by: Larla

Electricity is an additional expense for any family so we must do the best that we can to minimize the cost.
• Set air conditioner low during the cold months and during summer minimize the use of air conditioner by utilizing electric fans if it is not so warm

• Fluorescent light bulbs are better to us
• Wipe dishes with cloth after washing dishes instead of using the dish dryer

• Computer and lights must be turned off when not in use. You can also use the sleep feature of your TV or any other appliance.

• Unplug appliances when not in use.

• Iron only at least once a week.

• Minimize doing the laundry everyday. If possible do it in full load at least once a week.

Continued from The Top 10 Organizers of Apartment Space

6. Stackable Plastic Drawers – look for drawers that can be customized. If you would only have space for a couple of drawers per room or corner, you wouldn’t have to worry of where to place that huge chest of drawers. Plastic drawers are cheap and can be stacked according to the kind of space that can accommodate it.

7. Hooks – hooks are very helpful especially when placed in the strategic places of your house. Use hooks for your coats, hats, umbrellas and bags. You can also use hooks for your keys, mobile phone, and ID card.

8. Shoe organizer – shoe racks are bulky and won’t even hold all of your countless pairs, while cabinets don’t have proper ventilation and would be more useful holding other stuff. Opt for the hanging shoe organizer, one that can go over your door or wall.

9. TV Shelf – the television is an essential home appliance and even houses with the smallest spaces give room for one. use the opportunity to buy a shelved TV rack, one that can hold not only your TV but as well a books, DVDs, magazines and the like.

10. Bed frame with drawers – this works like that of under-the-bed storage and it won’t collect too much dust.

1. Wall shelves – great for maximizing vertical space. Use your wall space from the floor to the ceiling.

2. Door storage – there is a variety to choose from: whether shelves or racks, don’t hesitate to hook space savers at the back of your doors.

3. Trunks – Trunks are big and they’re spacious inside: perfect for storing linen or old books and toys. You don’t have to worry about the space it occupies for it can double as a coffee table or as a mini bench.

4. Ottomans – are very much like trunks, only the other way around. They’re initially made for seating or as foot rests but they do have space inside that can hold stuff as well.

5. Under-the-Bed storage – go for the clear plastic ones that are especially made to be put beneath the bed. Store bed sheets, seasonal clothing and apparel and even tools that you don’t use often.

… to be continued…

As much as you’d want to shop for new pieces to give your home a new look, you are never ready with the cash to spend for it, especially if you’re into antiques. However, believe it or not, you can find something you already have that you can “antique-ate”.

A wooden table you have in your house for some time now may not be aged enough to be considered antique but it is aged enough to be given a new look. As it may have been inevitably bashed anyway, you can give it another good whacking and set it off for a makeover. Pick a target and use anything hard to hit it (just make sure you won’t hurt yourself in the process). After you’ve whacked it, sand off any splinters or any sharp edges your whacking has left. Then, paint the cracks with dark wood stain using a fine artist brush. After it dries, coat it with varnish of your choice. Voila! Instant antique piece that did not cost you anything (except maybe a sore arm, if you’re not careful!).

While you think that installing new flooring in your home is difficult, there are a variety of tools you can use to put new flooring in just one weekend. For example, if you are a fan of wood floors yet you are on a budget, you can try the wood laminate. Wood laminate is readily available in your home store and installing it is not that hard.

On the other hand, painting is also one thing you can do. Learn the basics of house painting and do it to your own home. And while you’re at it, experiment with colors and do away with boring hues. A gallon or two of paint is probably the only thing you’ll spend on, while hiring someone to paint for you will be more expensive.

(Taken from http://seotraffictips.blogspot.com/2008/01/house-renovation-plans-that-are-easy.html)

Fancying for some pieces of fabulous artwork but don’t have the money to buy it just yet? Check your linen drawers. You might just find something there.

Materials:

• 18” x 18” (or larger) cloth table napkin/s
• 14” x 14” wood frame (used for canvas paintings)
• Large wire stapler

How to make it:

• Make sure that linen napkin is free of wrinkles and creases. Iron out first if possible.
• Position the napkin with the wrong side up on a flat surface.
• Place the wood frame on top, right at the center of the napkin.
• Fold one corner up into a “hospital corner” (one end tucked in to create a 45-degree fold); staple fold onto the frame to secure.
• Repeat the same procedure on the opposite diagonal side. Make sure that napkin is tightly stretched.
• Repeat procedure for the remaining sides.
• Secure the fabric wrapped on all four sides of the frame by stapling it (again, make sure the napkin is properly stretched!).

Tip:
You can also do this to other fabrics that you find lying idly around your house. Make sure to cut them into sizes that will fit standard wood frames.

(Taken from Real Living magazine, Volume 5, Number 6)

Homes, as they are safe for adults, may not exactly be safe for little, curious kids. Normal household paraphernalia (such as electrical outlets, blinds string, etc.) can cause accidents for the toddlers. Here are some ways to keep the tots safe while exploring the house.

• Keep the strings of your blinds / curtains/ shades out of baby’s reach. Tie them somewhere high to prevent your toddler from entangling himself or from pulling it down, ruining your window décor or the blinds themselves.
• Insert socket covers into your outlets. This will keep the baby from inserting little things (or his finger) into the electrical sockets. Socket covers are readily available at your home store.
• Place baby gates at the second floor of your house or wherever it is that the baby is most likely to fall or meet an accident.

Outdoor lighting is a good way to highlight the appearance of your home, level up its security, as well as increase the safety of the people who stroll about your property at night. You can put this up on your own and at a low voltage too. The process is fairly simple and is actually just a one-day project that includes adding about a half dozen lights, doing the wiring, and hanging the transformer. The needed materials are readily available at your local home store. Although if you want to achieve a professional look, consider purchasing at least the transformer and lights from a landscape lighting dealer. It will turn out to be more expensive but the durability and serviceability is worth it.

Keep in mind that a bit of planning is necessary. It is imperative that lighting must highlight architectural features and plants, and provide better access to paths, walkways, and steps. Approximate the areas where you will put the lights and add about 3 inches at the ends so you will be able to modify it later on. Ultimately, to buy the correct amount of wiring, you must compute the total footage of the area you will light.