House and Decor

Your home’s general utility and laundry area is often referred to as the service yard. It’s often overlooked during the interior design stage of nesting, but the usefulness of the area calls for more attention.

You can create a more functional space in your home’s service yard with just the right design perks. Take a few moments to consider some realistic ways to make better use of your home’s service yard, and look forward to a more manageable space.

Add some counter space

The service area in most homes is usually a pretty tight space, so it might not initially make sense to add countertops. However, adding countertops to your laundry room can offer an extension of your kitchen space and more prep space.

The countertops in your laundry space are also a great place to fold your clean clothing. Instead of folding your clean laundry in the bedroom or living room. Fold it right as it finishes drying.

Maximize your vertical space

The vertical space in your laundry/utility room should be optimized to make the most of the lack of square footage. When you work vertically, you can do more.

Consider installing a stackable washer/dryer unit. Add shelving for more storage space. Bins and baskets are always useful in your service yard.

Consider the flow of the space

Most service yards are an extension of the home’s kitchen, so consider how the two spaces flow together. Sometimes it may be more reasonable to merge the two in a galley style layout.

Otherwise, check the aesthetic before you call it a day. You want your service yard to be clean, simple, and most of all… useful.

Add some greenery

The starkness of the whitewalled areas in your service yard may need a little greenery to liven up the space. Consider hanging plants from your unused laundry hanging bars, and variate the plants you choose for more color.

Adding live plants to your home is good for more than just adding color. Live plants are great air purifiers. Live in a greener, cleaner space by adding a variety of foliage.

Upgrade your appliances

If you want to go the next step in creating the best space possible, you should spend time finding the best appliances for your home. Upgrade your washer and dryer to save energy and make your home a more efficient space throughout.

Finally, the most important aspect of a great service yard design is that you and your family love the space. You may need to work out some kinks in your design as you start working in the area, but these tips will help get you on the right track.

 

Carpenters and joiners use a variety of nails in their work, often knowing what nail to use for what task to get the best finish while also providing the support and hold required for the task. If you’re new to the trade or perhaps a do it yourself (DIY) learner then you may have come across stainless steel brad nails but aren’t quite sure when and where to use them, and what the alternatives are for other similar jobs where brad nails might not quite be right.

What Are Stainless Steel Brad Nails?

Stainless steel brad nails are usually used for what is called trim carpentry, basically for attaching molding, decorative trim, furniture trim, or window beading. Because they are thin and have a small head they do the job of attaching a small piece of wood to a larger one without splitting the trim, and leaving only a very small hole to be filled afterward.

Because of their profile brad nails are often also used to attach baseboards, pinning of upholstery boards, for scribe moldings, cabinet building and picture frame assembly.

There are two head types with Brad nails so you do need to decide on which you require, the B series heads are standard nail heads and are the most popular, as they are easier to apply using a hammer or a brad nailer gun. AY series heads are much smaller to allow for a smaller impression at the entry point and therefore less chance of splitting, but are only compatible with Slight Head Brad Nailer guns.

Where Can You Use Brad Nails?

You may have questions about whether Brad Nails can be used for exterior work, and possibly areas with high salt and water atmospheres near the seaside. There are actually three grades of corrosion resistance that Brad nails are supplied in for different environment, and the level of corrosion resistance does affect the cost of the nails.

Electro galvanized brad nails are standard nails and are only best used for interior applications where corrosion isn’t a concern. They have a very thin layer of zinc coating which provides a measure of protection which may corrode if left in a damp area for a long period of time.

304 grade stainless steel brad nails are standard exterior use nails which can be used in most outdoor areas and won’t corrode or discolor. They are also ideal for ACQ treated lumber, and high moisture woods such as redwood, cedar and acidic or oil-based exotic woods. However in some climates such as tropical, seaside and saltwater contact areas, 304 grade stainless steel brad nails still might not provide the long term corrosion resistance qualities required so in this case 316 grade stainless steel brad nails are used. They are suitable for all outdoor uses and are marine grade so can cope with long term and consistent exposure to water, saltwater, tropical climates and seaside locations where other nails would corrode and develop rust marks and streaks over time.

Its always bets to pick the right nail for the job!

While moving into a new home can be exciting, it can also be fraught with a lot of uncertainty and stress. Simply finding a home that you love from the outside isn’t enough—you have to find a home that’s going to keep you safe and secure from the inside as well, which means that home as a structure has got to be in prime condition.

To help ensure that you don’t wind up buying or moving into a home that’s unsafe or unsuited for your needs, here are three things you should check before you move into a new home.

Safety Or Structural Issues

Some of the biggest things that you should concern yourself with are any safety or structural issues that either you see on your own or that are reported back to you through the official inspection of the home.

According to Julia Dellitt, a contributor to Forbes.com, inspections will likely always find something that isn’t working as it should be or needs immediate attention. When these issues involve things like the foundation of the home or other structural issues, it’s best to get them taken care of before you move in. While some fixes might be small, like foam jacking repair for a foundation, others might require much more time and money, so make sure you’re willing to make the investment before you move forward with moving in.

Mold Or Other Water Damage

Another issue you should check throughout a home before you move into it is if there’s any evidence of water damage in any location.

When looking for water damage, Cathie Ericson, a contributor to Realtor.com, shares that you should check walls, ceilings, and any other rooms where plumbing is present for things like rust, mold, leaks, or water stains. Additionally, you’ll want to take a look outside of the home to see if any drainage issues might bring potential issues with water damage in the future.

If you do notice mold or water damage, make sure you figure out if these issues have been dealt with or what the current owners plan to do to deal with it now, before you move in and take on these problems yourself.

All The Doors And Windows

One last area you should check before buying or moving into a new home, according to Kate Reggev, a contributor to Dwell.com, are all the doors and windows on the property.

While this might seem like a silly thing to do as you walk through a home, taking the time to open all the doors and windows will help you to see if there are any drafts throughout the home that you’ll either have to deal with or fix as a resident here. Also, if some of the windows won’t open, this could be a safety hazard.

If you’re going to be moving into a new home soon, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you check for red flags on the property before you move in.

 

Your home is one of your most prized possessions. That is why it is vital to take good care of your property that you have worked hard for your entire life. Paying attention to your home exterior is something that every homeowner should do. However, there is a tendency to neglect one of the most prominent parts of the home exterior, which is the driveway.

People pay more attention to the garden, patio, and the front lawn, which is very understandable. But you have to remember that the driveway along with the garage is always part of the package. If you are aiming to increase the overall value of your property, it is essential to give your driveway a more modern look. Here are some helpful tips that can help you get started.

Declutter your area

A crowded driveway and garage can be a significant turn off for many people. It is essential to keep it clear from unwanted things like old vehicles that are no longer in running condition. You can get rid of them by getting in touch with companies like Junk Cars Miami to make your driveway look picture perfect 24/7.

Change the concrete surface

If your driveway has been neglected for a very long time, think of ways to upgrade its overall look. You can choose high-quality blocks or bricks as an alternative to plain concrete flooring. These materials are easy to install and also easy to maintain, which is an essential feature if you are always busy.

Install gates at the entryway

If you want your driveway to look more elegant, you can consider installing iron gates at the main entrance of your property. This set up will remind you of large classic mansions seen in old movies. However, if you want to give your driveway a more modern flair, there are a lot of gate designs for you to choose from.

Concrete slabbing will do the job

A shabby looking driveway is something that you should not ignore. It is essential to pay attention to the overall appearance of your driveway. However, if you are concerned about your budget, there are great alternatives that you can try, such as concrete slabbing your entire driveway.

The problem with concrete slabbing is that it is too dull looking, to the point that it lacks visual appeal. Break the monotony by adding patterns and unusual designs using pebbles, bricks, and colored stones right in the middle of the driveway.

Plants and grass will make your driveway more noticeable

No need to spend a fortune to create a new look for your driveway. Planting different flowers and greens will make your driveway more noticeable in no time. Of course, part of planting grass is making sure that you maintain the appearance of your lawn by mowing it regularly.

Lastly, you have the option to hire a landscape artist to help you upgrade both your driveway and garden. You will need their expertise on certain things for a modern looking driveway.

Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/house-family-architecture-suburb-3084040/

 

The time has come to get comfortable in your home office. You know that you spend an incredible amount of time working in that separate den space you have in your house. You have noticed that the time you spend there is not necessarily time spent being comfortable. The moment has come when you have decided that change is in the air – comfort is now a necessity!

How do you go about achieving this goal? First of all, you need to make your desk as comfortable as possible – these days, that means getting a standing option. Second, you need to be able to control the temperature in your home office. Portable space heaters or air-conditioners are wonderful. And third, you have to declutter the entire space. Anything that distracts the feeling of pleasantness while you are at your desk needs to go. Random clutter is the enemy.

Stand at Your Desk

Even though it may feel comfortable to sit in a chair for a little while, that feeling does not last. If you’re sitting in your chair for more than even an hour at a time, your body can quickly become restless. Because of this, if you want the ultimate comfort at your desk, you need to buy a standing desk converter. This piece of furniture allows you to sit or stand at your desk, which means that every so often, you can shift your body’s position. Especially after a long day, this variance in posture makes a huge difference in your overall comfort level.

Control the Temperature

The next thing to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible in your home office is to control the temperature. Buy a space heater! Put in a portable air conditioner. It’s easier to control the temperature in a small space than it is your whole house, so you can really get a comfortable home environment to within a few degrees of your ideal.

There is some noise factor with certain space heaters or air-conditioning units, so be sure to get some noise control in your den as well.

Declutter Your Area

Comfort isn’t just physical, either. You want psychological comfort. And that’s going to come from decluttering your desk area. If you have anything that you don’t need on the desk in front of you, get rid of it. Put it somewhere out of sight and out of mind. You may have collected a bunch of stuff that you have surrounded your desk area with. If you want to enjoy your time at your desk truly, you have to get rid of those frills and stick with calming things.