Room to Spare

What do you do with that extra room in the house? The one that has no real purpose except to collect things? Or you may have an empty room or two when the last of the kids have moved out or gone away to school. We end up with lots of remnants of their lives, but no kids. This room becomes either a shrine with no real purpose or a place to collect all the things we don’t know where to put.

We are so often cluttered with the stuff from grown children that gets left behind as they get established elsewhere on their own. They like to have the unpaid additional storage space in a parent’s home or they just don’t want to make any decision about what to do with their things. So, their things are left taking up lots of precious space, even though the stuff may not be so precious to anyone anymore.

What to do with a spare room:

1. Dump the junk- Don’t waste that spare room with an accumulation of junk. It won’t go away on its own. Make a plan to clear out the clutter and disperse of the goods to people who can better use them. Your home’s square footage is too valuable not to be using it.

2. Guestroom– Create a spa-like retreat for your guests. Include reading materials and brochures for local activities. Have some hotel-like amenities ready to go in a decorative basket so they feel welcome, knowing you have thought of their needs.

3. Craft or hobby room– You finally have a place to do your scrapbooking, sewing, or painting! Let this room be your private studio where creativity flows.....


4. Gifting- Have a room just for gift giving. Keep ribbons, gift bags, tags, and wrapping paper in the room along with any items you have purchased ahead of time for gifts. Don’t forget the scissors and tape. So whenever you need a present, it will be a snap to put one together.

5. Exercise room- This does not mean you have to have all the big equipment that you find at a gym, but if the area is designated as a workout space, you are more likely to do your yoga, palates, and strength training. Clear out the room and put your yoga mat, weights, TV, audio equipment and workout DVDs in it.

6. Home office- Instead of letting paper pile up on your coffee table or kitchen counter, set up an area to pay bills and answer mail. Put everything you need for these activities in the room including a desk, stamps, stationary and pens. Create a simple filing system and get a jump on tax preparation for next year.

7. Mediation room– Oh to have some peace and quiet–create it! Don’t allow anything in this area that doesn’t bring you peace and tranquility. Some suggested contents include a water fountain, floor cushions, candles, incense, and chimes. Selected reading and audio materials will also set the mood. A serene start or end to you day, or a quick get away to rejuvenate.

8. Room to spare, room to share– create that media room, music, pool, puzzle, card or board game room and invite friends over for a night of fun and hospitality.

9. Renovators rescue- Use the empty room as the spare room to hold addition furniture, etc. when you are renovating – flooring especially is difficult as you need room to move all your stuff. When all your renovations are complete, rework your spare room into one of the above suggestions.

Often your spare room can be used for several of these purposes. So next time you walk by that room, stop a moment to think about the possibilities. Take the next steps today to give that spare room some real purpose and turn it into a room that will give you a feeling of satisfaction and relaxation.

About the Author: Colette Robicheau, President of Organize Anything, is a consultant, coach, and public speaker offering corporate, residential, and personal organizing services. Colette’s humor and positive attitude are a great asset in her roles as professional organizer and life coach. An extensive background in professional organizing, project management and business development, have given Colette a no-nonsense approach to project completion with the ability to deliver on budget and on schedule. Email Colette or for more information, including great organizing tips, visit www.organizeanything.com.

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Office Wall Decor Ideas for Maximum Efficiency!

Office wall decor, if executed correctly can easily boost the work culture in any office. It is quite easy to design an office interior with wall decor as a major area of attention.

In any office walls occupy a major visual attention in the form of cabin partitions. In most cases an office space is a large area with fiberglass or wooden partitions designed carefully to form a grid pattern. Each individual grid square is then consumed as a cabin.

So glass walls make a good visual connection between the adjacent cabins. However erecting glass walls can be an expensive affair and have much les scope as far as wall decor is concerned. So using fiber or wooden partitions can be a great alternative. But again if you are seeking visual connection between various areas of the office space a combination of glass and wooden partitions can be the best option.

The walls in an office space can be used to display "inspirational" picture frames that will "educate" the office workers about team building, leadership, success, motivation, goal setting. etc. Simple picture frames are available in gift stores, which can be hanged at prominent places that will "remind" the workers of these good virtues.


If wooden partitions are used as walls then horizontal paneling with grooves running across the length of the wall can make a feeling of "more" horizontal length of the wall and will help the office space look bigger. Colors of office wall decor theme can be simple white/blue combination that will form a design pattern and easy to execute and repeatable.

Design the wall décor in such a way that if the company for which you are designing the interiors, if decided to expand in a new space, the entire theme must be easily replicated in their new office premises easily.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya.

About the Author: Want more amazing office wall decor ideas? visit my website http://www.ModernWallDecor.net to explore some great wall decor themes that can transform your home into a stunning interior masterpiece.

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Sofas as Part of Your Home

The sofa is also known as a couch, a settee, a davenport or a chesterfield, being an essential piece of furniture in every home. A sofa is a comfy item and it will offer a seat for one or more people. At the beginning of its history, the sofa was meant to be the throne for the Arabian emperors. The sofa dates back in the antique world, having an abundant history. The sofas were considered to be pieces of furniture for the elite only, but today a sofa can be owned by practically anyone.

The couches come in different materials and textures. If you like a classy look, you can opt for leather, if you want a more casual look other materials will do as well. The design of the sofa is also very important. It must necessarily fit into the décor of your room. If you have a modern styled room, you probably shouldn’t decide on an époque piece of sofa. On the other hand, if your living is decorated in a modern style a sofa with a rich past won’t be the item for you. The color of the couch is also important. You can have a hot red couch, or a gray one, more subtle and classier. The idea for the color of the couch is to be in accordance with the other pieces in your room. On the other hand, you can choose an opposite color, to contrast with the furniture and floor in your room, and this can have an unexpected effect. For instance, having a room in light shades can be uplifted by a strong colored couch.

The price range of the couches is various; it all depends on the materials used and the design. You can opt for a designer couch, which will cost you a fortune, or get a regular couch for a few hundreds of dollars. So, get a couch that matches your taste and your room, and then just enjoy the comfortable sofa and let others enjoy it too.

About the Author: www.salesofas.com is a website which is there to inform consumers when it comes to purchasing a sofa. They have articles on href="http://www.salesofas.com/modular-sofas.html">modular sofas should do to ensure they loveseat sofas

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How To Fit Aluminium Venetian Blinds

Top Fixing
Venetian blinds First you must measure the distance where any handles protrude from the window frame then mark this measurement on the lintel at the top of the window recess and use this measurement to the point at the bracket of the fixing bracket. First measure to where the brackets will be positioned by looking at where the components are inside the head rail as the brackets must miss these. Then mark the position of the holes using the brackets as a template and screw the brackets to the lintel using screws and rawl plugs with the swing arm facing into the room towards you. When this is done pull all the swing arms on the brackets over to the right hand side of the bracket so they are sticking into the room then offer the head rail up underneath the brackets. Once in place push all the swing arms inwards towards the head rail until flush with the front of the head rail which will cause the bracket then to grip the head rail and keep it in place.


Face Fixing
First you must measure the distance where any handles protrude from the window frame. First measure to where the brackets will be positioned by looking at where the components are inside the head rail as the brackets must miss these .Then mark the position of the holes onto your wall, door or window frame using the brackets as a template and screw the brackets to the required place using screws and rawl plugs with the swing arm facing into the room towards you. When this is done pull all the swing arms on the brackets over to the right hand side of the bracket so they are sticking into the room then offer the head rail up underneath the brackets. Once in place push all the swing arms inwards towards the head rail until flush with the front of the head rail which will cause the bracket then to grip the head rail and keep it in place.

Operating Your Roller Blinds

Operating Roller Blinds Raise And Lower To raise and lower your aluminium venetian blind you need to pull the single cord pull down towards the floor or window sill this will raise the blind upwards then when you have the blind at the required position pull the cord away from the window to the right or left of the blind for the cord lock barrel to grip the cord to keep the blind in position.

Tilt Up Or Down To tilt the blind you will need to use the clear plastic tilt wand just twist it one way to tilt the slats upwards and eventually close and twist the other way to tilt the slats downwards and eventually to close.

How To Clean Your Roller Blinds

Regular and carful vacuuming of your blind will keep it clean and free from dust by using the brush attachment on your hover and gently move the attachment from left to right over your blind will keep your aluminium venetian blinds looking their best, if preferred a damp cloth can be used.

About the Author: Darren Wilson owns and runs Wilsons Blinds One of the leading suppliers and e-tailers of blinds in the UK. He has been in the blinds industry for over 5 years and has thousands of satisfied customers. For all your blinds needs, Wilsons Blinds is your one stop shop.

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Keep a Rug Around for Yoga

Sometimes a practicing yogi needs to do a few yoga poses in the most unlikely of places; at a bus stop, on the train, even in their own cubicle at work. I know I happen to have a lot of those random “I have to do the crow’s pose right now” moments. In fact, it happens quite often especially in my cubicle. Since I don’t usually carry my yoga mat everywhere with me, I decided to invest in a simple cotton rug for my work station.

I knew that when I was looking for an area rug it’d have to be a bit smaller in size since I have a lot of stuff going on in here: my rolling office chair, a guest chair, my computer tower, the works. Fortunately I found one suitable enough, made from cotton and dyed a lovely serene turquoise color. Thankfully there were no fringes on the edges sine we have a little dog running around the office. The last thing I need is for the dog to choke on loose pieces of thread from my rug!

Now that I have this rug in my cube, I have the freedom to work on a few warrior poses. Not to mention that the turquoise color brings a happy little ambience in my cube. My coworkers have even taken notice and mention that with the addition of the rug my cube looks a lot more inviting, prompting many visitors throughout the day.



Commonly enough, rugs are used during different yoga practices. Sometimes it’s even recommended to bring one to practice to double as a blanket or cushioning pad for any poses that may require you to be on your knees, such as camel or table. Next time you have a yoga class, go out and pick up a cotton yoga rug about 28 inches in width and 70 inches in length beforehand. Place it on top of your sticky yoga mat for extra cushioning, traction, and to absorb and sweat or moisture, making it ideal for Bikram or hot yoga. And don’t forget to choose a color or pattern that will bring you to a peaceful place during your yoga practice, whether it’s in a studio, bus stop or cubicle. Trust me, it’ll make a difference.

About the Author: For a collection of area rugs, wool rugs, rug runners, sisal rugs, and bamboo rugs, visit GCRugs.com.

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The Rebirth of Wallpaper

Somewhere around the year 200 B.C., the Chinese became the first people to use paper to decorate their walls. In the 1700s, wallpaper came to the United States, where it grew in popularity well into the 1900s. After reaching the zenith of its popularity in the mid twentieth century, people began to strip down the walls to go for a more minimalist look. Since the late 1980s, wallpaper has been sneered at and considered solely the domain of the old-fashioned and the tasteless.

In the 1990s, home makeover shows became increasingly popular, and typically one of the main obstacles to redecorating included the presence of wallpaper. Interior designers would enter the house and see unrelenting floral patterns from floor to ceiling, staring smugly at the designer, secure in knowing the power of paste and water. A look of sheer horror would wash over the designers' faces. No self respecting designer could allow the abhorrent paper to stay.

In order to keep up with the times, the wallpaper needed to be stripped down, scraped off, and the walls given a fresh coat of paint. This process involved a steamer, a scraper, and a lot of elbow grease. In fact, it was watching the homeowners toil over its removal that made for entertainment. Some owners chose to simply paint over the wallpaper rather than attempt to remove it, but this technique met with mixed results.

Typically by the time the paper was successfully exorcised from the home, the owners would admit their wrongdoings and vow never to make the mistake of bringing in the sticky stuff again. Viewers did well to heed this advice themselves, and soon wallpaper became interior design's dirty little secret.

Once all the paper had been removed from American homes, and interior design shows continued to take over television screens, neutralizing the family space became top priority among homeowners.

But now, after having several years of impersonal design, homeowners are starting to long for a home with character and individuality. They want to make their mark, and have their home stand out from the crowd.

As part of this new trend to reclaim personal expression, wallpaper is making a valiant return to interior designers' good graces. Wallpaper is now being featured in major design publications, and even appearing on their former nemesis: the home makeover show.

Chic patterns and innovative materials are taking over the wallpaper world. Magnetic wallpaper, digital photography, and 3D images are just some of the new features coming out.

In addition to traditional wall-to-wall coverings, wallpaper is also being used to add punch to otherwise neutral rooms. Current trends include papering just one wall and using it as an accent wall, or setting off a focal point in the room such as an elegant fireplace.

Many home designers are discovering how fun it can be to use wallpaper in innovative ways. Framing squares of wallpaper can create instant, yet tasteful artwork. Covering a plain lampshade can give it personality. Think outside of the box, and wallpaper can be a powerful new tool in your home decorating arsenal.

About the Author: Stephen Proski is a Designated Broker, Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) and a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS). Stephen specializes in Scottsdale Arizona real estate. Search the Phoenix Arizona MLS today!

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Choosing the Right Living Room Furniture

The main furniture components that make up your living room are sofas and chairs, coffee tables, end tables and console tables. A good combination of these pieces should leave you with a well put together living room that is both livable and aesthetically pleasing. Overdo it and pick pieces of furniture that are too large for your room or try to cram too many pieces into your space, and you’ll quickly ruin your living room. Below, I’ll go piece-by-piece and give you a few tips to picking the right furniture for your living room.

Seating is the most important aspect to most living rooms. A sofa or couch is probably the most expensive and most used piece of furniture you’ll purchase, so it’s wise to plan ahead and choose a sofa that fits the size of your living room and pick a color or pattern that will work with a variety of tones and hues. The biggest mistake often made here isn’t with colors, however, it’s with sizes and sometimes shapes. You can only do so much with the space your living room provides. If you can’t fit a big sectional comfortably, then it’s probably better to go with a smaller sofa and see if a chair or two will fit more comfortably. Remember, you’re going to want room for end tables and a decent sized coffee table, so stuffing all the seating you can into your living room isn’t the way to go.

While the sofa is probably the most important part of your living room, the coffee table usually remains the centerpiece and focal point of it. For one, the coffee table is normally situated towards the center of the room, and of course, once you’re seated, the coffee table becomes the main piece of furniture in your line of sight (no, the TV doesn’t count as a piece of furniture). Choosing the right coffee table is about both size and material. Most coffee tables are rectangular in shape, and this works for most rooms, but if an oval, circle, or square table would work better for you, they’re out there, but may be harder to find. There are a variety of woods and finishes available, and even glass remains a popular option. The things to look at here are what other wood finishes you have in the room and if the room gets a lot of natural light or not. If you have a lot of furniture with dark finishes, you might want to stick with a similar finish for your coffee table, should you choose wood.

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Setting the Mood: Choosing the Right Paint Colors for your Home

Picking which colors to paint the interior of your home can be a stressful venture. Following trends can make your home look fashionable one season, but completely outdated the next. What you want is to choose colors that will satisfy you now and in the future.

So how do you choose? In reality, there are no right or wrong colors, but there are poor color combinations. Pairing lime green paint with red accents would look terrible, whereas combining lime green and white looks cheerful and clean. One place to start is to look at what colors and textures are already present in the room, and go from there.

After looking at what you already have, consider what function the room will serve, and how you want to feel when you spend time in it. Don't be too limited by so-called color rules. If you read a magazine article that you should never use red for a bedroom, you're going to miss out on a rich array of options. Go with your gut, and select shades that make you happy.

Colors affect us. They can lift our spirits, make us feel tense, or make us feel at peace.

The kitchen for instance, is typically a place where family and friends gather, snack, and engage in friendly conversation. This is a great area to use bright, cheery colors that promote feelings of well-being. Yellow has long been a popular choice for this room, but be mindful of the shade you select. Lighter shades of yellow are associated in our minds with happiness and freshness, while on the other hand, a dull shade of yellow reminds us of sickness and danger.

The bedroom is your place of refuge from the rest of the world. If you want to give the room a sensuous feel, light red paint can envelop you in feelings of passion. Pink is the classic color for romance, but can be too feminine and overpowering for many people. Blue is a great choice for the bedroom if you want to create an area of stillness. The color blue promotes feelings of tranquility and has a calming effect on the mind. Blue also acts as an appetite suppressant, so be mindful of this when painting your dining room area!

When you've decided on what mood you want to create as well as the color family you want to use, be sure to paint a fairly large square on your wall. Don't rely on paint chips, as the color can end up looking different on your walls. A paint chip also can't give you an accurate idea of how the room as a whole will mesh with the new color. Your furniture, the amount of natural light in the room, and the type of flooring you have, all play a part in how color will look in the room. So you need to have a fairly large sample area to properly judge.

Selecting paint color can be intimidating, but remember to go with your gut. If you love a color and it evokes the feeling that you want, then chances are good that you will be happy with your choice for many years to come.

About the Author: Matt Barker is a real estate professional specializing in Saint Paul real estate. For information on buying or selling Saint Paul homes, look to Matt Barker, an experienced Saint Paul Realtor for more information today!

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Gardening And Relaxation

Gardening is all about growing and taking care of plants, trees and fruits. If you like these sorts of practices, then this means you should definitely take up gardening as a hobby. However, this hobby might take up a lot of your time, so make sure it fits in your schedule. Even if you don’t have time to do it, but would like to, you should make all the necessary changes in your program to squeeze in some gardening activities, as these are highly relaxing and can have the effect of a long massage or of one week of vacation. Gardening is mind sweeping and makes you calm and loving for all ling creatures. Gardening requires patience, so if you lack patience, you can forget about gardening and take up some other hobby.

So, if you would like to start gardening, what should you do? First of all, pay a visit to a specialist’s store. Talk to an authorized person and decide commonly which plants or trees you can grow in the land that you have, which will grow better, what are your preferences etc. Then, you need to take some seeds and fertilizers, so that the land where you will be practicing gardening will be fertile. Planting the seeds is the next step, and then you should water them on a regular basis and clean the land, take care of the possible insects and animals that might damage your crop. In case you will practice gardening indoors you won’t be facing these problems.

You will also need special equipment, such as gardening gloves and boots, and other gardening tools. Ask in the gardening store about their latest offer of get these tools via the Internet. And then you can enjoy taking care of your garden, and might even get some crops, in case you have some vegetables and fruit, or see some lovely flowers, in case you grow plants. These are the plants’ way of showing their gratitude towards your affectionate caretaking, so you have to admit that gardening pays off.

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Garden buildings

These days garden buildings come in all shapes, sizes and increasingly diverse materials. Although garden sheds are still the first type of garden building that many people think of, there is an extensive range of buildings and a myriad of uses they can be put to. These range from the traditional garden shed, to a large log cabin that can be used as a summerhouse or increasingly these days, as a garden office, home gym or spa.

Garden buildings, and their uses, are becoming increasingly diverse. We are all aware of the conventional garden shed that has traditionally been used for storing garden furniture, garden tools and bicycles. They are often used as a haven for gardeners who use them as a tool store and potting shed. Garden sheds are now also available in metal which is secure and robust, and plastic that is incredibly durable with none of the material degradation that can occur with either wood or metal products.

Greenhouses are another traditional garden building that have been an integral part of British life for years. For the dedicated gardening enthusiast these glazed garden structures are invaluable; they are often used for planting seeds and propagating plants that would never survive a British winter, and what greenhouse would be complete in late summer without home grown tomatoes. Although traditionally made from wood with glass roof and side panels; it is now more common for the frame to be made from lightweight aluminium with the glazed panels made from polycarbonate for lighter weight, increased safety and greater thermal conductivity.


Garden buildings are becoming increasingly specialised in their use. With dedicated garden storage catering for traditional storage needs, and the more unusual demands such as a dedicated motorcycle store. Particularly useful are the small plastic storage boxes which prove ideal for small items in the garden or children's toys. Metal stores are not only safe and secure, they often have a far lower profile than a conventional shed. This makes them far more convenient than a shed as they are less visually intrusive and take up less space than a conventional shed.

Dedicated workshops usually have double-doors and more windows than you would expect to find in a conventional garden shed. Workshops are designed specifically as a space in which to work; setting them apart from many other garden buildings. They are often light and airy, with more space and a higher roofline than a conventional garden shed with more space for workbenches, tools and a larger area in which to work.

With longer and warmer summers, summerhouses are becoming increasingly popular as an outdoor space that all the family can enjoy. These can either be open structures that allow you to enjoy lazy summer days or with glazed doors and windows that let in lots of light, while still offering protection from more inclement weather.

Without a doubt the most diverse and versatile of garden buildings is the log cabin: they range in size from seven feet by five feet up to an extraordinary 16 square feet. The walls are available with timber thicknesses up to 95mm for added sound and thermal insulation and structural integrity. These truly versatile buildings are capable of fulfilling a vast array of outdoor spatial requirements, some of the most common being: a garden home office, a superb working environment that does not impinge upon your indoor space. A log cabin is also the ideal setting for a garden gym, affording you the opportunity to exercise in the relaxed surroundings of your own garden. Or why not indulge yourself and set up your very own all-weather spa in the heart of your garden.

In summary, garden buildings are moving away from the traditional garden shed and there are now far more specialised buildings to fulfil your outdoor storage and accommodation needs. Garden sheds are still the mainstay of many gardens, and greenhouses are as popular and useful as ever. Specialist garden storage solutions are available in a variety of sizes and colours that are ideal for storing garden tools, garden furniture, children's toys and even a motorcycle. Summerhouses help you make the most of your outdoor space and log cabins are currently one of the most versatile garden buildings you can buy. They are increasingly popular as garden offices, home gyms and even a truly indulgent garden spa.

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6 Easy Ways You Can Improve Your Refrigerator Performance

Do you know that refrigerators consume about one-sixth of the electricity in a typical American home? That's about 17%! And it demands your attention if you want to save energy.

There are two actions you can do:

1. Replace old, inefficient models
2. Operate the refrigerator properly

Today, I am going to discuss about the second option - operating the refrigerator properly - because it is either free or very easy to do. Operating a refrigerator is simple enough, but I have collected some tips here that can help you make it more energy efficient:


1. A refrigerator that is located in direct sunlight or near an oven, dishwasher, or other heat source, has to work harder to stay cool. Relocate it if possible, or shield it from the other heat sources. This will help the heat transfer to the atmosphere easier.

2. If the door seals aren’t airtight, some energy is lost. Sometimes, condensation can be found around the door seals. Leaks at the door seals means that hot air is entering the cold compartments. You can check whether the seals are working properly by closing the door on a piece of paper. If it is held tightly then the door seals are still good. Get the door seals replaced if they are leaking.

3. The proper temperature for refrigerators is between 37° and 40° Fahrenheit; freezers should be between 0° to 5°. You don't need to cool it down more than that. A refrigerator that’s 10° cooler than it needs to be can use 25% more energy. So set the thermostat at its correct temperature.

4. If you have a manual-defrost model, you need to defrost regularly. Less energy is needed when there’s no frost buildup. Contrary to popular belief, ice built-up actually reduces the cooling.

5. Make sure that air can circulate freely behind the refrigerator, or wherever the coils are located. That is the place where heat extracted from the refrigerator is transferred to the atmosphere. Air flow is required to carry the heat away. So keep some distance between the condenser coils and the surrounding walls.

6. Periodically vacuum or brush the coils to improve the efficiency. Refrigerator coil brushes are available at most hardware stores. It's simple enough to do yourself, or you can get some handyman friend to do it for you.

That's about all you need to do to maintain the refrigerator in good energy efficient condition. By carrying out these simple tips, you might be able to reduce your electric bills.

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Modern dining room furniture

Dining room should be a retreat away from the hustle and bustle of busy. Modern dinner table is a special place for many, where the family comes together to enjoy a meal in each other’s company. Contemporary day dining room furniture promotes this aspect by bringing the family closer together. Modern furniture is characterized by unconventional styles and designs in the way of modern art. Most design patterns from the old style furniture were discarded to make way for new furniture in unique varieties. The wood was replaced with several metals and synthetic materials and new color schemes evolved.Modern dining room furniture is lively and leaves an innate effect on guests about ones taste. Modern dining room chairs in particular lend a very attractive charm to the room and allow span for dining room decoration, be it with slipcover ties or devoid of frills. Modern dining sets have modified from wood to incorporate different materials.


The new tubular metals and synthetic fibers are commonly being used owing to their durability and lightweight. Dining furniture not only provides greater comfort but also adds to the aesthetic value of the dining room and the tables are also more compact, with glass-top being the most common surface.More fashionable, ergonomically designed cushion seats have replaced the typical straight-back wooden chairs that give the perfect comfort to the modern dining room. Besides the basic table and chairs, the dining room furniture also includes the cabinets used to store the cutlery. As the modern dining furniture lays greater emphasis on space, these are also more compact with several sections to hold everything from dinner plates and serving bowls to wine glasses and knives.
Modern dining tables come in different styles, from Victorian to Italian, rustic to modern and chic to contemporary. The tabletops can be marble, glass, wood or other materials and the chair can be bought as a set, and mixed, matched. The coordinated dining chairs can come with rattan seats, upholstered in leather, fabric or rich tapestries and the wide range of dining furniture styles, designs and materials are unlimited. Taking care of the quality and durability is vital thing when purchasing dining furniture. The other considerations that have to be evaluated while looking for dining room furniture includes the kind of style, look, and material desired, dining room space and budget constraints.People can also try many online options and also can choose the desired styles and types without leaving home. Most popular sites offer online room planner, store locators and free shipping where one can see and get a feel of the dining furniture. Whatever the dining room furniture requires from hosting large gatherings to serving intimate meals, there are many sites to satisfy ones needs. Price range of modern dining room furniture can vary greatly depending on the size and the material used and wooden dining sets are the most expensive. Get the best modern dining room furniture and furniture furnishings now at great discounted and affordable rates from the wide range of options.

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Do You Want to Save Energy on Your Hot Water Heater?

If your family uses a lot of hot water, you will have great opportunities for energy savings waiting for you. Water heating accounts for about 15% of energy costs in a typical manufactured home. Improving the energy efficiency of the water heater can save a significant amount of money over the water heater’s lifetime. No matter whether your home uses electric or gas-fired water heaters, you can certainly benefit from water heater maintenance and efficiency improvements.

Here are a few simple actions you can take to reduce your water heating costs:

1. Insulate the tank. This is one of the most effective and least expensive energy-saving steps you can take. By doing this, you will keep the heat within the tank longer and reduce the losses to the atmosphere.

You can obtain insulation jackets for water heaters for $20 or less at home centers. Follow the installation instructions that come with the jacket. Alternatively, standard fiberglass batt insulation can be used.



Seal the seams with vinyl tape, and wrap the entire heater loosely with wire ties to hold the insulation in place.

No matter how you choose to insulate the water heater, pay close attention to these safety instructions:


* Cover the sides and top of the heater, but cut flaps for the electric element access panels and the thermostat. This will make it easier for replacement later.

* Do not cover warning labels on the tank. You will want to be reminded of any precautions.

* Do not insulate gas or oil-fired water heater tanks. Over time, the insulation may sag, blocking air intakes and creating a safety hazard.

* Shut off power before attempting any work on your electric water heater. Make sure the power to it is shut off at the circuit breaker.


2. Fix any leaky faucets and showerheads. If hot water is leaking, you are wasting huge amounts of water, and energy! A leak that produces one drop per second will waste over 190 gallons per month, or 2,300 gallons per year. A leak that fills an 8-ounce cup in a minute will waste 2,700 gallons per month and 33,000 gallons per year — enough to fill a swimming pool!

3. Insulate water pipes leading from the tank. By doing this, you will slow down the heat loss. It also raises the temperature of hot water at the tap by 2° to 4°, which allows you to lower the temperature setting on the water heater.

Pipe insulation is usually a foam sleeve, slit lengthwise, that costs less than 50¢ per foot at home centers. Insulate all of the hot water piping that is accessible, especially the first six feet of pipe coming out of the water heater. Fasten the insulation sleeve with electrical tape, wire or cable ties at least once per foot. Choose pipe insulation whose inside diameter is the same as the outside diameter of the pipe.

4. Lower the water heater thermostat. For every 10° you turn down the water heater, you’ll save about 3% to 5% on water heating costs. A setting of 120° (usually halfway between “low” and “medium”) is usually hot enough. You can check the actual temperature of your water at the taps by continually running hot water into a cup with a thermometer placed in it.

5. Clean the tank. Sediments in the tank decrease its energy efficiency. You can improve on this by draining the water once a year. The heating elements and thermostat may also need to be serviced by a technician.

6. Turn off the water heater when you’ll be away for an extended period. No matter how good the insulation is at your heater, some heat is lost all the time.

7. Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. These are screwed into standard faucets to reduce the flow and aerate the water, so that it still feels like a full flow. These cost just a dollar or two, and can pay back the expense in just a few months.

8. Replace an old water heater. If a water heater was manufactured before 1980, it may be more cost-effective to replace it with a more efficient model. Check the EnergyGuide label to determine the unit’s energy efficiency. Replace it with a tankless heater



Just a few simple actions taken on your water heater can make some difference in your energy bills. Changing to a more efficient tankless heater will make better sense if you have an old heater.

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