Home Improvement Information


Clear Wax Candles vs. Gel Candles


In the last five years a new type of clear candle has emerged - freestanding resin-based (aka clear wax) candles. Using a base of mineral oil, the candle uses a patented resin as the stabilizer, creating a candle that outshines both traditional paraffin and gel candles.

Breaking the Mold - Creative Boys Bedrooms


Decorating boys bedrooms with licensed characters and themes is an easy but expensive option. While most children do have a preferred character or theme that they would enjoy having in their rooms, there are more affordable ways to achieve a similar desired result.

The Smart Way To Look At Home Improvements


What home improvements really pay off when the time comes to sell your house?That's an important question for any homeowner contemplating moving or remodeling. And the only possible answer is a somewhat complicated one.

Remodeling Your Home: How Much Is Too Much?


The classic way for homeowners to increase the value of their house is by remodeling existing rooms or adding on to its current plan.Some choose to build recreation rooms and studies while others add new appliances, fixtures and cabinets to enliven rooms and make their home more attractive to future buyers.

New Trends in Design & Comfortable Living


For the past several years I have seen the emergence of a new trend called 'Lifestyling'. Lifestyling encompasses many elements on gracious living, extravagant and memorable entertaining, architecture, home design, and tips on where to live comfortably in spaces large and small, with less effort or clutter than you can imagine.

How To Give Your Home More Space


Have you been wondering how to free up space in your home? Do you live in a dorm or an efficiency where every inch of space counts?Maybe you're tired of trying to come up with ideas on how to reduce the clutter? Or don't know where to start?If you don't know where to start and feel like you're backed into a corner then maybe this is your solution to the problem.Let me introduce you to the top-to-bottom-strategy.

Change The Style Of Your Interior With A Minimum Of Costs


The style of your interior depends for a great part on the decoration on the walls. Using the right picture on the right place can make your room look bigger.

Tearing Down the House


Last year, we bought this big ol' 1887 house. We are just now coming to grips with the magnitude of the "upgrades" planned.

Art and Design


Maybe you've faced it before - a new house with an empty room or two. This room is just crying out for some furniture.

Warm Up the Night! Patio Heaters and Fire Pits


In some areas right now, the weather is ideal for sitting outside in the evening -- the bugs have gone and the sky is clear -- but the nights are chilly. Don't let the cool evenings send you inside -- extend your outdoor living season by heating your deck or patio.

Rodent Proofing Your Home


It's that time of year where rats and mice are apt to enter our homes. Lets talk a bit about their abilities and senses first.

Ten Things You May Not Know About Selecting Hardwood Flooring


1) Red Oak is not the only choiceIf you want your home to look like everyone else's, this is a great choice. If you want your home to be unique try hickory, cherry, walnut, white oak, maple or many others.

How To Select Scraped//Distressed Hardwood Flooring


Hand-scraped and Distressed hardwood floors are becoming a popular choice in today's upscale homes and commercial buildings. These floors are a newer trend but are rooted in history.

Make a Grand Entrance of Your Front Door


You may find it difficult to believe that the days will start getting longer in the Northern Hemisphere in just four short weeks. You can find yourself this time of year coming home on dreary days, or welcoming evening visitors in the dark.

Seeing the Light


Lighting"Light has illuminated the path of humanity" - While Einstein was probably referring to one of his mind-blowing theories, lighting has also revolutionized the home. Before incandescent and fluorescent lighting, most activities stopped after dusk.

Tips for Choosing Log Furniture


If you just love that rustic look, and are finally ready to finally buy log furniture for your home, there are a number of "rules of thumb" that can help you in making good choices.Begin by considering the overall style of your home.

Design Elements


A well-decorated room can still lack personality. To give your room a personality, choose from among these basic design elements, modify them to suit your tastes and implement them in a way which is just right for you.

Using Colors in Your Room


Colors play an important part in your Home Decor process. Colors are what give life and personality to your room.

Operation Closet


When the wife comes to you one fine day and says, "dear, I think we need a new closet for the bedroom", the heart surges in joy. Immediate thoughts of grabbing the coat and rushing off on a mission to the nearest DIY center enters the mind before realization dawns that first must come a shower and then work.

So Youve Decided to Finish Your Basement!


When a family decides to finish a basement space, there are so many factors to consider it can seem overwhelming. What does your family want to achieve within the new basement? Are you looking for a play area, a family room, a work-out room, home theatre, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, wet bar, etc? Do you have the square footage required to accomplish what you want? How do you get started and how long will it take? How much will it cost and is it worth the money? What if there is a huge beam in the center of you basement? Do you have to have a building permit? Do you have to remove the items you currently have stored in your basement?If these questions make your head swim, try this approach: look for the right team of design/build consultants to navigate you through these waters.

Light Up Your Life With Feng Shui


Feng Shui (pronounced Foong Shway or Fung Shoy) is the ancient Chinese art of luck management, which works by maximising the flow of energy (known as 'Chi') in your environment. Every object, inanimate or living, possesses its own energy field and also has an affect on the flow of Chi in your environment.

10 Tips for Working With a Contractor


This is the year you're going all out. You're going to build a deck, add a porch, erect a gazebo or lay a patio.

Lighting up Your Life


You are visiting a friend that has just had a beautiful kitchen remodel done. It is a lovely kitchen with stunning granite countertops and a sharp looking tile backsplash.

There Is Always Something To Improve Or Innovate For Comfort


In this fast moving world of the 21st century, we are always forced to do everything in a rush, even eating and sleeping. The normal words of today are "hurry", "rush", "fast", "quick" and "immediately.

Make Your Hardwood Floors Shine


You have just installed hardwood flooring in your home. Now what? How do you keep your hardwood floors clean and shiny? Read the following Q&A in which two hardwood floor owners are asking just that.

The Benifits of Home Ventilation


The purpose of a home ventilation system is to maintain a healthy living environment by supplying fresh air to your home while at the same time removing stale and polluted air. Home ventilation also helps to maintain proper humidity levels of 30 to 50 percent.

In The Mood


Creating a Designer Home With LightingTraditionally, spring is the time when many of us think about redecorating or remodelling a room in our home and we begin skimming through glossy magazines, or visiting showrooms for ideas. The results always look stunning, but how do you replicate 'that' look in your own home when your rooms are probably a fraction of the size of those featured in home interior publications? Even if you had the time, energy and resources to purchase exactly the same products that appear in a beautifully prepared photograph or showroom, somehow they never seem to look the same in your own home.

Hydronic vs Forced Air Heating and Cooling


Hydronic, or hot water, heating has been standard for years in many parts of the U.S.

Wood Panels and Humidity


Coping with wood movementAll wood workers need to be aware of wood movement when building furniture projects. Failure to consider this important factor can cause wood panels to crack or split.

Complete Home Rehab In 10 Days


This report is about taking a house and restoring it to an aesthetically pleasing dwelling that has reclaimed it's functional utility. In effect, it is the anti-aging medication for bricks and mortar.

Country Home Accessories


Country home décor is the most sought after home interior and it's no wonder since country décor invites a casual friendly lifestyle.Make sure you carefully study the specific style, and color scheme then carefully coordinate the colors of each element of your country décor.

From Toss Out to Sensational Keeper - Lamp Re-Make


When the old lamp from my children's room was turning decidedly "trash-worthy", a grand idea formed and kept me from tossing it out. Originally, it had been such a darling lamp - it had magically transformed the room into spinning stars and moons at bedtime.

Home Sweet Home


All of us live in houses but how many of us know how to make it a real 'HOME'.You may have a very small house with a few rooms: not much to boast about? However, if you follow some very simple and practical steps you can make your house (big or small) a real home?and thus, a better place to live in?Read On:1.

Hand Stripping Furniture


Directions for HAND Stripping.Work with plenty of ventilation, safety goggles or glases, and skin protection.

Remodeling Your Kitchen


Remodeling a kitchen is one of the best investments a homeowner can make. For most homeowners it is the most important room in the house.


More Resources


This Is Why People Should Consider Granite Countertops
Granite countertops are among the most beautiful things you can add to your kitchen. Kitchen countertops gain a beautiful glow from these pieces of art.
Home Improvement Projects That Really Pay Off
Many of us watch TV shows and see the miraculous transformation of homes and gardens by professionals and amateur do-it-yourselfers. Is it really that easy, we ask ourselves.
Physiological Response to Window Coverings
Nothing soothes the brain like Mother Nature, whose intrinsic scenery relaxes and refreshes us, consciously and subconsciously. Therefore, a view of nature should never be completely covered up during the day.
Why Double Glazing?
Why replace your single-glazed windows with double glazing ? For most, the precipitating factor for looking into double glazing is a need for new construction (or renovation) to conform to modern energy standards. Others decide to replace their windows as an energy saving measure.
Top Ten Remodeling Tips
My husband and I just completed our first remodel. It was a period renovation of a Victorian Gingerbread Craftsman.
10 Common Uses for Baking Soda
Baking soda is a great household cleaner. Here are ten ways to clean your home with baking soda:1) Make a paste of baking soda and water and rub on insect bites to relieve itching.
Home Remodeling: Colors and Temperature Perception
Colors contain underlying psychological meanings and evoke particular feelings when we see them. All of us have preconceived notions, learned from childhood memories and family customs concerning colors.
How to Be Your Air Conditioner's Best Friend
There are a few things you can do to take care of your air conditioner and make its life a little longer and a little easier.How does your air conditioner work? Simply stated, an air conditioning unit removes heat from the air and blows it outside with an outdoor fan.
Choosing a Home Builder
So you've decided to build a new home. Like many home buyers you realize that buying a new home offers a wide range of advantages over buying an existing home.
Removing Your Old Sliding Glass Door
Last week I explained how to measure your existing sliding glass door so you can order the vinyl replacement door. This week I am going to go over the steps required to remove the old sliding door before installing the new door.
Duct Cleaning - Proper Principals and Practices
As a qualified duct cleaning contractor I have discovered that most homeowners feel that they are very uninformed when it come to the principals and practices of proper air duct cleaning hygiene.Let me begin by saying that the EPA as well as the National air duct cleaners association have stated that residential duct cleaning should take no less than between 4 and 8 hours to complete, anything short of that and you are probably not getting a thorough job.
What Are The Benefits of Radiant Heating: How Do They Compare With Other Heating Applications
Some of the benefits of radiant heatComfort: Let your bare feet soak up the warmth of soothing heat without the dust and noise associated with other heating sources. Enjoy evenly distributed heat throughout your home kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and basement.
The Bathroom - The Forgotten Area Of Your Home?
The bathroom in your home is the one room that has undergone a complete transformation in the past several years. A transformation that is as far as how it is defined.
Vinyl Replacement Window Terminology
With so many homeowners in the market for more energy efficient windows and doors for their home, I thought I would use this week's article to cover the more common terms used to describe a window's ability to insulate your home from the elements. There is an organization called The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC).
Help Choosing Door and Window Hardware
Who would be the best person to help you find suitable fixtures and fittings for doors and windows?Architects are trained to create designs that are structurally sound, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. They also often have a basis knowledge of construction materials, though not the detailed knowledge required when choosing appropriate hardware.
Area Rug Buyers Guide
When you begin decorating your home there are some important factors to consider. Your floors will usually be the foundation for your design.
Mistakes?
MISTAKES.Don't worry about making mistakes.
Pool Decks - Add Ambiance to Your Above Ground Pool
Above ground pools are beloved by many and have gained in popularity over the years. Pool decks could be one reason why this is the case.
House Plans - Research Is Key
When you think about building your new home consider your needs and your lifestyle. If you are newlyweds your choices will be different from a couple who is ready to retire and is looking for a smaller home.
Tips For Buying a Whirlpool Bath Online
So you're building the bath of your dreams but find the prices you have been quoted for the Whirlpool Bath way out of your budget.Don't despair and settle for a Whirlpool Bath you don't want!Go online and save by buying direct from a Whirlpool tub distributor.

More Home Improvement Information:

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I Need What Part?
One of the first things you learn as a homeowner is that you may own your home, but you don't actually live in it full time. You get to spend the rest of your time living in the hardware store or hardware dept of your local retail store.
Planning Permission Tips UK - Trees and How They Can Affect Development when Applying for Planning
Like most folk, I believe that more can be achieved in life by open & transparent negotiation - laying ones cards on the table for a reciprocal arrangement & courtesy. Unfortunately, like most things in life, there will be times when one side will try & gain the advantage at the detriment of the other party using this method.
Apartment Inspection Checklist
You have found an apartment you like and you are eager to move in this lovely place. Hold on! Before you sign the lease with the landlord, some inspection is necessary and it might save you a lot of trouble.
Let's "Clear the Air" Shall We?
What can you do to "clear the air" indoors, at work and at home? You want to know you are breathing clean air in the places you spend the most time, promoting a clear head and a sense of well being. It's no longer okay to allow clean air into your life just at the cabin or lake.
Make Your Home Secure
The following list offers some inexpensive ways to make your home secure:* Do not leave a ladder outside of your home. A thief could easily, and they do, gain entrance to a second story window.
Home Improvement for The Ladies!
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Tips for Choosing Log Furniture
If you just love that rustic look, and are finally ready to finally buy log furniture for your home, there are a number of "rules of thumb" that can help you in making good choices.Begin by considering the overall style of your home.
Design Psychology: Beds and Emotional Well-Being
The bed represents the beginning and ending of life. In the past, people were conceived, born, and died in the same bed.
What Are Light Fixtures Used For?
Light fixtures are something not many of us think about. But, the way we light a room can cause us to feel a certain way or enhance what we want to accomplish in that room.
Hiring a Waterproofing Contractor
According to the National Association of Waterproofing and Structural Repair Contractors (NAWSRC), consumers can take several steps to ensure they find the right contractor for their job. A leaky roof, basement or unprotected foundation can cost thousands of dollars worth of damage and significantly decrease a home's value.
The Right Shower Curtain For Your Bathroom!
A shower curtain can add the perfect touch to any bathroom. Whether you like simple pastel colors or more elegant designs, be sure to choose the shower curtain that compliments the look of the rest of the bathroom.
Make Your House A Home
When thinking about polished floors, cushions in place, an exquisite flower arrangement, crisp and folded napkins on the table, take time to think about comfort, family time and kids activities also when decorating or designing your house. A lively place full of warmth and chatter is what makes a 'House' a 'Home'.
How Stained Glass Can Add Elegance To Your Home
If there is one way to throw a new light on your home, it'sthrough the stained glass you put in your windows. Whetheryou want to enhance old windows by replacing some of thepanes, or are complementing the new Pella windows you'veinstalled, stained glass can lend an air of grace and quietelegance to a room.
About Lighting Your Home
Lighting is such a critical part of any home improvement project. Whether it's a kitchen remodel or a brand new home, the lighting plan should be well thought out.
Ideas For Interior Design
Ideas for interior design are a dime a dozen these days. In fact, you can likely watch one hour of television dedicated to the subject and come away with enough information to design an entire home.
10 Tips for Working With a Contractor
This is the year you're going all out. You're going to build a deck, add a porch, erect a gazebo or lay a patio.
Electrical Home Inspection: What You Need to Know!
Whether you're buying a home, or just moving in to your new home, here is some advice that can help you. If you're in the buying process the things you will be looking for are safety and repair aspects.
Removing Old Aluminum Windows
This week we are going to talk about the process of actually removing your aluminum windows in preparation for installing vinyl replacement windows. Let's start with a horizontal sliding window, which is pretty common nationwide.
Tips To Improve The Quality Of Your Outdoor Space And Patio
It's easy to get overwhelmed trying to figure out just how to bring an outdoor room together to make it a peaceful spot to relax or enjoy quality time with friends and family. But if you think of it as yet another room to decorate and furnish, the space will come together more easily.