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Posted: 01 Dec 2011 10:04 AM PST
Guest Blogger #277, Entry #805, December 1, 2011
If you only have a small home
and you want it to look stylish then you need to make the best use of
the space that you have available. For example, some curtains can
dwarf a small room. An alternative is to get roman blinds made to
measure; this may seem expensive but they make ideal
window coverings where space is limited. Below are some more space
saving tips for style in a small home.
Creating functional space in your small home
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Tip 1: Less is Best
If your living room is on the small side, the less knick knacks you have on display, the better. If you have any alcoves in the room, near the fireplace for instance, then these are good places to put up some shelves. Do it yourself shelving is not for everyone but providing you measure up accurately you should be able to buy a storage unit to fit in the space. Use a couple of side tables rather than a large coffee table placed in front of the sofa as this gives the illusion of extra space. Clever use of lighting and mirrors often provide an illusion of greater space in a small room.Tip 2: Styling Your Bedroom
Some bedrooms have built in cupboards and wardrobes, that are great for hanging your clothes and hiding the clutter but don’t look very stylish. Take the doors and send them to a company that strips and seals doors so that they look much more attractive when they’re re-hung. Get a bed with drawers or where the main part of the bed lifts up to reveal storage space underneath as these are ideal for storing towels, extra bedding and anything else that won’t fit into the airing cupboard. Investing in made to measure blinds for your bedroom windows can give the illusion of more space because they fit the window exactly.Tip 3: In the Bathroom
In a small bathroom it’s highly likely there won’t be enough room for a separate bath and shower. If you already have a bath in your home then you might want to consider an over the bath power shower to get the best of both worlds. You can get free standing shelving that is ideal for a small bathroom and great for storing extra towels and even replacement toiletries.
your small bathroom can still be functional
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Tip 4: Making the Best Use of Your Kitchen
In a small kitchen you might want to consider a fold down shelf attached to the wall for use as a breakfast bar, especially if you don’t have a dining room or space for a dining table. Again rooms tend to look bigger without curtains, get some roman blinds made to measure for your kitchen window.If you don’t already have baskets fixed to the inside of your kitchen cupboard doors then you might want to consider getting some as this will give you some extra storage space. Don’t clutter your kitchen counter tops with anything that you won’t be using on a daily basis if you want the kitchen to look as tidy and stylish as possible. When space is at a premium but you want a stylish looking home, remember the old adage: don’t put it down, put it away.
This article was written on behalf of Moonshadow Blinds, who sell made to measure blinds in many different styles and materials.
The article’s writer, Amy Fowler, lives in a small apartment, so knows how important it is to create the illusion of space when there is none.
For more small home living ideas on Stagetecture click here.
Posted: 01 Dec 2011 12:16 PM PST
Guest Blogger #279, Entry #807, December 1, 2011
You might think that allergies only await you when you step out the
door of your house or if you eat a dish that contains peanuts or
shellfish. But if you don’t believe that allergies are lurking right
under your nose, within the walls of your home, then you’d better think
again. Air quality
inside a house is often worse than anything found outdoors thanks to
dust, pet dander, mold, cigarette smoke, chemical cleaning solvents, and
potentially even carbon monoxide (amongst other things). And while
frequent and thorough cleanings can do a world of good for allergy
sufferers, those who are in the enviable position of designing their
house can do a lot more to ensure that the presence of common allergens
in the home is greatly reduced.
Design your interiors to ward off allergy culprits in your home
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Design of your home
For starters, a house that is still in the framing stage (or even fully built, for that matter) can be equipped with an HVAC system that is custom made for allergy control. In truth, it is not the ductwork that matters the most; it is the equipment and filters attached to them that make a real difference. First and foremost, your heating and cooling systems need to be properly ventilated to keep allergens from being recirculated throughout your home. And while dehumidifiers should help to keep down the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria, you’ll almost certainly want to install an HVAC system that allows for the use of HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters that will remove more dust and airborne allergens than the standard fare.Sophisticated design
If you want to get really fancy you could even install a system that pulls in (and filters) outside air at the ground level, uses vacuum suction to pull air (and allergens) towards the ceiling, and then dumps the particulate-laden air back outside. You can even plant trees outside intake vents to provide oxygen-rich air. Believe it or not, sophisticated systems like this already exist (forward thinking casinos are using them to remove cigarette smoke from their game floor and provide more breathable air for patrons). The system even cools the air to reduce humidity and cut down on the cost of air conditioning.Simple design tips
But if you don’t want to spend an arm and leg on such a high-tech system, there are still options to help you out. For example, you could create a space that has few plush surfaces (which tend to grab and hold allergens). You can install hardwood throughout or opt for eco-friendly stained concrete flooring (instead of carpeting that will release allergens with every step you take). And you can furnish your home with leather couches and chairs. Of course, you don’t exactly want to sleep on a slab of marble, so your bedding will likely be plush. But with Allergy Armor Ultra bedding (and frequent washing) you can even reduce allergens on unavoidably plush surfaces.
Consider your interior choices when selecting an allergen free lifestyle
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Once you’re comfortably living in your space there are other steps
you can take to keep your environment allergy-free, such as placing air
purifiers in each room, cleaning often (with green cleaners), installing
CO sensors, and scheduling regular energy assessments to ensure that
outside air isn’t leaking in. But by designing a space that is less
likely to hold allergens in the first place, you upkeep efforts will
remain minimal and you’ll enjoy a home interior that can be a true
sanctuary from the allergens that cause you discomfort.For more green living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.
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