New Year: Top 5 home improvement resolutions for 2015 – You’re getting over the food hangover from Christmas and the festive season. It’s the time of new beginnings and changing your life for the better. But to be able to make an effective change, you need to ensure that your surroundings are supportive of this change. Making your home a more beautiful, efficient, clean and green place could make your new beginnings an easier and transformative process. Here is our five picks for the best home improvement resolutions for 2015 and how to achieve them: 1. Streamline your stuff. One of the best and least expensive ways to feel better about your home is to clear it of the clutter. Every year we all acquire a mountain of stuff (especially during the festive period). This year resolve go room-by-room and clear anything you don’t use or love, and organise the things you do want to keep. Think twice about anything you bring into your home. Fill your home with the things that make you feel good and raise your energy levels. 2. Make your home safe and sound. Your home needs to be safe. Install a carbon monoxide detector on every bedroom floor in addition to smoke alarms. Also, watch out for flammable materials like dryer lint. Most people neglect to clear the vents behind the dryer as well as the little trap inside the door. Lint can seem innocent, but it’s highly combustible. You can click on the link to know more about Ballard design 20 off coupon
3. Reduce your carbon footprint and shrink your bills in the process.
When people think of going green, they often think it takes investments like solar panels and hybrid cars to make a difference. Actually, all it takes is a little old-fashioned common sense. Use some of these tips to reduce your carbon footprint in your home: Switch off the lights when you leave the room Install compact fluorescent light bulbs and low-flow shower heads. Dry you clothes on the washing line rather than using the tumble dryer. Wait for the dishwasher or washing machine to be full before you run them. Give composting a try. Your garden will thank you. 4. Work out a weekly system to keep your house clean Daily: Dishes go in the dishwasher every night – no excuses! Dirty clothes go in the laundry hamper and clean clothes are hung in wardrobes. Bring everything back into its assigned place. Weekly: Clean your entire house, using these tips: Keep all of your cleaning supplies in one portable carryall which moves with you from room to room. Focus on one type of cleaning at a time. It’s faster. Wipe down fingerprints on all cabinets before moving on to spraying and wiping counters. Leave sweeping and mopping floors for the end. Enlist the help of your family. If you can, divide the jobs between three parties, cutting cleaning time to around 45 minutes for the whole house. 5. Get your place ready for entertaining
Every year, we vow to spend more time with friends and family. To make your home feel more inviting, give the areas you entertain in a little update. One easy update that makes your home seem more finished is the addition of plants. Also, pulling out a new accent colour from your existing dÊcor can make the whole room seem fresh. Pick an underused colour in the room and add more of it in the shape of a new pillow or throw to update your look. Lastly, rearrange your furniture so it’s orientated in conversation groups, hopefully increasing the chances for real conversation and connecting in the New Year. - See more at: http://coupon4share.com/store/ballarddesigns.com