Home design and renovation

Somewhere along the line, your reliable home power generator will give up on you – like all machines do eventually. It could be because of negligence or normal usage, but that doesn’t spell the end – not by a long shot – because you can get it to work again if the damage isn’t too extensive. Read on to find out what your options are when it comes to repairing your home power generator. Take it To an Authorized Dealer   When a dealer gets authorized to handle sales, installation, maintenance and repairs from the generator’s manufacturer, you can be assured that their employees have been well-trained and certified to handle all your generator needs. When you take your broken unit to an authorized dealer, you can expect them to have technicians with the skills and knowledge to get your generator up and running. You can also be assured that they will have all the spare parts and equipment needed to get the job done. Take it to Your Local Repairman A good generator repairman can fix minor p

Like everybody else I too love to decorate my home to give it the ambience that relaxes me. Ever since I bought my house I developed a strong feeling to decorate my house in such a way that it looks different from the neighborhood. Now most of my time is devoted in finding something unique and stunning that can be a part of my home’s interior. This has made me a wanderer of some sort as wherever I go whether its business travel, vacations or social gathering I skip in between the schedules to find something that I can take along home. Not only this but I continuously research online to find something out of the box or something which is creative that instantly makes me go “Wow”. Though over the time I have found so many outstanding things online that are a part of my home now but this unique concept of printable wall art which to my good luck I found recently has amazed me the most, so much that it compelled me to write about it and let other people know of this amazingly stunning con

The winter months are slowly coming to an end, and after months of neglect, it’s soon going to be the time to get back in the garden and start injecting some life back into your garden - especially as you’ll be spending most of your time in it once the warmer months arrive . When it comes to getting our garden together, we usually focus on making sure that the grass is cut properly and all the flower beds are laid out correctly. However, we also need to makes sure that the furniture we have in our garden is usually one of the most important aspects of ensuring your garden is completely finished off. Now that the winter months are over, you will probably have a task on your hands to ensure that your furniture is kept in the best state. This infographic is a wonderful way to make sure that you are completely in the know about what to do with your outdoor furniture. If you are in the position where you are yet to purchase an outdoor furniture set, you will firstly want to make sure that y

For many people, reducing their energy consumption has two important benefits – it helps the environment and it saves money on those costly utility bills. In the average home, lighting costs around 15% of the annual bill and this increases to around one quarter for commercial properties. So,any way to reduce that bill has tobe a big plus, yet simply turning out the lights isn’t always an option, especially in the dark days of winter. Enter sustainable lighting and a range of different ways to light your home for less . Energy Efficient Lighting Most of us use the traditional style of lightbulb, known as an incandescent bulb. These use electricity passing through a tungsten metal filament that heats to over 2000 degrees and gives off light by glowing. They are also hugely inefficient – only 10% of power used goes to lighting and the other 90% is wasted. Halogen lights came along as an alternative and while they are better, they are still inefficient although they last around doubl

In Victorian and Edwardian times, it was commonplace to build two or three storeys of house above ground and have another level underground. Whether you call it a basement or a cellar, these below ground level spaces were used for a variety of tasks and came to serve as bomb shelters during World War II. While only a small number of UK houses have basements, there is a growing trend to add them or to include them in new build properties – but why? Add Space Without Increasing Footprint Currently around 2% of new build properties have a basement included in their design, although around 7% make use of a sloping site than include some underground levels, albeit partially rather than completely. Back in the 1920s and 30s, the need to include these basement spaces waned as there were more houses being built and the requirement for homes was met. But today, we are back in the position of desperately needing more homes and more space in the home so the basement is returning. From a const

When roof gutters are overflowing because they are clogged up with debris, it’s time to give them a good clean out. This is to prevent the walls beneath them becoming waterlogged, which would cause serious damage to the brickwork and cement joints. Following is a useful guide to DIY gutter cleaning , for those out there who want to save some money by doing the job themselves, rather than call in a company of professionals.  Things you need There are a few simple items that you will need to clean your gutters out properly, and these include: • A small gardening trowel • A prodding stick • A bucket • A length of stiff wire • A ladder Once you have all the necessary items together, you need think about how you are going to go about doing the job of cleaning your gutters. Since you will be using a ladder and working high up, this is a job that needs to be taken seriously because of the dangers involved. As long as you do things safely, then you shouldn’t have any problems at all. Cl

It can be a struggle to decorate a smaller area, especially if you want to make the most of the available space whilst trying to create the illusion of a bigger room. There are many ways to open up a smaller area and none of them have to involve knocking down walls. Simply by using creative optical illusions and bunch of clever tricks, you can have any room looking deceptively larger. From the correct colour schemes, the clever use of stripes and simple de-cluttering, here are 7 practical tips to fake extra space. 1. Use a Monochrome colour scheme. Along with creating a calmer, airier space, this allows the eye to roam over a room without being interrupted by distracting colours. Use different colour values to add a certain amount of depth and interest to the space. 2. Creatively place larger furniture. It’s a common thought that a smaller space means smaller furniture, however having one or two oversized pieces can actually have the opposite effect on a room. Placing a large sofa stra

Okay, so your humble abode isn’t likely to feature in “Home and Garden” anytime soon but that’s no reason that it still can’t stand out from the crowd. A well-laid out and attractive driveway is not only pleasing to the eye but also practical and will add considerably to your house’s market value and increase its saleability. Most people pay slight attention to a driveway but it is certainly noticed when it is in disrepair and overrun with weeds. Everybody has heard the horror stories of “cowboy” and rogue traders who have ripped off customers by building driveways at ridiculously low prices only for the finished surface to literally fall apart only months later. That is why you should only deal with fully qualified and certified tradesmen and this applies across the board and not just for driveways. Choices, Choices There is a range of materials and styles available to choose from when it comes to having a driveway installed or upgraded. Asphalt, gravel, aggregates and tarmac are all

When you are building, remodeling or simply redecorating your home, you will be faced with a lot of design options. Deciding between all of the different colors, styles and textures can be a challenge. These four design ideas will help to simplify your decision-making process and make your home a more enjoyable place for you, your family and guests. Greenery Including some greenery in your home allows you to enjoy the verdant, vibrant aspects of nature without having to deal with inconvenient weather, mosquitoes or nosy neighbors. One way to do this is to install an herb window. This type of window juts out from the profile of your home and has glass on the sides, top and bottom. The window is open to the room and has shelving that is ideal for growing herbs or placing a potted plant. Plumbing Plumbing is another important design consideration. In your master bathroom or guest bathroom, consider installing a bowl-style sink. Professionals, like those at RakemanPlumbing , know that this

Interior design trends change quickly, so it can be hard to stay current with the latest concepts. If you want to update the lighting in your home, check out these four ideas. There is a good chance that one of them will add a stylish appearance that complements the other decorative elements in your home. Add Recessed Lighting in a Variety of Shapes Image via  Flickr  by outreachr.com Most recessed lights have rectangular or circular shapes. Although they can be attractive, these designs are also a little boring. Instead of sticking to uniform and predictable shapes, you can get creative by introducing a variety of shapes to your home. You can also make your lighting more diverse by using different sizes. Even if you plan to use common shapes, you can make them look more interesting by mixing small rectangles with larger ones. Installing them only takes slightly more effort, and you’ll get big results in return. Use LED Lights That Can Change Color Many of today’s LED lights have the a

There are a number of bugs that can disturb your fun in the pool. While only some of them actually bite, the majority that don't, can still be quite a nuisance. The good news is that it's possible to get rid of them, so that you can go back to fully enjoying yourself in the pool. In order to completely get rid your pool of bugs anyway, it's important to understand a little more about the bugs, so that the solution will make more sense to you. Common Swimming Pool Bugs Many bugs are simply attracted by water and can therefore end up in your pool at any time. This can be anything from spiders, mosquitoes, bees, water striders, water-boatmen and backswimmers. If you have bugs in your pool , then chances are that you either have a water-boatman or a backswimmer, because they are the most common bugs that will live in your pool when given the chance. - The Water-Boatman (CorixaPunctata) The water-boatman is a gross looking bug of about 1/4 inch in length, with a grayish-bro

Motorized blinds have become popular among those who want to open their window blinds automatically, without having to do it manually by hand. Many industries demand motorized blinds that are extremely reliable as well as durable and technically advanced. This demand has led to the introduction of many companies which specialize in these types of blinds, but do you know which are the brands that are most dominant in this niche? Below are the undisputed champions in the motorized blinds business: Hunter Douglas Hunter Douglas has been in business for over a half century, which is one sign of their dominance. They control approximately 50 percent of the residential motorized blind market but also sell commercial systems. Their products are ideal for property owners that need up to 4 objects motorized within a single room simultaneously. Their systems are popular for their performance and ability to carry out tasks that are beyond the scope of their competitors. Their warranties are als

Getting the right furniture can be a real pain. There are so many different pieces you need to combine in order to create something meaningful. This is precisely why there are so many furniture manufacturers and the business is booming – everybody is searching for something and no matter what you create, there will be market for it. On our quest to find a perfect combination, we often overlook some of the products which can be a really great fit for our home. In this article, we will mention 5 different items that can be just the thing you’re looking for. 1. Egg chair Egg chairs are really popular as of late. Unfortunately, we usually see them in bars and similar places, seldom in homes. Even though they are really comfy, their unorthodox design dissuades many people from getting it. Egg chairs are great for your backyard but you can as easily use them within your home. They are also an amazing addition to your study. If you’re working from home, you know how important comfort is

Many homeowners neglect the roof and only pay attention to it when it is obvious that something is wrong. At that time it might be little too late to start worrying about the roof and that is why you should inspect the roof every six months. Besides regular inspections, you should upgrade or repair a few things from time to time and make sure that everything above your heads is alright.  Inspection and Maintenance A good time for inspecting the roof is while cleaning the gutters. While you’re at it, you should look for any missing or damaged shingles. Due to harsh weather, shingles can wear out, tear, break or curl and cause more trouble in future. Also, you should check if there are any algae or fungus and get rid of them. Don’t forget to check the metal parts for any rust and inspect the flashing to make sure it is solid. If there are any cracks, make sure you fill them with caulking or mortar. Additionally, you should cover a few maintenance issues. This includes sweeping or blow