Some Small Kitchen Design Tips

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If you have a small kitchen to design then the problem of designing a great kitchen boils down to just what you can fit and where. There are many different cabinet designs and surface patterns that can help you provide your small kitchen design with a sense of space.

To create the small but efficient kitchen design, you need to work on three major areas of small kitchen design: storage, lighting, and appliances.

Small kitchens may seem to be a very difficult design challenge, but they can also be functional, beautiful and efficient. Even with a small budget and building restrictions, you can find that there are many options open to you to transform your kitchen into something more ideal for your needs.

To create a more spacious look for your small kitchen design the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) recommends designing more unique storage solutions, mixing natural and ambient lighting, taking advantage of more space saving appliances, and adding personalized touches.

A small kitchen design requires creativity in coming up with storage solutions. Some ideas to try include:

Putting an island in the center of the kitchen that can provide freestanding storage that is also convenient from any spot in the kitchen.
Using a galley kitchen design in which the cabinets and appliances line up on either side of a corridor can work out very well for a small kitchen space.
Today's appliance manufacturers have come up with more compact space-saving appliances make small kitchen design easier, such as refrigerators that are 24 inches deep instead of 30 inches deep, as well as appliances that can be hung underneath cabinets like microwaves.
Other small kitchen design tricks to create an eating area in the kitchen include using a drop table or a small sized round table with two small chairs that can be tucked into a corner. Or a built-in counter along the wall with chairs to provide an eating nook.
Another interesting challenge in small kitchen design is creating an illusion of space with under cabinet lighting or under the counter. With the proper type of lighting the kitchen can be made to appear larger and more pleasing.
The use of light colored cabinets with glass doors.
Installing deeper counters that can accommodate more appliances and increase work space.
Flooring tiles can be placed on a diagonal, and in a galley style kitchen hardwood flooring can be run the length of the kitchen.
For storage you can hang up pots and pans. This is a perfect way to free up cabinet space, and they add a certain charm and character to your small kitchen design. The insides of cabinet doors can be used to hang up everything from utensils, oven mitts, and other miscellaneous items. Pantry storage with units that go all the way to the ceiling with the upper cabinets to provide more space for seldom used items while making the lower cabinets more accessible with rollout shelves, lazy susans, and tilt-out bins.
Install a large kitchen sink, since larger sinks are considered to be more practical than small sinks when it comes to cleaning pots and pans.

Remember most kitchens are small. When you look in kitchen design magazines you naturally notice that the kitchens featured are large and so you might think your small kitchen in inadequate. But good small kitchen design means being able to create space and incorporating ample storage facilities and being able to fit in all the necessary appliances.

Space Saving Dining Room Furniture

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Though often underappreciated, your dining room and the way that it is decorated can have a major impact on how your house as a whole is viewed by guests. Many people feel that there is not much that can be done to decorate your dining room without spending a small fortune, causing them to settle for boring furniture and using wall decorations in an attempt to create somewhat of an ambiance. However, if you take the time to look around for some good deals, you may find that you can get the elegant furniture that you desire to transform your dining room from a room that seems bland to one that instantly catches the eyes of all of your guests.

When looking for deals on elegant dining room furniture, the first thing that you should do is
decide what sort of furniture you want for your dining room in the first place. If you decide that you want something with a classic wood look, for instance, then you can save time in your search by not looking at cosmopolitan leather barstools or upholstered dining chairs. Likewise, if you decide that you want to use modern-looking barstools as the main form of seating in your dining room, then you can save the time that you might spend pricing high-backed leather side chairs and wood-and-rush wave chairs. With a number of different styles and colors available in dining room furniture, there is no reason that you should not be able to get just the look in your dining room that you want.

After you determine the kind of look and dcor you want to achieve in your dining room, take a little bit of time to review your budget so that you will know exactly how much you can afford to spend. Remember that you will not necessarily have to spend a large amount of money in order to buy the elegant dining room furniture that you want. Therefore, even if it seems like you do not have a very large budget to work with, that does not mean that you will not be able to get the furniture that you want. Use your budget to determine both the maximum amount that you can spend on dining room furniture as well as the amount that you would prefer to spend if you can find a deal on the pieces that you purchase.

Once you have a pretty good idea of what sort of dining room furniture that you want to buy as well as the amount that you would like to spend on it, begin perusing different stores in order to see what sort of elegant dining room furniture pieces they have available. Should you notice any specific designs of dining room tables, dining chairs, or barstools that particularly catch your attention, make note of their name as well as where you found them. You may be able to find your favorite Tiffany bi-cast leather chairs or the 9-piece counter-height dining room collection that you loved at another store for a significant discount. Taking the time to shop around in a few places as well as online will enable you to find the best deal on all of your dining room decorations.

While shopping around for your new dining room furniture, do not forget to take advantage of the benefits offered by the internet. Not only will you be able to get online and research different dining room furniture designs and the prices charged by various retailers for similar dining room sets, but you may even find some or all of the elegant dining room furniture that you want from retailers who operate online as well. Many shoppers do not even consider shopping for dining room furniture online because they worry about having to pay excessive shipping charges on anything that they might order. Luckily, a vast number of retailers offer either free of flat-rate shipping on many furniture items, letting you save money on ordered dining room furniture by having it shipped right to your door at a lower price while paying little or nothing for the shipping charges. Stores that offer both online and physical shopping outlets may also offer free shipping to a local store, allowing you to pick up your order at your own convenience.

If your dining room furniture needs to be assembled, make sure that you follow all directions so that it will look as elegant as the show model that made you want to buy the dining room furniture in the first place. Once you have your furniture assembled, all that you have left to do is to arrange it as best fits your dining room and finish your decorating to further bring out the beauty of your new dining room furniture

Arianna Jordan is a freelance writer who writes about home decorating, often focusing on a specific type of furniture such as dining room furniture.

Starting A Cake Decorating Business From Home

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Are you thinking of starting a cake decorating business from home? If so, you are not alone. But as with any business idea, having the dream is only the first part of the equation. And working with food usually involves quite a bit more preparation, health department requirements, and possibly licenses that must be in place before you open your doors for business.

One of the most difficult things for people who want to run a cake decorating business from home, or even a small cupcake business from home, is wading through the regulations, zoning, and licensing requirements. It can be discouraging for someone who has never done this before! But don't worry. There are plenty of people who have accomplished this before you, and you can now learn from them.

Here are a few tips to get you started on the right foot, before you go out and buy your equipment and business cards!

Business Plan or Blueprint

Whether you are starting a cake decorating business from home or any other business, you should not do anything before you have written (blank) a business plan or at least an outline of how you are going to conduct your business. For help with a business plan, you can contact the Small Business Administration for assistance, or pick up any number of books on the subject. Paula Spencer, who is a well-known cake decorator, has a book dedicated specifically to the start-up of a cake decorating business. This is discussed further, below.

What about Licensing?

As part of your business plan, call or get online with your State or Local government, and explain that you are interested in running a cake decorating business. Let them know if you are planning to use your home, or if you are planning on renting kitchen space. Ask them exactly what you need to do, and what regulations you will need to follow.

Every state or city is different, so it is very important to start off on the right foot. The resources noted below can help you create a plan of how to proceed.

Is my kitchen big enough?

One problem many people have is a lack of a commercial style kitchen. If this is your biggest stumbling block, here is a very creative idea that many others have used! Most towns have churches and various organizations that already have commercial kitchens in place.

You can ask the directors of any of these organizations if you could use the kitchens part-time in exchange for either a donation (perhaps even a donation of one of your creations for their events!) or a set fee.

You might be surprised at how welcoming one or more of these places might be!

Once you know that you will be able to legally open your business and have your necessary permits in place, here are a few ideas to get you started without breaking your budget.

Start small.

If you already have some cake decorating experience behind you, you probably have at least some basic cake decorating equipment.

Unless your business plan allows for some larger purchases, start small and build up a little business before buying tons of supplies. The resources listed below can help guide you in the essentials that you'll need before starting out.

Here are some ways you can test Here are some ways you can test the waters fairly inexpensively.

You can tell day cares and elementary schools that you are offering to bake cake pops or cupcakes for parties or school events.

You can offer a theme party; for example, you can bring unfrosted Bake Pops(TM) or cupcakes, and supervise the children in dipping these in some sort of frosting. Or have a "cupcake bar" so the kids can order the specific flavor of icing they want on their cupcakes. If they are old enough and if there is enough ability to watch them, they can frost their own cupcakes.

With a little ingenuity, you can make a name for yourself as a cake decorator without spending thousands of dollars. You will need to learn the correct way to price your cakes, how to prepare orders and contracts, and how to determine the size cake you will need for any given job. Don't worry! There are formulas available that will help you learn this. Take your passion and creativity to the next level and start making money from home as a cake decorator!

The Most Impressive Metal Roofs

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Metal roofing systems can be fabricated in a factory and delivered directly to a job ready for installation or you can have the panels made right on the job so you can cut and shape each piece precisely and as you desire.

The natural properties of a metal roof are very impressive. Metal panels are durable and long lasting as well as virtually maintenance free. They offer tons of remodeling benefits like the ability to be installed over almost any type of existing roof system and the wide array of color options and styles that can be used to match any home style.

Standing seam metal roofs have become popular in parts of the country that present harsh weather conditions such as the Deep South, where conditions are hot and humid for many months of the year. They are also admired by northerners because of their ability to withstand heavy snow and wind loads.

Some of the other advantages of significant value are the fire resistant properties and the universal styling that enables blending to almost any home's design. Metal roofs offer what many believe to be the perfect styles for upscale homes as well as homes of lesser value, such as mobile homes. The most popular of any style is the standing seam metal roof, which has been used throughout the world on almost every type of home imaginable.

A standing seam roof is constructed of many interlocking panels that run vertically from the roof's ridge (the top of the roof) to the eave. The interlocking seam where two panels join together is raised above the roof's flat surface, allowing water to run off without seeping between panels.

Standing seam roofs come in many shapes and sizes. In some instances, the vertical panels are cut to length at a factory and delivered to the job site. Metal panels can also be made at the job using portable metal fabrication equipment. Other options include standing seam "shingles" that arrive prepackaged (typically in three to five-foot lengths) and are installed in a staggered pattern for visual effect.

Two types of methods are commonly used to secure the panels to the roof sheathing. Hidden fasteners are secured to the raised portion of each panel, and subsequently covered by the next adjoining panel during installation. The second (and less costly) method utilizes exposed fasteners that are driven through each metal panel into the roof sheathing.

Now we can discuss how standing seam metal roofs are constructed. Let's assume the metal roof panels are going to be formed on the jobsite instead of in a metal fabricators shop or factory.

The metal roof panels are made individually to accommodate the required length. This reduces jobsite waste, as short and long panels can be cut to the appropriate length. To form the interlocking panes, a metal fabrication machine called a brake is used to shape metal into various designs.

A sharp-toothed hydraulic shear cuts each panel to the appropriate length without damaging the panel ends. Although some hand trimming is involved, the panels are formed and cut to length and ready to install in just a few minutes.

The New Paradigm in Business Philanthropy Monkey Jungle and Zip Line Adventures

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Monkey Jungle and Zip Line Adventures is a new concept in self-sustaining, charitable giving.

- It is the first business in the world in which all its profits, all, are assigned to help the poor. This is business philanthropy at its highesta binding together of business and charity to become one.

How is this accomplished?

Firstly, there is Monkey Jungle the business, an eco-adventure tourist attraction in Sosua on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, eight miles (13 kilometers) back in the country, and not far from Cabarete.

Adventure

- Guests play and interact with 13 squirrel monkeys, plus 7 new babies, while feeding them organic fruit in a two-acre jungle grotto on a 250 acre organic farm from whence comes their food. This is particularly a great adventure for children to get closer to nature while having a lot of fun.

- Seven zip lines, each with its own dramatic view, criss-cross the ranchs hills and valleys.

The zip lines are certified by the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) in the United States and are the only ones in the Dominican Republic with double cables for extra safety, thus exceeding most everybodys standards of safety. This falls in line with the old maxim: a craftsman is man who does a job better than most people think worth doing.

- Guests can also dine on a lunch of hamburgers made with Monkey Jungles own, grass-fed, organic beef. (If you go to Whole Foods or Trader Joes you buy organic or grass fed, not both. And when it is grass fed, the last six weeks the animal is in a lot being fed corn. Not so with the MJ ranchit is grass fed up to the moment it is slaughtered. And tender. The whole thing is tender because of the way it is slaughtered.)

All the water used on the premises is from a tested well that is toxin-free of both human pollution and the run off of toxic, synthetic agricultural chemicals. It is pure, like nature intended.

Treating the Staff Right

All the workers get an above-average salary. When most of them started work, they had no motor cycles, the common form of transportation for the poor. Now most of them do. They all get a free hot lunch daily.

The seven-member, zip-line guide team get free housing: private bed rooms, a common kitchen, a living room with flat screen TV, two showers and two toilets. All have a dramatic view of the rain forest, rolling hills and the fields of the organic farm.

It is an understatement to say the staff gets treated well.

Clinic for the Poor

- The second half of the partnership is the on-site, absolutely free clinic for the poor consisting of medical, dental and eye services. All the profits of the business go to the organizing charity, which is the Haitian and Dominican Assistance Corporation, a 501c3 non-profit corporation

The clinic staff consists of a paid Dominican doctor, eye examiner, dentist and manager. Volunteers include a second dentist, two registered nurses and eight assistants who tend to 150 poor every Saturday. When appropriate, patients get free medicine from the on-premise pharmacy run by a volunteer, retired pharmacist.

All this volunteering leaves more money to purchase the US$250,000 inventory of medicines that treat diabetes, high cholesterol, heart conditions, kidney ailments and a host of physical ailments that plague humanity.

- The founders and corporate officers of this new, combined business and philanthropic enterprise are Candy and Chuck Ritzen. They take no salary or money from the business or clinics for personal needs. None.

It is not a give-back situation: Because it takes nothing.

Author's Bio:

D. O. Christian Rieger has traveled half way around the world, from Maui, to Morocco to Mauritius and about 300 places in between. From 1964 to 1973 he wrote articles about futures markets, gold and international trade for Investment Dealers Digest. For more information, photos and videos, visit www.monkeyjungledr.com and www.youtube.com/user/MonkeyJungleDR?feature=mhee.

The Park - A short story about self-image

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The other day I was reflecting on lifes journey. In my youth I had looked at life as a straight path. My goal was always clear in my mind as to my spiritual direction. Then, as the saying goes, life happened? Now, in my forties, I sense that life is more like a maze than a straight path. Certain turns do lead to dead ends. At first I looked at these missteps as time lost. Today, however, I see them as valuable, even sacred, steps in what constitutes my path?

These days my path is quite challenging. In my personal life, events are transpiring that require all my available spiritual, emotional, and physical strength. To be honest, at certain moments, I have felt unequal to the challenge. So, to reflect on what was and perhaps even to regain the strength and fortitude of youth, it occurred to me to visit my childhood home and stomping grounds. This visit was to become an awakening lesson in perspectives.

First, I first drove by my childhood home. I had to stop along the side of the road and marvel at the sight of it. It looked so small, obviously having shrunk in thirty-five years. I saw the windows to my and my older brothers rooms and reflected on all the good times we shared growing up. Playing Toss up and Tackle; sneaking into his room in the middle of the night to read juicy love letters from his girlfriends (Mission Impossible was a big TV hit at the time and I saw myself as a secret agent sneaking into enemy territory while they slept to read secret documents, which in fact they were); my brother almost burning down the kitchen trying to cook pizza for us when our parents were out.

Pulling away from my childhood home, I decided to make the long drive to the park where I used to play. Only it wasnt a long drive? but just a few blocks away--not even a quarter of a mile! I had to laugh as I parked my car, remembering how long the walk seemed to me when I was a child.

Of course, the park had drastically altered in my absence. Gone was the main attraction, THE SLIDE: That simple structure of metal that became the barometer of courage for generations of little boys and girls trying to become masters of their own confusing, ever-changing worlds.

Now, its hard to estimate how tall the slide actually was. No doubt it wasnt the hundred-foot image I had of it as a child. Whatever its actual size, at that time, it was daunting to my friends and me. Access to this particular slide was gained by climbing up a ladder to a platform. This platform provided a path to two slides at right angles to each other. Conquering the slide was accomplished in stages that were well followed by your playground peers. It was a process that took many years and each stage was a rite of passage.

Stage one consisted of being able to climb the ladder without mommy or daddy being directly behind you. Stage two was accomplished by climbing back up to the platform by scampering up the slide instead of using the ladder. Stage three meant sitting on wax paper as you slid down the slide--a truly scary experience the first few times (Indeed, warp speed had yet to enter our vocabulary, but if it had we certainly would have used it).

Next came the courage to climb over the railing on the platform and slide down the center support pole like a fireman. The fifth and final test was reversing that process by climbing back up the pole and maneuvering yourself onto the platform. Not something for the faint of heart, as at one point you are dangling off the edge of the platform as you prepare to swing a leg up to secure a hold.

As I sat on the park bench I marveled at the intensity of my struggles to master THE SLIDE. It consumed me and I must admit a lot of my self-image at the time hinged on my success or failure at the various stages. I wished I could somehow go back in time and tell my little boy self? that he is something greater than his perceived successes and failures. To not waste life by judging his worth by whether he is keeping up with his peers or not. Then it occurred to me that perhaps in thirty-five years I would look back at my current struggles in the same light. My self-image is certainly being affected now by my current successes and failures. Perhaps, now too, I am something more.

I left the park much lighter in spirit and with a smile upon my face. Life is indeed a beautiful journey.

The Spooky History Of Halloween

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Interesting facts about Halloween Halloween is a popular celebration, celebrated in Autumn in the northern hemisphere and spring in the southern hemisphere. Wearing scary costumes, carving pumpkins, trick-or-treating and Halloween-themed decorating are all fun traditions partaken on the day. But, how did Halloween came to life? When did this kind of celebration start?
The custom of celebrating Halloween started back in the days when the ancient Celts were roaming Britain and other areas in Europe. It was first known as Samhain (meaning Summers End) and was celebrated at the end of the summer, a time of year when the Celts believed that the line between the real world and the world of ghosts and spirits got significantly thinner. When this happened, the ancient Celts thought that the creatures of the other world, which possessed all sorts of strange powers, had the chance to walk into our world. The Celts would blacken their faces and dress up in white costumes to trick their dead ancestors into thinking they were also spirits, allowing them some level of safety on the night when the dead returned.

From the Celts, the holiday passed to the Christians, bearing the name of All Hallows Eve, which was the day celebrated before the 1st of November, before All Saints Day. Even though the ancient Celtic holiday got governed by a different religion, the power of spirits still existed in peoples minds and they were both respected and feared. In order to protect themselves and their livestock and gain benevolence from the spirits, people used to offer them food, drink, and even portions of their crops. It was believed that the spirits of people that passed away returned to their homes, in search of hospitality so extra places were set at the table and by the fire, making the spirits feel welcome once they returned.

The carved pumpkin became a symbol of Halloween, although it wasnt the first vegetable used during this celebration - in Scotland and Ireland turnips were carved. The North American immigrants introduced the pumpkin as it was much larger, softer and generally easier to carve figures and lanterns. The first recordings of pumpkin carvings in America date back to 1973 and it was initially associated with the period of the harvest and not with Halloween. The first association between Halloween and the carved pumpkin happened during the 19th century.

Another favourite Halloween custom trick-or-treating began in the Middle Ages where both children and adults would dress up and go begging door to door for food in exchange for songs and prayers. A popular song they would use is: A soul! a soul! a soul-cake! Please good Missis, a soul-cake! An apple, a pear, a plum, or a cherry, Any good thing to make us all merry. One for Peter, two for Paul Three for Him who made us all.

The trick part of trick-or-treating began when children, who were dressed in disguise, saw an opportunity to extort money and treats through fear of reprise. But, as one newspaper reported in 1927, the acts were nothing more than strenuous fun with just a few missing wagon wheels and barrels which were later recovered in the streets outside.

Today, Halloween is celebrated in many places around the world. Children still dress as ghosts and spirits but Halloween costumes can now be anything from super heroes to fairies its more about the dressing up and less about spirits crossing over. Many traditions have remained however, including the carving of the Halloween pumpkin, decorating and trick-or-treating for sweets.

Happy Samhain, All Hallows Eve & Halloween!

Festive Gifts @ Byron Bay Gifts

The van Houtens, The Netherlands and the History of Chocolate

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With supermarket shelves stocked with a huge variety of goodies, boutique stores selling interesting and innovative products and the wholesale confectionery industry more exciting than ever, it is hard to think of a time before chocolate was in everybodys cupboards. We often think of modern chocolate as originating in Belgium, or perhaps Italy, yet it was in the Netherlands that some of the most important inventions took place.
Why was the Netherlands so important? In the 1800s the Netherlands was small but powerful. As a wealthy, seafaring nation, it controlled the majority of the worlds cocoa trade. The city of Amsterdam was one of the most important cocoa ports meaning that the city was full of cocoa beans, ready for intelligent chocolate lovers to get inventive.

Inventing the Chocolate Bar

Imagine life without the humble chocolate bar. The snap of an 80% bar, filling the room with its bitter aroma, or the creamy comfort of a milk bar in front of your favourite film. We couldnt live without them, yet the chocolate bar was invented long after the western world discover cocoa. The bar was invented by a father and son team almost 200 years ago in Amsterdam. It has been bringing joy to the world ever since by fulfilling all our sweet cravings.

Casparus and Coenraad van Houten father and son were both chocolate manufacturers and chemists in Amsterdam in the early nineteenth century. At this time chocolate was consumed in a very different way than today. Cocoa beans were ground up then mixed with milk to make a warming drink or baked into biscuits. The van Houtens changed everything!

Casparus van Houten invented a hydraulic press which transformed the manufacturing of chocolaty products. This press was for roasted cocoa beans and could press out around 50% of the cocoa butter from these beans. This meant that the resulting power was much more useful as an ingredient. Coenraad took up the family business and made more steps towards the perfect product. He added alkaline salts to the new powder which meant that it could be mixed easily with water. This process became known as Dutching due to the origins of its inventors.

Tradition and Innovation

It is thanks in part to the Netherlands that we have such a thriving wholesale confectionery industry today, which supplies stores all over Europe with delicious treats.

The Netherlands has a long tradition of quality products which have built on the van Houtens innovative inventions. In fact, the brand that Casparus and Coenraad set up is still running today. Van Houten produces some of the worlds best cocoa powder, perfect for cooking and baking. It also makes the ideal hot chocolate just add whipped cream! The premium cocoa powder comes in stylish vintage-style tins in a nod to the van Houten legacy. The tins look great on shop shelves as well as on kitchen counters.

Another traditional Dutch brand, and a favourite in the wholesale confectionery world, is Droste. Droste was founded in Haarlem in 1863 and is renowned for its exquisite flavours. A particular highlight is their Chocolate Pastilles Selection which includes flavours such as stracciatella, orange and Madagascar single origin milk.

Angelina Moufftard works for hf Chocolates, established wholesale confectionery suppliers with decades of experience supplying sweets and high-end chocolates to retailers across the UK. Working with the most dedicated suppliers from France, Spain, Germany, Holland, Belgium, the USA and the UK, hf Chocolates' great tasting and beautifully packaged products add panache to any sweet display.

Things to Consider Before Moving Out of a Rental Apartment

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Moving out of your house is often a bittersweet process. You feel pleasure to discover your new surroundings and opportunities, but at the same time you have to do a lot of hard work involved in the transition.

Whether its across the country or the town, you may be lured to set your priorities and sights on your new place.

You may have to do some work before vacating a rental apartment. If you dont know where to start from, then check out this list of things to consider before turning in the keys:

1. Get Organized:

You need to keep track of a lot of details such as:

Truck rentals,
Utility shutoffs,
Home repairs,
Cleaning crews,
Packing days and more,

Prepare a spreadsheet or make use of calendar to make sure that you dont miss a task or deadline.

2. Analyze Your Lease:

Each rental agency has different policies regarding the vacate notice, required repairs, utility transfers, checkout, etc. So, pull out your lease and assess it closely.

The lease will specify what you are likely to do upon moving out and may include anything from security deposit policies, notice period and professional carpet cleanings to final trash pickup.

3. Consider repairing:

All rental agencies require you to return the home in the same condition as they provided you.

More concentration should be paid on walls, so, you are required to repaint or prime walls to get them back to their original color.

Check with your lease to determine what level of coverage is acceptable for moving out. Similarly, you are expected to repair the walls if you hung pictures, art pieces or other things on your walls.

Many agencies have policies about what must be repaired before moving out, so get clarification before doing it. And, in case you dont have time to do these labor intensive chores then you can choose the option of payment also.

If you dont have the time or interest in taking on these labor-intensive chores, many rental companies have an option to pay instead.

Most commonly, agencies will charge a flat fee per wall that isnt painted back to its original color. Weigh all the options viz. time, cost and commitment before considering doing it yourself or paying the fees.

4. Move-out everything:

Think beyond just your clothes, households and furniture, when preparing to move out.

Prepare to deal with harmful supplies and chemicals (paint, propane tanks and cleaning supplies), trash, plants and other items you dont wish to move.

5. Clean the place:

Just like repairing the damage, you may also be required to clean your rental apartment prior to move-out day.

You can do it yourself with the help of family members or you can seek professionals help for the cleaning purpose.

You can make your decision by noticing the condition of your carpet. If there are some major stains, then you can hire professionals to get the job nicely done, so, plan the budget and book the companies earlier. And if you plan to clean your carpet or unit by yourself, then, be sure to accomplish this job properly.

Vacating an apartment demands a good bit of work. There are a lot of tasks to keep track of from shutting off the utilities and packing-up everything to re-establishing the unit to its original condition.

So, plan early to get organized and schedule as much as you can to prevent last-minute hassle. With a bit of hard work, you will be certain to get the security deposit back as you hand over the keys to your property manager.

It is also vital to find an apartment before finalizing on your decision to move out from the existing one. There are plenty of online sources through which one can easily find a rental apartment online. I hope all the above mentioned tips will help you to move out of your rental apartment without any hassle.

Things To Consider When Buying An Autoclave

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For many years the autoclave has been an essential part of any sterilization process. But over the past years there have been a plethora of regulations related to safety issues that make it more complicated to choose the best autoclave for the purpose. Indeed, this has led to the development of new accessories and systems that are required to optimize autoclave performance. For example, there are new vacuum air removal, venting systems and cooling system options that make the best purchase a more complex activity. In this article, we will discuss some of the considerations that should be taken into account.

Who will be using the autoclave? The complexity of setting up and operating an autoclave varies with the type of sterilization and the quality control specifications. In the area of health and safety, the specifications are well known and most autoclaves designed for this sort of work are fairly simple to operate and maintain. However, this is not the same set of conditions for certain laboratory and manufacturing scenarios. As a result, it is important to take into consideration who will be operating the more complex requirements a laboratory autoclave may require.

Lifetime Costs. It is also wise to consider factors such as amount of electricity or steam used the cost of water for cooling and vacuum pumps. Given that most autoclaves have about a five year life span, consider the cost of servicing maintenance. As a general statement of fact, the more moving parts the more possibilities for problems.

What is the range of items to be placed in the autoclave? It goes without saying (but we will say it anyway) that specifying the full range of items to be autoclaved needs to be considered. You should give consideration to all potential items that may require sterilization.

Will you need a top or front loading autoclave? Top loading requires less floor space than a front loading machine

Would you prefer a cylindrical or rectangular chamber? Normally, a cylindrical chamber is better for cooling, weighs less and is less expensive to maintain. A rectangular chamber is usually larger and has more capacity.

Electronically heated inside chamber or external source? As a general statement, inside heating is less complex and requires less servicing. An outside source is faster and provides better circulation as well as faster cooling.

What type of door will you require? Manual door with handbolts is less complex whereas a single action closure is faster and easier to operate. A power door requires no swing and is faster than manual operations; however, they require more servicing.

Will you need a steam jacket? These are like having another pressure vessel surrounding the autoclave. They provide the best system for achieving dryness in porous and textile loads. Moreover, they reduce condensation during certain cycles.

Electrical supply, 230v single phase for smaller systems and 400 v 3 phase for larger autoclaves.

Type of water? Mains water for drain condensers and vacuum pumps. Treated water for in areas of hard water.

This article touched upon some of the main considerations when purchasing an autoclave. Indeed, there are more requirements depending on the situation but those mentioned are a good start.

Think Outside the BoxWalk In Cooler Door Maintenance and Effectiveness

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The easiest way to boost the efficiency of your walk in cooler or walk in freezer is to ensure the door is being closed properly and maintained in good condition. If your food service staff is propping the door open for extend periods, not closing the door properly, or there is damage to the door it will affect your refrigeration equipment, the condition of the product, and your operation cost.

Problem: Your Staff Props the Walk In Cooler or Walk In Freezer Door Open

Often you will see a food service staff prop open the walk in cooler and walk in freezer doors during instances such as receiving shipments. This practice of propping the walk-in door open for an extended period of time can drastically lower the temperature inside your box and put tremendous strain on your refrigeration equipment, which can cause ice buildup.

Solution: Close the Door and Install Strip Curtains

The best thing to do is to make sure your staff only has the walk-in door open when absolutely necessary. If someone is not actively walking in and out of the walk in cooler or walk in freezer, the door should be securely closed. If you still find your staff requires the door to be open for extended periods you should install strip curtains. These plastic strips that run from the top of the door to the floor effectively retain the cool air inside the walk in cooler while keeping the exterior air out.

Problem: Your Walk In Cooler or Walk In Freezer Door Does Not Close Properly

It is important that you frequently check to make sure your walk in cooler or walk in freezer door is closing properly. Make sure the walk in door has a door closure and it is catching properly, that your door gasket is in good condition and creating a proper seal, and that your door is level.

Solution: Replace and/or Maintain Your Walk In Door Properly

If you have any of the above issues with your walk in cooler door, your door is not efficient! If maintenance will not resolve these issues, you should consider replacing your door. ThermalRite has a replacement door that will fit any manufacturer's walk in cooler or freezer. This is an easy way to give your walk in a face lift and make it more efficient.

Problem: Your Walk In Cooler or Walk In Freezer Door is Frequently Damaged

Is your walk-in located so the door opens into the corner of a table or into a passage way leaving it prone to damage from passing carts? Constant damage such as this can make it difficult to maintain a properly aligned and efficient door.

Solution: Replace Your Walk In Door with a Door That Fits You

Who said walk-in doors have to swing on hinges? You could replace your door that slides open so that you are not swinging you door into tables or walk ways. You could also simply replace your door with a door that swings in the opposite direction. This simple fix can make a big difference in the efficiency of your walk in cooler and walk in freezer.

By addressing these seemingly small problems with walk in cooler and walk in freezer doors, you can give yourself a more efficient and cost effective walk in cooler and walk in freezer!

Tips For Decorating A Small Girls Room

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When it comes to the girls room, you should be positive you employ a wonderul room design. However it might be hard to make small rooms look big on style. Thankfully, there are ample decorating methods you can use to make decorating a small girls room a breeze!

Stick to a design style which you will love, but also one which can help to make your room feel bigger. Too much clutter will make your girls room appear smaller so avoid hanging a lot of accessories and be positive you have a sufficient amount of storage to put things away.

Decorating a room with an explicit decorating scheme in mind could also help to maximize the girls rooms space. A sleek minimalist style can be better since this de-emphasizes clutter and is apt to accentuate space. Choosing an interior design style you really like, however, is very important as this is the place for your little girl to dream and grow.

Think about keeping your furniture in the small size range. In place of having a full size bed, try using a single canopy bed which will allow for a cute look and good nights sleep plus make the room seem bigger. You could also break up any monotony in the decorating theme of your girls room by mixing small with large, so why not use the small bed but also use a large lush canopy- it could make the room look sizeable plus add interest and appeal.

If you are able to paint your girls room, then the paint color that you choose can help play a vital role in making it feel bigger. You've most likely heard that light colors make a room look bigger and dark tones make it appear smaller, but usually it's quite a bit more involved than that. If you prefer to look at deep or bright colors in your girls room you can have them without making the room look small if you choose a monochromatic decorating theme, or one where the colors are the same brightness. For a colorful look use greens and blues that all reflect an equal intensity or to provide an a calming interior design style go for a monochromatic decorating theme of pale blues. Painting one wall a deep hue will make it seem further away, hence adding depth to the room. For wall colors, pale tones like gray-blue will make an overall larger appearance as they give the effect of the walls receding. If gray isn't your shade, you may also use cool colors like blues and purples to provide the same look.

Remember, when you are decorating a small girls room to consider where you are putting the accessories and furniture. If you desire a design that looks terrific and also brings harmony to your life, consider using Feng Shui when decorating your girls room. Furniture must be placed away from the doorways to allow easier open access to the rooms along with making it feel more spacious. Also, if you can focus the eye on the bigger pieces like a big poster or canopy, it might help the room appear less small.

With the tips above, decorating a small girls room doesn't have to be hard. Employing a little bit of elbow grease in addition to unique creativity can help turn even the most cramped room into a designer showplace.

Tips on Buying Steam Cleaners for Chewing Gum Removal

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Gum removal is one major issue cleaning professionals and business owners face frequently. Unfortunately, a number of people stick their gum on floors, walls, benches, seats, and tables, and other surfaces. These gum deposits are unsanitary and can actually deter customers from a business. Even worse, if left for an extended period of time, the difficult task of removing chewing gum is made even more challenging. making it difficult to clean off later.

The main areas where chewing gum residues are a particular problem are parks, educational institutions, hospitals, restaurants, theaters, and shopping malls. To remove the gum, the managers must either hire cleaning professionals or buy appropriate cleaning machines.

Cleaning efficiency can improve if cleaning is performed using the right machine, regardless of whether it is done by a cleaning employee or a cleaning company. However, due to the common nature of gum removal, purchasing a chewing gum remover machine may be the best bet for business owners.

Steam cleaners, the premiere systems for removing gum, are the preferred choice among business owners and cleaning professionals. To understand why steam cleaners are best, it is first important to understand how they work.

How Do Steam Cleaning Systems Clean?

These machines eject dry vapor steam onto surfaces. Dry steam is superheated water, up to 360F, that can melt or dissolve many types of impurities, including chewing gum residue. The output pressure level is not a serious concern for these machines. The pressure level can reach up to 150 psi. However, for removing chewing gum residues, an output pressure level of 89-120 psi would suffice.

The output of most steam cleaners melt and dissolve dirt residues. However, it is important to use these machines only on surfaces that can withstand the high heat. Otherwise, the surface or a part of the surface will also melt along with the dirt residues.

Though steam cleaners are effective in dissolving a host of stains and deposits, other features are essential for complete removal of gum.

Why Does One Need a Vacuum Facility?

The problem with using ordinary steam cleaners as gum removal equipment lies in their ineffectiveness in removing dirt residues completely. Ordinary steam cleaners do not have an attached vacuum facility. That is, if one buys an ordinary steam cleaner, one has to either use a separate vacuum cleaner or resort to another manual cleaning method to remove dirt residues.

A solution to this problem is to use a specialized gum remover machine. These are steam cleaners specifically made for fast extraction of chewing gum residues. These machines have attached vacuums, long steam and vacuum hoses, and large extraction tanks.

Steam vacuum cleaners work by simultaneously extracting softened gum residues as they are dissolved by high temperature steam and an additional gum dissolving solution. This simultaneous extraction ensures that gum residues are removed entirely, leaving no stains behind.

Agitation with Stainless Steel Brushes

One other feature is essential in the removal of chewing gum: a stainless steel brush. Attached to the end of the gum squeegee, the stainless steel brush is used to agitate and loosen even the hardest gum deposits, which are then extracted. Lesser quality brushes are simply not strong enough to remove old gum residues.

Using a specialized steam cleaner with all of the necessary features and components for removing chewing gum residues is not only efficient, it will also save time cleaning. When looking for the best chewing gum removal equipment, remember to purchase from a trusted supplier offering advanced gum remover kits, with a concentrated solution, a stainless steel brush, vacuum extraction, and high steam temperatures.

Tips to clean Kitchen Knives

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Knives are the most hardworking utensils in any kitchen. If you look at it critically, almost everything you do in the kitchen requires a knife and rarely will they stay long in the drawer before heading back to the worktops for another round of cutting. By the virtue of being the most used, kitchen knives are also some of the most cleaned tools and knowing how to do it properly and safely will be very important for you. As you clean your knives, your concern should not only be about their cleanliness but also your safety. Every knife including your best electric carving knife needs to be cleaned properly and doing so will help prevent cross-contamination, injuries, and dullness. So, how do you wash your kitchen knives safely and properly?

Stainless steel sharp edges and different parts minimize (however don't dispense with) the weathering impacts of fluids and oxidation. Not all blades utilize stainless steel. More established blades, and some more up to date ones, utilize carbon steel that is more powerless to impacts of the components and may require more continuous care. Cut execution and life span are improved by standard care:

Clean the whole blade routinely, including sharp edge, rotate focuses and bolting system. On the off chance that conceivable, clean it without inundating into fluid (shower cleaners function admirably). In the event that you inundate in fluid (water, foamy water, or solvents), dry altogether in the wake of cleaning, then oil edge and moving parts. Normal cleaning and oiling ought to deal with sticky deposit and light surface oxidation or starting rust arrangement ordinarily found on blades.

Tips to help clean your kitchen knives safely and effectively

Use clean water and normal soap

Although it might seem like using detergents is the best way to keep your knives clean, just a simple soap and plain water will do the job just right. Its always advisable that harsh and strong detergents shouldnt be used to clean your knives as these could damage them and even transfer the odors and tastes into your foods. Just using plain water, plain soap, and a sponge before rinsing will be enough. Always seek to clean your kitchen knives immediately after us so that the food doesnt stick on the blade thus making it hard to clean.

Wash the knife tenderly while holding the handle

Never wash the knife while holding the blade. It is always good to have a firm grip on the handle and wash the knife while the blade is pointing away from your body. You should also avoid using a sponge that is too slippery and this could increase the chances of slipping and injuring your hands. Once youve washed both sides, rinse thoroughly and then wipe with a clean, dry towel.

Dont soak the knives inside the sink

Soaking your knives in the sink could be a recipe for accidents. Even when there are sticky substances on the blade of your knives, it is only good to soak then in shallow water, and clear water for that matter in a way you can see them. Trying to scrub stubborn, sticky foods off the blades of your knife could be risky for you. Soaking the knives eases the process of washing and makes it safer for you.

Avoid the dishwashers

Even when dealing with knives made from stainless steel material, a dishwasher is a no-no when it comes to cleaning. High heat and abrasive detergents could cause the handles and blades to become dull within a few weeks while giving your knives some scratches on the edge. It could also cause some cracks on the wooden knife handles or even make them loose within a short time. While at it, your sharp kitchen knives could also damage your other utensils unnecessarily.

Once you wash your knives and are sure they might not be used anytime soon, make sure they are dried and stored safely in a drawer. Avoid storing your knives while they are still wet. When washing your electric carving knives, make sure they are disconnected from the power source and not soaked in water.

Toastmaster Waffle Maker Is Perfect For Your Kitchen

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Whether or not served with maple syrup, honey or with fruits, waffles are an excellent choice for breakfast. People, young and old are fond of waffles and relish it completely. It draws people from everywhere for its delicious aroma from where it is being made. The sweet fragrance makes everyone weak in his or her knees and mouth. Toastmaster waffle maker is a known brand in the market that helps you to bake yummy Belgian waffles with ease at home. There are various models available from the Toastmaster brand. You could check them out and compare the features and prices before buying them.
The waffle makers from Toastmaster produce superior quality. Toastmaster is a sound brand. You could check this out by reading the positive feedback given by its users and customers all over the world. The customers are happy with how the Toastmaker brand makes its waffles. Many have approved its products. The company makes evenly browned waffles that are sure to entice your taste buds. Features of the waffle maker:

Makes amazing round plate-sized Belgian waffles
This machine is auto temperature controlled
The waffle maker is provided with a signal light that notifies when it is ready to be used
The insides are made up of durable non-stick finish that ensures your waffles do not stick to the hot plate
The body is mounted on special rubber feet that ensures it does not slip while working
It has a covered hinge area that allows an easy clean up of the machine

Cleaning the waffle maker - It is very easy to clean this model but it is very important that you unplug from the electricity source before you start your process. It is a big no to immerse the machine in water. You will need to use a soft cloth or pastry brush to clean the grids. For removing stubborn stains, use a plastic mesh brush or any material that is safe on non-stick materials only. Clean the outside body with a damp cloth.

Safety Instructions -It is very important for you to follow all the safety instructions while dealing with this waffle maker. After all, you should handle this electrical equipment with care. Follow the basic safety precautions like never to touch the hot surfaces. Read all the measures given in the safety instruction booklet. There is a clasp to fasten the waffle maker when it is cooking. This can be easily unclipped to open it and remove the waffles. The light helps you to know when the unit is preheating.

Easy to store - The Toastmaster waffle maker is for homes uses only. Therefore, it is compact and small. You can easily stack it in the corner of your kitchen and it is ideal for waffle making at home. After the waffle making, there are no issues of dangling chord as you can easily wrap it around.

If you are looking for a waffle maker for your house, do consider the Toastmaster waffle maker. It will be a great tool in your kitchen and you can relish the waffles it makes anytime.

G. Smitty is a writer who loves to discuss many topics ranging from Villaware Waffle Makers to professional basketball. Thanks for reading!

Top 3 Extended Stay Hotels with In-room Kitchenette in Houston with Weekly Rates

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Many travelers prefer to stay in a hotel with in-room kitchen for certain reasons. Also, the popularity of extended stay hotel is at peak among travelers who stay for a longer time. If youre visiting Houston, Texas and wondering how to find an extended stay hotel with in-room kitchen facility, then this article shares top 3 as such hotels with its brief and weekly rates to help you find the best weekly stay hotel for your extended stay.

Many people travel Houston, Texas for various reasons as it has many tourist attractions as well as many business and work opportunities. Generally, people stay for an extended period while visiting this city so they can get enough time to explore the city when they are on vacations or exploring all business opportunities and meeting key people while they are on a business trip. When a tourist of Houston city is on an extended stay the most common choice of accommodation is an extended stay hotel in Houston, TX as it gives all required amenities to make stay comfortable without hurting budget of the traveler. Furthermore, as per study results, people stay in a weekly hotel with kitchen facility in the room for certain reasons as it helps in satisfying hunger at any time as well as make extended stay cost-effective. Also, many health and taste conscious people prefer to stay in the hotel with in-room kitchenette so they can follow their diet plan. If you, too, are traveling to Houston, Texas and looking for best extended stay hotel with in-room kitchen facility in Houston then continue reading to find the top 3 extended stay hotel which has in-room kitchen as one of the amenities along with the quick brief of the hotel and its weekly rates according to current market.

1. WoodSpring Suites Houston La Porte

This extended stay hotel is situated in La Porte. The hotel is filled in with all required amenities to ensure a comfortable stay for its guests. The range of amenities includes, TV with cable service, in-room kitchen, in-room refrigerator, free parking, high speed internet and much more. The hotel also offers a family plan for the tourists who are traveling with family. The tariffs of this extended stay hotel range from 79 to 530 $ depends on the room selection.

2. Staybridge Suites Houston - Medical Center

This extended stay hotel is located in the heart of Houston. It is surrounded by many tourist attractions at nearer distance, such as NRG Park, Houston Zoo, Houston Maritime Museum and Rice Stadium. This weekly hotel offers a wide range of amenities which is part of their tariff including, but not limited to free WiFi, kitchen facility, meeting facility, business center access, parking, pool, fitness center access, dry cleaning, breakfast, so on and so forth. This is one of those extended stay hotels which allow pet. The weekly rates of this weekly stay hotel in Houston range from 179 to 259$.

3. Candlewood Suites Pearland

It is an extended stay hotel in Pearland, Texas, which is admired by all different types of travelers for its offering and hospitality. It is located at a convenient location to the city attractions and business centers in Houston which makes it one of the perfect hotels to stay. Also, it has many amenities and recreations to offer to its guests including, but not limited to, wired and WiFi internet access, Alarm Clock, Bathtub And Shower, Private Bath, Radio, Electrical Outlet Desk, Hair Dryer, Dishwasher, Cookware, In-room kitchenette, Cardio Vascular Equipment Extensive Health Club, Child Activities and much more. The weekly rates of this extended stay hotel in Houston range from 129 to 162.99$

Author's Bio:

Author is a passionate traveler and Blogger who recently has stay at one of the extended stay hotels in Houston. The author enjoys writing about weekly hotels USA.

Top 3 Hotels with In-Room Kitchens in Atlanta, GA

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Atlanta is the capital of Georgia State in the USA which attracts a lot of tourists every year. The tourists visit Atlanta for business as well as recreational purposes. They often prefer to stay in extended stay hotels in Atlanta due to a range of amenities it offers to make stay comfortable of its guests. This article shares the top 3 weekly hotels in Atlanta with in-room kitchen amenity.

Atlanta is the capital of Georgia and it is the main center of the U.S. state, Georgia in almost all aspects. Basically, this city was planned as a railway junction, but with time, it turned into an important commercial town. There are a number of tourist attractions in Atlanta, ranging from history and sports to arts and entertainment. The most popular attractions are the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola and several other museums. The tourist visits this state for both, business and recreational purposes. The best lodging option is extended stay hotels in Atlanta. Also, the weekly hotels with in-room kitchen are more in demand among the tourists. If you are planning your next visit to Atlanta and looking for hotels with an in-room kitchen, here is the list of the top 3 extended stay hotels with in-room kitchen:

1. Residence Inn Downtown Marriott

Located in a beautifully transformed historic downtown property, this hotel with an in-room kitchen can be regarded as one of the top weekly hotels in Atlanta. They offer a range of complimentary services to make your stay a comfortable one such as light snacks in the evening, hot breakfast buffet as well as wine and beer. You can even get 24 hour room service. So whenever you need them, they will be at your doorstep to offer you the required service. Their fully-equipped kitchen includes coffee maker, toaster, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher and a stove top, so you can cook food of your choice and taste.

2. Home2 Suites Atlanta Downtown

Want to stay in a modern hotel that has a historic charm? Then, this extended stay hotel in Atlanta, GA is the one. Located at the age of Centennial Olympic Park, this weekly hotel is near to many popular tourist attractions including the World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium and the CNN Center. If you are a sports lover, then you would definitely love this hotel, as it is near the Georgia Dome for Falcons Football. You are going to love the interior of the hotel as well. The spacious rooms along with the in-room kitchens are no doubt a treat.

3. Residence Inn Lenox Marriott

This extended stay hotel in Atlanta comes with a studio, one and two bedroom suites that have separate living areas and fully-equipped kitchen. They offer a number of amenities to make your stay comfortable and to make you feel like home. Every morning, before going out and exploring the city of Atlanta, you can enjoy free buffet breakfast. Are you a social person and love making friends? Well, you can do that at the hotels evening socials. If you are a fitness freak and cant spend a day without going to the gym, then you can workout at the fitness center in the hotel. If you choose to relax, you can sit by the pool or have a bath there. Moreover, you can visit the popular tourist attractions of Atlanta with ease. Friendly and helpful staff and great service are all that you get here.

Staying in one of these weekly hotels with in-room kitchens and exploring the city of Atlanta is something that you are going to cherish forever.

Author's Bio:

Author is a passionate travel Blogger. He shared his experience of extended stay hotel Atlanta which is part of his research on weekly hotels USA.

Top 5 Inexpensive Hardwood Flooring Alternatives

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Do you want to achieve the look and durability of a hardwood flooring but your budget is pretty low? Worry no more because the contemporary market now provides a number of budget-friendly options that you may consider as alternatives for solid hardwood flooring.

Hardwood flooring is well known for its durability and warm aesthetic. Its quality is proven to last for generations. Regardless of where you will install the hardwood, it can surely make the room look extra gorgeous and sophisticated. Plus, it can easily blend well with any interior design. These unique features of hardwood flooring , however, also come with a high price tag. Hardwood can be really expensive and the cost for installation is also pretty high because installing them on the floor needs extensive labor. Hardwood flooring is one of the most popular floor surfaces covering materials, and has been for centuries.

If you think your budget is lower than the cost of the hardwood, you may be concerned about how you can be able to achieve the look that you want for your floor. Fortunately, there are quite a few flooring options that you can use as alternatives to hardwood floors. Most of these alternatives provide the same superior durability, quality, and glamor at a fraction of the cost.

Bamboo

Bamboo is one of the best budget-friendly hardwood alternatives. It is also one of the famous flooring materials used for home design. It has long been used by homeowners who want a flooring that does not only offer a natural and refreshing wood look but is also truly durable and sustainable. Bamboo has a natural grain design like that of a hardwood.

Vinyl

As compared to hardwood, vinyl is easier to install and is also less expensive. Vinyl is considered as a contemporary substitute to hardwood flooring. Unlike the old days, you can now find high quality and durable vinyl materials in the market. Premium vinyl comes in various designs, textures and patterns. You can choose the type which best mimic the look and elegance of a pure solid hardwood flooring. Another nice thing about vinyl is that it only requires less maintenance. This makes it a viable flooring choice for any room in your house.

Cork

Just like bamboo, cork is also an eco friendly and durable flooring option. It is basically created from the cork oak tree's bark. Although quite soft, cork is extremely durable. It can perfectly be installed on floors that receive lots of foot or standing traffic. It is also great for rooms or places where children play because it is softer and safer than solid hardwood. Also, cork is a good insulator. It is a perfect choice for homeowners who usually walk barefooted around the home. Cork is available in different colours.

Laminate

Gone were the days of the old, plastic-like, and artificial-looking laminate flooring. As the imaging technology upgrades, the laminate flooring also evolves over the years. Today's craftily engineered laminate flooring look and feel very closely the same to a real solid hardwood flooring that you almost can't even identify the difference. Since it is very easy and quick to install, it is regarded as a popular option for at-home DIY aficionados.

Engineered Wood

If you think the first four options do not meet your preference simply because you really want the feel of a real wood flooring, then you may consider using engineered plywood. Engineered wood flooring is a smarter and cheaper option if you want a wood flooring. Aside from being less expensive, this type of material can also withstand humidity and moisture better as compared to authentic solid wood.

Top 8 Interior Design Apps for Your Future Home Renovation

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In the digital era that we live in, you can find anything online. There are tools to help you with your daily tasks, such as keeping a to-do list, reminders, online cookbooks, and more. There are tools and sites to help you promote your work, to find work, to express yourself through art, to learn how to DIY a lot of things. But when it comes to home improvements and design people seek professionals. Pinterest is one of the places people go to for inspirations but there are interior design apps that help ordinary people figure out how to renovate or decorate their homes. Some of them can also be used by professionals who want to be found by clients and to show their portfolios. Here is a list of the top home design apps.

Best Home Decorating Apps for Colours

ColorSnap - One of the best home decorating apps is here to help you find the exact colours for your home that you want. Not only can you paint your entire room just by swiping your finger, you can also scan colours and virtually paint your room with them. By tapping on any photo the app will find the matching one in the Sherwin-Williams store. Compatible with: iOS 9.0 or later, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. PANTONE Studio - This interior design app is dedicated to helping you build, and choose colour palettes and combine up to 5 colours. It has a few helpful tools and colour guides, all designed to make your job easier. You also have the option to take a photo of your room and change its colours. There are articles available explaining what colours are associated with, the context behind them, and more. You can also see what colour palettes are trending, rather than customising your own. Compatible with: OS 9.3 or later, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

House Planning Tools for Measurements

Homestyler Interior Design - this is another top home design app that makes it easy for you to measure your home and see how furniture, carpets, art and others will look in your home. You can create an entire home that looks very real so you can have a more realistic vision of your home. You can use this app to browse for real professional designers and ask questions. You can look at what other people are working on and their portfolios. Compatible with: iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. MagicPlan By Sensopia - Is simply amazing! It does so much work, including measuring your home via pictures and allowing you to add and remove things to help you with the furnishing or decoration. It is like doing an entire plan for your home on paper with measurements and drawing, only you will not actually do anything. Its simple, its easy and its free. It supports various formats and objects. It is ideal for anyone, even for small businesses, furniture retailers, architects, and interior designers. Compatible with: iOS 8.0 and iOS 10, iPhone, iPad.

Top Home Design Apps for Styling and Arranging

Curate App By curate space llc - For all art lovers who admire a particular style or is interested in various styles, this virtual room designer app will be of great help to. How it works is, you take a photo of your walls and put in the measures so you can have the correct scale. Then you can freely browse through different galleries and if you see something that you like you can see how it would fit and look like on your wall instantly. You can check different options and when you make your mind to buy the one you like, the app will send you to the gallerys site for more information. Compatible with: iOS 7.0 or later, iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. HOUZzz - the app is said to have everything an interior designer might need. It is the number one app for home remodelling, renovations, building, furnishing or decorating. There are different categories, by room, by style, and others. It gives you the opportunity to see what certain furniture would look like in your room. Additionally, to all of its designer work, you can also use the HOUZzz app to read and write reviews for products. It allows you to connect to professionals, such as professional furniture assemblers,or painters if needed. Compatible with: iPod touch, iPad, iPhone, and iOS 9.0 or later.

2D and more

Home Design 3D GOLD By Anuman - It offers a 2D and a 3D model of your house. It can be used to redesign, redecorate, or create your dream house from scratch. It gives its users the ability to create a floor plan and customise it with the right corners, windows, and change walls thickness. You can add and remove interior and outdoors furniture. Customise size, style and place. It allows you to review a real-time 3D version of your creation. It is one of the top home design apps and it doesnt even require an Internet connection. Compatible with: iPod touch, iPad, iPhone, and iOS 8.0 or later. Planner 5D - Interior Design - is an app that is quite simple to use and allows you to see realistic interiors in 2D and 3D modes. There is a free version catalogue that includes over 150 free items and a paid one that has over 3000 items whose sizes, places and appearances can be changed. The App. has a multi-platform synchronisation and it can be used both online and offline. With this virtual room designer app you can create many plans for your homes exterior and interior. It allows you to view and make floor plans, even add textures and colour combinations, choose furniture, and more. Its versatility puts the Planner 5D App at the top of the list when you are looking for a digital help for renovating or decorating your home. Compatible with: iPhone,iPod touch, iPad, and iOS 9.0 or later. Decorating your home is super simplified with these virtual room designer apps.