Notepad Corner

Improving the exterior look of your home – four things you can do Maybe you are thinking of putting your home on the market, and you want to attract potential buyers as they pass by. Or maybe, you just want to give visitors something better to look at when they arrive. It could even be that you just feel the need to spruce up the exterior of your property. Whatever the reason, there are things that you can do to improve the exterior look of your property. The good news is that you do not have to spend a fortune in order to make a big difference. You can save a lot of money on the supplies and equipment you may need by using a Hayneedle coupon code from Groupon.  Here are four actions you can think about taking, straight away.  Refresh the paint work One of the quickest ways to improve the way your home looks, from the outside, is to give it a paint job. If you have the time, and the ability, you can do the work yourself . If not, you can hire a professional, to del

Outdoor furniture doesn't have to be costly if you know how to shop for a bargain. So where do you go, when do you shop, and how do you find what you want, for less? These are a few simple ways to go about saving, for those who want to know how to save money on outdoor furniture this summer.  1. Catalogue it - Yes, you can finance your purchases via catalogue shopping. There are many specialty sites you can visit. Not only can you pay off the purchase over time, you can avoid interest rates if you pay within a certain introductory period. Further, the more you buy, the longer you have to repay, and the more you can spread the cost out. 2. Consider second hand - If you swap with friends, buy second hand, or find local shops which sell previously, lightly used pieces, you can really save as well. Doing this is a simple way to pay less for the same exact item you would pay full price for. And, in many cases, stores sell items which were returned (but not used) for a fracti

In today's housing climate, it can be quite difficult to get one's home sold. Many realtors recommend a number of key upgrades or renovations for those who are having trouble selling their homes. There are so many different things homeowners can do to improve upon their homes and make them more attractive to potential buyers and one option is to get the services of remodelling contractors . However, some of these things are very expensive and not all of these things are the soundest investments. Some improvements give more“bang for the buck”, meaning these are affordable improvements shown to attract potential buyers and those whose cost can be justified, at least in part, in the sale of the home. Image source: Nancy Hugo, CKD - https://flic.kr/p/Fj4zQ Up the Curb Appeal Improving the home’s curb appeal will definitely make it more attractive to potential buyers. Whether this improvement involves something elaborate like the construction of a porch or the addit

There many popular materials used for flooring and choosing the best one for your home will not only increase the beauty of your abode but will also save you money. There are ceramic tiles, bamboo, stone tiles, wood and linoleum. But before choosing a particular flooring material for your home, you should first consider your home décor, preferences and your lifestyle. Here are popular types of flooring you can check out. Hardwood flooring   Hardwood is considered as the best flooring material for home. It is durable and looks really great as long as it is properly maintained and cared for. It adds a touch of elegance and makes rooms look warmer and cozier. However, hardwood flooring is vulnerable to moisture damage, scratches and dents. Laminate Flooring  Though a bit difficult to install, this type of flooring looks good on any room because it gives a highly furnished appeal on your floor. Aside from being durable, laminate floorings are scratch, stain and water

It has been said that home is where your heart is. This is the place where you spend all your life. Home décor means different things to different people. Huge amount of bucks are used in order to accomplish a blissful décor of the house. It is certainly a matter of prestige to embellish your house to the best of your ability. Sometimes we are not able to buy various home décor products only because of their prices. This is the time when you get to allow online websites to ease down your burden and give you best opportunities to buy intriguing range at acceptable rates. FabFurnish : FabFurnish is a hub for most commendable home décor products online in India. There are thousands of happy customers associated with the site. You can give a wow look to your house by using some of the home décor products that are featured at this site. The range of products include: pots and Planters, Arresting Reflections, Light Therapy, Timeless Styles, Drape Diaries, and much more. There is a

For small families who are just starting their life together, living in an apartment is more realistic and budget friendly. If there are any issues like leaky roofs,  you simply have to inform your landlord or landlady and it will get fixed!  However, apartments can be a little hard to personalize. Tenants usually move in their new apartments and see white painted walls and a contract with strict stipulations of “no to repainting or no to putting holes on the walls.” So how can you put some personal touches without spending on permanent fixtures and not going against your contract? For one, carefully chosen furniture can be your focal point for personalizing your tiny apartment. These items can be moved and taken with you when you move out so there is no issue with furniture. Add throw pillows with fancy cases to jazz up your living room area. Go for multi-purpose shelf or book stand which may also double as a desk. You may also use them as dividers to separate your livin

If you're in the process of selling your home or you want to plan for renovation projects that update the property, it is important to choose improvements that will raise your home value. The best projects do not necessarily involve demolition. The best projects are more focused on how they will improve aesthetics and function while still offering a return on investment. If you are looking for tricks that are sure to bump up the value of your home during an appraisal, here are five ideas. image credits: Mr GC - freedigtalphotos.net Create Space in the Kitchen More people than ever are looking for a home that has an open layout . If you have a non-structural wall or an island in your kitchen that is separating the room from the living area, removing these elements can make a major difference. Creating space will make your home flow better, and this added flow will attract potential buyers. Wide open floor plans mean larger value. You can also create space by getting a

The home should be a place in which to relax. It also needs to be a welcoming place for friends and family. How does one go about creating a home that has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere? There are a number of ways to achieve this. image credits to: photostock = freedigitalphotos.net A Welcoming Entrance For a welcoming space, one needs to start with the spot that welcomes visitors into the home. The right door can mean the difference between a cold and forbidding house and a space that is a warm, relaxed and welcoming  home . A company such as Rusco Industries can provide just the right door to suit the design of the house and to create a welcoming environment. Add a Splash of Color Painting the walls in pleasant hues can add warmth. When it comes to color, be willing to be bold. However, don't use so much of a strong color that it becomes overpowering. One room or even one wall in a room painted in red or orange can add a lot of warmth and flair. Shades of

Moving into a new house or condo is often a fairly disorienting process for most people. The new surroundings are typically sterile and devoid of personality, which makes it hard to love the space. Turning a mere house into a real home takes time and a little forethought. If you'd like to jump-start the process, these quick tips provided should prove helpful. image source: pixabay.com Spice Up the Color Palette For practical reasons, most houses boast muted beige or gray tones in spades to avoid putting off potential buyers. Once you've moved in, you can remake the new house in your own image using your preferred colors. Even if you like understated shades, repainting the walls to reflect your own tastes is the easiest way to put your stamp on the place. Lay Down a Few Throw Rugs One of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to make any house more inviting is by slapping down some unique rugs. Avoid mass-produced items purchased from big-box stores

It seems as though we need more items than ever to accomplish our daily activities, but if you live in a small space, all those items can quickly become an organizational nightmare. Quantum Storage understands that getting organized is about more than having a place to put things; it is a state of mind that can lead to a harmonious, happy home. These 6 ideas will help you stay organized while keeping your budget happy, too. 1. Go Vertical When you incorporate vertical storage in your design theme, you greatly increase your potential storage space. For example, toys can be hung in nets in the corner of a bedroom. In the kitchen, opt for magnetic spice containers and store them on the side of the fridge to clear up entire shelves in the cupboard. 2. Drawer Organizers For small items in drawers, make or buy organizers so that you can keep things in their place. This gives you easier access and often frees up space as things find a place to belong. Cardboard can be

When interior designers are trying to make homes and businesses look their best, they use the five tricks listed below. Designers know how to make the most of a space, and they know how to create the illusion that a space is larger and more illustrious than it actually is. You can use any of the five steps below to change the interior of your space today. White Walls The color of your walls make a huge impact on a room’s visual appeal, but the color of the walls also use help give the house a sense of scale and lighting. The largest houses seem large because they have pristine white walls and shadows created by light fixtures and pictures. If you are an art collector, using white walls also allows you to display your pieces much better.  There is simply no better alternative to going with white as your background. This is the same reason why art galleries always go with white backdrops. Plaster The plaster on the walls can create a feeling like the people in the house are

If you love entertaining and you are looking for some ideas for your next party then you have come to the right place. When we decorate and furnish our homes, the impression it makes on our friends and guests is foremost in our minds. We look in trendy magazines and websites for ideas. Everything from lighting, wallpaper, storage and flooring needs to be considered. There are times when we wish the clean up after a party wasn’t quite so devastating. The carpet always picks up a new stain, and the walls seem to have interesting spatter decorations in places we didn’t expect anyone to be! Undoubtedly something ornamental gets broken, and the glassware casualties are too numerous to count. Image courtesy of Fiberon on Flickr - https://flic.kr/p/6X1oKC Moving the party to the garden can help restrict some of these breakage occurrences in the house. The neighbors may need to be invited though to keep everyone happy with the additional noise from the yard. If you do have s

Are you looking for ways to decorate your house and office? Well, I feel everyone can hang pictures and photographs which you will find in every house. To be frank nowadays hanging pictures and photographs on the walls is a common phenomenon and honestly speaking it is getting quite boring, isn’t it, same method of decoration in every home. Before a year I was trying desperately to redecorate my house as my eyes were tired looking at the same décor for such a long time. I started searching for new and unique ways through which I could actually redecorate my house without spending loads of money on redecoration and also it should be something exceptional. At this time I came across what is known as vinyl lettering which I actually opted for redecorating my place. What is vinyl lettering? Many of you guys must know about the whole concept of vinyl lettering and wall sayings as the demand of this wall decoration technique is increasing day by day. For those of you who a

Kitchen counter or work tops can be considered as one of the most used and abused part of the kitchen. This is where you place the things you need, the ingredients that you will use and you even do most of your food preparations here. It is only practical to use the most durable and easy to maintain material for your work tops. Granite is one of the recommended materials for a kitchen countertop because of it amazing characteristics and affordable price range. So when it’s time for a kitchen upgrade or a renovation, consider these characteristics and see why granite is the most ideal worktop material for your kitchen. Granite tiles can give your kitchen that classy and modern feel, but more than its aesthetic appeal, it is also very durable and needs very low maintenance. Granite is scratch and stain resistant plus it is easy to clean making it the ideal choice for your kitchen worktop. You will notice that granite is also being used by restaurants and other business establish

Choosing the right colour scheme for your house can be a daunting task as you will have to live with your decisions for a long time! While colour is very much a matter of personal taste, there are some important guidelines to help you create a palette that you will love. Here are some tips to help you make the perfect choice for your home. PoshSurfside.com on Flickr About Colour A colour wheel is a great starting pointing when choosing a desirable scheme. There are four types of colour schemes: monochromatic, analogous, contrast, and complementary. A monochromatic scheme uses the same colour and adds either white or black to lighten or darken the shades. An analogous scheme is one that uses colours that appear next to each other on the wheel, like green and blue, or pink and purple. Mixing these kinds of colours is known to create a soothing effect. Although if you want to create a vibrant and energetic feel, you are best to choose a contrasting scheme. This palette use

Adding a patio to your home is a fantastic and affordable way to increase your living space, and take advantage of warm days for outdoor entertaining and relaxation. There are so many different ways to create a patio that blends with your existing house and takes advantage of other features of your property. Let’s have a look at some creative tips that help make your new patio a real feature of your home that you will not only love to use, but will also add value to your home. For more ideas on how to create your dream patio, it is well worth having a chat to an experienced patio builder such as Additions Building , who can take you through the myriad of styles and materials available to find one that suits you. Create a feature point Creating a focal point for your patio can help make it unique and attractive. A water feature, such as a fountain or a goldfish pond, can help create real sense of tranquillity. You could also create a fire place or pit, which can help you enj

So you’ve finally decided to buy your dream home and chose to put your heart and soul in designing it inside and out. Designing a modern-day home with contemporary interiors can be fantastic. A lot of ideas come into mind from the day you enter your new home - from the type of flooring, wall color, appliance and furniture to fit in up to the tiniest details you can ever imagine. Do-it-yourself interior design is exciting but can be overwhelming too that you may find yourself at a loss and don’t know or figure out exactly where to start. There are many things to consider when doing an interior design and the guide below may help you out on the process: First and foremost you must tailor your home contemporary interiors to your unique lifestyle and needs.

Fashion and interior home décor has slowly shifted from the grandiose to the modern minimalist. Today, you will notice many homeowners choose to have a simple and modern interior especially in their living room style. While it looks easy to achieve, a modern minimalist living room style can be quite challenging to pull off. When it comes to furniture especially with your sofa set, go for sleek and elegant lines. Slim and monochrome furniture are in while bulky wood and heavy fabrics are out. Your decorations should revolve around simple and slim. This can be applied on most living room accent such as vases, lamps, furniture and appliance. If you are to fill up your living room with entertainment appliance, go for LED TV on a wall mount and vertical speakers. Lights around your living room should be limited to pendant and spot lights. You can also set up modular panels with in-ceiling lights to highlight specific areas and corners. Remember that grandiose lighting fixture

Bathrooms can often be the one of the more neglected rooms of the house, with more attention given to the lounge or kitchen. A lot of people consider some bathroom fittings a luxury that they cannot afford, preferring to spend their money on a big screen TV or a new top-of-the-line range cooker. Everyone has their priorities when it comes to home improvement, but there are a lot of bathroom fittings out there that a lot of people don’t ordinarily think to buy. What follows is a selection of some of the quirkier designer items you probably wouldn’t find in the average household but which could turn your bathroom into a contemporary masterpiece. LED Shower Heads These really give a modern twist to a bathroom and are perfect for people who love gadgets and gizmos. There are a range of different styles of shower heads but most only have the one use. LED shower heads not only look great and do the job but some even contain sensors that monitor the temperature of the

If you have the budget and the space then there is no reason for you not to have a shower in your bathroom. Baths are all well and good at what they provide, namely slow-paced, relaxing luxury, but when it comes to convenience and alacrity, a shower simply cannot be beaten. Now, my advice is always of course to go with a shower kit, as you get absolutely everything you need with the minimum of fuss. Furthermore, in practically all cases, a full kit from one place will be much cheaper, in addition to alleviating the frustration of poor stock and long delivery times if you try to get hold of things separately.