Winter’s cold chill is here again. This can only mean more moments spent indoors. You surely want to add some warmth to your home all throughout this cooler season. Winter doesn’t have to be a hassle.
Make your home a cozy haven with these seven tips:
- Get your feet warm.
Hardwood floors are great for summer. However, you need to cover them during the colder months. Place thick area rugs by your sofas, beds, and in well-traveled spots at your home so your feet will never have to touch the cold floor. You may also want to leave some cozy slippers by the door. Pop them on when you get in and instantly feel warmer at home. In your bathroom, lay a bath mat to avoid post-shower cold feet.
- Cover your sofa with cozy cushions.
What better way to get warm than to do it with plenty of throws and cushions? Make sure that the first place you rest on when you get home from work is your cozy sofa. Thick knits are ideal for adding nice color and pattern to your home. They are also perfect companions for chilly evenings with a movie.
- Make your bed a safe haven.
There’s nothing more inviting in winter days than a bed packed with blankets and pillows. A faux-fur throw is also a great investment. Then you can drape one across the end of your bed so it’s at your arm’s reach when the cold wind blows.
Visit https://www.juliancharles.co.uk/bedding/type/all-bedding to find on-trend cozy beddings and pillows. Make sure to keep warm!
- Carve out a reading Nook.
Shed out on a cozy armchair and pull out your favorite books or find a new favorite. Lose yourself in a reading nook for hours. For a leather armchair, cover it with some warm throws. Your sofa should be comfortable and snug. Also, make your reading nook is well-lit with a good lamp. Place a coffee table and a small bookshelf nearby, and stock your favorite books.
- Place some fabrics on your tables.
Bare tables are perfect for the summer but are too bare for winter. So, cover them up with appropriate tablecloths and runners. Tablecloths make dining tables cozier, but runners will also dress up your table.
- Use your fireplace correctly.
For the winter season, rearrange your furniture so your family can keep warm near the fireplace. Because nothing is wonderfully warmer and cozier than snuggling next to the fireplace.
- Hang thicker draperies.
Switching out your curtains and drapery for the winter will always make sense. You window panes may allow heat to go out through the glass, thus making your room colder. Hang thicker drapes for the winter season. Some even use double sets of draperies to make their home warmer.
Final Thoughts
These are just the basic ways to cozy up your home for the winter days. Make the most of this season. Enjoy staying at home, wrap up in a blanket, and read a good book while drinking some hot tea. You can even add some seasonal decors to perk up your home.
When it comes to building or even perhaps modifying a house, we can often find ourselves in a quandary regarding what particular type of doors to use. It’s a simple but nonetheless important factor of any home. They add a touch of flavour to the aesthetic design of a structure while providing safety and security from the elements. With the sheer amount of different styles and options to consider, it can appear to be just a little bit overwhelming. However, the two most popular types of doors come in the forms of composite or uPVC.
Composite Doors
Composite doors are generally made from a combination of different materials, chosen specifically for certain qualities that allow them to be as structurally sound as possible compared to more common alternatives. Composite door suppliers, Truedor, for example, have also integrated excellent security measures to their already durable and stable composite doors. And with their versatility in design and personalisation, it’s not a surprise that they’ve become relatively popular in recent years.
uPVC Doors
Created from a versatile polymer called unplasticised polyvinyl chloride, uPVC doors are another popular option alongside their composite counterparts. Typically, they’re a cheaper approach but since they’re made from just one single material, they aren’t quite as durable as composite doors, but they aren’t without their own fair share of advantages. Since they’re normally made from a single material, they’re not quite as difficult to produce and the range of designs rivals their composite counterparts.
When choosing a type of door to purchase, it really depends on exactly what you need. The most sensible and popular approach is to opt for composite door suppliers and manufacturers that provide a wider variety of different styles, designs and choices. Their tried-and-tested designs can be cost-effective as well as a sound investment due to the composite and long-lasting materials used in their production. But that’s not to say that uPVC doors aren’t also up to the task. They’ve been used in many different applications, and have a whole host of advantages.
One thing to take note of before making a decision on which kind of door to go for would be to check if a given manufacturer provides the specific design that your home may need. It shouldn’t be a difficult task as there are quite a few that provide full custom options. While not exactly as cheap as choosing from their standard selections, they’re still reasonably affordable. They also give a certain level of artistic and creative freedom that the structure may need to make it stylistically more consistent and appealing.
If you’re looking for a new door for your home, take your time and consider the best door design, style and finish for your home, before making a final decision.
Image: truedor.co.uk
Tiles can be made of ceramic, porcelain, clay, or stone. These materials are typically used as flooring. Their popularity can be attributed to their versatility and a wide range of color, style, and finish. They are also durable, waterproof, and easy to clean. Above all, tiles are easy to install. In fact, if you want to, you can try installing them as your bathroom flooring yourself.
How do you install tiles on your bathroom floor without getting into a disaster? Follow the simple yet quick guide below.
Step 1: Buy and prepare all the materials you need.
You can’t start without your tools. You need a grout float, grout shaper, tile spacer, tile file, tile marker, tile cutter, trowel, spirit level, and a rubber mallet. Also prepare your protective gear like your dust mask, safety goggles, and knee pads. You don’t want to risk your safety when doing the job.
Most importantly, buy flooring underlayment and the right number of tiles in accordance with the measurement of your bathroom floor. Prepare your grout and have your silicone sealant ready.
Step 2: Prepare the underlayment.
An underlayment is a thin material that provides a level of sturdiness to the bathroom tile when attached to the flooring. Cut the underlayment to fit the whole bathroom floor. Cut holes in it when you need to accommodate bathroom fixtures. Then, attach the underlayment on the floor using a drill and screws.
Step 3: Place the tiles.
Once the underlayment is in place, try to position the tiles on the bathroom floor and decide on the most suitable layout. Cut them using the tile cutter when necessary. Once you are satisfied with the layout of the tiles, get your trowel and apply a layer of thinset mortar on the floor. Make sure that you are using the right types of trowels in tiling. Otherwise, you’ll have more difficulty doing the job. Place the tiles on the spaces where you have already applied the mortar. Do this again until you have attached all the tiles on the floor.
Step 4: Apply grout.
Let the mortar dry for about 24 hours before you proceed to this step. The next day, you can mix the grout and fill the spaces of your tiles using the grout float. Use the float’s rubber surface in pressing the grout into the tile’s joints. Your goal is to level the grout to the surface of the tile, completely covering the spacers. Wipe any grout excess from the tile using a sponge. Leave it to dry.
Step 5: Seal the edges of the room.
To finish the flooring, apply a silicone sealant to the edges of the room and between the tiled floor. This will help avoid mold and water ingress.
Conclusion
Though it seems like tiling the bathroom floor is easy, it actually takes time and a lot of effort. If you can, ask someone to assist you in doing the job. Two people working together can get the work done twice as fast.
Edinburgh is ranked as one of the best vacation sites in the world. Many newlyweds find this place ideal for their honeymoon. Its unique scenery and cool weather has also boosted Edinburgh as one of the top holiday destinations in Europe. Besides its popular historic sites, the city is also home to the best holiday apartments. However, it is advisable that you book an apartment days before your travel date. How do you decide on the best rental apartment? Here is a step by step guide to get the best holiday apartment in Edinburgh.
Search online
You can search and book an apartment prior to your vacation. The best way is by searching online. With a few clicks, you will be able to compare and contrast hundreds of available rental apartments in Edinburgh. The internet makes it easy to interact with the apartment management, to enquire about costs, and facilities offered.
Make a list of the most ideal rental apartments
From the hundreds of rental apartments available, make a list of about 10 apartments that are ideal for you. To come up with this list, consider factors such as cost, location and size of the apartment. You can get this information from various websites.
Choose a suitable rental apartment
From your list, the next step is to consider your stay in the apartment. Does the apartment offer what you need? If you are travelling with your pets, is the apartment pet-friendly? Does the apartment have kids’ facilities such as a playground and swimming pool? Is the apartment family-friendly? How private is the apartment? By getting answers to these queries, you will be able to narrow down the selection of suitable Edinburgh apartments for rent, before making your final decision.
Book early
It is important to note that Edinburgh is one of the most visited cities in the UK. Rental apartments in this area are in high demand. Once you decide on an apartment to rent for your vacation, make sure that you book it. Booking late may result in the apartment already being occupied by other visitors on the specific dates you want. You can book an apartment online. All you need to do is confirm the payment terms and make a deposit for the apartment rental to guarantee your booking.
Getting a holiday apartment in Edinburgh is as easy as following these steps. However, you need to start your search early as these apartments are very popular with visitors to Edinburgh. Usually, you should start planning for your holiday at least one month before you plan to travel. This provides enough time to search, compare and book a holiday apartment.
Keeping your home clean and well-maintained can be a time-consuming and exhausting chore. It can eat into your weekend time and force you to work when you’re should to be relaxing and enjoying the company of friends. Many people hire professional cleaning services instead of doing the job themselves, but if you want to handle the chore yourself, here are some tips that will help you get the job done quickly and efficiently:
1. Keep all your supplies in one place
You don’t want to make multiple trips to different parts of your home during the cleaning process; so sort through your cleaning supplies and organize them based on use. Once they’re sorted, take all the supplies you will need to clean a particular area with you and keep it on your person. You can wear an apron with a pocket or a utility pouch to ensure the products and cleaning materials are within easy reach. This will minimize the effort and time you have to spend on cleaning.
2. Create a checklist
It’s easy to miss certain areas and spots during the cleaning process, especially if you’re in a hurry and just want to get the job done. A thorough checklist will help you keep things organized and ensure you clean your home thoroughly. Professionals that provide cleaning services also keep a checklist to ensure they’re on track.
3. Do one room at a time
If your cleaning is haphazard and disorganized, it’ll take more time and effort. The best way to handle the chore is to tackle one room at a time. Start from the top of the house and clean your way to the bottom. Make sure every room is thoroughly clean before you move onto the next one. You can also spread this out over a couple of days so you can clean the rooms on one floor of your home on a Saturday and the other on a Sunday.
4. Always be thorough
Most homeowners just dust the visible surfaces and don’t do a deep clean. That’s not a problem for everyday clean and will help ensure your home is presentable, but you need to do a deep clean every once in a while. If you’re regular and thorough, you won’t have to spend as much time and energy because you won’t allow the dust and debris much chance to accumulate. For example, a home that is also thoroughly cleaned every week is cleaner than a home that’s only dusted every day.
5. Use multipurpose cleaners wherever you can
There are specialized cleaning solutions available in the market for every kind of surface in your home. You don’t really need to purchase them all in order to keep your home clean. Multipurpose cleaners work just as well and are easier to keep track of. Choose a multipurpose cleaner that can sanitize most of the surfaces without cause them any damage. You will still need to use specialized cleaning solutions for glass and natural stone surfaces, but most other materials can withstand regular cleaners.
6. Ask help
Ask your family members to help you with the cleaning process. For example, you can ask your children to clean up their own rooms, which will reduce your burden considerably.
A company offering complete and professional cleaning services will help ensure your home is completely clean and will also help you maintain it. You won’t have to sacrifice your weekends or spend effort on cleaning as the professionals will handle the job for you.
A garden shed can be a very useful structure and can help you free up some much needed space in your home. You can store all of your gardening tools, equipment, regular tools, and even children’s outdoor toys. Garden sheds are often made from more fragile building materials so they’re more susceptible to regular wear and tear.
However, they’re also a part of your property and have an impact on its aesthetic appeal, which is why you need to make sure they are always in good repair. Here are some tips on how to restore the structure’s appearance:
1. Empty out the shed
Before you proceed with the restoration process, you need to remove all items from the shed. This includes all the tools, equipment, toys, machines like lawn mowers, etc. Make sure the floors and the walls are completely free of clutter so you can see the building material easily.
2. Assess the shed
The first step after you’ve cleaned out the shed is to assess its current condition, to determine what kind of repairs and restoration is required. This simple but thorough visual inspection will help you understand the shed’s current state, and plan the restoration accordingly. You can take notes and photographs of areas that need special attention to know what kind of materials and finishing products you need to buy. You should check the:
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Structural integrity of the walls.
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Condition of the floors.
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Shelves.
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Condition of the roof.
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Door frame, locks, and structure.
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Window frames, windows, glass panes, etc. (if your garden shed has windows)
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Lighting and wiring.
3. Purchase the tools you will need
Purchase all the tools you will need for the restoration project based on the assessment of your garden shed. In most cases, you will only need some basic products such as:
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Cleaning supplies like solutions, rags, dustpans, and brooms.
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Power washers to wash the floor and walls if needed.
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Exterior and interior paint.
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Painting supplies like primers, putty, brushes, and rollers.
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Replacement shingles for the roof.
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A set of tools like hammer, screwdriver, drill, etc.
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Roofing caulk.
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Roofing nails.
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Caulking gun.
4. Clean the floors
Pressure washing will help you remove the most stubborn surface layers of dust and debris and once you remove them, your floor should be ready for use. If you have wooden floors, you can scrub and refinishing it to restore its appearance. Garden sheds often have concrete floors, which are easier to maintain and refinish. You can just clean the floor and apply an epoxy coating over it.
5. Walls
Painting interior and exterior walls is the best way to restore the appearance of the garden sheds. It’s also a great way to protect the underlying material from the weather conditions outside. Here’s what you need to do:
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Scrub away the old layer of paint.
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Seal any flaws with caulk and make sure the surface is even.
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Apply primer on the surface.
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Apply a few coats of paint after the primer dries.
6. Roof
Missing shingles and damaged roofs can cause a number of problems in the long run so it’s a good idea to replace all damaged shingles and make sure the roof is waterproof.
Sometimes restoring or repairing the garden shed can be more trouble than it’s worth. If you do not want restore your garden shed, you can change it
The world of furniture is indeed a massively varied one, ranging from conservative and simplistic pieces, to exotic and original designs. With reclaimed wood furniture, you can expect to find all manner of designs, both humble and extravagant.
With unique conference tables, you can find true works of art with which to facilitate any kind of business conference or meeting, impressing clients and partners while providing a sturdy and quality surface with which to work upon. Such pieces excel in being beautiful while providing a wide array of uses – far beyond that of the conference room – you can also use such tables as dining room tables if you so wish.
Let us now look at some of the best reclaimed wood conference table designs available for purchase today. There is no greater way to host a conference than with a fine-smelling piece of reclaimed furniture which has as much character and history as the company you work at.
Black Walnut with a Live Edge
This magnificent slab of Black Walnut wood has been brought back to life with as much finesse as is needed to rework such a massive piece of wood into something useful yet beautiful. This large desk can sit up to eight people all around.
It has a large hole in the center, which has been tastefully filled in with tempered glass. It is supported by steel legs.
Industrial Conference Table
For something a little more industrial-looking, this perfectly rectangular piece has been made from galvanized steel attached to recently produced scaffold boards, which have been finished with a good quality Fiddes & Sons wax.
While such rustic designs may indeed be highly specialized and unique, please bear in mind that you may indeed find splinters or dents in such classic works brought back to life.
Walnut Conference Table
Another excellent application of Walnut, this is a stable and strong conference table which is highly resistant to any swelling or shrinking. It has been placed atop a pedestal made from steel, bringing out the flavors of industry and home at the same time.
Such wood exudes a tonal procession from light to dark tones, bringing raspberry and chocolate flourishes to light. Such a natural presence of beauty means that the creators did not need to add in any of their own finishes, meaning that the wood is unstained.
You will also find that the grain has influenced the actual edge of the table, bringing something completely natural to any room.
Oak Conference Table
This oak masterpiece is large enough to fit up to ten people. It is 32 millimeters thick, and has been created from the finest oak available, which has of course been sourced sustainably – the creators insist that their suppliers at all times hold a ‘green’ approved certification.
As for the base, we have a 40 x 40 millimeter steel frame box which can be powder coated or clear coated in a color of your choice. There are also bespoke designs to choose from.