Home Design: January 2014

Free Money - Home Improvement Grants and Construction Projects

Those about to embark on a new construction or home improvement project may be able to claim thousands of dollars in free grant money to pay for many of these expenses. These construction and home repair grants are available through local government agencies and private organizations that benefit from tax incentives by providing you with the cash you need.

Home improvement grants can help you pay for drawing up plans to expand your home, update your house with energy efficient equipment, or pay for materials. Labor costs may also be covered by the grants you may be eligible to receive.

Local and state governments tend to be the agencies that support home improvement grants, as they benefit directly from your home improvement and construction projects. As homes are repaired, expanded or rehabilitated, the government can assess the property at a higher value. As a result, the property values of the neighborhood increase and higher property taxes can be collected. In the end, by providing cash incentives to home owners, the government benefits as well.

Government home improvement and construction grants may also be offered in particular neighborhoods as a way to encourage people to gentrify or improve low-income neighborhoods. Billions of dollars is spent every year in community development, but most people are unaware that that these funds can be obtained for their personal use.

Those interested in seeing if they qualify to receive home improvement grants can do so by simply applying for this free grant money. By searching the database for the available grants in your area, you can quickly see how much money is available and who qualifies to receive these funds. As a result of submitting a application, individuals may receive thousands of dollars that can be used to improve the functionality and appearance of your home.

Once obtained, these grant funds never have to be paid back. The applicant should closely review the terms of the program to clearly understand what the money can and can't be used for, as each grant program has different restrictions. However, most grant applications do not require a credit check, down payment or any kind of collateral. Simply find out if you are eligible to receive free government money today but submitting your grant application.

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Should You Choose Home Decorators or Interior Designers for Your Property Makeover?

If you are not currently in a position to move up the housing ladder, then there are still ways for you to bag yourself a whole new property - simply give the home decorators a call!

Whether you want to decorate your abode throughout or give one room an exciting new look, you can simply sit back, relax and watch the professional team you have hired deliver your vision - and all for far cheaper than the cost of buying a new house!

But it may be that you need a little help deciding on a suitable scheme and it is here that speaking with an interior designer could be useful. Indeed, you may be surprised to hear that there are several marked differences between painters and decorators and designers.

When you secure the services of an interior designer, it is likely that they will meet with you at home where they can get an idea of the room's features, its age and the atmosphere. They will then talk about what it is you are hoping to achieve and maybe even inform you of some popular design ideas or those that may suit the period your house was built - such as art deco, minimalist or Gothic.

Following this, the expert will draw up some plans for what they think will work best in the space you are making over. It is likely that this will be an entirely new look that goes far further than a fresh lick of paint.

Indeed, such a professional may advise that you purchase new curtains, flooring and furniture to complement the scheme, along with new lighting, artwork and ornaments. This route can result in you coming up with a great new decorative scheme for one of your living spaces or your entire property - although it could be expensive.

Often people hire the services of a designer and a decorating team so that they can get an innovative new look for their property that is finished to a professional standard. However, if you are on a budget then it is likely you will be unable to afford all new fixtures and fittings and may instead be keen to come up with some ideas that fit in with what you already have.

Alternatively, you may be bursting with your own ideas and need no help on the inspiration front - you could just be after a little support with the practical side. Should you be in either of these situations then it is unlikely that an interior designer is someone you need to speak with, instead you could go straight ahead with hiring other tradesmen who will help to makeover your home.

Remember that such experts have plenty of experience and will be able to offer you recommendations on the practicalities of your vision - including what else you could try or what they think will not look as good.

They will also be able to do all of the hard work, allowing you to relax. Perhaps more importantly, because of their experience it is likely you will enjoy a higher quality end result than if you had attempted the task yourself, particularly if there is tricky tiling involved! But the finished project will be all yours, which could allow you to really put your stamp on your home.

You can always begin with a small room such as a downstairs toilet or spare bedroom if you want to test out your ideas before moving up to more important living spaces, such as the living room or kitchen.

However, before long you may be keen to makeover every room in your house - and by contacting experienced tradesmen you could be able to bag yourself some great tips on how to achieve this on a budget.

And whether you are looking for painters, builders or tilers in your area, you are certain to find some local tradesmen who can help you achieve a great new look for your property - and all for a price that you can afford.

So if you want to start making over your home, why not get out a pen and paper and start sketching your ideas?

You never know - you could have what it takes to become a top new interior designer yourself!

How to Find Great Free Home Improvement Catalogs

With entire television networks and multiple magazines dedicated to home improvement, it's easy to see why home renovations are quickly becoming the fastest growing trend in North America.

Giant, big-box stores and smaller, specialty retailers are popping up all over and they all have their own catalogs. Whether you're planning a one-room design idea, pricing tile or working on an estimate for a total house overhaul, free home improvement catalogs are a great way to get inspiration and price points for every project. Keep reading for five tips on how to find the best home improvement catalogs and how you can use them to help plan your next project.

1. Call your favorite manufacturers.

If you love your best friend's new kitchen tile, ask who made it and call that company to request a copy of their latest catalog. They'll gladly send it out to you along with the contact information for a local sales representative.

2. Ask at your local hardware store.

Because company reps visit home renovation retailers, they often drop off piles of free catalogs that are chock full of product information, prices and design ideas. Simply ask your local store clerk if they have any catalogs that you could take home to browse through. They're happy to distribute them.

3. Search online.

Most manufacturers either make their full catalog available to browse online or they provide a simple order form that lets you request a mail-order copy of their free catalog right from your home office. You can also use the web to hunt down new companies and look for products you wouldn't normally try. Check home improvement and design blogs for ideas on manufacturers to investigate.

4. Attend a home improvement "show."

Attending a home improvement show or exposition is the best way to see a lot of products in one place and pick up hundreds of free home improvement catalogs. Most manufacturers set up booths with sales reps who can not only demo their available products, but also answer your questions. Their sales reps are happy to give out full catalogs along with their contact information for future sales.

5. Don't forget the specialists.

Some companies do absolutely everything. Others are highly specialized and may only make designer faucets or unique drawer pulls. When building your home improvement catalog collection, remember to include the specialists. Take the time to at least glance through a few home improvement catalogs. They are packed with great ideas they may sway your ultimate do-it-yourself project decision.

Several Concerns About Interior Design for the Office

Interior designing is a detailed subject with a very broad scope of work. It is a specialized job as each corner of the home, office or showroom demands for exclusive attention. Just like home, there are several concerns about interior decoration and designing for the office which need to be considered as well. The kind of business, the locality, integration of business equipment, the type of clientele, customer comfort, number of staff and many other things similar to these are kept in mind by the designers before starting any project.

There are different kinds of interior design but generally people are aware and discuss only about the residential, commercial, and green house design. In recent times, the businesses have realized the significance of marketing and presentation. They are now aware that if they will look good, they will sell good. Due to that a huge number of businesses have turned towards the renovation of their offices. Last 2 decades have gone really well for the interior decorators especially in the developed countries as their industry has touched new heights.

No matter how professional and experienced an interior decoration firm is, every project is different and like a challenge for them. Before starting the project, the designer need to understand the actual requirement of the client as only then he will realize that what is expected from him. The understanding of the business is another aspect which should be clear at the very first step.

After having the clear understanding of the above, the designer needs to prepare a proper and complete plan which will give him the correct estimate regarding the amount of time and finances requires to finalize the project. There are few things which are really a piece of concern in designing any office. Interior designer should work hard on the walls, ceilings, doors, lighting, flooring, furniture, curtains and wall hangings to provide them a distinctive appearance. Proper spaces should be provided at appropriate places as with too much stuff the office will present a congested look.

The designer must make sure that his work will align and complement the nature of business as well. For example use of bright shades and colourful paintings will be perfect at any advertising agency but for a law firm this scheme will not suitable. In addition to that the surrounding of the business premises also requires some attention. The garden must look refreshing and well organized.

Many designers are also inclined toward Feng Shui which is a Chinese art and that look after the energy which is running in your office. A combination of good interior design with feng shui can do magic for your office.

DIY Home Improvement For Beginners - The Basics of DIY

DIY or do it yourself is a goal-oriented hobby initiated and completed by individuals or small groups. The basic premise is that if a person learns reasonably fast and knows how to apply basic skills to projects, then the person doesn't have to hire other people to do the work for him.

In recent years, DIY home improvement has made impact in television and in the hearts of interested homemakers and professionals. The idea of improving the looks of your home using your own basic talent appeals to a lot of people. If you wish to begin your own journey in DIY home improvement, certain things have to be taken into consideration so that you can increase your success rate in any DIY home improvement projects.

The basics of DIY explained:

1. Skill- the acquisition of skill in DIY is self-paced, and depends largely on your enthusiasm for the task at hand. Enthusiasm translates to willingness- the willingness to finish tasks and the willingness to learn. If you're just beginning with DIY, stick to small, doable projects that you know would be fun for you. Sustaining interest is also one key problem, so if you're improving your house with your own two hands, make sure that the part of the house that you wish to alter won't make you miserable after a few days.

2. Knowledge- certain things cannot simply be assumed- and this includes electrical systems and cabinet designs. Read all that you can about what you want to do. Limit yourself to doable ones. Making a table is doable, but replacing your living room's large chandelier on your own isn't. Learn, have fun and then go to the next task. This is the formula to successful DIY home improvement projects.

3. Time- let's face it. DIY home improvement projects need a lot of time. If you can't find time for the project, then postpone your attempt first. You can reschedule next summer or during the holiday season. This would minimize clutter in your house and cut down waste materials due to expiration dates.

4. Finances- the aim is to save money and enjoy the DIY project. However, there are some DIY projects that require a lot of money. Never sacrifice the integrity and safety of your house by buying substandard yet cheap materials. It doesn't matter if you save or not. Example, if your roof fails due to thin braces and support trusses then you would be spending a lot more in repairing the damage.

5. Help- sometimes, doing it alone can be difficult. Try to find people of similar interests and start collecting 'tried and tested" formulas for DIY home improvement. On the World Wide Web, there are small yet reliable organizations that gives out DIY home improvement tips, through collaborations with companies that supply the materials to DIY enthusiasts.

6. Creativity- creativity will sustain your early attempts, and would push you to do better in future DIY home improvement projects. Being creative also means being able to go past boundaries in craftsmanship and design. You can customize if you want, being creative is a much prized quality for any DIY enthusiasts.

All About Bathroom Interior Design

Although similar to interior decorating, interior design takes it a step further because it relates to not only the way a room looks, but also the way the space is utilized. No where in the home is this more important than when it comes to bathroom interior design. Here's a look at some of your different options when it comes to interior design of the bathroom.

The Tub

One of the most important points to consider in bathroom interior design is your family's needs. Are you limited on space in your bathroom? If so, then an interior designer may advise replacing the bathtub with something smaller like a shower stall instead. This takes up less space and creates extra room for other things. Now, if you are someone who enjoys taking a bath, the interior design of the bathroom can always take this into account and include a larger tub. They will simply add in the bigger tub and make changes in other areas.

The Vanity And Sink

The sink is another area to take into account with any bathroom interior design. Today, we see many homes that feature a stand alone sink instead of a large vanity. While that opens up the bathroom, it also can bring in a problem with storage space. So, an interior designer will look for ways to design and incorporate shelf space that will be needed.

The Toilet

Although this is not a huge area of concern with any bathroom interior design it may need changing. Due to the fact that design is not only about what is in the bathroom, but also in how it is positioned, you may see it moved or changed.

The interior designer will take all of the features and measurements and use software to come up with several designs. This software does it all and even allows you to see various color schemes and how it all fits together. When finished, you will have the bathroom you've always dreamed of. Bathroom interior design will not only improve the amount of space in any bathroom, but it will also give your home increased value in the future.

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