In some cases, Garages become an extension of a home’s storage space instead of a parking space. Imagine what else you can use that space for, and it might even be for an essential purpose. Luckily, cleaning your garage isn’t too hard, especially if you know beforehand the things you should consider.

Only Keep the Important Stuff

The first step to cleaning your garage is to know what you have in there. You can start with sectioning your garage and pulling everything out in that area. This will make cleaning more manageable for you, and you can immediately see the amount of space you’re working with. After getting everything out, it’s time you decide what you want to keep.

Set criteria on the items you want to keep because this will prevent you from taking too much time thinking of keeping it or not. It’s important that owners know what to do with the things they have, and if they still need it. Ask yourself, “Does this serve a purpose?” Here are some tips to help you decide:

• Is it an item you use often? Keep it.
• Does it still work, and will you be using it? Keep it.
• Is it something rare or hard to buy elsewhere? Keep it. 

Decide Where to Dispose of the Clutter

After you’ve sorted all your things, the next thing you have to consider is what happens to the things you don’t need. There are many options for you to choose from, such as the following:

• Donation – if you have items you won’t be using, but are still usable, consider donating it to a local charity or a community. There many places which accept donations, and it’s a good option than throwing out an utterly functional object. Moreover, donating your old stuff can significantly help the lives of people who need it.
• Sell – one right way to earn some extra cash is by selling some of your things, especially the rare or high valued ones. Consider hosting a garage sale or posting your items online. Make sure to do an accurate appraisal of the things you want to sell so that you can get the right value for it. 
• Throw – for things that can neither be donated nor sold; you have to throw. Cleaning out your garage may leave you with a ton of things to sort through, some of which may even be useless. 

Cleaning and Organizing Your Space

After you’ve gotten rid of all the unnecessary stuff, it’s time to do the actual cleaning and organizing. It will take some time, but the results will leave you with a brand new room for your home. Make sure to scrub the floor from top to bottom, to get rid of all the dust and dirt’s that have accumulated through the years. Don’t forget to wipe the cabinets, and finish the job by mopping the floor. By doing this, it can help reduce health risks that may have accumulated through the dusts and molds.

After cleaning your garage, it’s time to get organized. Make an inventory of all the things you have left and only keep the things you’ll be using. Make sure to utilize the cabinets and shelves in your garage, if you have one. If you don’t, it’s best to have one installed for you to keep your frequently used items. Make sure to categorize your space, so you know where everything goes. 

Make Time for Cleaning

The biggest challenge many people face when cleaning their garage is not knowing whether they have enough time to complete the task. Before you start with cleaning your garage, make sure to set in advance. Mark it in your calendar and set goals and target dates for when you’re supposed to be done with everything. Doing this will help you be motivated, and it can track your progress. Most importantly, having a schedule means you’re more likely to commit to it and finish the job.

You don’t have to rush cleaning your garage. The task may seem overwhelming at first, but with patience, you’ll be rewarded with a brand new room. You’ll have more space for things that matter to you, and less trash in your life. Make sure to utilize storage saving techniques, especially if you still have many items to store in your garage.

Reference

https://www.budgetdumpster.com/blog/how-to-clean-out-your-garage-and-conquer-the-clutter-for-good/

Have you decided that it’s time to upgrade your toilet? If your bathroom suite has seen better days or if your toilet is broken and requires replacing, you’ll need to select the right toilet for your bathroom. That might not be as easy as you think. For a start, there’s quite a lot to bear in mind. You can’t simply walk into a store and just choose the first toilet that you see. Instead, you need to consider a number of elements. Here is your expert guide to just what you should be looking for in your new toilet.

Get The Height Right

Usually, toilets come in two heights – the comfort height and the standard height. While you’re probably used to having a standard height toilet, the comfort height option might be better for you since it’s a couple of  inches taller than a regular toilet. On the other hand, if you have children who’ll be using the toilet regularly, a standard toilet may be a better choice. 

Dual Flush Water-Saving Options

At one time, nobody thought twice about how much water was wasted when they flushed a toilet. Older toilets used to use a lot of water in their flush and this was very wasteful. These days, however, the importance of conserving water is better understood. Regulations were passed a few years ago which restricted the maximum toilet flush to just 1.6 gallons. Therefore, you can rest assured that you won’t be wasting water when you choose a newer toilet. However, there are still ways to reduce your water usage even more – something which might be appealing if you’re taking an eco-friendly approach to living or if your household is on a water meter. A dual flush toilet has two different flushing options – one for low volume purposes and one to remove solids with a standard volume flush. 

One Piece Or Two Piece Toilets

Toilets come in two main designs – two piece or one piece. A two piece toilet has a separate bowl and tank. They are standard and are found in many homes. A two piece toilet is tried and tested and function very well, however some people have found that a one piece toilet with the tank and bowl being fused into a seamless single unit are better suited to their needs. Not only are they simpler to maintain and clean than a two piece toilet, they also have a smoother and sleeker profile which is ideal for a contemporary bathroom. 

Which Bowl Shape To Choose?

There are two bowl types that you can choose from for your new toilet – the elongated bowl or the round bowl. Round bowls are, naturally, fairly round in shape and work perfectly in a more compact bathroom since their profile is smaller. An elongated bowl is an oval shape, around 2 – 3 inches longer than a round bowl. Many people prefer the comfort factor of an elongated bowl, so if your bathroom is large enough to accommodate this option it could be a better choice for you too. 

Which Flushing Mechanism To Choose?

At one time, there was only a single toilet flush option available – gravity flushing toilets. These would use the water’s own weight to provide sufficient flushing power. This simple flushing mechanism allows for low maintenance toilets, and many people still prefer this option for their bathroom. These days, however, there are other options to pick from too including pressure-flush toilets or ones with an assisted flush. These use the air to boost the flush pressure and this means that the flush is more efficient and powerful. Of course, they also cost a little more than a standard gravity flush toilet, so you’ll need to work out whether you can afford to fit it into your renovation budget.

Which Color To Choose?

Toilets are available in a host of different colors, from vibrant shades to neutrals like beige, cream and white. It’s often best to go for something more neutral for your bathroom since it will stand the test of time, and white toilets are often more affordable than other colors. 

Are you ready to choose the right toilet for you? There are more details found on Homeworthylist.com to point you in the right direction of how to pick the perfect option for your stylish bathroom.

Woodworking is an excellent hobby or profession. The skill is something that is difficult to forget, and it has many practical effects in reality. After one project, there is always another one waiting, especially if you own a home that needs some work done. However, woodworking also requires a bunch of knowledge and tools to successfully complete a project. Before you undertake any endeavor, such as making a table or perhaps repairing some old furniture, you want to make sure you have the right tools, equipment, and planning acumen.

The Right Wood

Wood is not made equal. There are some varieties that are better for projects than others, especially if you want to create a piece of furniture or a similar object. If you are just beginning your woodworking career, consider buying pine, cedar, cherry, redwood, or maple boards. These will be easier to cut, sand, and shape.

Once you have the type of wood you want, be sure to purchase a little extra. While you can measure the exact dimensions of your project, you’re going to want to have spare material available in case you make a mistake. This will save you from extra trips to the store for more.

The Right Saws

When the average individual imagines woodworking, they probably think of saws first. Before wood can be filed, planed, and shaped properly, it needs to be cut to the general size that will be used. So, you need to possess the right saw for the job.

Not all saws are made equal. The most common one seen in woodworking, though, is the circular saw. This is an electronic tool with a vertical, rotating blade with a serrated edge. It is usually standing up on it’s own table and can be used to make clean cuts on boards and slabs. While most are vertical, you can also get horizontal circular saws similar to those seen in old mills. These blades tend to be used for ripping along the grain to split boards.

There are three types of circular saws: those that cut with the grain, those that slice against it, and those that can do both.

Besides circular saws, you might also need a handsaw, jigsaw, and bandsaw. The handsaw requires your force to make typically vertical cuts. The jigsaw is a straight, handheld tool that can be used to make cuts in the middle of boards. A bandsaw combines circular and saber saws and works well for making intricate cuts. Figure out what saws you will need and buy the tools before you begin the project.

The Right Clamps

There is nothing more annoying than working on a project and having the surface move. In many cases, this movement will completely ruin the artistic endeavor since the action cannot be undone. This is especially true in woodworking, since one wrong cut can destroy a piece of wood. So, you’re going to need clamps to hold the boards in place. Most people know what clamps are – there are two pieces of plastic, wood, or metal that can be tightened. To get the best clamps, you can find more information here.

The Right Planers and Sanders

A planer is a cutting tool designed to help smooth wooden surfaces and remove minor amounts of wood to make small adjustments. All planers shave off wood fibers using a thin blade. Eventually, the surface the planer is used on will become smooth. A sander, on the other hand, is a tool which has a raised, rough, abrasive end.

So, you need to determine whether or not a planer or sander will work better for your project. In some cases, you might need to use both of them. There are a couple of different types of planer and sanders. Some are used for broad work while others work on more intricate details. Test out a few before making a purchase.

Conclusion

Once you have the proper tools and materials, you then need to create a plan for your project. Remember to take measurements and sketch out and measure the piece of furniture or object you want to create. This will stop you from wasting materials in the long run and will help with the planning. You will also know the kind of tools you will need. Once you have everything, you can get started and have that piece of handmade woodworking you’ve always wanted!

Are you looking for a new sink for your kitchen? There are lots of options to choose from, so how do you know which to choose? Here are four options that you might want to consider that will look perfect in your kitchen, no matter what its style or décor.

Farmhouse

One of the main benefits of having a farmhouse sink is the charm of it. It becomes a focal point of a room. You can get farmhouse sinks in a variety of materials such as stainless steel, fireclay, and acrylic. This means you can get it in the material that suits you best, whether that’s for maintenance or for the aesthetic of the room. Another benefit of a farmhouse sink is the large and deep basin. It allows bigger dishes, pots, and pans to be cleaned in without a mess being made. The design of the farmhouse sink makes it so that you can stand directly in front of the basin without a counter in-between. This style dates back to the early 17th century when there was no easily accessible water in households; all water in houses had to be conserved and the deep basins of farmhouse sinks made this possible. It’s lack of counter blocking you from the front of the basin helps with better posture and will stop back cramping and pain that would usually occur from bending over the counter.

Granite

Granite is less prone to damage and makes a lot less noise than stainless steel does. Quality granite sinks are formed under high pressure, which makes them resistant to heat, chipping, stains, and scratches. Granite sinks look stunning in kitchens and can be a wonderful addition to the room. You can also get them in a variety of colours, adding to the versatility of granite sinks. They also come in a range of styles, so they can fit in the space you provide and fit in with the rest of your kitchen décor. Granite sinks can be cut to any size and fit almost any faucet. Additionally, slabs of granite are never the same, so every sink is unique. Another benefit of granite sinks is the colour will not dull when hot pans touch the surface. It is also an attractive alternative to the common stainless steel and cast iron sinks that are found in most households; a granite sink will make your kitchen look unique and different. You can find complete details here about how to choose the right granite sink for your home.

Copper

A big advantage of copper sinks are their antibacterial nature. Copper naturally kills most bacteria on its surface, so it ensures that your sink will remain free from harmful bacteria and sanitary. Additionally, copper is a very durable material and will remain strong and keep its beauty throughout its life in your kitchen. While copper sinks are susceptible to scratches, it adds to the rustic look. The aesthetic of copper sinks allows you to incorporate copper into other elements of the room like utensils and décor. Copper sinks come in a variety of thicknesses too – thicker sinks will result in less dents. Maintenance for copper sinks is extremely easy and will only require a soap and water routine every few weeks and this should suffice. This is good for busy households who don’t have the time to regularly deep clean their sink. Copper sinks don’t rust or crack, either, which makes cleaning even easier.

Double Bowl

Double bowl sinks are designed for multitasking, making t heman obvious choice for hectic households who have lots to do. They are designed so you can fill one side with hot, soapy water and the other side can be used to rinse the dishes down. Double bowl sinks can be good for people who receive lots of visitors or have a large household; one side can be used to clean plates, cutlery, etc. while the other basin is free for guests and family to wash their hands without messing up the dishes or getting in the way. The main advantage of double bowl sinks is the handiness of being able to multitask. This is important for maintaining a clean and hygienic kitchen while saving effort that could be used elsewhere. If you do not own a dishwasher, you should consider buying a double bowl sink to speed up the process of dishwashing. Double bowl sinks come in two sizes: one has two equal sized basins, while the other size has one basin that’s bigger than the other. When one basin is bigger than the other, this is usually used for food prep, very useful if you spend a lot of time cooking.

These four sinks look great in any type of kitchen, so now all that’s left for you to decide which one you like the best!

Apartment rents can take out a major chunk of your salary. If you are planning on saving some money or simply don’t have the money to pay high rental costs, don’t get intimated by apartment rentals.

How to find cheap rental apartments

With these tricks you can get yourself an apartment for cheap, without having to move into a dump:

Figure out your budget

How much can you take out for apartment rentals, without cutting back on your main expenses? Keep in mind that you will have to take this amount out monthly or even quarterly. We suggest keeping the figure around 20% of your salary. So, if you are earning $5,000 per month, don’t spend more than $1,000 on your rent.

Once you have a figure, you can narrow down apartment searches to the amount you have.

What are your expectations?

When it comes to apartment rentals, think of what you can compromise on and what you don’t want to. Some things you might want to consider are:

• Number of bedrooms
• Commute Time
• Distance to the bus stop/ subway
• Parking options
• Pet policy
• Whether the apartment has any white appliances, or will you be expected to buy them
• Neighborhood

Do an online search

Once you have a rough idea of what you want, the next step is to go online and search. Filter the search using your budget limit and your expectations. This will give you a rough idea of where you stand. Download real estate apps like Street Easy, Zillow, and Craiglist. Check what they are offering.

Go and visit some of the apartments that interest you. You should look at least 5 -10 apartments before you make a decision.

What’s Your Credit Rating?

Most people searching for apartments don’t know this, but your credit rating impacts your position. If you have a credit score of above 350, then you are in a better position to negotiate rent with your landlord or agent. It’s better to get an idea of where you stand. You can request your credit rating report from any of the three credit bureaus in US.

If your credit rating is below 350, it doesn’t mean your chances of landing a good cheap rental apartment are bad. Read more about renting an apartment with bad credit at Crediful.

Look At Suburban

The rental costs go down significantly when you move away from the main city. Plus, suburban usually offer a community. Look at the commute. Will you be able to commute daily? Maybe you can pair up with a colleague or a neighbor to save commute time.

Consider Looking for a Roommate

You can bring down apartment cost to a half, if you find a roommate to share the cost with. Ask your friends if they are looking to rent an apartment. Place an ad on Facebook, or even Craiglist.

But before you do that, find out if you are allowed to bring a roommate. Ask your landlord. Get a written agreement in your contract with your landlord to avoid problems later on. Also create an agreement with your roommate for the same reason. Lay down the rules of the contract beforehand.

Do you qualify for subsidy?

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD offers people in the lower-income scale rental subsidy. If you are unable to afford rent in any decent place, consider applying for a subsidy. Do a search on the HUD website to find out if you qualify for a subsidy.

Rent Directly from Landlord

When you hire an estate agent, you should know that they will be charging a fee from both you and the landlord when a deal is stuck. A real estate agent might make your job easier by showing you apartments that match your exact criteria. But when you don’t have money to spare, skip the agents.

Look for apartments that are rented from the landlord directly.

Don’t Forget to Negotiate

Every landlord keeps some space for negotiation. Negotiate on the rentals. Even if the rent amount is within your budget, negotiate still. Start with 20% less than the asking amount. Be prepared to make a little room for negotiation so ask for a lower price than you are willing to give. Remember, if you have a good credit score, you can get more room for negotiation.

Inspect the Apartment

Never rent an apartment without inspecting it carefully. Visit it at least two or three times before making your final decision.

Spread your visits to different times of the day to get a better understanding of what to expect. Look at the plumbing. Check the taps. Ask whether you will be getting any appliances with the apartment. Check if they are in working condition.

If you can’t inspect the apartment in person, ask a friend or family to do it for you.

Deciding to move in with your partner and buy your first home is a huge decision, and it could just be the best one that you ever make. There are so many stressors and difficulties that come with decorating your new house together, not least of which is negotiating a style that you both appreciate. We have put together some hints and tips for moving into your first home together and decorating it in a way that will work for the both of you!

Gender neutral designs

He wants everything decorated in his favourite football team’s colours. She wants everything to look pink and floral. Hold the deposits! We seem to have a problem. So it may not be this severe, but having differing opinions when it comes to the interior decoration of your new home can be a real tricky problem to maneuver. A lot of these issues stem from stereotypical gender apparel. Make sure that you find a middle ground that you are both happy with. Pick something minimalistic and gender neutral to begin with, then you can come back to the fine tuning later on!  

Setting budgets

If you are a millennial first time buyers in the 21st century then most of your money will most likely be used on paying for the deposit on your first home. Any money to spare after that is a huge bonus, but must be used carefully and wisely. Make sure that you and your partner set a realistic budget for the decoration of your new home. At this stage it is not imperative that you have designer furniture or fancy wallpaper. Make sure that you budget for your decoration priorities in order to avoid over spending.

Top Tip: Make use of online discounts to save money on your interiors. Use a Leekes discount code to get money off of your homewear, electricals and furniture. This is a great way to save on those extra pennies!

Take the pressure off

If you are young and this is your first home then it is time to take the pressure off a little bit. It’s not supposed to be perfect. It’s supposed to be messy, it’s supposed to be imperfect, and it is certainly supposed to have a budget attached to it! Try not to worry too much about ironing out every single crease in one go, spend the time really enjoying the process together in a stress free way. This will help you both to really appreciate the process of moving into and decorating your first home!  

Get exited together

One of the best things about moving into your first home together is the excitement of it! Make the most of it! Look through interior decor magazines, head to Ikea for the day, and just start getting excited about the prospect of living with one another. This is a really great time in your lives, so don’t let the stress get to you. Brush it off and get excited!

Making the house a home

Start planning the little things that will make your house into a home. Oftentimes it is the accessories that really make your home feel like your own. Start planning finishing touches that will really make your house your own. Take a look at some of the things that you can use to make your house really feel like a part of you:

• Photos and frames: hanging up photos of you and your partner, family, friends and pets is a great way to give your new house that real homely feel. Get photos that reflect the people that mean the most to the both of you!
• Your favourite artwork: There may be a specific artist or design that you both really love. Make sure that you incorporate some of this into your home to really make it feel like it has your stamp on it!
• Hand me downs: Your close friends and family may want to help you out by giving you a few sentimental hand me downs. Family members often have memorabilia that they would like to bestow on you and your new home. Take them up on the offer and get your house feeling homely.
• Personalised goods: A great way to make your first house feel like your own is to get some personalised goods for it. Maybe it’s a pillow with a photo of you and your partner on it, or maybe it’s a doormat with your names on. Either way this will really help to solidify the house as your home.

Top Tip: You can get a range of discounted personalised goods and accessories when you use sites like My Favourite Voucher Codes. Make sure that you always have your eye out for a good home accessory bargain!

There are so many different things that you can do to start making your house feel like a home together. From setting budgets, taking the pressure off and getting exited through to making your house a home and investing in some gender neutral designs, these tips are sure to make your transition a little easier. Moving into your first home together is primarily a positive and fun experience, so don’t forget to enjoy it!