Archives for December 2014

Your Total Home Organizing and Decluttering Guide

Screen Shot 2014-12-29 at 8.24.33 AMTake it slow or be a speed demon — this room-by-room approach to organizing and storage will get your home in shape no matter how you roll

Party’s over, folks. It’s that time of year — now that the stockings have been taken down and the confetti has been swept away, any excuse to hold off on decluttering your home is long gone. Take advantage of the new year and give your home a fresh start. We’ve compiled some of the best cleaning and organizing guides from Houzz, room by room, to help you start off the year with a clean slate.

Top 5 Reasons Millennials Buyers Choose A Home

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The World’s Loudest Noises

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Loud noises can be unpleasant. But how loud is too loud? The World’s Loudest Noises is an interactive infographic from Air Conditioning Company that explains the loudest noises in the world and how much damage they could do to your ears. So next time your air conditioning kicks on and you feel like complaining… Just remember, there is always something louder.

Turn your volume down before you start clicking!

Music’s Impact on Our Productivity [infographic]

Surprise! Music helps productivity. I can attest to that right this moment. I may not be using today’s infographic’s recommended pop genre, but Vulfpeck just lets my productivity flow.

Trying out different genres has helped greatly when it comes to finding what helps me be productive, in correspondence with the task at hand. Classical or post-modern rock does an awesome job at getting my mind flowing for puzzles and math problems. Upbeat rap, punk, and EDM makes any physical work I have do just fly by. Finally when I’m writing, it’s all about that funk and soul. Groovy stuff. Like anything in life, we all differ when it comes to preferences. I’m sure some of you couldn’t fathom listening to anything when at work. The co-worker even tapping their foot too much may make you livid.

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Evolution Of Social Media

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How to Prepare for and Live With a Power Outage

When electricity loss puts food, water and heat in jeopardy, don’t be in the dark about how to stay as safe and comfortable as possible

power outageYou probably know the ominous feeling: As a storm or hurricane sweeps through your community, you’re huddled safe at home or in a nearby shelter … and without warning, the lights all flicker and die. You’ve lost power, and experience says it could be a while before you get it back. What do you do now?

If you’re one of the lucky folks who has a generator, the going won’t be so bad, and you can live in relative comfort until the power’s back on. But generators can be expensive, beyond the reach of many of us. If a storm is coming and you could be facing days or even weeks without electricity, these steps can help you make it through.

What to Know About Adding a Reclaimed-Wood Wall

Screen Shot 2014-12-10 at 8.08.25 AMHere’s advice on where to put it, how to find and select wood, what it might cost and how to get it done

Adding reclaimed wood to your interior is a quick way to introduce warmth and texture. Used in abundance, it has a rawness that can balance overly neutral or modern spaces and anchor sprawling floor plans. But while installing reclaimed-hardwood floors or countertops can get expensive with the amount of staining, sealing and labor needed, an accent wall of reclaimed wood can be a smaller investment that makes a big visual statement. Here’s what you need to know before getting started.

14 Bathroom Design Ideas Expected to Be Big in 2015

Screen Shot 2014-12-10 at 8.06.28 AMAward-winning designers reveal the bathroom features they believe will emerge or stay strong in the years ahead

If you’ve been thinking about giving your bathroom an overhaul but aren’t sure how, one way to start is to look to the latest design trends for inspiration. We’ve made it our mission to find out what design ideas are expected to make a splash in 2015 to help make planning your bathroom makeover project a little bit easier. To compile our list, we enlisted the help of four award-winning designers, who share here their predictions for the looks, finishes and features they think will be on everyone’s radar next year. They also reveal how they would work these ideas into their own projects.

How to Use Full-Scale Decor to Make a Small Space Feel Bigger

Screen Shot 2014-12-10 at 8.04.22 AMWith a less-is-more approach, even oversize furnishings can help a compact area seem roomier

In today’s furniture market, “condo size” (compact) furniture is a common solution for modern small-space living. But I believe you can often achieve the biggest impact, and the most satisfying results, with a less-is-more approach. Rather than choosing smaller furnishings, indulging in a few full-scale (or even oversize) pieces can create the look of a full-size space without compromising.