Fireplace Screen Ideas For Your Home

DIY / Home Improvement

Having an open fireplace at home is a wonderful addition which can make a room feel cozy, warm and comfortable. If you do have an open fire then there are some accessories which you simply cannot do without. Fireplace tools for example are absolutely critical to making sure that you can tend to the fire and give it the TLC it needs to keep on roaring. Another key component here is having a fireplace screen which looks the business, and there is a wide range of screens which you can find that will really add some style to your fireplace. 

Benefits of a Screen 

Have a great fireplace screen is both functional and stylish. Ultimately without a screen you run the risk of hot ash and embers shooting from the fire, back into the room. This of course presents quite the health hazard. Beyond this however fireplace screens are also a great style option and there are many cool choices which you can take a look at.

Fireplace Screen With Glass Doors

Buying a fireplace screen with glass doors can be a welcome addition to your living room and offer a stylish and highly functional option. These fireplace screens make the fire glow through the glass and when it comes to tending to the fire you can do that with ease. The doors will not block the heat, so you will still have a nice warm fire by which you can relax. 

Artistic Screens 

Previously fireplace screens would be very simple offerings which did the job, but thanks to some very smart and creative people within the metal working world, there are some truly beautiful screens which you can now find. These cast iron screens come in all manner of designs and they often like to play with the gaps in the screens in a way which really delivers. Make sure that you don’t get too swept away by the designs of the screens, as they can often block the view of the fire from different angles. Style is nice, but function should always come first. 

Mesh Screens 

Some people simply don’t want to block up the fireplace with thick, iron screens, and so they prefer a much easier and more flexible option which is a mesh screen. These screens in particular are very low cost, they do a great job in making sure that the ash and the soot doesn’t come into the room, and they are light and easy to move around. The only downside with these screens is that they do take quite a bit of cleaning if you let the ash and soot build up. 

These are just some of the options which you have in front of you when you decide to invest in new fireplace screens. Always remember that function comes first, it doesn’t matter how fancy or fitting your fireplace screen looks if it doesn’t protect your home from the debris which comes out of your open fireplace.

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The Best Equipment For Hot Yoga

Health & Fitness

You may be a regular attendee at your local Hot Yoga Studio so you will be well aware that the Best Equipment For Hot Yoga is actually quite minimal. You are not required to buy a whole range of supplies but there are a few necessities that you will need to invest in. 

It is vital that you are able to use a room that is capable of being heated to the desired temperature for hot yoga and that temperature is 105 Fahrenheit, it has to be a specially designed room as most normal rooms are unable to reach that high temperature with a regular heating system. Another vital piece of equipment for joining in with hot yoga is a water bottle filled with cool refreshing water. Along with the heat comes very excessive sweating and when exercising it is so important that you replenish your lost bodily fluids and keep hydrated. Becoming dehydrated when exercising, in fact at any time, can become problematic for your body so bringing along some water will make sure your body is able to rehydrate and perform to your best ability. Purchasing a high-quality yoga mat will also be beneficial as some mats do not come with the non-slip feature and when carrying out some of the extensive postures having a non-slip mat will be a saving grace as it means you will be secured to the ground and you will not have any embarrassing moments slipping or falling in front of your class. Another piece of equipment that is worth investing in to also save any further embarrassment is high quality yoga clothes. Due to the amount of stretching involved you will want to be sure that your fabric does not also become stretchy and cause it to become see through. We have all been eye witnesses to the poor people in the store bending to retrieve their groceries and our eyes are quickly averted. Save yourself the embarrassment and buy the best hot yoga clothes you can find. 

There is in fact one other piece of equipment, considered the best for home hot yoga actually, it is quick, easy and simple to set up and it is everything you need to carry out your hot yoga class in the comfort of your own home. This equipment is The Hot Yoga Dome! It is a highly desired product and unbeatable on the market, absolutely worth your investment. A room that can be inflated and warmed to that all important temperature with all the space you need to carry out your postures. They are available in a variety of sizes depending on the space you have available in your home and you can choose which size is most ideal for you. All the equipment you have already purchased will not be wasted as you can use it all whilst carrying out your hot yoga exercises and postures whilst inside the dome. It is definitely they best equipment for hot yoga.

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What Changes Would You Like to Make at Home?

DIY / Home Improvement

If the notion of making some changes at home appeals to you, any train of thought to what such changes may be?

From your living space to how you live at home, you may well feel now is the time to make things different.

With that in mind, are you ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work on them?

Don’t Be Afraid of Change

In your quest to change things at home, here are a few possibilities you may want to consider moving forward:

  1. A new job – How happy are you in your current job? If the answer is not all that happy, is now the time to do something about it? You may be in a position in life where change in your career is both necessary and doable. If so, see what is out there waiting for you. Even as scary as a job change can be at times, you want to be happy in your line of work. Dreading going to work each day can be one of the worst feelings to have.
  2. Your current relationship – If in a relationship with someone, how is it going? This can be another area of your life where change in fact may be needed. Although it can be difficult to move on for a variety of reasons, think about your current situation. Would a change be best for both your physical and mental well-being? If yes, how hard would it be to find such change? 
  3. New look to your home – Has it been a while since you did any notable changes to your home? If you haven’t done anything in a while, now might be the time to push forward with some renovations. Changing things up can breathe new life into your home. If worried about potential costs involved, take the time to find affordable renovations. This may mean doing some or much of the work on your own if you are handy around the home with such things. In breathing life into a home, it can be painting, new floors, exterior sliding glass doors and more. In the event you like the doors option, take time to go online and see what is out there. Having some new doors can bring the outside world more into focus in your home. That is especially appealing if you have been missing out on some great views.
  4. Bringing a pet home – Finally, any thoughts to bringing a pet into your life? If you said yes, make sure to think things over first. Pets are often great additions to a home. That said you want to be sure you have the time and patience to be a pet owner. Your pet be it a dog, cat or other form of animal life will more times than not give you unconditional love. It is important for you to make sure they feel the love in return.

When you are thinking of changes at home for your world, adding accents of new materials to your home, like brass rods or steel angle framing, can breathe some new life into it.

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The Best Guide for a Living Room Makeover!

DIY / Home Improvement

Decorating your home is a wonderful idea. Sometimes, changing up your space can make a huge difference in your mood and productivity levels. One of the best ways to change up your living space is by revamping your living room. It is the best room to start your  journey. A fresh coat of paint or a new Coffee Table can make a huge difference in the overall look of your living room. Think about it, your living room is that room of the house where you spend the most amount of time. It is that room where you spend quality time alone or with your loved ones. The living room is the first room your guests see when they enter your condo or bungalow.

Living room decoration hacks

The living room sets the entire vibe of your place. When you invite your friends, acquaintances or relatives to your place, the first room they see is the living room. Therefore, it is important to create a good first impression of the living room. Here are some good hacks to decorate your living room: 

  • Make a list of what you don’t like: This is a great way to start redecorating your living room. The best way to start a makeover is by making a list of the things that you don’t like. For instance, if you feel like you want to change the color of the walls and ceiling of your living room, add that to your list of things you don’t like about your living room. If you don’t like your current sofa set, then start your revamping process by looking at new Sofa Designs. This is a great way to start. 
  • Fix a budget: After you’ve made a list of things you don’t like, start fixing your budget. Finances are an important part of the home decor process. Have a clear idea of how much money you can afford to spend. This will help the shopping process easier. 
  • Make a list of things you have to buy: after you’ve decided on your budget and the things that you don’t like, make a list of things you do like. As in, make a list of new things you want to add to your living room. For instance, if you have a big living room and you want to fill up an empty space, you can consider adding a Coffee Table to your living room. Coffee tables are a great addition to a living space. This is because they are multi-purpose. You can use one for many things. You can have your meals at your coffee table, you can use it for studying, working, etc. 
  • Small decor items: After you’ve selected the color scheme and the main furniture pieces of your bedroom, focus on the smaller details. This will add the personalized touch to your living room. These items include flower vases, photo frames, mood lighting, cute coasters, etc. 

Now you know how to start decking up your house. Start sprucing up your living room and make it super cozy and welcoming!

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Upgrade Your Home without Breaking the Bank

DIY / Home Improvement

The thought of doing upgrades to your home may scare you somewhat when it really should not.

You can do some upgrades without tearing the entire home apart or breaking the bank in the process.

With that in mind, is it time for some changes around your place?

What Changes to Make and Still Save Money?

In thinking about some different looks and a different feel to your home, here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Have a plan – Of most importance, have a plan in place for your renovation wishes. This will increase the odds of things going smoother. If you are doing things on the fly, chances are you will run into issues both with the renovations and what it costs. For one, don’t plan renovations around the holidays, especially if you plan on having folks over. It is also wise to avoid major renovations when little ones are home for an extended period of time like summer. As for finances, make sure you can afford renovations without getting in over your head.

2. Making affordable renovations – There are renovations you can make and not spend a lot. For one, is it time for some new doors? Given doors play an important part in your home in coming and going, storage and more, you want them to meet the needs. If you have a patio area or something similar, now may be the time to look at exterior glass doors. These doors offer many great qualities. This would be views, security, easy to open and close, control temps in that area of the home where they are at and more. You may also think about putting some fresh paint on those walls, cabinets and more. This can be done rather inexpensively and with little time involved. No matter the renovations you consider, try and find some ways to save money on them.

3. Doing some or much of the work on your own – How good are you when it comes to being handy around the home? If the answer is pretty good, why not save some money and do much or all the renovations on your own? This can help you avoid running up a bill for contractors and their labor costs. If you have any outside family or friends good at such renovations, ask them if they will pitch in some time and help. You can do something nice for them in return.

As you consider some changes to your home, know that you get to call the shots when you own and do not rent.

As a result, take your time to decide what it is you’d like to come up with.

You can do a bunch of renovations at once or spread things out. Doing the latter allows you to avoid having much of your home torn up all at once.

If some upgrades are the order of the day for your home, are you excited about the possibilities waiting for you?

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Tips For Buying a Vacation Home To Rent Out

Finance

Tourists searching for affordable accommodation have various options to consider. For budget tourists looking for a more homely experience, vacation rentals are an obvious choice. These properties can be as basic or as sophisticated as you want.

For real estate investors, vacation rentals present great opportunities for generating passive income.

Want to buy a vacation house to rent out? Find out the do’s and don’ts before taking the plunge.

Tips for Buying Your First Vacation Rental Home

i) Research Extensively

Before you buy a vacation house to rent out, research well. In particular, check how desirable the location of the house is, the average market rental rates, your expected ROI, local occupancy rates, and the affordability of the house.

Ideally, you want the home to be conveniently located near areas that tourists frequent, such as mountains, beaches, national parks, casinos, and other attractions.

Search for homes that match your criteria at online listings websites. You can also hire local realtors to help you with the search.

ii) Calculate the Income Potential

Carry out a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether it would make financial sense to make an offer for a vacation rental house. Remember, the home may not be occupied throughout the year. With this in mind, will it still be able to turn a profit?

Check the vacancy rates and rental income of the location where the house is located. After this, compare the expected income against the operational costs, not forgetting to factor in vacancy periods. This should give you a good idea whether it would be profitable to own the vacation home.

iii) Consider Ongoing Costs

There are several costs you will need to cater to as a vacation homeowner. Remember, you are using the home as an income-generating asset. Therefore, there will be recurring costs to be footed. For example, if you hire a realtor to manage the property, you will need to pay property management fees.

Also, depending on where you purchase the vacation home, you may need to pay listing fees, utilities, hotel taxes (occupancy taxes), insurance, HOA fees, licenses, etc.

Note down all the recurring expenses of the vacation home and find out whether they are likely to exceed the income generated.

iv) How Will You Make Money?

Rental income is just one of the multiple ways of making money with a vacation rental home. Apart from rent, the house can generate money through exclusive hotel programs, Airbnb, Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO), and other ways.

Below is a rundown of the income-generating opportunities available for a vacation rental:

  • Exclusive Hotel Programs. After buying a vacation home, you can partner with hotels to rent it out through their rental program. With such programs, the hotels typically maintain and rent out the house on your behalf.
  • Airbnb. If you want to be directly involved in the management and letting of the home, list it on Airbnb. On the website, you’ll have to describe your property, its features and amenities, bedrooms, and bathrooms. You will be charged a service fee every time someone books your property through Airbnb.
  • Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO). You can also list your home on VRBO and other vacation rental classified sites. If you don’t want to be involved in the daily operations and management of the home, hire a property manager to help you.

v) Get a Home that You Can Use

A vacation home is meant to be your humble abode where you can rejuvenate away from your family home. Therefore, get a home that you will not have a problem using.

Since you won’t be spending a lot of time at the vacation home, it doesn’t have to meet all the requirements of your family home. However, you still want it to be functional and even luxurious, especially if you plan on renting it out to vacationers.

Location, size, amenities, and features are some of the important factors to consider when evaluating various potential vacation homes to buy.

vi) Get Help Where Necessary

If you are purchasing a vacation home in a different state or jurisdiction, it’s important to follow all the local and state laws regarding the transaction. Here, you may need to get help from a local realtor, a qualified tax professional, and a real estate attorney.

Before investing in a vacation home, find out about the taxes you will be liable to pay. For example, you should know how rental income taxes, occupancy taxes, and property taxes work in the area where the house is located.

To snatch great deals on a vacation home, work with local realtors. These professionals have extensive knowledge of the real estate market and may know of deals that are not publicly advertised, which may fit your bill.

Getting a great deal for a vacation home all boils down to research and patience. Follow the tips above when looking to purchase a vacation home.

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Dreamed of Owning Desert Mountain Property?

DIY / Home Improvement

Mountains make up the backbone of the United States and are the backdrop for some of the most beautiful natural locations and national parks in the country. Have you ever considered living in a desert mountain property or a cabin near a ski resort? These types of property are not only great locations for vacation homes but for those wanting to get away from the city and live life in the great outdoors away from the hustle and bustle. Life is much simpler, and the views are magnificent!

Why Consider Desert Mountain Property

Desert Mountain property is available throughout the United States and is actually some of the lower cost land and property available. Whereas vacation spots such as close to National Parks and Ski Resorts can be expensive, desert mountain property has a lower entry point and building costs are typically lower. Some desert mountain regions still have good access to nearby cities and other conveniences, but far enough away that you can live a tranquil lifestyle with 360 degrees views of the beautiful countryside.

Some people choice to purchase desert mountain land and then gain planning permits, if required, to build the property of their dreams on the land. Whereas others may want to move straight in so buy land with a property or properties already in situation. Some pockets of land require no planning permits and permissions because they’re far enough from anyone else for them to care, so if you plan to build a large ranch this can be ideal.

Think About a Mountain Ranch

For those wanting a bit more greenery and life in the Woods rather than in the desert type mountains, there are properties available in the more Northerly states which are much greener and come with a Forest area and possibly rivers, streams or lake access. If you’re a big fan of the hit TV series Alaskan Bush People then this could be the life for you! On your own land usually building permits and hunting permits aren’t required, and you have within reason, rights to lumber and minerals. You may already have the materials there that are needed to build your dream home.

Consider a Home in a Ski Resort

Look forward to your ski holiday every year? Some of the not as well known ski resorts can be a very good option for keen skiers because not only are the slopes emptier but also the properties are less expensive. While you’re using your Chalet you have access to the slopes and the rest of the year you could rent it out to other holiday makers or maybe even live there permanently. Ski resorts have a lot to offer because there are often other conveniences and facilities in the vicinity due to the tourist trade and have good road access.

Whether you’re considering a desert mountain property, a mountain ranch or a ski resort chalet, the US mountain ranges can hold out opportunities for beautiful homes.

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What are the Best Types of Traditional Saunas for Your Home?

DIY / Home Improvement

Many people use the Sauna at their gym and enjoy them so much as a way to relax at the end of a work out or a swim. When they find out that they can buy a Sauna for their own home, they can’t wait to go ahead and purchase one. The issue then is deciding which Sauna to choose. So what are the best types of traditional saunas?

What are the Best Types of Traditional Saunas?

Traditional Saunas are a concealed wooden build many from high quality hard wood and have a heater to heat water which fills the Sauna with steam. There are many options on top of this and its beneficial to understand the extras and the options so you can decide on the best Sauna for you and your family.

Infrared Saunas

Infrared Saunas use infrared technology to heat the Sauna, a heat which develops more evenly and can reach the whole of your body. In a steam Sauna the top half of the Sauna is usually a lot hotter as are the seat and walls, but parts of your body don’t get as warm. With infrared the heat is more evenly distributed and can be controlled a lot more so that you have a more even Sauna and feel that all parts of your body have benefitted. You are usually able to stay in an Infrared Sauna for longer as well, because instead of getting hotter and hotter until it is unbearable, an infrared Sauna maintains a constant heat.

Ceramic Heaters

Ceramic infrared heaters are more effective and energy efficient that traditional steel heaters particularly at lower temperatures. They also enhance infrared penetration and cool more effectively to create more steam thereby enhancing the detoxifying process for the body.

The technology built into infrared ceramic heaters produces the type of heat that is produced by our Sun, but don’t have the harmful Ultraviolet rays or Electromagnetic field radiation emitted by the Sun.

Health Benefits of a Traditional Sauna

We all believe that Saunas are good for us, but what are the actual health benefits of a Sauna? First of all calorie burning is higher than usual when sat in a Sauna because your body is working hard to cool off, resulting in shedding of fat and therefore temporary weight loss can be expected in the form of water, sweated from the body. As soon as you hydrate again though the weight returns.

Saunas help with blood circulation which helps with the healing of conditions such as sun burn, cuts and other skin maladies, and also cleanse the skin through profuse sweating. Heat opens up the pores in the skin and washes out any dirt and natural oils in the skin to cleanse skin throughout the body. They promote relaxation and therefore ease muscle pains and tension and promote a feeling of well being. Heart rate also increases with the heat of a Sauna which is equivalent to a brisk walk and therefore good for respiratory health.

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Integrity Heating and Cooling – Why March is The Perfect Time To Check Your Cooling System

DIY / Home Improvement

As someone who lives here in Mokena, Il I know just how severe the weather can be throughout the state of Illinois and it is something which we residents have had to get used to. Beyond the wind which we experience we can have a climate which plummets to minus 40 as it did last month, and then in a matter of weeks that temperature can climb back up again to around the mid 20s. As you can imagine then, every home here in Mokena, Il and across the state has both heating and cooling systems inside them. It is still not hot here in Illinois but it is the month where my mind starts thinking about the warm weather, and the need to have my cooling system checked out. I usually call the team at Integrity heating and cooling in March time, and here is why I do it so early.

Financial

Eleven years ago it was the first hot day which we’d had in the year, it was mid-May and the sun was beaming down and the humidity was rising. I woke up in the middle of the night and went to switch the cooling on, and it wasn’t working. The team came out to check on the cooling system and they condemned it there and then, I needed a new air conditioning unit. Unfortunately at that time I had just paid out a huge amount for a tax bill and I simply couldn’t afford to buy a new unit. I was lucky enough to borrow a portable air con unit from a friend until I could afford to have it replaced. Shelling out for a new unit isn’t cheap and if you get the machine checked in March or April, it will give you enough time to save if needed.

Better Early

Until I was able to borrow a cooling system from a friend we had to suffer for 3 days in the burning heat and it was most uncomfortable. Most days I would go out just to keep cool and the nighttimes were definitely the worst. Air conditioning units will usually break down after a long period of inactivity which means that the first day of summer is often the most likely time for this to happen, when you need it the most. Get it checked out early and avoid the pain of a house which you cannot cool.

Ease

If you need a cooling repair and it is the height of summer you can expect to be waiting around a while to have someone come out to look at it, and then to get the parts which you need. As you can imagine the summertime is the best season for cooling repair experts so it makes a lot of sense to get ahead of the curve on this, and deal with things easily in April.

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DIY Projects – Reality Vs. Fantasy

DIY / Home Improvement

Those of you who’ve ever embarked on a DIY project know from first-hand experience that they almost never turn out the way you planned. You’ve probably created an in-depth, intricate blueprint of exactly what you want your new conservatory to look like, or how you want your new entertainment complex to look. In the end, though, that’s never how it happens; short-sightedness in the planning stage, unexpected twists during construction and other confounding factors mean you’re almost always sidetracked.

There’s an unavoidable amount of change and alteration in almost any DIY project; those that go completely smoothly are rare, although they do happen. In order to help you at least try to prepare for as much deviation from the model as possible, we’ve put together a list of things people think about DIY projects and the reality of those thoughts. By reading this list, we hope you’ll be able to sidestep some of the more common errors. Let’s get started!

Fantasy – it won’t cost much

“I’ll be able to source the materials cheaply,” say you. “I can easily find places which sell cheap furniture, and there’s bound to be something there that fits my specifications.” We’ve heard this countless times before, and although it’s an admirable way to think – being smart with money is always a great way to conduct DIY business – it’s almost never how things actually turn out.

Reality – you’ll need a decent amount of money

You’ll need to cover costs for tools, materials and other considerations, not to mention potentially paying electricians or plumbers if this isn’t something you can do yourself. You’ll need a decent amount of money saved up in order to start your DIY project. We’d strongly recommend looking into reputable, trustworthy loan companies to get a quick injection of cash for your project; these companies are flexible and safe, and you can worry about repayments after you’ve chased your dreams down.

Fantasy – it won’t take much time

When planning a DIY project, the temptation is always to severely underestimate the amount of time it will take. If you’ve got a full-time job, you don’t want to fritter away valuable spare time on DIY projects, so you tell yourself you’ll get everything done within the space of a couple of weekends.

Reality – this is a long-term project

Unfortunately, for all but the most minor DIY outings, the time frame you’ll actually need is likely to be much bigger than you plan for. Even if the actual scope of the work is small, you’ll need to factor in time for errors or breaks as well as simply becoming tired and needing to stop; spending your entire weekend doing DIY won’t feel good if you’ve only got two days before the daily grind starts again. Don’t expect the project to be done overnight and you’ll be fine.

Fantasy – I won’t need help

Since this project is yours, you need to embark on it alone. “It doesn’t make sense to get others involved; they’ll slow me down if they don’t know what they’re doing, or they’ll try to add to the design and I want to retain my original vision for how it’s going to look.” More charitably, “I don’t want to involve others because that’s work and time they don’t need to put into something that I decided I wanted to do.”

Reality – there’s no shame in asking for help

Your family might actually really want to be involved in the project with you. Carrying out DIY together can be a surprisingly effective family bonding exercise; allocating tasks and watching as they’re completed can show you a lot about your family’s individual personalities, as well as making you feel loved and wanted as they help you make your dream project a reality.

Fantasy – I need to buy every tool

In order to be prepared for the upcoming project, you may think you need to get everything and be fully ready for any eventuality. You might be browsing the shelves at a hardware store and get carried away, or you might want a toolbox which contains everything you could possibly need; either way, you’re thinking that you’ll never be able to carry out the project unless you’re perfectly prepared.

Reality – you probably don’t need that many tools

Unless your project is a massive, elaborate undertaking, you’re likely to be OK with buying a small range of tools. Speak to the staff at the hardware store and explain what you’re planning to do (be wary of sales spiel, as usual), and they’ll help you choose exactly what you need. Better yet, ask around your nearest and dearest to see if anyone can lend you the tools you need; it’s always better to borrow things than to buy them, especially if you’ll only ever need them once!

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