whether they get sick or have bathroom accidents, it’s great to be able to disinfect and clean the mess quickly. No more waiting around all day long for the carpet-cleaning technician. And like it or not, kids are messy.  It seems there are always little accidents to clean up when there’s a small child in the house.  Whether they run outside barefoot and track the dirt back in, or they spill their juice, we as parents are always on our hands and knees scrubbing up something.  A carpet shampooer is great for spot cleaning as well as whole house cleaning.

Most carpet manufacturers recommend one annual cleaning per person in the household, so in my case I have a husband and one child, that’s 3 times a year.  The cost of the shampooer is about what I would pay to have my house done 3 times in a year.  It is well worth it to me to own my own machine.

Nothing looks quite as bad a soiled stained carpet.  No matter how clean the rest of the house is, stained carpet can make a clean house look filthy. I have an aging dog and a 4-year-old and I get a lot of use out of my machine. Once you own one for yourself, you will see how often you need it and wonder how you lived without it.

Think of any occasion you’ve hosted in your home: a dinner party, a cookout, a family holiday.
Chances are, your guests have converged in the kitchen. If you live in a warm climate, why not take advantage of outdoor living spaces and add an outdoor kitchen. Outdoor kitchens are becoming almost as common as patios and barbecue grills were a half-century ago.

Outdoor kitchens are far more than  just food for thought. They’ve advanced in  form and function.  They are now an experience in casual chic sophistication, a lifestyle statement with an exclamation point. Clearly, outdoor kitchens are a trend that place emphasis on quality time with family and friends, all within a living space whose appointments can withstand the elements.

Outdoor kitchens are not just for entertaining.  They are a place where the can relax after work and have a glass of wine in the fresh air. It has become a sanctuary in many homes. Some people add such accouterments as flat-screen, high-definition TVs, fountains, fireplaces, ceiling fans and all-weather rugs creating a very plush and luxurious exterior. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if the furniture belongs indoors or out.  All of this abundant space, convenience and weather resistance merge seamlessly, for an extension of the family room.

The idea of entertaining your party guests while also preparing their food alfresco is perfect for Florida or other warm climates but it’s not just for parties.  Some  use their outdoor kitchen once a week during the winter and two or three times a week during the warmer months.  The maintenance is much easier in an outdoor kitchen too, you can just hose it off when it gets dirty in most cases
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The cost of an outdoor kitchen depends largely on square footage and custom amenities. The average is about $12,000, but there are some that are $6,000 to $8,000 as well as some on the high end at about  $20,000 and up.

Those who have them state that one of the nicest things about having this kitchen outside with a grill, refrigerator and sink is that you don’t have to run constantly back into the house to grab food, drinks or plates. It’s a newer trend in home building and home improvement that is sure to stick around for a long time. An outdoor kitchen expands your house and your entertaining area. When people put them in, they’re really also enhancing their lifestyle

Designers and decorators have shunned ceiling fans for years now, but the simple truth is they are extremely useful.  Ceiling fans today come in a variety of shapes, patterns, styles and colors.  Some even enhance the decor of a room.  While the professionals will not advise the installation of one, I do believe they are necessary.

In many climates, they can be used in lieu of air conditioning, and in the warmer zones, they can reduce the feel of the room temperature by 5 degrees or more.  Most ceiling fans are energy efficient and help to lower the usage of household energy and energy costs.  The circulation of the blades can be reversed in the winter to blow the rising heat back down.

I have had many different fans in different locations in the house and the few things I’ve learned is that proper installation is key.  Any shaking squeaking or wobbling can be avoided by hiring a professional to do the installation.  I happen to be a firm believer in the Hunter brand fans.  They are more expensive but they NEVER rattle.  Every other fan I’ve had, has begun to rattle after a year or less, so spend the little extra money and have the fan professionally installed and balanced, and buy the Hunter brand.  There is a better warranty on these fans than most others as well.

When considering outdoor ceiling fans, be certain to purchase an outdoor rated fan, again I prefer the Hunter brand, but no matter which you select, be sure it is made specifically for outdoor use.  The Motors are enclosed and protected from environmental damage and the blades are stronger and weather resistant.  Indoor fans will rust and corrode and the blades will droop.  The drooping blades are very dangerous and should not be used.  They are weakened and can break and fly off at any time. Let alone the fact that someone can be injured just walking under the low hanging blades.

Ceiling fans are space savers too.  You don’t need to have room for box fans or pedestal fans if you install a ceiling fan.  They are great for bedrooms also.  Many people report better sleep when they are under the soft breeze of a ceiling fan.

While they may not be as esthetically pleasing as a beautiful chandelier, they are useful and energy efficient and a must have in my home.

Holiday decorating can be so stressful  Many couples report that it could possibly be the leading cause of divorce.  All kidding aside, Holiday decorating has to be one of the least favorite jobs of many couples.  The lighting situation must be at the top of everyone’s most hated “to-do” list. So many people are afraid of heights, and the tiny little burned out bulbs are enough to send anyone into panic mode.

A few suggestions for surviving the Holiday decorating season are as follows:

If you have the extra money, hire someone to do it for you.  There are many companies available for hire that will install your holiday lights for you.  Some will provide all of the lights and ornamentals, on a rental basis and install and maintain them throughout the season.  Others will just do the dirty work for you.  You provide the lights and other fixtures and they will do all the hanging and installation.

If that’s not in your budget, try disposable lights.  Buy inexpensive lights that you can dispose of yearly.  No tangled cords, no broken bulbs, no fuses to replace, just fresh, new, working lights, to hang as you please.

Another tip is to lay out all the lights, as you would on the roof, bushes etc. and test them.  Be sure they are working before you install them, double check all the lengths and the extension cord connections.  Be certain to have on hand all the clips or other attachment devices before you get started.  Buy extras of everything.  It’s a lot less stressful to make a return to the store than to have to stop and go out for supplies.

When it comes to indoor decorating, it seems the women are usually in charge.  The Christmas tree selection and decorating process is a very personal one for most women.  I have learned that I should select the tree by myself.  It means more to me than anyone else in the house and it is always a source of frustration when the family tags along.  I seem to be the only one that can see large gaping holes and ugly crooked trunks and straggly branches on these trees. They don’t like it and I don’t like it, so it is a project I will take on by my self from now on. My tree is the centerpiece of my home during the holiday season and it means so very much to me.

This leads me to my next suggestion.  A second tree.  A second Christmas tree is an idea we’ve adopted in our home. I have my perfect beautiful tree, and I have a smaller artificial tree, just for my son, in another room.  He helps me decorate this one with all of his treasured ornaments and his train set around the base.  It’s equally as beautiful, but much less stressful.

Just a few suggestions for surviving the Holiday stress, hopefully they’ll help!!!

Hiring an interior decorator is not reserved only for the rich and famous.  Today decorators usually charge a minimal consultation fee and then by the hour.  You can choose exactly how much time and money you want to spend.

If you are looking for help with color selection, furniture and accessory placement, or purchasing furniture or accessories, a decorator is for you.  The difference between a decorator and a designer is mainly the education level.  Designers have much more education including architecture knowledge.  A decorator has less formal education and works mainly with color and accessorizing the home or office.

When selecting a decorator price is usually a factor in narrowing down your search. Once you’ve found a few that are in your budget, then you must see their work.  Ask to see a portfolio of their work.  Some have a ready-made brochure, or a slide show that will demonstrate their ability.

Some decorators you will find have a particular style that they tend to like.  All of their projects look similar. This is why it is important to view their work before the initial consultation.  Be sure you like their personal style before you make the consultation appointment, which you will be charged for.

Some decorators will charge the consultation fee, then take it off the hourly fee if you decide to hire them.  This just helps them get paid for their time and is completely fair either way. Some will negotiate with you on the price as well so don’t hesitate to ask.

If you decide to use a “decorator” that works for a furniture store and works for “free” be cautious.  They are not all qualified; some are just glorified furniture salespeople and have no interior decorating knowledge at all.  They are paid commission and only make money when you buy your items at their store from them.  Be sure you understand how these people are paid before you decide to go this route.

Many decorators understand budgets and are very willing to work within them.  If you want to find a professional to help you reuse and recycle what you already have, be sure you communicate this to the decorator and they will almost always be able to accommodate your request.

Your home is where you spend your time with family, where you entertain your friends, and it should be a reflection of you.  Adding a few special touches suggested by a decorator will help it look like you only better.

The benefits of making home improvements are many.  There are multiple reasons to make home improvements including; aesthetics, family bonding, added value, timing, and necessity.  When deciding to make a specific home improvement, you may not realize all the benefits involved in completing the project.

When making a renovation or improvement, in most cases you are improving the appearance.  Whether you are doing an inside of outside project, the end result is usually a better appearance and a prettier environment for you to live in.  This creates a little more peace at home by putting everyone at ease when the project is completed.  Not having to look at that particular job that needs to be done makes every one’s life more comfortable.

When tackling a home improvement involves the whole family, the benefits are immeasurable.  The value of family time is so important and often overlooked.  Children can learn so much from working side by side with their parents on a project.  The completion of the project is very rewarding as well as all the little things they may pick up along the way. This is a great way to bond with your family.

Some improvements are done out of sheer necessity.  If there is a disaster, or a health risk, you must do a project out or necessity, as well as in the case of a hazard.  Even these projects have value.  The value of peace of mind.  Knowing the wiring isn’t faulty or the mold growing in the walls is eradicated brings great peace of mind. Knowing you can keep your family healthy and safe is very valuable.

Financial gain is another reason to make home improvements.  You will not receive this benefit until you sell the house, but in the case of most improvements, you will profit substantially.  Some improvements boast a greater return (bathroom and kitchen rennovations) while others may just make your home more attractive to prospective buyers, creating more traffic and a shorter sale period.

The benefits of making home improvements bring tranquility and family closeness as well as financial gain.  These are all things that can be considered when deciding to make future improvements. Any way you go, in most cases you are bettering your living space and eventually you will reap the benefits.