Four Teen Bedroom Organization Tips

Is your teenager's bedroom out of control?  Your teen’s bedroom is either a disaster or he or she has learned what it takes to manage one’s personal space. And likely with not a little prodding from you. Regardless of the current condition of your teen’s bedroom, there may be room for improvement. The following tips can help your teen organize his or her personal space and ensure that sanity prevails in your household.

1. Make use of baskets — Professional organizer Marilyn Bohn offers some excellent tips on how to organize a teenager’s bedroom. She suggests making use of baskets, including paint-able wicker baskets, that can hold an assortment of items including sporting equipment and smaller baskets that can be placed on shelves or on top of bureaus to hold personal effects or accessories. Each teen should have his or her own clothing basket or hamper and a waste basket.

2. Shoe boxes — Shoe boxes aren’t just for holding shoes — you can buy a shoe tree or a shoe rack if your teen has multiple pairs of shoes and use those for storing shoes instead. Shoe boxes are great for two reasons: they’re stackable and they can be labeled. Oh, yes, these boxes can hold an assortment of items including CD's, make up, school supplies, you name it.

3. Plastic bins — Seasonal clothing does not need to take up more room than necessary. Store winter gear in plastic bins and place these in the closet, in your attic or basement. Make sure that the containers are airtight and, if moths are a problem, place repellant inside. Clothing that is outgrown should be handed down or donated, helping to reduce your home’s overall clutter.

4. Bulletin board or peg board — Likely, you already have a peg board in your kitchen or other central room in your home with a calendar, a chart and notes tacked or pegged on. Translate this idea into your teen’s bedroom, by offering him or her a personal bulletin board or peg board. This space can help your teen keep track of his or her own appointments including due assignments, special projects and other information that needs a home.

Final Thoughts

You can help your teen be better organized by providing him with his own desk or giving her a color-coded calendar to manage school, sports and family events.  Whatever plan you put in place, enlist the help of your teen who will need to know what goes where. Finally, for a fresh look, paint your teen’s bedroom in colors that he or she likes.


To order your copy of Remodeling Hell and to read the FREE Salvation Guide, CLICK HERE!

Garage Remodeling Ideas and Tips

Redefining your space according to your own needs, and sometimes ignoring what  you're presented with to do so, is the mark of the 21st century homeowner.  One aspect of your space for many a homeowner is the garage, a place traditionally reserved for cars and clutter - sometimes, just clutter.  What if you could take that space and re-purpose it, and extend your life at home in the process?  How would you go about it?  Here are some tips on transforming your garage...

Home improvement and remodels can take place in the interior parts of a home. However, indoor rooms are not the only places for improvements. Sometimes an outdoor space needs to receive an upgrade, such as when selling a home. Homeowners who plan to continue living in a home may have different reasons for remodeling their garages.

The idea of additional living space provides one reason. Some homeowners convert their garages into work rooms, play areas for children, and laundry areas. In some locations, a converted garage space may act as a selling point when the homeowner decides to move.

                                           Garage converted into an additional living space. Source: thatkindofwoman.tumblr.com via Cassandra on Pinterest

Garage remodeling and lighting

Garages require good lighting like other parts of a home. Homeowners should spend time on garage light planning to maximize better results.  A single, 4-foot shop light represents a common light in garages. These lights attach to the ceiling and offer a great amount of brightness. The light works well for homeowners who just want to park their cars and leave. However, some homeowners will spend a lot of time in the garage. For example, a work-at-home professional will need a different type of lighting for specific activities. Task lighting allows the professional to perform job duties without a hot, overhead light.

Garage floors

Homeowners should remember their garage floors. Most garage floors use a concrete foundation. The foundation feels cold, shows dullness and looks unappealing. Over time, garage floors experience spilled paint stains and natural discolorations.

Homeowners do not have to invest large sums of money into their garage flooring. If the room does not act a living space, garage paint works wonders. The floor should receive at least two coats of paint. For homeowners who will convert to a living space, garage floor tile offers a better solution.The tile gives more durability for walking across the floor and holding heavy furniture pieces.  Yet any type of flooring that you’d install over a flat concrete surface, using a vapor barrier, is suitable.

                              A garage remodeling project that makes a garage into a home theatre. Source: homedesign.marthastewart.com via julie on Pinterest

Garage doors

Garage doors represent another remodeling area for a home. These doors range in style and budget. Most garage door styles match the main home’s architectural design. Homeowners should analyze how the garage is used before investing in a specific door.

For example, the up-and-over design swings outward, facing the driveway. Once opened, the doors remain in an up motion. This door type can be heavy. Homeowners who spend time playing the guitars or working on projects may prefer this door. They can keep the door open for long periods and allow a natural breeze to flow into the garage.

                                              Garage remodeling to create an office space with vertical folding doors. Source: guest.themls.com via Chanee on Pinterest

Garage remodeling for better use of space

Some homeowners just want extra storage space. They may not have an attic, basement or shed for storage. Another reason involves having too many items in their current storage areas. Garages offer the perfect solution. Some home have attached garages, while other homes have separate garages.
Unfortunately, without a well-planned garage remodel, the space becomes cluttered and makes it harder to locate items. The exterior wall space can have shelves to minimize clutter. The shelves can have labels, such as paint. All boxes should go against the walls, too. If stacked, the boxes need a label to identify its contents.

As you can see if you just think outside the box that is your garage, there are plenty ideas you could come up with for remodeling your garage should you choose to do so!

To order your copy of Remodeling Hell, CLICK HERE!

*article from builddirect.com

Romantic Bedroom Decorating Ideas

I thought I would bring you a different article on home remodeling today.  Here are a few ideas on how to make your bedroom more romantic.  We all desire a romantic getaway where we can leave behind the busy life and indulge ourselves in a romantic place where all our senses are sharpened to the beauty of our surroundings and to the love and romance of our company. The good news is that you don’t have to book an expensive flight to a far off tropical destination nor does the excitement have to last for just a short few days or weeks.  Not at all! We will discuss romantic bedroom decorating ideas that you can use to lose yourself in the comfort of your own home.  

Your own private bedroom can be your lasting romantic getaway! 

When creating a romantic mood, visual stimulus is without a doubt the most critical point.  Therefore, one great romantic bedroom decorating idea is to bring the color of love to your bedroom by splashing some vibrant colors such as various shades of red, purple, pink and orange in your bedroom. It is important to note that colors play an important role in setting the right mood and creating excitement. Try to minimize the use of lackluster colors such as white and beige.

The best way to bring these fiery colors to your bedroom is by selecting the appropriate colors for your drapes, bed sheets, pillow cases and comforter.  For instance selecting a darker shade of red for your drapes and powerful designs that includes the same shade of red color in your comforter is an excellent way of bringing the right mood to your bedroom.

Next, selecting bed linens that are smooth and soft along with soft accent pillows and blankets are a great way of setting the right mood.

This feeling is not limited to touching your bed elements but also the floor.  Although you may have a great looking floor, don't hesitate to decorate with a rug.  A great decorating idea here is to select a simple design without too much color for the floor rug so that the attention stays on the more romantic features in the room.

Finally, a crucial element in creating a perfect romantic setting that most people forget, is our sense of smell.  Various scented candles and aromas such as vanilla and fragrant oils are a great way of creating the perfect scent.  You can also arouse the sense using a floral spray that has a touch of jasmine or lavender, just remember to do it sparingly to avoid creating discomfort.

To order your copy of Remodeling Hell, CLICK HERE!  Please follow this blog for other home decorating ideas!  

Add Light and Great Style with Chandeliers

A chandelier is defined as “a branched, ceiling-mounted light fixture with two or more arms bearing lights.” During the medieval times, they were made of wooden beams usually shaped as a cross with metal spikes on top to hold candles. It was hoisted towards the ceiling using a rope or chain, and was depended upon as a useful light source. They evolved into more delicate designs involving crystals and stones, and became more apparent in palaces, places of royalty and the wealthy. Today, the chandelier is used in a more decorative way, adding a luxurious presence to the home.

Nonetheless, chandeliers can add wonderful ambiance to just about any room. They are designed to float in a room as an element of the design. It can serve as a room’s centerpiece without taking over the entire space. Chandeliers can be a great conversation piece, as well as a part of the home that really makes you feel as though you are living in luxury. They are elegant and unparalleled additions and command attention like no other furnishing.  There are many points to consider when choosing a chandelier. Size, materials and light emission are crucial when determining the perfect chandelier for a room.

Vertical and horizontal sizes are important decisions to make when selecting a chandelier. A fixture that is too large may overwhelm the space, however, one too small will appear out of place or insignificant. The design and size of the chandelier will also affect the hanging height. For an elaborate chandelier that takes up a lot of space, it should be hung a couple of inches higher than the standard height. Be sure to hold it up before committing to a height to make sure it works. Here are some general size dimension rules that will help when choosing a chandelier:

              - If the room is smaller than 10' by 10', choose a 17" to 20" diameter chandelier.

              - If the room is about 12' x 12', a 24" to 27" chandelier would be an accurate size.

              - If the room is about 14' x 14', try a 24" to 36" diameter chandelier.

Another way to help determine the proper size chandelier for a room is to add the dimensions together. For example, if your room is 12' by 17', add the 12 plus 17 to get 29. Therefore, a proper size chandelier would be around 29" diameter for that room.

The length at which the chandelier should hang depends on the ceiling height of that particular room. The bottom of the fixture should not hang more than 7' from the floor. If windows are present, center the chandelier in the window so it can be seen from the outside.

 

Since a chandelier will be a focus piece in the room, it is vital to choose materials that will enhance the decor of the area. Lavish and visually dazzling light fittings can create the most beautiful kind of lighting. The combination of crystals and candles conjures up all kinds of nostalgic feelings about chandeliers. Crystal and glass fixtures are very popular and represent a romantic sense of wealth. Chandeliers can also come in different metals such as brass, wrought iron, silver and steel. A wrought iron chandelier produces a magnificent appearance. Stone, beads, shell and capiz chandeliers aren’t quite as fancy, but definitely provide a more edgy or whimsical look. Antler chandeliers from elk or deer embody a rustic style and are perfect for log cabins and rustic lodges. For a room with a traditional style, a fixture with more ornamentation and intricate designs will fit best. Alternatively, a simple chandelier would match a modern style space that is usually less ornamented. A formal and elegant room is best equipped with a very impressive chandelier. A space that features antiqued furniture would be complete with a more detail-enriched chandelier, perhaps with hanging pendants.

Another appropriate method to help choose the materials is to begin with a color or element that is influential in the decoration scheme of the room. You want your chandelier color to compliment your existing finishes. Brushed bronze, black, silver or even gold can be neutral tones that will match most decorating schemes. If you already have a warm, rich, wood and earth-toned theme, a bronze or gold finished chandelier may work best. If the room has cool tones, like blues and whites, a silver one would be appropriate. For that sleek, modern style space with black furniture, a silver or black fixture will complement that polished design.

Chandeliers have multiple bulbs and tend to shed a lot of light.  The amount of illumination that you will need can be calculated upon this formula:  

Length x Width x 1.5 = wattage

For example, a room that is 12 x 15 feet will need bulbs that produce a combined total of 270 watts.  A chandelier with 6 bulbs that are 40 watts will most likely provide adequate illumination, especially if complemented by sconces, lamps, or other light fixtures. A more general rule to provide sufficient light with the total wattage of all bulbs is 100 watts to 400 watts. Since chandeliers of recent times are not used as a light source but more as a decorative piece, placing your chandelier on a dimmer is a great option. A dimmer allows adjustment to the light level in order to set the perfect mood.

A very common spot for a chandelier is often found in the dining room. It is important to make sure that the chandelier is low enough to light up the eating area without interfering with the sight line of the people seated at the table. The general rule is to measure 30" to 36" from the surface of the table to the bottom of the fixture to insure good illumination. Additionally, it should be about 12" narrower than the width of the table so it will not interfere with people’s heads. Often, the best thing to do is hold the fixture over the table and move it up and down

until it looks right.

The perfect chandelier in the foyer will create a welcoming atmosphere for all who enter the home. It should provide the general light needed to greet guests and assure a safe passage into your home. When determining whether to hang a flush, semi-flush, or multi-tiered chandelier in your foyer, consider the ceiling height of the foyer and remember to keep it around 7 feet above the floor. For two-story foyers with a window above the front door, center the chandelier so it can be seen from outside. If your foyer is extra-large, you may also want to add matching sconces. They should be installed about 5 feet from the floor and around 6' to 8' apart.

A chandelier hanging at the top of a stairway can be a great focus point. Staircases are often overlooked when it comes to home decor, so the simple addition of a chandelier can integrate this space into the rest of your living area.

The kitchen is a unique, but elegant location for a chandelier. Many homeowners will match the dining area chandelier with the lighting used in the kitchen to keep a cohesive look throughout the home.

If you are placing your chandelier in a room with a relatively low ceiling like some bedrooms, consider purchasing a mini chandelier. In recent years, mini chandeliers have been gaining popularity for their ability to fit nicely into small spaces without sacrificing the character that a high-quality chandelier exhibits.

For countless years, chandeliers have long provided a majestic form of lighting that makes the space look grand and stately like no other lighting fixture. It can be a decorative accent or lovely centerpiece to just about any room in the home. Since matching the style of the room is of utmost importance, do not be afraid to experiment with different sizes, tastes and designs of chandeliers to see which one works best for your home.

To order your copy of Remodeling Hell, please CLICK HERE!  

*article from houseplansandmore.com