
A resource for those seeking information on organizing and transforming spaces.
Guest Post - 7 Unique Ways to Spice up Your Boring Front Door
Spicing up your boring front door is not an easy task. It requires creativity to initiate any transformative changes. Remember, the door is the first place your guests encounter before accessing any other significant part of your house. That means keeping it clean is not enough. You need to go a step further and make it look elegant and attractive. Besides getting high-security locks, you can follow some simple ways to amp up the aesthetics of your front door. In case you have no idea how; here are some unique ways that you can use to spice up your front door.
Spicing up your boring front door is not an easy task. It requires creativity to initiate any transformative changes. Remember, the door is the first place your guests encounter before accessing any other significant part of your house. That means keeping it clean is not enough. You need to go a step further and make it look elegant and attractive. Besides getting high-security locks, you can follow some simple ways to amp up the aesthetics of your front door. In case you have no idea how; here are some unique ways that you can use to spice up your front door.
Trim Your Door
Forget about the actual door frame; there is a way you can glam up your entry by framing its exterior. That is what people refer to as door trimming. When it comes to this front door decoration option, homeowners prefer going with exterior molding. Though common, it offers a wide variety of designs and also makes your door pop. Molds are also easy to manipulate and form compared to the likes of wood and metal. Go for wood if you want something more sturdy and robust. Keep in mind that crafting it to your desired finish will cost you. You thus have to consider your options carefully.
Add a Striking Knocker
A door knocker can instantly add a contemporary, antique, or a luxury look to your home. There are a variety of knockers on the market that can make your front door stand out. You can also decide to go for a personalized door knocker in case you want to go the extra mile. For an excellent finish, consider going for polished surfaces of bronze, nickel, or stainless steel.
Hang a Stunning Wreath
Wreaths are remarkable front door decorations that you shouldn’t only use during the festive seasons. There are various types of wreaths that you can use to add structure and texture to your front door. If your doorway lacks any sort of exposure to the elements, you can consider silk and other types of artificial wreaths. Otherwise, go for natural dried flowers, preserved dried flowers, or fresh wreaths. The design of wreath you use also matters a lot. Make sure that it is unique, elegant, and creative for a pleasant finish.
Change the Front Door Hardware
Some people opt to completely do away with the hardware while others prefer making some significant changes. Some of the transformations you can do to a front door to make it more appealing include applying new paint. The shade you pick can go a long way in helping you achieve the beautification you want. Go for a color that contrasts your walls if you want the door to pop out. You can also change the structure of your door by either removing or adding panels to the outer phase. It is always much easier and cheaper than getting a new door.
Add a Door Lite
Adding a door lite to your fiberglass or wooden front door is among the unique ways to enhance its appearance. Focus more on the type of lite you are using. Another factor you need to consider is the shape of the lite. You can opt for an oval lite for a classy and sophisticated look. Other options are rectangular or square lite. Also, figure out which size is going to bring out the look that you want.
Install Strap Hinges and Clavos
Sometimes thinking outside the box can end up getting you one of the best entry doors in the neighborhood. For many people, it’s hard to believe that you can use hinges to transform your door. So go ahead and install strap hinges and clavos to prove them wrong. You need to make sure that the strap hinges you use are long enough for easy visibility. You can then go ahead and add either round or square clavos. Make sure their color contrasts that of the door to make the decorations evident. If done correctly, you will end up with one of the best antique door finishes in this modern world.
Place flower pots on either side of the door
Sometimes the only way to spruce up your entryway is to include beautiful decorations. In most cases, flower pots tend to work remarkably. You should, however, make sure that you don’t use flower pots and wreaths together. They are going to make your entry door chaotic. Also, consider getting beautiful flowers that are less bushy. That is because you want the decorations to stand out and not distract or get in the way.
With the designs mentioned above, you should be sure that your front door will be the talk of the neighborhood. Each idea listed above adds an incredible finish and makes it stand out from the rest. Most of these makeovers don’t burn a hole in your pocket and are easy to apply. All you have to do is choose which idea suits you the best.
Author Bio:
Sophia Cooper is a thorough and meticulous Content Analyst passionate about helping businesses succeed. She commits herself to continuous learning and focuses on sharing ideas and techniques learned from her experiences. She is a passionate writer who loves to write in a concise manner so that the information is helpful for everyone. Currently, She’s working with Elite Locksmiths.
Guest Post - 7 Antique Doors For Your Modern Home
Antique doors are so beautiful that you want to situate them at the entrance. Home decor is incomplete without unique architectural doors. They add glamor and character to your home. These doors are made of wood with different architectural pieces that fit in together. The creative cuts and designs on the antique doors make them stand out. Including these antique doors in your entryway both inside and outside your home gives it a vintage look. Here are the seven antique doors for your modern home.
Antique doors are so beautiful that you want to situate them at the entrance. Home decor is incomplete without unique architectural doors. They add glamor and character to your home. These doors are made of wood with different architectural pieces that fit in together. The creative cuts and designs on the antique doors make them stand out. Including these antique doors in your entryway both inside and outside your home gives it a vintage look. Here are the seven antique doors for your modern home.
1. Art Deco
Add glamor to your house by installing the beautiful art deco doors. The 1920s and 30s inspired the Art deco styles. The art deco style has a timeless charm to it, which you can bring to your home. These doors have distinguished geometric, modern shapes. They focus on the tiny details that resemble the designs from the 20th-century's architecture. Including this art deco vintage door to your home entrance interiors adds a hint of glamor to the place. You can also install an art deco antique door to your garage. Keep in mind about the garage door safety before considering this or any other vintage door.
2. Art Nouveau
Modern art with international style from the 1890s is known as Art Nouveau. It is famous around western Europe and the United States. They are famous for the picturesque exteriors that are inspired by nature. The Art Nouveau doors show an unmatched architecture style created by artists. Installing an Art Nouveau door adds so much elegance to your place that anyone would like to explore what's behind the mysterious door.
3. Victorian Era
Vintage doors, inspired by the Victorian era, state the wealth of the residents. The doors of the Victorian Era are four paneled doors with elaborate carvings. These doors have supportive frames that match the door material and color. You can either use stained glass or paint or grained to give your house an expensive look. Neutral colors like greys and blues will give your home a subtle feel. Whether a small apartment or a huge house, a front door inspired by the Victorian Era increases the wow factor to another level. It gives out the right impression to people passing by your front door. These days, the colors have shifted to brighter shades.
4. Georgian Era
Georgian era interiors and exteriors involve classic detailing in their architecture. They are generally six-paneled doors without glass. The panels layout as two panels at the bottom, with two long panels above it and with two square panels at the top. Most commonly, they look good when painted using solid colors like burgundy, black, or white.
5. French doors
French doors are traditional double doors made of glass panes over their entire lengths. They are also known as French windows. They look very romantic, and they let in natural light. They are energy efficient because of the whole glass panes. When you open your French door, you get complete access to your patio, which is ideal for summer evenings. It gives the illusion that your front room extends to your garden. Installing a French door, instantly, improves the class of any simple room. It adds an artistic appeal to a house.
6. Sliding Barn doors
Barn doors are efficient and add aesthetic appeal to your home. They are efficient due to the space-saving features they give. This type of door might not be feasible for small houses, but for large houses, they are easy to install. These stunning sliders steal the show of the room, turning your ordinary room into an elegant living room. They are versatile, and you can add them as entrance doors or closet doors. Add contrast to a wooden floored room with sculptural light fixing by installing sliding barn doors. Add a white sliding barn door to an all-white kitchen room. You can also add a bright-colored sliding barn door to make it visually appealing. For your bedroom, a barn sliding door with pendant lighting will make you want to take a romantic getaway in your bedroom.
7. Whimsical doors
As the name suggests, these doors give the illusion of some hidden closet like a secret chamber. It is arc-shaped on the top and has a flat-based bottom. They are ideal for concealing your bedroom closet, and if you have kids at home, opening this door gives a magical feeling to them, similar to the sets of Disney's Aladdin. These doors require strong support at the top of the wall over the closet and a railing type support over which they can slide left or right. Use rustic colors on these doors to give them a mystical feeling.
Conclusion:
So, the above are the seven antique doors for your modern house. While browsing on the different door options, you must consider certain features like security, performance, and cost. Doors act as guards into our home. It would be best if you looked into how many lock points the door has. Including a bolt gives added security to the house. Another critical factor is cost. Look for different dealers to find the right pricing for your favorite kind of door. Finally, let us know which is your favorite Antique door.
Author’s bio:
Sophia Cooper Is a thorough and meticulous Content Analyst passionate about helping businesses succeed. She commits herself to continuous learning and focuses on sharing ideas and techniques learned from her experiences. She is a passionate writer who loves to write in a concise manner so that the information is helpful for everyone. Currently, She’s working with a company which provides Garage Door Repair services.
Guest Post - New Year's Resolution: How to Prepare Your Home in Welcoming 2020
The holiday season is a truly magical time that allows you to reconnect with your loved ones and spend much-needed quality time with them.
If you're away from loved ones this holiday season, then this is a time to relax and unwind and take care of yourself and look back at all you've done this year. Once the holiday season passes, then it’s time to welcome the new year.
To set yourself up on the right foot for the start of the new year, you should prepare for it. On that note, here are some things you can do to welcome 2020 right:
The holiday season is a truly magical time that allows you to reconnect with your loved ones and spend much-needed quality time with them.
If you're away from loved ones this holiday season, then this is a time to relax and unwind and take care of yourself and look back at all you've done this year. Once the holiday season passes, then it’s time to welcome the new year.
To set yourself up on the right foot for the start of the new year, you should prepare for it. On that note, here are some things you can do to welcome 2020 right:
Deep Clean Your House
One of the things you should do to help prep yourself for the New Year is to deep clean your house.
It is not only you who needs to start things off on a clean slate. Your house does too. Besides, it will also kind of look like a fresh start for you when you greet the new year with a clean and bright home.
Do Small Home-Improvement Projects
Speaking of fixing up your home and starting things off with a clean slate, another thing you can do to improve your home is by doing small projects that your home needs.
For example, you have that one burnt-out light fixture that you have not gotten around to fixing. Maybe you have a squeaky door that needs oiling.
These are the small home improvement projects that you should do before the new year starts.
Clean Out Your Closet
At Planet Maids - Maid Service NYC, we recommend that you should also spend the time to clean out your closet before the new year starts.
There are a lot of clothes that you’re probably not using or clothes that you just aren’t liking that you can remove from your wardrobe.
You can donate these clothes or sell them off. Although, in the spirit of the holiday season, you should definitely consider giving it away instead.
Get Rid of the Old and Unusable Stuff
Old Pillows
Pillows should be replaced once they hit the one-year mark or two years at most if you think your pillows are still fine. A new pillow is always a good investment since you’re going to be using it all the time.
Throwing out your pillow might feel a bit wasteful so instead of just throwing it away, consider finding places to donate it to. Animal shelters are a good bet.
Half-burned Candles
If you’re a big fan of using candles, then you might have a few half-burned candles lying around that you just haven’t gotten rid of.
You can recycle these candles by melting them down into one jar. Make sure that you get a candlewick so that you can light your candle and not just have a jar of wax with you.
Random Food in The Fridge
Since the holiday season is all about feasts of food, you’re likely going to have a ton of food to spare in your fridge.
If you have some that you think you won’t be eating much over the next few days, then definitely donate it to a local food pantry. It would just be a shame to leave it to expire so might as well give it to people who need it.
Expired Medicine
Another thing that you should definitely throw away is any expired medicine that you have.
It’s something that not a lot of people aren’t doing but you should definitely rifle through your medicine cabinet and throw them out.
When getting rid of medicine, don’t flush them down the drain. Just put them in a nondescript container and throw it away.
Dingy Towels
Your towels, ideally, should be replaced every two years since they might have been worn down from use by then. You can also cut your old towels into smaller pieces so that you can use them as rags for spare use.
The best time to be buying these new towels is during the holiday season when there are a lot of sales going around.
Kitchen Appliances
Your kitchen appliances are something in your home that you might use often if you cook frequently.
Clean out your kitchen appliances or replace those that don’t work or have them repaired.
If you have any kitchen appliances that are broken, then consider throwing them away. If you need to buy new ones then definitely do.
Replace Windows and Doors
There are bigger home improvement projects that you can do to improve your home experience. One of them is replacing or repairing any broken windows and doors inside your house.
You want to make sure that these are on tip-top shape because these are the entrances and exits into your home.
Paint the Ceilings and Walls
A good change of the look of your home will help you get a new start for the new year.
One of the things that can change up the look of the whole place is by repainting your ceilings and walls.
All of these things are important to have a fresh start for the new year. If you feel like you need a fresh start for the year 2020, then definitely start by improving your home. Changing your environment can spark a change in you as well so take that leap!
Author Bio: Andrew is an NY-based writer who covers DIY home projects, cleaning, and organization. When not writing, he spends his time with his two rescue dogs, Jet and Rocket.
Guest Post - Eco Friendly Windows and Doors
Windows and doors attribute to roughly 35% of your home’s combined energy loss each year. Upgrading to more eco-friendly solutions can lower energy bills substantially and put more green in your pocket while also working to build a greener environment. Decreasing our carbon footprint plays a huge part in energy conservation. For homeowners this means minimizing the use of electricity, increasing insulation, and installing sustainable doors and windows.
Windows and doors attribute to roughly 35% of your home’s combined energy loss each year. Upgrading to more eco-friendly solutions can lower energy bills substantially and put more green in your pocket while also working to build a greener environment. Decreasing our carbon footprint plays a huge part in energy conservation. For homeowners this means minimizing the use of electricity, increasing insulation, and installing sustainable doors and windows.
Windows
If you are considering new windows, you will have to make a decision as to which frame and/or glass is most beneficial for your home, your wallet, and Mother Nature.
Framing
Wood is the best eco-friendly option but will likely put the biggest dent in your bank account. These frames require regular maintenance to keep them functioning so paint and sealer will add to the overall cost.
Aluminum is the least expensive option for framing, but because it’s a heat conductor, it’s also the least energy-efficient choice.
Fiberglass frames are relatively low maintenance and rank high where efficiency and longevity is concerned, but they can be costly. The biggest con with this type of frame is that it is not easily recyclable.
Glass
Low-emissivity (also known as low-e) coating is a transparent layer of metallic oxide that when applied to glass minimizes the ultraviolet and infrared light that passes through the glass without affecting the amount of visible light being transmitted. This means, you will have direct sunlight coming through the glass but minimal UV damage, which is responsible for fading furniture and damaging carpet. This coating can significantly reduce utility costs by keeping the heat in during the winter and keeping it out during the summer, depending on which type of coating you choose. There are two types of low-e coatings available:
Passive coatings keep interiors warmer in the winter and reduce heating costs.
Solar control coatings keep the cool air inside while reducing cooling costs.
Insulated glass has an insulated air space sandwiched between two pieces of glass, which keeps your home warm in the winter but cool in the summer. It’s a win-win situation year round. This type of glass also reduces condensation resulting in more consistent thermal performance.
Argon gas is added to double-pane windows where it actually replaces the air in between and creates a thermal insulation that greatly improves energy efficiency.
Doors
Doors that are sustainable have two common denominators. One is the material the door is comprised of and the other is its ability to form a tight seal around the frame. A great part of conserving energy comes from reducing the heat and cold exchange with the outdoors. In other words, keeping the heat inside during winter and outside during summer. No surprise that the most eco-friendly doors are made from some of the same materials as environmentally-friendly window frames.
Wood doors are a great option because of their bold statement and classic beauty, but it’s important to consider type and source when purchasing. Geographical region is a huge factor in the type of wood door you should select. Was the wood locally milled by a forest being properly managed? Is there additional formaldehyde added? Will this particular wood stand up to the elements (snow, rain, storms, excessive heat)? The best wood door choice for various climates is Mahagony. But guess what? You will still have to seal and paint it to prolong its life.
Aluminum or steel is a durable and strong choice for a door. Both these attributes are a must for sustainability. The secure door of choice for harsher climates, they still run the risk of being dented and scratched. They are generally cost-effective and designed with an insulated core but keep in mind that aluminum conducts heat so depending on where you live, they may not be the most energy efficient. One great thing is that many aluminum door companies sell doors made from 100% recycled materials.
Fiberglass doors are lightweight and incredibly energy efficient. They also come in a variety of textures and styles. Homeowners can have the look of wood with the addition of added security they provide. Similar to the window frames of the same material, fiberglass doors are not as easy to recycle as say wood or aluminum.
Sliding glass doors are often chosen by homeowners because the large panels of glass let in a significant amount of light. This is also the reason they were once considered the worst offender in energy efficiency. Not the case, anymore, however. With the advances in low-emissivity coating and Argon gas, you can let the light in without letting the heat or cool out.
MDF (or Medium Density Fiberboard) doors are made from engineered wood fibers and are suited best for the interior areas of your home. For example, the door that leads from the den to the garage, otherwise known as the wind-tunnel. Not only is MDF a cost-effective choice, it is incredibly easy to maintain. Its smooth surface is receptive to many paint finishes, including faux wood. The great thing about these doors is that though they have the sturdiness and strength of wood, they are resistant to rotting and splintering. Also, since these doors are made from left-over wood, they rank high in regards to sustainability.
Replacing doors and windows in your home with more eco-friendly choices will help you cut costs, conserve energy, and leave a smaller carbon footprint in a world where a little more green is always welcome.
Author Bio: Tal Hassid, founder of ETO Doors, is a home decor and door design expert in the industry for 15 years. ETO Doors, one of the largest online marketplace for doors, carries solid wood and fiberglass doors including Interior, Exterior, and French doors.