Have a Home Office? Learn How to Design it Here!

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

Having a home office is a necessity for some people. Having it designed in the most efficient way is important. In order to help you out we found this article that will help you design the ideal home office. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

Jo Heinz is president of Dallas interior architecture and design firm Staffelbach. Entrepreneur.com asked Heinz for advice on designing a home office for maximum efficiency. Here’s what she had to say:

How does designing an effective home office differ from designing a commercial office? And what considerations do you need to keep in mind even before you get started?
Working from home is exciting because it offers an opportunity for real comfort and efficiency, but if the office is too casual, or isn’t effectively separated from the home environment, peak productivity may be lost.

While comfort is essential in any office, an office that is too casual may seriously impede the ability to get things done. You have to find a way to separate yourself from the rest of the goings-on in the home and to convey a sense of “off limits” to all other normal and natural home sounds and interruptions.

A distinction has to be made regarding the physical boundaries of this working space. The most effective way to do that is with the design of the space itself.

Ask yourself these questions before you begin:

What will you be doing in the space?

What type of work needs to be done?

Will external clients be visiting the space?

Will colleagues visit for collaborative work?

What type of materials will be referenced and/or stored?

What type of equipment is required?

When will I be doing the bulk of my work?

Will I be making conference calls?

Will I be video conferencing?

The answers to these questions will begin to develop the program for your home office.

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Looking for more home office ideas? Then checkout this article about home office ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/202566

Do You Know What Devalues Your Home? Find Out Here!

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

As a homeowner it’s important to do everything you can to increase the value of your home. The last thing that you want to do is devalue your home. In order to determine the top ten ways that a home devalues we found this article for you. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

A lot of things factor into how much your home is worth, such as the location, the square footage, the school district and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Although several of those parameters aren’t easily changed, some are under a homeowner’s control.

As an astute homeowner, your job is to consider both what you can do to improve your home’s value, as well as what you may (inadvertently or otherwise) be doing to decrease it. Completing renovations and repairs might pay off to varying extents. In other cases, you may just have to put up with some of the things you don’t love about your home, but letting a house slip into disrepair is a surefire way to decrease its value. Whatever path you choose, it’s crucial to be aware of how you’re affecting your home’s bottom line and to understand what can be done to raise it back up.

One of the main things to remember while trying to boost your house’s value is that people have a wide variety of tastes. Those tastes may vary greatly both geographically and demographically. A house with the flexibility to suit a big slice of the population pie will be more in demand than one highly customized to any one particular lifestyle. The more people who find a house attractive when it hits the market, the better off you’ll be.

School District Details
If the schools in your area aren’t healthy and flourishing, that could be driving down the value of your home. It’s very common for homebuyers to want to move to places with top-notch schools. People with children will usually be especially cognizant of the quality of the schools in the areas they’re targeting their search. Other buyers, aware of the impact schools can have on property value, may make it a consideration as well.

There’s not an awful lot you can do to improve a school’s reputation, but studies have found that schools with involved parents often perform better. And good schools — along with concerned parents — often coincide with wealthier neighborhoods, so it’s a complicated playing field.

An Abused Bathroom
The bathroom is another room where you may want to pay some attention, but again, be sure to tread carefully. While you want to make sure you enjoy the fruits of your labor — especially if you aren’t planning on moving anytime soon — you want to ensure that lots of other people will like it, too.

Bathroom renovations and additions can help increase your home’s value, but going overboard with items like gaudy faucets, garish wallpaper and ill-chosen paint can be an easy trap to fall into. Sticking to mainstream and tasteful features will serve you better. If you do plan on moving, but not for several years, understand when that time rolls around, you might want to check out the current bathroom styles to see if yours is still in style or if it needs an updated look. If wallpaper was the route you took, you should probably expect it to take away some of the value from your home, unless you already intend on taking it down yourself and repainting in preparation for the market.

New flooring can also be a good move, especially if there’s been any damage, but carpet should generally be avoided, as should vinyl flooring. (This is true for the kitchen as well.) And while linoleum is making a comeback, it’s best to avoid it; many people still cringe when they think of it and the glue that holds it down. Some good options would be hardwood floors or various types of tile.

Last but not least, don’t forget to give some thought to the toilet. People can be pretty picky about toilets. As in the kitchen, they aren’t looking for reminders of past owners.

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Looking for ways to increase the value of your home? Then checkout this article about increase value of home that could be of interest to you.
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Discover all the ways here: http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/repair/top-5-devalue-house.htm

Want to Live in a House Forever? Learn These Design Secrets!

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

Moving can be such a big hassle. Building a home can be a big hassle. If you want to live in a house forever it’s important to design a home that can adjust through all life phases. In order to help you out we found this article with seven different design secrets. We hope it helps!

From the article:

The words dream house may conjure up fantasy amenities and custom trims. But smart homeowners also imagine a home they can live in forever — with a young family, through busy midlife, and with many of the common physical limitations that getting older can bring, from arthritis to needing a wheelchair.

Universal design (UD) is the design of products and environments that are usable by most people, regardless of their level of ability or disability, and at little or no extra cost. From entryways to kitchens and bathrooms to bedrooms, they often increase the value of a home. UD brings together the principles of accessible design (meeting standards for handicapped access, using “adaptable” design, meaning “normal”-looking design that can be revised later for disabled use), ergonomic design (allowing people and things to interact most effectively and safely), and green design (environmentally friendly spaces). UD is sometimes also called “lifespan design.”

These seven principles, set out by the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University, a national resource and technical assistance center, help inform useful design for all ages and stages of life:

1. Design that’s equally appealing to all users
What it means
Wherever possible, universal design creates spaces that can be used by everyone equally and that are appealing to all. UD doesn’t stigmatize any one group of users — like those obvious wheelchair ramps tacked onto the fronts of older homes, for example.

What it looks like

At least one three-foot-wide, gently sloping, no-step entry — meaning no porch step or tall threshold — allows someone with a stroller, wheelchair, or walker to easily enter, without screaming “handicap entrance” to the mobile.

A lever-handled front door (as opposed to a round knob) can be a relief for sore or weak hands or anyone carrying packages, a baby, or a cane.

Mirrors placed where they can be seen from sitting and standing positions, such as a full-length or tilting mirror, mean you don’t have to crane to see yourself.

Having no changes in floor levels throughout the main level of the house increases safety and accessibility and helps eliminate tripping. That means a just-walking toddler or an older adult who shuffles or has balance trouble can maneuver around as smoothly as someone using an assistive device, like crutches or a walker. And healthy people are less likely to trip and spill what they’re carrying.

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Interested in finding out more about universal design? Then checkout this article about universal design that could be of interest to you.
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Read about all the secrets here: http://www.caring.com/articles/7-design-secrets-for-a-house-you-can-live-in-forever

Looking to Promote Family Unity? Home Design Can Help!

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

Having a family that functions as a unit is important. It’s important to do everything we can to in order to bring our family together. In order to help you out we found this article that discusses how the design of your home can actually promote family unity. We hope it helps you and your family!

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From the article:

Gina Tentzeras and her husband, Chris, sit beside each other on the couch, facing twin TV sets on the credenza, their young son between them playing a puzzle game on his iPad. They???ve outfitted this family space in their Fort Lauderdale, Florida, home for a togetherness they enjoy passionately: video games.

???It???s very much a bonding thing for us,??? she said.

They both have demanding jobs, but for one hour at least three times a week, she describes it as ???a high priority.??? She already envisions Demetri joining them, describing how their toddler plays the games on his iPad ???with a shocking amount of skill and efficiency for a 3-year-old.???

Most of the way across the continent in Bountiful, Utah, Tonya and Jeff Olsen enjoy family time in the 1960 rambler they renovated with such closeness in mind. He???s watching TV while she reads a few feet away. Zach, 15, and Aiden, 13, are there, as well, playing on their phones.

Families are congregating where members can hang out as a group even if they???re not pursuing the same activities. This casual turn in family life is reflected by the latest trend in home design: an airy, open floor plan with the kitchen, dining and living spaces flowing into each other.

While homebuilders and decorators report more families forego a formal dining room, that choice is not coming at the expense of togetherness.

The National Association of Home Builders survey last year found most prospective homebuyers considered table space to eat together in the kitchen ???must have??? (36 percent) or ???desirable??? (49 percent), said Stephen Melman, head of the association???s economic and housing policy group. ???So 85 percent were saying they do want to eat together in a way.???

Melman believes the open-air designs of today may be even more family-friendly than older designs, creating ???a lighter home where everybody is together and not separated off to individual rooms.???

???I think families tend to want to be together, certainly at home after a long day of work or school,??? agreed Matthew Mead, nationally recognized home stylist, writer, photographer, lifestyle expert and magazine publisher.

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Looking for some family game night ideas? Then checkout this article about family game night ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://national.deseretnews.com/article/2123/how-home-design-can-foster-family-unity.html

Thinking About Building? Avoid These Design Flaws in Normal Homes!

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

When building a home there are so many things to keep in mind. How you’re going to use each space, how big the rooms need to be, and possibly even resell potential. In order to help you out we found this article that explains ten design flaws that are in normal homes. We hope it helps you design the home of your dreams!

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From the article:

Good design doesn’t have to be froufrou. It can be simple and useful in its beauty, making use of natural elements. Often it’s a matter of looking to things that are important to you apart from conventional ideas and to what the idea of home means to you and your family.

Poor planning and small budgets can lead to design mistakes, but often flaws become apparent as newer and better ways of home planning and construction come into favor.
We’ve chosen 10 common design flaws to highlight in this article, listed in no particular order. If you find some of these problems in your home, take heart. You’re not alone, and there are ways to resolve the situation. Carpenters and handymen have been around for thousands of years, and many do-it-yourself experts learned about home improvement while coming up with workable solutions for design flaws and getting hooked on the problem solving itself.

Too Much Storage
Walk-in closets may bolster images of success and comfort, but having all of that stuff around can take away from creating a haven in your home. Too little or too much storage clutters lives. If you have too much storage space, you might fill it with more clutter, but if you don’t have enough, you may not have room for a growing family.
Mark P. Sexton of Krueck + Sexton Architects in Chicago, Ill., says that he and many design professionals think that the biggest design flaw in the average home is closets [source: Sexton]. “The American walk-in closet is an incredible waste of space. It is the biggest waste of space, but people like it,” he says, “I’m all for storage, but it should be flexible. It is more efficient, beautiful and flexible-to-use cabinets, where the walking space is used for circulating rather than segregating closet contents.”
As Sexton summarizes, “Great design, you get more with less.”

Poor Choice for Multi-Use
Having an office, sewing, craft, reading or multi-purpose room may seem like a great idea. But if it becomes a dim dumping ground of boxes and bags with a closed door, it’s a project in need of completion that likely will inspire dread.

You probably won’t use a family game room if your family doesn’t play games, and you won’t want to spend time in a recreation room that looks like a museum. Keep it real about what works for you and what you already do, instead of what you could see yourself doing in a space.

At the same time, if there’s something you really want to do but aren’t doing currently, a change of pace may help it happen. But a reality check is still a good idea. A “workout room” filled with boxes still packed from the previous move, for example, may be a good indicator of how you’ll use space in a new home, despite your best intentions.

Water Mismanagement
In communities without running water, it’s just good planning to dig the waste hole some distance from the home and cooking area. Why, then, do some Western homes have bathrooms next to the dining room and the kitchen? The answer is plumbing placement. Having a shared hot-water source between the kitchen and bath, as well as a means to have piping curve downward to eliminate wafting upward fumes, makes for an unusual proximity for eating, and well, eliminating. The bathroom itself can have its own problems, since the places you wash your body are right next to the toilet.

Choosing historic home living often means accepting that your dinner guests may be uncomfortable using your one and only bathroom until after the other guests have cleared from the table outside of the bathroom door.

Placement, arrangement and number of bathrooms are considerations for growing families, and accessibility can also be a factor for aging families. In a split-level home in particular, up- and downstairs mobility is important, as is getting children and parents off to school and work on time each morning.

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Looking to design your home? Then checkout this article about designing home tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read about all the design flaws here: http://home.howstuffworks.com/10-design-flaws-average-home.htm/

Looking to Design Your Home? Follow These Principles of Interior Design!

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

Designing a home can be very challenging. If you don’t want to hire an interior designer and pay that kind of money then you’ve come to the right place. We found this article from HGTV that outlines the three principles of interior design. We hope it helps you design your dream home!

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From the article:

A beautifully decorated interior not only functions well but it creates a mood or a feeling and shows off the personality of the family that lives there. It’s attention to these three important ingredients ??? function, mood and personality ??? that ensures decorating success.

Before painting and rearranging, spend some time thinking about your family and how you live. Look through magazines for inspiration and pull out ideas or rooms that appeal to you. Gather things from around the house that make you feel good and study them carefully for color cues and perhaps a clue to the mood you’re looking for in your home. This is the beginning of a well-planned and decorated living area.

As for the rest, let’s start with function.

Function
Decorating is more than just eye appeal ??? it’s making a room really work for you. Here’s how to do it, element by element:

The focal point: Sometimes rooms have natural focal points (places the eyes travel to immediately upon entering a room) ??? a fireplace, a bay window with a view, maybe even a built-in bookcase. If the room doesn’t have a natural focal point, create one with a dynamic piece of art or a colorful area rug.

The furniture: Determine whether the furniture satisfies the functions you’ve planned for the room. If a piece isn’t working or if it’s too large or too small for the size of the room, get rid of it or trade it for something else around the house that may be more appropriate.

The lighting: Lighting should be selected for the functions of the room as well as for visual appeal. Every task will require either direct lighting from a lamp or indirect lights that simply brighten the room for conversation or TV-watching. Accent lighting ??? floor spots, track lighting or recessed spotlights ??? enhance texture, color and room details.

The furniture arrangement: Draw your room on graph paper. Measure and mark electrical outlets and switches, vents, windows and doors. Measure your furniture and place it in your floor plan. Generally, the main furniture pieces are directed toward the focal point, keeping the major traffic patterns open. Fill in with pieces you’d like to have that may or may not be available now. Be sure to balance high and low pieces as well as heavy and light ones around the room.

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Looking for ways to organize your home? Then checkout this article about organization ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read about all the principles here: http://www.hgtv.com/decorating-basics/the-3-principles-of-interior-design/index.html

Thinking About Going Solar? You’re Not Alone!

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

Going solar is a big decision. It’s important to gather as much information as possible. It’s also helpful not to feel alone. To help you feel less alone we found this article that talks about how many people have gone solar. We hope it helps ease your anxieties about going solar!

From the article:

The sun has long captivated humanity, from those who worshipped it in ancient times to others who work to harness it today. For more than 4.5 billion years, the burning ball of hydrogen has radiated more energy than we can comprehend. Every 40 minutes, the amount of solar energy that falls on the earth???s surface is equal to the total annual energy consumption of all human activities. In other words, 27 years??? worth of worldwide energy consumption equals only one day???s worth of solar energy hitting the earth.

Despite what some pundits would have you think, solar energy is no longer an exotic, experimental power source. Solar has become a primary source of new electric generation capacity in the United States ??? some 53 percent of new electric generating capacity in the first half of 2014 came from solar. With new sources of capital being unlocked, design and engineering innovations reducing system prices, and sales channels rapidly diversifying, the solar market is expected to drive significant growth for the next few years.

The United States??? solar market hit a major milestone in the second quarter of this year, with more than half a million homes and businesses now generating solar energy, according to a new report by GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

The Q2 2014 U.S. Solar Market Insight Report says the U.S. installed 1,133 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaics (PV) in the second quarter of this year. The residential and commercial segments accounted for nearly half of all solar PV installations in the quarter.

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Looking for more information on solar power? Then checkout this article about solar power that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.article-3.com/solar-now-powering-half-a-million-u-s-homes-and-businesses-914674

Looking for DIY Cleaning Products? Check These Out!

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

With people wanting to take better care of their bodies and the environment it’s no wonder that people are looking for cleaning products that are less harmful too. If you would like to create your own cleaning products then you’ve come to the right place. We found this article with 65 different DIY cleaning products. We hope they help you clean your home and protect your family!

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From the article:

If you’re tired of reaching for cleaning products with ingredients you can’t even pronounce, then head to your local grocery store for a few basic components, and make your own. These eco-friendly concoctions will leave your house sparkling. From window cleaner to grout whitener, you’ll be amazed at how easy these DIYs are to pull off. And after making the initial investment for the all-natural ingredients, these cleaning supplies cost pennies per concoction to make.

Bathroom Cleaning Wipes

From shining those countertops to quickly cleaning your commode, these easy DIY bathroom wipes look so chic in an upcycled plastic container.

DIY Liquid Dish Soap

This homemade liquid dish soap leaves dishes wonderfully clean without tons of suds. Add essential oils to personalize the liquid soap.

Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner

You will be amazed at how easy it is to make your own general cleaner. And you can personalize this grease-buster with a fresh scent, like rosemary, lemon, or orange.

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Looking for ways to organize your home? Then checkout this article about organization ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read about all of the recipes here: http://www.savvysugar.com/DIY-Cleaning-Products-28901279

Have a Small Bedroom? Checkout These Ideas!

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

Having a small bedroom can be a huge pain in the rear. Depending on furniture, its arrangement, and what the room is used for the room can almost seem useless. If you’ve got a small room then you’ve come to the right place. We found this article with 40 different small bedroom ideas. We hope you find some ideas that work for you!

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From the article:

If you are looking for inspiration on how to decorate a small bedroom, prepare to be overwhelmed with fantastic ideas. After publishing these contemporary bedroom design ideas guaranteed to ???rock your world???, these charming Swedish modern bedrooms and these holiday-inspiring ocean-view bedrooms, it is time to have a look at practical solutions for small homes. For today we gathered 40 photos of small bedroom interiors, each of them displaying a clever layout.

So take your time and go through each and every photo from the list below, analyzing details and slowly configuring your dream bedroom. Keep in mind that light colors are a lot more efficient than dark hues in enhancing the feeling of space. As appealing as it might seem, a super-large bed will take up a lot of space, so a good plan is to reduce the size of the bed and fill the void with practical furniture accessories. And bring in as many mirrors as you can!

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Looking to organize your home? Then checkout this article about home organization ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Checkout all the ideas here: http://freshome.com/2012/10/30/30-small-bedrooms-ideas-to-make-your-home-look-bigger/

Building a New Home? Avoid These Mistakes!

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

Building a new home is a big endeavor. The last thing you want to do is make a mistake. In order to help you out we found this article with 10 mistakes to avoid. We hope it helps!

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If you need Denham Springs vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

You???re going to build your dream home and you???ve thought it all through ??? or so you???ve thought. You know exactly what you need and want to have in your home, but have you thought about what you don???t want and what you don???t need? Have you really thought the whole thing through? You have given much thought and consideration to what will work for you, but have you taken the time to think about what won???t work?

Poor planning and budgets that are too small can lead way to some wayward, inconvenient and disastrous mistakes. When you plan on building a new home, you must look at the home from many angles. You must consider your current and future lifestyles. You need to take family planning into consideration ??? Will your family be expanding? Or will your children be leaving the nest? Do you entertain often and host overnight guests regularly? Take your time and do your research both online and in person. Be sure to take the time to meet with professionals in the industry. Poor design choices can make your home not only uncomfortable, but downright unhealthy.

Architects, engineers and builders are all trained to help you make effective decisions. They will help guide you as to where you can save a few dollars and where you absolutely should not cut corners. If you aren???t building but are selling your home, look at these Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling your Home.

Pay attention to your HVAC system.
Poor planning here can lead to issues with moisture and terrible mold growth. This can lend itself to great health concerns. Furthermore, careful attention should be given to the size of your units. Models that are too small will be underperforming and won???t cool and heat your home efficiently. You???ll come to regret this when your home is too cool in the wintertime and not cool enough during the hot summer months. Conversely those that are too large will utilize too much energy.

Poorly lit homes
Light fixtures and outlets should be plentiful. As should windows. Windows should be present in every room and as large as possible. Natural light, when possible, should be the main source of light. Think about adding skylights as well.

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Want a man cave? Then checkout this article about man cave ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://freshome.com/2013/05/23/10-mistakes-avoid-when-building-new-home/