Archive for the ‘Home’ Category

When it comes to getting repairs done around the house or certain fixtures to be put up, it is essential to get a reliable handyman that knows what they are doing. Various factors will come into play when you want to settle on a no. 1 handyman for the job. There are various things you need to keep in mind before you hire a 24 hour handyman.

Experience

It goes without saying that the experience of a handyman is the first thing you need to look at. A handyman can be a painter, a plumber, an electrician or skilled workman. If a person has been doing their job for a while, then you can rest assured that they will do a better job for you than a new person in the field. They are also more likely to finish the work faster.  With an experienced handyman, you can also get reviews from past clients on how well they did the job.

Their charges

Different professional handyman will charge you differently for the services they offer you. One of the main things that will determine this is whether they charge a daily or hourly fee. It will cost you more if you engage a person who charges an hourly fee for a job that will take days to finish. There are various places you can go and check for handyman Singapore prices to understand the price range for the various expertise available in Singapore. This way, you can make an informed decision on the best person for you.

The amount of work to be done

The amount of work that may be required for repair or getting work done from the start is different. This factor will determine whether you choose to work with one person or hire a group of people. While getting one person to do a considerable job may cost you less, it will most likely take longer to complete the task. In such a case, it is advisable to pay more to get the work done faster.

Materials needed

Find out if the Singapore handyman you hire will be coming with their material or if this is something you will have to facilitate. It may cost you slightly more to hire a handyman who provides the material such as hinges, taps, wires, cables etc. In the long run, however, you end up spending less on the entire project, and you will not have any excess material that you have no use for lying around when the job is done. Factor in all this in the final cost before getting the handyman. It is said that a job is only as good as the person who did it. This can also be said about the type of work you get done for you. Do not be swayed by cheaper labor rates and end up with shabbily done jobs. Take your time to find a competent handyman who will give your task their all, so you have a brilliantly lasting outcome. Here is the HDB list of Contractors. In doing so, you are assured that you will not need to get another person to redo the job or spend much more on repairs because the initial job was poorly done.

Maintaining a carpet is not a simple task. When you have pets and kids at home, it is even more difficult. Because you can’t stop them from throwing random vegetables on it, Pet hairs will get stuck on it always. The training you pet not to pee on it will be your first job after buying a carpet. All these things will either improve your carpet or will damage it. Knowing how to remove stains will help you- not only stains but also dust and hair. Help on upholstery shampooing is available from professionals. If you know about cleaning at home, it’s good otherwise you will need to pay for a professional.

What do you need?

Thinking of cleaning the carpet at home, it is a time-consuming and tricky job. Since you can’t have lots of chemicals at home, you need some household things like baking soda or a bar of soap. They absorb the dirt and pull out small particles. Along with this, you will need a brush or a toothbrush will also work to scratch out the bacteria. A towel or a heavy cloth to clean it and a bucket to soak.

Getting ready

Once you have all the materials available, you can start with a bucket of warm water. The water should be warm as per your sensitivity and ability to handle. It will ensure the proper removal of dirt.

Let’s begin

Before soaking the carpet, clean the carpet with a vacuum cleaner and remove as much dust as possible. But don’t overuse the vacuum. Once you finish, apply the soda on the stain. Don’t over rub, apply smoothly on it. Rinse slowly with a brush. Do not soak it thoroughly, just as much as you think necessary for scrubbing on the stain.

Next step

Begin with this once you finish with stains. If you feel the carpet needs more cleaning, then only soak it in water. If you think it’s enough, just let it dry once you put it for soaking. Be very conscious of time. Never let it soak for hours, try to remove once the dirt is out.

Last step

When you take the carpet out, switch the fans on to let it dry. If you can, then let it dry for hours. It will ensure the fully dry rug. Once you feel the job complete, vacuum it again, this time you have to clean it lightly just to set it.

Plants are the best way to boost the appeal of your home’s entrance. Then whether you choose annuals, shrubs or perennials, you can never go wrong with plants. They beautify your door like nothing else!

To get started, look for a plant that would complement your home’s colour and its style. Also, observe the amount of light your entrance receives because that would also play a significant role in which kind of plant you want to buy. Some of the online furniture stores have a collection of the same.

Let’s look at some of the plant options you can choose and never go wrong.

Plants That Add a Colourful Hue to Your House Entrance

Marigold

Marigold is an annual plant, while it is old-fashioned, it gives a cheerful look to the environment. And it comes with so many colours to choose from gold, orange, and creamy white. It is a low-maintenance flower, but it needs the sun.

Begonia

This plant comes in a wide variety of colours and sizes, these are annual plants, and they are perfect for giving your house a cheery yet welcoming entrance. Also, they need shade, not so much sun to live.

Hydrangea

Hydrangea shrubs come in a lot of varieties, sizes and there is always something to choose from for every climate. If you want to pot them, then consider choosing paniculata. They need six hours of sun every day to stay beautiful.

Sweet Alyssum

Sweet Alyssum is so sweet that once you take a look at them, you want them in your entrance. They are low-growing, honey-scented annual plants, and they need enough sunny time to bloom to perfection. However, you might want to keep it in the shade in afternoons.

Angelonia

Angelonias are tiny snapdragon type plants, and they come in shades of purple, white and pink. This annual plant makes for a perfect addition to any entryway. They are usually cascading and upright in nature, and they need full sun to grow to their maximum height of 18-40 inches.

Coleus

Coleus leaves are gorgeous textured leaves, and they come in striking colours of deep red and rust, chartreuse and burgundy. Before buying, read the label carefully, since some of them need sun, and some need to be in the shade during afternoons.

Fuchsia

Fuchsia is an exotic annual that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies alike with their stunning colourful flowers. This plant needs full shade to grow, and it comes in a striking red, pink or purple colours. 

There is everything to love about wood furniture from its versatility, durability to the amazing and unique appearance. Wood requires minimal maintenance, and you can trust that the furniture will be built to last, and you do not have to put in a lot of effort.

Nonetheless, the only way to enjoy these benefits is by selecting the best quality wood. With so many choices in the market, determining the right one can prove to be such a challenging task. If you are hoping to own a wooden table, here are tips to guide you through your shopping.

Consider the strength of the Wood

Strength plays the most significant role when it comes to the durability of the furniture. The strength is mainly determined by how much pressure the wood can withstand from all directions.Wood such as Duramen is more resistant to decay naturally. Otherwise the wood you select should be capable of retaining its shape without breaking even after extreme usage. You do not want the kind of wood that breaks upon every hammering during carpentry. The wood should be able to retain itssmoothness without tearing or cracks regardless of how hard the impact.

Solid wood

If you are looking for durability and class, you should consider getting a solid wood table Singapore. This piece can transform your space from simple to classy real quick, but you must be sure that what you are getting is actually solid wood. Both softwood and hardwood are solid wood with significant differences in terms of appearance and durability. Solid wood is easy to nail and does not break. You can quickly identify solid wood by checking the direction of the rings to ensure that they match the edge, ensure that it is straight with firm fibers and when sanded, the wood should reveal the fillers.

Is it water permeable?

This is crucial, especially if you are getting a dining table. A lot of spilling happens on the table top, and you want to ensure that the table can handle them all.  With time, water will weaken the wood, causing it to decay and it is, therefore, crucial that you ensure that you select non-permeable timber. Furthermore a high level of attention on the furniture guarantees a high quality finishing.

Heat resistance

The wood you select should be capable of resisting heat, fire to be precise. This is owing to residential reasons as you know that anything could happen and you want the table to continue serving you. You can determine if the wood is fire resistant by checking its density. The denser the wood, the higher its resistance as it contains natural insulation. This is crucial if you are looking for a table for your kitchen or dining room to provide a phenomenal aesthetic.

Appearance

The color and appearance of the wood will determine the kind of style it can give to your space. For uniqueness, you should select dark shade timber over lighter ones. Consider the type of look you want to create before settling on the color and grain type.

Wood has been most people’s favorite furniture material for the longest time and does not show any signs of slowing down. You get to enjoy amazing benefits that you cannot find in other materials and with these tips, you will be in a better position to find the type of wood that will meet your unique needs.

Building of a swimming pool either commercial, semi-commercial, or household much relies on your conversations with the builder/ engineer regarding its appearance, deepness, border tools, and so on. Yet after it gets built, to discover a swimming pool provider is essential to maintain the pool’s water tidy and also bacteria-free. There are numerous points to take into consideration regarding choosing such a specialist. Here are the adhering to top 5 tips to be kept in mind prior to signing a contract regarding pool service with any type of service provider.

1. Just how and also where to find the very best one?

In your community, lots of swimming pool specialists may be working. They may be called, ask to find, pay a go to, and also offer the price quote. If you don’t know any type of, ask around. Friends and household can be a great source. Try pool shops and pool solution business. When seeking a new swimming pool provider, it is vital to meticulously look into the qualifications, experience, services, and pricing of each possible company prior to making your final decision.

2. Experience, Knowledge, and Experience

Your financial investment in swimming pool construction and also its ending up is too huge as well as you do not wish to collaborate with a solution provider/contractor/ business that doesn’t have experience or less experience. Those company business which can properly care your swimming pool might have stayed in business for a long time, recognize the brand-new changing, patterns, fashions, as well as can give the correct recommendations. Such provider’ history can be browsed online, their on-line reviews, their online reputation; trials of their job can be seen while inquiring regarding their present and also previous customers. Such clients can be gotten in touch with to find out about their experience with such n such provider.

3. Sharing ‘By them with you’

Do they show to you what they are doing and why? If you ask. It you can understand while calling their other consumers. In their lack, how the water is checked, or running the water vacuum or inspecting any variety of various other do it yourself items, attended by you between their gos to.

4. Emergency Services

Can they fix any type of item of the swimming pool if it malfunction at any time? Do they offer emergency situation solutions? If the pool leakages or something unfavorable occurs at twelve o’clock at night or on the holiday- will they available to assist you out? What are their costs for emergency situation visits?

5. Certified as well as Insured

Swimming in a dirty pool can be unsafe to your health and wellness. Search for a service provider that is properly licensed by the state. It is likewise important to verify that each prospective supplier has correct insurance policy coverage.

 

With a big variety of fireplace options, they may be installed in virtually any interior or exterior space. But how effective your fireplace will be that depends largely on its placement.

If you’re looking to install the fireplace in your home determining the best position for a fireplace should be your first consideration. Here are some fireplace ideas, you can look forward.

Centrally located

The great choice is to place the fireplace on a wall central in the living room where you’ll find it in most traditional homes. This can make a dramatic feature rather than simply looking at a large television screen as seen in the interior above by outset design.

Positioning the fireplace centred on the wall also provides you the flexibility to continue the same finish across the entire wall or highlight the feature with a cladding such as natural stone or brick.

As a divider

A contemporary approach to positioning a fireplace is to make a divider. This may be effectively achieved by installing a double-sided fireplace where the flames can be seen from both rooms.

In the bedroom, the best position for a fireplace of unique style maybe separating the bedroom and the bathroom. An alternate popular place for a dual fireplace is dividing an entrance and living space.

Suspended

For a modern look you may consider a suspended fireplace. Suspended fireplace is effective when placed central in a room or offset to the side. Relying on your needs, some models are also able to rotate giving you the flexibility to direct the heat to particular areas of the interior.

On a corner

A corner can be more effective in various rooms including an entrance foyer, living room or kitchen. The corner place can become the best place to place a fireplace. As a corner may also become the best part of your room or home.

In view

For those looking to emphasize a view, the fireplace in its direction can help draw the eye. Whilst positioning a fireplace in view, it’s essential to consider the scale of your fireplace so that it doesn’t detract from your outlook.

In an outdoor room

Installing a fireplace in an outdoor room is an amazing way to make ambiance and maximize the usage of the space. A great designed outdoor fireplace can radiate a great deal of heat and make it an all-year-round living area.

As with a fireplace inside, you may choose from a wood or gas fuel source that relies on your requirement and there are a lot of options when it comes to design.

These are the best location for locating a fireplace.

Residences always require the professionals touch to maintain the home in a spotless fashion. There are numerous cleaning services available in different sizes ranging from national level cleaners to the local family owned establishment. If you live in a city like Calgary, you have a lot of services to choose from. The best way to narrow down the field is to first understand your requirements. You can make a list of items that are essential to you and a list of items that is desirable. You can collect the details about different cleaning services in your neighbourhood and test them to see if it matches your requirements.

Certain factors to determine cleaning services

There are few factors that should be necessarily considered before you decide on hiring a cleaning service.

• When someone hires a cleaning service, reliability is often the top factor that is considered. The company has to have a good reputation of adhering to certain standards.
• The cost charged by the trust worthy cleaning services varies greatly from one company to the other. Some companies will offer you better rates if you book well in advance and also if you book cleaning services in a regular schedule.
• The schedule offered by the cleaning service should be comfortable to you. If you want to clean the entire house in a short time, you can ask for multiple cleaners to be made available to you so that the process will get completed quickly.
• Booking a service has to be easy and fast. Most of the cleaning companies including house cleaners Calgary offer quick and easy online booking. When you book online, you will also be able to cancel or reschedule the appointments online.
• Few cleaning companies accept payments only through cash and many other service providers offer a host of payment methods. In some cases, it is possible to give your card details when booking the service online and the service amount will be charged on the day the cleaning activity was completed.

Certain points to remember about cleaning services

Once you have hired a trust worthy cleaning service and the cleaners have arrived in your house for cleaning, you have to ensure that everything works according to your expectations. If you are particular about using organic or green cleaning products, you can let the cleaners know about it. You should remember that the first cleaning always takes more time than the repetitive sessions and factor the time accordingly. Most of the present day companies like house cleaners Calgary will give you an estimate of the expected time before any kind of cleaning commences. 

The living room is unarguably the most frequently used room in the average home – after all, there’s a reason why it’s called the “LIVING” room. For a lot of people it’s the place they spend a lot of their down time, the place they spend time as a family, and some of the time it even replaces the dining room as the place where meals are shared and enjoyed. That being said, we could even agree that it’s in fact the most important room in the house. That being said, it’s undoubtedly the place where we need the most space – but what if we’re not lucky enough to have high ceilings and spacious floorspace? If this is the case, here is how to optimise the space you already have in your living room, and make it look bigger.

Start with a Light and Neutral Base

A piece of advice you’re likely to be given when selling your house fast, is to ensure the walls are painted a light and neutral colour – such as different shades of cream or stone. One of the reasons for this is because it provides potential buyers with a blank canvas, which enables them to picture their own décor and furniture in the space, without your own personal style infringing on their thoughts. The other, is because it optimises space – and space sells.

Light, bright walls are reflective, which means when you allow light into the space whether that be natural or artificial, the light bounces off them, and gives the appearance of a bigger and brighter room. Unlike light coloured walls, darkly painted walls will be likely to do the complete opposite, and absorb the light making the room look smaller and darker.

You could even try taking this a step further, and painting your wall trimmings an even lighter shade than the walls. This will help to expand the visual space in the room, and will make it look more open. The great thing about the neutral and light base, is with it you can afford to accessorise with colours and patterns, not to the detriment of the appearance of the size of the room.

Let the Light in

The more light you let into a space, the more light there is to reflect.

That being said, let the light into your living room! If you’re lucky enough to have a large window that faces the sun, get your curtains open and fill the room. Not only will it give the illusion of a bigger room, but it’ll also warm up the space, meaning even on a cold and bright day you won’t have to turn your heating up as high. Result.

If you’re not lucky enough to have big windows with wonderful views, then don’t panic, because there are ways you can give the room the same effect. Start off by investing in some good lighting, whether that be overhead or lamps. Likewise, jazz your window up with flowers and plants and perhaps even a new pair of light silk curtains. These small things make a big difference.

Get Rid of Clutter

In Japanese culture, the minimalist teaching of “one in, one out” is rife. Very simply put, minimalism is the simple act of not overcrowding your space with furniture and belongings in order to make the most of it. The rules of “one in, one out” are very simple. If you get a new piece of furniture, get rid of an old one. Simple.

You don’t have to literally practice the art of minimalism in order to cut the clutter from your space. The longer you live in a place, the more rubbish you’re likely to accumulate. If you’ve got things you don’t need or use lying around a room, they’re taking up unnecessary space, so in order to optimise the space you do have it’s important to have a thorough declutter. You’ll feel cleansed afterwards!

Cleverly Place Your Mirrors

The final and potentially most effective tool when it comes to optimising space, are mirrors.

When placed strategically, mirrors can entirely transform a space. Not only do they reflect the light, but the overall room itself, giving it the illusion sometimes of being double its actual size.

A top tip to follow, is placing your mirror near a window. It doesn’t matter if you have the best view in the world or not – the mirror will reflect the outdoors and make your living room feel more open and airy. 

It’s true, they do say that the kitchen is the heart of the home – but the sitting room is without doubt, where all the action goes down. Sometimes it’s literally referred to as the “living” room, because this is where the family will tend to do a lot of their living. Think about it, birthday presents will be opened here, family parties will be held in here, and even those cosy family nights cuddled up on the sofa will be in the sitting room. We’ve established that it’s one of the most important rooms in the house, and it’s the place that’ll be host to a LOT of memories, but what if you’re feeling like changing up the décor? If you are, then here are some top tips on how to best decorate your sitting room.

Choose the Right Furniture

More and more people are struggling to shift their homes off the market. In recent property news, it’s been shown that it could be harder to sell your home on the average property market now more than ever. Although they say it’s a buyers’ market in countries like the UK where they’re in uproar with political uncertainty surrounding Brexit people are becoming less likely to invest in property at current, it’s sad but true.

This is why, now more than ever, it’s crucially important to show off your rooms to the best of their ability – not only if you’re selling, but especially if you’re selling. The reason we’re talking about this here, is because the sitting room is one of the main furniture-heavy rooms in the house, and the one that families will look at instantly.

With all of that in mind, it’s crucial that you’re choosing the right furniture for your sitting room. If you’re redecorating a good place to start is by stepping back and taking a look at what it is you already own, then deciding what is looking a bit tired and has to go, and what is fine to stay. Remember that the sofa in your sitting room is like the bed in your bedroom – without it, the room really lacks purpose. If you are going to splash out on something lavish for the sitting room, make it the sofa! After that you can accessorise it with coffee tables, units, shelves and mirrors to your heart’s content! The furniture you choose has the power to maximise or minimise the size of your living room to the naked eye, so be mindful of what you choose, and how you place it. It really is what makes or breaks a room.

Have a Focal Point

Choosing a focal point for your living room is crucial in tying the room together. Although some people are lucky to have a built in focal point, such as big statement period windows, others aren’t. This is where you have to make the focal point yourself.

This could be anything, from your sofa, to a grand mirror, to a statement piece of artwork. Whatever it is, it needs to stand out, and be put in a place in the room that can be easily seen upon entering. If we’re talking about selling a home, whether that be literally to a buyer or trying to impress your guests, the first thing you’ll want them to notice when they walk into the main room is the focal point. It’s the “piece de resistance” of the furniture world, if you like.

Choose an Appropriate Colour Pallett

Of course, when choosing how to decorate, colour is usually one of the first things you consider.

Neutral colours just don’t seem to be going out of fashion, and they lend themselves particularly well to sitting rooms. Not only do they give the space an overall tranquil vibe, but they also optimise your space, and give you total free reign with the rest of your décor. This means you’re flexible to change your colour scheme through accessories and furniture as you please!

Lighting is Everything

Last of all, but potentially most importantly, remember that lighting is everything.

Through the day, it’s important that your sitting area is well lit, so it can be seen in all of it’s glory. However, on an evening, it’s a better idea to set the mood with numerous lamps, candles and other lighting accessories. 

As well as this, remember to allow the natural light to enter the room. Don’t block your windows with furniture – let the sun shine in! It makes all of the difference, and it naturally heats the room. Result.

Many people make the resolution to become cleaner, more organized and eco-conscious. It’s a shame that very few homeowners and business owners take advantage of the benefits a clean environment has to offer. Don’t become that person that puts off cleaning until later! The right cleaning services can help get your life back on track and make your space more productive.

Clear Your Agenda And Focus On Productivity!

Try as you might, you may not have the time or inclination to deep clean your property. Whether you prefer lounging poolside on your days off or you wish to participate in extreme decluttering, the right cleaning services can enhance your way of life. A helping hand can clear your schedule and allow you to focus on your chosen tasks.

Many people are much too busy to get anything done, but by delegating and outsourcing tasks, you can make the most of your time. As an added bonus, many house cleaners can also help you declutter your space and get more organized!

Enjoy Your Space Again

When you head home from work, the first thing you want to do is relax and unwind. With a messy bedroom and unclean surroundings, you just feel overwhelmed. The pull to clean may present itself, but without energy, you will put it off for another day.

Cleaning companies like Lighthouse Cleaning Services work together with you on a schedule to create a cleaning plan that works for you. Whether you need services several times per week or just once, a reputable company can set your mind at ease.

Protect Your Most Valuable Investments

Your home is often a lifelong commitment, and as such, it deserves respect and cleanliness. It’s understandable that you have a life outside of work, but neglecting household chores can decrease property values. Simple fixes will become expensive problems in need of repair. In a similar fashion, your fixtures and flooring will greatly suffer from neglect as well as wear and tear.

Cleaning services can help ensure that your property is taken care of and your investments are safe. Regular dusting, sweeping, mopping and vacuuming can help lessen the effects and signs of aging within your home.

Breathe And Feel Better

Simply put, a clean environment means breathing in less allergens such as dust mites and pet dander. Those that suffer from respiratory ailments are especially at risk living in an unclean home. A cleaning company you can trust is guaranteed to improve your quality of life along with your indoor environment.

If requested, specialty cleaning solutions that are eco-friendly without toxins may be employed. If you have young kids or pets around the home, all the more reason to let professionals handle your cleaning needs.

You will never have the ability to clean as well as a professional company. Armed with the right tools, knowledge and expertise, they can quickly and efficiently help keep your home fresh. Should you need additional help with dusting, organizing or decluttering, many cleaning companies also offer comprehensive cleaning plans to help.