Best Vacuum Cleaner for You

Everyone’s home is the resting place after coming fully stressed and tired from office. Vacuum cleaner is the ideal tool for cleaning dust from your beautiful home. Dust also live in the same home’s atmosphere you live. They make the home unhygienic and worst place to live after sending so much money on decorations and interior designs. This article can help deciding the best Vacuum cleaner for you.

One of the basic things is to check your home surface that required proper cleaning before buying a suitable Vacuum cleaner. Your home would have many kinds of products to clean such as furniture, carpet, blinds, drapes, hard floor surface, hidden places near bed and furniture. Bad cleaned surface can disturb your positive thinking and good feeling. You can’t really concentrate in such atmosphere.

You should check if someone from your family suffers from asthma like allergies because such infections always come mix into the home airs and then start infecting family members. The vacuum cleaner capacity depends on the surface of your home.

Your home cleaning style also depend on buying any vacuum cleaning available in market such as upright vacuum cleaner and canister vacuum cleaners. So both kinds of vacuum cleaners are suitable for different home surface. If your cleaning requirement is hard kind of surface floor then consider vacuum cleaner with hard floor connected. If you are looking for thorough cleaning of hard kind of floors then should buy with lots of attachments attached with.


Check out the vacuum cleaner review first before moving forward to buy from store or online selling sites. This is very important otherwise you would be feel guilty after buying wrong one. Do some research at store, check on all kinds of surface before buying. Check out the comfortable and portability kinds of matters as well. Check out the motor noise installed inside the vacuum cleaner, it might disturb if someone studying or working in cool mind. Many buyers frustrate with motor noise.

About the Author: Steve Buchanan writes article on many topics including Honda Generators, Snow Blower and Lawn Mowers

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Electrical Kitchen Appliances

We all give home appliances and many other kinds of items as wedding gift on friend’s or relative’s marriages. Most of them are the house hold items, that’s was finest for kitchen, home decoration etc. Most of the family members are still giving traditional items such occasion but they always forget to think about the requirement of the young couple. They neglect their needy items and waste so many money on unnecessary items. Please remember that a young couple requires more automated kind of kitchen appliances.

The electrical kitchen appliances help them a lot; they can save huge time with that. So, this is a great item to give an electrical home appliance on wedding or other happy occasions. Make a list of useful home appliances and then select one of the best suitable kinds of item. An electrical item is simple to buy and very cheap in price as well. One can easily remember his or her gifted present as well. Because such items really need in daily life. Such items are easily available in every departmental store.


You should have good feeling after buying that because that would be used by friend on daily basis. You can present an electrical item as surprised gift even they did not demand it because you know better its going a great deal. Many couple complains that they don’t have enough kitchen tools and they waste lots more time handling with ordinary tools. Everyone’s time so faster and in such case an electrical automated product can save morning to sleeping time.

An electrical table lamp is another great item to buy. Many decorated lamps are available in market in different colors and size. They are used as table decoration, night bulb and dinner time. Yes, in dancing moments as well. So, your friends should appreciate such electrical items, and you can assure that you given them a very day to day frequently life using product. Lets share this idea with your friends, they can help you find a better useful electrical item.

If you know that your friends love cooking then giving a kitchen electrical item will add some extra flavor. Such items would be Mixers, food processor etc.

About the Author: Steve Buchanan writes article on many topics including Honda Generators, Snow Blower and Lawn Mowers

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Romantic Country Bathrooms Decorating -- Get an Authentic Look

Bring a touch of luxury and romance to your bath time -- create a romantic, country bathrooms decorating scheme. A country bathroom is beautiful and timeless -- and you don’t have to live in a country home to make it work.

The center-piece and focal-point for your romantic country bathroom should be a free-standing bath. These can also be known as a roll-top bath, or, alternatively, a slipper-bath, which is slightly higher at one end. If you have the space, position your free-standing bath in the center of your room. Remember to pay attention to any exposed pipework, which might show up beneath your free-standing bath.

If you can fit a circular shower-rail above your free-standing bath, with pretty floral, or lacy, shower curtains draped over either side of the bath, you will really add to that beautiful and relaxed romantic country bathroom feel.

Another vital element for your romantic country bathroom is some wood paneling. Tongue-and-groove wood paneling is the ideal option. Use the genuine article, or buy MDF sheets, pre-routed out in a tongue-and-groove effect. A wood finish, particularly a pine finish, will tend to look a little old fashioned these days -- unfortunately, that’s old fashioned in a bad way!



To get the beautiful, subtle, relaxing look which you are after, try painting your tongue-and-groove paneling instead. Paint your tongue-and-groove in white or pastel colors -- creams, lemon, dusky pink, dusky blue, grays, stone colors, mint green, aqua or lilac, are all good colors to create a pretty, country feel. Go for muted and pastel tones of all these colors -- avoid anything to fresh or bright, you don’t want to end up looking like a sweet shop! You can safely use all these colors in any size room, as they will all be suitable for decorating small spaces.

Simplify and unify your space, by painting the tongue-and-groove paneling all in one color. Or, why not decide to make a feature out of your tongue-and-groove. Paint the tongue-and-groove in white, to contrast with your pastel colored walls. If your bathroom is small, stick to a darker color on the tongue-and-groove paneling, and choose a paler shade of the same color, or a paler, different color, for the top half of the wall. This will help to stop your small bathroom feel too imposing.

Try and include some floral patterns in your country bathroom too, for a really feminine, romantic country bathrooms decorating touch. Look for pretty curtains or blinds, a floral shower curtain, shower-caps and wash-bags.

Include a wooden toilet seat -- this is one case where pine will actually be fine -- but just remember not to over-do the pine in the rest of the room. Also try wicker storage baskets, for a practical solution to bathroom clutter, with a genuine country feel.

Buy some pretty ceramic accessories, such as soap dishes, toothbrush holders, light pulls, tap handles and toilet flushes. Add some soft fluffy towels in pastel colors -- hang them on wooden pegs in your bathroom, to complete the romantic country bathrooms decorating style.

Add some romantic scented candles, relax back into a lovely deep bubble bath, lie back and enjoy your country bathrooms decorating look.

About the Author: Do you want to see some Romantic Country Bathrooms Decorating Pictures, and further information to help you get the right look?

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Glass Tile, a Wise Choice

Glass tile is finally getting the respect it is due with all the different types and colors and the ease of maintenance it's really a great a choice,
With so many unique lines and There just is not anything else on the market with as many a colors that are available from pastel shades to bright clear primary colors. There is also a very large size selection of glass tile and mosaic glass tile that can range from 3/8” x 3/8” all the way to 12” x 12”.

A new glass product is glow in the dark tiles.
This is fantastic for swimming pool tile; you don’t need the pool light.
These are great to high light outdoor steps that can sometimes be a tripping hazard
These photo luminescent tiles take in ambient light during the day and styles available interior designers are using glass tile in many upcoming design projects. Glass tile has become art form here in the U.S.A., as there are several American companies that are manufacturing very unique glass tiles, some with a great new look such as fused glass.


emit the light back at dark.
They can be charged from home lighting sources as well so you can accent bathroom walls and not need a night light.
One job I saw had the homeowners name hidden in an entrance wall mosaic and when the night fell it lit up.
The luminescent tiles are also made in the same colors in non-glow so they are hidden until it gets dark or the bathroom light is turned off.
I think I may do this in my kid’s bathroom, they will love it.

A lot of manufactured glass tile is made from recycled bottles and glass products, so the industry has a great reputation as one of the leading “Green Compliant “ manufactures, some use as much as seventy percent.

On the plus side with a wide range of colors, sizes, and styles as well as it being a recycled “Green Product”, give glass tile a look you will be surprised!

About the Author: Anthony J. Ventura is a tile and marble contractor with 25 years of experience in custom home construction and swimming pool design. If you have any questions or need advice see us at www.pooltileworld.com

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How to theme Interior Design - use a furniture wholesaler!

What's a movie without a title?

What's a speech without a theme?

Don't let your interior design become a skeleton without a spine!!

The theme
In interior design, we must wrap the warmth and vitality your home gives you and your guests around a strong, flexible but well-connected theme - a true design for interior design.

Depending on the feel you like to surround yourself with, interior design takes on many different themes. This is a good thing. I've seen a lot of homes that use furniture and homewares based on their designer's/owner's travels - from that quaint cafe they remember in Bali to the lobby of a five-star island resort. The good thing about wholesale design is that it doesn't have to cost five-star prices. Special moments also rank highly, like the little garden setting they got married in. Between the furniture and homewares, solid inviting themes are easily achieved.

Martin Luther King mentioned free and freedom 24 times in his short speech, and the memorable backbone - "I have a dream" eight times. We must ask 'what does our home say?' I have a dream, I have a vision, I have a wish...? It just wouldn't have stuck!



Furniture
Let the furniture that is the foundation of the living in your house be a constant support to the look and feel of your design, not an ad hoc collection that is uncomfortable to wear with your eye and easy to forget in your heart.

Note: Outdoor furniture is often overlooked in selecting a theme for home design.
Caution: Nurseries are not outdoor furniture wholesalers.
They are nurseries, and as the name suggests, they nurse flora. Go to an outdoor furniture wholesaler for outdoor furniture that is truly in style, themed, and in line with your indoor furniture theme.

So, well-themed interior design starts with a good furniture wholesaler that can cater for all your needs. In compiling this article we used a furniture wholesaler in Sydney which, without selling to the public, does cater for non-retail outlets as well as retailers.

Homewares
Once the furniture skeleton is laid, the muscle that both binds and drives your design will be like the keywords that dot your home - free and freedom did it for Luther, and they're a dime a dozen in the dictionary... so what do we need? You guessed it, a good place to buy wholesale homewares.

This may or not be the same furniture wholesaler you started with but let's not sacrifice design for convenience of a one-stop shop - the fact is only a very good furniture wholesaler will be able to provide quality classy indoor furniture, outdoor furniture, and wholesale homewares under the one roof. Nonetheless, check the wholesale homewares at the furniture wholesaler we used and see how easy it can be to keep your theme strong; when you've found a good wholesaler that is.

Whether or not Luther's dream of freedom has truly been realised, your interior design can and will make your home homely, inspiring and comfortable, if you STICK TO THE THEME!

About the Author: Damian Barry is really an interior designer, although he wouldn't be offended if you called him an outdoor furniture wholesaler and praised his collection of wholesale homewares. He's also pretty short.

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Wireless Home Security Alarm System - Quick And Easy To Install

Wireless home security alarm systems are all the rage with ‘Do it Yourself’ home handy persons. The DIY handy person is much more able to cope with the installation of a wireless home security alarm system because it so much simpler to install than the traditional type of wired security devices. The set backs to a conventional wired system from the home handy persons perspective is the large amount of drilling required, which is time consuming and dirty work. Typically, the wired security system is left to the professional, while a wireless home security alarm system can be easily installed by the homeowner.

As an added benefit with a wireless home security alarm system most of the components can be easily moved to different positions around the home to provide protection where it is needed. This flexibility, however, is offset by the need to ensure that the number of installed devices are within the maximum recommended range so as to allow the wireless home security alarm system to function as designed.

Typically every device connected to a wireless home security alarm system has a built in transmitter. This transmitter is designed to send a wireless signal to the system’s centralised control receiver. It is common that the inexpensive systems are designed to simply sound the alarm when a device is activated by an intruder. However, in the case of the more costly wireless home security alarm systems, they are configured to not only sound the audio alarm but also to indicate which actual device set off the alarm. This extra benefit is especially useful when trying to identify the cause of a false alarm or in figuring out which actual room holds the potential danger.


Wireless Systems Have Distinct Disadvantages

While the simplicity of installation ranks high on the list of positives for a wireless home security alarm systems, there are some quite obvious disadvantages with this style of security system. One such negative is the fact that the transmitters in wireless home systems operate on batteries and this means they have to be regularly checked to make certain they have adequate charge and will operate when needed. Power in the batteries can be saved by installing motion sensor cameras, but regular checking and maintenance is still required. If the batteries are not regularly checked the power source weakens, this in turn affects the distance that the signal is sent and can cause false alarms to occur.

The actual material the house is constructed of can also markedly affect the distance that an alarm signal is able to travel. Many wireless home security alarm system devices are designed to emit their signals quite a distance, often between 200 and 300 feet. Sometimes the signal has trouble penetrating very thick walls and this can significantly reduce the distance that the signal is able to travel, often resulting in a reduction of up to 50 percent of the designed distance. In these circumstances the wireless home security alarm system may still function correctly, however, its performance is hampered because the signal cannot effectively reach the central control receiver, which then reduces the system’s effectiveness.

If you are unsure as to which wireless home security alarm system you should install then it is advisable that you seek the advice of a professional security system consultant for guidance.

About the Author: For more details on wireless home security alarm systems and other types of home security visit Home Family Security.

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Bath Cabinets

A dash of class with stylish bath cabinets

Are you an individual who likes to experiment with décor? Is your home a style statement in itself?

If you want to add a signature of your style and class in your bathroom, then there is no better way to do it than with bath cabinets. Glass, wood or steel name it and you will find it in a bath cabinet.

You can experiment beyond limits and create a bathroom that you can be proud of. Consider your bathroom to be a personal retreat where you can go and sink away your stress with a hot bath.

Do not look at it as a utility room where you simply go to perform a chore once or twice a day.

Ideas

When it comes to bath cabinets, you will never really run short of ideas. Glass cabinets have several elegant designs but if you want to experiment, then you can try wicker or bamboo. There are porcelain cabinets as well but these are very heavy and are not recommended.

A lot of people only look at the aesthetic appeal of the cabinet and compromise on the utility aspect of it. But you should never neglect the utility of a bath cabinet.

With a little bit of research, you can easily strike the right balance in aesthetics and utility.


Priorities

Eventually it all comes down to priorities. While some people want to have an extremely lavish setting in their bathroom and have leather coated vanities with high quality polished metal finish, there are others who are looking for an economic deal.

Work out your priorities and then zoom down on a few choices. Keep the design and setting of your bathroom in mind and try to visualize the bathroom with the new cabinet.


The cabinet should look natural and blend with the rest of the bathroom design. It should not look like an entity and stand out.

About the Author: For more information on bath cabinets
visit : http://www.kitchenbathmart.com

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Indoor Water Fountains Add Serenity to Your Workspace

Water, its sound, look, feel and essence, has always provided surroundings with a peaceful and beautiful connection to the natural world. Unless you are fortunate enough to live and work near a babbling brook or a delicate stream, you may not think that the sounds and sight of water can affect your daily life. However, with indoor water fountains, you can have the positive effects of water no mater where you are.
Indoor fountains are a wonderful way to capture the natural, organic connection that moving water provides. Whether they are inside your home, office or wherever you could use a sense of serenity, indoor water fountains can really make a difference.
Water fountains can transform even the most cold and unwelcoming spaces into a warm and soothing environment. They can bring a sense of calming and harmony in to any setting. Indoor fountains are a nice addition to places like home offices or any workspace that can become a stressful environment. Bringing something like a water fountain into a stressful environment can help facilitate creativity and therefore help with your productivity.
It’s not just the beauty of a water fountain that can really affect the ambiance of a room, but the relaxing and serene sound of the water falling over the piece can positively affect the mood of whatever area it is placed in.
There are many different styles and varieties of water fountains that you can consider for your workspace living space or wherever you would like to add a sense of natural beauty.


Wall fountains, which come in many different sizes, shapes and materials, are a great solution for almost any space. Because wall fountains are mounted to the wall, you don’t have to worry about accommodating any floor or desk space.
Wall fountains can greatly vary in size, from small to very large – taking up an entire wall space. Wall fountains come in so many different shapes that you can find one to fit any space you like. Wide, horizontal water fountains, or tall vertical fountains – even different geometrical shapes and sizes are available for whatever suites your space. Indoor fountains are made with a variety of materials as well. Some common materials include: slate, copper, stainless steel, mirror and bronze.
Having so many different styles and materials to choose from can help you to find just the right piece for your space. Water fountains are considered functioning pieces of art because they are both beautiful to look at and their sound and presence can really have a positive, serene effect on any room that you choose to place it in.

About the Author: K.S. Louman writes consumer information articles for www.earthinspiredproducts.com. For more information about indoor fountainsand what they can do for your workspace, please visit www.earthinspiredproducts.com.

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Life is a Stage - So is Your Home!

What is a home staging?
Home staging prepares a home for sale, and for the dozens of enquiring eyes that will be scouring the property looking for flaws. It creates an image of the perfectly decorated home, in move-in condition. This should be the next step after decluttering, cleaning and repairing your home. The changes may be as small as rearranging furniture to give the illusion of more space, or repainting with more neutral and soothing colors. Home stagers will offer great ideas for perking up a room with accessories and creating a new stylish look for your home

Why stage your home?

In this day and age, having to deal with a sluggish market, staging is a must. It can give you the edge that may result in a faster sale or a higher sales price.

First impressions can make or break the sale of the house, and a home that is properly staged helps to maximize your chances of a positive first impression.

Your home will have an advantage over other unstaged homes.

A staged home shows well in web site marketing and video tours, and since the majority of homes are chosen over the internet, this is a vital form of advertising.

Tips for staging your home.

As you go from room to room, there should be a flow to your home. Avoid overly bright or bold colored walls. This may mean repainting some or all of your rooms with more calming, neutral tones. Some people cannot understand that that bright purple wall can be removed with a coat of paint, and these distractions may result in no sales.


Clean the carpets

Furniture: The most common trick used by stagers is to rearrange furniture to create a more stylish look. During my house sale, my stager suggested I move my dining room table into the living room, creating a living/dining room. This freed up space for my crammed kitchen table and voila, I had a brand new and improved living space.

Rearranging may also mean reducing the amount of furniture so that a room looks more open. This includes emptying out closets, even if it means putting some things in storage. Consider renting a few pieces of stylish furniture or pieces of art.

Tidy up your bookcases so that they look pleasing to the eye. This may mean packing away many of your books and keeping out the ones that display well.

Brighten the house up by cleaning windows, and go with higher wattage light bulbs (just until the home sells). Make sure that the lights are left on before an open house, so the prospective buyers are walk into well-lit rooms and hallways.

Creative use of fabrics as accent pieces for additional texture and color are very common.

Remove family pictures, hockey trophies, any traces of everyday family life. You don't want the buyer feeling that they are in someone else's space; they need to imagine their family living in this house.

Use plug in room fresheners, especially to mask pet and smoking odors. If you can't get rid of a smell, overpower it by providing a distraction such as baking chocolate chip cookies and leaving the tray in the oven.

Sweep out the furnace room and clean the cobwebs off the furnace. If the furnace looks cleaner, it appears newer.

Make a list of general repairs, and if you can't complete them, hire a handyman to polish them off.

Add fresh or silk flowers to many of the rooms.



Kitchen:

Display bowls of colorful fruit.


Apply oil to cabinets to revive their finish.


Modernize your cabinet handles.


Clear everything off the counters, finding homes for small appliances - you'll love the look.


Remove fridge magnets and small area rugs.


Have a table set for use, complete with place mats, place setting and napkins.



Bathroom:

Have a set of thick and luxurious towels reserved only for open houses.


Fill baskets with scented soaps and lotions.


Use a scented plug in air freshener.


Remove the collection of shampoo bottles from the tub, or toothbrushes lying on the counter.



Bedroom:

Clear off your night tables, maybe leaving out an interest looking book.



Outdoors:

Place containers of flowers on the patios, decks and entranceways.


Set the table with colorful picnic plates


Power wash the outside of the house, patios and walkways.


Freshen up the paint on all porches and doors


Weed the gardens and apply mulch; it makes them look like new.



In order to make your home staging a positive experience make sure you use either a realtor who is skilled at home staging, or a professional home stager. The latter is a trained designer and they understand how to create a mood or illusion for the buyer.

It can be difficult listening to strangers telling you how your home needs to look. You really need to be open minded and trust their expertise. Many people are surprised at how hard it is to separate from their homes; just keep telling yourself, "It's not my home anymore". You'll probably enjoy many of the changes you've made and may reflect these in your new house as well. There is just something about living in a stylish, clean, clutter-free environment.

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Bestow Some Beauty in Your Bedroom Furniture

Ah, the bed: my favorite piece of furniture. The couch is a close second, but that’s for another article. The bed is where you sleep, where you curl up with a good read, where you snuggle up to, where you do other PG-13 rated activities that cannot warrant discussion here. If the heart is where the home is, then my heart lies snoozing somewhere in my rumpled sheets. So why do so many people completely disregard the bedroom as an epicenter for taste and quality furniture?

Bedroom furniture, unlike living room or dining room furniture, is not on display for guests; it’s a private sanctuary that we escape to after a long day’s work. But just because it’s yours doesn’t mean it deserves lesser treatment. Choosing aesthetically pleasing bedroom furniture is easy with the right look in mind.

What is it that you want to come home to every day? Maybe you prefer the sleek, modern styles of contemporary bedroom furniture. If you’re on a budget, but still want to pay homage to your sleeping vessel, a new platform bed is a stylish and inexpensive way to improve your bedroom’s look. These low-profile pieces feature crisp, clean lines and smooth finishes, with few designs on the headboard. Instead of using a box spring, they use slats that run across the width of the bed. Or perhaps you prefer a traditional take with intricate details. Canopy beds exude a classic style with top enclosures for flowing fabrics to let light in or close it out. Whatever you choose, it should make you feel oh-so-good when you sink into it at night.


Forget what you used to think was acceptable—your bed ought to have the best you can afford! Transform your bedroom from a lackluster sleeping space into your own exclusive napping paradise. Bestow some beauty in your bedroom furniture, and start enjoying how good-looking your bed just got.

About the Author: For a wide selection of bedroom furniture and platform beds, visit Eco-furniture.com.

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Extra, Extra! Platform Beds All the Rage in the Bedroom!

If the public still went to “movie houses” and watched newsreels, they would have seen a clip about platform beds by now. Someone, or maybe a family, would be seen gathered in the furniture department, jumping all over the beds on display. A disembodied voice with an old-timey accent would be telling you how these beds are transforming homes everywhere as people wave happily through a sepia-finished lens. Or maybe not, considering how modern a platform bed is. Maybe everyone is already aware of the benefits a platform bed. If you don’t, read on (if it makes you happy, read this aloud in an old-timey accent for kicks).

As a great addition or replacement to your bedroom furniture, platform beds are an affordably easy way to give new life to the same old look. Its sleek appeal and Eastern influences make it the perfect centerpiece for a contemporary bedroom set. A low profile sets the bedroom apart from more classic furniture fare, and gives you a different aesthetic—one that says I’m not like every other French country or colonial bed out there. I’m a platform bed: sleek, smooth, and utterly sophisticated.

What really sets the platform bed apart is its use of wide, wooden slats to hold up the mattress. The horizontal surface below supports the mattress without the aid of a box spring, using wood, metal, or other flat surfaces like plywood. This in turn saves you money, since it doesn’t need the box spring. The bed rests on the slats and gives you the smooth, cutting edge look you want. Take a nap after a long day, or catch up on the daily news in bed, or have an impromptu pillow fight. In a platform bed, anything is possible.


You may want to hang on to some furniture because, well, it’s traditional, but let’s face it—you need a fresh start. Out with the old, in with modernity! The sharp lines and geometric proportions lend an understated, breathtaking elegance. Stop being such an old-timer; take a look around at platform beds for a quick update on your bedroom furniture.

About the Author: Eco-Furniture has one of the largest platform bed and bed frame selections on the web. Check us out today.

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Decorating Kids' Bathrooms -- Say Good-Bye to Bath-Time Tears

Decorating kids' bathrooms is not, actually, as simple as you would expect. You will want to create a space that is appealing for your kids to spend time in, and practical too. Let’s aim to put an end to those bath-time tears.

The best idea is to create a neutral base for your decorating plans. Pick a standard, white bathroom suite - nothing too old-fashioned and traditional, but equally, nothing that stands out as too modern. Also pick white, or neutral, tiles. Your kids will grow up quicker than you think. A decorating scheme that is perfect for tiny tots, will soon appear childish as they grow a little older. With a neutral bathroom structure, you can easily and cheaply get a whole new look, whenever you want.

For toddlers and small children, try to make it simple for them to learn how to use a bathroom. Get a small step for the toilet and basin, so tiny tots can reach easily - they will soon be learning how to do it on their own.

Make sure taps can be turned on and off easily, so they are user friendly for your kids. Also consider installing a push-button flush toilet. Can’t you remember being a kid yourself -- and trying to get the hang of that tricky flush-handle?

Creating plenty of storage in your kids’ bathroom is a must, whatever the age of your children. Toddlers are surrounded by nappies, creams, powders and heaps of bath-toys, while teenagers can really accumulate those toiletries. Choose baskets or boxes without lids -- that way there is more chance that they will actually be used! Keep storage boxes and baskets within easy reach. It is also a good idea to keep a shelf free near the basin or mirror, for those few items in constant daily use.


Safety is of vital importance when decorating kids’ bathrooms, so remember, water and electricity do not mix! Always make sure that you use the correct light fixtures in your bathroom. And don’t forget -- little kids in baths, splash -- a lot! Take advice from a professional electrician if you are in any doubt at all.

Now that you have created a safe, practical and neutral basis for your kids’ bathroom, think about personalizing it, with a ‘splash’ of color. Combine your neutrals with a vibrant wall color. Try using your child’s favorite color on the walls. Or, choose from those perennial kids’ bathroom favorites -- bright blues, turquoise, orange, yellow or lime-green. Always use a specialist bathroom paint, which will help to prevent damp and mold growth.

Jazz up your bathroom decorating scheme with stencils, borders, wall murals, wall and tile transfers or stick on tile decorations. Ideal themes for decorating kids’ bathrooms are boats, lighthouses, fish, mermaids, starfish or flowers. Carry your theme on, in your choice of accessories, too -- shower curtains, towels, soap dispensers, toothbrush holders, light pulls etc.

Get as creative as you like -- and have fun! You have created a great framework for decorating a kids’ bathroom. The details can be quickly and easily changed now, as the kids get older, and tastes begin to change.

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The Small Bathroom Dilemma

You get up every morning and head straight for the bathroom. It’s the first and last place that you visit every day. If it is cluttered and small, it can seem cumbersome and depressing. If things are hard to find or get to it can be frustrating and make you late for work or other appointments and obligations. If you are stuck with a small space, follow these tips for getting organized and making the space seem larger than it really is.

First, the more floor space that is visible, the bigger the room will feel. Utilize your linen closet. Clear out the clutter and get rid of expired medicines and make-up. Most of us have a drawer stuffed full of old make-up, medicines and hair accessories. Use plastic containers that you can see through and separate your stuff. Put the make-up that you really use in one container. All manicure/pedicure products should go in their own container. Medicines can go in their own box, and if you have children, you may want to separate child and adult medicines. Shaving cream, razors and blades, toothbrushes and toothpaste can go in a box together. Hair-dryer, curling irons and hair accessories can go into their own container as well. Dedicate an eye-level shelf in your linen closet for all of these items. Add a shelf if you need to, making extra space. This should get everything off of your counter.

The next step is to get as much as possible off of your floor. Unnecessary rugs, laundry baskets and garbage cans can make the space seem smaller than it is. If you have the budget, opt for a wall-mounted toilet and pedestal sink. These two things free up floor space and help keep things open. Take down thick or dark colored shower curtains and draperies. Installing clear doors on the shower extends the eye past the bathtub all the way to the wall, adding about three feet of space. Having sheer curtains or a pull-down window shade that lets in light can make a big difference.



Install extra lighting where ever you can. Bad lighting makes spaces seem small and dreary. Bright fluorescent bulbs, recessed lighting, sky lights and open windows can make all the difference. Use light colored paint and bathroom accessories to brighten up the room. Light blues and greens are the most pleasing to the eye and signal your brain to consider the room an open space.

Mirrored surfaces also add to the illusion of space. If you have a small mirror, replace it with one that is as big as possible. Add mirrors to other walls if possible, not just above the sink. A mirrored medicine cabinet adds space and is also a practical solution for storage. Replace old brass doorknobs, cabinet pulls, toilet paper holders and faucets with bright reflective chrome. Towel rods, shower curtain rods and hooks reflect light around the room adding to the illusion of space. If you have a small table in your bathroom, cover it with a mirrored surface, or replace it with a pedestal and glass top.

Keep things simple and open, colors light and patterns subtle. Use wooden hangers to organize your linen closet or hang your robe and keep things looking uniform. Opening up space in your bathroom can rejuvenate you for the day and relax you for the night.

About the Author: About the Author: Ron Maier is the owner of The Hanger Depot, a leading provider of high quality hangers,including wooden hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.thehangerdepot.com

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Prepare Small Rooms for Winter

Winter is on the way. The holidays can mean having lots of family and friends over to your house, so it’s time to get your home ready for it. The stresses of the season, winter depression and less daylight hours can all bring you down. Plus if your home is small, you can start to feel trapped and things can get cluttered with all the extra coats, hats, gloves and boots lying around. Start now and turn your little cabin into a cozy little safe-haven that is inviting to you, your family and your guests. Have a warm cozy winter this year. Use decorating tips and lighting schemes to accomplish a stylish, organized environment, even in a small space.

First, get organized. Get yourself some high quality wooden hangers for those heavy coats and start with your coat closet. Organize hats, gloves and scarves in small drawer cabinets or in over-the-door closet organizers. Shoes should be about the only thing on the floor of your closet. Get rid of coats that you never wear and store formal ones in a spare bedroom. You can also use the top shelf of your coat closet to store them in boxes or collapsible bags. Once everything is in place, you’re ready to tackle the entryway of your home.

Provide a bench or cozy seat by the door to invite guests to take off their shoes. A discreet shoe rack or organization cabinet will give everything a place to go and make your guests feel at home. Use warm lighting in this area to make it relaxing and inviting. A small lamp or low watt soft light bulb will do the trick.


If you have a fireplace, you’re in luck. There’s nothing like a fire to warm the spirit and relax the mind. The warm glowing light is perfect for drawing you into its warm aura. Provide seating around the fire and coasters on the hearth for mugs of hot chocolate or tea. If you don’t have a hearth, small end tables on either side will let people know that this is a place where they can sit and relax. If you don’t have room for chairs in this area, decorative floor pillows or fluffy rugs will invite people to sit.

Use upward lighting on the walls to accent family pictures or art. Use downward lighting, like from lamps or hanging lights, to direct people towards areas where you want them to mingle. Use lots of soft textured fabrics to add to the coziness of the area. Throw blankets and plush pillows make any room look more inviting, even if you have stiff leather couches. Busy patterns can make a room look smaller, so stick to discreet patterns and solids when decorating. Dark colors can make a room cozier, but if the space seems small already, make sure that your accents are light and don’t add to the darkness of the space. Large mirrors can open up a space and reflect soft light around the room.

Use your creativity and imagination when decorating your small home. Personalize it to your taste and keep comfort in mind. Making the space usable and less formal will make your home feel like a retreat away from the cold this winter.

About the Author: About the Author: Ron Maier is the owner of The Hanger Depot, a leading provider of high quality hangers,including wooden hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.thehangerdepot.com

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