Modern Decor That Will Bring Life to Your Traditional Home

Modern Decor That Will Bring Life to Your Traditional Home

Living in a traditional home can be a very comforting experience to a degree. Just think about it: everything seems old like a relic from a bygone era and for those who are nostalgic that can be a very calming and relaxing experience. Yet, in order to make life more comfortable, sometimes traditional homes need to be upgraded. If you’re currently living in a traditional home and you’re looking to make it more modern, here are some tips that will show you how to do it:

Add some bold colors

Traditional homes aren't known for having boldly colored decor pieces or furniture. Instead, homeowners tend to prefer neutral colors that are easy to match with the rest of the home. If they do experiment with colors, they usually like to incorporate them into textiles and fabrics used for sofas and bed covers, mostly. Therefore, if you’re looking to revamp your old home, make sure to add furniture pieces that are yellow, bright green, purple or even turquoise, as that will be a great way to add some life to your traditionally-designed space. In case you don’t like vibrant colors that much, you can still stick to pastel tones as the main design theme, while bold colors can be used to make your place more exuberant. Painting a room white or beige can look very classy, but remember that adding colorful paintings or modern plants in minimalist pots will transform your home for the better.

Have some clean areas

A lot of modern home design is about minimalism, so if you have too many antique furniture pieces or other decor items at your home, make sure to declutter the space to make it more breathable. Now, that doesn’t mean you have to get rid of all the valuable items and family heirlooms, but always make sure to have at least one clean area in each room, so your house will feel more like a home, and not like a museum or an antique store. Besides, decluttering the place will give you more room to experiment with modern design options. Having too many furniture pieces or decor items will make the home look too crowded and dark which is something you should definitely stay away from.

Details are important

Having a silver vase or a nicely framed painting from your local artist will surely make your home feel more contemporary. Similarly, you can also hang your favourite movie posters or even frame record covers instead of more traditional wall art. This will add a modern vibe to your place even if you decide to keep everything else traditional. Besides, having a vibrant tribal rug will make your home look more boho-chic without losing its original charm. Additionally, you can also incorporate old decor items such as candle holders with something more up-to-date, like silver or glass cube vases.

Update what’s old

The best way to blend traditional and contemporary is to make your home more eclectic and colorful. For example, replacing the old fireplace with the modern one will ensure you a similar vibe and happy moments in front of the fire, but without struggling to get the firewood to keep yourself warm. Also, keeping your old elegant sofa is fine, as long as you opt for modern pillows or even decide to change the fabrics of the furniture into something more current. When it comes to kitchen and bathroom, you can keep the old styles, but make sure to fix everything that’s old and run down, and replace all the appliances and furniture with something that is easy to use. A lot of brands sell modern kitchen appliances that look vintage, so if you prefer traditional kitchen design, there’s no need to compromise anymore.

Living in a traditional home can bring a lot of joy to you and your family. Just keep in mind that, in order to make it work, you need to replace or at least fix everything that’s not functioning anymore. Additionally, playing with various decor styles and contrasting old and new will surely infuse your home with a unique and eclectic atmosphere.

Guest Contributor, Tracey Clayton

A Plumber's Guide: What Your Address Says About Your Business

 A Plumber's Guide: What Your Address Says About Your Business

The plumbing industry is booming. Some reports have found that in the United States, the number of working plumbers has increased by 1.7% over the past five years, which has resulted in $110 billion in revenue. Even greater news is that the plumbing industry is expected to continue to perform well through 2026, with an expected 16% potential growth. 

But, as with any booming and growing industry, competition is fierce and reports estimate that no individual plumbing company accounts for more than 1% of the entire industry’s revenue. In order to stand out from the competition, you need to make sure that you have a strong business strategy in place. 

This strategy should include elements such as knowing your niche, specializing in certain types of properties, marketing your services correctly, having a logo, having a business card, actively engage on social media, and have a clear lead generation and sales process in place. For the purpose of this guide, we will focus on what your address says about your plumbing business and how the right address can significantly improve your marketing and sales efforts. 

The Importance of a Business Address

In business, as in life, first impressions matter. In today’s digitally connected world, your first impression is your online presence, which should provide potential clients with all the relevant information about your business.

If your business address is not listed, it’s listed in a residential area, or it’s somewhere people aren’t familiar with,  potential clients might question the legitimacy of your company. Potential clients could think that your plumbing services are a side gig, therefore that you’re not a professional, or they might be skeptical about sharing their private information (such as home address and phone number) if all they find is a name and an address in a neighborhood they’re unfamiliar with. 

This is why having a professional business address is key to plumbing business success. 

But a Business Address is Expensive…

Yes. But it doesn’t have to be. A virtual office for plumbers could enable you to have access to a renowned business address, as well as a place to meet with clients, workspace, access to business tools and resources (printing, faxing, copying, secretarial support, customer service support, etc.). The great news? Virtual offices come at a fraction of the cost, which means you can significantly reduce your overhead costs and instead use the funds to buy equipment, invest in marketing, create your website, etc. 

Not only can a virtual office help you with the above, but it can also come in handy when you’re applying for a plumbing license, contractor license, and plumbing permit. Keep in mind that oftentimes, these certifications require specific documentation, including a business address. While some organizations accept residential addresses or P.O. Box addresses, some don’t.

Your Business Address and Marketing + Sales

To be successful today, it’s imperative that you have an online presence. This doesn’t just mean having active social media profiles, but making sure that your plumbing business shows up at the top of the page when people search for plumbing services in Google. 

One way to improve your chances of being ranked higher is by registering your business in Google My Business. What Google My Business does is that it puts your company on Google Maps, and it’s especially useful for local searches. If someone in your town or city searches for a plumber, by including good SEO you will be the top of the list and most likely to be called.

Ranking higher on search engine searches means that more people are likely to visit your website, which can translate into more leads and, therefore, more sales.

More than that, a renowned business address can go a long way in establishing trust and a sense of legitimacy with potential and existing clients. It also adds some privacy to your life, as you won’t be receiving any business mail in your home address, but rather through a virtual office. 

Conclusion

There’s a lot of potential and opportunities for growth in the plumbing industry. As you’re setting up or growing your plumbing business, try to take advantage of the available tools and resources you can leverage to reduce expenses, increase your exposure, and make a good impression. 

Plumbers need to have a professional and positive image if they want to attract new clients. Keep in mind that clients are inviting you into their homes or offices, and they want to make sure that whomever they’re hiring is legitimate and trustworthy. 

If you want to make a good impression from the get go, have a professional business address in an area people are familiar with. So, what can your address say about your plumbing business? It can say that you’re running a  legitimate and trustworthy operation, or it can say the exact opposite. 

Guest Contributor, Mat Calica

Beauty in Cohesiveness: 4 Excellent Tips for Creating Rooms That Flow Well Together

Beauty in Cohesiveness: 4 Excellent Tips for Creating Rooms That Flow Well Together

An important aspect of designing appealing interiors, creating a sense of connectedness in a house is no easy task (unless you’re a professional interior designer, that is). If you take a look at their homes and the way they are decorated, you will notice that there is always something that ties the whole space together and creates a visual flow. Now, you can choose to pay them to do that for you or you can learn how to do it yourself and spend your hard-earned cash elsewhere. Read on!

Make your home look cohesive by using the same design style

When it comes to decorating your home, deciding on the design style that you’re going to use throughout your house is the key to doing it successfully. When you have a defined style and you know what pieces, colors, and patterns you should be aiming for, the whole decorating process becomes so much easier as opposed to not having a clear idea of what your home should look like. Whether it is coastal, traditional, contemporary, or farmhouse, pick a style that speaks to you and that perfectly captures your personality. The last thing you want to have is a contemporary coffee table mixed with a vintage chair and an industrial lamp, as it will look messy and not cohesive at all. Instead, opt for pieces that complement each other so that the way you design your space looks intentional and well-thought-out.

Connect the rooms by using similar colors throughout the home

Now, as much as you may like colors, it’s important to avoid painting every room in a different shade. This is especially important if you’re working with smaller square footage, so try using a palette that consists of 2 to 3 similar hues to create a sense of connectedness. When someone loves renovating and updating their spaces as much as Australians do, they do whatever it takes to make their home more appealing, and a good paint job is sometimes all you need to refresh your dated property and make it cohesive. When they’re in need of stunning property facelift, they turn to house painters from Brisbane to make this cosmetic improvement and ensure their home looks as appealing as possible. A relatively inexpensive upgrade, painting is definitely one of the easiest ways to visually connect your space and create a sense of unity in your home.

Keep the floors consistent to create a visual flow

Another way of creating a sense of cohesiveness between the rooms is by choosing the right type of flooring. Keeping the floors consistent is a must when looking to create a visual flow and connect all the rooms in your home. Although different areas of your home will require different types of flooring (e.g. tiles in the bathroom and hardwood in the bedroom), as long as you use the same color palette for your flooring, your home will look like a cohesive whole. Nowadays, you can even get tiles that mimic the look of hardwood, so have that in mind when designing your living space. However, if changing your floors is not an option, you can still use area rugs that are the same color or material as an alternative to connect the rooms in your home.

Repeat the materials to achieve a cohesive look

Materials can be used as a common thread that will appear in each area of your home and help create a sense of unity. If you find yourself being drawn to a particular material, consider using it throughout your home, even if it’s something as simple as brass or gold detailing on the cabinetry and lighting fixtures. Marble pattern can appear on your floors, your benchtops, or your coffee table, while velvet can be used for the pillows in the bedroom, a sofa in the living room, and chairs in the dining room. Finding that one element and repeating it in each room will help tie the space together without going over the top. You can apply this design trick to any material of your choosing and create a nice connection.

With these four tips up your sleeve, we’re sure you’re going to create a home that will be worth showing off. Not only will you be saving a ton of money by designing your home by yourself, but you’ll also give it that authentic personal touch that no interior designer can do for you!

 Guest Contributor, Mike Johnston

About the author: Mike Johnston is an avid freelance writer and blogger from Sydney, Australia. He is a regular contributor to numerous lifestyle blogs and online magazines, where he writes about interior design (his specialty!), travel, family, sustainable living and other related and unrelated topics. Mike’s goal is to create insightful and compelling content that will help readers navigate through these vast and ever-changing fields.

Six Houseplants That Are Great For Bathrooms

Six Houseplants That Are Great for Bathrooms

You might think your bathrooms aren't good candidates to grow indoor plants seeing as they typically don't have much in the way of natural lighting and experience dramatic shifts in humidity and temperature, but did you know there are still plants that can easily thrive in these conditions with a minimum of maintenance?

Even small indoor plants continuously add fresh oxygen to your space and absorb carbon dioxide. They also tirelessly work to purify the air by removing toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and others. Some plants even become more adept at eliminating indoor pollutants with practice.

Just about any common indoor plant offers benefits both aesthetically and to the overall health and wellness of your household. But some are easier than others to maintain, especially in the tricky environmental factors that go part and parcel with a bathroom.

But it's worth the extra effort to make sure that the enclosed, somewhat claustrophobic spaces bathrooms inevitably represent are decorated with the invigorating and lively presence of living species. And as you read on, you'll come to find that with the right selections it really isn't much extra effort at all.

Did you know that formaldehyde is a carcinogen that is found in virtually every household where synthetic materials can be found? Even if you carefully choose what household products you bring into your kitchen and bathroom, it turns out formaldehyde is outgassed even by many building materials, which means that it is almost impossible to avoid. Fortunately, plants can minimize the impact of formaldehyde by filtering it out of the air. Other plants can reduce odors by working as nature’s air fresheners.

Let’s take a look at some of the plants that make the best additions to your bathroom:

Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

The cast Iron plant is an excellent choice for most bathrooms. This plant thrives in a low light setting and can tolerate a stingy watering schedule. It can do well with both higher and lower temperature settings. The plant should be kept in an area with indirect sunlight.

The plant comes in both small (18 inches) and full size (2-3 feet high) varieties. Leaves may vary from dark green to yellow striped or dotted.

To care for your Cast Iron Plant, water it thoroughly when the soil becomes dry.

The Aspidistra does well in the humid conditions

The plant is also a great air purifier that effectively removes formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene from the air.

Ferns

Ferns do very well in bathrooms because they like humid environments. Different types of Ferns such as Bird Nest, Boston Fern and Staghorn Ferns do well in low light settings.

Ferns need regular watering and misting. However, with too much water they will develop yellow or droopy fronds - a sign of root rot.

Ferns can tolerate significant temperature fluctuations characteristic of most bathrooms. However, if a bathroom is kept cold to the point that humidity is reduced, the fern may begin to struggle. Try misting them more frequently or move them to a location where the air isn’t as dry.

Note: some ferns and fern-like species can be mildly toxic. If you have pesty pets who are likely to munch on whatever they come across (or babies who do the same… you know who you are) then you may want to do some research on the species you have or look for an alternative.

Dragon plant (Dracaena)

Dracaena comes in more than forty varieties. It has long spear-like leaves which range in width from a few millimeters to a couple of inches wide. The available colors range from solid green to greenish-maroon and variegated. The leaves of the plant emerge from the stem.

The plant works as an excellent air purifier for the bathroom. It grows well in artificial light and indirect light. Direct sunlight should be avoided.

Dracaena is a drought-resistant plant and doesn’t need a lot of watering. Water it only when the soil feels dry and then pour lukewarm water generously until water trickles through the holes in the pot. Empty the drainage receiver pan after about an hour and never allow the pot to stand in water. The plant thrives in rich soil with plenty of organic material.

Snake plant (Sansevieria)

Sansevieria also known as “Snake plant” or “Mother-in-Law’s tongue” is very suitable for bathrooms. It is one of the most low-maintenance plants you can grow.

The plant filters out formaldehyde from the air which is commonly found in cleaning materials and cosmetics.

The plant would grow well in light levels ranging from low to bright indirect sunlight. It will also thrive well under fluorescent light.

Water the plant only when the soil is almost completely dried out, which should be ever two to six weeks depending upon the temperature, light and humidity of your home. The plant does well at most humidity levels. Choose a soil which drains freely, and use a terracotta pot to make sure that water doesn’t accumulate in the pot.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

The white flowers of the Peace Lily make a great complement to the décor of most bathrooms. The plant does well in low light conditions and is easy to take care of.

Don’t let the Peace Lily’s delicate appearance fool you: it is a hard working plant when it comes to air purification. The plant also reduces the mold spore levels in bathrooms.

Peace Lily does well in low light during summer and spring but in order to grow well, it will need exposure to indirect sunlight during the rest of the year.

Peace lily requires consistently moist soil, but like other low-maintenance plants, it doesn't like to sit in standing water. Water it when the top inch of the soil is dry, and keep watering until the overflow of water starts from pot’s drainage holes. Return the pot to its regular place once drainage has stopped.

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Ivy is one of the easiest indoor plants to keep. The plant enjoys warm and humid conditions which makes it perfect for greening up the bathroom. Ivy can give a very good display if the aerial roots of the plant are trained to climb a moss stick or trellis.

Ivies grow well in the medium light, but will also thrive in bright light. They are generally less tolerant of low light conditions than the other plants listed here.

Ivies prefer drier soil, so let the soil dry out before watering it again.

The plant can effectively remove traces of airborne mold spores - making it a perfect addition to bathrooms, the kitchen or anywhere else mold or mildew can loom.

Guest Contributor, Ryan from Fast Partitions

How To Remove Clutter From Your Yard

How to Remove Clutter from Your Yard

Many home owners notice that their yard never looks as they imagined it would. That’s because it’s not neat and there’s always clutter in the yard that makes it look less than what it could be, even if your plants are all doing rather well.

There are ways to fix this problem and return your yard to its true glory. This doesn’t require that much work or that much investment, if you discount the work that you’ll need to put in. However, making sure your garden is clean will be a long-term job.

Throwing things out

The first step may seem like a rather simple one, but it’s the one that will take the most work and the most planning. You should start by throwing out everything in your yard that isn’t actually used. It’s possible to hire professional junk removal from Sydney if there are a lot of items that you need to throw away at once.

It’s important to be strict with this and to throw away just everything that isn’t supposed to be there, regardless of how old it is and whether it could be useable at some point.

Shed

There are many tools that you’ll need to maintain your yard and most of them are used seasonally, which means that storing them until they are needed becomes a problem of its own. That’s why some yards have a pile of tools laying in a corner somewhere until they are actually used.

It’s best to avoid this by setting up a small shed. That’s both better looking and it will keep the tools useable for a longer period of time, simply by hiding them from the elements. The sheds could be pre-made and installed in a yard within hours.

Pruning

A lot of the times, the yard isn’t crowded and ill designed at all – it’s just not maintained as it should be. Plants grow faster in the summer and they could quickly overtake your yard if they aren’t pruned and maintained on a regular basis.

It’s best not to wait for the plants to grow, but to have a schedule for pruning and mowing the lawn that you’ll stick to regardless of how grown the plants are at any moment. The same goes for watering, which should be done on the schedule based on what plants you are planting.

Garbage

The yard needs to have at least a few garbage bins and recycling cans. You’ll end up using them more often than you think and it’s best to always have one nearby. However, these cans don’t look that nice, especially if you’re going for a clean look for your yard.

There are ways to hide them, that will still keep the recycling accessible and easy to organize, but won’t damage the overall look and feel of the yard. The cans could be painted green and hidden behind bushes or within wooden and decorative containers, for instance.

Yards can easily get crowded and cluttered if they are not maintained properly and with care. This can make even the most beautiful of yards look bad and it can easily be avoided with a little bit of work and a little bit of planning.

The work starts with throwing away all the things that are laying in your yard and that shouldn’t be there. It’s also important to have a storage area for the yard alone, since you’ll need a lot of tools and you need a place to store them away. The yard should also have plenty of recycling bins but they could be hidden not to spoil the overall look.

Guest Contributor, Diana Smith

6 Common Culprits Behind an Unexpected Energy Bill

6 Common Culprits Behind an Unexpected Energy Bill

If you recently opened your electric bill only to see an astronomical figure, chances are, once you picked your jaw up off the floor, you asked, "Why is this so high?" Multiple factors can impact your overall bill. Aging appliances, several devices left plugged in constantly and leaky windows and doors can result in you paying much more.

The good news? You can reduce your electric bill by following the six tips below. Stemming the flow does require you to be a bit more conscientious about your behavior, but it will save you money and reduce your carbon footprint. Here's what to look out for and how to solve each issue.

1. Have You Recently Bought New Electronics?

Many people leave electronic devices plugged in and turned on all the time, even when these items are not in use. If you live in a four-person household where everyone has a laptop and tablet, that's a lot of devices!

Save money by powering down devices when they're not in use. If you need the ability to hop on a laptop in seconds for work or school, at least put them in sleep mode. Better yet, power them down and shut them off altogether, especially at night. Doing so saves energy and helps protect devices from hackers who need sophisticated tools to power devices on remotely.

2. Your Fridge Gasket Is on the Fritz

Did your mama ever tell you, "Stop standing there with the refrigerator door open! What, are you trying to cool the whole neighborhood?" While she was right — holding open the fridge trying to decide what to eat does waste energy — another culprit may lurk behind your astronomical electric bill.

Your refrigerator gasket refers to the springy plastic material that seals when you close the door. If this seal breaks down with age, you'll lose a ton of cooling out the cracks. Luckily, you can replace your fridge gasket quite easily, and all you need is a screwdriver, an Allen wrench and some petroleum jelly (plus the gasket itself, which costs about $75 at most hardware stores).

3. Your Appliances Are Aging Poorly

If your appliances are older overall, you may need to replace them to save energy. Today, every appliance comes with an ENERGY STAR® rating that gives crucial information about how much electricity the appliance consumes. As a result, engineers now design appliances double or more the efficiency of earlier models.

Are you a renter whose landlord refuses to upgrade? You can still save money and energy. Simply invest in a countertop microwave and toaster oven, and hand wash dishes instead of using the dishwasher (except for with large loads, like Thanksgiving dinner cleanup).

4. Your Air Filters Are Filthy

Be honest: How often do you change your air filters? Experts recommend changing them once per month, less often in the summer if you have a heating-only system. If you have pets or smokers in the residence, you should change them monthly year-round.

Filters cost less than $10 at many grocery and hardware stores. If your filters become clogged, the reduced air flow through your heating and cooling system can cause your heat exchanger to overheat and shut off too quickly. This issue will cost you approximately $175 to repair, and in the meantime, your house won't feel warm even as your electric bill soars.

5. Air is Leaking out Windows and Doors

Take a look at your front door (go ahead, do it now!). Do you see light leaking through cracks between the frame and the outdoors? You're bleeding heat and AC right out to your neighbors if you do. Unless you have a vested interest in keeping your front porch squirrel visitors happy all winter, invest in some inexpensive weather stripping to save significantly.

Do you feel hot or cold when you're sitting near a sunny window? If so, you may need to upgrade your windows. Renter? Instead of improving your landlord's property (they get enough of your hard-earned money), invest in some blackout curtains. These curtains can reduce the amount of heat transferred by your windows by as much as 24%, and as an added bonus, they reduce noise from outside, so urban dwellers rejoice!

6. You Need to Call an Electrician

Finally, if you've unplugged and checked the items above, you may need to call in a pro. An unusually high electric bill can indicate a problem with the meter or a short somewhere in the house. Since electric work carries a fire hazard, let a licensed professional do the work. This requirement is one area where renting has advantages — structural issues such as electric shorts are the landlord's problem to deal with.

Cutting Your Electricity Costs

There's no need to pay astronomical electric bills to feel comfortable in your home. By identifying the culprits sucking your energy like vampires, you can save money and protect the planets' resources.

Guest Contributor, Holly Welles

Holly Welles is a home improvement writer who believes anyone can make the most of their space. You can find more of her work on her blog, The Estate Update.

Eco-Friendly Roofing Options

As increasing studies suggest the deteriorating state of the planet, it triggers strong convictions among environmentalists to protect the environment. These encourage them to find sustainable solutions and change lifestyles to impact the environment positively.

The materials used for built structures such as homes also play a vital role in becoming environmentally friendly. An unexpected aspect of going green is the type of roof you have. Every home’s roof provides protection from the harsh elements like sunlight, rain, snow, and hail.

Roofs have limited lifespans and will need replacing after some time. When looking for roofing material, most people go for those that are durable and affordable roofing materials. There’s nothing wrong with focusing on these things since they do matter.

However, it might be wise to consider alternative roofing material like a selection of eco-friendly materials before changing your roof. Eco-friendly roofs have been gaining popularity for many homeowners as they consider environmentally friendly options. While eco-friendly roofs can be more expensive than your average materials, the benefits would favor you as well as the environment.

Through efficient energy use, an eco-friendly roof would produce fewer carbon emissions. It also keeps trash out of landfills while reducing the impact on the world’s finite resources.

Besides reducing the environmental footprint of the household or the impact on resource use and pollution, an eco-friendly roof is becoming an attractive option for homeowners. It also lowers the energy bills which homeowners are seeking ways for.

However, there are plenty of eco-friendly roof options readily available to the environmentally friendly homeowner. This infographic by Fahey Roofing Contractors lists a few eco-friendly solutions that will not only help the environment but help you in the long run as well. 

Guest Contributor, Fahey Roofing Contractors

Contemporary Home Office: Design Essentials

Contemporary Home Office: Design Essentials

Working from home sounds like the best thing in the world, and that’s usually not far from the truth. However, most people don’t realize that working from home is still working, and you need to do your job. In order to be productive, you need your own space, which is why setting up a home office is vital. If you’re thinking about doing that as well, here are a few design essentials you have to look into.

Find the right spot

Even if you’re working from home, not just any home office will do. It needs to be motivating, creative, and visually appealing, and that’s not always easy to achieve. That’s why picking the right location is so important. While some people can work in their bedroom or kitchen, others need separate space – quiet and isolated. Choosing the right location could take some time and energy, but you’ll surely be able to do it.

Make it big

Before you find the perfect spot for your home office, you need to take size into consideration. No matter what you do and how old you are, you need an office that won’t make you feel claustrophobic. It needs to be big enough for your desk and chair, but it needs some maneuvering space as well. This is particularly true if you’re planning on holding meetings in there and welcoming clients. That’s why turning a spare bedroom into a home office is the ideal solution, and you’ll always have enough space.

Impress your clients

Despite working from home, some people have to work with a number of clients they need to see regularly. That’s why their home office needs to be specious, equipped with some comfortable furniture, and properly decorated. This may not sound like the most important thing in the world, but it’s the best way to impress your clients. That’s why you should explore professional office interiors that are visually appealing and help you make a great first impression. This way, you’ll send the right message and make your home office more functional and remarkable than ever.

Think about the storage

All working professionals need proper storage space, even those who work from home. Luckily, being the boss of your own space allows you to do whatever you want. Most people get one of those wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling bookcases that give them enough space for their possessions. Others prefer smaller filing cabinets and shelves that are easier to organize. Whatever you opt for, try to keep your things in order and always close by.

Natural air and sunlight

This is another perk of working from home – you can keep your window open as much as you want. Fresh air and sunlight do wonders for your productivity, and insisting on these things is more important than people realize. That’s why installing bigger windows that let lots of air and sunlight in your home office goes a long way. Moreover, this will minimize your need for artificial lights and make your office more sustainable at the same time.

Organize your equipment

Every home office needs a computer, a printer, a wireless router, and a million other things as well. While most people don’t a problem with the mess, you need to get these things as tidy as possible. Instead of being knee-deep in cables, you should organize them and keep them under control. This will make your office look nicer and feel less cluttered, and that’s something we all need.

Designing your home office is easier than it looks, but only if you put your mind to it. Define its purpose, figure out what you’re trying to achieve, and insist on things that will help you reach your goals.

Guest Contributor, Lillian Connors

Guide To Keeping Pests Out Of Your Kitchen

Guide to Keeping Pests Out of Your Kitchen

There are few things as horrifying as seeing a line of ants march across your kitchen countertops or feeling the dread of seeing fruit flies swarming your bananas. Pests can destroy your enjoyment of a good meal faster than almost anything. However, the last thing you want is to use poisons where you prepare food for your family and friends.

The wet spring and summer in most of the United States is spurring on pest infestations this year. While they won't all be kitchen pests, the environment is ripe for more than ever before. Even in drier regions, ants, cockroaches and flies will move indoors in search of food and water. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to remove them quickly and safely.

1. Seal All Food

Pests such as ants, gnats and roaches are attracted by food. One of the first steps you should take when you notice an infestation is sealing all food sources. Put cereal in airtight containers, place open cracker sleeves in a sealed plastic bag and move fruit to the refrigerator.

Even if you don't yet notice any bugs, it's a smart move to seal anything dry in your kitchen and pantry. Pests often start as a small problem and grow into a larger one. Prevent them from taking hold in the first place.

2. Fix Cracks and Openings

If you're having an issue with ants or mice, these creatures are getting into your home from somewhere. Inspect the outside of your house for gaps and cracks in the foundation. Plug up any holes where mice might enter. Track down where ants are marching into formation. Fill any open spaces and remove the easy entrance to your home. Of course, very small pests such as ants will likely find a way inside anyway, but you don't have to make it easy on them.

3. Remove Infested Food

It might seem obvious, but if you notice even one pest in your cereal or flour, remove the food entirely. Where there is one bug, there are almost always more. Getting rid of the food source may also remove much of the temptation to the creatures invading your home. Seal new items the minute you bring them into your home.

4. Call an Exterminator

If the infestation doesn't seem to get better, don't be afraid to call an exterminator for help. A Terminix in Illinois professional can identify the species of bug and give you steps to remove the problem, as well as prevent it in the future. Yes, you will pay for the services, but you'll avoid months of aggravation and living in unsanitary conditions.

5. Use Natural Repellents

There are some natural things you can use that bugs simply don't like. Natural solutions are typically safe for your family and pets and much less costly than commercial solutions for getting rid of pests. Mosquitoes and flies don't like basil, so plant some and hang the dried herb in doorways. Peppermint drives away spiders. Use the same method of planting around the outside of your house or bringing dried peppermint into your home.

You could also try using essential oils. Fleas and moths dislike lavender and cockroaches hate catnip.

6. Sweep and Mop Regularly

Invaders such as ants are known as spilled food pests. They love to find debris and feast on it. Sweep and mop your floor regularly to keep food pieces to a minimum and remove the temptation for them to enter your home. Mop up spills the minute they occur and clean out cupboards and drawers regularly. The cleaner your kitchen is, the less chance these pests will find something to survive on.

7. Eat Your Fruits

Eating plenty of produce is healthy for you, so many people leave a fruit basket out on the table or counter. The problem arrives when you don't eat your fruit quickly enough and it begins to decay. Rotting fruit is nirvana to fruit flies, who will enter your home and lay eggs so fast you'll have dozens of them before you know it. Remove any spoiled produce and put out a small amount of red wine in a tall glass to trap the flies already in your kitchen.

Be the Food Police

Since food is the top culprit that attracts kitchen pests, make sure everyone eats in designated areas, cleans up after themselves and puts everything away in the refrigerator or a sealed container. Over time, you'll get rid of any pest problems you have and avoid finding new ones.

Guest Contributor, Holly Welles

Holly Welles is a home improvement writer who believes anyone can make the most of their space. You can find more of her work on her blog, The Estate Update.

The Ultimate Guide To Surviving Your Bathroom Renovation

The Ultimate Guide To Surviving Your Bathroom Renovation

Want to update your bathroom without spending a huge amount on the renovation? By making some slight adjustments and changes in your bathroom, you can easily renovate your bathroom and not spend copious amounts of hours and money working on it.

Take for example, some DIY techniques like re-surfacing, which can be quite costly and not appropriate for the long-term. In order to survive your bathroom renovation, have a look below at some of the ways to help you survive your bathroom renovation:

Make a list

First begin by keeping a list of bathroom accessories that you would like to purchase, such as good quality bathroom sinks, a flushing toilet, bathroom mirror, toilet paper holder, towel holder, bathroom faucet, shower head (rain shower), shower valve, or bathtub.

Choose a design

Before you begin any work, such as tearing up flooring or putting in a new shower head, you should decide what you want your bathroom to look like when finished.

There are many bathroom trends out this year from futuristic styles to vintage brass and gold components and or beautiful tile patterns and shapes to suit your bathroom.

Set a budget

One of the best approaches to stay away from costly renovation is to set a budget and stick to it. Take a moment to sit down and calculate the different costs from the materials to the cost of extras, fixtures, and fittings that are within your budget.

Also, to survive your bathroom renovation you should definitely set aside some money, in case of any unforeseen turns.

Prepare sanitary products before beginning work

Everything from the bath, sink, toilet, taps, and the shower should be decided on and ready to go before you begin plastering and tiling. This is to ensure all the pipes and waste are in their correct position.

1.   Shower

Consider some important features of a shower during the renovation, for example, the best shower drains, shower curtains and shower heads. You can pick a settled or hand-held shower head, or rain or waterfall showers that suit the structure of your new design.

2.   Sink

To really modernize your bathroom, and if it fits within your budget and if space allows you, then you could decide on his and hers sinks.

3.   Bath

There are so many beautiful bathtubs to choose from so it is important to choose one to fit within your original design. From freestanding tubs to bathtubs with that utilization minimal space, or simple access baths for those with an incapacity.

Fittings and fixtures

First, choose a vanity unit that is of good quality but affordable, one that will last for years to come. Then move on and consider a couple of necessary extras, new tapware, and a toilet. 

The fittings and fixtures that you pick will determine the functionality level of your bathroom, and select low-cost items that will have you paying only a fraction of the price.

Make your renovation pop

One feature that can really make your bathroom renovation pop is using floor or wall tiles. It really brings out the overall design of your bathroom, and it can be an easy enough job if you are choosing floor tiles over wall tiles. Choose a shade and shape that works in with your original design, it will all contribute to the vibe of the space design bathroom.

Installing lights

Consider the region you live in; you may need a dampness verification or heat lighting. As well, to fit within your budget it is advisable to choose LED lights, they are good for the environment and they use less energy compared to other lights, saving you money in the long run.

A bathroom renovation can be done with minimal effort and still look as modern as before. You should de-mess, revive tired looking parts, and apply a couple of other techniques and thoughts.

 Guest Contributor, Megan Hudson