Tips For Decorating Your College Bedroom!

The years that you spend in university will undoubtedly be some of your most memorable times. Setting off alone into the big world can be a life-altering time for most young people. The excitement of personal freedom, new friends, and new teachers can all be overwhelming at the start.

Many students want to live the full college experience with living in the dorms on campus. For others, they may want to try living independently in off campus housing. Either way, for most new college students it will be mean a brand new living space that is all their own. Whether you are sharing a dorm room or an apartment off campus, this will be your first opportunity to decorate your own space to really reflect your personality.

Your new space may have limitations about whether you can paint the walls or make any big changes, but at the end of the day it is up to you to create a comfortable and unique space of your own. Use these tips to help you design your room to be comfortable and functional with some small reminders of home.

Add Color And Flair

You may not have too many decorating options as far as the basics in your new room, so you have to be creative. Add a bright and cheery rug to the floors, and choose elements that are easily changed, like bed linens, to make a personal statement with your favorite colors.

It is not advised in most rental spaces or dorms to mount things on the walls, so you might consider using a hung wall tapestry instead. Tape up your favorite band or team posters to cover empty wall space. Dot your room with colorful throw pillows to help brighten up any dull areas.

Use A Cork Board

No matter what size you choose, a wall cork board in your college bedroom can be both functional and decorative. Use it to pin all of your essential papers and notices. It is a great way to keep your class and work schedules in plain view and in a safe place where they would not get lost.

Along with keeping all your papers and receipts in order, a cork board can be used as a display case as well. Pin up family and friend photographs or maybe a used pair of concert tickets. It is a great opportunity to create a visual snapshot of your college experience.

Lighting

Do not rely on the basic lighting that you will find in your new room. You will generally find a basic overhead light or even fluorescent lighting in some dorms. Bring a desk or a floor lamp with you to either brighten your work space or soften the effects of the overhead lights.

It a situation where you may be sharing a space, always remember to be considerate. If you are a night owl, make sure that you bring a book light or bedside lamp to use when others are trying to sleep.

Plants

Adding plants to any space is a great way to bring life and softness into the room. Plants not only provide you with better air quality but they can add a pretty flair to your space. For many students who have had to leave their family pets behind, it is a great way to still have something living to take care of. 

Under Bed Storage

Storage space is at a premium in college housing. Your personal space is already pretty tight, so it can be tough to find space for all of the rest of your stuff. Keeping things organized is the best way to stay on track.

Invest in some low level storage bins with wheels that can be easily rolled under your bed, giving you space for extra or bulky clothes and coats, blankets and bedding, shoes, books and personal items.

Four Timeless Bridal Jewelry Ideas!

This post is provided by Clarissa Caouette.

Wow...it is finally happening! Can you believe your “big day” is just right around the corner? Well, actually you are probably still running around like a mad woman trying to prepare every last detail and have not had any time to think about anything else. 

However, there is one little thing you will need to decide. And that is choosing which bridal jewelry you are going to wear for the wedding. Do not worry, I am gonna help you out. 

I will give you four timeless jewelry ideas and all you will have to do is choose your favorites. Let us begin. 

1. Crystal drop earrings

Of course, you are already going to look like a princess on the day of your wedding but a crystal drop earring can take you from a princess to a queen. They are elegant and classy plus they are able to complement any wedding dress and hairstyle. 

2. Pearl necklace

If you are looking to pull off a little more sophistication. Why not go with a timeless favorite- a white pearl necklace. It is an amazing way to look both polished and effortless at the same time. 

A shorter pearl necklace can fit perfectly with a strapless dress so that the necklace will be the accent on your look. And then you can go ahead and pair them with a pair of pearl studs or a beautiful ring with a crystal. 

Finish the look off with an elegant hairdo and you will be ready to walk down that aisle.  

3. Shoulder jewelry 

On the day of your wedding, everyone’s attention will be on you. You can keep it that way by opting out for some super noticeable shoulder jewelry. 

This is completely unique when it comes to bridal accessories and it also has a real sense of attractiveness to it. It is retro but also original because these days we are not used to seeing this type of body jewelry at weddings. It is definitely one of my favorite timeless looks. 

You can go with a very bold and detailed shoulder necklace or a more feminine and subtle one. Regardless of which one you choose, they will both look very remarkable and original. 

4. A floral head wreath

Since destination weddings are basically “the norm” now, I had to include the flower wreath in the list. A wreath made from beautiful, fresh flowers pairs perfectly with a Boho-inspired wedding dress. 

This wedding look is more relaxed and will allow for less stress and easy picture taking. 

Conclusion

Your wedding will be here and gone before you know it, so be sure to enjoy the big day when it arrives. Next thing you know, you will be preparing for kids and moving into your first home. 

Choosing your jewelry may seem like such a small detail in the grand scheme of all your planning. But sometimes it is the little things that stick out the most.

How Long Does A Standard Security System Last?

This post is provided by Jesse Hughes.

Buying an alarm system for your home is usually a big investment. After all, you want one that does the job properly. This means it needs to have movement sensors and the ability to detect if any door or window is opened when it should not be.

Unfortunately, many people believe that after such a large investment they do not need to do anything else but use the system. However, even the very best security system would not last forever.

There are several factors which dictate the life of your security system:

Maintenance

You need to use a reputable electrical security services firm and have your system maintained at least once a year. Regular maintenance and a change of batteries will help to ensure your system lasts for many years.

In fact, regular maintenance can help to ensure the key components of your system do not need replacing; you simply add new features or replace worn out parts as needed.

Technology

One of the biggest issues to face your security system is actually technology; it advances so quickly that it is possible your system will be out of date as soon as it is installed.

The advancement of smart technology has made this even more noticeable but also increased the risk; hackers and other criminal elements are working hard to find their way into your system remotely. You need to keep updating your system to stay ahead of them.

Fortunately in many cases this is possible by simply upgrading your software or specific parts of your system; the core components should not need replacing for years.

Contract Changes

A high quality security system will involve a contract; you will need to know that the company will respond in the event of the alarm going off. 

In many cases the company will install the equipment and then charge you a monthly fee. This can mean that parts of your set up are never actually yours. This is not an issue unless you decide to change contractors; then you may need to upgrade part of your system.

In fact renewing your contract is a good opportunity to review the protection you have and make improvements to your security system.

DIY

Choosing to fit and maintain a security system yourself can be more cost effective. However, this is often a short term saving. You will not be connected to a monitoring station. In fact the security system will do little more than make a lot of noise to wake you and your neighbors; assuming you and any of them are home.

If you are serious about home security, it is best to invest in a quality system that you know will give you years of service.

It may not last a lifetime but with proper maintenance and the occasional component upgrade you should not need to replace the basic hardware of your system. In return you will have peace of mind as you, your family and your possessions are protected against those with criminal intent.

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.