Guest Post - How to make your laundry room stylish

People usually don’t pay much attention to designing a laundry room; perhaps because they don’t host parties there and it’s associated with somewhat daunting work. However, by considering the space for your laundry room, carefully thinking about the organization strategy and adding all the necessary things in an orderly manner, you can not only end up with a stylish laundry room but a highly practical, functional and efficient one. So, designing a laundry room has much more benefits than just an aesthetical appeal. You can turn any space, either small or big, an independent or a joint space into a fully-functional chic laundry room. You just need some creative ideas and perhaps a few DIY skills. For starters, take a look at some clever ways to create functional and stylish laundry rooms.

1. Designate an area for your laundry room

First of all, if you don’t already have a laundry room, you should find a suitable space for it. It can be a separate room, extra small, medium-size, or big – you can work with any space basically. Even if you don’t have a separate room, but you have a bigger bathroom, you can designate one part of it to be laundry space. It’s important to have all the measurements of the space on paper, as well as the measures of the washing machine and the dryer, being the bulkiest items there. This is essential as it will help you see if, where and how you can fit everything.

2. Save space by stacking up the washing machine and the dryer

If you’re dealing with extra small space, let’s say the width of a regular door, usual ceiling height and 1 to 1.5m depth, you might think it’s impossible to use up this space efficiently, for anything except for a storage room. This is where you’re wrong. Even in this space, you can fit a washing machine and a dryer, by stacking them up. Of course, you should purchase stackable models. It’s important to note that if you experience some issues with your machines, you should try to find washing machine parts or dryer parts and fix the problem before deciding to get new ones. It might turn out that it’s just a minor issue that can easily be fixed, being a more time and money-saving alternative. What’s more, you can even use the door to hang some racks that will hold washing and drying supplies. 

3. Think storage

Storage is the key component of every laundry room. The options are countless when it comes to smart storage options. You can use some wall shelves, floor shelves, retractable shelves, different kinds of rods and containers, baskets, drawer sets and many others. When considering all these numerous handy options, it’s essential to take into consideration the layout of your own laundry room and to choose them accordingly. In this way, you can keep all the necessities such as laundry detergent, fabric softener, color catcher sheets as well as laundry perfume and dryer sheets in easy hand reach. You can also store laundry baskets here. 

4. Consider installing a foldable tabletop ironing board

A suitable time-saving option for a laundry room would be installing a foldable tabletop ironing board. Of course, if your space allows you to do that. Remember to install it in the reach of an outlet. This built-in ironing board is a huge space saver as well. It is very practical and creates no mess. 

5. Add details for a more stylish appeal

Now that we have all the necessary features of a laundry room in the place, we should think about adding some decoration to make the room more appealing, stylish and fun. You can consider adding some greenery to liven up space. Many people opt for putting up different motivational posters. Some of the most popular ones include writings such as ‘wash, dry, fold, repeat’. You can also hang up some interesting paintings and add color by placing some accessories in bold colors. Adding an eye-catching backsplash or a rug can also be quite an effective stylish tool. Remember to go for one style and stick to it, in the same way, you do with other rooms around your house. 

These are just some basic tips to help you get started. You can get some more useful ideas online. It’s key to do thorough research and then decide what works for you by modifying some ideas if you’re unable to apply them as complete ones. 

Author Bio

Allan Wickerson is a passionate blog writer who is extremely keen on writing about health, lifestyle, home improvement, and technology. His exclusive hobby is surfing the net to find amazing articles that can inspire him with some fresh ideas for article writing. He loathes being a common person who wastes his time. Follow him on Twitter.

Guest Post - How to Fire-Proof Your Home

A house fire is a scary experience for everyone involved. You never expect a fire to destroy your home, but it’s better to prepare for a disaster than assume it will never happen. As average temperatures on Earth continue to rise, wildfires are becoming more prominent. Plus, even in cooler regions, arson could occur.

Fortunately, there are ways to keep your home and family safe from fires. Here are some tips on how to fire-proof your home to minimize the risk of damage and injuries.

1. Install Smoke Alarms

A cheap and easy defense system for fires is the smoke alarm. As soon as they sense smoke, they alert you to get out of your home. With advanced technology, there are even smart smoke alarms that will send an alert to you even if you’re not home.

Install smoke detectors in every room of your house for the best protection. Ensure you change the batteries once a year to ensure they function properly in case of a fire.

2. Add Fire-Resistant Windows

The typical glass window can easily crack or break with the intense heat from fires. Fire-resistant glass is an easy fix for that, especially when doubled-up. It can resist even the highest wildfire temperatures.

Without fireproof windows, you’re risking a wildfire spreading into your home. It’s a cost-effective option, as well.

3. Landscape to Stop Fires

Did you know that your landscaping could be putting you in danger of a house fire? If there’s a wildfire near your home, the first thing it’s going to reach is your landscaping. You can design your landscaping in a way that prevents a fire from reaching your home.

Make sure dry vegetation is cleared away. Additionally, instead of only having vegetation, opt for concrete or stone landscaping. You can also plant fire-resistant vegetation.

4. Purchase a Fire Extinguisher

A small fire can turn into an unmanageable one very quickly. Having and knowing how to use a fire extinguisher can be the difference between a little bit of fire damage and your whole house being consumed by fire.

Although there are various types of fire extinguishers, a Class A model should work for your home. They work on materials such as wood, cloth, paper, household items, and plastic.

5. Clean Your Chimney

If you have a chimney, regularly clean it. A chimney fire can be devastating for your home, and it’s easily preventable as long as you don’t let creosote build up in it. Creosote is impossible to avoid, but a chimney fire is definitely possible to avoid.

Schedule regular cleanings and maintenance on your chimney. It will allow your chimney to last longer and work as it’s supposed to. Plus, you won’t have to worry about a chimney fire.

6. Consider Fireproof Roofing

Living in a place where you are prone to wildfires can be risky, but there are other ways to fireproof your home to ensure safety. One of those ways is by replacing your roof with fireproof materials.

A roof replacement can be expensive, but it will be worth it for your safety. Common fireproof materials include metal tiles, slate tiles, and clay or concrete tiles.

7. Keep the Exterior Wet

On drier days, days when wildfire possibility is high, or when you know there is a wildfire coming towards your home, you can still keep your home safe. Sparks fly high, so if you have a hose, wet down your roof periodically to put out any sparks.

Additionally, if you have wood around your home anywhere, whether it be a wood pile or a wooden fence, wet it down as well. Make sure it is thoroughly soaked for the best prevention.

8. Exchange Your Doors

Wood doors won’t provide much protection against a raging fire. A fire can come through a wooden door in about 20 minutes. Exchange your doors for ones with a metal core for better fireproofing.

You can also exchange your garage doors. Most garage doors are plastic or wooden, which will burn quickly. Metal doors will provide more protection.

Prevention Is Key

By taking these precautions, you can better prevent a fire from destroying your home. If you live in a region prone to wildfires, consider taking extra precautions in an effort to save your home from fire damage.

Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.

Got a Guest Room? How to Furnish It for Comfort

If you’re lucky enough to have a guest room, then you’ll have a much easier time inviting friends and family to your home. Staying in another person’s house is often a bit comfortable, but your guests will feel much better with a room of their own. You’ll also have an easier time welcoming others into your home, since guests with their own space aren’t nearly as intrusive as cousins and friends who are flopping on your couch. If you really want people to enjoy their stay, you should furnish the guest room to be as comfortable as possible. Inviting guests to stay in an uncomfortable room is hardly an example of good hospitality. Here’s how you can create the perfect guest room for friends and family,

Get a Truly Comfortable Bed

Some hosts make the mistake of buying a discount bed and mattress for their guest room. This might seem like the smart financial play at the time, but they’re setting themselves up for future embarrassment. Nothing is as awkward as seeing guests stretch their backs and wince after a night in your home. You don’t need to break the bank, but a decently comfortable bed is a necessity. A queen murphy bed would be suitable for individuals and couples alike.

Include a Desk and Chair

Some guests will need to get some work down while staying at your home. They’ll appreciate having a true desk at which they can type, write, or study. You don’t need anything fancy since it will only ever be used for a few days at a time. Just a simple desk with an adjustable desk chair should be sufficient.

Install Solid Curtains or Blinds

While some of your guests might rise with the first light of the sun, others will enjoy sleeping in. They might become especially late risers if the visit includes a robust social program. Opaque curtains or blinds are a must if you want them to get the rest they need.

Put a Small Dresser Against the Wall

Nobody enjoys living out of a suitcase for days. That’s why guests will appreciate a few drawers or shelves where they can leave their clothes and personal belongings. A smaller, cheaper piece should be fine since it will only ever hold a few days’ worth of clothes.

Good hospitality starts in the guest room. Take these tips to heart if you want your guests to truly enjoy their stay.

How to Start Safeguarding Your Home Now From Spring Pests

Springtime is one of the longest seasons by most people after braving the unforgiving and harsh wintry conditions. To many, it means short sleeves, blooming flowers, and warm weather. Unfortunately, it also marks the return and invasion of pesky pests. Pests are not only a nuisance but can cause several diseases, like Malaria, Hantavirus, and yellow fever.

After hibernating from the freezing temperatures, pests like ants, rodents, and termites may be planning a comeback in your premises. As a homeowner, it's time to have a plan to safeguard your home from these uninvited guests.

They say prevention is better than cure. Pests can be stressful, inconveniencing, and harder to control when they invade your home. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to keep off pests from your premises.

Keep Your Home Clean

Spring cleaning is the word. It is a season to clean up all potential clutters and dirt built up, especially during wintertime. Build-up waste is an inhabitant and food for pests. Unkempt homes and extra junk means an opportunity for these insects to invade. It also means more hiding areas. The trick here is to keep your home tidy and clean.

Eliminate Moisture

Pests like mosquitoes thrive in a moist environment. That said, ensure you seal up any openings in your windows and doors. Fix leaky pipes and drain off any water that might have collected around your home.

Keep Food and Waste Where It Belongs

After winter, most pests are out looking for shelter, food, and water. To keep these creatures away from your home:

•    Be mindful of how you store food and throw away the waste

•    Store your food in an air-tight container

•    Seal up your waste or trash containers

•    Always clean up any spills and dishes immediately

Plant-Based Repellents

While the occasional sight of flies and mosquitoes flying around your home might implore you to rush for an insecticide in your local shop, you can repel these pests organically. Some plants like citronella and lemon eucalyptus serve as good pest repellants. And even better, they are gentler to the environment compared to synthetic repellents.

Pest problems are inevitable, especially in springtime. But with the above tips, you can safeguard your home from unwanted pests. Good still is that you can engage professional exterminators.

You see, sometimes a pest infestation can be overwhelming. While DIY pest control strategies are essential, they only provide a Band-Aid solution to the pest problem. That said, involving pest control companies becomes the safest bet for long-lasting pest solutions.