Home Design: May 2014

Home Improvement Loan Benefits

Home improvement loan benefits include many things you may not initially consider. In addition to simply being able to do new construction on your house, your home improvement loan might be able to cover some of the costs of remodeling, moving, and as a source for additional funds if needed. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when trying to determine whether a home improvement loan is right for you.

New Construction

Home improvement loans are ideal if you need more space but cannot afford to move. You can use your loan for converting an attic or basement into finished rooms in your house, for building new entryways or decks to accent the look of your home, or for expanding your home in an all new direction with the addition of new rooms altogether.

These loans are also a viable option for growing families who either don't want to or cannot afford to move into a new house and simply want to make the house that they own a bit more spacious.

Remodeling

If you're not wanting to initiate a new construction project, you might be able to use your home improvement loan as financing for a major remodeling or redecoration of your existing house. The loan that you take out can cover the cost of materials as well as the fees of interior decorators or remodeling consultants.

Additional Funds

A Home improvement loan is great if you need a little extra money but are having problems getting an unsecured loan or have a bad credit history. In addition to the improvements that you do around your house, you can also use a part of the loan to consolidate debts or make additional purchases. Because the loan will be secured with the value of your home, you can qualify for one even while other options have failed.

Moving

A major part of many relocation expenses goes to the movers. Moving property is expensive, usually requiring more money than people anticipate. If you're moving some property as part of a home improvement project, however, then some or all of the costs of moving it properly can be covered by the loan.

Other Benefits

In addition to the benefits listed above, your home improvement loan may also feature protected payment plans that give easier payments than a bank loan, an increase in the value of your property and an improved resale value, a discount on some moving costs, and even the ability to take out a line of credit instead of a traditional loan so that you only have to pay back the exact amount that you spend. Depending upon the lender that issues the loan, you may also be able to enjoy a repayment term that can range from 5 to 25 years.

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Interior Design Certificate Programs

Making a house look nice is not an easy job; you will find that people who can do it have attended what is called an interior design certificate program. If you feel that you want to get into interior design, because you feel that you can give people the homes they want, then you should look into the best interior design programs. Finding good interior design certificate programs is not hard, but you will just need to know where to look.

The first thing that you will need to look for in a program like this is that they offer you everything you need. You need to know about styles and cultures. You will find a lot of people looking for things that are a bit out of the norm. This is why you will need to know about styles of other cultures and other walks of life.

This knowledge comes in the form of the interior design history. You will need to know where the idea came from in order to know where you are going to take it. Now, if you are really interested in getting into interior design you will need to know where to find the best schools or courses. You will find that getting a certificate is not that hard, and that this is one of the courses that you do not need a grade 12 certificate for.

It is however, always a good idea for you to complete your grade 12. Just in case you feel the need to study something else later down the line. We all want to better and further our careers, so if you want to take your course into the next level, you will need to know about marketing and business, which is why you will find so many interior decorators studying business management after their interior design certificate program.

If you are one of those people who do not want to leave their jobs while they are studying you will find that there are some really great interior designer programs online. You will find that these programs will offer you everything you need in the world of decorator certificates. The great thing about these programs is that you are able to do it from the comfort of your own home.

So if you need to keep putting food on your families table while you are studying, do not give up your day job just yet, find a course online that will offer you the ability to study when you have the time. Now, where and how do you go about finding these courses?

That is easy, all you need to do is search in something like Google or Yahoo, and input " interior design certificate program ". This will yield a lot of results, but you have to remember that you will need to go through them all in order to find the best program for you, because you do not want to just go with the first one your find.

In Or Out: The Latest Trends in Interior Design

Just like any other creative or design-oriented industry, the tides in the interior design world are often changing. From thematic elements to color schemes to downright furniture necessities, there are all types of forecasts from interior design school experts for upcoming trends in the industry. It doesn't really matter if you are aiming for an interior design degree or just looking for some inspiration for a personal project. Either way, you can still benefit from the knowledge of upcoming trends and ideas in the world of interior design.

One thing's for sure. Environmentally responsible design is here for the long haul. Though this trend transcends the idea of trendiness and instead ventures into the realm of the practical, it doesn't mean you can't get inspired by eco-friendly elements of design on a trendy level. Try decorating with eco-friendly elements like hemp rugs, or drapes and tablecloths made from re-usable fabrics. Going through your closet and throwing out old clothes? Transform some of them into rags, pillowcases or even patchwork-quilts! Are you looking to landscape your backyard? Why not put in a solar oven? This is a great way to cook healthy, delicious food by using a natural, renewable energy source.

Here's another trendy tip: Think critically before applying color to your home. While color-trend experts are forecasting a lot of muddy earth-tones, greens and blues on the fashion forefront, a little color in your interior designs go a long way. If you have a room with a mostly neutral color-scheme, try spicing it up with a vibrant hue straight off the fashion runways. Add a vase of bright coral flowers, or maybe a bowl of bright yellow lemons to spice up the neutral palate.

Make sure your designs aren't superfluous. Frills are out these days and function is totally in. if you decorate a room with a vintage armoire, make sure there is plenty of storage room inside of it. If you buy a new couch in a color you love, make sure that it's a comfortable place to sit too. If you buy a new set of dishes, make sure they are easy to use, dishwasher-safe and child-friendly. If you invest in a sleek, flat-screen television set, make sure you set it up where people can comfortably view it and etc...

A cool, comfortable, functional home never goes out of style. Neither does an extensive knowledge of interior design! If you love organizing your interior spaces, an interior design school degree could be right for you.

Quick and Easy Green Home Improvements

Many homeowners are looking for quick and easy green home improvements. Whether you want to make these improvements for the sake of going green or you want to do some things before placing a home on the market that will make it more competitive with new homes, there are plenty of options.

Joining the green revolution will make your home more comfortable, less costly to heat and cool, and some changes will reduce your water and/or sewer bill. Many of these improvements will also make your home more comparable to newer homes on the market. This might or might not justify an increase in selling price. While these quick and easy green home improvements might appeal to home buyers who have a strong interest in a green home, it might not matter to other prospective buyers when they make an offer. If, however, you make available a record of your utility bills for the last year, showing a decrease in heating, cooling and water costs could be attractive to a buyer.

The top seven quick and easy green home improvements that are also economical are:

1. Switch to energy efficient light bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs cost a bit more when you buy them, but they will last years longer and use only a fraction of the energy. Start with the lights you tend to use for the longest period of time - like the kitchen light that is never turned off or the bathroom light the kids just can't remember to turn off. If you are planning to put your home on the market, you might want to start with bulbs in permanent light fixtures.

2. Install insulating/reflective window coverings. Film window coverings are available in several levels of light and UV ray blockage and colors. You can choose different textures and colors depending on the amount of direct sunlight on various windows. The window film is available in most hardware and home improvement stores, and it is easy to install.

3. Install weather stripping on doors and window frames. Weather stripping is relatively inexpensive and it is easy to install on window frames and door frames. It will reduce the amount of heat exchange by sealing up cracks or openings. This will make your home more comfortable, more energy efficient, and more environmentally friendly.

4. Install low flow shower heads and faucets. Most homeowners can install new shower heads and faucets or affordably hire a handyman to do it. These faucets and shower heads use less water without blocking adequate water flow. They will save water and reduce your water and sewer bills.

5. Adjust the float in the toilet tank to use less water. This is a fairly simple adjustment that can be accomplished by most homeowners or a handyman. If you can't adjust it, try putting something in the bottom of the tank that will displace some of the water. Just be sure that what you use won't rust and won't get in the way of the working of the flushing mechanism.

6. Insulate the hot water distribution pipes in your home. This is also a relatively inexpensive and easy job of wrapping the pipes that go from the hot water heater to the various plumbing fixtures (kitchen, bathrooms). Keeping the water warmer as it moves through the pipes will provide warmer water and it will reduce the amount of water you have to run from a faucet while you wait for the hot water to get there.

7. Install insulating or reflective window treatments. Install reflective blinds or shades at your windows. Then be sure to close them at times when the sun shines on them directly or during the warmest part of the day. This will reduce your heating/cooling bills.

Try these seven steps to make some quick and easy green home improvements. The money you will save on utility bills will probably pay for the improvements very quickly.

Useful Home Improvement Tips

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. A home generally reflects the personality of the residents. Interior designing plays an important role in deciding the form, texture and color that suits a particular home and the characteristics of the owners living there.

There are several useful tips that help home improvement. Look around you. What do you think requires attention? You may not have a designer or decorator and would like to improve on it yourself. Let us start with the entrance to your home. Does your home make a style statement? Do you live in an old rambling home or apartment? There are various styles ranging from Modern, Traditional, and Eclectic, Transitional etc. Choose the style you wish to adopt and hire a good interior designer with knowledge of building materials and styles and work in unison with him or her.

Choosing a theme is a useful home improvement tip. The sitting room generally is the area most frequented by your guests. Therefore, this area should be warm, inviting and care taken to maintain color co-ordination, which harmonizes with the surrounding rooms. Pay attention to the flooring. Decide whether you are going to carpet, tile the whole area, or have a combination of both. Color and design plays an important part here. Go along with the theme, be it Asian, Country, Rustic or Modern. Carpet the actual seating area and tile or board the rest of the floor. Wooden flooring has a charm of its own. Choose from a wide range of Parquet flooring.

Proper lighting plays a vital role in transforming the look of a home. Pay attention to this useful home improvement detailing. Create a bold visual impact with strategically placed concealed lighting or place lampshades in corners and alcoves to mellow the look to romantic or ethereal.

Lighting reflects your mood so plan the wiring detail carefully and make sure you have a few extra points to use as and when you decided to change the lighting moods.

Pay attention to the ceiling. It could be stark plain with a crown molding all around or a false ceiling created with concealed lighting. Chandeliers can hang from the centre if the room is huge enough in which case, make a design with false ceiling only along the sides and leave the central area clear for hanging lights. Staircases, inside the home, should look graceful and go along with the total look.

The benchmark of good designing reflects in the way the bathrooms and kitchen is done up. You can choose from numerous designs and materials from Home stores. Install modular kitchens and bathrooms after choosing the style, color, texture that suit you and the members of your family. Remember, your choice reflects the real you.

Last, but not least, secure your home to protect from burglary and theft. When building your home, use good quality materials and check for durability. Use these useful home improvement tips wisely when moving into your new home.

Physical Elements of Interior Design

Various elements have to be considered in interior design. One of the most important will be the room itself. That's why it's fundamental to understand how you can use and customize the different components in a room to create a pleasant environment. Each component has to be considered in your design nevertheless keep in mind that the most important thing will be the "whole effect".

The first element to consider is the wall. It's the widest area you will be able to customize. As a wall is a material itself, sometimes you don't need to cover it up. For example, a stone wall can be kept natural as it will add character to the room and will create focal point. However, if you want to add style and texture to the room, you will have to use some wall-surfacing materials. Wood panelling and plywoods will create a warm atmosphere and are very good solutions for important spaces. More traditional but highly decorative, wallpapers stay one of the most used materials in interior design. Eventually, you can also paint the walls, which is one of the best and least expensive interior decorating techniques... it will add texture and depth to your room.

The second element that will be part of the interior design is the floor. As the walls, the floor can be kept natural (concrete, brick...) but most of the time you will have to use floor covering materials. Synthetic floor coverings also known as resilient floors are great flooring material as they are cheap and easy to maintain. Nevertheless, this type of floor is made to imitate other materials (stone, mosaic...) and the result is often not as good as the real materials. Suitable for almost any space and very easy to maintain, quarry tiles can also be an excellent option though installation requires pouring cement over the existing floor (which can be sometimes a problem in existing buildings). At last, another alternative can be chosen to customize a floor: the wood. Although it requires more care, this very popular flooring material will add warmth and stylishness to the room.

Finally, the last element to consider is the ceiling. Although it's often ignored in interior design, the ceiling can play a very important part in the "whole effect". Two or three centuries ago, decorated ceilings with ornaments were part of beautiful interiors. By adding textural effects with paint or wood, the room design can be totally changed.

Interior design is made of multiple concepts and elements (window, door, furniture, light...). However, walls, floor and ceiling are the foundation of your design that's why it's so important to think about these few elements first and define with great care how to customize them.

You Can Get Help With Loans For Home Improvement

Basically loans for home improvement are loans that individuals get to use towards improving their home. Home improvement loans are often secured by the individual's home equity. In most cases you are able to get a loan of this type by applying at a local lender and they will offer you various interest rates. They may often determine the interest rate you pay based on your credit score, the amount you are borrowing, and how much collateral or home equity you have to use towards the loan. Loans for home improvement are available locally as well as online.

If you are searching for specific loan terms you may want to research several lenders to see if they can offer you the deal that would be best for you. If you find a lender that sounds good and think you have to settle on that lender and do not have many other choices, you may want to look online and find many lenders to compare the quotes they offer to applicants.

What To Know When Using Online Lenders

As with any application you may fill out online, you are asked to provide the lender with sensitive information. Loans for home improvement may seem to be difficult to find locally, but when searching online you may find many available lenders. If you find your self-questioning the lender online, you may want to contact the Better Business Bureau to assure that they are a business and not some type of scam.

Your information can be misused, but in most cases there is no need to worry about this happening. When searching online for loans for home improvement, you may want to make sure that the site you have chosen to use, as your lender is secure. This will assure you that your information is safe and not going to be used any further then on the site you are using. In most cases you may notice a paddle lock symbol on the bottom of the page, this indicates that the site is locked and your information is secure.

What Other Information Is Available

When improving your home, using these types of loans, you may want to take only the amount you know you will need to make the improvements. This will save you more money in the long run. Since you are in most cases, using your home as collateral against the loan, you always stand the chance of losing your home if you are unable to pay the loan when the payment is due each month. There are lenders that may offer you payment protection to prevent this from happening, but it often costs you more to do this.

The benefits may outweigh the risks when you find yourself needing to improve your home, loans for home improvement may seem to be your only available option. These home improvement loans are available to many people and in most cases you will not have to wait a long period of time for the loan, if you apply online. You may want to think the loan over thoroughly before you take it. Remember to read all of the fine print on the application and in the terms and conditions of the loan.

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