Organizers For Reach in Closets
Organizing your home is difficult when you feel like you don’t have the space that you need. Homes with reach in closets can be especially limited on space. This is a problem for many people. They have that long hanging bar and sometimes a shelf up top. By the time you hang your clothes and stash some luggage and blankets up top, you’re done. If you really want to turn that space into a more useful area, you’ll need to get creative.
Part of deciding how to make it more useful is doing some research. Looking at closet designs and evaluating which features would best benefit you is the first step. Even if you’re looking at a closet system that may be out of your price range, you can still get ideas. You may be able to add one feature at a time to your own closet without investing a large amount up front.
Start with the things that will quickly add space. The first choice is usually shelving. You can add wire shelving or stackable shelves. You can buy shelves that are already assembled and secure them to the closet wall. If you would like to build some shelves yourself, you can do that too. You can find some good tips on building your own shelves at the “doityourself” web site.
A lot of people are happy with installing a wire closet system in their reach in closet because it’s cheap, sturdy, and customizable. You can get lots of wire shelving accessories at your local hardware store. We got some good ideas for maximizing space and organizing at the “organizeit” web site. You can use vertical mounts instead of clips if you want to be able to reconfigure your closet shelves at a later date. That can be very useful, because wardrobes and storage needs can change over time.
If you prefer wooden closet systems, you may want to consult a closet designer. Many companies offer free quotes and can help you decide which solutions will work best for you and your belongings. The Closet Factory provides closet consultations all over the United States.
Once your closet is set up in a way that accommodates all of your belongings, it’ll be much easier to stay organized. If you still need to create extra space, consider using clothes hangers that are designed to keep your clothes organized while using less room. Wooden hangers are best for heavy coats and suits, but you may be able to use hangers with a flat design for hanging shirts, making the most of your space and eliminating the need for drawers. Clothing hangers that allow you to hang more than one item on each one are also helpful. By choosing the right ones, you can free up space on shelves and in cabinets for other items that need to be stored.
About the Author: Jo Granville is on the staff of Only Hangers, a leading online resource for wood hangers, coat hangers and all types of high quality clothes hangers.
Filed under DIY | Tags: closet ideas, closet organizer, closet shelving, closets, clothing hangers, hangers, wooden hangers | Comment (0)Ceiling Fan Tips For More Efficiency
Ceiling and portable fans cool you, not the room, so do not run them when you are not there. A ceiling fan will not lower temperature of a room nor will it remove humidity. However, you can save energy and money by using them and turning off the air conditioning or by turning up the temperature of the air conditioner a few degrees and letting the fan do the rest.
Keep in mind that an important part of the air conditioning process is removing the humidity in the air. If you cool the room air without removing the humidity, the room will feel damp and uncomfortable. To get the most out of your unit, first use the air conditioner to lower the humidity level in the room and then use the ceiling fan. You will be much more comfortable.
I have read that a ceiling fan can make you feel 3 to 8 degrees cooler, allowing you to dial your air conditioner to a higher temperature and still feel just as cool. From personal experience, I know I can raise my thermostat about 5 degrees when I turn on mine.
The one down side to this is that your air conditioner cools many rooms and the unit is only affecting one room. The result is that if you raise your thermostat 5 degrees when you are using the unit, the other rooms in your home will be uncomfortably warm. Fortunately, there are two solutions to this dilemma.
First, reverse your thinking. Rather than purchase a unit to lower your cooling bill, install a ceiling fan in that problem room in your home, that for some reason never seems to cool down. It can make that room more comfortable and livable.The second reason to purchase one, and by far the most popular, is for sleeping comfort. Many people prefer sleeping with a calm breeze blowing across the bed as they sleep.
Promotional ads for ceiling fans jn the Oakland County, Michigan area tell us that in the winter a ceiling fan can pull down the warm air that collects at the ceiling level. This is suppose to increase the efficiency of your heating system. Technically this is only partially true.
Ceiling fans can circulate the air in the room so that hot air does not collect at the ceiling, but I have never seen any studies about that process increasing the efficiency of the heating system. The fact is, I live and work in Southeast Michigan and I do not know anyone who runs their ceiling fan in the winter. Understand the furnace in your home is designed to run at a very low blower speed during the heating season. The reason for this is because air movement during the winter months feels cold and drafty to most people.
Purchasing a Ceiling Fan
Not all fans are created equal! What I have learned from my handyman service is that when it comes to ceiling fans you usually get what you paid for.
For example, noise levels can vary greatly between fans. The better the quality of the unit, the quieter it is likely to be. Often times, it is a personal decision about whether the motor hum of the fan will keep you awake or irritate you if you are playing cards with your friends, reading a good book, or listening to music.
A second frustrating characteristic about a ceiling fan is that many of them start to wobble. The wobble is there because the blades are not well balanced. Blades are sorted at the factory and matched up according to weight. The better the fan the more closely matched are its blades. The closer they match the less chance there is to wobble.
Installing a Ceiling Fan
When I replace a ceiling mounted light with a ceiling fan the first thing I do is to make sure the electrical box is ceiling fan rated. You may not know that NOT all electrical boxes are designed to support the weight of a ceiling fan.
If one of my clients has an electrical box that is loose or only fastened on one side to a wood joist or rafter, I always tell them it needs to be replaced with a fan rated box for safety.
Replacing the electrical box is relatively simple.
- First, the electrical power should already be turned off when you removed the original ceiling light.
- Now you can pry the box loose from the wood with a hammer and pry bar.
- Loosen the wire and pull it out of the box..A fan rated electrical box will have a safety bar that runs from joist to joist.
- Place the safety bar into the ceiling space through the existing hole.
I invite you to find out more information about ceiling fans and tips for keeping your home and business in great shape. Rocco Ciaramella is an is an experienced, licensed and insured handyman who provides services to clients in Oakland County, Michigan. Visit his website at http://handymanoaklandmi.com.
Filed under Energy Saving | Tags: ceiling fan, handyman, handyman oakland county michigan, installing ceiling fan, Rocco Ciaramella | Comment (0)Avoid Disaster With Regular Pumping of Your Septic Tank
Too many folks don’t even think about pumping their septic tank until they notice some kind of problem. And by then, it may be too late. Pumping your septic tank on a regular basis – at least once every 3 to 5 years – is critical for maintaining your drainage system and if not done often enough you may wake up some morning to a very big surprise.
A septic tank is not a bottomless pit. Solids do accumulate and eventually build up to a level that prevents any more waste water from entering the tank. At that point you’re going to have all of that sewage backing up into your basement and drainage lines leading into your home and the drainage lines leading to your drainfield. And then you’re going to have one very large mess to deal with.
When you’re septic system is working properly it’s easy enough to forget that you need to have it pumped out every now and then. In fact, it’s easy enough to forget you even have a septic system. But, when you wake up some morning to a basement full of waste water you’ll remember quick enough.
And when you do wake up to that basement full of waste water, and maybe an overflowing toilet or two, not only are you going to have a major mess to clean up, you’re also going to have a massive repair bill. Because not only are the lines leading into your house clogged up, but the lines leading to the drainfield probably are, too. And once that drainfield fails, it’s a major undertaking to repair it – if that’s even possible – and a huge expense to replace it.
If you’ve recently purchased your home and aren’t sure when the septic tank was last pumped out, contact SeptiClean for a maintenance check. If necessary, they’ll pump your tank right then and there. If not, they’ll be able to give you an estimate of when you will need to have it pumped. They can also help you decide on a pumping schedule and send you reminders so you won’t have to ever worry about pumping again. Don’t let the fact that your septic system is working fine right now lead you into a false sense of security and forgetfulness. If you can’t remember the last time you scheduled a septic tank pumping, then it’s probably time to call SeptiClean right now!
If you’re having issues with your septic tank it might be that it’s time to have it pumped out. You owe it to yourself to read all you can about septic pumping before you call for help.
Filed under Plumbing | Tags: septic system, septic tank, septic tank pumping, tank pumping, waste water | Comment (0)Space Clearing – Five Tips For Creating Sacred Energy in Your Home
Did you know that every argument between you and your partner, every cold or stomach flu, and all the energy left behind by anyone who has ever been in your home needs to be cleared? It is all still there, otherwise, monkeying up the works, making your home a kind of clogged pipe that needs to be drained.
Clear Yourself First
On the night before this space-clearing extravaganza, or on the morning of it but before you get started, take a bath using sea salt mixed with any therapeutic-grade essential oil you have. You also could use energy healing techniques before or after the bath to balance your chakras, cleanse your aura and heal any issues that are creating stress or pain.
Set an Intention
Be clear about what you intend to do before you get started. You are exfoliating your home, in a sense, clearing away stuck or “dead” energy and replacing it with healing, sacred energy. You might even meditate for a moment or two and allow thoughts and images and feelings to come to mind about what needs to clear. Once you have a clear intention, you are ready to begin.
What You Will Need
A candle for every room
Sea salt or Epsom salts
A spray bottle with filtered or purified water and lemon essential oil
What to Do in Each Room
First, open every window to let in some fresh air and clear away the stale or stagnant air on each room. If you feel safe enough to throw open the front or back door for a while, do that, as well.
Then, light a candle in each room and leave it lit while you go through the rest of the rooms. In fact, you can leave the windows open and the candles lit for a while even after you are finished with the space clearing process.
After the candles are lit, you will do the same thing in each room. Sprinkle sea salt in each corner and clap several time to discharge any energy that has collected there. Then, spray gently into each area of the room.
If you would like to bless the room with an affirmation or prayer, you can do that in each room, as well.
Extra Steps You Can Take
If you are a reiki master, you can use the healing reiki symbols in each room, drawing them in each corner of the room and also, raising your hands to give reiki to the room, in general. You can scan for particular areas that need extra attention just as you would if you were scanning a person.
When you feel complete in that room, sweep it and move on to give reiki to the next room.
If you have any clear quartz crystal or rose quartz, you can use them as part of the clearing process, too, waving them in the room and placing them wherever you feel led to place them as you do the other clearing work in that room.
If you have several crystals, you can leave one behind in each room, in the center of the room, on a windowsill or wherever feels right to you.
Once you are finished clearing your space, take note of how each room feels and journal about your experience. Repeat this process whenever you become aware that it needs it.
For more information about how to create a home for your soul, a home you will fall in love with all over again every time walk through the front door, check out my blog at soul home.
Jeanine Byers Hoag is a certified holistic healing practitioner, a hand analyst, a certified spiritual story coach and author of The Life That’s Waiting for You: Four Simple Steps to Identifying & Living Your Life Purpose. Visit her life purpose website at http://www.istheresomethingmore.net.
Filed under Feng Shui | Tags: a home for your soul, feng shui for the soul, feng shui interior decoration, feng shui your house | Comment (0)Solar Energy Information – The Basics
Solar energy information is in dire need today, and more in the form of a sort of “update” – there seems to be an ongoing misconceived image in the mind of the masses presently, one that reflects outdated information from decades ago. Mainly this is due to the energy outputs of photovoltaic cells, and the cost of installing these to the home for producing electricity.
Yes, back in the seventies it did cost quite a bit to power a small home, often within the $10,000 to $12,000 dollar range. But the fact is that there have been many developments over the past few decades – let’s take a closer look…
Much has changed with solar energy. Information can be easily found these days about the energy output that solar cells produce today, and if you’re unaware, you’d be quite surprised. Even more, the accessibility of solar cells to anyone of all walks of life is a tribute to the low cost of acquiring them.
Many today actually build their very own solar panels by piecing inexpensive solar cells together in simple arrays – these do-it-yourselfers throw together 3×5 panels as a weekend project with their kids, for around a hundred bucks or so, and with the single panel they can power a dormitory sized refrigerator, a laptop computer and a stereo system all at once.
This kind of solar energy information is an eye opener, is it not? Remember also that there are a lot of government programs out there to benefit anyone and everyone who turns to the use of alternative green energy uses – tax breaks, grants, bonuses, etc. – and there is also the fact that within most municipalities, local laws mandate that if you are creating enough electricity to have a surplus of electricity and are still connected to the power grid, the local power companies must buy the surplus electricity back from you. The stories that you may have heard about people watching their kilowatt-hour meters running backwards and collecting checks every month from the power companies are true.
But the best solar energy information is that it is clean, it does absolutely nothing harmful in any way, shape, form or fashion to the environment, it burns off nothing, nothing is depleted, and it is a constantly and eternally renewable sources of good, clean, free energy. If there were a jillion solar cells collecting the sun’s rays for converting into electricity there would never be a drain upon the sun – the sun hurls out countless gigatons of energy out into the universe… it’s free, so why not grab up all that you can? There’s absolutely no reason not to utilize solar power, and more than a mere handful of reasons to do so.
If you’re interested in learning more about solar energy information and other things related to alternative energy, then you’ve got to check out the EcoPlusHome project.
Bryan Kenny and his family are an average North American family with one exception…they’re living in the EcoPlusHome.
The EcoPlusHome is a prefabricated home powered by alternative energies like solar thermal, geothermal and photovoltaic. Bryan and his family will show the world that it is possible to live self sustained for a 12 month period by showcasing their journey living in the EcoPlusHome on their blog.
Bryan and his family welcome you to join their journey to self sufficiency on their blog http://ecoplushome.com/blog..
Filed under Energy Saving | Tags: best solar energy, solar cells, solar energy, solar energy information, solar home, solar powered homes | Comment (0)Clearing the Blockages
If a sink or basin refuses to empty or empties at a slow pace, first thing to do is to check for a blocked waste outlet and if it is not, check the trap in the fitting, if more than one filling is affected then the blockage is further in the system.
Drain-cleaning solutions are caustic and should be used with care for clearing partially blocked drains. Traditionally a plunger is used. Block up the overflow, then fill the bath or sink with water, grease the rim of the plunger, place it over the plug hole and pump it up and down keeping the cup in contact with surface. Hand-operated force pumps act similarly.
The trap will need to be cleaned if none of these methods work. Put a bucket underneath the trap before unscrewing. Older metal traps have an access plug at the bottom: unscrew it with a bar. The bottom sections of a plastic trap and a bottle trap unscrew completely. Clear the blockage with a wire or a plumbers snake, reassemble the trap, flush through with washing soda and check for leaks.
If the trap is not blocked then the blockage is further. If a gully is overflowing, cleaning the grille of grease and dead leaves may be sufficient otherwise the trap in the gully is to be checked. If the gully is ok, the blockage is in the underground drains.
Raise the covers of the inspection chambers in turn, starting with the one nearest the house, to check whether blockage is in the section of drain between the last chamber containing water, and the first one that contains none. The problem can be solved by rodding unless the waste chamber is the last one before the main sewer, or the dry chamber is the one nearest the house. Drain rods are thin, flexible canes that can be screwed together to form a longer rod. Put together a couple of rods with the corkscrew head on the end and push them down the drain in the direction of the blockage, attaching more rods as you go. Twist the rods in a clockwise direction only, otherwise they may unscrew. Push against the blockage till it clears.
If the chamber nearest the house is dry, the problem lies in the soil pipe to the drain, or the length of drain between the soil pipe and the inspection chamber. The soil pipe should have access doors in it so that all parts of the pipe can be rodded, or it may be possible to rod at least part of the pipe from the drain end. If all this fails, a drain-clearing solution may work, or call in a specialist drain-clearing firm.
If the last chamber has water in it, the blockage lies between here and the public sewer in the road. This section is responsibility of the householder or in the interceptor part, if present. If it’s a first examination, probe gently with a drain rod to find out whether there is a trap or not unless you are willing to feel with your hands. A blocked trap may be freed by plunging (using a drain rod with a plunger end) or by hand. If the blockage is further down, it can be rodded through the rodding point, once the stopper in the end of the point has been removed: this may be a piece of slate cemented into place, in which case simply break it; or a stone stopper which has to be pulled out.
A particular problem with interceptor traps is that the stopper falls out and blocks the trap. Water keeps flowing and the problem is not noticed until the sludge at bottom of the chamber becomes foul-smelling. Removing the stopper unblocks the trap. If the stopper falls out repeatedly, attach a chain to it or replace it with a piece of slate, cemented into place.
You might also want to learn about Clear Blockages and Buy Quality Companies at Bargain Prices.
Filed under Plumbing | Tags: Blockages | Comment (0)Decorate Your Home With A Touch Of Asian Style
There is beauty, elegance and boldness in the Asian style of decorating. For anyone looking to make a great impression with a home that exudes style and demands attention, this is the perfect style. This is a style that is not for those seeking a relaxed atmosphere, but for those that want to delve into the bold and dramatic! The ideas presented in this article will aid you in transforming your home into one that will be the desire of anyone who enters.
This may sound surprising, but Asian décor presents simplicity. The use of furniture and accessories is kept to a minimum in order to eliminate clutter. Visual impact comes greatly relies on the use of bold and dramatic colors in the separate pieces.
Use of Bold, Dramatic Color
The use of the colors red, black, gold and shades of tan, brown and grey is prevalent in Asian décor; this is especially true in Japanese style decorating. Black lacquer is usually used on furniture for that glass like shine. You may use gold on walls and trim.
Incorporating Texture
Asian décor uses plenty of natural textures. Bamboo is of common use in furnishings, window coverings and plant containers. The use of paper surfaces may be included in wall prints, and natural rock adds to the drama. Red and gold tones are usually used on containers which hold bamboo plants.
Oriental Rugs are a Must
You cannot hope to complete the look and style of Asian decor without the addition of oriental rugs! Contrary to many other styles of décor, the Asian style relies heavily on the floor. Whether the floor is covered with an exquisite floral wool rug or a tatami mat, the furnishings are used for complementing and drawing out the colors on the floor.
Other elements that are important to this style of décor are window accents and screens. Covering unattractive spaces or dividing the room can be done simply with the use of a Shoji screen. You can also use it to block a window. Lavishly decorated, screens are an essential aspect of the oriental theme.
The windows themselves are kept basic and plain in order to provide a balance to the unique flooring and furnishings. Windows are often simply accented or covered with bamboo or wooden blinds. Tan, grey or neutral furnishings can be complimented with golden window accents; and for a more Chinese approach, window accents often include tassels.
The drama of Asian décor can also provide serenity and peacefulness. Clutter should always be kept to a minimum, and bold accents along with the natural elements should be used in conjunction. You rooms will appear to be more enticing and dramatic, while keeping a and serene tone at the same time.
The next time you are at an oriental style restaurant, take note of the décor. Finding more examples for this exquisite style of décor is as easy as going online, and like this you will have more ideas on how to use this look in your own home! If you are aiming for elegance, there is no better style of décor than the beautiful and bold Asian style.
About the Writer…
Leon Tuberman has been part of the home furnishings and interior decorating business for four decades. He owns and manages his family owned furniture store. They offer a huge assortment of solid wood furniture for your living room, home office and dining room that’s built in the Heartland of America. Whether you’re looking for a bookcase for your student loft or a wood chest for your bedroom then they have everything you need.
Increase Your Home’s Value Using Remodeling Contractors
While seeing many of your neighbors move away, you realize that it’s in direct relation to the housing market crash in 2007. Because of a slump in the market, more than 300 billion dollars in home equity has been lost, and at this moment, you may learn that the price for your home has gone down compared to last year. If you thought you should put off making home service repairs, you were wrong. This is the ideal time to regain market losses by having repairs and upgrades done to your home that will increase its value.
Home improvement is the business of residential contractors. You can ask them to repair any broken windows, leaky roofs, or other home type construction that you may need to perform. The remodeling planning and cost are understood by them. Hiring anyone other than a professional craftsman from a reputable company could turn out to be a waste of the money that you have available to spend on remodeling. There are still some disreputable companies that could take your money and leave you with a stressful situation. Don’t be afraid to do regular maintenance repairs, upgrades, remodels, or additions. Do your homework to understand how to locate a contractor that is good.
Start your search on the Internet. Top notch remodeling contractors have created websites so that you can view the services that they offer. Construct a list of companies that appeal to you. Find out what services they provide and if they are offering any special deals or if they have any contract requirements. After you’ve chosen a contractor, contact the Better Business Bureau in your area to find out whether the company has received any complaints in the past. With the right technique, you can find the best remodeling contractors in your local area with ease.
Don’t be afraid to question potential contractors regarding any concerns you may have. Now that you have chosen companies with good reputations, you must determine which ones can perform the work at a price that is affordable for you. Most contractors offer quotes, employ these to figure out which business suits your budget. If craftsmanship is an issue, then this is the time to find out if they can handle any special job you may have. After you have selected the best remodeling contractor to do the work, you can kick back and relax while the repairs or upgrades are completed that will be of value to your home as well as your family.
When it comes to San Francisco siding companies, general contractor Tanner Ashleighton recommends Charles Siding for the job. With their quality, low-maintenance siding, Tanner knows anyone looking for San Rafael, San Francisco, or Marin siding will not be disappointed.
Filed under Remodeling | Tags: San Francisco siding, San Francisco siding contractor, San Francisco siding installation | Comment (0)Wireless Home Theatre – Want to Play Madden 2010 With a Kid in China? Done
This is such an exciting time we live in when it comes to wireless home theatre technology. I am too young to remember the days of black and white television, or when computers would only fit into warehouses, but I sure have heard the stories. I sometimes feel old just thinking that now they are working together to bring me all the wonderful entertainment I want and deserve.
I just spent a few days with my brother who really opened my eyes to this concept of combing the home theatre with the internet, as well as a few other things that go on late night in Florida, but that is for another website. He recently purchased a gaming system that features bluetooth wireless technology. This relatively new technology uses radio waves to transmit and pickup signals up to 33 feet away, as well as a WIFI internet signal directly from a wireless router. When he turned on his LCD television he was online! He showed me how he could order movies, chat with his friends, and play against other opponents located all over the world. Instead we elected to listen to internet radio through his wireless stereo speakers on his front porch. I will never be the same.
Consider for a moment what a person can do with this technology now that your television is combined with your PC. Games, music, movies, and social media are all easily accessible right through your television. Want to play Madden 2010 with a kid in China? Done. How about check your Facebook page in between commercials? Easy. It seems to me that wireless home theatre technology is only getting better and that is really exciting. So the final question in my mind is; what will they think of next?
Len Williams is an internet marketer and entrepreneur. He is also a technology enthusiast that is highly passionate about wireless home theater technology.
http://www.ewirelesshometheatre.org/
Filed under Audio & Video | Tags: home theatre technology, wireless home theatre, wireless stereo speakers | Comment (0)
White Tiles – Tranquil Ambiance Comes With Sophistication
There are millions of people in the world who extremely believe in sophisticated life style. Their sophistication reflects in every sphere of life, be it clothes, food, music or even home decoration. Their selection of items describes their personality. You might fall in such category and know it very well that they do not like to walk in crowd. White tiles are exactly the same way shouts to be hard above the crowd. These tiles once used to be a trademark of hospitals and hotel kitchen have the now become a decorative item for homeowner. Ceramic tiles are although basically found in white color and are well accepted by homeowners.
Because it is white and simple that does not mean that they are behind any other color tiles. It has it own significance in its individual place. Its capabilities cannot be demoralized as they too are versatile if used in such means. Now days, the techniques of using simple things in an innovative way is in trend. No one likes to the part of mass, following same pattern or designs and change their taste with changing fashion. White tiles too can be used in a creative way to extract maximum out of it.
There are many ways to implement innovative ideas. With white ceramics the perimeter of experiment increases to the far extent. For an example, any colored tile pieces can be pasted in between the base of white tile wall. Attaching colored border to the white is another idea to enhance the beauty of wall. Many use tiles with scenery on the white wall tiled. So, the ideas are variant that can completely change the look of your home. However, it was about ceramics but white tile is also available in marble and other tile types such as porcelain.
There are symbol of piece, not only just as theoretically but practically too. Spending an hour of time in a white tiled room can pack you with many positive vibes as well a sense of tranquillity. White tile as floor may seem very hectic to maintain as dirt is easily visible but ceramic tiles do not easily get stained and are also cleaned with ease. Marble and porcelain on the other hand give long lasting performance. However, ceramic tiles are cheap and are easy to afford by any economic class family. There may be other colorful tiles in the market which is alluring to people but white tiles has unique beauty.
About the Author:-
Thomasan Adison is a well known writer, who has written various articles on several topics such as different types of tiles likes kitchen tiles, porcelain tiles, white tiles and he also focuses on the installation process.
Filed under Flooring | Tags: bathroom tiles, granite tiles, kitchen tiles, porcelain tiles, wall tiles, White tiles | Comment (0)