5 Ways to Liven Up Your Walls - Home Design Interior

Home Design Interior -

Are you tired of staring at the same walls every day? Do you dream of refreshing and rejuvenating your home decor? Here are just a few ways to brighten up your living spaces through the use of fun, creative wall designs.

1. Paint

First things first: When's the last time you painted your walls? A simple change of color can be all that it takes to make your home feel like new again. Don't be afraid to step away from the boring world of whites, browns and beiges, either; eye-popping colors can really transform a room. Think about yellows for warmth, blues for homeliness and crimsons for dramatic effect.

2. Wallpaper

If you aren't in the mood to paint, decorative wallpaper can be used to liven up your home without fuss or mess. You won't have to worry about things like spills on your carpet and cracks in your foundation. Best of all, wallpaper can be ordered in literally any color, shape, pattern or design of your choosing, so have fun! Go wild! Wallpaper is an easy way to make your imagination come to life.

3. Stencils

Stencils can add personality to a room with a flick of the wrist. In a nursery, for example, stencils can be used to sketch suns, clouds and animals cavorting around your baby's crib; in a guest bedroom, they can create flowers curling around closets and windowpanes. They can also be used to create dramatic silhouettes in living rooms and other open-air spaces. The sky is the limit when it comes to stencils!

4. Vinyl Applications

Vinyl applications come in all shapes and sizes, so they're another decorative tool that affords a lot of flexibility. You'll have plenty of options when you go shopping for appliques. You can even buy appliques that mimic the appearance of other wall materials like hardwood!

5. Decorations

Last but certainly not least, there's a way to decorate your walls that requires no permanent change on your part: hanging decorations. From famous artwork to family photos, you can give your wall a unique look without making a long-lasting commitment in the form of paints and glues. It's a no-fuss, no-stress type of interior design.

These are just a few tips for breathing new life into your home decor. Whether you're building a new home from scratch or just trying to redecorate a certain room, these ideas should be enough to inspire you towards creative greatness.

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Tips For Using A Pressure Washer Safely - Home Design Interior

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A pressure washer can be incredibly beneficial and will give you the ability to make difficult, tedious tasks quick and simple. Whether you’re utilizing an electric or gas model, the machine will help you clean almost anything outside of your home. And, using a pressure washer can be fun! Before getting started, it is essential to learn how to use the machine safely. Be sure to use the guide below to ensure safe, effective use.

Starting It Up

If you happen to be using a gas pressure washer, you’ll need to take a few precautions, before switching it on. The process is fairly similar to powering up a lawnmower. Make sure the filter is clean and all accessories are attached to the machine. Be sure to allow water to run through the system for a minute or two, before turning it on. This will prime the system, while also removing air. Squeeze the hand, until all of the hair and pressure has been removed. Now, grab the starter cord and give it a yank. It will take quite a bit of force, but you’ll get it!

Protect Yourself

Using a really solid pressure washer is fairly safe, but it is a good idea to protect yourself just in case. Wearing protective gloves is a good idea, but wearing goggles is truly a necessity. The goggles will help to protect your eyes from the water and any chemicals mixed in. Since the motor can be a little loud, you may also want to consider wearing earplugs.

PSI Level

PSI or pounds per square is an extremely important measurement for pressure washers. The higher the PSI means the more powerful the water pressure. So, if you are looking for a heavy-duty pressure washer, you should opt for one that is capable of producing between 2,650 to 3,000 pounds per square. A heavy-duty model will be capable of cleaning siding or fence panels, corroded with algae, dirt, and grim. If you are only looking to clean your lawn furniture a unit that produces up to 1,900 PSI will be sufficient.

If this is your first time utilizing a washer pressure, you should preset the machine on the lowest PSI level. This will prevent any risks of damage, caused by a powerful force of water. You want to avoid presetting the PSI on the highest level until you become more familiar with the output. When washing a vehicle, you should stick with the lowest PSI to avoid damaging the surface.

Use With Caution

Pressure waters can disperse water with a great deal of force. The amount of force could potentially cause injury to a human and could damage your property. Never point the nozzle in the direction of animals or other individuals! If you’ve never used a pressure washer before, you may want to err on the side of caution and keep the pressure low. With gas varieties, it is essential to always turn off the pressure washer, before adding gas to the tank.

Finally, make sure you watch the stream at all times. These tips will help to protect you, your pets, and others around you!

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Why Choose Carpet Over Wood or Tiles? - Home Design Interior

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When you are ready to choose the right flooring for every room in your home, you should check out all of your options. While hardwood flooring is hugely popular, it also comes with its own drawbacks, and the same holds true for tiles. In fact, many families are now opting to have carpeting installed in many rooms throughout their homes with the help of a local carpet fitter that can direct them to the best carpet types and colours for their needs. Keep reading to learn why you should choose carpet over wood or tiles.

You Won’t Need to Maintain Carpeting

Unlike wood flooring that has to be refinished on a regular basis in order to maintain its quality and its attractive appearance, all you have to do to maintain the look of your carpets is vacuum them regularly. And for deep cleaning, you can simply use a carpet shampoo and a carpet cleaning machine that you can purchase in stores, or you can hire professionals to do the job for you.

Carpeting Is More Comfortable, Warmer, and Quieter

Sometimes it feels good to lie down or sit down on the floor, especially in the bedroom or the living room. And if you have kids, they likely spend time playing on the floor. Hardwood flooring can be uncomfortably hard, and tiles are prone to getting quite cold, especially in the winter, so carpeting will really be the cosiest option available. The carpeting will always be warm under your feet when you get out of bed in the morning, and it will help to insulate your room and keep it warmer during the winter too. In addition to being warmer, carpets are also quieter when compared to hardwood and tiles.

You Have a Lot of Flexibility with the Look of Your Carpets

While hardwood flooring may be too limited for you in terms of its appearance and the colour options, carpeting offers a lot of variety. You can choose from different carpet piles and colours so that you can have the right level of comfort, as well as the right option that will suit the overall colour scheme of a room best.

You Don’t Need to Purchase Expensive Rugs

Let’s face it, decorative rugs can be expensive, but they are often necessary when you have tiles or wood flooring installed. However, when you have carpeting installed, you will not need to worry about accessorising it with a rug. Nor will you have to worry about protecting your flooring, such as your hardwood or tile, from heavy furniture that could scratch or damage it. This means that you can save money and still have a great looking floor that complements the rest of your room.

If you are planning on moving into a new home or remodelling the one that you are currently living in, consider the information above when you are trying to pick the right flooring. You may find that carpeting is the better option for you, especially when compared to wood flooring and tiles.

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A Homeowner's Guide to Decoding Lighting Terms - Home Design Interior

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Wattage, lumens and lux ... what the heck do these terms mean? These terms are commonly found on lighting labels and packages. But the average homeowner has little to no understanding of what they actually mean. If you're one of these homeowners, here is an explanation that might help. And for even more terms, read this article featured on AngiesList.com.

Wattage

Wattage is simply the measurement of electrical power, in watts. Watts are calculated by multiplying the amperage, which is the strength of an electric current, by the voltage. On your energy bills you may have noticed the phrase “total wattage consumption." This is what you are billed by. Incandescent bulbs run about 60 watts, LED bulbs 12 and CFLS 15. Remember, the lower the wattage, the lower your electric bill will be. The wattage of a bulb is not the measurement of the bulb's intensity. It’s simply the amount of power necessary to produce its light or intensity.

Lumens

The actual definition of a lumen is ... a doozy. We'll leave that to Merriam-Webster. In common-speak, a lumen is a simple measurement of the intensity or brightness of light. This term has only recently been added to light bulb packaging. Lumens only measure brightness, not energy use. When shopping for bulbs, consumers should look for lumens so they can buy based on the brightness they want. The knowledgeable professionals from Earth LED compare lumens to light like gallons to milk or pounds to bananas. It’s a clever way to think about how much light you want to buy.

Lux

What is sometimes called illumination or illuminance, lux can be defined as the standard unit of measurement of light level intensity. Lux and lumens must work together. One lux is equal to one lumen spread over the space of one meter. The measurement of lux tells consumers how many lumens (or the total light output) are needed based on a measured area that consumers are trying to illuminate. A brightly lit office space requires about 400 lux. Compare that to outdoor sunlight which tops out at around 100,000 lux, according to the lighting experts from Green Business Light, a UK-based company that supplies and installs energy-efficient lighting.

Manufacturers are working to make lighting terms more understandable for the everyday consumer. A helpful lighting facts label on light bulbs is required by the United States Federal Trade Commission. It resembles a food label and provides valuable information to help consumers and homeowners make informed decisions. This lighting facts label appears on light bulb packaging and includes estimated yearly cost, brightness, light appearance (warm or cool), life expectancy (based on three hours of use each day), mercury information and energy use.

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How to Sell a Home in a Depressed Property Market - Home Design Interior

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Whilst the property market is fairly buoyant right now, there is no guarantee it will stay that way. Besides, you may not be thinking of moving home for another couple of years anyway, so when the time comes, you need to know you can sell it no matter what the prevailing market is like. Here are some tips from Property Cash Buyers to help you achieve a quick sale for the right price, even in a depressed property market.

Boost the Curb Appeal

First Impressions count. Imagine going on a first date and the person has made zero effort to look nice. No matter how engaging their personality, your opinion of them will be irrevocably damaged.

Selling a home is no different. An unkempt home with ten-foot high weeds and peeling paint will not draw potential buyers in. Most people want a home they can just move into, so take a good, hard look at your property and try to see it through the eyes of a buyer. Tidy up the front yard, plant some flowers, and tackle all the DIY jobs on your list sooner rather than later.

Make Essential Home Improvements

Flashy home improvements such as a smart designer kitchen or bathroom will make a home easier to sell, but your money will be better spent on upgrading the essentials. Most buyers would rather pay less for a home that needs a bit of remodelling, as they can then put their own stamp on the place.

With this in mind, you should consider spending your cash on upgrading the boiler or making essential repairs to the roof or windows. This type of work needs to be done no matter what, and if your buyers need to borrow money to buy, an unsatisfactory report from a home inspector could jeopardise the sale.

Sell at the Right Price

Pricing a home to sell is tricky. Too low, and you lose out on extra cash, but too high and you will not achieve any real interest in a depressed market. The only way to get the right price is to use the services of an experienced realtor. Real estate agents know the market inside out, so they will have a good idea of what price your home is likely to achieve. So be realistic about what your property is worth and take their advice, or you will have a hard time selling.

Depersonalise and Declutter Your Home

Buyers do not want to see rooms full of clutter. It makes it impossible for buyers to visualise the property with their own furniture and belongings in-situ. Before you start marketing your home, remove all extraneous clutter, box it up and store it out of the way. This will give you the opportunity to paint the walls and clean all surfaces ready for buyers to come and view.

Marketing a home can be immensely stressful, but if you follow the above tips, it should not take more than a week to achieve the right asking price.

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The Perfect Sofa for Your Living Room: A Buying Guide - Home Design Interior

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Choosing a sofa for your living room is a bit tricky. You wouldn’t want the sofa to be too big; the room will look cluttered with a large sofa in it. You also need to choose the right colour and consider various other aspects before making a purchase decision. Buying the perfect sofa for your living room is tricky indeed, but these next few tips will help you get started with shopping for one without hassle.

Size It Up

As mentioned earlier, choosing the right size is very important. You need to consider not only the size of your living room but also the size of other furniture in it. You want the room to be spacious enough to walk around but still well-furnished and comfortable.

Aside from the couch – and the accompanying chairs – you should also consider whether you want a coffee table, a bookshelf or perhaps a nice TV desk to complete the room. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least 40% of the space open.

Lastly, choose the shape of your sofa well. An L-shaped sofa often looks bigger than a more traditional couch. Browse through online catalogues, such as distinctivechesterfields.com, and you’ll find a lot of interesting choices to contemplate.

Research Upholstery Materials

Leather couches look really great in almost every room, but they can be quite expensive depending on the kind of leather you choose to use. Suede and other materials, on the other hand, often offer more finishes, colours and budget options. All of these options are great as long as you do enough research and settle for the one option that works best for your living room.

Colours, for instance, can change the ambience of the room a lot. Since the sofa is often the biggest furniture item in the room, its colour matters more than the rest of the living room. A bright-coloured sofa, such as a tan leather couch, will create a warmer ambience. A white or black suede sofa, on the other hand, works better for a cooler, more minimalistic living room.

Don’t forget that the material you choose will also influence just how comfortable the sofa is when you sit on it. You’ll be spending a lot of time on the sofa, so choosing the right upholstery material is definitely important.

Work with a Theme

An interior designer friend once suggested the combination of black floor and black leather sofa for a very clean look. The rest of the living room can then follow the clean theme as well. You can easily centre your choice of sofa and other furniture items on a particular theme.

There are plenty to choose from too. Aside from clean and modern looks, you can also go for a brighter summer tone, a more relaxing blue or even a very chic white-on-white. When you already have a theme going, stick to it and it will be easy to create a comfortable and spacious living room you have always wanted. Be sure to use these tips to help you shop for the best sofa for your living room.

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Creating a Kitchen for the Kids! - Home Design Interior

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Moving away from the honeymoon days and entering the world of family life where babies are being born and kids are growing up, will definitely have a big effect on your home! The kitchen especially is more often than not the main hub of the house where all the activity and spillages go on. This is why the kitchen essentially needs to be bomb proofed! However, you can still retain that sense of luxury style without feeling a blow to your wallet every time something is broken or stained from the accidents that are bound to happen with children running around.

The gap in the market for durable yet cheap kitchens has been rapidly filled in the last few years, as now retailers and designers are able to source and use cheaper materials which can be disguised to look a lot more expensive... for worn down kitchen units and cupboard doors there is now a huge range available for you to replace them cheaply with and it’s amazing what simply repainting them can also achieve in your home. Following this advice, it’s best to go for materials that you can keep repainting when choosing your kitchen units as this will allow more flexibility as the family grows older and styles will need to change.

To help prevent your own kitchen furniture from general wear and tear from the kids, why not invest in kid’s size furniture in the kitchen for them to get involved with, the furniture is still useful to you but also allows your kids the chance to test out their own cooking skills! It is vitally important that kids learn the basic skill of preparing and cooking food for later life as well.

Simple features in the kitchen such as having a blackboard installed can really be a great help to a family and especially mums and dads who have a million and one to do lists! Blackboards are extremely useful for writing little messages, grocery lists and reminders for your family. They can also look extremely stylish when embedded into other pieces of furniture in your kitchen, for example, the kitchen island can be easily transformed into something a little more exciting for the kids when a blackboard is fitted on to the side of it. Other features such as having one colourful wall amidst a neutral coloured kitchen can really add brightness to the kitchen and colours are a far more interesting to kids, it will help encourage them to spend more time in the kitchen spending family time.

If you already have furniture in your kitchen that you're just not willing to let go of and see get ruined, there are many ways you can protect these and make them more kid friendly. Top end designers have saved their own furniture pieces such as a chair and table set by having slipcovers made from materials they liked to put on them and these have shown to be extremely effective!

It’s important that no matter the design of your kitchen whether it be modern and classy or more of a mash up, that you can appreciate it even with children as nothing lasts forever and you might as well be keen to renovate your kitchen as much as possible by using these cheap tips!

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