Choosing coordinating colors for a room is a lot easier than you think. A great way to start is to find what color family you like the most (reds, greens, blues, etc.).
Once you pick your color family, choosing that final color is much easier.
Follow these easy steps to start:
- Collect pictures of rooms and accessories that you like from magazines and catalogs.
- Next, gather up your favorite things in a room. Vase. Pillows. Floral arrangements. Comforter.
- Then step back. Take it all in. Do you see a common color family or scheme?
Another trick is to steal from the largest pattern in the space. Upholstery. Rug. Even your favorite painting. Use its background color for your wall color. Then choose one or two of the other colors for your accents.
You've now successfully coordinated color!
Piece of cake.
Small changes made by individuals can add up to big changes for the environment. Everyone can do it. We can choose to lessen our environmental impact with these easy suggestions.
Here are 10 to get you started:
1. Get a High-Efficiency Showerhead
A high-efficiency showerhead saves up to 3,000 gallons of water per person per year. You'll also save $50 in energy costs and 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per person per year. The showerheads are specially designed to conserve resources while still providing like a luxurious-feeling shower. Sink-aerator attachments also save major amounts of water and are very inexpensive.
2. Recycle Water in Your Bathroom
Use devices that allow you to reuse sink water for flushing your toilet. Or keep a bucket by the shower or the tub and fill it with the cold water that comes out before the hot water kicks in. Then take the bucket outside and use it to water your plants.
3. Compost
Use a compost bin to turn your food and lawn wastes into rich mulch. It's a great way to reduce your trash production, and next year you'll have rich compost ready to go for spring planting.
4. Buy Green Power From Your Utility
Most utilities charge less than $5 per month extra. Not only will your power come from a renewable source, but you'll use the power of your spending to show utility executives and government officials that we need more investment in renewable-energy projects.
5. Improve the Efficiency of Your Existing Water Heater
Tankless and solar water heaters are great, but simple changes to your existing setup can cut your energy bills and carbon emissions by 25 percent or more. Reduce the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees, wrap it in a water-heater insulating blanket and insulate the first 3 to 6 feet of hot and cold water pipes. These inexpensive changes should take you less than an hour to complete.
6. Use High-Efficiency Outdoor Lighting
A typical 100-watt floodlight, if used for six hours a day, can consume up to $40 of electricity over the course of a year and produce upwards of 400 pounds of carbon dioxide, depending on where you live. For starters, replace those floodlights with compact-fluorescent versions-they're just as bright and use a quarter of the energy. Next, replace low-wattage halogen landscape bulbs with LED versions. They cut energy use by over 80 percent and can last for 10 years or more. Finally, install motion sensors on any nonessential lights. New versions just screw right into your existing light socket.
7. Replace High-Use Indoor Lights with Compact Fluorescents or LEDs
With high-quality light, sizes for almost any fixture and even versions that are dimmable, compact fluorescents have it all. They're more expensive than normal light bulbs, but between the energy savings and their much longer life spans, they pay for themselves in less than two years. And consider LED bulbs for non-dimmable circuits (especially for holiday lighting). They're true energy misers and will last for as long as you live in your house.
8. Load Up the Washing Machines
Make sure you run the dishwasher and the clothes washers only when they're full. Clothes washers are huge energy and water users, so make sure you're doing full loads (or adjusting the water setting) whenever possible. And most of us use far more water (and soap) than we need to when hand-washing dishes, especially when compared with high-efficiency Energy Star dishwashers. So save your time, water and power by putting those dishes directly in the dishwasher after a meal.
9. Drive Smarter
Simple changes in our existing driving habits can improve fuel efficiency by up to 25 percent. Drive at or near the speed limit, keep your tires inflated, make sure oil and air filters are clean, and step on the gas and the brakes carefully. Driving like a drag racer may be fun, but it has a substantial environmental cost.
10. Avoid the Daily Waste of Fast Food and Shopping
Next week, keep track of how much trash you generate by eating out and making trips to the store, I guarantee you'll be amazed. All those bags, cups and containers really add up and are stuffing our landfills to capacity. Bring your own plastic or metal boxes to your favorite take-out joint. You'll save resources and save them money. Use reusable shopping bags whenever you go to the store. Say "no thanks" when the pharmacist or the fast-food clerk tries to put your one or two items in a bag. Use reusable cups for coffee, soda and other beverages. And reuse some of the extras at home -- keep extra napkins and reuse plastic cups and cutlery.
Resource: HGTV.com. Jason Pelletier is a certified auditor with Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design.
It is March, and spring is about to be sprung. With warmer weather and longer days, March is a great month to add a few projects to your home improvement to-do list:
- Daylight Saving Time begins. Honor the occasion by replacing batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Review the contents of your medicine cabinets and throw away dated prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines. Be sure all medicines are out of the reach of children or contained in a cabinet equipped with childproof locks.
- Celebrate spring by cleaning the garage. Hold a yard sale, or organize a community yard sale with neighbors. Dispose of paint thinners, household cleaners and pesticides properly. Contact your city's department of public works to find out the next scheduled collection of hazardous materials.
- Clean the refrigerator, inside and out, with mild detergent. Remove all trays and shelves, wash, and allow to dry thoroughly before replacing them. Remove old ice from ice-making tray.
- After heavy rains, inspect your basement walls for signs of moisture. If you detect wetness, run a portable dehumidifier. If condition persists, consult a waterproofing contractor.
- Check to make sure your sump pump works properly by pouring water into the pump silo to raise the float and activate the motor.
- Test the pressure and temperature relief valve on your water heater by opening it and allowing some water to flow out. If little or no water flows out or it doesn't shut off, replace it. Bad valves can cause explosions.
- Spring is a good time to build a doghouse. Make sure to provide adequate roof ventilation to allow hot air to escape. And don't use pressure-treated wood in any area where your dog might chew it.
Resource: The Weather Channel
You know the global benefits of conserving energy and water — including saving on your own costs. But maybe you're not sure where to start. Here are a few ways to embrace earth-friendly practices in your own home and routine. Remember, even the smallest steps help make a difference.
- Update to green: With new government standards and technology, modern faucets are more efficient than ever. Saving up to 32% on your water usage, WaterSense certified faucets make going green practically effortless.
- Look, no hands: Homeowners waste gallons of water everyday by leaving their sink faucets running, but with hands-free electronic faucets you will ensure water is used only when needed.
- On-demand hot water: Tank-less water heaters offer a great way to cut home energy costs without impacting performance. By flash heating water and eliminating tank-water heaters' long cycles you can cut your energy use by 20%.
- Optimal clean: Flow optimized showerheads can help further reduce water usage in the bathroom. With a 1.75 gpm, versus the industry standard of 2.5, cutting water consumption and energy costs by up to 30%.
- Cost effective green: A quick, first step toward going green, flow optimized aerators can add highly effective performance to older faucets with out much cost to you.
- Ditch the bottle: Avoid the need of plastic bottles with water filtering faucets. You will save both your wallet from the cost of purchasing bottled water and help unclog waste disposal sites of these increasingly hazardous items.
- Keep water in check: It's important to check all water-using products regularly, with the bathroom accounting for roughly 60% of a home's water usage a leaky toilet or faucet can waste thousands of gallons a year without you knowing it.
Resource: http://www.moen.com/eco-performance/getting-involved
While you may envision your ideal kitchen with granite countertops and top of the line appliances, many homeowners don't have the budget to afford these dream spaces. However, that doesn't mean that you can't update your space to make it more enjoyable and more uniquely yours.
No matter what your budget, there are many updates that you can make to your kitchen or bathroom to add some design style.
Here are a few examples of ways that you can add some design elements and your unique style to your rooms while still following a budget:
$1,000 Budget
With this small budget, you may need to get a bit creative to achieve your goals, but there are some easy steps that will greatly improve the look of your kitchen or bath
Kitchens:
* Countertops — To simulate the look of real (and very expensive) stone, without the cost, use ceramic tile or a higher density, more upscale tile called through-body porcelain tile. Especially for countertops, since they cover a large surface area of your kitchen, a new tile surface will add a dramatic update. However, for an even lower cost, choose a new laminate countertop to replace outdated or worn countertops for a fresh, new look.
* Faucets and Hardware — Replacing an old faucet with a newer, stylish model in an updated finish will instantly perk up a kitchen. Then, update drawer pulls and knobs to match the finish of the faucet to pull your room together.
* Cabinets — If your cabinets are paintable, a fresh coat of paint can brighten and refresh worn cabinets and give the entire room an updated look.
* Window Coverings — Remove old valances and let in more natural light with simple, open window treatments. Replace old vinyl blinds with two-inch faux wood blinds. These offer an upscale look of genuine white wood blinds without the associated cost.
* Paint — Perhaps your room has some flowered wallpaper or grandma's favorite shade of pink on the walls. Painting is often the least intimidating project and has the biggest impact on a room. So strip off that wallpaper, prime those walls and add a splash of your favorite color to reflect your style and update your kitchen.
Bathrooms:
* Vanity and Countertops — Since it is the working area of the bathroom and often the focal point, you may want to replace the current vanity. Or, if the vanity is in decent shape, try working with what you have and just replace the countertop and update the knobs and pulls on the vanity. Since you don't have as much area to replace as in the kitchen you may want to try an upgraded material for the countertop, such as a ceramic tile.
* Faucet — Often the focal point of a bathroom is the sink and faucet area. For a modest price with large impact, you may choose a more bold or dynamic new faucet. Faucets today are available in a variety of shapes, designs and finishes to meet the style and functional needs of any bathroom.
* Paint and Color — Inject color and style into a bathroom with a new paint color. Since it is a smaller space, especially for a powder room, choose a color that you love but might not be brave enough to use in a larger, more prominent room. Be sure to tie your color together with coordinating towels and shower curtain.
* Floor — Since the bathroom is one of the most used and abused rooms in the home, try updating the flooring with a ceramic tile or through-body porcelain tile to add style and functionality to your bath.
$5,000 Budget
With a little more room in the budget, you now have the opportunity to do a bit more or to upgrade the materials to transform your room. Just, don't forget the basics, such as painting walls and changing window coverings.
Kitchens:
* Countertops — With a bit more budget, you may now be able to afford upgraded countertop materials, such as stone or a solid surface product, such as Silestone®. The natural-looking surface will update and add style to any kitchen.
* Floors — New laminate flooring may be a cost-effective choice for homeowners who prefer to leave installation to the professionals. However for the adventurous DIYer, natural stone products, such as slate, are now an affordable and stylish option.
* Sinks, Faucets and Hardware — Since the sink and faucet are functional parts of your kitchen that you and your family will interact with everyday, they are great updates to consider. Beyond just replacing with newer models, perhaps you may want to upgrade to an undermount sink or a high arc faucet with pull-down spout. When choosing the new faucet you can let your design flair loose and choose a new finish beyond the traditional stainless. Just be sure to coordinate the drawer pulls and knobs in a similar finish.
Bathrooms:
* Flooring — While ceramic tile is a popular, cost-effective option, a more upscale and luxurious choice for flooring is a natural stone, such as granite. Today's natural stone floors offer a variety of colors and patterns to add a unique and upscale flair to your bathroom.
* Vanity and Sink — With more budget to work with, replacing the current area with a pedestal sink or a new vanity will automatically add an updated, new look to the bathroom. Pedestal sinks often make the room look larger and more upscale than a vanity, but if storage is a concern a new vanity is the wiser, more functional choice.
* Water Closet — While you may not think of a toilet adding style to a room, a shiny new toilet (perhaps to match a new sink) will give your bathroom a fresh new feeling for you and your guests to enjoy.
* Faucet and Accessories — With the endless variety of coordinating bathroom collections, a new faucet and accessories will update the look of your bathroom, tie your design together for a cohesive look, as well as provide functional storage tools, such as shelving, toothbrush and soap holders and towel bars.
$10,000+ Budget
A big budget opens the door for many other upscale materials or custom design details. Again, even with a bigger budget, don't forget those easy and inexpensive fixes, such as painting!
Kitchens:
* Countertops — Larger budgets could mean larger natural stones, such as marble or large pieces of granite. These beautiful, large slabs of stone can add a naturally beautiful design that you can use as the central inspiration for the rest of the room. Additionally, new popular solid surface countertops, such as Corian® may be an upgrade option.
* Floors — Wood floors add to the natural beauty and design of a kitchen. Newer woods, such as teak, are becoming more popular for their natural moisture resistance and beautiful color tone.
* Lighting — With the extra budget, be sure to banish the fluorescent lighting fixtures to the garage. Many homeowners don't realize that different types of lighting actually produce different colors of light. For instance, fluorescent produces an unflattering, cold, bluish light. To add a warmer, natural-looking light, try recessed lighting fixtures or sconces with incandescent or halogen lights.
* Sinks, Faucets and Hardware — When updating the countertops to new natural stone, an undermount sink is the perfect way to accent the new smooth-edge design. Additionally, with the variety of designs, kitchen faucets can add the final touch. With intricate designs with one or two handles, high arc or even pullout spouts, the faucet can be the jewel in the center of the new beautiful countertop. And if the budget is too low to overhaul the cabinets, be sure to update the old cabinets with new hardware to coordinate with the new sink and faucet.
* Cabinets — Today's options in cabinet colors and styles are endless. No matter what your style preference or budget, there is a cabinet to meet your needs. For tighter budgets, you may look to affordable stock lines of cabinets. Or with larger budget, perhaps semi-custom cabinets with custom storage solutions and accessories are in order. Also, remember the newest mix and match trend when choosing your cabinets. This can add more to your design and may help to accommodate your space or your budget.
Bathrooms:
* Vanity — No longer do you need to choose from what's in stock-with a larger budget, you can begin to design more customized vanities. Whether you are interested in a more traditional look that meets your needs, or a completely original look with exotic materials such as natural stone, the designs can be as big as your imagination.
* Sink — To go along with a custom-designed vanity, you might consider a specialty sink. Whether you are interested in a free-standing vessel sink with a wall-mount faucet, or a uniquely shaped stainless or porcelain sink with a unique asian-themed free-flowing faucet, this area can become a beautiful art masterpiece.
* Shower and Bath — Showers and baths can become the spa-like experience of your dreams. Think about creating a vertical spa with massaging jets in a walk-in shower made of stone or glass. Or add a sunken tub with a large Roman tub faucet to sink back and relax after a long day.
No matter what your budget, any homeowner can add design style to their kitchen and bath(s). You may need to start small or wait until your budget allows, but by adding elements that inspire you, you will be able to enjoy these two well-used rooms.
Resource: Moen.com
Living "Green" with Tomboy Tools: There are many ways all of us can contribute to a "greener" planet if we do our part. Here are some tips this month that you can incorporate into your green footprint:
To Help You Get Started:
- Reduce Your Packaging: Buy bulk or concentrated products when you can.
- Reduce Toxicity or Learn How: Recycle your batteries and use batteries with reduced mercury.
- Select Reusable Products: Sturdy, washable utensils, tableware, cloth napkins, and dishcloths can be used many times.
- Use Durable Products: Choose furniture, sports equipment, toys, and tools that will stand the test of time.
- Reuse Products: Reuse newspaper, boxes, shipping "peanuts," and "bubble wrap" to ship packages.
- Recycle Automotive Products: Take car batteries, antifreeze, and motor oil to participating recycling centers.
- Buy Products Made From Recycled Material: Many bottles, cans, cereal boxes, containers, and cartons are made from recycled material.
- Compost or Learn How: Food scraps and yard waste can become natural soil conditioners.
- Think "green" while shopping the President's Day sales. Bring your own reusable cloth bag for carrying your purchases, and try to buy items with minimal packaging and/or made with recycled content. For example, buy fleece jackets made from recycled soda bottles, sneakers made with recycled rubber soles, or clothes made from recycled cotton scraps.
- Don't become dehydrated playing winter sports. Prevent waste by using a reusable sports bottle instead of disposable plastic bottles. If you are providing drinks for your team, supply them in reusable containers such as thermoses or hard plastic cups.
- Before storing your used sports equipment for the winter, consider donating or selling any equipment you no longer want to a charity or used sporting goods store. Also consider donating old soccer balls, footballs, or tennis balls to your local animal shelter to use as chew toys.
- If you are participating in a winter sport, purchase used sports equipment whenever possible, and look for sporting goods that are made from recycled material. Examples include hiking shoes with recycled rubber soles, basketballs made with recycled rubber, and ski jackets and sleeping bags made from recycled soda bottles.
- For sports you don't regularly participate in, try renting or borrowing equipment rather than buying it. This will save you money and prevent waste!
- For cold weather sporting events, wear multiple layers of clothing or thermal underwear instead of relying on battery-operated or kerosene heaters.
- When possible, use skis, snow shoes, or sleds to go through snow instead of gas-powered snowmobiles.
- If you are hosting a basketball party, buy drinks and snacks in bulk to prevent packaging waste, and encourage guests to recycle their empty aluminum cans and glass or plastic bottles. Also reuse decorations, or rent some from a party store.
Resource: EPA.org
(ARA) - Saving money is on everyone's mind this winter season. Between the holiday expenses, colder temperatures and tight budgets, finding ways to reduce costs can be a bit of a challenge.
If you're looking for ways to save, look at your home, and see if you can improve on your energy efficiency - thereby keeping a few extra dollars in your pocket.
* Program the temperature. You already know that the lower you set the thermometer in winter, the less your furnace will work. Having the temperature set in the low 60s when out and about makes perfect sense. But when you are home, setting the temps a bit higher will help keep you comfortable. Instead of continuously running back and forth to the thermostat to constantly keep readjusting the temperature, install a programmable thermostat and preset the times you want the temps lower or higher.
* Clean your heating and cooling system. To help your furnace operate better, hire a qualified company to clean the ducts, blower, cooling coils and heat exchanger. To find someone certified contact NADCA - the HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Association. NADCA recommends homeowners clean their heating and cooling systems annually, because dust and pollen build up on your ducts, and then recirculate through your home. This buildup of dirt prevents your furnace from efficiently running, making it work harder and run longer to maintain the temperature you set.
"A clean heating and cooling system helps to increase the airflow through your furnace, which in turn helps to make your home more comfortable," says Matt Mongiello, president of NADCA. "And when you combine a clean system with controlled temperatures, you'll notice the savings on your utility bills."
* Wash clothes in cold water. Every household processes about 400 loads of laundry per year, according to the California Energy Commission , making your washer one of the biggest water consuming products in your house. To help save on energy, wash your clothes only in cold water so you don't have to spend money using the water heater. And make sure you only process full loads to help conserve the number of loads you run and water you use.
Additional energy savings can be found by line drying your clothes, or running them through the dryer for half the time, and then air drying them the rest of the time.
Across most of the country, humidity levels tend to be lower during the winter months, which helps to speed up the clothes drying process.
* Unplug appliances. The amount of electricity consumed in your home often can easily be reduced by just unplugging and turning off items. According to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories, 5 percent of residential energy use in the U.S. is used when appliances are in the off position. Consider unplugging smaller appliances such as your microwave, cellphone charger, coffee maker and desktop computer which can continue to consume energy, even when you're not using them. If the appliance has a clock, or electrical display of some sort, electricity is needed to keep those items illuminated. If it's a hassle to unplug these items after each and every use, consider putting them on a power strip, so you can quickly and easily flip the switch on and off when you need to use the appliances.
Tightening down on your energy usage can help you save a couple of dollars here and there, and also keep you more comfortable in your home. So sit back and relax in your home and enjoy the winter season.
