There are many home improvement projects that you can carry out to make your home a more comfortable space and to add to its value as property. These home improvement projects include remodeling the basement, kitchen, and bathrooms, and painting both the exteriors and interiors regularly.

Whenever most people think of home improvement projects, they think in terms of doing up the living areas, such as the bedrooms, drawing room, and dining room. However, there is just so much that you can do in a bedroom—maybe add a comfortable bed, a reading lamp, a table or ceiling fan, a bookshelf, and a study table. Most people seldom entertain formally, so areas such as the drawing room and dining room seldom get used. You can, however, put in some comfortable sofas, chairs, end tables, and coffee tables, and put in an expandable dining table, chairs, and breakfront in the dining room. You are most likely to use your kitchen as an area to not only prepare and cook food, and wash utensils and laundry, but also to serve family meals and entertain informally.

You can add electric floor warming systems for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements to make these areas of your home more comfortable. If you waterproof and ventilate your basement and use glass blocks to let in natural light, you can use it as a gym, study, home office, or home entertainment room. You will need to put in an intercom system so that you can not only make and receive calls in the basement, but also keep in touch with other family members.

To make your kitchen a visually appealing space, you can add countertops that complement or match the cabinetry, floor, or walls. Your countertops could be of granite, marble, wood, or stainless steel. To bring in more light into the kitchen, you can place a large ceiling fixture in the center of the kitchen, with track lights near the sink, range, and countertops. You can also use warm colors for the kitchen walls and floor, add recessed lights and dimmers, and highlight your cabinets. You can use tiles, laminates, and hardwoods as flooring. Your cabinets can complement or match the colors used in the walls and flooring. You can even use stained glass panels for kitchen cabinets.

To make your bathroom a truly relaxing space, you can always add a steam shower, a body spa, or a comfortable bathtub where you can soak for hours and allow the tensions of the day to flow away from you. See that your bathroom is well-lit. If you are interested in chromatherapy, you will find several products, such as bathtubs, shower systems, and sinks, which feature chromatherapy options. You can also install multiple showerheads and a waterfall in the bathroom to get a spa-like experience. You can also include a large bathtub, fog-free mirrors, and a towel warmer for more comfort. The tiles and walls in your bathroom should be in warm colors. You can also put plants and pictures in the bathroom to give a lived-in feel, and replace the sink sunk in a counter top with a pedestal sink. Nowadays, sinks come in a variety of materials, such as glass, stainless steel, stone, and copper—you can select a material that suits you. Your vanity cabinet could be of stone, wood, or glass. You can select from a wide variety of faucets, including single-hole and single-lever, widespread, centerset, and wall-mounted faucets.

At Total Remodeling, we can help you with home improvement ideas and projects. We can improve your home in line with modern trends, thus adding to its comfort and value.

About the author:
Dan Noyes
http://www.totalremodeling.com

1. Minor Kitchen Remodeling: Average cost = $8,655. Average ROI = 88%.

A minor kitchen remodel usually includes replacing the cabinets and countertops with higher quality materials or increasing the total amount of cabinet storage and countertop surface area. It would also most likely include the addition or upgrade of appliances such as garbage disposals, built in microwaves, dishwashers, and higher quality refrigerators.

2. Bathroom Remodel: Average cost = $9,135. Average ROI = 81%

This project would include things such as installing attractive countertops such as stone, granite, or marble. The fixtures would need to be upgraded and the shower and bathtubs should be resurfaced. Also, any tiling would need to be grouted. Other things that could increase the value of a bathroom remodel would be adding an extra sink basin, converting a bathtub to a Jacuzzi, or installing additional showerheads.

3. Major Kitchen Remodel: Average cost = 31,090. Average ROI = 71%

The major kitchen remodel is very costly and will take much more work than the minor remodel. The major version will require all appliances to be replaced. Whenever possible, appliances should be made in stainless steel. The countertops should be made of stone or granite. The floors might be replaced with high quality laminate flooring. The addition of a kitchen island or a centrally located stove could work. For a major kitchen remodel, you should consult a contractor and possible an interior designer. This is definitely not a do it yourself project.

4. Outside Deck: Average cost = $8,022. Average ROI = 55%

The deck is self-explanatory. The larger the deck, the higher the return on investment will be. The deck should obviously be coated with a nice looking finish that matches the outside of your home, and needs to be treated with a high quality water seal.

5. Hardwood Flooring: Average cost = Varies. Average ROI = Varies

The cost and return on hardwood flooring varies greatly based upon the total amount of rooms and surface area is remodeled. Also, the choice in the variety of hardwood will impact the value. Certain woods like Oak and Cherry are more valuable than others. Also, it is very important to properly maintain your hardwood floors. Flooring that is scraped, scratched, dull, or water stained can actually decrease the value of your home. If you have active children, you might want to stick to carpeting.

About the author:
Nicollette Dial is a freelance author who comes from a family of contractors. She contributes to several home improvement websites, including http://www.allhardwoodflooring.info

Start with a wall full of showerheads, to provide a pampering, steam-filled, hot shower. These days you can find all of the luxuries that you could possibly want, from multiple massage settings to the water coverage area; you can specify everything right down to the size of the water drops. These products can be found at any of the major bath fixture companies or your local kitchen and bath showroom. They start at under $100 and can be an inexpensive way to make a big splash in your new spa-like space.

Second, beautiful tile floors can give you that instant spa feel, but no one likes to step onto cold tile when getting out of a warm shower. Heated tiles systems can change the entire feel of your floor and your room. They come in two systems, electric and hot water. Your kitchen and bath professionals can help you decide what would work best for your space. If you’re doing even the smallest renovations, a system like this can make a large impact in your comfort level.

Lastly, there is a new product reaching the American market that has been a staple in Europe for years. Towel radiators differ from towel warmers in that they actually heat up the bathroom, as well as offering the added luxury of warming and drying your towels. If you are short on heat in your bathroom, this is an easy way to take it up a notch. The best part is they fit anywhere that you would put up your normal towel bar. “If you have to have heat in your bathroom it might as well be pleasing to the eye and give you the added benefit of a warm towel,” says Kate Bosley of Zehnder, a towel radiator company.

These unique products even come with programmable controls that give you the ultimate in flexibility, convenience and efficiency. You can set the radiator to turn on before you get up in the morning and shut itself off so you don’t waste energy. Wake to a warm bath and towel with no worries, because it only costs pennies a day. On top of that there is the count down timer. “Say it’s been a stressful day and all you want is a long soak in the tub. Well, you hit the timer function before your bath and by the time you get out you have a wonderfully warm towel to wrap up in. After 1 ½ hours the unit shuts itself off and returns back to its original program,” says Bosley.

Homeowners can easily install a towel radiator themselves. They can be hung on the wall with four screws and the proper wall anchors. After that, they just plug right in to your standard bathroom outlet. Check with your local professionals or the manufacturer about the appropriate installations on the new showerheads and radiant under floor heating systems. It is always best to do your homework and purchase top quality products that will last a lifetime.

As winter sets in the trend is for people to start to retreat to their homes and these days the house is not just a place to live, it is our sanctuary. Just imagine a long hot shower, stepping out onto a heated tile floor into a room that is cozy and warm, and grabbing that fluffy towel. Could you ask for more?

For more information on Zehnder’s towel radiators please call (888) 778-6701 or see them online at www.zehnderamerica.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

About the author:
Courtesy of ARA Content

Natural gas hot water heaters are also very popular among homeowners because they reach their set temperature more than twice as fast as an electric water heater does.

That means that you could probably run the dishwasher after your morning shower and still have hot water, not lukewarm water. And are you always the one having to wait around for more hot water after a shower hog has carelessly used it all for himself? A gas water heater may not make him more considerate, but it would cut your wait time in half.

While gas water heaters heat water faster and cheaper than electric heaters, it is still very important to purchase the right size tank for your household needs. A gas water heater that is too small can still leave you showering in lukewarm water.
Most homes will require a 40 gallon gas hot water heater. This heater will take care of a moderate sized home with 3 to 4 occupants, two bathrooms, and a washing machine. Of course, if you live alone and only have one bathroom, you can get by with a smaller water heater. On the other hand, you may need a larger heater if there are more family members, especially teenagers, in the home and a dishwasher or whirlpool baths.

Even once you have figured out which gas water heater is the right size for your home, you may want to purchase a size larger for a few reasons. Most of these reasons will center on your family’s lifestyle. For example: If you have a family member who is notorious for taking long, extremely hot showers, or if you have to run the dishwasher, washing machine and take a shower at the same time and in the few hours that you get to spend at home, you may want to purchase a larger gas water heater than is recommended for your family size.

No matter what size gas water heater you choose, you can rest assured that you are heating water for a fraction of the cost associated with electric heaters. Now that’s smart.

About the author:
By Randy M
For more information about water heaters
or anything that runs on gas, visit Think Gas
http://www.thinkgas.com

True linen, which is stronger than any other natural fiber has actually been dated back to the stone age. It has also been found that the linen wrappings from Egyptian mummies are still pliable, thousands of years later. The more linen is used the softer it becomes. It can absorb up to 20% of it’s weight in moisture before it feels damp and air drys quickly. An Irish linen tea-towel can last five to seven or more years, depending on the amount of use. Linen will dry and shine your glasses superior to that of cotton or any other blend. Flax linen is also non-allergenic.

When choosing sheets for your bed you will want to keep in mind thread counts. The higher the thread count the more luxurious and smoother feel the sheet will have. High thread count sheets are also more durable than sheets with low thread counts. High quality linen sheets can last up to twenty ears. As mentioned above, linen sheets will soften with use.

When looking for blankets for your bed you may want to choose a wool blanket for winter and a thermal blanket for spring, summer and fall use when there tends to be warm and cool nights. Thermal blankets are comfortable in warm weather. Wool which can be very light weight and dense is also extremely warm.

Flannel sheets come in all types of colors and designs and are favored by many for comfortable cold weather sleeping. 100% cotton well made flannel sheets will “puff up” after washing feeling softer with each washing.

About the author:
This article courtesy of http://www.about-linens.com

When choosing your bathroom light fixtures styles, keep in mind that your real goal is to make yourself look great, not to make your bathroom look great. You have a practical job to do – grooming and looking your best – and this is what your bathroom light fixtures are to help accomplish.

1) Realize That Vanity Counts

Vanity lighting or mirror lighting in the bathroom is crucial; everyone’s walked into the bathroom where the lighting makes anyone look greenish or pale.

Without good un-shadowed light in a bathroom, it’s impossible to look your best outside the bathroom also, because you can’t see yourself properly when you’re putting on make up. This need for clear, un-shadowed lighting is what makes bathroom light fixtures so important. When choosing fixtures, bear in mind that the clearer your lens or shade is, the more light it will release into the bathroom.

2) Place Fixtures To “Support” Your Face

Placement is a second, important consideration for your bathroom light fixtures. Ideally, you should surround your face with the best light possible, minimizing shadows under the chin and eyes, and illuminating your cheeks and forehead properly.

You don’t have to use Hollywood strips with a half-dozen lights down each side of your mirror, but you should definitely use more than one bathroom light fixture. Ideally, you should have at least one on either side of the mirror.

Don’t place them above your head; instead, take into consideration the relative heights of your family, and try to place your bathroom light fixtures at about average forehead height. This will minimize shadows on all sides of the face.

Keep bathroom light fixtures at least two and a half feet apart; this shouldn’t be a problem, since the average bathroom mirror is at least this width.

If you want to mount your bathroom light fixtures directly on your mirror, that’s fine too; but look at them against a mirror before choosing to do this, as some fixtures just don’t look good in this setting. You may want an additional bathroom light fixture on the ceiling if you have a large or a dark bathroom.

3) Choose Good Lighting – Match Your Fixtures To The Lighting

When choosing your bathroom light fixtures, you should always consider what kind of lights you plan to use. In general, fluorescent is not a great choice; it tends to make people greenish or washed out. Instead, go for incandescent bulbs, or bulbs that advertise their similarity to daylight. Remember that the wrong bulb can make anyone look terrible. If you know of a place with bathroom lights that make you look terrific, see if you can find out what kind of lights they use, and go for these.

Bathroom light fixtures should not change the color of the light inside them; instead, they should release the light clearly and brightly.

Fixtures should be easy enough to maintain and should be guaranteed. Before installing them permanently, hold them up to daylight and be certain you like what you see.

About the author:
The fixture tips here are provided by http://www.lightfixturesco.coma site designed to save you time and money when you shop for light fixtures on the web. Visit now to find the latest, great deals on fixtures from all over the web.

The only disadvantage they have is that they cannot be cleaned easily. Cleaning mini blinds doesn’t require strength – it requires delicate handling. The following instructions should help clarify how to clean them.

As a first step, you should vacuum-clean them while the mini blinds are still hanging on your window. This process will help to remove excess dust. Next, you should remove the mini-blinds from the window and take them either outside or to the bathroom for a wet wash.

For the liquid washing component, you will need a hose, a clothesline, a bucket and a sponge. Make a mixture of one-part water, to one-part ammonia in the bucket. Gently apply the mixture on the mini-blinds, front and back. Allow the mixture to stand on the blinds for about five minutes, after which you just hose them. Wipe the mini-blinds with a soft cloth and hang them on the clothesline to dry.

To help prevent dust buildup, rub down the mini-blinds with an anti-static dryer sheet.

The above instructions are most relevant for cleaning cloth mini blinds. However, on the other hand, if your mini blinds are made of wood, clean them like you clean any of your wood furniture.

About the author:
Mini Blinds Info provides detailed information about vinyl, discount, wood, faux wood, custom, and aluminum mini blinds, plus advice on cleaning mini blinds. Mini Blinds Info is the sister site of Wood Blinds Web.

So, how do you clean up for unexpected guests in 10 minutes or less?!

1. Stay calm!

2. Do a clean sweep. Grab a trash bag or laundry basket and gather up everything that is lying around that shouldn’t be, and throw it into the bag. Hide the bag.

3. Plump up pillows on couches and chairs in living room, fold blankets. Give each cushion a swat for crumbs.

4. Stack mail, newspapers and magazines in a nice, neat pile. Stick the pile in a corner or on a kitchen chair.

5. Give the bathroom a speedy sprucing up! Wipe out the sink, wipe off the toilet seat and quickly swish the bowl. Then, close the shower curtain, and throw odds and ends in cabinets or drawers. Spray some air freshener so the bathroom will smell clean – even if it’s far from it.

6. Rinse off any dishes in the sink and stack them neatly or toss them in the dishwasher. Wipe off the table and counter tops.

7. Take a peek inside the fridge – what beverages and snacks do you have that you can offer your guests?

8. Close the doors to all rooms that you don’t want on display.

9. Light a yummy scented candle in the kitchen – like Cinnamon Buns or Chocolate Cake. Lighting a few scented candles will uplift the mood of your home and make guests feel welcome. Throw some fruit in a bowl and place it in the center of your table. Fresh flowers also do wonders, if you have them on hand.

10. Take a deep breath. Give yourself a squirt of perfume and you’re all set! You may even have enough time to get changed into something a little more presentable.

Cleaning up for unexpected guests does not have to be a mad rush, if you stay caught up on your housework as a rule. A friend of mine gave me some really good advice right after my husband and I got married, she said “The best way to keep a clean house is to entertain in your home at least once a month.” There’s nothing like having company coming to get cleaning!

About the author:
Visit http://www.homeorganizationhelp.com/free-ebook-cleaning.htmfor your free copy of the “I Hate House Cleaning” ebook for Busy Moms. Or stopy by http://www.free-ebooksonline.com/for many more free ebooks!

Before beginning your small bathroom remodeling, design a floor plan that maximizes the room’s useable space. Don’t be afraid to design up by incorporating free-floating cabinets. Use mirrors to stretch a small bathroom’s space, and keep the color scheme simple. Keep a small bathroom bright, fresh, and inviting with coordinated colors and accessories.

Pare down the scale in your bathroom. Big items take up more space in the bathroom and look bulky. Corner sinks are simple and small. These sinks free up visual space below, but don’t provide the counter space and cabinet space that a traditional sink provides. Another option is a pedestal sink. These sinks have a more classic design and are free standing. Wall-mounted sinks save space but do not have counter space. Both types of sinks do not provide storage space underneath. Most home-improvement stores stock smaller sinks, or you can custom order one from a cabinet shop for a price.

A simple way to conserve space is to do away with a tub and just use a shower. Smaller tubs, however, are available, although most cannot handle whirlpool faucets. Any tub less than five feet long will probably spill the water sprayed by the whirlpool faucets.

Pick a toilet that can sit close to the wall to conserve space, and the size of the seat and tank design determine just how much space the toilet will use. Also pay attention to the size of the home’s original toilet. Older homes have toilets with 10 to 14 inches between the wall and the toilet drain, but newer homes typically have 12 inches. The wrong toilet won’t fit. Buying a toilet with a low tank takes up less visual space and compact toilets leave more room, but as with any small bathroom remodeling project, use these suggestions to find a toilet that is both stylish and fits in the room.

Finally, limit what you bring into the bathroom. To save space in a cramped bathroom, for example, it may be best to have a dressing area in a bedroom. Limit the number of accessories — clutter can easily make a small bathroom look smaller.

Planning a small remodeling may take extra planning, but the resulting clean, beautiful, an uncluttered bathroom will be an inviting space.

About the author:
Bathroom Remodeling Info provides detailed information on bathroom remodeling ideas, costs, plans, and checklists. Bathroom Remodeling Info is the sister site of Kitchen Remodeling Web.

There are some ways to save money while shopping online for a new bathroom. You can save hundreds by comparing prices from various online stores before deciding to buy.

To make informed choices when buying products for your new bathroom, you need information on the price, quality and the types of products available. You can get this information by shopping around – either directly, or by going to a number of different websites and comparing what is on offer. Look at the prices and then weigh up what you will get for your money before you make up your mind.

1. Use shopping bots
Shopping bots are essentially search engines for gathering prices for products from a variety of vendors. They allow you to quickly search for merchandise across a wide variety of sites. They are an effective way to quickly get a feel for the available deals.

2. Use Discount Sites and Bargain sites
These are general discount sites where you’ll find deals on many different products. They get excess merchandise from other retailers and sell the merchandise at bargain prices.

3. Use Coupon sites and Deal Aggregators
These sites provide a wide variety of coupons, promotional codes and discounts across the internet. They lead you to retailers, rather than selling you the merchandise directly.

4. Use Classifieds or Auction sites
With bathroom products, buying straight from the high street will add a considerable sum to the price tag. It’s possible to make vast savings by purchasing your item second-hand. You can buy most merchandise cheaper from auction sites such as EBay.

5. Drop Brand Names
You can easily get cheaper products by opting for lesser-known names in the market. These cheaper items are usually as good as some of the more expensive varieties from the big companies. In some instances, you’ll only be paying for the name because some of the products are manufactured by the same companies.

There are many other ways to save money while shopping online for bathroom products, but shopping around before you buy makes it easier to get the best value on many products and services.

About the author:
Copyright © 2005. Kabwe Chomba writes for Modern Bathrooms website at http://www.modern-bathrooms.co.uk/and he’s also a regular contributor to the Ideas for Bathrooms website at: http://www.ideas-for-bathrooms.org.uk/