Last updated Dec 19, 2020 | blog
We all enjoy being able to go to sleep in a comfortable bed after a long and exhausting day. So, it only stands to reason that no expense should be spared in terms of luxury and opulence. This is why the addition of a handful of throw pillows can make all of the difference in the world. Not only are these accessories quite stylish, but they can also be excellent for those who might require an extra level of lumbar support due to back or neck problems. The only issue is that there are literally hundreds of styles and designs to choose from. How can you make the right decision? Let us take a look at some useful suggestions as well as a handful of tips if you are looking to provide your bed with a bit of extra personality.
The Types of Throw Pillows to Select
Dimensions are obviously important, as you never want the pillows in question to dominate the entire bed. This is why you should first take a look at how much space you can afford to spare. The size of the pillows can then be more accurately determined. In terms of shapes, you have a kaleidoscope of variants. Here are some common shapes to consider:
- Standard square throw pillows.
- Lumbar pillows (longer rectangles).
- Long, cylindrical pillows known as bolster pillows.
- Round pillows.
It is normally a good idea to base the intended shape on the existing surroundings. For example, beds equipped with an angular frame will work best with square pillows. Round and cylindrical designs can be used to accentuate a visually soft environment.
What About the Material?
Throw pillows are made from numerous different types of materials. This is important for two reasons. First, the textiles used can affect the price. Secondly, some substances offer more hypoallergenic solutions than others (ideal for those who might have respiratory issues). While polyester is arguably the most common fabric on the market today, keep in mind that you have a handful of other options such as cotton and burlap. However, what if you instead wish to add a sense of luxury to your bed? In this case, the website Home Decor Bliss recommends materials such as velvet, silk, chenille, and even buckwheat. Leather, suede, and even faux fur are additional choices, so it is now clear that you should always try to use your imagination.
Customized Options
There can be times when more generic pillows simply will not suffice. In this case, it is better to opt for custom throw pillows. The major advantage here is that you will be able to choose specific features such as colors, designs, patterns, and sizes. This can also be an excellent gift for someone who has recently bought a new bed or moved into a different home. Custom throw pillows can be purchased online and you will normally be able to select specific parameters during the design process. So, you can be sure that you have made the right choice.
Darker or Lighter Tones?
This next question is slightly subjective, as it tends to be based on personal tastes. However, the majority of industry experts recommend using lighter tones if you happen to be dealing with a smaller bed. These will provide the unique illusion of space. They can also be used to reflect nearby light. Another useful tip is to choose a specific tone that already exists elsewhere (such as on nearby curtains or a floor rug). This will help to balance the overall visual environment; a very common trick utilized by interior design specialists. While there is nothing wrong with mixing and matching, be sure that the tones themselves complement one another in order to avoid feelings of becoming overwhelmed.
Hard or Soft Pillows?
This is also a rather flexible question but it still deserves a closer look. One of the advantages of harder stuffing is that it will inevitably provide you with additional support. This might be a wise choice if you happen to lay in bed while watching television or accessing the Internet. Softer varieties are perhaps more suited for those who regularly toss and turn during the overnight hours, as they will not have to readjust the pillows as often.
A Quick Look at Memory Foam
A growing number of consumers are opting for pillows equipped with a material known as memory foam. As the term likely suggests, the main benefit here is that the throw pillow will contour itself around a specific shape (such as the outline of your neck). It is believed that this is an excellent way to relieve feelings of pressure and to avoid muscular stiffness during the overnight hours. While memory foam pillows are slightly more expensive when compared to their traditional counterparts, they could still be a wise investment.
Throw Pillows: How Many are Too Many?
We mentioned earlier that purchasing too many throw pillows will cause your new bedding to feel cluttered and uncomfortable. So, are there any guidelines to keep in mind? This will primarily revolve around the surface area of the bed itself. As a general rule of thumb, throw pillows should not occupy any more than one-third of the entire available space. The good news is that there is still nothing wrong with buying an excessive number of pillows, as they can be rotated on a regular basis in order to provide your bed with a new look.
Throw pillows are some of the best ways to provide your new bedding with an entirely unique appeal. Of course, the levels of comfort that you can expect to enjoy should never be denied. It’s also amazing as to how they can also affect your skin. Cheaper materials having been commonly agreed to aggravate any conditions you may have. Please feel free to refer back to the suggestions mentioned above in order to encounter the configuration that best suits your requirements. In terms of laying back in the lap of luxury, there is no doubt that throw pillows play a critical role.
Last updated Dec 19, 2020 | blog
Deciding on what type of interior design you want to go with isn’t always a smooth process. With the advent of new technology, there are now more interior-design options than ever. Admittedly, it is still refreshing to hear guests’ compliments on your home décor. A vibrant home calls for a visually appealing interior design.
Different houses require different designs. Some require less labor, and some can be quite laborious and time-consuming. Before we delve into the world of wooden-designs, you ought to familiarize yourself with the skeletal structure of your house.
Working with wood can be tricky. Mistakes are often quite costly. A house with stucco is more laborious, and you could cut back on the overall cost if you do your homework concerning methods such as tongue and groove or how to cut into stucco. In doing so, you’re mitigating any risk that goes into the installation phase. Scroll through to learn more about the ins and outs of wooden interior design and what to add to help illuminate your décor.
Wood and Versatility
For centuries now, wood has been quintessential in its role in construction and décor. A nicely executed wooden-design could very well be the final touch of your home décor. If done successfully, a wooden-design can add warmth to your home and could soften the overall color contrast. The list below is the ways you can incorporate wood into your design to give it the classy look it so deserves!
Wooden Stairs
You wouldn’t be the first person to gaze in awe at an intricately designed wooden stair. We’ve seen it in many libraries that are two stories or more. Aside from being sturdy, they’re inarguably transcending the function of the stair. It is a piece of art, to say the least.
From the various arched types to the many spiral types, you can choose from plenty of options. If you want to go with the traditional choice, you ought to opt for a single or double winder stairs, or perhaps you would like to go all-in and install a grand staircase with bullnoses.
If, however, you decided to go with the contemporary choice, the good old mono stringer along with spiral and arched stairs are great options! As for the type of wood, research shows that African Mahogany and White Oak are better suited for staircases than the conventional ones. Therefore, choose wisely.
Hardwood Flooring
Ordinary floorings pale in comparison with hardwood flooring. Time and time again, experts have concluded that wood flooring is superior to its counterparts: tile, ceramic, concrete, etc. Visual wise, it is fair to put it right at the top of the list.
Benefits are manifold. They help with absorbing sound, which may not seem impressive at face value but is invaluable in the long run. Its insulating capabilities has always been one of the more attractive features of this type of flooring.
Studies show that climate plays a huge role in the durability of wood flooring. In places with high levels of humidity, the floor is susceptible to transformation. Therefore, it is prudent to do your due diligence in case your flooring needed extra coatings.
Kitchen Countertop
A cozy kitchen gives life to your home. What better way to achieve this than by investing in a nicely designed kitchen countertop? The smell of the wood alone is enough to bring anyone a step closer to nature.
More impressive than this is the fact that they’re more affordable than premium quality granite, yet equally fashionable. Different shades and tones are available in the market, and out of the many choices, users particularly favor a dark shade oak.
And for a more robust option, you might want to look at the different types of bamboo floorings that are now gaining popularity.
Perks of Using Wood
Coming in strong on the list of naturally renewable energy sources, wood is considered to be the hallmark of environmentally friendly designs. Depending on location, type of wood, and the applied treatment, you’re looking at a rich list of ways to incorporate this gem of a material in your home design.
With its long half-life, wood is said to be all the more precious since we can easily recycle them into new products. In doing so, we’re potentially keeping the carbon footprint as low as possible while simultaneously preserving our natural timber resources.
Emotionally, the more we’re in the proximity of natural materials like wood, the more we become content inside the same four walls we spend most of our time in. Even if you’ve decided to go with another material, adding a few small wooden accessories here and there could go a long way in making your home more livable.
Last updated Dec 19, 2020 | blog
More and more people are deciding to live a minimalist life and move to tiny houses. They seem to be a perfect option for those who want to change their lifestyle to a cheaper and more conscious one. You reduce the number of material objects to the minimum and restrict your living place to nothing beyond functional. They are meant to be eco-friendly as you reduce your carbon footprint and make prospective relocation easy.
Sounds perfect? Not exactly. Tiny houses often mean big problems. Although they seem to be an ideal solution to housing problems, you can face various unexpected challenges while living in one of them. Fortunately, you can remodel your tiny house and make it more accessible for daily living.
Toilet Issues
Tiny houses are problematic when it comes to answering nature’s call. Often, they don’t have a fixed septic system, and living in this little place means long wonders on how to get rid of the disposal. Some are equipped with dry toilets, which, if not cleaned properly, can cause an unpleasant smell in the whole house.
However, it doesn’t mean that tiny houses cannot have plumbing systems. In fact, they are not much different than the regular ones. You can run the pipes into the ground to a section of the yard that irrigates a garden and easily solve your problems regarding plumbing in Chicago or wherever else you end up when traveling with your tiny house.
Temperature
Tiny houses hold temperatures differently than normal-sized houses, and the temperature changes might be unpredictable and rapid. It’s not so easy to maintain the cool in the summer or warmth during winter. Cooling might be easier as you’ll need to find space in the shadowed area and open the windows to make a drought, but keeping the house warm is more challenging.
One of the options you have is installing a central heating system in your tiny house. However, as the surface you need to heat up is significantly smaller, you can think about the alternatives. Installing a wireless thermostat is a greener option, and it’s easier to control the temperature inside the house. Or, you can consider investing in a wood or pellet stove.
Garbage Storage
Tiny houses do not necessarily mean tiny trash, even if you are as zero-waste as possible. Garbage storage and disposal are another complicated matter for tiny house residents as they are not an exception when it comes to getting rid of garbage regularly.
You can compost as much waste as possible. And if you try to produce nothing beyond the biodegradable waste, composting is a great option due to being eco-friendly and giving the waste a second life. You can also keep the garbage in the glass space in your cabinets. After all, living in a tiny house means looking for unusual solutions. Finally, you can think about changing your house design to find a place to store your garbage. On the market, you can find trash cans with wheels that can be held in a ‘dead’ corner of your tiny house.
Organizing Your Space
Downsizing your living space also means downsizing your possessions. You need to get rid of all the unnecessary objects and adjust your house’s space to store them. There is no place for hoarding.
You can remodel your tiny house to make it as functional as possible. Think about furniture that has multiple functions. Some desks can function as dining tables. You can have drawers below your bed. If you live in a tiny house, you need to be as creative as possible when it comes to space. Another option, if you’ve already checked all the stores in searching for multi-functional furniture, is to pay to store your items.
Conclusion
As you see, living in a tiny house is not as perfect as it might seem on the surface. However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t deal with those challenges! Renovation of a tiny house is possible, and if you have a plan and stick to it, your creative solutions might make living in your little space more pleasant and trouble-free.
Think about all of the advantages that tiny houses provide you with, and don’t get discouraged by those problems. Living in them is not for everyone, as you will have to change plenty of your habits and adjust your lifestyle to the space you live in. However, if you still want to leave the consumerist way of living behind – implement those changes and enjoy your new life in a tiny house.
Last updated Dec 19, 2020 | blog
After settling in your new house, there are occasional repairs you will have to eventually make. Having some essential tools can help you work on some easy repairs without hiring a professional. Fill your toolkit with these 4 simple tools every homeowner needs to be prepared for emergencies.
4 Simple Tools Every Homeowner Needs
Maintaining your home requires high-quality tools because you don’t know when you might need them to perform some basic repairs. Here are the tools you should own.
Brad Nailer
This is a powerful tool designed for home improvement projects. It’s also ideal for joining furniture pieces or for your carpentry jobs. This electronic tool can fire18 gauge brads into pieces of wood to secure them. However, the greatest brad nailers are those that tackle different jobs effectively.
Brad nails are invisible on wood surfaces because they have a thin head and are small. Due to their small nature, you won’t have to refill the holes using a wood filler. However, you need to pick the right type of brad nailer to ensure it accommodates nail length.
Claw Hammer
This hammer will help you extract or pound nails into wood. It can also help you hang photos on the wall or dismantle your wooden deck. A hammer with a vinyl or rubber handle is an excellent choice as it offers a comfortable grip and has shock absorption abilities.
However, depending on your apartments’ size and other specifications, you may need to add to your toolbox different types of hammers to handle complex projects. For instance, sledgehammers will allow you to handle certain outdoor projects while rubber mallets are ideal for pounding materials you may not want to dent.
Tape Measure
This is one indispensable tool that you can’t fail to add to your toolkit. You will need it for tasks that require accurate measurements such as measuring furniture and remodeling your home. Models that measure 25 feet are ideal because they can tackle several home improvement projects.
When shopping for one, pay attention to the belt hook, locking mechanism, and the tang. Also, select one designed with acrylic or nylon coated blade for maximum durability. A digital tape measure is a good option since it will help you convert measurements.
Cordless Drill
A battery-powered cordless drill is another essential tool because you won’t have to worry about looking for an outlet before working on your projects. Modern cordless tools also run longer on one charge to allow you to work for an extended period.
You can also use your drill as a powerful screwdriver if you have some driver bits, to tighten hinges, or drive bolts into wall studs. However, remember to fully charge your tool before performing available projects.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Home Improvement Tools
If you tackle household tasks occasionally, you need tools that can handle the tasks. Below are the factors you need to check before buying your preferred tools.
- Safety rating: Safety should be your top concern because unsafe tools can cause severe injuries. To avoid injuries, choose tools equipped with some safety mechanisms.
- Essential features: Decide the features you want and then avoid buying tools with features you may not use to save money.
- Bare tools: Some cordless tools don’t come with a battery. However, there are many tools that use the same battery type, allowing users to buy one battery they can use with other different tools, thus avoiding unnecessary expenses.
- Project type: It’s also important to consider the types of jobs you plan to use with the tool you want to buy. For instance, a heavy-duty tool is suitable if you will be working on large projects.
Conclusion
It’s necessary to buy these tools if you don’t have them in your home to help you carry out repairs during emergencies or when you just want to give your home a simple makeover.
Dec 16, 2020 | blog
Is home maintenance costing you more than you expected? Even with all the routine costs spent on running the house, it can quickly end up looking dated and lackluster. So how do you freshen up your property when the money is tight?
There are actually a whole host of ways you can rehaul your home on a budget. Below, we present five house projects you can try yourself that won’t break the bank.
1) Re-Paint
Having a new coat of paint can really add freshness to your home. If you choose whites and neutral colors, you also increase the saleability of your property immensely. These colors make it much easier for potential buyers to imagine their furniture and belongings in the room, making the proposition much more attractive.
Even if you don’t want to sell your home, neutral colors will make your house look lighter. They will also enhance any features you do have, such as hardwood floors.
2) House Projects on the Exterior
As well as working on the inside of your home, you should also look at the exterior. No one wants to buy a house that looks like it is falling apart, with a dilapidated facade and a messy yard. One easy way to do this is with some gardening.
Clean up the yard and get rid of any junk or old furniture. Dig in and buy some great feature items from this list of plants, then sit back and watch them grow. All of this will add to the curb appeal of your home.
3) Replace Your Doors
Replacing external doors has a number of benefits for your home. Firstly, it increases the look of your home and can improve the home value. The right doors can show it as modern, fresh, and inviting.
If you go for a steel door, you are also increasing security. Opt for a door with a steel frame and vertical and horizontal locking mechanisms. It will also have the added advantage of increasing the energy efficiency in your home.
If you replace a garage door, you can use the existing motorized opener. This will save you a lot of money on a new one and will look great from the outside.
4) Replace Kitchen and Bathroom Fixtures
Replacing a whole kitchen or bathroom can get very expensive and is one of the bigger home improvement projects. However, you can make the upgrade much less expensive by swapping out the fittings and fixtures. Taps, draw knobs, and pulls, along with accessories such as towels and plants can actually make the room look like it has been fully refitted.
5) Install New Flooring
Flooring can totally overhaul the look of a room, and it does not always have to break the bank. If your floor is looking tired and dated, whether it is carpet or wood, then consider doing a refit. You can keep costs down by fitting it yourself or limiting it to one room or floor of the house.
Stick to your Budget
When conducting these house projects, always stick to a budget. That way your costs will not spiral, and if you come in under budget then you may have money for extra projects around the home.
If you enjoyed our handy house projects, then check out the rest of our blog. We have a number of articles on everything from finance to selling your property. Visit us today and let us help you build the perfect home on a budget!
Last updated Feb 9, 2021 | blog
So, Halloween left our houses, Thanksgiving too. It’s time to face the winter and prepare your room for Christmas!
As we all know, Christmas décor floods the world from the start of November and left it only in late January. But the winter is a beautiful season itself! If you’re not a fan of Christmas-only décor in winter – you’re in the right place! We want to introduce you to this list of decorations to change the spirit of our room to a winter one.
As winter is a season when people spend most of the time at home, it’s crucial to make it as cozy as possible. First of all – think about your personal associations with winter. Cold, snow, dark, grey sky? You can neutralize all of this! Or emphasize, if you really like it.
Of course, the radical decision of neutralizing the winter effects is to put plenty of plants in your room and turn it into tropics. You are free to go with it, but it’s winter after all. And you can use in your place the same things you use for your body.
Knitted Blankets
First of all – knitted blanket. It’s a cornerstone of winter coziness. No matter what are you doing – reading, writing your custom term paper, working, or just enjoying the insta-cats. This blanket will warm you and also it will cover your favorite chair or bed as a perfect knitted sweater. Just like you wear!
Great to choose warm light tones and chunky texture, but you go with what makes you feel the best. Also, it’s nice if you can knit one yourself.
Photo by Flora Westbrook from Pexels
Fairy Lights
What’s also makes us feel warm? Our friends and family. And light. You can combine them by using the warm-tone fairy lights with pins for photos. Hang it over your bed or table and add some heart-warming photos of your loved ones (cats are also a good choice).
Photo by Siri from Pexels
Candles
Speaking of light. As almost no one can afford the real fireplace in a flat, you can use the candles instead. One candle or a long row of them – it’s only your choice. You can choose perfumed ones, colored, plain white in a classic candelabra – take what your heart wants and décor allows. Old-fashioned lantern candlesticks can be a great choice too.
Photo by Jessica Lewis from Pexels
Rugs
Of course, it should be a rug! Floors can be cold, especially in the morning, so it’s good to lay a rug under your bed. The classic winter decision is a faux fur rug, but you can go with what you like better.
More Fur!
Faux is preferable. Add warm textile accents to your room. A pile of pillows in thematic pillowcases is a decision. It can be fur pillows to match the rug, some pillows with stitched “winter”, “snow”, and other related text or image on them.
Photo by Tan Danh from Pexels
Snow
What about the mystical shine of ice and snow? It makes winter magical. Hang some snowflakes on the places when the light can easily get them and enjoy the delicate shine.
Winter Bedding
It’s cold outside and you are comfortably lying in your bed… What a charming feeling. To make it more seasonal-appropriate, choose the special bedding for this time of year. Plain with some cardinals, snowflakes, or all-Christmas – it’s just your choice!
Eddie Bauer – Flannel Collection
Some more Décor Ideas
We all know the only bright tree in the winter forest is an evergreen one. Add some branches in vases, pinecones, hang the picture of your last winter skiing, put some dried oranges and cinnamon in a jar to make the tender aroma of mulled wine live in your house.
These ideas are only hints for you and we hope you’ll implement some of them in life!
