All posts by Jonathan Clark

Jon Clark is an Internet Marketing Consultant, Entrepreneur and current editor of the Facebook Marketing Blog. Jon loves coffee, sports and NY. You can follow him on Twitter @jonleeclark or circle him on Google+.
Home Improvement

5 Tips For Safe Holiday Lighting Decorations


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Part of the magic of the holidays is decking your home out with lighted displays of splendor. As much fun as holiday decorating is, it can turn into disaster when safety is an afterthought. During this time of year, people get electrocuted, they fall from high places and their homes burn to a crisp because they are not careful while putting up their lighted displays.

Say bye-bye to ragged cords

Damaged Electrical Cord

Plugging in decorations that have frayed or damaged cords is a fire hazard waiting to happen. If you find lights with damaged cords, don’t try to rewire them or fix them with tape. These measures will not make the lights useable. Rigging the electrical cords on your decorations will only increase the potential for fire or electrocution. Do yourself a favor. If you find cords that look like rats have nibbled on them, put them in the trash.

Broken bulbs beware

Fix Christmas Lights

If you find lighted decorations with broken or blown bulbs, replace them with bulbs of the same wattage. If you can’t find bulbs to fit your decorations, call the manufacturer and they can either send you the right bulbs or tell you where to buy them. Always unplug the lights before you replace the bulbs. Just because the light is not working doesn’t mean it won’t electrocute you.

Get grounded

GFCI Electrical Ground Outlet

Plug all your outdoor lights into a GFIC or ground-fault circuit interrupter. This device looks like a regular electrical outlet, but it is designed to protect you from electrical shock. An electrician can install one for you or you can buy a portable unit at a home improvement store.

No substitutes

Outdoor Use

There are different types of lights for indoor and outdoor use. Do not try to substitute one for the other. If the package says “interior use” the product is for indoor use. If the package says “exterior use” the lights are for outdoor use only. Unless otherwise noted on the package, indoor and outdoor lights are not interchangeable.

Outdoor lights are designed to hold up to cold and wet weather and they get hotter than indoor lights. Indoor lights are safety tested for use on holiday trees. If you use them outside, they might break down and become a fire or electrocution hazard. If you are using lights from last year and are not able to determine whether they are interior or exterior, don’t use them.

Grab a partner

If you are hanging your lights in high places, have someone hold the ladder for you. When you have someone assisting you, he can call for help if you have an accident while you are hanging your decorations.

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s easy to get wrapped up in decorating and forget about safety. Although holiday lights are beautiful, being careless or hanging them improperly can lead to disaster. While you are decking out your tree, house and yard with festive lights, follow the above tips to stay safe.

+Paul Reichman is the founder of BedBathStore. Using decades of experience in home fashion, Paul offers quality bed, bath and home furnishings at affordable prices through www.bedbathstore.com.

Interior Decorating

Space Saving Christmas Tree Ideas


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If you live in a small apartment or home, you probably don’t have a lot of extra room to spare for a large, or even average size, Christmas tree. This Christmas, you can bring an abundance of Christmas spirit into your home while taking up minimal space with these great alternatives to the traditional Christmas tree.

Mini Christmas Trees

The simplest way to add a space efficient tree to your home is to purchase a small, or mini tree. The smaller trees are cheaper and disposable, so you don’t have to take up room to store it for the next year. If you have enough storage space, the most cost efficient choice of a small tree would be the purchase of a fake one.

Wall and Door Xmas Trees

There are many creative ways to have a tree without taking up extra space with tree stands and skirts. Take advantage of the space on your walls doors to create a beautiful and efficient Christmas tree.

Lights, Garlands and Ornaments

Lights and Garland Christmas Tree

Use strands of lights and garlands strung along clear pins to create the shape of a tree on your wall. Do this in an area of a room where you can allow for a small gathering of gifts to be places. Use ornaments as well to add your own personal or sentimental touch.

Christmas Tree Wall Decals

Christmas Tree Wall Decal

Wall decals are a growing trend in home décor. Many companies offer a variety of beautiful and stylish Christmas tree decals for those seeking a modern, alternative to the traditional tree.  You can find traditional tree design options as well as the most creative trees you can imagine. Use them wherever you would place a real tree, as the focal point of the room, next to the couch or in the corner.

Christmas Door Trees

Door Hanging Christmas Trees

Another great alternative, and possibly the most space efficient option, is to utilize a door in your home as the canvas for your tree. Like the wall trees, use strands of lights, garlands and ornaments to create the tree. To avoid holes damage to paint, use damage free hooks to hang the strands and ornaments.

Other Resourceful Christmas Trees

Ladder Christmas Tree

Be both resourceful and efficient this Christmas by creating your tree out of things you already own. Turn your old ladder into a functional tree. Decorate with traditional lights and even stack gifts on the steps to take advantage of the storage space it has to offer.

If you really want to get creative and wow your guests, hang your existing ornaments from the ceiling from different areas and lengths to resemble the shape of the tree. It takes time and skill, but it’s worth it!

Pack on the Christmas spirit without cluttering up your living space with a creative alternative to the traditional tree.

Home Improvement

Bringing the Craftsman Style to Your House Plan


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In the first two decades of the 20th century, designers including Frank Lloyd Wright and Gustav Stickley created a new Craftsman house plan style, which valued originality, high-quality craftsmanship, and functionality. These and other Craftsman designers envisioned a home style that would bring the average person closer to nature, through contact with natural materials—stone, timber, and glass are the stars of Craftsman styling. Partially a rebellion against ornate Victorian design, Craftsman homes featured clean lines and simplicity of design, with geometric shapes dominating. Designers also focused on maximizing functionality; hence the predominance of built-in storage, niche benches, and breakfast nooks in Craftsman house plans.

Craftsman homes thrived because they were affordable for middle-class families, who often built some or all of their Craftsman homes themselves by hand. Through 1940, Sears, Roebuck and Company sold entire home plan and material kits, which were shipped to homeowners by railroad and erected on site, by contractors or by families.

Today, Craftsman home styling has stood the test of time; this design approach enjoys perennial popularity among homeowners and designers alike. No wonder, as Craftsman homes featured many of the elements today’s homeowners cherish: Open floor plans, environmental friendliness, affordability, and built-in organization.

Because of the simplicity of Craftsman styling, it’s not difficult to add Craftsman flair to any home. Read on for a few ways to bring the Craftsman spirit into your existing home or house plans.

Craftsman House Plan Kitchen

How to Add Craftsman Styling to Any Home

As any designer will tell you, transforming a home into a certain style is all in the details. So, you can make your “Craftsman-ization” as small or as grand as you like. Simply switching out cabinet fixtures will immediately add a new feel to your kitchen, for instance. On the other end of the time/money investment spectrum, you can replace your roof with one that features dormers and wide eaves. Whatever you do, make sure your choices reflect the square lines, solid materials, and emphasis on clean functionality that embodies the Craftsman style.

Add built-ins

Craftsman designers recognized that built-in bookcases, dining nooks, window seats, and benches added functionality for homeowners.

Change out fixtures

Craftsman lights were simple, often composed of iron or bronze and glass, in rectangular and square shapes. Cabinet and furniture hardware tended to be in copper or brass, with hammered, oil-rubbed or polished finishes. Again, geometric styling dominates.

Add a new backsplash

Hand-made tiles were included in many original Craftsman homes. Your kitchen backsplash is a great way to express this aspect of Craftsman styling. Solid colors and natural motifs are common in Craftsman tile work.

Add interior paint in earth tones

Earth tones are especially appropriate for the Craftsman style, which aimed to highlight the natural beauty of materials such as stone and wood. Creamy white, beige, green, brown, blue, and gray are common colors found the average Craftsman home plan.

Install moldings

This finished carpentry detail of bygone eras will make any room feel more removed from contemporary life. Choose crown moldings (around the top of the room) or wainscoting moldings (at waist height).

Add Craftsman details to your fireplace

Add colored tile surrounded by a heavy wood mantle. Placing built-in bookcases on either side of a heavy wood mantle is especially Craftsman.

Put in a breakfast nook

Eat-in Craftsman kitchens represented a break with older Victorian designs, which usually aimed to hide the kitchen from view. A carpenter or home designer can easily incorporate a wood breakfast nook in your home design, provided you have the space.

Add stained glass panels

Original Craftsman homes often featured stained glass windows, which add privacy and beauty. If cost is a barrier, Craftsman style window sticks are available.

Install natural wood floors

Craftsman homes tended to have practical, easy-to-clean wood floors, with cozy rugs.

Replace the front door

Whether consciously or subconsciously, the entryway is how many people assess a home’s style. Craftsman homes tend to have wood doors with simple flat panels, shelves, and square detailing.

Feature Craftsman furniture

Period furniture tended to be wood (walnut, oak, and mahogany in particular), with simple geometric lines, spindles and slats, and hand-hammered copper hardware. (Again, we see the focus on handmade craft.)

Change the roofline

You can create a Craftsman roof style by adding deep eaves with exposed rafters and square brackets. Dormers are also common in Craftsman home plans.

Add on a front porch

The Craftsman porch was covered by an extension of the front roof, and supported by tapered square columns.

Weekend project by weekend project, with enough effort you can transform nearly any home into an expression of Craftsman style. The simplicity and warmth of the 1920s Craftsman homes provided a respite from the newly modern surroundings of the turn of the 20th century. Now the same Craftsman charm can help you relax and unplug from modern life.

Post and photos courtesy of Houseplans.co , the online home of Alan Mascord Design Associates, where visitors can find more than 700 gorgeous house plans, including styles from Contemporary to Craftsman house plans.

Green Living

Indoor Garden Recommendations for the Home


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Flowers definitely are uplifting as they make your surroundings smell fresh and look bright. Homeowners with backyards and front yards for gardens find that gardening is de-stressing and fun. The joy of having your own garden for fresh cuts is priceless. Maintaining an outdoor garden could be tasking so there are homeowners who opt for an indoor garden for the home instead.

Life is mostly hectic and sometimes, there’s just no spare time to stop and “smell the roses”. Though weekend outdoor gardening is an option, maintaining an indoor garden for the home is easier and more rewarding at some point. Why?

Less Stress

Firstly, an indoor garden is not as stressful as there is no need to toil long and hard under the sun. There is no need to dig and haul soil and mulch as plants and flowers in an indoor garden are mostly potted. There are no pesticides for p

esky insects and flies and weeds to pull out. There is no need to install automatic sprinklers or use unwieldy water hoses for watering the plants as all you need is small water can.

Choose Your Flowers Carefully

What then are the best plants for an indoor garden for the home? For one, you cannot choose a plant that needs a lot of sunlight to survive. Better ask the local nursery owner what plants in your area strive best indoor. Generally speaking, here is a list of popular indoor plants.

Philodendrons

Philodendrons Indoor Plants

Philodendrons are the most adaptable plant as they strive indoor and outdoor. You can basically just stick this plant in any pot or soil and it will thrive. Though it is best to locate this plant in indirect sunlight, locating it in a shaded area will be fine too.

Bromeliads

Bromeliad Home Plants

Bromeliads are elegant indoor plants. They are noted as exotic plants. Care must be observed when watering them as excess water can rot their roots. Their leaves absorb the nutrients so spraying the leaves with water is better. Do not place the Bromeliads under direct sunlight. Water them only once a week.

Golden Pothos

Golden Pothos Home Plants

Golden Pothos are very versatile plants as you can let them climb or trail, hang or grow in a pot. This is a fast-growing plant that will survive and grow on its own. Do not over-water them and remember to wipe their leaves with wet sponge or soft cloth to avoid dust accumulation.

Calatheas

Calatheas Home Plant

Calatheas are very sensitive to the sun’s ray so avoid planting them under direct sunlight. Keep its soil wet but not soggy. This plant is definitely for an indoor garden for the home.

Snake Plant

Snake Plant Home Garden

Snake plant is known for converting carbon dioxide to oxygen during the night. It really detoxifies the surrounding air. This is a plant that will survive and thrive without sunlight and water. It can endure heat, dust, dry and humid air. Plant it in a pot and position it strategically in your indoor garden.

For bloomers, choose chrysanthemums, kalanchoe and cyclamens for all-year blooms in your home’s indoor garden.

Home Improvement

DIY Tips on How to Add Design to Your Kitchen Counters


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Kitchen countertops are one of the most prominent things you see in the kitchen. For this reason, in order to create a stylish kitchen, you must make sure that you find the right countertops to match the entire room. However, do not compromise functionality with style.

Decorating your simple countertops will help add an inspirational vibe when cooking. The best way to keep things interesting inside the kitchen is to make sure to keep things alive. Here are some step by step tips you can do by yourself to make kitchen counters that are stylish, functional, and unique –the best part is that it will not cost too much:

1. learn to get organized

Think of the things you need to do first before starting such as the design and the required materials that you need to jumpstart your activity. List out things such as the trowel, sandpaper, tiles, pry bar, adhesive, gloves, and rags before proceeding to the plan. Find a style that you want online. There are plenty of styles available. Find one that complements the rest of the room.

2. proceed to the layout

Place the tiles on top of the counter. Arrange it first before sticking them. Find an image that best suits your liking. Make sure that the layout is done according to the picture before proceeding to the final steps.

3. remove the existing counter styles by cleaning the dry surface

Remove the old counter by prying it then place the new tiles on top. Just make sure that you smoothen the surface after you remove the previous tiles. Regular sandpaper will do the trick.

4. clean and prepare the surface of the countertop

Granite Tile InstallationMake sure that you have dust away every bit on the top after prying the previous tiles are removed. Prepare the surface before putting you selected adhesive. Get a slice of the surface and try the adhesive fist on a smaller part.

5. learn how to stick the pieces accordingly

All you need is a thin surface of adhesive. Place the cement on the first section.  This is actually the exciting part. Transfer the first tile from the layout you made earlier. Carefully stick to the cement and press gently on the adhesive. Continue doing this until you are finished on the first row. Repeat the process until the design is complete. Disperse the caulking materials on the surface of the tiles. Do not let it dry.

6. moisten the surface

Place a damp soft rag with warm water. Remove the excess caulk from the tile top. Make sure that the caulks on the sides of the tiles are not removed. Let these dry, just not ones on the surface.

7. unveil your work of art!

The steps are really simple and very basic. There is absolutely no need to hire an expert for this DIY Project. Be proud of your work and showcase it to your family or neighbors the next time they come over.

Chef Linda Rosario is a food blogger from Chef Needs, one of the trusted suppliers of bakery display cases. She also loves to paint and dreams of having her own art gallery. Aside from painting and drawing, Linda has a heart for cooking and food.

Buying a Home

New Home Builders Offer Advice on Buying Your First Home


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The dream of many renters is to become a homeowner. As you look at the real estate listings in your area of interest, don’t pass up new modern homes. New home builders use materials that make maintenance simpler and less expensive, and some offer incentives like upgraded kitchens or finished basements. As you pursue your home-buying endeavor, consider the following:

New Home Builder

  • Visit the property at different times of the day and night. A house may seem like a perfect fit when you first visit it. However, you may find that a street lamp shines right into the master bedroom or that loud music echoes from a neighbor’s house late into the night. It’s important to get the feel of the neighborhood in the evening hours.
  • Work with a real estate agent. A real estate agent has you best interests in mind and can help you get the upgrades that you want as well as negotiate prices. Be sure to find out whether or not your agent of choice is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Under the code of the NAR, realtors are obligated to put a home buyer’s interests ahead of their own.
  • Research the neighborhood. Learn if a home comes with homeowners’ association fees and rules that you have to follow. Ask if a home has Internet and cable access available and about the companies that service the area. Check with city hall to learn about the zoning of the property and neighborhood, restrictions and future plans for vacant land. Also think about your commute and current developments. For example, nearby new modern homes that are still under construction can make for noisy mornings.
  • Look for homes that accommodate your current and future needs. A home is more than an investment; it’s a place to live and grow. When you shop for a home, think about your needs at least five years from now. Consider things like storage space, closet sizes, the number of bathrooms, how noise travels throughout the home, garden size, the placement and number of electrical outlets and telephone jacks, the ability to adapt rooms to your needs and the ease of installing components that make a home more accessible, like grab bars in a tub.
  • Professionally inspect new modern homes. “New” isn’t synonymous with “perfect.” Whether you’re interested in purchasing a pre-owned or new property, have an independent home inspector take a look at it before the closing process. Watch out for red flags like a new home builder that has a problem with professional inspections at any stage of the building process or gets upset with the hiring of a professional who isn’t on the contractor’s list of recommended inspectors.
  • Learn about the new-home warranty. All new homes come with warranties that help cover defects related to structural integrity or craftsmanship, but not all warranties are the same. Learn about a builder’s warranty period, the length of the warranty after you move in, limitations and deductibles.
  • Look into the new home builders. Ask your real estate agent about a builder’s reputation in the community. Interview others who live in homes constructed by the same builder to see if there are any common complaints. Check with the Better Business Bureau to learn about any grievances against the contractor.
  • Buying a home is an important long-term decision and investment. Since you can’t move out of a home as easily as you can an apartment, it’s worth taking the time to learn about the different options available, what you can really afford and your needs, both current and future.

Professional Portland new home builder H. Hudson Homes specializes in building modern homes, with the perfect combination of style and function. They are trusted Oregon home builders who focus on cutting-edge design and sustainability.

Home Improvement

5 Tips for Landscaping Small Spaces: Container Gardens for Patios & Porches


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Landscaping in a small outdoor space can seem tricky, especially if you’re confined to a small patio, porch or balcony. Small spaces are a blessing and curse. While you may not have the room for a full garden, landscaping maintenance is a lot simpler in a confined space. With a bit of planning and the right containers, you can dress up your outdoor space with more than just holiday lights and a couple of folding chairs.

1. Have multiple focal points

Potted Plants

Give your space visual appeal by having more than one focal point in the landscaping. This means having more than one potted plant in a corner. As you plan the elements for your patio, balcony or porch, think visual discovery. For example, use unusual containers like pitchers, an old dresser, a pedestal sink or glass jars that you recycled. Use a larger container to make a water garden. Mix tall and short plants in one container. Add some garden art and use repetition to draw the eye.

2. Know thy plants

Plant Varieties

When you have a container garden, choosing the right plants is as important as their arrangements. First, consider the conditions on your patio, porch or balcony. For instance, does it get full or partial sun? Is it windy? Then find the types of plants that grow well within the microclimate and learn a bit about their care and needs. If you’re a gardening novice, choose plants that are simple to maintain. As you repot the plants that you purchase, use the recommended potting mix and container so there is sufficient drainage.

3. Grow up

Potted Flowers

When the space on the ground is limited, consider the vertical spaces available. Secure a trellis to a wall for climbing plants, for example. Mount gutters onto a wall for rows of plants and leafy vegetables. Hang a shoe organizer from a door and add plants in the pockets. Cover the outsides of a shipping pallet with landscaping fabric, add dirt, lay the pallet against the wall and add plants. Mount canning jars with plants in them on the wall.

4. Don’t forget the flowers

Patio Landscaping2

If you have a themed container garden filled with mostly green plants, add some pots with colorful flowers. Not only are blooms beautiful, they attract pollinating insects like bees and butterflies that will help your garden thrive. If you have a container garden with herbs, consider adding edible flowers like borage, nasturtium and calendula. Some flowers are also great at repelling pests, such as lavender and marigolds.

5. Landscaping maintenance

Small Spaces Landscaping Ideas

As you plan your container gardens, group plants that have similar landscaping maintenance needs. This means not planting succulents, for example, with ferns. The plants that you group together should have similar sunlight, watering, feeding and drainage requirements. As your plants blossom, pinch off faded blooms to encourage more flowers to grow. Pruning and trimming is another landscaping maintenance job that you can’t neglect to ensure that you have enough space to enjoy your small garden when you’re outside.

Landscaping in a small space can be just as rewarding as tending to a larger garden. Be creative and thoughtful about where you place the containers, and share the bounty with your family and friends.

Guest author Steve Stewart is President of Landscape East & West, award-winning Portland landscaping contractors. Landscape East & West is a full-service landscaping company specializing in sustainable landscape maintenance, outdoor kitchen and patio design, and much more. Visit LandscapeEast.com to view services and portfolio.

Interior Decorating

Innovative Uses For The Space Under A Staircase


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Does your home featuring a staircase leading up to the second level? If so, you should consider taking advantage of the additional space underneath this area. While millions of homes are built with staircases, very few homeowners actually use this additional space underneath them. However, properly decorating and setting up this otherwise wasted space will offer multiple benefits. For some ideas on how to use the space under a staircase, keep reading.

#1 – Home Office

Under Stairs Home Office Storage

One solution that’s incredibly easy and efficient is to turn the area into a functional home office. Depending on the size and shape of your staircase, this may or may not be easy. Traditional non-spiral staircases will typically feature a large space underneath that can turned into a desk area complete with an office chair and file cabinet. All that’s required to accomplish this is to install a desk, electrical outlet and light in the space. Congratulations, you now have your very own office set up directly under the stairs!

#2 – Storage

Hidden Storage Under Staircase Storage

Another innovate use for the space under a staircase is to transform it into a storage area. If you can’t seem to find enough room to store all of your clothes and belongings, then you should turn this area into a storage area. There are several different ways to approach this, but the easiest technique is to install drawers into the staircase. You’ll likely have to custom design them, but it’s well worth it in the long run. Once the drawers are installed under the stairs, you can store additional clothes, books, DVDs, electronics, remote controls, mail or practically anything else you can think of.

#3 – Bookshelf

Under Staircase Book Shelf Storage

A third option is to turn the additional space into a large bookshelf. This technique is especially beneficial for staircases in the foyer and/or living room. Bookshelves offer a unique decorative touch to the atmosphere that’s simply not found in other furnishings. Installing one in the open communal area such as a foyer staircase will provide a stylish touch, helping to achieve a more attractive and complete home decor.

You can even go one step further by installing multiple bookshelves in this area, essentially creating a small library. Individuals who enjoy reading books the old fashioned way rather than tablets will likely enjoy this technique. Libraries are rarely found in modern-day homes, so friends and family members are sure to compliment you on it.

#4 – Lounging Area

Under the Stairs Seating

As long as there’s enough space, you can turn the area underneath a staircase into a full lounge area. The dark, cozy atmosphere is perfect for kicking back and relaxing. Just add a comfortable daybed along with some pillows and you’ll have a wonderfully relaxing lounge area. Lounge areas are ideal for kicking back and catching a daytime nap.

While most people will be resting in their lounge area, it’s still a good idea to install a light socket here. Having a light in your newly created lounge area will give you more freedom and options regarding its use.

Evan is a content contributor for Stair Supplies. Evan enjoys writing about home improvement projects and much more. He suggests going here to find the best stair parts available online.

Home Improvement

Laminate Flooring – Buying And Installing


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Laminate flooring offers a long-lasting alternative to stone and real wood at a fraction of the price. What’s more? It is easy to install and maintain, and this makes it ideal for a do-it-yourself-er.

laminate floorsFeatures to consider when budgeting and purchasing laminate flooring online include:

Floor Thickness

Laminate flooring comes in various thicknesses ranging from 7-12 millimeters. Buying a thicker laminate is always better so as to prevent bending due to unevenness of floors; it also helps in sound reduction.

AC Rating

This entails a laminate’s resistance to wear. It ranges from 1-5 with the level of durability being the highest number, AC5. As for AC1 laminate, it is recommendable for rooms with little feet movement such as bedrooms. On the other hand, AC5 is ideal for a lot of foot movement such as that in department stores; it goes without saying that it’s also the most expensive option.

Flooring Texture

Laminate flooring comes with various textures like high glass, hand scrapped and embossed. This allows the buyer to choose what suits them best from a variety of options on offer. The high glass has a mirror finish that makes it more appealing.

The beauty of online purchases is that you can browse through multiple samples before settling on your best buy –all at the comfort of your home- provided you have internet access. Most online retailers will also provide the cost of various laminate floors beside the samples.

The basic tools needed for a self-installation are a measuring-tape, dry erasable marker to ensure correct measurements, reversed jigsaw blade and an undercut saw to trim the door and avoid door jams.

Most of these tools are available from sites like ebay.com pr craigslist.com at pocket-friendly prices.

The Installation Process laying laminate floors

  1. Measure the room in which you intend to install and calculate the number of packs needed. As a safety precaution, buy an extra set in case there are accidents or mistakes and always have some money set aside in case there’s damage to the ones bought.
  2. Lay the laminate flooring on a dry leveled surface. Ensure that all floorboards are fitted well and if the floor is old, use self-smoothing material that dries up the floor.
  3. Lay the boards on the same direction. In a square room, lay the boards facing the direction of incoming light. Start from the corner and lay the boards on the first two rows along the longest straight wall.
  4. Place plastic spacers of 60cm between the board and wall. Make sure the spacers are all around the edge of the floor. Join the boards using adhesive. The last board may need trimming to fit in.
  5. Begin the second row with the cutoff of the last board. When done, remove the spacers and put the skirting board over the new boards. Then you can polish or paint.

If this proves hard to follow, there are online installation videos; and recommendable sites include youtube.com, homedepot.com and diynetwork.com, which can show you how to go about it.

Author Colin McD: We recently had our kitchen flooring replaced with some new laminate (originally had vinyl tiles) and for the first time I managed to do it myself, all by myself! If you take the time it is something you can do yourself, and without too much hassle (2 and a half hours for a medium size room is all it took).

Home Improvement

Finding A Throne Fit For Your Home: Choosing A Toilet That’s Right For You


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Toilet DiagramThe porcelain throne. The royal office. The can. The loo. The john. The WC. Mrs. Murphy. Known by many names, the toilet is a central component of any home. However, in spite of its frequent use and functionality, many homeowners overlook this necessary appliance in their bathroom renovations.

Rather than running to the nearest hardware or plumbing outlet for a toilet right off the line, consider taking more care in your toilet purchases. After all, not all toilets are created equal. There are makes and models to fit anyone’s style, taste, and preferences. From the whimsical to the eco-friendly, there is a throne fit for your home.

Conservative

Traditional Toilets:

For the conservative homeowners, there are two main types of toilets to choose from: gravity flushing and vacuum flushing.

The former relies on gravity—surprise, surprise—to power each flush. The pressure from the water tank works to push the water through a complete cycle. That is why you can flush a toilet even when the power is out as long as you have water to refill the tank.

Modern Toilets:

Modern varieties, on the other hand, create a vacuum to pull—rather than push—the water from the bowl through the pipes. This type of toilet provides a more powerful and cleaner flush, but is also a more expensive choice than the gravity-flushing commode.

Of these two, you have a variety of types and looks to choose from. From one-piece to two-piece sets, compare both function and style to find a throne fit for a king—or at least good enough for the rest of your family.

Green

Eco-Friendly Toilets

Low-flow Toilets:

Like a traditional toilet,  low-flow toilets use gravity to power each flush, but require less water to do so. That’s good from a water saving viewpoint, but bad if you tend to have heavier loads to deposit. It makes for more frequent plunging, and a greater chance of insanitary (and frankly obnoxious) overflowing.

Dual flushing:

Dual flushing toilets have been around for a while, but are only recently becoming popular on this side of the pond. They feature two settings: half-volume and full-volume flushes. The half-volume button uses half the water typically expended in one flush for lighter loads. The full-volume setting utilizes more water for heavier loads that may require more forceful cleaning. For the eco-minded consumer, equipping a toilet with two different settings enables greater conservation and reduced waste.

Composting Toilets:

About 90% of our waste is made up of water. Composting toilets take advantage of this in a system of evaporation that converts the remaining solid waste into rich fertilizing soil. Additionally, the system is odor-free, and sanitary—using special processes to eliminate any viruses or pathogens in the waste so that it is safe to use and recycle.

A word of advice: Composting toilets do require some special plumbing adjustments and specifications. Therefore, before you invest time and money to install one, it would be wise to have a drain inspection and evaluation from a certified plumbing professional.

Paperless Toilets:

Paperless toilets are another trend that is gaining popularity in the green movement. Many people are installing separate bidets in their bathrooms, or all-in-one toilets that reduce the amount of paper consumed. It does use more water though, so for many it is a “lesser of two evils” issue.

Waterless:

Finally, for those set on eliminating water waste, waterless toilets are a great option. Some use jets of air to flush waste, and others incinerate it. They can use electricity, propane, natural gas, and even diesel fuel in a variety of methods that reduce waste into sterile ash.

Personalized/Unique

Novelty toilets:

If you can imagine a crazy shape for a toilet, it probably exists. There are toilets in a variety of shapes and colors, from people to teapots, to your favorite TV characters. These novelty toilets are not for the conservative bathroom. Whether you have a quirky home in general, or simply enjoy adding unique accents to your décor, you can likely find a toilet to fit your personal tastes—however whimsical they may be.

Luxury toilets:

For those of you who are just rolling in the dough, you can find toilets that truly resemble the thrones for which they are nicknamed. Looking to impress your wife? A diamond encrusted seat cover is just the ticket. Prefer a little more comfort? Pick up a model with heated seats, a foot warmer, and even a built-in sound system. With a commode like that, “restroom” may no longer be just a euphemism!

Specialty toilets:

But, personalization isn’t just for the quirky and rich out there. Many households require special features and accommodations. For example, for elderly customers or those with disabilities, there are various specialty toilets available to meet their specific needs. So, whether you wish to indulge a whim or accommodate special needs, there are multiple options available to suit every type and personality.

Next time you are in the market for a new commode, don’t just go for the same old toilet everyone else has; find one that fits your needs and your style, and never have a boring bathroom time ever again!

Michael David is a freelance journalist and blogger living in New York City. Michael loves writing about DIY projects, home improvement, and garden-related topics.