Tips on Augmenting Your Living Room Space

The living room is usually the most used space in the house and is considered as the heart of any home.  This is where a majority of the routine activities happen and where events and gatherings take place.  It is just sensible that most of the things you normally use and those that you want to display can be found here so you must have enough space to contain them.  Here are some tips to create storage space in your living room.

1. Install a custom-built shelf covering an entire wall.  Be creative with partitions so you can put and mix various stuffs in the shelf.  Combination of shelves, cabinets and showcases can be created to serve as a bookshelf, filing cabinet, and display showcase among others.  Television set and home theatre system can even be integrated in the centre of your “shelf-wall”, especially when you installed it on the longest wall of the room.
2. Use coffee tables or centre tables that have storage space underneath.  This can store magazines and other non-essential items that you only use once in a while.
3. If you have low windows, you can fit window seats.  It can be a good reading seat by padding the lid and it creates extra space to store your things.
4. If you have a staircase within your living room, hang some baskets with creative designs to serve as an ornament and storage for small things, at the same time.  Create a shelf or a cabinet underneath the staircase to store cleaning materials or a shoe cabinet, among others.
5. Mount your television on your wall to save some floor space where you can put a cabinet.  If you prefer a television rack, use something that has a cabinet underneath instead of a bare one.

The list above is just a few ways to create space for your living room and there are a lot more you can do. All you need is to be imaginative and creative, do not be afraid to mix materials and designs.  The important thing is that the storage space you create will be suitable to the purpose it is intended for.

Maximizing space does not only entail having enough storage room but should also make the area seem bigger. To create the impression of space and make your living room feel less constricted, paint the walls with a neutral light colour. White is one of the best colours to generate an illusion of expansiveness that will be perfect for any small area since it allows the eye to wander freely. Hanging curtains or blinds that are the same colour as the walls enhances the effect of spaciousness – white and ivory-coloured window treatments that will let in the light works best for increasing the roomy feeling.

Cleaning Curtains 101

Curtains are a great way to help filter the sun’s blaring heat while still letting enough sunshine to make the room bright. But they do get dirty fast since they are made of materials that can absorb dust easily. Cleaning your curtains regularly is needed to keep the room dust-free.

Don't keep the curtains waiting! You can even clean them out with just vinegar and a gentle soap solution like your dish-washing liquid. First, take your curtains down and examine the fabric. Is there any rot or staining because of exposure to the sun? Don't even clean sun-rotted fabrics. They will be weak and will tear up easily, and you can simply buy new curtains instead. Are there moth holes or tears due to insects? The same is true: you'll need to get new curtains instead of patching up the ones that you have.

If you are using curtains without lining, you need to follow the instruction label in order to clean them. Such curtains can be ruined easily, so you might have to dry clean them. If you have large curtains, avoid dumping them in the washing machines. The metal hooks or holes that line large curtains can damage your washer, and the weight of heavy curtains can make washing an even greater burden on your machine. Unless you have an industrial strength and size machine, resort to your bathtub instead.

If you do not have the time to wash your curtains, you can simply place them in the dryer with dryer sheets or, better yet, fabric softener. After half an hour, remove the curtains and hang them up again.

To maintain your curtains during the week, vacuum them and take out their dust. You might want to keep your vacuum cleaner at its lowest setting so that you do not damage the fabric. This way, you can keep the fabric strong and free from blemishes without spending too much time cleaning your curtain out.

Tips on Maintaining Your Canvas Awnings

Have you ever thought of having an awning that would never be out of style? An awning that could minimize the heat and protect you from the rays of the sun while giving your home an elegant look? Canvas is a good option when selecting materials for your awning. They are simple yet classy and elegant. But with neglect, canvas awnings would deteriorate, degrade the quality of the material and might wreck the appearance of your home. With proper ways of cleaning and regular maintenance at least twice a year, it would be sufficient to keep the material in good shape.

Canvas awnings are easily scratched and ruined. For instance, bird droppings can ruin the look of the canvas. Humidity and moisture can cause fungi and mildew to grow on the awning. Bird droppings and growths can ruin the awning by destroying the fabric. Add to these the harmful effects of dust, air pollutants, and even dried plant materials, and you really do need to clean your canvas fabric before it goes weak and becomes ugly and useless.

How can you keep your awnings clean? First, you need to brush the awning regularly, both on the inside and outside. You will need a soft brush so that you do not damage the fabric. You also might need to hose the awning down with clean, cold water from the lower edge and up to remove dirt and grime. Avoid using strong chemicals, such as cleaning liquids, soaps, gasoline, or insecticides, as they can damage the fabric. If you are concerned about bird droppings or plants ruining your awning, don't wait until the last minute to remove them: simply clean them out before they attach too closely to the fabric.

 You also need to completely dry your awning before you roll it up so that you prevent molds from growing in it. If molds cannot be completely avoided, treat the awning with White King solution. Moreover, you might have to invest in extensive cleaning and reproofing, especially when water already starts to drip through the fabric. Do not do reproofing unless you are sure that your chemicals are environmentally friendly and safe. To be sure, talk to your local hardware store and ask for tips.

Before cleaning your  awning, choose a day where you do not have to work in too much sunlight, heat, or wind. Examine your fabric to check if your awning can withstand any kind of cleaning. Test a small part of the awning before you apply any kind of cleaning solution. Before cleaning, stretch the fabric taut and keep the awning down.

Start with dry cleaning by brushing out the fabric. If there are heavy stains, use clean, warm water. You can also use White King solution on the outer part of the fabric, and clean using a brush or a broom. You can leave this solution on for about 15 minutes, but make sure to rinse it out thoroughly with water from your hose. Dry the  awning and then roll it up. Repeat this procedure at least twice a year to keep your  awning strong, functional, and elegant. 

Cleaning Venetian Blinds Made Easy

Venetian blinds are an ideal choice in obtaining privacy and absolute light control while maintaining a level of elegance in your homes’ interiors. Unfortunately since they serve many purposes, they can collect dust, dirt and grime in a short period of time. Regular cleaning is the key in maintaining the prime condition of this multitasking type of blinds. Venetian blinds are made from different materials like wood, metal and plastic and will therefore require different cleaning methods and techniques to be cleaned. It may sound difficult but this article will guide you in making this task less daunting.

First, check for problem spots in your blinds. This includes stains or areas that get sticky constantly. You will need to wipe these areas dry. You can then tie the blinds with curtains or any soft furnishing.

There are several ways to clean out the <a href=" http://www.accentblinds.com.au/blinds/">venetian blinds</a> lightly. One way is to shut them, then run the slats over with a dryer sheet or soft cotton gloves to attract dust. Make sure to use dry materials so that you take out the dust instead of leaving a muddy trail. If you have especially sticky dust, dampen your material with cleaning spray that matches the material of your blinds. Repeat the procedure with the blinds shut in the opposite way.

Another way to clean your blinds without using your fingers is through a vacuum cleaner. Shut your blinds, and, with a duster brush on your nozzle, move the vacuum nozzle from the center of each blind, then out. Do the same for the other side of the blinds by shutting the blinds in the opposite direction.

You also need to deep clean your metallic and plastic blinds regularly. To do so, read instructions to remove your blinds, and keep track of all your loose pieces. Have warm water ready for soaking, say in a large pail or in your bathtub. You need your blinds to be fully covered by the water. Add dish-washing liquid or bleach to the water and leave the blinds to soak for about 30 minutes.

After soaking, scrub the blinds gently with a soft brush to remove grime. You can also soak blinds overnight to remove more hardy stains. When you are done, rinse your blinds with fresh water and make sure that all the soap is removed. Dry your blinds outside on a washing line, or with a hair dryer. You can return your blinds only when they are completely clean and dry.

Do not let dust accumulate on your blinds. Make sure that you do deep cleaning at least once a month, and light cleaning at least once a week. You might also want to talk to your local store on what cleaning products are best for your kinds of blinds. There are some products that might be toxic if you live with small children. You might also want to clean the cords of your blinds with another cleaning solution.

Venetian Blinds versus Curtains

There are a lot of ways to jazz up and accessorize windows to increase the value of your homes and at the same time, enhance their overall look for aesthetic purposes. When it comes to choosing the right window treatment for your windows, the options are close to being endless! You can use curtains, drapes, shutters, shades and blinds in a variety of shapes, fabrics, textures and color scheme. The list can go on and on since there are so many choices these days. Before we get overwhelmed by too many options, let’s narrow it down to a simple debate whether you should go for blinds over curtains.

We’ll look at one of the most popular blinds in the market today which is the venetian blinds for this discussion. These are a type of window blinds with slats arranged horizontally in rows. It is usually made of different materials like aluminum, vinyl, and wood of different textures and finishes. These slats are overlapping and are strung one beneath another. A lift cord is also attached to give the option of lifting the blinds up for a wide open view of the outside or pull them down to ensure privacy or letting the right amount of light in.

Curtains, the classic and traditional ornamental window treatment made from fabrics and garments, have many purposes aside from making the interiors looking beautiful and stylish. One of these purposes is protection against overexposure to sun. It practically protects furniture and any interior pieces from fading and warping. You can also allow light to come through the room depending on the thinness, thickness and opaqueness of curtains.

While it’s true that curtains can block a tremendous amount of sunlight from coming through a room to avoid sun damage, they can’t control them. Venetian blinds were made with slats that can definitely be adjusted to filter the right amount of light inside the room depending on your choice of ambiance. The slats are tied and connected together by a string or a cord that can be used to allow or block the light from outside in varying degrees.

Venetian blinds and all blinds in general have commonly been used in offices and workplaces because they require maintenance at a minimum – the very same reason why they now gained popularity in homes front and why many homeowners prefer them. Cleaning venetian blinds are very easy and simple. You can get a static duster, take a piece of cloth with any cleaning agent of your choice or use a vacuum cleaner to remove its dust and grime. As for curtains, they definitely require a constant run down with a washing machine or a regular trip to the Laundromat to be kept clean and dust free. Just imagine your curtains being heavy because of all its fabric and lace layering, they may not even fit your washing machine. Having them professionally cleaned on the other hand would be very costly. You also need to take off all the curtains from the rods and putting them back on once they’re cleaned. Talk about time consumption!

These are just some of the features and benefits of venetian blinds over traditional curtains. The versatility of venetian blinds makes them an ideal choice and a great addition to any window like no other.