Alternatives To Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring exudes class and elegance and is the preferred flooring choice for many. They also happen to be very expensive. So, let us take a look at some of the alternatives to hardwood flooring.

For those of you who are familiar with the topic, you realize that hardwood flooring is a top pick, yet hardwood doesn't work for all conditions nor all budgets. In this way, I needed to give my main 3 options in contrast to hardwood flooring. A part of these alternatives will settle issues or concerns you may have with hardwood (for example water/dampness) and a few areas, and some will save you a lot of money… and some will do both. 

Likewise, in the event that you are a good DIY-er, you might have the option to set aside cash by installing these items yourself. 

Low Cost Alternatives to Hardwood Flooring 

There are numerous reasons that hardwood may not work for you. It could basically be that you need a more affordable other option, or an item that you can install yourself so you can get a good deal. Or on the other hand, you may require an item that is waterproof or impervious to humidity. Or on the other hand, you might be installing in an area where strong hardwood isn't exactly supported, or there may not be sufficient tallness for strong hardwood. Or then again, you may have a solid subfloor and simply need an item that can go straightforwardly on top of it. 

Along these lines, below are 3 flooring choices you can utilize. Furthermore, practically every one of them can look like hardwood, and most are more affordable. 

1. Luxury vinyl plank flooring (or designed vinyl planks) 

This is quite possibly the most imaginative item this decade, and I totally love it as it looks so acceptable and is so adaptable. Luxury vinyl planks (at times called Engineered vinyl planks or luxury vinyl) are planks that closely resemble genuine hardwood, yet they are WATERPROOF! Indeed, waterproof! Thus, they are extraordinary for zones in the house that may get humid or somewhat wet (for example kitchens, cellars, powder rooms). 

2. Wood look tiles 

These have been around for some time and are an incredible alternative on the off chance that you need a wood look, yet in addition need something waterproof. They've gotten very famous, so they are currently around in an assortment of shades, surfaces and styles. Some even look rusty or handscraped. 

They are a top choice for some in kitchens, gateways, mudrooms, restrooms and cellars. They are particularly well known in warm atmospheres as they keep your space cooler in the hotter months. In cooler atmospheres, they can be cold on your feet, so these tiles are normally installed in more modest territories or over radiant heat. 

In case you're searching for grays or white washes, these tiles furnish incredible alternatives as they start with a white base, so they can get a genuine clean white or dark look (contrasted with hardwood floors which are additionally testing to restore gray given the yellow and pinkish tones in genuine hardwood). 

In the event that you have a solid subfloor that is even, tiles are moderately simple to install as they can go straightforwardly on top of cement. Also, in case you're keen on introducing a lot of  warmth, tiles are the best flooring surface for this as they lead the warmth best (and accordingly are generally effective). 

3. Laminate flooring 

Laminate floors benefits are more affordable than hardwood, so in case you're truly going for "inexpensive," this is the best approach. Laminate flooring is interactive (so it's a drifting floor) and can be installed effectively on top of tile or solid flooring (as long as you add an underlayment). 

If you don't mind, note that laminate floorings are NOT waterproof. Truth be told, they quickly retain dampness – like a wipe or cardboard. They also range vastly in quality and costs. The more costly ones look better and are more solid, yet they do cost more… and by then, you are presumably better moving up to an item like luxury vinyl planks which are waterproof… or genuine hardwood flooring. 

Yet, most laminate flooring that you'll see, particularly in big retail stores, are on the lower end, and they don't hold up so well (they regularly delaminate), and they look and sound more phony. Be that as it may, as I stated, in case you're searching for the least expensive alternative, this is the best approach. In case you're searching for the best worth alternative and can spend somewhat more, I'd urge you to think about other different choices.

How to Easily Organize Your Closet Like a Pro

We partnered with a clothing company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

Tired of messing up your closet looking for clothing or shoes in the morning? Annoyed at all the social media posts of pretty, organized closets? “But they make it look so easy.” Yes, and you can too! Here are some solid tips to organize your closet like you were born to do it. 

1. Declutter your clothes by category

Never declutter all your clothes at once. The piles and piles of clothing can overwhelm you. When you hit that point, you might just give up too early. Here are some ways to declutter your clothes that will keep you sane at the same time. 

Have a decluttering calendar. Even if you go by category, doing everything on the same day can still overwhelm you. Split the clothes by category and declutter them one category per day. For example: week 1, shirts. Week 2, pants. Week 3, formal wear. That way, the work becomes bite-sized.

Take out all the clothes in one category. Wait until after laundry day to declutter, and then take out everything in the one category. For example, if you are doing dresses, take out all your dresses and lay them out. This way, you can see everything at a glance. 

2. Empty and clean your closet

In between your decluttering days, you need a hard reset to help you take your closet by storm. Do this by giving your closet a thorough overhaul and cleaning. Yes—your whole closet. Lay them in neat piles on clean sheets on the floor or on the bed. 

The next step: Clean the closet. Wipe it down, get even the dust mites out of the corners. You’ll be surprised at how satisfying it feels, a little like looking at a house you’re about to move into. By listing your dresses on The Volte, people can effortlessly declutter their wardrobe while also turning their dresses into a source of income, as this platform provides a convenient way to rent out their stylish attire. Lastly, don’t put everything back at once. Visualize the closet you want to have. If there is something you want to add, like shelves or box organizers, plan where to put them. Grab a sketchbook and make crazy drawings of your dream closet.

3. Design your ideal closet space

Jumping off from emptying and cleaning your closet, it’s time to take those drawings to the next level. Here are some tips to create the closet you want. 

Put hanging clothes at waist level. Why do you need to overextend your shoulders just to pull out a shirt? Department stores have the right idea: everything at waist level. On the higher sections, put shelves and accessories that you don’t wear every day.

Don’t put everything in the closet. It’s tempting to toss everything we don’t want to see into the deep, dark corners of our closets. But they take up space—space you could otherwise use for clothing. Try using your closets exclusively for hung clothing, shoes, and accessories. 

Put your shoes in drawers. You’ll be surprised at how much space that saves. Your shoes will look elegant and arranged, be easy to find, and most importantly, they won’t take up clothing space!

4. Store your clothes by category

One good way to keep your closet neat is to keep it categorized. That way you don’t fumble around your pile of clothes for the dressier blouse among all the t-shirts. 

Start by separating all your tops from your bottoms and then separating full-body clothing like jumpers and dresses from those. Underthings, workout wear, and accessories like scarves and ties should be in their own category. 

It's a good idea to separate your everyday wear from your special occasion clothing. This will make it easier to find the perfect outfit for any occasion. Like this comfy USA-made underwear, which is perfect for everyday wear and travel. In some countries, this may be called a "wardrobe" or "wardrobe system.

Split those into further categories. Now, take a good long look at everything you have. Do you have redundant pieces in your closet? Just what is the recommended number of bras, or ties, or belts anyway? If you find redundancy, consider donating or selling what you don’t need. 

Finally, put them back in the closet according to category. It might take you a little time to remember where they are, but it will pay off in the long run. 

5. Use coordinating hangers

Since you already know exactly what you want your closet to look like, it’s time to dress it up. Yes, even closets have accessories! And your closet’s accessories are called “hangers.” 

Coordinating hangers keep your clothing at the same height. This is important especially for collared shirts and dresses, which can crinkle and fold against each other if they are not at the same height. It also means that when you reach up for a hanger, you don’t bump against the others because they’re wider. You also don’t miss seeing others because they’re thinner.

Finally, coordinating hangers dress up your closet. Any closet can look neater and more organized with an impressive array of matched hangers. So when you know the color scheme and hanger style you want, buy all of your hangers in that set. 

Done right, organizing your closet can be therapeutic and not just productive. And you can easily do it just like a pro.  

Tips for Creating More Kitchen Storage

Many similarities exist between homeowners and renters when comparing some of the common issues that both groups face. One of these problems is the difficulty in finding a way to organize everything so that it properly fits within the home. This is especially challenging in a room like a kitchen that constantly has items filtering in and out with such regularity. Here are several tips for creating more kitchen storage.

Use Hooks

Hooks are good for hanging more than coats in the kitchen. They can be used to hang things like potholders and mugs to allow for additional storage in the drawers and cupboards where they would otherwise reside.

Built-in Cutting Boards

The inclusion of a cutting board into the countertops can be a great addition for many homeowners. Not only does it allow for a much simpler storage solution, but it also adds functionality to a space that might be otherwise underutilized.

Add a Spice Rack

A spice rack is a great addition to any kitchen because it performs three important roles. The first is that it creates additional room in your cabinets. The second is function because it is easier to find your spices. Lastly is the aesthetic appeal of the spice rack.

Use Risers

You can use risers on your counters and in your cabinets to add vertical storage. Risers make it easier to keep items separated and easier to grab from a stack.

Baskets and Bins

Baskets and bins work great for decoration and function within a kitchen. They keep items organized in the pantry and on the countertops, helping to reduce clutter.

Use Countertops

One of the most common kitchen mistakes people make is not taking full advantage of their countertops. Try to remember the “work triangle” compromised of the sink, refrigerator, and oven, which is where we spend most of our time when working in the kitchen.

Door Hangers

Door hangers can be added throughout the kitchen to add storage to the back of the cabinet and pantry doors. These can hold things like pans or lids in your cupboards as well as providing additional storage in your refrigerator.

Lazy Susan

The addition of a small lazy Susan to your pantry or kitchen table does everything from keeping spices from overtaking an area to allowing easier access to your drawers. It can also be used under the kitchen sink to make finding cleaning products easier.

Throw Things Away

No compilation of tips for creating more kitchen storage would be complete without advice on throwing items away. Stay on top of expiration dates for the food in your kitchen. The same goes for any medication that is kept in the room. Lastly, pitch any cooking or baking materials that appear cracked, broken, or that are no longer being used.

Four Ideas for Transforming Your Basement

Of all the places in our home that get our attention, the basement gets the short end of the stick. They can be quite large and yet many people just use them for storage or for nothing at all. If you have a basement you aren’t sure what to do with, we want to help you out. We’ll give you a couple ideas for transforming your basement to get your creative juices flowing and get you in the right mindset for change.

Playroom

If your house is smaller but still has a basement, it’s a great place for the kids to have their own space. Not only does this keep their toys and games out of the way of the most used rooms in your house, but it also lets your kids feel like somewhere in the house is uniquely theirs. You can go small with just an open area for play and some storage shelves, or you can go all out with an indoor jungle gym and games table. The scope is up to you.

Home Gym

Every home could always use an exercise area. The basement is great for this because, as with the playroom, it keeps items such as dumbbells and weights out of the way of everywhere else. Your home gym is up to your own interpretation and budget. Get some fancy weight machines or exercise equipment, or just get one barbel and floor mat—whichever works better for your situation.

Spare Bedroom

Want to bump up the number of bedrooms you can say your house offers when you put it up for sale? Try turning that space in the basement into another bedroom. There are a few things to remember about renovating the basement into a place you’ll actually want to spend a lot of time, but just try to make the area as cozy as possible.

Office Space

For all of those who work from home, you don’t need to spend every hour of work at your dining room table. Of all the ideas for transforming your basement, this is arguably the most practical use. Having separate rooms for work and leisure will allow you to focus more on both, whether you’re on or off work. All you really need is a functional desk, a comfortable chair, an internet connection, and you’ll be ready to tackle the challenges of the day.