Living Space

Latest Posts

Water Filter Reviews And Tips

Author: July 19, 2017 0 Comments

Leading health magazines have indicated that millions of Americans get sick each year from drinking contaminated tap water. And bottled water doesn’t seem to be much at a solution to the problem. In many recent studies it’s been found that bottled water is not necessarily any healthier or cleaner than the tap water you drink at home. And yet, there is another more economical solution to this water problem and that is water filtration.

Water filters have been available on the home market for many years, and they actually can take several different forms. Perhaps the most common are those that attach directly to your faucet, and have replaceable cartridges that help filter the water that comes through the faucet. And there are more expensive models that are installed under the sink to filter the water before it even reaches the faucet.

Our examination of the leading consumer review web sites indicate that you can find very good water filtration in either type of water filter system. One of the leading faucet mounted filters was the Pur Vertical 3-stage filter, and one of the best under sink mounted sytems was the Kenmore Dual 38460.

Both faucet mounted filters and under sink filters seem to do a good job on both filtering out contaminants and bad water taste. However, the advantage of the under sink units is that they provide better water flow and their cartridges only have to be replaced every six months or so. Which style or type of water filtration you choose is really up to you.

Having good, clean drinking water is a very important consideration. That’s why we have included water filtration in our home improvement guide. We feel that any investment made in a quality water filtration system will be money well spent.

Repairs & Maintenance

Front Yard Landscaping Ideas

Author: July 19, 2017 0 Comments

One of the areas of home-improvement that can have an almost immediate impact on your home’s appearance is the outside landscaping. And this is another area where do-it-yourselfers that are physically fit can do a lot of their own work. And it’s also an area where year investment will often come back to you in the sale of your home. So let’s discuss some of the best ideas for your home landscaping.

First of all, make sure that you actually have a plan for your landscaping. This is very often missing when folks who like to do it themselves get to work. But instead of just throwing a shrub or plant in a space just because there is a hole there, why not take a little extra time and map out at least a section of your yard, and decide in advance what plants you will use and where they will go for the best possible appearance? If you draw out a detailed landscape plan like this before you get started, you will most likely wind up with a much better looking yard.

Another suggestion is to plan your landscape design not only for appearance but for functionality as well. For instance, if you plant shade trees on the south and west of your home, you can often help cut down on your electric bill, because those shade trees can help cool your home. And if you plant shrubs that can grow into a small hedge around your foundation, that can also help by creating an extra layer of insulation around the outside of your home. So try to think of your landscaping not only from the aspect of appearance, but also practicality as well.

Nothing will make as much of an impact on the way that your landscaping appears as your having a regular schedule for maintenance though. But unfortunately, this is where even the best landscape designs often go wrong. You have to remember that what ever you plant in your yard will need some kind of attention and maintenance from time to time. So plan your landscape with that in mind. If you don’t have much time to spend in the yard, try to select plants that don’t need very much constant attention. And make your landscaping tools easily accessible, as that will make you more likely to actually use them as you should.

The next biggest enemy of good landscaping design is a failure to properly irrigate after your trees and shrubs are installed. What sense does it make to spend lots of money on the nicest plants and shrubs that you can find, and then lose them because you didn’t irrigate them properly? Automatic irrigation will no doubt be your best choice as it can make sure that water is delivered to the right places in your yard at the right times without your having to worry about it, especially when you have to be away from your home for a while for any reason.

Some do-it-yourselfers plan their landscaping well, and have their irrigation system all set up, but still get bad results because they don’t select the right plants for their particular yard. Almost every yard is different, and if your yard happens to get steady sun all day long, make sure that you select plants that can handle that. Or if your yard is mostly shaded, plant with that in mind. But don’t try to make your yard fit some kind of design that is in your head, but doesn’t fit the kind of yard that you have. Just understand what kind of terrain you have and work in harmony with its needs.

Almost anyone can come up with a great home landscaping design though if they spend enough time beforehand planning it out in advance and then make regular time available in their schedule to maintain what they have planted afterward.

Landscaping Decor

Swimming Pool And Spa Costs And Maintenance Tips

Author: July 19, 2017 0 Comments

Swimming pools and spas make beautiful additions to almost any home. And they are a very popular home improvement option. But there are lots of hidden costs associated with pools and spas, and you would do well to learn about them beforehand. Here are some things to keep in mind before you install that big beautiful spa and pool that you have been dreaming about.

Of course, everyone knows that swimming pools are expensive to install. And they don’t always add enough value to your home to recover the investment that is made in their installation. To find out for sure, ask some realtors in your area whether you can expect to get your money back or not when you sell your home. If you get enough opinions, you should get a pretty clear idea on the matter.

But even if you can afford a swimming pool and perhaps even a hot tub or spa, installing it is only the beginning of the costs you will incur. A pool and spa is one of those home improvements that will need constant maintenance and attention. So decide in advance whether you have the time and the inclination to maintain it as you should. If you decide that it is going to take too much of your time personally, then you will need to pay an outside service a monthly fee to take care of it for you. Very often the services cost in the neighborhood of $75 — $100 per month. There is almost no other home improvement option that will continue to cost that much to maintain after it is installed. So be sure that the maintenance costs will fit into your monthly budget before you even begin.

The other major considerations with regard to swimming pools and spas are the energy costs to support them. Obviously, the swimming pool pump will take a considerable amount of electricity to operate each day. Many swimming pool owners find that their electric bill increases by as much as $100 to $150 per month. But that is not all!

If you also decide to heat your pool, that is usually done by natural gas. Or if you install a spa or hot tub in your pool, it will also require natural gas for heating. This will be another monthly energy cost to add to the overall expense of running your pool. Many pool and spa owners say that their natural gas bill is doubled just by heating just the spa alone.

On top of all of that, keep in mind that you will have to replace water that evaporates out of the pool from time to time, especially during the summer months. If you happen to live in an area where temperatures get very high, you may have to replace several gallons a week. So be sure to factor in this cost in your monthly swimming pool maintenance budget too.

As you can see, just installing the pool and/or spa is only the beginning. None of this discussion is meant to discourage you from this kind of home improvement, but it is very important that you understand all of the costs that are involved in not only installing the pool but also maintaining it as well.

Some folks think they can install their own inground swimming pool, but our recommendation is that this is one of those projects where it’s best to get a professional involved instead. We hope that the information we have covered will help you be more prepared and informed about the true costs of owning a swimming pool and spa.

Uncategorized

4 Interior Design Trends to Spice Up Your Home Décor

Author: July 15, 2017 0 Comments

Most interior design ideas are in the “been there, done that” category. However, you can spice up your home décor with the following 4 trends. Each one is unique to you, but popular to others. And most of these décor trends are changeable, so you can upgrade your designs anytime.

Use Wallpaper as a Cabinet Shelf Base

Peel-able wallpaper makes a great, fun base for your cabinet shelves, especially because you can change them out whenever you want a new look in your kitchen. And there are thousands of colorful designs and patterns to choose from, so you are never without options. The only hassle would be in having to measure your cabinet space, then cutting the wallpaper to match the shelf base. Other than that, peel, stick, and admire.

Opt for a Removable, Peel-able Kitchen Mosaics

Another removable, peel-able option for your kitchen is a mosaic countertop backdrop. You know that space, usually an expanse of wall, between your oven and your cabinets? You could easily give your kitchen an elegant ambience with a mosaic that resembles stonework, shiny gemstones, or a mash-up of your favorite colors. And, as a bonus, most peel-able kitchen mosaics are sleek, so they wipe clean with water and they never curl at the edges. Ask any kitchen remodeling contractor and they will tell you that mosaics can light up and beautify your cooking space.

Go Neutral with Colorful Accents

Home décor is about finding the best designs to match and express your unique personality. If you are a neutral walls kind of person, don’t be afraid to spice up your rooms with colorful accents instead. A red vase here, a blue picture frame there—a bit of color can really bring your room to life, especially if you opt for off-white or stone-grey walls.

Use Rugs to Change a Room’s Entire Appearance

Area rugs and hallway runners can make a big difference in the appearance of any room. Most rugs have patterns in vibrant colors, so you can pack several aspects of your interior designs into a single mat. Plus, you can opt for angles or different shapes if you want a rug that speaks to and compliments your décor quirks.

Home décor proves important to your well-being, as your home is where you heart is. As cliché as that sounds. So, to ensure the happiness of your home and your heart, keep the aforementioned design trends in mind for when you need a little something extra in your décor.

Interior Decoration

Hiring interior designers for your home renovation

Author: July 12, 2017 0 Comments

Interior design has become more and more popular in Singapore. There is nothing more exciting than to stay in your own well-decorated home. If you have just bought a new home, you are likely aware about the stark walls along with the dull carpeting. It might be advisable for you to seek the services of a professional renovation Singapore to help you decorated your home interior to feel like a sweet home. Designers will attempt to work with you to make sure a stunning appearance that reflects the style as well as the interests of your family. The advantages of using the services of a Singapore renovation are almost endless.

Using the services of an interior designer is certainly a simple and valuable task . The renovation Singapore specialist will collaborate with you to attain a feel for your requirements along with your design preferences.

For instance, the designer will ask you which colors you prefer and which kind of look and feel you decide to go for when it comes to your house. You can inform the designer that you you will choose fashionable classy or even a country feel, based upon your preferences along with the area where you are living. The designer will be able to create a look which is exclusive to your tastes to ensure that your home reflects your personal style.

The interior designer will also give some opinions and ideas before getting all those things into the finished design. They will explain to you a room’s color and style as well as the overall feel of the house before they paint the walls. This gives you a possibility to inform the designer when the result will probably be something you will like or if you will let the interior designer to provide you with another concept that better reflects your personal preferences.

Interior Decoration