Eco Friendly Furniture – Green Bathroom Remodeling

February 10th, 2010 by xmackeys No comments »

Bathroom remodeling appears to be one of the most well liked home remodeling projects today. Remodel projects can go from total demolition and remodel all the way to changing out a few decorative items. No matter what you choose to do, it does not have to be a difficult or expensive process. What’s really exciting about remodeling today is that you have a number of eco friendly furniture and home decor remodeling options.

Once you have determined the budget for your project, move on to measuring the space. Keep those measurements with you while you shop. For eco friendly decorative items, like bathroom vanities, you will want to do your shopping online. That is where you will find the largest selection of eco furniture. You’ll also find good retailers that are willing to help you to ensure that you are finding top quality eco products.

Once your new floor plan, concept, and needed tools and equipment are established you may begin the actual remodeling process. Make sure you review all of your design concepts with your contractor, if you’re hiring one, prior to starting the remodeling project to ascertain everything will be accomplished the way you want it.

People utilize and waste more water in the bathroom than any other area in the home. Throw in all that water utilization with shampoos and soaps and the power employed to heat the water, and your bathroom could be causing a lot of harm to the environment. Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be the case.

To be more eco-friendly when working on a bathroom remodeling project, use energy-efficient light bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs are 90 percent more efficient compared to incandescent lighting. The most ideal lighting for a bathroom is lighting that is bright enough to perform your daily bathroom tasks such as applying makeup or shaving without any trouble, but gentle enough to look pleasant while you do it. Select bright white power-saving bulbs, and emulsify the light by placing them behind frosted glass or situating them at eye level on either side of the mirror.

Another thing you can do to be more eco-friendly is to have dual-flush toilets. The majority of toilets sold today utilize around 7 or 8 liters of water per flush. Older toilets utilize 10 to 12 liters. Similarly, employ a low-flow showerhead or air shower. A regular showerhead dispenses 25 liters of water per minute. On the other hand, a low-flow showerhead dispenses just 6 to 15. Replacing old fixtures, such as leaky faucets can help too.

Bathroom decor need not be expensive or damaging to the environment. Try recycled materials like reclaimed glass tiles. Glass is entirely water-resistant, making it an ideal option for bathroom flooring, walls and countertops. This is just a sampling of the many ways that you can make over your home to be more eco friendly.

How To Decorating For Small Living Spaces

February 10th, 2010 by xmackeys No comments »

If you live in a small home, an apartment, or a home that has some small rooms, you might think it’s difficult to furnish it. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a home that is open and spacious. While choosing furniture and accessories for small rooms can be overwhelming, there are some ways that you can even make those small spaces seem larger.

Unless you can knock out a wall, there’s nothing you can do about the size of your rooms. However, there are ways that you can take full advantage of the space you do have. By choosing the right furnishings, you can give a small room the appearance of being much larger than it really is.

The first step is to reduce clutter in your home. Chances are if you have a small living space, you probably don’t have a lot of closet or shelf space. You can add a lot of storage space by choosing pieces that serve a dual purpose. Choose ottomans that have storage, a bed that has shelves underneath,or a coffee table that has storage space underneath.

The most important thing you can do before shopping for furniture is to measure. Make sure that you write down all the dimensions of the room and check the size of the furniture before you purchase it. While it might be nice to have the love seat that goes with the couch and chair, if it’s going to make the room to crowded, don’t buy it.

Creating open spaces gives the illusion of bigger spaces. Tables that have glass, or metal pieces that let light pass through will make the room look larger. Another easy way to add the look of space is with the use of mirrors. The reflection of light makes the mind think the room is bigger, so try to avoid placing tall furniture pieces in front of windows.

Often, people choose small furniture for small rooms. A lot of small pieces can actually make the room look more cluttered. Using several medium sized pieces will give the room a more spacious feel. You can even make the room look larger by using several shades of one color instead of using a lot of different colors.

Nesting tables are an excellent choice for small spaces. The tables can be set out when they’re needed and stacked when they’re not in use. The color of your walls has a big effect on how spacious the room looks, light colors give a open, airy effect. Limit large patterns to accessory items such as pillows.

No matter which room your furnishing, only use pieces of furniture that you really need. Avoid large, heavy pieces of furniture that will make the room seem like it’s even smaller. Instead choose well balanced pieces that are low to the floor and have legs so that you can store stuff underneath them. You’ll be amazed at how big your small room will look if you follow these simple tips.

Decorating With Bamboo Furniture

February 5th, 2010 by xmackeys No comments »

When you set out to redecorate a room in your home, there are so many things to consider. From the style and versatility, durability of the furniture, to the budget you have to work with, your choices, although narrowed down, may still seem overwhelming. If you are hoping to create a unique, comfortable, and stylish atmosphere, consider incorporating bamboo furniture into your design. As a green element in construction, bamboo has been used in furnishings and accents for many years.

Redecorating a room doesn’t have to be a stress filled experience. After all, there can never be a guarantee that you will love your new design in ten years, when it is no longer new. The key is to choose styles and pieces that will offer you some flexibility for when you do want to change things up a little bit. Often, with bamboo furniture, this is as easy as replacing the fabric on the seat and chair back cushions, and your room will fee brand new. Another great feature about decorating with bamboo is how easily you can move the pieces around in your room, again, to keep your design feeling new and fresh.

Sometimes, the least obvious accents can make the most dramatic impact. When it comes to window treatments, there are so many more options beyond plain, white mini blinds and shades.

Even if you have only incorporated a few pieces of bamboo furniture into your design, your windows might be just the spot for more. Imagine the rich, warm tones of bamboo reed window shades on every window in your room. In addition to the great insulating properties of bamboo, these are shades that require no valance or curtain because they are beautiful enough on their own.

From the novice to the seasoned decorator, the goals are the same to transform a room into something new and fresh. There aren’t many furniture styles that can compliment many styles, and every budget. Bamboo may be one material that has it all. Affordable, beautiful and versatile, bamboo furniture is sure to make an impact in any room. From large pieces, to small accents and window treatments, it is a timeless, classic way to give a room undeniable character.