Author: jburn

Carpet Selection: 4 Things You Should Consider


You are ready to cover your floors with carpet. You dream of walking across the freshly laid carpet that is plush and thick. It is important for you to know what to consider as you pick out the carpet that is going to work best for your home.

1. Learn About Different Fiber Options and Their Benefits

There are some good qualities linked to each type of fiber that is used to make carpets, and it is up to you to figure out which of those qualities matter to you. You should get to know how each type of fiber feels to the touch and the benefits associated with each type of fiber. You should know which type of fiber you like the best before you head into a store so that you do not waste your time looking at carpets made with other types of fibers.

2. Know Which Carpet Will Hide Pet Hair

If you have a pet in your home, you might find that you are always cleaning up after that pet. You should figure out which carpet is the most likely to hide the hair that your pet sheds. You should see if a certain type of carpet is easier to vacuum cleaner than the others. As a pet owner, you want to be in touch with others who have animals in their homes and see which type of carpet they recommend.

3. Know Which Carpet is Likely to Stain

A lighter carpet is more likely to get dirty and show it. A lighter carpet can be more likely to get stained than a darker option, as well. Beyond just the color of the carpet, though, you need to know which types of carpet are likely to stain and which are easy to clean. If you have pets or children in your home, you want to know that you will be able to take care of any messes that they make and keep your carpet looking new. Consult with a carpet cleaning service for more information.

4. Learn How the Fibers are Packed Together and If There are Many Fibers Used

The more fibers that are used to construct a carpet, the more plush that carpet is going to be and the better it will feel when you walk on it. You can look at a carpet sample and quickly determine how tightly the fibers used in that sample are packed together. Look for a carpet that is high quality and created using many fibers.

When you spend time browsing a carpet store, you can quickly learn what is for you and what is not going to work out too well in your home.

 

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Redecorating Tips From Painting Professionals

Giving a room a fresh, new look is easy when you follow these decorating tips from painting professionals. Painting a room is an excellent way to re-arrange your living space with the trendiest colors without spending a lot. This is an easy DIY project with some preparation and a little cleanup. Here’s how:

  • Move furniture to the middle of the room
  • Remove all photos and artwork from walls
  • Cover furniture and artwork with drop cloths
  • Wash down walls and woodwork
  • Patch and sand holes
  • Prime wall patches
  • Paint the room
  • Wash floor thoroughly before moving furniture back

Arranging Your Artwork

If you have an extensive collection of prints or paintings, arranging your artwork in groups is eye-catching and inviting. You should consider the size of the artwork and frame style to make it work in an appealing way. If your room space is limited, you might consider grouping artwork on single or multiple shelves. A layered approach with small pieces against larger frames is ideal for small spaces. The shelf style is perfect if you like to change your artwork seasonally or for holidays.

Clustering Artwork and Photographs

Clustered arrangements are the solution for the homeowner who appreciates a loosely defined yet organized arrangement. A clustered arrangement with frames of different sizes, styles, and colors creates interest and draws people in. Using the clustered approaches allows you to create a display of artwork and photographs on one section or an entire wall. To make the arrangement effective, you should choose frames that have similar thicknesses and keep a consistent distance between the frames, or the effect can appear cluttered. Clustering artwork and family photos are the perfect arrangements for a small room since it makes it appear larger. Another plus to clustering your artwork is that you can change pieces occasionally without rehanging all the frames.

Rearrange and Update the Room

To avoid unnecessary expenses rearranging your furniture or moving in pieces from another room can complete your look. An old trunk can double as a coffee table or window seat if you add some new cushions. Place a sofa in the middle of the room in front of a fireplace or two small sofas at right angles. A small table can be placed against the wall displaying your artwork to display family photos in antique-style frames. Refinishing an older piece of furniture is a cost-effective way to create interest in a space.

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How to Keep Your Carpets And Floors Looking Their Best

Your carpet and floor will eventually get dirty. However, there are several things that you can do to keep them clean. You can use the following tips to keep your carpet and floor looking great.

Vacuum Regularly

Vacuuming your floor is one of the best things that you can do to keep it clean and looking great. In fact, it is estimated that you can remove 75 percent of the dirt from your floor by vacuuming regularly. Removing the dirt and debris can prevent your floor and carpet from aging before its time.

The type of vacuum cleaner that you use will make a difference. A good-quality vacuum cleaner is a worthwhile investment. Not only will it do a better job of getting rid of the dirt, but it will also last much longer than regular vacuum cleaners.

removing stains from carpetClean Up Spills Immediately

Spills are one of the things that can ruin your floor. That is why you need to clean up the spills as soon as they happen. You can clean up spills by soaking up the excess liquid. The next step is to take a cloth or paper towel and blot the stain.

Mop Your Floor

You need to mop your floor at least once a week. If your floor receives a lot of traffic, then you may need to mop it more often. All you need is hot water, a mild detergent, and a mop. Clorox is one of the things that you can use in order to mop your floor.

Deep Clean Your Carpet on a Regular Basis

Even if you are diligent about cleaning up spills and vacuuming, your carpet still needs to be deep cleaned on a regular basis. The number of times that you need to clean your carpet per year will depend on how much traffic it gets. Most people need to deep clean their carpet once or twice a year.

Steam cleaning is the best carpet cleaning method to use. It is designed to remove the dirt that is embedded deep down into the carpet. It will also remove the tough stains.

Take Your Shoes Off

One of the best things that you can do to keep your carpet and floor is to not wear shoes in your home. This will prevent you from tracking the dirt and debris from outside into your home. You will also prevent the oils from your feet from damaging your carpet.

For more helpful tips visit repelecarpet.com/care-tips.

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Important Things to Remember When Remodeling Your Basement

Bare stud construction in a basement

Remodeling your basement can boost the value of your home. It can also help you get more out of your basement. However, there are several things that you need to keep in mind when remodeling your basement.

Know the Codes

You should check the laws in your area and determine whether there are permits that you need. You will likely need a permit if the remodeling requires any electrical or plumbing work done. You may also need to have your electrical and plumbing work system inspected before any work is done.

Consider the Lighting Source

Natural lighting works best in a basement. There are several ways that you can increase the natural light in the basement. For example, you can cut openings in the basement in order to increase the lighting. However, it is a good idea for you to talk to a professional before you create new doors and windows.

Keep the Outdoor Air Out and the Conditioned Air In

One of the most important things that you can do to control the temperature of the basement is to add insulation. Not only does insulation keep the conditioned air in and the outdoor air out, but it can also act as a sound barrier. There are different types of insulation available. However, you may want to consider using spray foam insulation.

It does a great job of preventing drafts. It can also keep allergens, bugs, and pests out of the building.

Address the Moisture Concerns

Moisture is a concern because basements are naturally damp. If moisture is not controlled, mold and mildew will build up in the basement. You can use a dehumidifier in order to get rid of the moisture. You will also need to make sure that your basement has good ventilation. Additionally, you can use a vapor retardant. To ensure that mold issues are dealt with completely hire a restoration company that specializes in mold remediation.

Consider the Amount of Space That You Have

Before you do any type of renovations to your basement, you will need to consider the height of your basement. There may be certain things that you are unable to do because of the size. A professional can help you make the most of your basement.

Have An Escape Route

You need to plan for a potential emergency when you are finishing a basement. You can install egress windows in your basement. You have to make sure that the windows are large enough for you to get in and out. You can also add a fire escape to your basement.

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Inexpensive Home Makeover Ideas

If you’re ready for a home update but you need to watch your spending, don’t worry! There are many changes you can make to your home that will look great but cost little. All you need is a little elbow grease and dedicated time.

 

Declutter and Clean

Work around the room in two directions with two containers. You need a trash bag for things that no longer belong in your home and a box for things that belong in another room.

Work counter-clockwise to pick up things that are just in the wrong place. Once you have them all gathered up, put them where they belong. Grab the trash bag and work counter-clockwise again, scooping up garbage or items that just don’t serve you anymore.

Finally, work around the room clockwise. Clean what’s dirty, dust where needed, and sweep and wash the floor when you’re finished. Do a deep carpet cleaning. Your home will look better, smell better, and be much more enjoyable. The cost for this fresh new space will be minimal.

 

Paint

young couple painting a wall

Painting your home is a terrific way to do a low-cost clean-up and rearrange the space. You’ll need to do some prep work and some clean-up afterward. Recommended steps include

  • move furniture to the center of the room
  • pull everything off the walls and dust it before placing it on or beside the furniture
  • cover furniture and wall decor with plastic
  • wash walls and baseboards
  • patch holes with spackle
  • lightly sand when dry
  • prime the patches
  • paint the walls
  • before you move the furniture back, wash the floors

 

Once you have all the holes filled and the walls painted, reconsider your decor placement. Do you have a lot of large wall art, or would you prefer to show off keepsake items or photographic collections? Small pieces of art in a cluster draw the eye of a visitor and encourage them to want to cross the space. If your home is small, this draw could make things feel much bigger.

 

Rearrange

 

Take a good look at your furniture. Your sofa belongs in the living room, but could you use an old trunk as a window seat by adding a cushion? Could the old trunk go near the front door as a place to sit while taking off boots or leaving behind outdoor gear? Running out and buying something is an easy fix, but if you haven’t really thought about what you need and want, it could be an expense you don’t need.

Redoing your home doesn’t have to cost a lot. A fresh coat of paint and an old piece of furniture with a new purpose can make a world of difference in your home without breaking your budget.

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