Deck Building with Alternative Materials

By Nicky G. Ferns
On a warm summer evening, with the smell of barbeque wafting over from the grill, it's difficult not to appreciate the simple beauty of a nice outdoor deck. Once the deck building is completed, the main challenge will be maintaining the deck. There are a variety of building materials that can help you maintain your deck over the years.

Using alternative materials for your deck building project can make maintenance easier at the same time that you provide for environmental responsibility concerns. Lumber come from trees, and incase you're totally lost in the loop of corporate-biased television programming, you're already aware that the depletion of our forests continues to increase at an alarming rate.

Luckily, there are new technologies and alternative building materials that allow one to take on a deck building project with renewed gusto, for they offer environmentally sound materials as well as deck building materials that will last for years and years, with much less maintenance than the traditional wood deck.

Trex is one of the first deck building companies to incorporate recycled materials into their deck pieces. A combination of reclaimed plastic from consumer products and shopping bags are combined with wood fiber that may otherwise go to waste. These materials are then formed into planks and installed in very much the same way that traditional deck wood planks would be installed.

The Trex deck building materials are extremely resistant to ultraviolet (UV) radiation as well as all forms of weather and exposure related issues of damage. The boards will not chip, splinter, warp or rot. The plastic portion of the mixture protects the wood from rotting. As such, there is absolutely no need for applying a sealant or deck paint.

So instead of reapplying deck paint for weather sealing varnish, you can do nothing! These post-consumer recycled deck building boards make horrible termite food as well! With all of these benefits, to the environment, the pocketbook and future weekends NOT spent maintaining your wood deck, it's a wonder that anyone is still building the traditional wood type of deck at all.

There are other companies and manufacturers of similar deck building supplies and materials, such as the TimberTech company. This companies deck material is similar to that of Trex, but wood fiber is mixed with formulated polymers to effect the same type of durable, pest and maintenance resistant deck materials.

Then there's Dream Deck, with a completely vinyl deck building product. Like the two companies mentioned above, these products are completely warp, splinter and weather resistant. Plus, Dream Deck offers a number of deck accessories to compliment your deck area.

Each of these companies, as well as several others not mentioned, offer a variety of colors and finishes from which to choose. Take your time and shop around, as each of these companies offer different deals and each type of deck building material has its own installation guidelines and potential complications.

Nicky is a do-it-yourself landscape enthusiast who has written numerous articles for various landscaping books on helping individuals plan their home design projects. He has created http://www.loneoak.net which consolidates all of his knowledge into colorful illustrations with free installation tips for various deck ideas.

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The Laminate Buyer's Easy Guidhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gife

By Natalie Aranda
For most homeowners, buying authentic wood floors can be expensive and stressful. It is never easy to keep solid oak floors maintained, especially when scratches show up sporadically and children along with guests tend to worsen the situation. Nevertheless, we all want great looking floors. Fortunately, there is an alternative that makes any home look beautiful. For many homeowners, laminate flooring is not only a less expensive substitute, but it is much easier to take care of.

Laminate floors are a miracle for people who cannot afford wood flooring, or who just don’t want the hassle. It also accurately resembles real wood, so many of your guests will not even notice a difference. As a result, you do not have to pay thousands just for a real wood floor. An additional feature is that laminate flooring is extremely simple to install. While these do it yourself projects may look difficult, the flooring installation actually can be effortless. One of the most popular methods of installation includes the snap technique. This means that the laminate pieces are actually linked together and are easily snapped into place. Although this procedure is straightforward, it can also become costly. Therefore, other homeowners prefer using the laminate floors which come with glue. By adding water to the glue on the back of the laminate flooring, you can place the pieces wherever you want to.

With laminate flooring becoming one of the most popular household must haves; it is no surprise that people are ditching genuine wood flooring. Other reasons why people love laminate floors so much is because it lasts a lifetime. Unlike authentic wood floors that fade very quickly if exposed to the sun, the sunlight will never damage or dull laminate flooring. Therefore, this is a great alternative for someone who does not want to spend dollar after dollar on their floors.

Another quality that attracts customers to laminate flooring is the fact that the opportunities are endless. Many lower end floor patterns are limited and tedious. However, laminate flooring provides the homeowner with a sundry of designs. Luckily, customers can go outside of the box and even purchase stone or tiles for the same price.

Although laminate floors are wonderful substitutes, they can actually be inconvenient in many instances. Due to the fact that certain rooms need a harder floor that can handle a large amount of weight, laminate flooring may not be the best choice. While bathrooms need water resistant floors, kitchens may need an entirely different type of floor. For this reason, it is important to do your research before you make a decision. By looking into what type of flooring goes best with your room, you will easily be able to find an affordable solution.

No matter what type of budget you are looking for, laminate floors can provide you with a great result. Fortunately, it is in almost everyone’s price range and can easily be mistaken for real wood floors. It also can be quite a relief to not have to worry about sun damage or overflowing bills from overpriced installation services. With such a wide variety of laminate flooring, you will be able to find what you have always wanted.

Natalie Aranda writes on home improvement and gardening. With laminate flooring becoming one of the most popular household must haves; it is no surprise that people are ditching genuine wood flooring. Other reasons why people love laminate floors so much is because it lasts a lifetime. Unlike authentic wood floors that fade very quickly if exposed to the sun, the sunlight will never damage or dull laminate flooring. Therefore, this is a great alternative for someone who does not want to spend dollar after dollar on their floors. For most homeowners, buying authentic wood floors can be expensive and stressful. It is never easy to keep solid oak floors maintained, especially when scratches show up sporadically and children along with guests tend to worsen the situation.

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By Mark Donovan
Besides providing your home with more living space, building a family room addition can be a terrific investment. However, before embarking on building a family room addition the homeowner should first consider several important items. These items include: home market values in the neighborhood, financing, home building costs, family room design plans (size and scale of project), architecture, timetable for completion, personal disruption/inconvenience threshold and the sweat equity commitment level.

Designing a Family Room Addition and Assessing Market Value Prior to actually breaking ground on a family room addition, it is best to first have a plan. You need to determine what you are looking for in terms of additional living space. For example: How many square feet? What types of rooms? Once this is understood, it is then important to find out the market value of homes in the local area with similar size and features to the new and improved home. With this information the homeowner can then calculate the difference between their current home market value and the new and improved home market value. This difference should represent the maximum cost budget for the new addition if a positive investment is desired. For example, a homeowner would not want to spend $40,000 on a new family room addition that provides only $20,000 in increased market value to the improved home.

Financing the Family Room Addition The next important question involves how to fund the cost of the family room addition. Unless the project is being funded via cash/savings then financing will be required. If current mortgage rates are higher than the existing mortgage, then a home equity loan will probably make the most sense. If current mortgage rates are lower than the existing mortgage, then refinancing the entire home, including the cost of the family room addition project, may make the most sense.

Family Room Addition Design Considerations Once the financial items have been addressed it is then time to focus on the size and scale of the project, as well as the architectural and aesthetics of the new family room addition. The family room addition should be of size and scale such that it aesthetically melds into the original house. It should not be too small or too big. Frequently, homeowners get carried away and add large amounts of new living space without sufficient thought on the outside appearance. From a market value, there is more to a home than just pure living space. A home needs to maintain its exterior aesthetics as well. It is important to consider such items as siding, doors, windows, rooflines, and elevations. All should meld into the existing home exterior seamlessly and aesthetically.

If an architect is not planned for the project, then the homeowner should at least make some sketches of the home exterior with the new addition. The building inspector will probably require them anyways during the permit process. Also, there are many Home Design software packages on the market today that can help create such drawings.

Schedule and Sweat Equity Commitment The next two items that should be considered include the timetable for completing the project and the homeowner sweaty equity commitment level. Many homeowners assume they can do a lot more than they are either skilled to do or have the time to do. From personal experience, I would suggest contracting out the site/ground work, rough framing, roofing, siding, heating/cooling, and the drywall. All of these tasks require skill, time and brawn. If local laws permit, electric and plumbing may be tackled by the homeowner. However, both require skill and can be life threatening if not performed properly. Other tasks that a homeowner could tackle include installing interior doors, finish trim, painting, cabinet installation, tiling and hardwood flooring. Prior to a homeowner signing up to any specific task however, they should first honestly assess their skill and available time, and compare them to their project schedule. If they don’t match, hire the contractor.

Threshold of Inconvenience and Disruption Finally, a homeowner should consider their threshold for inconvenience and disruption. A family room addition, particularly if it involves the kitchen, is very disruptive to today’s busy lifestyles. It is also a dusty, dirty and noisy endeavor. In addition, dealing with subcontractors can be challenging at best. For a typical family room addition anticipate several months of effort and inconvenience.

If after assessing all these issues you are still willing to move forward with the project, contact your subcontractors, pull your permits and get ready for an exciting time. For most homeowners building a family room addition is a positive experience that provides both new living space and a great investment.

For more help on building a family room addition, see HomeAdditionPlus.com's Room Addition Bid sheet. The Room Addition Bid Sheet will help ensure that your room addition project goes smoothly and is completed on time and budget.

About the Author: By Mark J. Donovan. Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com/ and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com/

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Remodel Your Existing Home or Buy a New One - Considerations

By Bill Prudehome
Over time, families and incomes grow. The home that you originally purchased may lack the space and features that you now require. If you are happy with the location, you must decide on whether it is more advantageous to remodel your current home or buy a new one in order to increase space and add the features that you desire.

Many people make the decision based on emotion rather than facts. If you are in a situation as previously described you should at a minimum consider the following:

* Return On Investment: Look at the homes on your street and in your neighborhood. Are they all a similar size to your current home? If they are, you may not obtain a return on your investment by adding an addition, if your home becomes the most expensive one in the neighborhood. If however, you currently have a home that is smaller than the average, it may be highly advantageous from an investment standpoint to add an addition.

* Architecture: Does your lot allow space for an addition or would it mean adding a second floor? Would an addition eliminate your outdoor space? Would the finished home be architecturally pleasing or a neighborhood eye sore? If you can visualize the addition and wish to proceed on it would be wise to call in a professional architect to provide expertise on what potentially can and cannot be done. An architect will also be able to advise what is feasible based on the current building codes for your municipality.

* Budget: The architect should be able to advise you on a rough budget based on your requirements and location. Construction costs vary from municipality to municipality, however if you are adding open living space, not including kitchens or bathrooms a good minimum number is $150 a square foot. Kitchens and bathrooms can easily double that number. Of course, adding upscale products such as oak trim and marble flooring will increase the costs. You will not be able to obtain firm quotations from contractors until you have a detailed set of plans. Always add an additional 10 percent to any rough estimates as remodels generally exceed their initial budget.

* Sweat Equity: A remodel does allow you to invest some sweat equity into your home. Portions of the remodel, depending on an individual’s capabilities, can be done by the homeowner. Painting, wallpaper, hanging light fixtures, widow coverings, landscaping, gardening and alike are items that the homeowner can easily do. If you decide to move it is highly likely that you will end up doing a lot of those items at your new home.

* Inconvenience: A major remodel, especially if it involves bathrooms and kitchens can be a major inconvenience to your life, for a period. Workman traipsing through your home, noise, dust, dirt, and loss of utilities for periods of time are all part of the experience of a remodel. Always remember that moving is also filled with inconveniences including packing, new schools, utilities, insurance and that is not to mention the loss of your children’s friends and your neighbors.

Although many people recommend that you discuss a potential remodel with a real estate agent as to the investment versus buying another home, in my opinion this is a mistake. Real estate agents only make money when people buy and sell homes, they obtain no benefit, in any manner if you remodel. From personal experience, they will always suggest that buying another home is the better investment – it is from their standpoint!

As with most home projects, planning is the key to success!

For additional information on home renovation projects, visit Renovation Headquarters.

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Roof Protection - An Essence for your Home

By Sally Thompson
It does not matter where you go, but the best place on earth will surely be your home. The coziness and shelter that home gives is incomparable. You have been working hard day and night to get your house built, but do you now how you can do roof protection.

The aim of roof protection is to protect the roof ensuring long-term durability and protection. Your roof never has a “good day”, the terror of heat, rain or cold surrounds it on one or the other day. Risks that your house’s roof is prone to also depend on the place where your home is located.

Following some simple steps will better the roof protection:-

• When planning to undertake the re-roofing project, make sure that your roofing contractor removes all the roof-covering materials, down to the sheathing. It is advisable that you should never add a second layer of shingles over an existing layer in areas to strong winds.

• Install self-adhesive roof or window flashing tape over the joints between the outer layers to provide a backup level of water protection.

• Get the sheathing inspected for damage or a crumble. Replace any weak material with sheathing rated for your support spacing.

• When contracting for roof repairs, hire a licensed, insured professional roofing contractor.

In case, you stay at a higher altitude where heavy snowfall occurs you need to take special care as the snow that falls at the roof takes the form of ice dams. This snow starts melting with the heat coming from the home and finds its way under the roof shingles, causing damage to the interior of the home as well as the roof. Keep the following points in mind and ensure long and safe roof:-

 Use a roof rake to remove snow from the roof. Do inspect and clean the gutters regularly.

 The attic floor should be insulated to help keep the attic roof cold. Try to keep it as cold on the underside of your roof as it is outside.

 Make sure that the vents or the openings are not blocked, and cold air is flowing along the underside of your roof.

Ensure that the roof is leak proof as the worn-out roofs begin to leak. Water entering into your home through leaky roofs can damage attic insulation, penetrate and destroy ceilings and can eventually rot house’s support structure.

Make sure to groom the trees near on the property as they too can harm the roof. You can also hire a licensed, insured professional tree service to trim the tree properly and to keep branches away from harming the property.

Roof works as a shelter saving one from heat, cold winds, rain and many other harmful facets. It protects you and in return, you need to protect it to ensure your safety. Roof protection is an essence for your home and ensures your home’s long life and durability. You care about your roof and it will surely take care of you.

Sally Thompson has been writing articles for many years. She is a Commerce graduate and has done her post graduation in Journalism and Corporate Communication. She has http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifbeen writing articles on diverse subjects.

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Carpeting Issues - Traffic Lane Gray

By James C
The carpet in your home is subject to a lot of abuse. Because of that abuse and because of the characteristics of carpet it can develop a number of problems. One of those problems is Traffic Lane Gray.

Traffic Lane Gray is a condition where the traffic lanes in a home start to look darker than the rest of the carpet. It is different from regular soiling because the darkness is not caused by soil but by scratched carpet fibers that no longer reflect as much light as the rest of the carpeting. So if you have had your carpets cleaned and the carpet still looks dark or gray in the traffic areas you probably have Traffic Lane Gray.

So how do you correct it? Well you can't. Unfortunately the damage is permanent. When carpet fibers are designed, they are designed with edges that reflect light and hide soil. When these edges are worn down, through normal use, they do not reflect the same amount of light. You will probably notice that the carpet looks fine up close but when you look at it from a distance it appears dark. This is because of the fibers not reflecting as much light.

The only way to treat this condition is to prevent it. To prevent it you must limit wear on your carpet. To do that have it cleaned often, use entry rugs and rearrange your furniture regularly to spread out the wear. By doing those three things you can prevent or at least delay the condition know as Traffic Lane Gray.

The author operates a website where you can find qualified carpet cleaners and information on carpet and rug cleaning.

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The Benefits Of A Portable Air Conditioner

By Mark Gardner
An air conditioner that you can simply move from one area to another is commonly known as a portable air conditioner. Portable air conditioners provide an invaluable service for many business and warehouse owners in particular, where employees need constant air conditioning, wherever they happen to be working.

The problem for a good deal of the larger warehouses is their size; one air conditioning unit just won’t be enough. In such cases, these businesses will look to rent or buy portable air conditioners to cool isolated work sections. Also, if the employees do need to move to another location, they can simply move the air conditioning unit too.

When looking at portable air conditioning units, you’ll soon notice that they use either Freon or evaporation technology. Air conditioners that use the latest evaporation technology are now the most popular, although you can expect to pay a little more for them.

Of course, it’s not only businesses that have a need for portable air conditioners. Perhaps you are organizing an event of some kind, maybe a friend or relative is getting married! Whatever the situation, the fact is that a portable air conditioner can quickly come to your aid and help you keep your guests comfortable.

If you find yourself in need in need of a portable air conditioner, whether short term or for an extended period of time, then renting a portable air conditioner couldn’t be easier. You’ll find that you can rent them for any length of time, whether you need one for just the day or maybe a little longer, perhaps months or even years! Mind you, if you are going to need an air conditioner long term, you could always buy one!

Portable air conditioners are well known for their durability and can cope with the most challenging of environments. Whatever the location and whatever the task, you should be able to find a portable air conditioner that is up to the task.

Mark Gardner is a popular webmaster and publisher of my-air-conditioning.com To learn more about portable air conditioners check out his website today!

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Basic Air Conditioning Repairs

By Mark Gardner
Most electrical items will develop faults and breakdown at some point, and unfortunately, air conditioners aren’t any different! However, some air conditioning repairs can be fairly straightforward. A regular fault that can afflict many air conditioners is when they appear to be working ok, but they just aren’t cooling us anymore. If you find yourself in this situation, then the good news is that it most likely only needs cleaning. It is pretty straightforward to clean the air conditioner yourself, but as with any electrical item, care must be taken. You’d be well advised to thoroughly examine the owner’s manual before you start.

Before you begin any maintenance on your air conditioner, make sure the power is switched off! The shut off panels are normally located on the air conditioner, but if you are having trouble finding then just shut off the power to your home. Also be sure that there’s no debris near the condenser.

Now you’re ready to see what the problem is with the air conditioner. Firstly, take the grill cover off the condenser. Then gently clean the fins with either a brush or a cloth. The fins can be easily damaged, so you will have to be careful. After you’ve finished brushing them then it’s time to vacuum away any lingering dust. Now you need to unscrew the cover and lift it carefully off the grill. Now we’re done with the cleaning, we have to hose the fins; however you’ll need to protect the motor with a waterproof covering. This is also an opportune time to see if the motor might need greasing. Alright, you’ve finished cleaning you’re air conditioner. Good job!

When you’ve reassembled the unit, you can turn the air conditioner on and see if your maintenance as helped. When you’ve turned it on, let it run for a couple of minutes and then put your hands on the pipes that run to the condenser, one pipe should feel hotter than the other. If the air conditioner still doesn’t work, then there’s a good chance the refrigerant needs recharging and a technician will need to be called in.

Mark Gardner is a popular webmaster and publisher of my-air-conditioning.com To learn more about air conditioning repairs check out his website today!

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Feel the Outdoors Indoors with Rustic Cabin Area Rugs

Having a special area in your house devoted to the great outdoors would always remind you of the great memories of camping, hiking, fishing and swimming in the lakes. Man’s natural adoration for Mother Nature is but, well…. natural. Having rustic cabin area rugs decorating a den or a special room would always keep you in touch with the wilds.

A rug is not just where you wipe your feet anymore. It’s now a form of design, something that could aesthetically enhance a room or floor. With the various designs and various countries producing them, you can be sure that rustic cabin area rugs are distinctively American.

Usually rectangular, rustic cabin area rugs made from topnotch quality materials for longevity with intricate designs featuring the flora and fauna of the great outdoors.

Blended with earth colors, vividly coloring a room’s aura, cabin area rugs can feature animals such as deers, mooses, bears and animal tracks, up to pinecones and trees.

A variety of sizes are available depending on the area where you want to place the rug. Be it for hanging on the wall or covering a small floor space, these area rugs can add a distinct flavor to the house.

Can’t find one in your area? No problem, the Internet offers a plethora of online retail stores that showcases a multitude of rustic cabin area rugs in various designs, patterns and colors. Displayed in their website, you can easily choose one and have it delivered to your front door.

Keep your hunger for the outdoors satiated in your own home by placing rustic cabin area rugs, this will keep you in the mood until your next outdoor trip.

Mike Weis makes it fun and easy to find gorgeous rugs from around the world. Visit us now.

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There's NO Place Like Home - The Feng Shui Home

Whether you’re moving into a new home or coming home every evening to one you’ve lived in for years, you should feel that you’re entering your own sacred space or haven. A place where you feel happy to be and can leave the days stresses behind you as you enter.

Using the principles of Feng Shui helps to support and balance you throughout your home from the moment you enter the front door. Through the art and science of Feng Shui, literally translated to mean “Wind and Water,” you are seeking to create a peace and harmony in your home for you and your family.

Although this practice has been in use for thousands of years, many people are still not familiar with it. It has been practiced through all these years by Chinese, Asian, Tibetan and even Native American cultures using all different forms, yet has for the most part been neglected here in the United States.

At least, until Donald Trump starting speaking up about its virtues. Other prominent people came forward as well to tout its powers including Mayor Bloomberg, Bill Clinton and numerous celebrities and stars.

Feng Shui employs many principles including the use of color, the mindful art of placement, balancing The Five Elements and beautiful, esoteric blessings and “cures” that have been passed down through the ages to help homeowners achieve a balance and harmony they may have not previously had in their homes. We believe your home should be your retreat and we seek to implement inexpensive, easy to implement principles to support your health, your career, your family, your wealth and abundance in all the areas of your life.

Feng Shui is especially important for new homeowners. Through the rush of packing, closing, moving and other last minute things, Feng Shui is often left undone. We often think in Feng Shui terms of what we call Predecessor Energy, more commonly thought of as the energy left behind from previous occupants. To make a space truly your own, we seek to rid the home of any previous energy from anyone who has lived there prior to your moving in.

Energy can get stuck; if a home was left under unfavorable circumstances, there is a “feeling” left behind of arguments, sadness or grief and other unpleasant energy. Feng Shui Consultants clear that out to truly make the space your own. We then believe you are starting fresh with not only a new home but one that supports your goals and dreams for the future in all aspects of your life.

What does a consultation by a qualified consultant consist of? Most of us like to sit down and speak with you at length, ask a series of questions to determine what particular aspects of your life may need more attention then others. For example, if you don’t have a partner but are seeking to bring one into your life, if you’re looking to change careers, if you’ve had health issues, the circumstances under which you moved and anything you may know about previous owners of the home.

All these factors are taken into account including many more to help you transform the energy in your home into one that supports and balances you. Whether using a Bagua or Compass method, Feng Shui should be explained to you in as much depth as possible so you can take your new found knowledge and use it in other spaces in your life, your office for example. An exterior blessing and interior space clearing should always be included as well as an exterior evaluation of your home and property to advise you about any possible “missing pieces” or other areas that require special attention. A complete walk through of your home should be done, including suggestions for each and every room and what you can do to keep a positive flow of energy in your home and your life through simple and inexpensive methods.

Grandmaster HHH Professor Lin Yun reminds us that Feng Shui is 90% of your Intentions and only 10% of the cures and changes you are making. Remember to infuse your thoughts and goals with the Intentions you want to create for your new space, make the changes your consultant recommends and watch your own personal transformations begin.

Carole Provenzale is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island, est. in 1997. A certified Consultant and Practitioner for almost ten years, she specializes in both residences and offices, new buildings, works with contractors and architects for restorations and remodeling. She was recently named Chapter Director of Long Island to The International Feng Shui Guild. She is a keynote speaker for large and small corporations and a published author. Please contact her directly for further information at FengShuiLI@aol.com

Feng Shui Expert

By: Carole Provenzale

www.FengShuiLI.com

FengShui@aol.com

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Carole Provenzale - EzineArticles Expert Author

Decorating Your Teens Bedroom

When your kid gets to be a teenager, that little kids furniture and bedroom décor just won’t do. Your teen wants a cool new look, and here’s how you can get it.

First of all, don’t toss out that old bedroom furniture yet. Unless the furniture is totally banged up and broken, you may be able to give it a cool new look with some paint and new knobs. Before you start on that, however, you need to figure out the theme of your teen bedroom design.

Todays hot new looks are centered around retro, modern or “cool” designs. Teens actually have pretty good design sense (probably from watching so much TV!) and you can design a really neat room just by adding some new accents. Of course, your teen may need a new desk to do their home work at if the old one no longer works but you can give the old furniture a new look as mentioned above.

Luckily, you don’t have to spend a lot on accents for your teenagers room. Most of the discount department stores like Target offer hip furnishings and accents at discount prices. You can buy inexpensive shelves, or build them yourself, and use it for them to put all their stuff that might normally be thrown on the floor. This will help the room look neat and reduce the clutter.

You can give your teens bedroom a fun but sophisticated look by painting the room in a "cool" color like chocolate, sage or purple and using accents to as focal points. A flokati or rag rug will lend a sophisticated air and you can even put the down as area rugs on top of wall to wall carpeting to give the floor a whole new look. Replace the kids ruffled or theme curtains with tab topped curtains in a denim or canvas for a more adult look.

Bedding for you teen can be plain, or funky - whatever goes with the room. Depending on your teens taste, a neutral colored bed set with nicely textured fabrics like silks or a velvet duvet can add interest with out being too flashy. Or if you want to make the bed a focal point, how about an animal print set or something in bright colors like hot pink and orange?

Accents are where you add interest and give the room personality. Some fun accents include chairs shaped like a giant shoe, faux fur covered lamps in wild colors, bean bag chairs of all types, phones in all shapes and sizes, funky accent pillows, rugs and wall art.

Lee Dobbins writes for Bedroom Designs where you can learn more about bedroom design themes.

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6 Cheap Bedroom Decorating Ideas

When you're looking for ways to redecorate your bedroom easily and cheaply, you might feel at a loss of where to start. It's easy to do though, and here are six quick decorating ideas for your bedroom that won't break your budget:

1. Move the Furniture - Yes, something as simple as rearranging the room can make a huge difference in how it feels. This is one of the easiest ways I know of to make a room feel new... and it doesn't cost a dime.

Try putting your bed in a corner instead of against a wall too, this gives the room a more homey, intimate, and elegant touch.

2. Change the Walls - The most common way to change your walls of course, is to simply paint them. And it doesn't really matter if you paint them a new color, or simply put a fresh coat on - both will make major differences in how the room feels. You don't have to actually paint the walls to make them different though. You could instead put up an attractive wallpaper border, or stencil some designs on as a border instead. Borders can be placed at the very top of the walls, or around the middle area instead, to create a more old fashioned, rich and elegant look.

3. Change the Bed - Buy a new comforter, duvet, or bedspread. Better yet: Buy an entire new set complete with sheets and pillow shams. If you're not able to buy an entire set, then get just one or two items. The bed covering and pillow shams make the largest difference, so I'd suggest starting with those.

4. Hang Prints on the Wall - The idea here is to put framed prints on your wall. These can be photographs, artwork, or even posters. They don't have to be expensive, and in fact you may already own photos or prints that just need new frames or mats.

Some people like to create wall hanging arrangements of family photos in their bedroom, but I personally dislike that idea. The bedroom is a private place, and having the feeling that family members are watching you there can be disconcerting and uncomfortable.

5. Put out vases of silk flowers/floral greenery - This is extremely easy to do and you don't have to be a design wizard to create floral arrangements. Just find a pretty vase, glass or jar - if you don't have one on hand they're extremely cheap to buy. Then buy a handful of pretty silk or plastic flowers and greenery. There's no mystery to buying these either, simply choose greenery that you like, and flowers that compliment the colors in your room.

The colors don't have to match exactly either. If you find beautiful silk white flowers for instance, and your room is primarily decorated in blue, then add a sprig of small blue flowers to the white ones and they'll enhance the room perfectly.

6. Put in a new lamp - Bedside lamps are particularly cozy, and they're useful as well. Small bedside lamps or even nightlights can be quite inexpensive when you shop around for them. You could also put new wall sconces about your bed, dresser, or on either side of a wall mirror for additional elegance.

© 2006, Kathy Burns-Millyard. Looking for more great home decorating ideas? Please visit DIYHomeDecorating.com for articles, tips, advice and pictures. Be sure to stop by our Boutique Lamp Shop while you're there, to find wonderful Bedside Table Lamps for your new bedroom decorating theme.

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Pub Tables - Perfect Accent Tables

If you’re looking for a way to enhance your home’s bar area or you just want to spruce up the corner of a room, pub tables provide you with the perfect way to do just that. From enhancing a room to changing the entire look and feel, pub tables prove to be a versatile way of adding seating and appeal to any area of your home.

Pub tables come in a wide variety of styles, with some making wonderful accent tables as well. In fact, these tables even go well in breakfast nooks, by a pool, or on a patio. There is an endless variety of uses for these versatile home furnishings.

From the most formal of formal to the most casual of casual, there are pub tables to suit the décor of every home. From elegant tables featuring cabriole legs and a scalloped apron to refreshing pub tables featuring mahogany and seagrass, they come in a wide array of styles and materials.

Pub tables can offer a place to dine in even the most cramped of quarters. These tables are usually about forty-two inches tall with a thirty-two to thirty-six inch diameter, although some pub tables may vary from these dimensions. Because of their compact diameter, they can fit into the smallest breakfast nook without pushing the back of the diner up against the wall.

When shopping for pub tables, it’s important to consider the need the table is going to serve prior to deciding on which one to purchase. Some pub tables can endure more wear and tear than others. For instance, if you are going to be using your table for frequent dining, you shouldn’t purchase one with a delicate table top.

In addition to offering a variety of styles and fulfilling a variety of needs, pub tables come in a wide range of prices. Pub tables are surprisingly affordable, with many of the nicer ones costing well below four-hundred dollars. Some pub tables are also sold as sets with bar stools accompanying them. Buying furniture in sets can often save you money and will ensure your furniture goes together well.

Jennifer Akre, owner of numerous home and garden decor websites, makes it easy to find quality Baker's Racks and Pub Tables. Add that perfect baker's rack, pot rack, or kitchen cart - click the following link: http://www.gourmetdecorstore.com

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Lighting Fixtures-Find the Right One for Your Space

There are four basic varieties of ceiling lighting fixtures: pendants, chandeliers, hanging lamps, and flush-mounted ceiling fixtures. Ceiling fixtures are the true workhorses of ambient lighting. These light sources provide the general illumination for a room and really set the tone for the remaining fixture choices but they can also serve in task lighting roles as well. While there really is no set formula for choosing the right ceiling fixtures, there are some things to keep in mind when making a selection.

One of the things you need to consider when choosing lighting fixtures is just how much light they need to produce. To answer this, you have to think about what activities will take place in the room and how much light is needed for them. For a stairway, ceiling light fixtures may be the only source of light and are necessary for safety reasons. Ceiling fixtures such as hanging lamps that cast light downward instead of bouncing it off the ceiling are probably more practical. In a dining room where wall sconces and other forms of light are available, chandeliers that bounce light off the ceiling for a more subdued effect are probably the superior lighting fixtures to choose.

Once you decide how much light you need your ceiling fixtures to produce, you are going to want to think about how it will work with the rest of your décor. For people with a contemporary design scheme, pendants generally make a great choice. If you have a traditional or even an Arts & Craft décor, then chandeliers and hanging lamps will most likely be the perfect complement. The two areas that you will want to make your first decisions for ceiling fixtures are the entry way and the dining room. Your choices in these two rooms will set the tone for the rest of your home. If you have just purchased a home and really do not know what kind of décor you will be using, then consider the age of the home when deciding upon what ceiling fixtures to use. Older homes with a lot of exposed wood or ornate molding will definitely benefit from traditional hanging lamps in the living room and a classic chandelier in the dining room.

Finally, what sort of role do you need your ceiling fixtures to play? If you need task lighting for a buffet or breakfast island area, then a series of hanging pendants will serve you admirably in a contemporary décor. Also, for a breakfast nook in an older and more traditional home, a Tiffany style hanging lamp or pendant would be a perfect choice for some subdued ambient lighting. Pendants are ceiling fixtures that can be used for task or ambient lighting while hanging lamps and chandeliers are best suited for only general illumination.

Choosing the right lighting fixtures involves: deciding how much light they need to produce, how they work with the décor and character of the home, and what kind of role they need to play. No matter your needs or design layout, lighting fixtures are available in an endless array of styles, sizes and varieties so there will be no problem find the ones that perfectly meet all of your needs.

Pamela Tice is the owner of numerous lighting and home decor websites including http://www.barnesandwagner.com. Her store offers a complete product line of indoor lighting such as trendy Ceiling Fixtures and Chandeliers, as well as outdoor lighting from the industries leading manufacturers. Everything to light your home in style.

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How To Choose An Air Cleaner

Nowadays, it can be confusing to the average consumer on how to choose an air cleaner. With the myriad of new air cleaner technology and the wide variety of brands available, no wonder it can be a challenge to choose a good air cleaner. Here are some tips to assist you in picking an air cleaner

The CADR Level

CADR stands for clean air delivery rate. It is usually represented by numbers. Technically speaking, the higher the number, the better the air cleaner as it indicate the filtration rate is high. On any air cleaner, you should be able to see three numbers which indicate the volume of processed air for each of the three most common contaminants, namely, pollen, dust and smoke.

The MERV Rating

MERV stands for minimum efficiency reporting value. The MERV rating gives a rough indication of the efficiency of the air filter. It is represented in numbers and usually the higher the number, the better. The MERV rating is a common standard used by most air cleaner manufacturers, therefore you can use this rating to gauge the efficiency of an air cleaner. Generally speaking, you should aim for an air cleaner with a MERV rating of between 6 to 12. By the way, the MERV rating scale is from 1 to 16.

Original Equipment Air Filters

One of the consumable items you need to replace often is the air filter. Some manufacturers decided to produce cheap, generic air filters and other replacement parts for air cleaners. You need to decide if you want to replace your air filter with generic air filters or get one from the original manufacturer. Obviously, air filters from the original equipment manufacturer is more expensive but bear in mind it is of higher quality and also using generic air filter can affect the efficiency of your air cleaner in the long run.

For replacement parts, I would highly recommend getting them from the original manufacturer since they are of higher quality and usually has a guarantee after repair. Using generic replacement parts can damage your air cleaner in the long run.

If the cost is a big concern for you, then it might be better to go with a cheaper air cleaner. However, you would want to get the air filters and any replacement parts from the original manufacturer. Doing so will prolong the longevity of your air cleaner and save you more money in the long run.

Ricky Lim highly recommend using air cleaners. For more information on the best air purifiers, visit his site http://www.best-air-cleaners.info

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How Do I Decorate a Room on a Tight Budget?

There are several ways to do this which run from no cost at all to moderate expense. To update a room at no expense at all, little is needed but elbow grease, imagination and a free weekend. Perhaps you want to update your living room. To do this at no expense, strip the room down to the bare walls, floors (carpeted or wood) and basic furniture. Then give it a good old fashioned housecleaning; wash and polish and shampoo every inch of it, until the windows sparkle and the woodwork gleams. Then slowly reconstruct it.

Take a good look at your window treatments. Are they a bit outdated? Frequently they can be updated by simplifying them. If you have several layers, strip them down to one-sheers or a scarf or a valence. Make sure these are laundered or cleaned. When you hang them back up, drape them differently-either pull them back if they covered the window before or the opposite. Even valences can be updated by pleating or gathering them a bit differently. No sewing ability is needed. You can do this with long seamstress pins.

Take a good look at your room and your major pieces of furniture. Can they be rearranged to give a fresh impression? If not, brush, clean and fluff everything.

Next, look at your pictures, lamps and accessories. Group your pictures. Prop one or two on the mantel instead of hanging them on the walls. Eliminate 1/3 of the things you have sitting around and arrange the rest in groups. Put higher watt bulbs in your lamps. You will be surprised how ‘new’ your room looks. Be sure to do go ‘shopping’ in your house. It is amazing to find how many things you have tucked into corners or cupboards which can be used in a different way.

At very little expense, you can do the following. Buy any or all of the following: new lampshades (colored ones are very dramatic and effective), new window valences, tiebacks, throws and throw pillows, small area rugs to bring in new colors and patterns (try mounting a small rug on a wall), a mirror to replace a picture, candles in inexpensive glass or metal candlesticks, dried flowers to tuck onto the tops of picture frames, round mirrors on the tabletops with accessories arranged on them and any natural thing. Add plants. The new halogen lights, which can be placed on the floor to highlight a plant or piece of furniture, are great and have safety features in case they are knocked over.

If you want to go to a little more expense, paint the walls in a new updated color. If your walls are light, go darker. If they are a darker shade go lighter. Be sure the color is not too bright to work with your furniture. Furniture which is slightly faded looks ‘shabby chic’ with soft colors. With bright or primary colors, it just looks old and worn out. Slipcovers are available at a reasonable cost-and the new ones actually stay on the furniture. Architectural details can be purchased new at a home store and painted or stained to suit your decor, or they can be bought used at various warehouses that sell recyclables.

As always, use your eyes before you make any decisions. It is amazing the ideas you can come up with just by putting a chair in a corner where you don’t usually sit and taking a fresh look at your room. Have fun! Decorating should never be a dismal chore.

Contributions for this article by Suzanne Copenhaver, ON THE GO 4 U's design consultant.

Indra A Books, author of this and many other lifestyle articles, is the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, LLC, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area, providing life management services. In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops. Ms. Books is the Vice President for the International Concierge & Errand Association. For more information about the author and ON THE GO 4 U, please visit http://www.onthego4u.net

© 2006 Indra A Books for ON THE GO 4 U

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