|
When you want to make your property stand out and help it shine and improve, there are so many things that can help you to understand this, as well as working toward taking the right steps to be successful. If you want to provide a jaw-dropping home environment, one of the best ways of doing that is to come up with some of the leading interior design hacks that will help you with this. There are a lot of ideas that you need to work on when it comes to improving your life, and this is something that you have to think carefully about. Make sure you come up with some of the best ideas that are going to allow you to improve your property and help it shine. Here are some of the key interior design essentials that you can use to help you create a jaw-dropping home environment.  Picture
Feng Shui the Heck Out of Your Home! Feng shui is one of the key components of making sure you improve your property, as well as helping you when it comes to making the right choices for the future. You have to try to create the most jaw-dropping interior you can, and one of the best ways of doing this is to make sure you embrace feng shui. Rebalancing the energy in your home, and rearranging the furniture to a much better and more appealing setup is super important. You need to look for some of the best ways of being able to achieve this process moving forward, and there are a lot of things that play a role in helping you here. Trying to use feng shui to improve your home is super essential, and this is something you can embrace for long-term success as much as possible.. DIY the Place as Much as Possible There are loads of things that you need to consider when you are looking to improve your property, and making sure you DIY the home is one of the best. There are tons of great things you can do to revamp the place, and being able to take charge of this yourself gives you an extra layer of achievement and fulfillment. Try to think about some of the key ideas that can help you improve this as much as possible. If you can utilise home DIY, and make changes that are going to help your home stand out, there are loads of ways you can benefit from this and it is essential to try to make the most of this as much as possible. Come up with some of the best ways of being able to make your home better, and this is so important. Make Your Property More Secure Taking steps to help make your property more secure is hugely important, and there are a lot of things that you can do to help make the most of this. It is essential to make sure you think about some of the best ideas that play a role in helping you here, and things like window replacement services can help you to make the property more secure, which is going to help you significantly. There are a lot of things that you need to get right when you are looking to improve your home as much as possible, and this is something that you need to focus on as much as you can. Making your property more secure is something that makes a huge difference to the way your home comes across, and this is something you need to consider with any changes you are looking to make. Go Green Try to make sure you focus on some of the best ways of being able to improve your home, and going green is one of the best ways of being able to achieve this. It is important to make sure you think about some of the best ways of being able to improve this process, and there are a lot of things that play a role in helping you achieve this. There are loads of great ways of being able to improve your property as much as possible, and it is important to make sure you focus on the best ways of going green, and there are plenty of things that you can do to improve this in your life as much as possible. It is vital to make sure you think about some of the best ways of being able to make your property healthier and greener, and this is something you need to get right as much as possible. Be Smart Going smart at home is a great way of being able to boost the home environment, and there are so many excellent ways of being able to achieve this. Try to come up with some of the key ideas that will help you when you are looking to improve this process, and you have to come up with ways of being smarter at home, via things like smart thermometers, smart metres, and more, and you can link these up to your phone. This is a great way of being able to keep your home up to date as much as possible, and there are a lot of things that play a part in this right now. As you can see, there are so many different ways of being able to improve this process, and there are a lot of excellent ideas that will help you improve your home. Making the right changes to provide a jaw-dropping home environment is something that you have to work on as much as possible, and these are some of the best ideas that will help you with this moving forward. There are so many ideas that you need to focus on when it comes to improving the interior of the home, as well as boosting your home environment and trying to create an amazing home life that you can benefit from as much as possible.
0 Comments
 Image credit
People work hard to get their homes. Unfortunately, a big mistake people make is neglecting the correct maintenance and repairs that are required to keep their property in the best condition possible. Property maintenance and repairs are important, especially leading up to and during the winter months as this can be when the weather is at its harshest. Why is it important to prepare your home for winter?Not only will preparing your home save you money in the long run, or on your heating costs but it will also slow down or even stop the process of your house deteriorating. All houses need to be warm and dry to optimally increase their lifespan. Luckily there are several things you can do to prepare your home for winter, whether it is clearing your gutters, adding insulation, or hiring professional plumbing services to check your pipes. To help you, here are several things that anyone can do or check to help prepare their homes for winter. How to prepare your home for winter #1 Heating systemsThe heating system in your house has a finite lifespan, and they are most likely to fail after sitting dormant over the summer months and then being used in high loads over the winter months. It is advisable that you get these heating systems regularly maintained and that you are aware of when it was installed so that you might have an idea as to when they will need to be replaced or upgraded. There is nothing worse than getting to winter and realizing your heating system has failed and then living without heat. #2 Cleaning your guttersThe job isn’t glamorous, and many people are reluctant to do it but once all the leaves have fallen from the trees it is time to check and clean your gutters. If they are clogged up with debris then this will cause them to overflow and run down your property, leading to dampness and drainage issues. Luckily in most cases, this task shouldn’t take more than a few hours or a day at the most, and you only have to do it once a year unless you are extremely lucky. #3 Adding or replacing insulationOnce you have heated your home, you want to keep all that heat in for as long as possible, so it is a good idea to check your roofing insulation and the seals on your doors and windows as these are the most likely places that the heat you are losing will be escaping from. You could also look at what type of windows your property has, and if they are single, double, or triple-glazed. If you have single-glazed windows, then it might be an idea to invest in upgrading them. Not all of us have the time, health, or experience to carry out some of these tasks, but there is always professional help available. There are of course other things you can also do to prepare your home for winter, but these are a few of the important ones to consider. Taking great interior design photos is an art and a science – and incredibly difficult to get right. Mostly, it’s done by professionals with extremely expensive standalone cameras. Now, though, many people are wondering whether their phones fit the bill. Is it possible to take great interior design shots on an iPhone? Well, it depends on who you ask. Die-hards will always tell you that it isn’t. You simply can’t get the quality you need. But more open-minded people will tell you that it’s not just possible, it’s downright desirable. This post takes the view that the latter is true: you can use your iPhone to take interior design photos. However, it takes a bit of planning and preparation. Here’s what you need to do to get good results. Shoot The Same Object From Different Angles And Distances Getting perfect interior design photos involves a bit of trial and error. Chances are that practically all of the photos you see online were taken as part of a much bigger set and then selected later when the editor whittled the album down to just one solitary photo. That’s why it’s a good idea to change the angle, distance to the subject, and even the lighting. You can then review all the photos and see which one makes the most sense for the room you want to shoot. Keep Your Lines Straight  Unsplash - CC0 License Behind every great interior design shot, there’s a certain linear logic. Don’t believe me? Just take a look at any popular stock interior photo. You’ll notice that all the lines match up with the angle of the photo perfectly. Images tend to look really bad when lines don’t line up. But they can look great when they do, according to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukbrg7vEFMs. You want as many vertical and horizontal elements in the image to line up with the angle of the picture as possible. (It won’t always work 100 percent of the time because of perspective. In these cases, just make sure that the most prominent lines line up). For instance, if you’re taking a photo of a bathroom, make sure that the bath is horizontal and that the lines between the tiles are vertical. Likewise, in the kitchen, keep the countertops horizontal and the gaps between the cabinets vertical. To convince yourself that this is worth doing, take a few photos of your rooms that don’t take horizontal and vertical lines into consideration and see how they look. You’ll be surprised just how bad they look compared to the ones you take properly. Shoot Straight On You’ll also notice that professional interior photographers always shoot subjects (such as bathtubs) straight on. That is, they don’t try to peer into them. Instead, they photo them side-on. Why this looks so much better is actually a bit of a mystery but it works. Therefore, think carefully about your body position and how you could change it to take a better shot. Kneeling down, sitting, or even lying down can make your rooms look spectacular. Shoot Late In The Afternoon  Unsplash - CC0 License
Here’s another pro tip: shoot interiors in the morning or late in the afternoon if you’re using your phone. You want to avoid harsh sunlight coming in from the top of the photo and casting shadows across all your images. If you can shoot on a cloudy day, that’s even better. Natural dullness opens up space for you to artificially illuminate images (or get your camera to do it for you). Overcast days generally fill rooms with a soft light that you can brighten up later at the editing stage. Edit Your Photos Speaking of which, it helps enormously if you can edit your photos after you take them. Touching them up can bring out the best in the room and show people features as they are meant to be seen. If you’re not sure how to do this, you can simply follow your phone’s recommendations. There’s no need to use complex software, like Photoshop, unless you’re working professionally or have specific effects in mind that you want to achieve. The iPhone takes away a lot of the hard work on most pictures for you. You simply adjust the sliders and it’ll give you the effect that you want. You can also adjust all your settings to the same preset. This way, you can edit photos with the click of a button and get them all in the same style. Don’t forget, if there’s an interior that you really like, you can set it as your background by following the instructions described on sites like https://setapp.com/how-to/screenshot-on-iphone. Brighten Your Images With Natural Light When photographing interiors, don’t forget to brighten them with as much natural light as possible. You want the images to appear as “true” light, something that modern phones are getting better at doing. Artificial light generally doesn’t work as well. If you decide to use your phone to take artificially-lit interior photos, you’ll need to edit them afterward to make the light appear whiter. Beware that natural light changes throughout the day. If you take photos too late in the evening, they’ll appear dark on camera and, possibly, reddish in color. Try taking photos a couple of hours before sunset or after sunrise for the best results. Conclusion In summary, you can take interior design photos on a phone, but you need to follow some rules. With the quality of modern phone cameras, it’s easier to achieve than you might think. If you are shooting on your phone, make sure that you get the lighting right and arrange the room in the correct format. Also, avoid the temptation to blur out any of the foreground or background, unless you’re specifically going for perspective. Remember, most people who see interior design photos want to look at all the items in the room, not just the main subject because they want to get ideas. If a photo doesn’t quite turn out how you hoped, don’t delete it immediately. Play around with your phone’s editing tools to see if you can improve it. Are you someone who likes to take things into your own hands? Are you always looking for ways to improve your home? If so, then you should consider becoming a DIYer! There are many ways that you can revamp your home using simple techniques and tools that you probably have lying around your house. This blog post will discuss some of the best DIY projects for homeowners who want to make a change! 1) Spruce up your front door:First impressions are everything, and your front door is often the first thing that guests see when they come to your house. So, if your door looks a bit drab, consider giving it a makeover! You can easily repaint your door to give it a new look. Or, if you want something more creative, add some decals or stencils. This is a great way to show off your personality and make your home stand out from the rest.  Via Pexels
2) Give your walls a new lease on life:Boring white walls were so yesterday! If you’re looking for a way to add some personality to your home, then why not try painting your walls in a bold colour? You could add some wallpaper accents or stencils to make a statement. If you’re unsure about painting your entire wall, you could always start small by painting one accent wall. This will still add some visual interest to your space without being too overwhelming. Make sure you have the necessary Paint Rollers and Tape before starting this project! 3) Update your light fixtures:Outdated light fixtures can really date a space. If you’re looking for an easy and inexpensive way to update your home, then consider replacing some of your light fixtures. There are so many different options available on the market, so you’re sure to find something that fits your style. You could even try making your own light fixture if you’re feeling extra creative! 4) Revamp your furniture:If you’re tired of looking at the same old furniture, then it might be time for a change. You don’t necessarily have to go out and buy new furniture, though. Instead, there are plenty of ways that you can revamp your existing furniture to give it a fresh new look. For example, you could sand down and repaint an old dresser. Or, if you’re up for a challenge, you could try reupholstering an old piece of furniture. This is a great way to add some personality to your home and save money at the same time. 5) Add some greenery:Plants are a great way to add life to any space. If your home is feeling a bit dull, then consider adding some plants. You can either purchase some potted plants or grow your own herbs and flowers. Not only will plants add some colour and visual interest to your space, but they can also help to purify the air. In conclusion, these are just a few of the many ways that you can revamp your home using simple DIY projects. So, what are you waiting for? Get started today and see how easy it is to transform your space!  Photo from Pexels
There's so much you can do when it comes to transforming your home. Whether you use the space all the time or it is a room that is seldom used, there are many ways to inject new life into your home and increase its value simultaneously. However, transforming your own home can seem overwhelming when starting out on this journey, especially if you have no idea where to start. Fortunately, this list will give you some unique and often overlooked ideas for transforming your home completely. Home renovation is a great way to improve your home, add value, and create a space that reflects who you are. If you're ready to get started, read on for three easy ways to transform your home. Install New Windows and Doors Windows and doors are a major way to transform your home's aesthetic and curb appeal. Installing new skylights and windows can also help make your home more eco-friendly, as you will be using more natural light and less electricity. Of course, this also has the added benefit of making your home look more attractive to potential buyers. If you want to transform your home's exterior by installing new windows or doors, you can choose from a wide range of colors, styles, and finishes. Not only will these new additions help increase the value of your home, but they can also help you feel happier and more comfortable in your space. Installing sliding windows instead of standard windows can give your home an incredible look and give you the added bonus of being able to open them easily. If you want new windows, then a sliding window replacement is something you should look into for your home. Add an Outdoor Entertaining Area Outdoor entertaining spaces are a great way to transform your home. Outdoor entertaining spaces can add a lot of value to your home. This is because buyers often see outdoor spaces as essential qualities in a home. There are many ways to transform your backyard into an outdoor entertaining area. You can add awnings, hammocks, outdoor fireplaces, or outdoor lighting. Adding one or more of these features will make your outdoor space feel more tailored to you, with the added bonus of increasing your home's value. Decorate with Plants Adding plants to your home can give it a new look and make it feel more welcoming. There are many ways to add plants to your home. You can use pots and planters on the floor or put them on shelves or tables. Not only are plants inexpensive, but they also look great and can be used at any time of the year. Not only will this inject new life into your home, but the plants will also fill it with a lovely scent and make the environment more welcoming. If you are just getting started in the plant world, you should start with a few succulents or cacti that are easy to care for. Not only will decorating with plants increase the value of your home, but it will also add a nice touch of color that you will surely appreciate. Conclusion Home renovations can be a fantastic way to inject new life into your space and increase the value of your property. If you're ready to transform your home, these three easy ways to transform your home are a great place to start. On top of being budget-friendly, they are also easy ways to transform your home without major renovations.  Pexels - CC0 License
When we think of making a house child-proof, we tend to think in terms of protecting our toddlers or young children from the threats there. But it’s true that even young teenagers may require some protections too, even if they are generally more independent, and are less likely to be in danger of terrible judgement, like playing with the cleaning chemicals under the sink, or sticking cutlery in the power sockets. That doesn’t mean they’re completely safe from all things at all times. You, as an independent and intelligent adult don’t have that luxury either. For this reason, identifying what these threats could be can help you better ensure your home is a safe place to occupy for people of all ages - but certainly those who may have a lack of adult judgement. For instance, if you have any legally-owned firearms (such as when living in a rural location), or dangerous tools, then taking the time to buy safe installations can ensure only you have access. Let’s consider, with that kind of mindset, how to ensure your home remains safe for children of all ages: Stairs, Ramps & Access It’s essential to make sure your building has appropriate access, especially if you need room to manoeuvre a pushchair or a wheelchair to the front door. Ensuring your stairs are secure, even, and clearly defined will prevent a child from falling down, or small inclines can also prevent those drops. It’s also important to consider where to lock off access, such as making sure all second-floor windows are stuck on ventilation locks only so falling out of them is absolutely prevented. Still - even with that, a close parental eye is key. The Driveway Area Driveway areas are simple in their function, most of us know what they’re for and how to use them on our property. But it’s also true to say that for children, they can be quite dangerous - especially if you’re pulling in or out of the property without your child in the car, such as when heading out to grab a few groceries alone. It’s important to encourage your children to stay away from the driveway, to fence off the area from the rest of the garden, and perhaps to place mirrors, reflector lights, and a front gate to limit speed around obscured angles. Climbable Objects Children are pretty adept at climbing anything they can - of course, until they’re not. It’s impossible to make everything in your home anti-climb, for instance, as it’s not as if you’re going to place anti-climb paint on the walls, or wire on the top of your furniture. That said, it’s important to consider locking cupboard doors, to pull chairs in when you can, to make certain children are disciplined if climbing, to fill surfaces where appropriate, and to be very observant. Soft surfaces, carpet, and safety gates can also be helpful. With this advice, you’re sure to make your property safer for your children in the best possible way. Note that even if you don’t have children, your friends might, and so it’s good to keep this in mind. In today’s busy world, people tend to spend more and more time indoors. They work inside buildings, commute in vehicles or public transportation, and come home to spend time with families or binge-watch a favorite show. Make inroads into changing those habits by bringing the outdoors into your home.  Image Credit Make the Outside World More Accessible Let the sunshine in can be your mantra when you have a fully functioning patio door. Whether you have an old one that tends to stick or is cumbersome or are in the market for an addition, look for patio doors near me to find inspiration and the best deals. One of the benefits of a smooth-moving patio door is easy access to your outdoor space. In sunny weather, you can sit outside with your family for an al fresco meal together. On cooler days, try implementing an outdoor heater. Cozy up together with stocking hats, some plush blankets, and your warm beverage of choice. When you have an easy and available way to access the fresh air, you will take greater advantage of it and enjoy it that much more. While this is not bringing the outdoors inside of your house, per se, it is a means of extending your living space into the great outdoors. Plant an Indoor Garden Embrace your green thumb all year long by planting a small container garden indoors. You do not need to sow an entire crop; instead opt for small and easy-to-grow plants. Herbs are some of the most trouble-free plants you can select. If you enjoy cooking, plant herbs you can fully utilize in your culinary exploits. Some ideas include:
Add a Sunroom Extending your home to include a sunroom addition is an amazing way to indirectly interact with nature through a visual lens. By design, sunrooms usually encompass more windows than walls. Those windows allow warm sunshine to flow into your home while the sunroom itself lends space to sit and watch nature from a comfortable place. When adding your sunroom, ensure you place a sliding door at the entrance from your home proper into the sunroom. This allows the area to be closed off if desired, or opened up completely to expand entertainment options. Furnish your new sunroom with furniture that is both comfortable for lounging as well as entertaining. Ensure the fabrics or finishes are fade-resistant due to the likelihood of constant sun exposure. Watch this video for one woman’s positive experience after adding a sunroom. Embrace the Plant Life Including sleek green snake plants or overflowing spider plants in your interior design scheme will add multiple benefits. Plants are proven to help clean the air inside your home in addition to lightening the mood. The ritual of tending to plants can be as cathartic as your morning coffee ritual. Use the colors of the plant’s leaves and flowers to complement your current aesthetic, and pot them in containers that are artful and decorative. Create a hanging array of plants or make a living wall. Bring them into every room in your home to add texture and life.  Image Credit
Enjoy the comforting qualities of nature. Invite the sunshine, fresh air, and beautiful greenery into your home. You will breathe easier and appreciate the serenity of it all. Try enjoying nature a little more both inside and out with these tips today. If you are thinking about constructing an apartment building, there are a few things you need to know. The process of building an apartment complex is not as simple as putting up some walls and calling it a day – it takes careful planning and execution to make sure everything goes smoothly. This blog will walk you through the entire process of constructing an apartment building, from start to finish. Find the right piece of land: The first step in constructing an apartment building is to find the perfect piece of land. This may seem like a daunting task, but there are a few things you can keep in mind to help you find the right spot. First, consider the location – you want to be sure that the apartment complex is situated in a safe and desirable neighbourhood. It should also be close to public transit and other amenities like supermarkets and coffee shops. Once you have found a few potential locations, it’s time to start looking at the actual property itself. Make sure that the land is large enough to accommodate the size of your desired apartment complex and that there are no zoning restrictions that would prohibit you from building on it.  Via Pexels
Draw up the plans: After you have found the perfect piece of land, it’s time to start drawing up the plans for your apartment complex. This is where you will decide on the number of units you want to include, as well as their layout and design. You will also need to factor in things like parking, storage, and common areas. Once you have finalized the plans, it’s time to submit them for approval from the city. Hire a Multifamily Construction company: After your plans have been approved, it’s time to start looking for a Multifamily Construction company. They specialize in constructing apartment buildings and will be able to help you bring your plans to life. This is an important step, as you want to be sure that you are working with a reputable and experienced contractor. At this point, the construction company will take over and begin working on constructing your apartment complex according to the plans you have drawn up. Depending on the size and scope of the project, this process can take anywhere from several months to a year or more. Furnish the interior of your apartment building: Once the exterior of your apartment complex is finished, it’s time to start furnishing the interior. This includes things like flooring, paint, fixtures, and appliances. You will also need to decide on the layout of each unit and how you want to furnish it. Remember that you will need to purchase enough furniture and appliances for all of the units in your apartment complex. This can be a sizable investment, but it is necessary to make your apartment building move-in ready. Find buyers or tenants: The final step in constructing an apartment building is to find buyers or tenants for the units. If you sell the units, you will need to list them on the market and wait for interested buyers. If you are renting out the units, you will need to find tenants and have them sign leases. In either case, it is important to screen potential buyers or tenants carefully. You want to be sure that they are responsible and will take good care of your property. Once you have found the right buyer or tenant, you can hand over the keys and officially open your apartment complex! Apartment buildings are an excellent investment, and by following these steps, you can be sure that yours will be successful. With careful planning and execution, constructing an apartment complex can be a smooth and rewarding process. Pexels. CCO Licensed.
While the opportunity to design and build your own home can be exciting, it requires a lot of careful planning and preparation. Many people undertaking self-builds end up making mistakes along the way. While some blunders can be easily fixed, others can be much more disastrous. Below are a few of the mistakes that you definitely don’t want to make when building your own home. Neglecting a soil survey A soil survey can help to tell you what type of soil you’re building on so that you know what kind of foundations to lay. If you lay foundations without undertaking a soil survey, you could end up building a home with inadequate foundations, which could lead to all kinds of structural problems in the future. Make sure to skip this task. Ignoring planning restrictions When choosing a plot of land to build on, it’s worth also looking into planning restrictions. There may be limits as to how high you can build, where you can put windows or trees that you’re not allowed to remove from the area. It’s important to always get planning permission beforehand and to not construct anything if your plans are rejected - you could be heavily fined and your home could be ordered to be demolished if it goes against local restrictions. Not insuring your self-build Self-build insurance can offer compensation if your home is damaged or a worker is accidentally injured during construction. While you’ll hopefully never need to apply for this compensation, it’s useful to have this cover just in case the worst happens. You can compare insurers that provide this cover online. Choosing the wrong contractors It’s important that you choose reliable and well-priced contractors. When choosing contractors, consider looking up reviews online and checking that they have an online presence. It could also be worth checking if they are insured and whether they provide a performance bond for construction. Make sure that they also have all the right certification. All of this can prevent you from potentially hiring poor quality contractors. Taking on too much yourself If you’ve got some basic handyman skills, you may be considering taking on some of the construction work yourself. This could save you money, plus you can say afterwards that you literally helped build your own home. However, you should be careful of taking on too much work. You will need some helping hands - especially when it comes to handling tasks that may require a licensed professional like electrics or operating a crane. Having some help will also help you to complete construction in good time. Underestimating the cost You should have a clear idea of how much your self-build project is going to cost. This should include the cost of acquiring land, seeking planning permission, designing your home, ordering supplies and hiring contractors. On top of all these costs, it’s worth setting aside some extra cash to plan for the unexpected. If there are delays and you need to pay contractors for longer than anticipated, you’ll have the money to pay for them. Making mid-build changes It’s important to establish a design and stick with it. If you start trying to change things mid-build, it will throw off your budget, plus contractors may start to get annoyed. This is why it’s important to take time pouring over the design so that you’re happy with every aspect. Get an architect to provide a 3D model and take the time to inspect every detail of it so that you’re 100% happy with it. Most homes were built in a time before concerns about the environment were so widespread. It was only really in the 1970s that environmentalism got started and even by the early 1990s, it was still small. Now, though, things have changed. It’s mainstream and something that practically every major media outlet now openly discusses. Unfortunately, despite the changes in the conversation, the way we live hasn’t adjusted all that much. Homes follow much the same format as they always have. The good news, though, is that there are a bunch of little things that you can do that really add up over time. Check them out below: Change The Temperature On Your Thermostat  Unsplash - CC0 License One of the first things you can do is change the temperature on your thermostat. For instance, if people are home, set it to 75°F instead of the usual 70°F if you use air conditioning in the summer. Similarly, change your winter temperature from the usual 68°F to 65°F. Small alterations like these can make a tremendous difference to your overall bills. Rely More On Renewable Energy Of course, if you have ample renewable energy installed on your property, you may be able to avoid the need to turn down your thermostat at all. Companies like Wayne's Solar are already selling things like solar water heaters and photovoltaic panels that can power electrical heating systems. The more you rely on renewable energy, the greener your home will become, and the less carbon it will produce. Recycle What You Can Unfortunately, you still can’t recycle everything that you use in your home. Recyclers simply can’t process some forms of packaging. However, you can process most of it, especially if you know where to look. Check your local area to see what electronic items recyclers are willing to take, including things like old computers, TVs, and smartphones. Use Appliances Intelligently The amount of energy your appliances consume depends a great deal on how you use them. In some cases, you can avoid the need for them entirely. For instance, you could try running your washer on cold and see if the results are acceptable. You could also hang more of your clothing out in the sun or avoid the temptation to preheat your oven. If you have an opportunity to use the microwave, do so. Set the water heater to just 120°F instead of higher. Reduce Water Usage Water requires energy to pump to your home, which releases CO2 into the atmosphere. It also depletes freshwater in many areas which can have a knock-on effect on local ecosystems. To reduce how much water you use, take quick showers and not baths. Use low-flow faucets and shower heads. And if you are brushing your teeth, turn off the faucet. Automate The Lights To Turn Off When You Leave The Room Modern technology has given us something incredible: lights that turn off when you leave the room. These work using a combination of sensors and smart chips. If they detect you’re in the room, they’ll switch on. If you leave the room, they’ll turn off. This way, you never waste electricity on lighting that you don’t use. Install LED Bulbs Related to this, you might want to install LED bulbs. These use dramatically less electricity than standard incandescent and they last much longer, too. There are two ways you can go about this. Either, you can wait for your incandescents to burn out before replacing them. Or you can replace them all immediately and benefit from lower electricity costs. These days, you can install LED bulbs all over your home. They’re equally beneficial in indoor and outdoor areas. Use The Same Bag Every Time You Go To The Store Bags for life usually turn into “bags for the week.” And while they reduce the number of single-use plastic bags around, they still add to the overall quantity of non-biodegradable waste in the environment. Fortunately, you can simplify your grocery trips by using a single canvas bag made of material that will break down in the ground. Take it with you wherever you go so that you always have a bag available. If you have a car, keep it in the glove box or trunk. Use Approved Appliances  Unsplash - CC0 License
Lastly, prioritize buying ENERGY STAR appliances. These are tested by an independent energy rating body that determines their energy efficiency. Some appliances use less than half the amount of electricity as standard versions, and they may last longer, too. But only replace your existing appliance if you absolutely have to. Otherwise, it will wind up in landfill. |
Design Services
Looking for interior design help? Offering design consultations and online design for anyone, anywhere. Happy to help with any of your design needs! About
Archives
December 2022
Categories
All
Offering sponsored blog posts + social media campaigns, details HERE.
Gift Cards E-Cards for Design Consultations, more info here.
Online Design: complete flat rate room design, for anyone, anywhere. More info here.
Book A Design Consultation On-Site or Online for anyone, anywhere! Details here
Window Treatment Consultations
Moving Day Services
Design Layouts, details here
Color Consultation for Interior/Exterior
Flat Rate Kitchen Design & Bathroom Design Package. Details here
Flat Rate Home Office Design, just $450. Details here.
Flat Rate Outdoor Design, $450. Details here.
Flat Rate Room Design for Kids! $500 per room, details here.
“Work with what you got!” - Room Makeovers. Details here.
Room Refresh! - Room accessorizing services. Details here.
|
RSS Feed
