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Tips for More Effective Home Office

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James
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Effective Home Office

Getting organized is an excellent means to boost your productivity. Time is money. Time spent looking for something for the tenth time is time that is wasted.

This year more than ever, many people are working from home for the first time. People are looking for office organizing tips because many are setting up their first home office.

The good news is that this means you have more control over your workspace. The bad news is you have to take responsibility for all the details. Let’s talk about where to start.

How Do I Set Home Office Space?

A laptop computer sitting on top of a wooden desk

You need to pick a space in your home that you can dedicate to work. It’s great if you can make it a separate room but not everyone can do that. A desk dedicated to nothing else can work well.

Determine how much space you need and also think about things like lighting and access to electrical outlets. If nothing obvious jumps out at you, consider cleaning out a closet. Sometimes, closets can be converted to a home office.

If it is out in the open, get a desk that can be closed up at the end of the day so it looks like a wardrobe. Then you don’t have to look at your work constantly.

Of course, people always end up with questions about good and bad places to site a home office. Let’s answer one of the most popular such questions next.

Is It Bad to Have Your Office in Your Bedroom?

A bedroom with a bed, desk, chair and bookshelf

There is no one right answer to this question. It will depend on a variety of factors, such as: 

  • Do you sleep alone or with a partner?
  • How noisy is your work?
  • What kind of hours do you typically keep?

If you type loudly and often work while your spouse is trying to sleep, then having your workspace in the bedroom will lead to a lot of friction. You aren’t likely to be productive because you will be fighting instead of working or quitting early to let them sleep.

If you share an apartment with roommates, your bedroom may be the only space you have control over. If so, putting your office in your bedroom may be the best answer. It can also work fine if you happen to live alone. You may enjoy the convenience of having your desk conveniently near your bed. This can let you record thoughts or be ready to work at a moment’s notice when you get a phone call at odd hours, which is increasingly common these days.

How Can I Make My Home Office More Efficient?

I Make My Home Office More Efficient

When outfitting your home office, at a minimum you will need a desk, a good chair, and a computer. You will likely also need other peripherals, such as a printer and a smartphone. These can add up to a tangled mess of cords. This is not only unsightly, it’s a potential hazard and a speed bump to productivity.

Ideally, you want to get those cords under control. Go ahead and spend money on inexpensive organizers. It’s one of the best office organizing tips around. Whether you get clips to wrangle cables or a desktop file system, buying small organizers for your space can be some of the best money you will ever spend.

How Can I Decorate My Home Office Desk?

Decorate My Home Office Desk

You can decorate your home office desk any way you want, but plants are a great place to start. They do not only help calm people down, but they also improve your air quality.

You should think of home office decor as another means to enhance productivity. A calm, happy space is one where you will be more productive and that can help improve your income or free up time to do other things besides work.

Reducing clutter and choosing calming colors is a good place to start. Then move on to adding art and accessories as you see fit. Do not hesitate to adjust things as needed. If something isn’t working for you, you can change it at will at any time. A home office gives you enormous control over your space.

Conclusion

These days, a home office is often an essential part of life. Getting it organized and decorating it is time well spent and an investment in future productivity.

De-cluttering the space should be one of your top priorities. An uncluttered space means you will spend less time looking for things and more time being productive.

Once your home office is set up and organized, add a few plants and some favorite artwork to help set the mood. Personalizing it can make working from home a joy instead of just another chore to do.

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Interior Design Tricks to Brighten Up a Dark Room

By
James
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Interior Design Tricks to Brighten Up a Dark Room

A dark room does not only look dull and grimy but also affects your mood as well. A bright and well-lighted place looks more appealing and livelier. Changing the dark appearance of your room may sound a very daunting task but using some tricks and décor ideas you can do it with less budget and time.

You do not need massive changes in the décor of the room to make it brighter. Even small structural changes like changing the paint color or adding fixtures or accessories can make a huge difference and bring freshness to a dark and dull-looking room.

If you are looking for ideas to increase daylight to your room or just want to add such renovation touches that would make your room look bright and mood, then check the following easy to implement ideas and tips to light up your room’s dark interior. These ideas will not just increase the physical light but also create the illusion of a bright and light place.

Right Paint for the Room

Right Paint for the Room

Repaint the room with a white or neutral color. Light colors make the room look bright and spacious by reflecting the light. Paint the ceiling of the room with white color and see the instant result. Make sure to select a pure white-colored paint for your ceiling.

Trees and Windows

Clean all the dust and splatters on the windows and paint them with a light color. The cleaner the windows, the more light will pass through them. Also do not forget to regularly trim any trees or bushes that are blocking the daylight coming directly in the room. 

Focus on Lighting

Focus on Lighting

The use of surfaces that reflect light can make the place bright instantly without putting much effort. Make use of the walls and ceilings for reflecting the light. Use CFLs and LEDs for energy-efficient high-intensity light. For adding some warmth to the décor, try placing a salt lamp on the side table. Different kinds of light sources will add more vibrancy and liveliness to the room. A rock salt lamp is a completely natural way to add coziness while making you feel relaxed. 

You can visit bulk Ittefaq salt to know more about these lamps.

Hang Mirrors

Hang Mirrors

Hanging mirrors in the room is one of the easiest and effective ideas to brighten up any place. Place the mirror in the opposite direction of the window so that it can reflect the sunlight and make the room brighter. You can place one big mirror or many small mirrors for this purpose. You can choose from a variety of mirrors of different styles.

Change Dark Curtains

Change Dark Curtains

Your room can feel drab and gloomy with dark-colored curtains made of thick dark fabric. Replace them with light fabric curtains of some neutral colors. The white cotton curtains can make your room luminous and airy. For diffusing daylight, a sheer curtain will be a good option.

A Sheer curtain not only lightens the space but also gives a very coastal effect. A pro tip to make the room look light and bright is to adjust the curtains higher and pull back from the windows. Try this trick and you will see the change.

Accessories

Making your room bright and clean does not mean you do not use accessories to decorate it. Light accessories that do not take much room space would make your room visually appealing and bright. There is a huge variety of accessories available in the market.

You can also DIY simple yet attractive accessories at home as well. You can place plain or patterned cushions on the couch that complement its color. Don’t leave the floor empty, cover it with a bright-colored area rug to enhance the floor, and brighten up your room.

Furniture

Furniture

Choose the right furniture for the room. Minimalist furniture with light colors would be perfect to make the room more spacious and bright. Do not overcrowd the room with extra furniture. Just place essential furniture items in the room to keep it clean and roomy.

Choose the right furniture for the room. Minimalist furniture with light colors would be perfect to make the room more spacious and bright. Do not overcrowd the room with extra furniture. Just place essential furniture items in the room to keep it clean and roomy.

Furniture can also be added as a visual addition and centerpiece. The best example of furniture being incorporated as the main feature within a room and that is the addition of a console table. There are many different ways on how to style a console table, but finding a style that compliments the decor of your home is a must.

Choose the Right Art

Choose the Right Art

Add some life and color to the room by adding some art pieces. Art adds depth as well as vibrancy to the overall décor. You can hang abstract art or some sceneries to add a hint of nature.

All these interior design tricks and ideas are very feasible and easy to implement. You just need to do some brainstorming and proper planning.

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Why Is the Real Estate Market So Hot Right Now in Florida?

By
James
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It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that 30A real estate FL is super hot right now. Everyone always dreams of moving to Florida when they retire. For some though, Florida isn’t just a retirement option for many; it’s a place where they move too early on in life and enjoy. Those who are the luckiest are the ones who get to call Florida home from day one. Anyone fortunate enough to have been born in Florida should count their lucky stars. The weather, scenery, and fabulous people all make the state the great place it is. It’s a change of environment and living for all those who are joining in. 

If you want to go where you find absolutely safe, satisfied, and wise in your investment – Florida is calling for you. There’s nothing but new sunshine on your plate and 30A real estate is serving this HOT.  

A Quick Look at Why Real Estate Fl Is So Hot

A Quick Look at Why Real Estate Fl Is So Hot

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that people are flocking to these twon because florida is a great place to live. Every day, people visit Florida and decide that this is where they want to spend the rest of their lives. Why is that? It’s all about the beach; a place where every day you get to wake up in the sound of the ocean and the warm graze of the sun. If the truth were to be told, that’s the reason why so many people are visiting Florida and never going back. 

Want to know their secret? Once they see Florida in all its beauty, the people, and the houses, it’s like staying in a new world. It’s such a new place that visitors marvel at how beautiful, warm, and fresh this place is! 

Get the Most Out of Life by Enjoying Every Day

Anyone who has spent any time in the 30A already knows how much better life is when you enjoy where you’re at. Every day of your life should be as enjoyable as it can be especially if you’re planning to retire. Many people lose sight of the fact that every day is precious. Any day that you’re not enjoying yourself is a day that’s lost for eternity.

If you’re on the fence about moving, don’t be. Take another look around and see for yourself why so many enjoy the coastal region. Something changes in people when they get a healthy dose of sunlight and a whiff of fresh ocean breezes. Stress has a way of melting, and people begin to smile again. Living in this region of Florida is about taking control of the passion you have for life and making sure that you wake up every day knowing that this is as good as it gets.

If you want to experience that kind of life, here is what you should need right now; FLORIDA. 

Talk About the Dream Property 

Talk About the Dream Property 

The properties in Florida brought to you by 30A are the dream you’ve always been looking to fulfill. “Beautiful’ doesn’t describe this enough – as the properties here are absolutely breathtaking and somewhere you can really call your home.

If you want to settle, relax, and spend your days in a property that’s giving everything you ever need, this one’s for you. Stunning beach houses are ready to make every day living warm in the morning, and cozy at night. Just imagine going to sleep and waking up to the fresh breeze of the beach. 

This is one of the reasons why people can’t stop coming in and investing in houses around the place. It’s to die for! Like a movie that’s waiting to happen by you. 

Buying a Home in 30A Is a Wise Investment

Buying a Home in 30A Is a Wise Investment

A home, for many people, isn’t thought of as an investment like stocks or bonds. However, those who understand how investing works know that a home is one of the best investments you’ll ever make. It doesn’t matter if you call the house home for the entire year or only when you’re on vacation, investing your money in real estate in Florida is a wise choice.

Before you become a real estate investor or a landlord in Florida, however, make sure to use the right lease agreement forms for Florida.

As the home market continues to dwindle, and more customers seek houses to buy, it becomes a seller’s market. Your investment will steadily increase in value over the years, and when it comes time to buy, you’ll be able to flip your home for a handsome profit.

Just remember – your home is a shared investment. It’s where your heart, your mind, and your money go. At 30A real estate FL, you get all three! 

Keep reading:-

9 Tips For Building The Perfect Home Theater Room

By
James
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Building The Perfect Home Theater Room

Like every other field, interior design has also revolutionized in the last few decades. House remodeling is a vast field. Modern interior design has a lot of ideas for transforming your ordinary house into a lavish residence.

No doubt, the big screen has a big charm. Building a home theater room can be an excellent addition to your house for experiencing a memorable entertaining time. Designing a home theater room is much more than adding a couch and a screen in a regular room.

You can transform your ordinary room into a perfect home theater room by employing the following tips. Let’s get started.

1. Locate A Dedicated Space For Home Theater Room

Locate A Dedicated Space For Home Theater Room

For enjoying the big screen, the location of the home theater room becomes very important. The home theater room must be solely dedicated to screen-related activities. A separate room away from the other rooms can serve as the best entertainment place.

External interruptions can disturb you while watching a movie or video gaming and lessen the cinematic experience. So, it is necessary to locate it somewhere away from the noise and other household sounds.

Another important thing that one should notice is the space of the room. Your dedicated space must be spacious enough so the viewers could maintain a proper distance from the screen.

Don’t forget the natural light in the room while locating your home theater. Your dedicated space must have the least light coming in, so you don’t have to spend on minimizing it.

2. Building An A/V Component Rack

Building an A/V component rack is an essential thing that your cinema space must have. You can keep all your source components,  like a DVD player, speakers, cable box, and network media box, etc. in one place, manages your source components, and also prevents mess due to the intermingling of wires.

Your A/V component rack should be strong enough to hold all the source components. A metal one would be a better option for keeping heavy equipment.

Don’t forget to make your A/V component rack well-ventilated. Your source components produce heat that could damage them. Ventilation keeps them cool and prevents thermal damage. You can also purchase a well-ventilated A/V component rack, instead of building one.

3. Lighting

A large empty room with a projector screen

The Theater lighting system has to be perfect for having an enjoyable experience. The lighting system should have brightness control for adjusting the light.

You can use soffits, rope lights, or recessed lights in your cinema space. Soffits are extensions around the perimeter of the room. They can be decorated with rope lights for illuminating a home theater.

Recessed lights can be installed in the soffits or ceiling of the room for illuminating the space. The lighting must be behind the viewer, so the lights could not disturb your screen experience.

4. Limiting The Reflecting Objects

Everything with a reflective surface except, your screen should be avoided. Reflecting objects reflects light on your screen and interrupts the image. Shiny paints should be replaced by matte paint to minimize the reflecting effect. Shiny doorknobs, fixtures, and countertops should also be avoided. If you have something reflecting, paint it with dark-colored matte paint. Limiting the reflecting objects will prevent reflecting light at the viewer.

5. Seating Arrangement

A home theater with leather recliners and a projector screen

The proper seating arrangement is a notable factor while building a perfect theater space. The seating arrangement should be such that all the viewers could watch the screen conveniently. Tiered seating can give your cinema space a luxurious outlook. Raise the rear seats on a platform, so the viewers on the back could view the screen without blockage.

When it comes to seats, they should be comfortable. You can place full-back lounge chairs or cushioned chairs. Placing sofas could be a better option as they are more comfortable and also give a luxurious outlook.

Remember to keep a proper distance between the screen and the seats. The seats should not be too close or too far from the screen.

6. Sound Controlling

Ambient sound, as well as unwanted sound from the inner sources both, can disturb our theater audio.

Ambient sound is the sound from an external source, like dishwashing, kids playing in other rooms, household machinery sound, and all such other noises. In addition to locating your home theater room away from the other rooms, you need some more steps.

  • Soundproofing the walls can contribute a lot to reducing the ambient sound. For soundproofing, you can add a drywall layer. Sound-reducing wallboard can also assist in limiting the ambient sound.
  • Installing solid doors, instead of hollow-core doors can also assist in reducing the outside sounds.
  • Putting curtains on the window absorbs both ambient light and sound.

Audio from the theater room is also reflected from the walls and has to be reduced.

  • The best way to control it is to add draperies on the walls of the theater room.
  • Adding sound-absorbing objects, like rugs, and cushions also help in absorbing unwanted sound in the room.

7. Building Surround Sound System

A red room with a row of black chairs

After cutting the unwanted noise, comes the step of building a perfect surround sound system. Surround sound is a technique to enhance the depth of sound produced by using numerous audio channels from the speakers that surround the listeners.

Surround sound can be created in two ways:

The easiest way to create a surround sound is by correctly positioning the speakers.

If your room is too spacious, you may need to purchase the best high-end center channel speaker.

You need to consider the following steps while buying speakers for your home theater:

  • The frequency range of your speaker should be high.
  • The speaker should have a high sensitivity to make them sound sharper.
  • Buy a speaker with low wattage as it would be more efficient with other equipment than the one with high wattage.

8. Selecting An AV Reciever

A stereo sitting on top of a wooden shelf

Another necessary piece of equipment for your home theater is the AV receiver. It receives the audio and video signals, amplifies them, and sends them to speakers or displays.

You can purchase a Wifi or Bluetooth-enabled receiver for preventing wiring mess. But wireless features can be added by Chromecast. Choose a reliable receiver for your theater space. Consider the following things while choosing a receiver:

  • Choose the one that has more channels for connecting more devices.
  • The range of connectivity is also a considerable factor when selecting an AV receiver. Your receiver should be able to connect all your media sources.
  • Another spec to consider is the compatibility of the receiver. Your receiver should be compatible with DV, HDR10, and HLG video formats.

9. Screen

A home theater with black leather seats and a projector screen

A nice TV or a projector is the primary thing your theater space must-have. Both the projector and smart TV have some advantages and limitations.

You can choose a projector as they can be conveniently tucked, after watching. You can raise or lower the screen of the projector according to your need.

A smart TV prevents the hassle of wiring. You only need a fast internet connection for streaming.

You can choose a projector as they can be conveniently tucked, after watching. If you get a motorized projector screen, you can raise or lower the screen of the projector according to your need.

If you are on the way to designing the home theater room, don’t forget the above tips. They will surely be helpful in your journey to the perfect home theater room.

Keep reading:-

Choosing The Right Interior Designer For Your Next Project – 5 Easy Steps

By
James
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Interior Designers

Has your house looked the same since the early 2000s?

Do you have upholstery that doesn’t complement anything else in your home?

Are multiple schools of thought and design clashing in your house? 

First up, take a deep breath. You are not alone. Countless people are in the same boat as you. All you need to do is find an interior designer who will transform your home and give it a new lease on life! 

The only challenge that remains is zeroing in on the best interior designer for your house. Here are 5 steps to follow before choosing your next interior designer.

1. Researching And Identifying Your Exact Requirements And Style

Researching And Identifying Your Exact Requirements And Style

Step one sounds easy, but sometimes, figuring out what you truly want can be difficult. Identifying the right style that complements your aesthetic and your preferences are crucial. Research always aids in this process. Look at references online and in interior design magazines. Look up ‘interior designer near me’ on Google and browse through as many results as you can. Seek advice, perspectives, and recommendations from friends and family.

Make sure you have a relatively long list of references that speak to you, ready to be shared with the chosen designer. Try and keep this list as specific as possible. Be sure to think and dream big during this process. Remember, you’re only ideating and not executing yet. Let the ideas be grand but specific. They could be opulent, but they must be exactly what you like. Let them seem impossible to execute, but you must love them intrinsically. Identify your favorite style or at least identify your top 3 style aesthetics.  

2. Study The Quality Of Their Work

Study The Quality Of Their Work

Once you’ve identified your top styles or schools of thought, you must begin browsing through portfolios. Now, you need the right designers who match your sensibilities, speak your language, relate to you, and can truly put themselves in your shoes. Study the portfolios in great detail. Analyze the designers’ past work. Don’t hesitate in asking questions – even the silliest ones. Synergy and a shared vision are hallmarks of great interior design. The best interior designer in India will get instantly acclimatized to your aesthetic and take it to the next level.

3. State Your Budget

State Your Budget

It might be a slightly lengthy process, but you will zero in on one designer at some point. Once you’ve identified the right one, make sure you meet them. Make sure you have a lengthy conversation with them and explain your vision. Keep asking questions throughout this stage as well. The more you know, and the more you share, the more aligned your vision will be.

If you want a good working relationship with the best interior designers in Mumbai, you need to communicate your limits to them. Clarity on the budget at the start is crucial. If both parties are on the same page, it’ll reduce the instances of friction due to disagreement, and your designer won’t go overboard. You’ll also be able to avoid a lot of back and forth.

4. Collaborate While Working With them

Collaborate While Working With them

You don’t have to take the back seat once your interior designer is on board. Even though they’ve taken the reins, it’s important to keep speaking to them, inspiring them, and collaborating with them throughout the process. Visions can alter over a period of time.

Perhaps, there are problems with the sourcing of a particular fabric. Such problems can be resolved only through sharing. Encourage your designer to keep updating you on all fronts. Keep the ideating process ongoing. Keep feeding yourself and your designer with inspiration throughout the process. Remember, your home refurbishment project is a journey. Enjoy it as much as you can. If you and the designer are having fun, even challenges will become sparser, and problem-solving will become easier.

5. Keep an Open Mind and Keep Communicating 

Keep an Open Mind and Keep Communicating 

In addition to keeping all communication channels between you and the designer open, it’s equally important for you to keep an open mind. Yes, you must stand your ground. Sometimes, you might have to put your foot down. But overall, you need to keep the faith and have an open mind. 

Conclusion

At some point, the interior designer could elevate your idea and create something truly inspired and incredible. The designer will need the leeway to be able to pull that off. You need to be able to distinguish between when to step in and when to let them be and do their thing. Remember that there’s a reason why you’ve hired them. So trust your instincts and keep an open mind. Most importantly, keep the dialogue flowing. 

Follow these crucial steps to watch your interior designer create absolute magic for you. You will be able to live in your dream house, every single day.

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Essential Considerations Before Moving to a Luxury Apartment

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James
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Considerations Before Moving to a Luxury Apartment

People are continuously looking for new stuff and the hotel industry is not exempted. In fact, to date, luxury apartments continue to trend across the United States, especially in California.

Luxury apartments are heaven-sent for people who want to unwind and live in a luxurious place without needing to pay for a down payment. These apartments are treated as a far spacious alternative to hotels where the interiors, furniture, fixture, and appliances remain high class and luxurious and the great amenities are still being offered. The amenities that hotels offer like swimming pools, highly equipped fitness centers, and more are present.

On the upside, what sets luxury apartments such as the Athena Apartments apart from the traditional hotels is the larger space they offer with each having a dedicated kitchen room, living room, and dining room.

Most luxury apartments design have two to three rooms which make them ideal for a staycation or even for a long, permanent stay.

Here Are a Few Essential Factors to Take into Account Before Moving to a Luxury Apartment in California:

1. Location

If you are depending on public transport, you will want to assess how convenient the apartment location is. It should be one of your topmost priorities unless accessibility is not a problem for you. Although some apartments are far from the downtime, some apartment companies compensate for it by providing a shuttle bus for its occupants to the subway line. Do not forget to inquire about this before sealing any deal.

2. The Storage Space

The interior details of the luxury apartment are a given but behind that, one thing you should look into is the apartment’s complimentary storage space. Does it have enough for your things? This is extremely important to retain the luxurious feel and aesthetics of the unit.

3. The Parking Area

A parking garage with several cars parked in it

If you are a car owner, the parking area or the garage spot should be another vital concern. There is no point living in a luxury apartment if the parking you have to do on a regular basis would be a hassle on your part, i.e. if you need to move your vehicle accordingly so that others can pass through.

4. The Payment Term

Supposedly, tenants need to pay the actual rent every month. However, a month or two may be offered free in exchange for choosing the higher-priced units. If this is your case, do not hesitate to check the contract you will be signing. Also, do note of how the net effective rent should be calculated, i.e. dividing the total concession amount by the lease term then deducting whatever was told will be free. In most cases, it could be that the amount is reduced by the discounts or the first and last months of the term are given free.

Although it is not that much, it also would be a big plus if the luxury apartment accepts credit cards with minimal to zero convenience fee.

5. Are Guarantors Accepted?

From the name itself, of course, luxury apartments are luxurious, thus expensive. This will not be a problem unless an issue came up with your job, causing your monthly income to decrease. When such cases happen, guarantors can help.

Some landlords in California allow guarantors but that is only if they make 80 times the monthly rent at the least. These guarantors may be relatives or those from the institutional lease guarantor association.

6. The Additional or Hidden Amenity Fees

The common amenities in luxury apartment communities include the state-of-the-art wellness and fitness center and a lot more. Of course, your agent or the ads you see on the internet will brag about their awesome amenities. While this might be exciting, you also have to ensure whether accessing them come free or are with additional costs. Do not hesitate to inquire to the right people.

However, just because you will be required to pay extra for the gym and other amenities, it does not mean you should be discouraged right away. Other factors should also be considered, e.g. the savings you might be able to enjoy from just accessing the fitness center that is just meters away from your place.

7. The Availability and Stability of Cellphone Signals

In this digital age where mobile phones have become one of the major mediums of communication, it is highly important that the apartment you will be staying in has a stable cellphone signal despite having several dozen stories. You should check this part physically. If there seems to be none, ask the landlord if he can offer a workaround and if it is free or with an extra charge.

8. Pets

A man is playing with his dogs in the living room

Ironically, the typical apartments have stricter rules when it comes to pets. Luxury apartments, on the other hand, are kind of lenient and accommodating. But, before signing any deal, you have to inquire about this too. In most cases, pets are allowed but exotic and larger ones are not. There are certain rules that must be followed and at times, you may also be required to pay a pet deposit.

Your pet would thank you surely if you lived in an apartment with a pet-centric amenity that is already existent in some apartments these days.

9. Temporary Wall Policy

Although temporary walls sound like a great idea for bookshelves or other purposes, most of the luxury apartments have prohibited them for safety concerns.

10. The Security System in place

A living room filled with furniture and a flat screen tv

Since living in a luxury apartment is going to be hefty and heavy in the pocket, it pays to make sure you are safe. This will depend on the security system in place. Fortunately, most of the luxurious homes maintain high-security standards in the form of security cameras, strong gates, and more than enough security team. Ideally, the apartment should have digital systems and trained personnel that can help implement top-class security.

It can be very challenging to find an apartment that suits your needs and preferences. Generally, luxury apartments design vary in terms of interior details, infrastructure, and the touch of luxury. The abovementioned factors must be properly taken into consideration. After all, they are pricey.

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Where to Place the Sofa? 5 Living Room Layout Tips

By
James
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Where to Place the Sofa

Developing a floor plan is one of the natural first steps to furnishing any space, to ensure that you know exactly what you’ll need to make your space feel beautiful and functional. But as the starting point, it’s not surprising that nailing the perfect living room layout – from the sofa to the storage – can be daunting, particularly if you don’t know where to start.

Whether you’re starting from scratch in your design process, or simply looking to give your existing living room layout a fresh facelift, we’re here to help with a step-by-step guide. These interior designer-approved tips will give you the guidance you need to create a furniture arrangement you love while making the most of the living area.

Step 1: Create a floor plan

Create a floor plan

And no, you don’t need a fancy computer program or a background in architecture to draw up a helpful layout! All you need is a blank piece of paper and a tape measure. First, start by measuring all walls of the room, including any little nooks. The most important part of this exercise is that you develop a drawing that shows everything in the proper scale. One trick: convert all your measurements in “feet” to “inches” or “centimeters” when you plot them on your paper.

For example, if your room is 18.5 feet in length and 12 feet in width, you can draw an outline of your room to-scale using 18.5 inches/centimeters by 12 inches/centimeters. Also, don’t forget to add any immoveable elements such as doors, windows, or built-in bookcases, as those will be important considerations when laying out your living room design.

Step 2: Establish a Focal Point

Establish a Focal Point

The focal point will be the center of gravity for your entire living-room layout. Every living room is different, so it’s important to consider the functionality of your individual space to determine where the center of the room should lie. If your space is primarily used for watching television, then establishing the seating arrangement around the TV is an easy choice (same goes for sitting around a fireplace!).

If you’re a frequent host and it’s important that you build a natural conversational area for guests (or, if you have no television or fireplace to use as a natural anchor), designing a seating area that facilitates easy interaction in a central location is your best bet.

Step 3: Start With the Sofa

Start With the Sofa

As far as living room furniture goes, the sofa is undoubtedly the centerpiece. To avoid being overwhelmed by the many different sizes and styles to choose from, start by revisiting your focal point, and determining what sort of sofa will fit best into space and serve your needs. For instance, if you love a cozy movie night, consider a sectional sofa. But if you’re working with a small living room, consider a two- or three-seater.

As a general rule of thumb, the sofa should be facing the focal point wall. If the wall is not your focal point, float a sofa (or dual sofas that face one another) in the center of the room. When choosing the specific style of sofa, it’s best to consider both your usage and design aesthetic. This helpful sofa fabric guide will help you land on the perfect custom sofa.

Step 4: Layer in the Accents

Layer in the Accents

The accents will make your space feel whole. If you’re working around a television or fireplace, start by placing accent chairs on either side of the sofa in a semi-circle arrangement, not more than eight feet from each other. The coffee table should go in the middle, roughly 1.5 feet from the sofa (tip: consider a plush, upholstered cocktail ottoman if you love to put your feet up).

If you’re not facing a wall, then place the accent chairs either directly across from the sofa, or flank the sofa on either side. Then, consider your smaller pieces. Ottomans and x-benches are wonderfully multi-purpose solutions for sneaky storage and extra seating in a pinch. Side tables should be placed on the side of the sofa. An area rug should be centered within the main seating arrangement to make the space feel grounded and layered.

Step 5: Play With Different Arrangements

Play With Different Arrangements

While you have your craft supplies handy, follow the same process as you did in step one to create little paper cutouts that represent any existing living room furniture in your space. We love the cutout method because it allows you to move the furniture around and play with different layouts, rather than having to erase and start over.

Once you’ve created these, you can do the same for any new furniture you’re considering, to see how the pieces will work together and ensure you’re not over- or under-estimating the size of the furniture. Still, stuck on where to go next? Get inspired by sample floorplans to see what brings you the most joy.

Most Importantly: Create a Space That Makes You Joyful

Remember that this entire process is intended to help you create a space that makes you happy – a space you want to be. While these steps should help get you started on a path to the perfect living room layout, there are certainly no right or wrong answers, so long as your space suits your lifestyle and feels beautiful.

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6 Tips to Help You Choose the Best Water Filtration System

By
James
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0
water filtration systems

A five-year study conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) between 2004 and 2009 found that most of the municipal water in the US contains 316 potentially harmful chemicals and microbial contaminants including, among others, heavy metals, pesticides, industrial chemicals such as perfluorochemicals (PFCs), and pharmaceutical residues. Out of these 316 contaminants, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) only regulates 114 of them, meaning your municipal water likely contains unhealthy doses of the remaining contaminants. 

In fact, in addition to the regulated chemicals, most municipal water contains up to 30 unregulated contaminants, according to the aforementioned report. This essentially means that government bodies such as the EPA need to do much more to ensure your municipal water is clean and safe. So to ensure that your water is clean and safe you will need a softener.

In the meantime, you should invest in the best water filtration system in the market, visit Qualitywaterlab for in-depth buying guides. So let’s get started.

Water Filtration — An Overview

water filtration system

Put simply, water filtration is any process that aims to reduce or remove particulate and microbial contaminants from water in order to make water safe for an intended purpose, such as human consumption. Examples of such contaminants include, among others, fungi, algae, bacteria, biological contaminants, heavy metals, and potentially harmful chemicals such as pesticides. If this process contains any sort of a filter, then it is a water filtration system.

The Different Types of Water Filters

Coming in different shapes and sizes, most water filters use both chemical and physical filtration to eliminate impurities from water. Physical filtration uses a physical barrier to eliminate larger particulate impurities from water, whereas chemical filtration employs chemical reactions, such as passing water through activated carbon, to remove microscopic contaminants. With this in mind, the four common types of water filters available today include ion exchange, reverse osmosis, steam distillation, and activated carbon filters, which is the most popular.

Tips to Help You Choose the Best Water Filtration System

Tips to Help You Choose the Best Water Filtration System

Because not all home-based water filtration are created equal, you should choose a filter that meets your water filtration needs. To ensure you get the best water filtration system, you need to consider various factors. These main factors to consider include:

Your Water Needs

Different water filtration systems eliminate different contaminants, meaning there’s no one-size-fits-all water filtration system. For this reason, you should first be aware of the contaminants in your municipal water supply, and then purchase a filter that would be able to eliminate them. Typically, water filter manufacturers include this information in their product labels, so you should have no problem choosing the best water filter system for your needs.

NSF Ratings

Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, NSF International is essentially an independent organization that inspects, tests, and certifies consumer products, including water treatment systems. Keeping this in mind, one way to find out what a particular water filtration does is to look for its NSF certification either on its label or in the NSF online database. It is worth noting that the NSF has various standards applicable to water filtration. These standards include, among others, standard 41 (taste and odor), standard 58 (reverse osmosis), and standard 62 (distillation). To be on the safe side, avoid water treatment systems that have no NSF certification.

Capacity

Water filtration systems come in different capacities, ranging from under-sink filtration systems to point-of-entry stems. To get the best water filter system, determine how much water you use on a daily basis for purposes such as cooking, bathing, washing, and drinking. For example, if you need a system that will purify all incoming water, then you should go for a point-of-entry water filtration system. On the other hand, if your water to purify only a relatively small volume of water, such as water for drinking purposes, then you should go for a low capacity system, such as a countertop water filter or an under-sink filter.

Filtration Rate

A system’s filtration rate is another important factor to consider. Simply put, the filtration rate is the volume of water a particular water purification system is able to purify on a daily basis. Every water treatment system has a filtration rate. Similar to capacity, to choose the best water treatment system for your needs based on filtration rate, you have to analyze your daily water usage.

Installation and Operating Costs

Installation and Operating Costs

The actual cost of installing and operating a water purification system varies from one system to another depending on factors such as efficiency, features, technology, and build quality. In general, basic water treatment systems cost under $20 while complex systems cost hundreds of dollars, and typically require professional installation. In addition to installing costs, you should also consider electricity and repair/maintenance costs, such as the cost of replacing filters or cartridges. Irrespective of your budget, you should be able to find the best water filter system for your needs, especially if you do your research.

Compatibility

To get the best results and save money, choose a water treatment system that compatible with your plumbing system and fixtures, including sinks and faucets. 

Conclusion 

Most municipal water in the US contains unhealthy levels of contaminants. To ensure your water is clean and safe, you should invest in a home-based water treatment system. To choose the best water treatment system for your needs, consider the six factors discussed in this article.

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Hat Storage: Hang Em’ Up With These 20 DIY Hat Racks ideas!!

By
Himadri Shakya
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0
hat organizers

Hats are such a functional and trendy fashion item these days! From saving you from a bad hair day to uplift your whole outfit look, hats are quite handy and useful. Furthermore, wearing a hat also protects our heads from the harsh sun. So, it will be no surprise for us if you have a lot of hats in your home! In fact, I do also love hats, and over the years, I also have collected a decent number of hats. 

Hats can create a mess…a huge mess…if you have no place to store them. Yes, that’s the only drawback with the hats that they can instantly create clutter and mess. So what’s the solution? The answer is simple- Get a hat rack! 

A hat rack seems like such a simple item to have in your house. It consists of multiple hooks to hang our and our guest belongings, and we usually placed it in an entryway. But this single simple organization item could have a significant styling effect.

So add a hat rack in your home for better organization. But wait, why buy a new one when you can DIY it! Just with simple things that are already in your home, you can actually create many useful things with simple DIY skills. A hat rack is one of many things that you can build from your creative ideas.

Are you looking for inspiration? Today we have collected twenty creative DIY hat rack ideas that you can build in no time. The main advantage of making your rack is that you can decide the exact size, design, and shape. 

20 Cool Hat Rack Ideas of the year!

So, grab all your baseball caps and fedoras off of the floor and get ready to organize your stylish hat collection with these awesome hat rack ideas. These rack ideas we are about to show you are not only for the hat, but also you can hang your baseball caps, scarfs, coats, purses, bags, jewelry, ties, and many more. So, let’s have a look at these innovative ideas:

1. White Retro Hat Rack

White Retro Hat Rack

Simple but really eye-pleasing, this rack is perfect for those who are looking for something old and in retro style. The white hooks are directly attached to the wall, and they look absolutely gorgeous against the dark wall. This creates a balance, and the rack looks simple, yet still looks elegant. 

2. Stylish Copper Hat Rack 

Stylish Copper Hat Rack 

To create this minimal design hat rack, all you need is a piece of copper and some rope. Very stylish, very classy…this copper rack is super easy to make. So, decorate your foyer, studio apartment, dorm room, or bedroom into something a little chicer and organized with this rack. 

3. Simple Hat Hanger Ideas with Clippers

imple Hat Hanger Ideas with Clippers

Gather all your hats and get them in one place well organized by this hanger. Super easy to make, this hanger will keep all types of your hat in one place. Also, you don’t need many tools or various materials in order to make this minimalist hanger.

Just thin strings and clippers to hang all of your fancy hat collection and your wall will look stylish than ever. 

4. DIY Hat Rack Made of Letters

DIY Hat Rack Made of Letters

This rack is made of letters. Here it says H-O-M-E, but you can design the letters as you like it, such as L-O-V-E, P-L-A-Y, or S-L-A-Y. 

You’ll need cable cutters, cord pliers, heavy metal cable, layered telephone angling, tape, and also a cable to create this piece of art.

5. Hooks Mounted On Solid Wood

hat rack ideas

Simple and sober, these two words describe this rack perfectly. As you can see, the hooks have been placed on the wood’s surface, which is later mounted to the wall. The whole process is not that complicated. 

You require a wood board, hooks, screws, nails, adhesive. First, fix the hooks on the boards at the equal distance, then let it dry. After this, fix this board on the wall with some screws, and your hat rack is ready! 

6. Vintage Brass Hat Holder

Vintage Brass Hat Holder

Look at this beauty! Isn’t it gorgeous? It will give your space a glamorous and industrial edge. It is made from metal c-shaped hooks, and it will well support all your cowboy hats. The exposed wooden beams are giving a rustic character and warmth you the whole area. The ivory wall and cream floral-patterned old curtains are completing the whole look. 

7. Creative Trophy Hat Rack Idea

Creative Trophy Hat Rack Idea

Have a lot of old trophies in your house? If yes, then create something creative and useful from them instead of throwing them away. Isn’t it a clever and unique hat rack?

8. Tree Trunk Standing Hat Rack

Tree Trunk Standing Hat Rack

Want to be connected with nature? Bring the greenery from outside to inside. This idea utilizes a tree trunk on top of a black painted wood board. To make this, you’ll need a wood board, a tree trunk with as many branches as possible, and paints in various colors. (Please don’t cut down a green tree, use an old tree trunk!)

9. DIY Wire Hat Organizer 

DIY Wire Hat Organizer 

Have you ever thought that a simple metal wire sheet and laundry clips can be made into a beautiful hat rack? Yes, take a look at the above image. Just stick the wire to the wall and hang and arrange the hats in any formation you like to create a pretty display.

10. DIY Key Holder Hook Organizer

DIY Key Holder Hook Organizer

Another budget-friendly and creative way to organize your hats is this pretty hat organizer made from old door locks. These handles can be used to hang anything from bags, coats, and, most importantly, hats. 

These locks are installed on a wood board; then, it is connected to the wall using a strong adhesive. This will give your room a modern vibe. 

11. Classy Mirror Hat Hooks

Classy Mirror Hat Hooks

Reuse your full-length mirror as a hat rack by placing some hooks on it. It looks pretty simple, but it will bring coastline vibes. This idea offers you simplicity and elegance, so try this one. 

12. Hat Organizer for Small Space

Hat Organizer for Small Space

Have lots of hats but short on space? Don’t worry; this idea will work for you. This is a two-layer rack that will help you to stay organized without taking up much space. The long thin steel rods give an industrial aesthetic, and plastic rings manage all your hats. 

13. Modern Wooden Pallet Hooks

Modern Wooden Pallet Hooks

Love the minimalist style? Try this type of hat rack organizer! First, take a wide wooden pallet and then drill holes at equal distances. After this, insert cylinder-shaped woods into the holes.  And your minimalistic looking hat rack is ready to use! 

14. Trendy Family-Style Organizer

Trendy Family-Style Organizer

This is another great imaginative idea on our list; I personally love this one. Going in a zig-zag pattern all around the door. It can hold many hats and this is a quite trendy and useful rack. 

15. Bohemian Wooden Bar and Linen Hat Hanger

Bohemian Wooden Bar and Linen Hat Hanger

Here the hats have been placed on a wall hanging, which is made from pretty ropes. You can simply use laundry clips to attach the hats on the linen. This bohemian hanger is perfect for displaying wide, elegant hats.

16. Hat & Clothes Rack

Hat & Clothes Rack

This idea will work for you if you have less number of hats. You can just hang them around your cloth rack. They’ll not take too much space and look neat and tidy. They can be easily hidden among your clothes or at the corner of your room.

17. Space Saving Baseball Cap Storage

Space Saving Baseball Cap Storage

Do you have dozens of collections of hats at your home? This will save you a lot of space and wisely organize all your hats. It has a lot of compartments to store all of your hats. But this rack idea needs some carpentry skills. Worry not if you don’t know; just take help from your dad and build this kind of stylish looking rack. 

18. Fancy Decorative Mediterranean Hat Rack Ideas 

Fancy Decorative Mediterranean Hat Rack Ideas 

It is an art.. no, it is a hat rack…what is it? Actually, it is both! Here, the hats in the same color and style are placed decoratively. Pretty impressive, right? It can be used both as decorative and functional.

19. Clean Hooks on The Wall

Clean Hooks on The Wall

Do you have a habit of keeping everything in order? Build this type of rack within minutes. Just place some nails on one wall in the same manner, and it is ready! Now all your hats will be well organized, neat, and tidy. 

20. Showcase Your Hat Collections

Showcase Your Hat Collections

Instead of keeping all your hats in storage boxes or baskets, why not showcase them all! Yes, it will look super trendy, stylish, and you can see all your hats at the same time. This DIY project won’t take much time, and it will display all your hat collections in a cool way. 

Conclusion

Which of the hat rack ideas from the above do you like the most? All the ideas presented here are simple, but it does require your attention to make it functional and decorative according to your space! 

Racks are very important as they organize not only the clutter of your hats, but also store jackets, coats, bags, scarves, and ties. So get all your accessories organized in a decorative way by these wonderful rack ideas.

After looking at all these various and unique types of hat racks, you already found the one that you are looking for. After all, all of the above ideas don’t require any advanced woodworking skills; you can simply make a hat rack of your choice with minimal material that too in no time!

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Tips to Quicken the Construction Process

By
James
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0
Tips to Quicken the Construction Process

In the past, construction used to be very time-consuming work. Though you may find construction masterpieces erected centuries ago, they will be few and far between. It is because the construction industry fell short of adequate equipment. The workers had to undertake nearly all the work with their bare hands.

However, times have changed now. The construction process is far less hectic compared to the past. All thanks to the availability of the latest machines at job sites. If you are also one of those contractors who typically lag behind their schedule, you should consider the following tricks to fuel the construction speed:

1. Maintain Transparent Communication with Clients

Maintain Transparent Communication with Clients

According to a well-documented study, miscommunication with the client accounts for the loss of nearly 177 billion dollars every year in the construction industry. It is a staggering figure. But poor communication not only comes up with significant financial repercussions; it also delays the overall project. More so, when contractors have to bear with the midway changes. That is where maintaining full commutation with the client can come very handy.

One way to convey your message correctly is to minimize the usage of industry-oriented words, aka jargon because they would barely make sense to an outsider. If simplifying the language does not get the job done, guide your clients through drawings. They help break down the complex concepts, thereby leaving no room for the communication lapses to occur.

2. Opt for Off-Site Construction Method

Opt for Off-Site Construction Method

Construction falls into two categories, namely, on-site and off-site. On-site construction refers to the process where the workforce performs every activity at the site. The biggest problem with the on-site method is that it can take things quickly out of your control. For example, you are all set to be caught off-guard in the face of unexpected rain. The raw material will get wet, and contractors might not be able to resume the work anytime soon. Undoubtedly, it will prolong the construction or slow down the work pace to a significant degree.

On the other hand, off-site construction is a different deal altogether. It takes place in a controlled atmosphere. The material at the site in a pre-built form and workers have to fix it accordingly. A sudden change in weather conditions or any other environmental interference would be non-existent.

Furthermore, for construction work on oilfields, it is best to locate the staff at a distance as it can be dangerous at times. Many supervisors prefer oilfield housing such as oilfield man camp for this particular reason to avoid any repercussions. And the heavy-duty vehicles have made life much more comfortable. Broadly put, the off-site technique will heavily increase your odds to finish off the project on time or perhaps before that.

3. Hold Regular Meetings with the Workers

Hold Regular Meetings with the Workers

We are not talking about typical meetings where low-key workers do not get a chance to speak up. It would help if you allowed everyone to participate and come up with suggestions regarding catching up with a tight deadline. If conducted tastefully, these meetings will multiply the productivity big time.

Remember, not all workers come from a similar background. The higher-ups might have snuffed some of them for speaking their mind previously. Therefore, they could be reluctant to chip in with anything worthwhile even though they may be bubbling with innovative ideas, which could turn the tide for you. Passing out postcards is an excellent way to encourage everyone for the input. Ask them to submit 2-3 short proposals to speed up the work.

Once done with this, set your eye upon the best recommendations, and discuss their execution strategy.

4. Expand the Crew

Expand the Crew

If you are completing a project within four months with a team of 100 workers, you could wind up a similar project within two months by doubling the number of workers. There is nothing complicated about this equation. At the same time, you should be mindful that hiring anyone and everyone is akin to mess things up. Because less skillful workers could be a liability instead of an asset.

Some tips for hiring the best prospects:

Word of mouth:

You can’t expect most construction workers browsing on the internet for a job. They still rely on suppliers and their fellow construction workers to get hired. Therefore, make it a point to spread it in your trusted circle to look for someone with the respective qualities.

Job fairs

Lately, the popularity of job fairs has spiked like anything. These fairs are peppered with ideal candidates for every industry. And the construction industry is no exception.

The Final Verdict

construction process

The projects that would take years to complete are now done and dusted within a few months. Indeed, this is a remarkable leap. Sometimes, contractors fail to complete the project within the due deadline despite the wealth of modern equipment. As a result, their reputation takes a nosedive, and clients’ part ways with them in the future.

You can readily come across a wide range of turns and tricks that will accelerate the construction. But, at the same time, they could hamper the efficiency, and client-satisfaction will hit the rock-bottom. But the tricks mentioned above have proved their mettle over time. As a contractor or project manager, you can rely upon them wholeheartedly.

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