How To Easily Reduce The Clutter In Your Kitchen!

This post is provided by Boris Dzhingarov.

Do you feel like you cannot escape the clutter in your home? The kitchen is one of the rooms in your home that you may want to make clutter-free because you need to have available space to prepare your meals and cook them without worrying about a bunch of products getting in your way. Even if you have a rather small kitchen, you can still get creative and eliminate the clutter by trying out some convenient and useful cabinet storage tips.

Start Using Hanging Baskets

Clutter is not just an eyesore- it is something that can negatively impact your mental health while posing as a potential fire hazard. Coming up with creative storage solutions is the best way to feel more comfortable in your living space. One way to make more space is to invest in some hanging baskets. You can store different types of items inside of these baskets, such as your dish soap, sponges, hand soap, fruits, and even containers of vitamins. Hanging baskets are convenient because they provide an additional place for you to put some belongings without taking up any extra countertop space.

Start looking around your kitchen to come up with ideas on where to place these baskets so that they are out of the way. The baskets are available in several different shapes and sizes, so you can select both smaller and larger options based on the size of the kitchen and what you are trying to store.

Save Space Inside Your Cabinets

The purpose of having cabinets is to have extra space to put different items, including utensils, plates, cups, and even your cleaning supplies. However, it is quite easy for those cabinets to become a huge mess when you have multiple items inside of them. If you would like to save the space inside of your cabinets to eliminate some of the clutter, start looking into different cabinet storage ideas. For example, you could install miniature plastic shelves on the inside of the cabinet door, giving yourself some additional space for bottles of different spices you would normally use when preparing meals.

Rather than having the spices thrown about inside of the cabinet, you could keep them lined up in a row and organized. Some people have installed magnetic strips to the doors of their cabinets so that they could easily hang some of their metal items and save that extra space.

Get Rid of What You Do Not Need

Aside from getting creative and coming up with different ways to store items inside of your kitchen, you should make sure you are getting rid of the stuff you do not need. If it is something you would normally use, you are not going to want to part with it, but there are other items in your kitchen that may be expired, may no longer work properly, or may never get used by you. If you are not using something or if it is expired, get rid of it to make more space.

If your kitchen is cluttered, start using hanging baskets, come up with creative ways to organize items inside of the cabinets, and get rid of anything you do not need. It may be possible for you to transform the room into a clutter-free kitchen in just one day.

Six Inexpensive Summer Crafts!

This post is provided by Heather Bradford.

Summertime projects are a great way to welcome in the new season with some creative flair. Not only do these crafts add character to the spaces that they fill, they also present a fun opportunity to spend time with your loved ones as you put together any number of projects yourselves. These projects can be as simple and easy as drinking glass umbrellas or as elaborate as a firepit. Along with the time commitment required, there can also be a financial price to pay when trying to complete these summertime projects. Taking that factor into consideration, the following are some projects that you will get a lot of enjoyment out of but would not break the bank. 

Bird feeder 

Bird feeders are great for bringing little friends from all over to your backyard. Even better than how easy it is to create feeders yourself is how inexpensive it can be. For this project you do not need more than an old plastic soda bottle, two wooden cooking spoons, a tiny screw eye, some string and bird food. Take the bottle and cut a pair of holes across from each other on one level. You want these just wide enough that you can slide a wooden spoon in and it can remain, but poke one a bit bigger to let some food spill out. This will be the side you want your spoon head coming out of. Do the same thing just below it and insert your other spoon, then the food. Screw your screw eye into the soda bottle top and hook the string through it. Tie it off with a knot and hang your new feeder in a place where you will be able to greet all of your little visitors.

Blog post

One inexpensive project that could actually earn you money this summer is starting your own blog. Especially if you have something that inspires you or that you are passionate about, your own blog will give you the freedom to discuss it, share regular updates, and engage with a variety of different people from diverse backgrounds who may hold similar interests. You can adorn the pages of your site however you see fit and get creative with your posts and the topics you discuss. And if you are feeling a little uninspired one day, you can invite fans of the site or other bloggers to provide guests posts discussing agreed upon topics from their perspectives. And even if blogging does not become an everyday habit as it is for some, it is still a fun and creative way to express yourself. 

Place mats

Making place mats is a great starter project for those who are beginning to venture into sewing. The only materials you will need are two pieces of rectangular fabric, an iron, some scissors, a sewing machine, and some thread that can blend in with the color or the fabric or is coordinated with it. From there you will lay the fabric pieces on top of each other so that the patterned sides face each other. Sew the pieces together, making sure you are sewing straight and giving your machine a ½ inch seam allowance. Be sure to leave tiny hole(3-4 in) as you sew so that you will be able to later to flip the placemat inside out. Once it is sewed up you can either snip the corners with your scissors or leave it as is. From there you will flip the mat right side out and iron it to get it to lay flat. From there, go back through and sew the entirety of the mat once more with a ¼ inch seam allowance and you will have yourself a new mealtime companion.   

Mason jar lights 

Mason jars come in several varieties, but the quaint and subtle appearance of smaller jars can transform your backyard deck or patio into a warm space perfect for summer nights. To get started on this project, all you need are several mason jars, wire clothing hangers, flameless LED candles, some small wire cutters, and some needle nose pliers. Be sure to wear something over your eyes to protect them before shaping the hangers. From there you are going to use the pliers to cut foot long segments of the hanger. Use the needle nose plier to create a loop in the middle of the segment. Once that is done, you will wrap it around the mason jar and finish off the other end with a loop. With the other straight hanger segment, you will curve it into a U with smaller inward curves at either end. These shapes will be slid into the initial loops created around the jar, making a handle for it. From there, insert the LED candles and find a nice place to hang your new outdoor light fixture.
  
Pail Lanterns

This is quick and easy project that is sure to brighten up your summer. All it requires is a small to medium sized tin pail, along with a candle or a flameless LED light, whichever you want to use. Using a hammer and a nail or a hand drill if you are more comfortable with that, simply begin punching tiny holes throughout the pail. Start by spreading them out to see if you want slightly fewer holes and go back in and add more if you desire. Once everything is to your liking, simply insert the candle or light into the pail and find a place for your new lantern. Smaller sized lanterns are great for providing light on the table, while slightly larger ones can be placed within the yard. Using lanterns or other self-sustaining sources of light are a great way to give your home an inviting ambiance and also saving on lighting at the same time. 

Tie Dye Shirt

To get started with this classic summertime activity, all you will need is a white shirt (preferably cotton to help the dyes show up better), a basic tie dye kit that can be purchased for about $15, something to bind the shirt like large rubber bands, and a large plastic bag. Throw your shirt in the washer before you begin. You are going to want to skip drying it when it is done because you will need the fabric damp when it comes time to dye. What you will want to do with the wet shirt is twist it up and then bind it depending on the technique you want to use. From there, you will want to begin applying your dyes. When that is completed, cover the tie-dyed shirt with a plastic bag to help keep it damp. You will end up leaving it like that for several hours, as it is important to let the colors set in place. Once the time has passed, you can remove your shirt and begin sporting it off to the world. 

Bio: Douglas Keller has been a financial expert for 20 years, helping people reach financial stability. Today through he is writing on Payless Power, he continues to help others save money on their bills every month.

Floating Shelves: They Look Great And Double As An Additional Storage Space!

This post is provided by Matt.

If you have never seen floating shelves, you need to. They look amazing and they can transform your blank wall into a place where you can store extra items in your home. The best thing about these floating shelves is that they can be placed in any room in your home. You can choose from floating shelves that are one foot in size all the way up to whatever size you need, which makes them such a convenient option. 

Let’s take a look now at how floating shelves can improve your interior décor and double as additional storage space. 

Create A Unique Wall In Your Home

If you have been staring at that empty wall in your home and you have additional décor that could use a home, floating shelves are the perfect addition. In fact, you can choose from a variety of sizes to meet the needs of the space you have available. You can decorate that wall however you like without all of the hardware showing too. 

Solution For Your Books

If you love to read books, but have a hard time keeping that stack from tipping over, consider using the floating shelves to store your books and display them neatly. Once you are done with one book, simply put it back on the shelf and grab a new one. 

Floating shelves can double as a bookshelf in any room in your home, but would look great in the bedroom or even the sunroom. 

Create Space In The Bathroom 

You can create additional space in the bathroom and limit the amount of counterspace that you use up. For instance, you can place hand towels and bath towels on the shelves and your guests will be able to grab them as needed. You could also use the shelves to store other items such as bathroom décor pieces or your makeup or hair accessories. 

Use The Shelves In Between Spaces

You can use the floating shelves in between spaces within your home to add to a blank space. For example, if you have space in between two windows, you can add some floating shelves in between them to prevent the area from appearing to be boring. You can decorate the shelves however you would like to. Many people do like to place picture frames and memories from family events on these shelves as they can be displayed neatly. 

Floating Shelves Are A Great Addition To Any Home

Floating shelves look amazing in any home and they make a wonderful addition to the space you have available on your walls. You can use them for a variety of applications to include in the laundry room to store your laundry soap and dryer sheets or even in the garage. 

If you find that you simply have more decorations or books than you can fit on your shelves, you may want to consider renting a storage unit. This is a great option when you want to remove some clutter in your house. The floating shelves make great accents and can make a boring wall pop but if you overload them with dated décor or stacking things on them, they will look messy and cluttered. Make your home look great today with the proper use of floating shelves!

Seven reasons to install a barn door in your home!

If you have noticed, barn doors is one of the hottest design trend in the last couple of years. However, the barn door craze is not showing signs of slowing down anytime soon. What used to be part of exterior design has been converted into interior design. What is the appeal and why you should consider installing it in your home? You asked.

Versatility.

Nowadays, barn doors come in a variety of options. You can easily find modern barn doors, traditional barn doors, rustic barn doors, reclaimed barn doors, cottage-style barn doors, steel barn doors, wood barn doors, glass barn doors, etc in the market. They also come in different sizes such as one panel or double panel to fit the space of your home. Additionally, you can select the types of hardware and colors to suit your home's style and decor.

Flexibility.

Not only they can effectively partition open spaces, they also offer partial separation. Additionally, they give you the option to easily close off a room without adding permanence.

Space savers.

Because barn doors run parallel to the wall, they are useful space savers and do not require any hinges. They are especially useful in small spaces that might not allow for swinging doors. 

Visual appeal.

Because of the size of most barn doors, they can instantly make a big design statement in any home. For example, you can paint your barn doors a bright red or a bright green to highlight this powerful design element in an all white home to jazz up your interiors or use a rustic reclaimed wood sliding door to add warmth in a contemporary home. Instead of hanging a large artwork or a group of artwork on your wall, a beautiful barn door with a large, decorative "X" design can do the job as well, thanks to its distinct features.

Add character.

Without a doubt, a barn door adds instant character to any home. Many people adore them for their charm and unique features. It also add visual interest in any setting especially in a neutral room or a minimalist style home.

Easy installation.

Instead of hiring a handyman, you can easily watch a DIY video online, gather a few tools and do the work yourself. All you need are a barn door of your choice and a set of sliding hardware to install your new barn doors.

Add value to your home. 

According to a recent study conducted by website Zillow Digs, it shows that barn doors help to sell as many as 57 days faster and at a higher price point. In the study, it shows that over 2 million homes sold between January 2014 and March 2016 who uses the keyword "barn doors" in their listings brought the highest premium and typically sell with an average of 13% above expected value. This should not come as a surprise because many homeowners like the distinctive, high-end look as well as the doors' beauty and functionality when it comes to closing off spaces.

With all these wonderful qualities, it is easy to see why barn door continue to be one of the most popular design trends in the interior design world. Are you ready to install a barn door in your home too? 

Home Gardening Tips No Matter Where You Live!

This post is provided by Samantha Waites.

Create a perfect home landscape with a garden which feeds your family and beautifies your neighborhood, all while reducing waste.

Twenty years ago, home gardens were relegated to rural plots where your nearest neighbor was 15 miles away and food was expensive. Now, in most urban regions, a processed food supply- better known as a grocery store- is right around the corner and costs less, per capita, than other food options. With so much in chaos and prices rising, people are turning to a home garden to feed their family while providing some stress-free moments puttering around the green.

What gives?

As life becomes more and more complicated in these modern times, more people are returning to nature. And growing your own food is a part of that. The foods which can be grown at home- either in a front yard garden or a tub on the balcony- are varied and can fit any taste or appetite.

How? A home builder of the year awardee suggested these ideas.

Tag your crops

Keep tabs on your garden. Take an old-school notebook, paste in images of each vegetable you plan to grow, and add your plant tags. Then go crazy and make it as detailed as you want. Add information detailing where the plants were bought and where they are in the garden- obviously not a problem if your garden is a steel wash tub on the balcony. Be creative and add your artistic flair with hand drawings of your garden.

Dig easier

Spray your favorite garden tool with silicone or a Teflon-like lubricant. Shoveling and digging will be a snap. A good coating will make any sort of soil slide off a garden tool without leaving a mess.

Lighten the pot

To save your back and take the strain out of lifting large planters, fill the pot one-third full with packing peanuts. Place a piece of landscape fabric on top of the peanuts and then layer in your potting soil. To cut down even more on the weight, use potting mix with lots of peat moss.

Safe transport

Before heading to the plant nursery, line the trunk with a tarp and put a small step ladder on the tarp. The slots between the ladder rungs will serve as compartments to protect the plants and you would not have to worry about spilled dirt or a filthy car.

Rain readout

Add a few drops of food coloring to the bottom of your rain gauge. When the next rainfall comes, the water will blend with the dye and the water level will be easy to read.

Prevent invaders

Plants like gooseneck loosestrife can take over the garden. You can keep that from happening by putting them in a plastic container. Then, cut the bottom off so the roots would not die out, but can grow into the soil.

Root bound

Buying potting plans can be a pain as the plant grows in the pot. The roots do not have room to grow and begin to form tight knots inside the pot. The problem? Tightly curled roots can prevent water and nutrients from traveling to the leaves. Guide the roots outward and carefully make vertical cuts in the root ball.

Protect the bulbs

Tired of furry freeloaders snacking on your flower bulbs? Keep them out with netting staked over the flower bed. When it is springtime, remove the netting or cut holes so the plants can grow through.

Portable pots

Fit a piece of plywood to the back  with wood cleats. The wood creates a flat surface perfect for potting. Now the soil and plants can be wheeled to the garden in one trip.

Selecting the right HVAC system for your home!

This post is provided by Jesse Hughes.

At some point you will need to replace or add a HVAC system into your home. It does not matter where you live in the country you will appreciate the benefits of a good Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning unit.

But when you come to start looking you will realize that this is a huge decision and one that you want to get right. After all, the system should be in your home for many years to come.

Just follow these steps and you will be sure to get the right system.

Manufacture

Choose a well known and respected manufacturer such as Axiflow. This will ensure you are purchasing a quality product which comes with guarantees and should last you for years.

If you are unsure regarding a manufacturer you can easily check their reputation online, specifically on their website and social media sites.

Know The Ratings

There are 3 main ratings when dealing with HVAC systems:

Average Fuel Utilization Efficiency

This rating shows how efficient the system is. For example, if it has a rating of 70% then the HVAC system is capable of converting 70% of the fuel used into heat or cooling for your home.

The higher the rating the better the system.  The best systems are rated at 98%; it is recommended that you choose one that is offering at least 80%.

Heating Seasonal Performance Factor

Instead of assessing the efficiency of the system this rating relates to the energy efficiency of the heat pups within the system. 

Again the higher the rating the better. A high rating means the pump is very efficient and uses very little energy to power it. You should aim for at least 8. But the best are in the region of 13.

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio

Again the higher the rating the less energy that is used, this makes it more efficient and more desirable.

You should aim for a HVAC system with at least 14 although the best are 30+!

Your Budget

Of course you need to decide what you can comfortably afford before you commit to a HVAC system. There are two elements to affordability.

The first is the cost of the system to buy and install.

It is worth noting that installation is more complex and costly if you are not replacing an existing system. This is because you will definitely need ducts installed round your home. If you are replacing an existing system it may be possible to use the ducting already in place.

The second is the cost of running the system. Generally the higher the purchase cost the lower the running costs!

The Capacity

You need to know the HVAC system will be effective at heating your home. To do this, you will want to measure the area inside your home and find a system that can comfortably meet this requirement.

It is worth getting a system that does a slightly larger area than your home, this will help to extend its life as it would not be working at full capacity all the time.

Top tips when renovating your living room!

This post is provided by Thomas.

Redecorating or renovating your living room does not have to be a stressful or costly project. In fact, there are many ways to make it enjoyable, and ensure the desired outcome in the space. Consider a few of these tips when you are ready to redecorate, to keep things easy, and achieve the desired look. 

Start bigger. When redecorating, go with the bigger pieces. Choose new furniture, drapes, and other larger-items, before you go ahead and settle on smaller things. Do not pick out your couch based on the wall colors; you want to do the opposite, so you can create an engaging and welcoming space for your guests into your home. 

Understand the room. Is it very bright and sunny? You might want to invest in UV shades or blinds. Do you get lots of traffic in the room? Maybe the costliest hardwoods are not the right choice; instead, maybe a linoleum or even some type of granite or tile is a better option. You have to think things through before making final decisions in order to create a space which works. 

Put your own touches into it. Paintings, adding wall bordering, or even doing the painting yourself, rather than hiring a contractor, are some options to make the space your own and truly unique. You have to find something that looks good, but also something which you can appreciate. Make sure you are incorporating your own personal touches and style throughout, if you want to create a space you will truly love. 

Your living room is a room you spend plenty of time in, for this reason, you have to make sure you choose the right approach when you are ready to decorate it. If you would like some help when redecorating your living room, you could always get in touch with painter and decorator to do some of the work for you. These are a few ways to ensure the project goes smoothly, and to know you are going to love the outcome once you are finished redecorating that room of the home. 

How to care for your solid wood furniture!

This post is provided by Boris Goncearenco.

The furniture, made of natural wood, is distinguished by its high aesthetics, beauty and being environmentally friendly. Such furniture will always be in fashion and is sold by a big number of online furniture retailers like NY Furniture Outlets, Wayfair, etc. And although modern furniture made of wood is covered with all sorts of high-quality lacquers, you still need to know how to clean the furniture so that it will please your glance for a long time with its flawless appearance.

Basic care rules

Natural wood is one of those materials that require constant care. Wipe the wooden furniture with a damp and dry cloth at least one a week. The ideal option is a soft fabric or suede. Sometimes you can clean furniture with special tools, but these should not contain ammonia, abrasives or solvents. It will be also good to treat the surface with wax, vinegar or burdock oil.

Right climate for your furniture

For wooden furniture, the room temperature should not drop below 60ºF. However, too high temperatures also may have negative effect on furniture. For example, placing heating devices near furniture covered with wood veneers or made of solid wood can lead to deformation of the finish layer, appearance of blisters and bubbles. Relative humidity in the room with wooden furniture should not exceed 65%. It is advisable to avoid direct exposure to direct sunlight.

Cleaners and polishers

Hundreds of manufacturers of household chemicals offer a variety of means to care for furniture- cleansers, sprays, polishes, waxes, wet wipes, etc. When making your purchase, you should exclude products that contain acetone and silicone compounds. Preference should be given to polishes based on natural ingredients- beeswax, olive and linseed oil.

Avoid direct sunlight

On bright sunny days, especially if the room in which the furniture is located is on the sunny side, it is recommended to darken the windows with translucent curtains or blinds so that they scatter light and prevent direct sunlight from reaching the surface of wooden furniture.

Solid wood furniture care

There are also special features of care for the solid wood furniture:

1. When cleaning the facades, the wood must be wiped in the direction of the pattern, thus removing dirt from the pores of the wood.

2. Steam cleaning is not suitable for cleaning furniture from solid wood.

3. Dry cleaning of straight panels made of natural wood can be carried out with a vacuum cleaner and soft brush nozzle.

4. Water may not harm the surfaces of the facades, but it can adversely affect the base material. It is always necessary to immediately wipe the water that has fallen on the surface of the furniture so that moisture does not penetrate into its base, for example, through the seams or pores.

Most important thing to keep in mind

Monthly maintenance of solid wood and veneered furniture should contain:

-dry cleaning with a vacuum cleaner with a soft nozzle

-wiping the surface with a soft cloth (flannel, suede or velvet) in the direction of the wood pattern so that the dust does not remain in the pores

-in case of scratches and other minor defects, it is better to wipe them with a special mastic of the appropriate color, applying it to a clean, dry surface

Cottage & Bungalow decorative pillow and table lamp!

Recently, I was contacted by Cottage & Bungalow to review their beautiful products. After checking out their website, I immediately agree!

Cottage & Bungalow is a wonderful company offering distinguished coastal furniture, beach decor and accessories that are handpicked for their design and quality. On their website, you will also find custom handcrafted furniture of highest quality crafted by artisans. With endless selections from laid-back pieces to elegant and luxurious furnishings, you will find something you love at Cottage & Bungalow!

Here are some of my favorite items from Cottage & Bungalow!

Double Arches Navy/ Sky Embroidered Pillow

Dahlia Arm Chair in Three Colors

Tilda 5-Light Chandelier

Bennett Three Drawer Nightstand

Sona 48" Rattan Dining Table Base in Clover or Nutmeg

Ponte Vedra Double Bench

Cumberland Cabinet

Moderne Maru Daybed

Regeant Rattan Daybed in Clove or Nutmeg

Summerland Key Bed

Such beautiful pieces! I love how effortlessly chic and casual they look! For today's review, I have chosen a pretty decorative pillow and a table lamp to spruce up my guest bedroom. Here they are!

Jala Macrame Decorative Pillow

Ribbon Coral Mini Lamp

Check out my guest bedroom mini makeover!

I really love the new additions in my guest bedroom!

Measuring at 12"x16", this small pillow creates a big impact in the room, thanks to its beautiful intricate patterns. It really gives the room an added visual interest and a dose of boho flair, don't you think? It comes with an insert and is removable for the occasional cleaning.

With a warm, neutral tone, it can be easily incorporated into any room and in many color schemes. Talk about versatility! At the moment, this pillow is on sale with a 20% off discount given at checkout.

This table lamp is absolutely stunning and brings me so much joy! Thanks to its coral design, this lamp exudes an effortlessly casual, coastal feel. The beautiful glass base adds a touch of style and elegance to the overall design. 

Both products are truly gorgeous and well-made. I couldn't be happier with both my choices. Highly recommended!

On a side note, the first coral table lamp I received was broken during transit. However, I was sent a new lamp promptly. Needless to say, I am pleased with their amazing customer service!

Don't forget to check out Cottage & Bungalow when you have a moment. Currently, they are running a sale with a 20% on selected rugs, bedding and pillows with sales ending tonight!

*I received both products to review for free but the views and opinions expressed are my own.

Tree management, removal and safety!

This post is provided by Jesse Hughes.

Trees live for a very long time but at some point they are likely to need to be removed, or at the very least pruned. When they are small this is not likely to be an issue but as they grow you are likely to need professional help.

This is particularly true if you are looking to use a tree removal service in Sydney. No matter how long your tree has been alive, regular maintenance will help it to stay healthy and extend its life. 

While it may be tempting to do the work yourself, there are several good reasons why the management, removal and safety of your trees should be entrusted to a professional:

Regulations

In Australia, you cannot remove or even prune certain trees without getting permission from the local authority. Even if the tree is diseased or a danger; it needs to be verified by a professional.

Alongside this if you prune a tree that you do not think is on the list and you turn out to be wrong you can face a hefty fine.

The prudent and recommended approach is to get a professional in to verify the type of tree you are dealing with. They can confirm this is writing, allowing you to prune your tree or use their services.

Safety

Have you ever seen a tree fall? You may be surprised to discover just how far it can go and how much damage it can do in the process. 

Of course, you would be attempting to make it fall in a certain place, but unless you are a professional this is harder than it appears.

A professional tree removal specialist will have the right equipment to bring your tree down without causing harm to other properties or people nearby. You will be grateful you used them.

Insurance

A good tree management company will have all the relevant insurances to cover you and themselves should anything go wrong with the felling or pruning.

Trees are surprisingly heavy, even a large branch can squash a car. It pays to have the right insurance to ensure there are no issues after the event.

Knowledge

Knowledge is often underrated but it is essential. You may think that your favorite tree is dead and needs to be removed, a specialist will know if it is or if it can be saved. They have the knowledge to help you make the right decision for the tree and your surroundings.

The opposite is also true; sometimes a healthy tree needs to be removed simply because its roots are starting to cause an issue for your foundations or the road nearby.

You may not spot the issue but a tree specialist will. This is why it is so important to create a schedule for your tree maintenance and to find a professional firm that will handle all your needs.

Their assistance will ensure you are complying with all the relevant regulations and your trees are removed and managed in a professional and environmentally friendly way.