New Space Saving Ideas

Clutter is a pretty sure-fire way of the limited space of your already diminutive home appearing to be smaller than ever so, what better way could there be of instantly making your minuscule home look bigger than to gather together some space saving ideas for de-cluttering and finding storage solutions that provide adequate homes for items that really don't need to be on show 24/7. There are all kinds of space saving ideas, however, apart from storage solutions - ideas for kitchen implements and small electrical gadgets to space saving ideas in the bedroom, the lounge or, in fact, for any aspect of your life. When it comes to small scale living, necessity really is the mother of invention!

Nowadays, people occupy small homes for many reasons, aside from cost. Often, those people who do live in little properties love their compact lifestyle and just need space saving ideas to make the most of what they have. Basically, clever storage solutions abound and are only limited by the boundaries of our imagination. Take, for instance, an old property that was built during the 19th century. It may never have occurred to you, but there is considerable wasted space beneath the floorboards of older properties - in some cases, as much as 30cm which is the depth of a good-sized drawer. Obviously, if your rooms have fitted carpets or laminate flooring then this wouldn't be a viable option. It is, however, a great idea if your rooms consist of sanded and varnished floorboards and you readily have access to beneath the floorboards.

Moving on with the idea of saving space, one particular good space saving idea is to vac-pack your clothing. This is especially good if you have seasonal clothing hanging around [literally!] which is taking up valuable space in your closet, or if, as with so many women, you have clothes that you intend to slim down into but can't quite get the zip up comfortably quite yet! Putting the clothes you are not using everyday into a plastic bag and removing the air from it is probably one of the best ideas for saving space. In fact, you can save as much as 75% of closet space with one of the JML Vac-Pac systems: for a reasonable price you get two bags per pack, fill each bag with clothes and then just apply the vacuum cleaner nozzle and suck out all the air. Not only does this save space, but if you iron your clothes before packing them, you will be amazed how they come out of storage completely wrinkle-free.

The kitchen is another great place for space saving ideas. One I particularly like is the Japanese coffee-toast-egg maker. This is a counter-top machine with integral functions for making toast, brewing fresh coffee and poaching eggs and, when you're in a hurry, it's great because it all happens together - you can get an egg on toast for the same time as it takes to brew your coffee. An idea along similar lines comes from Back to Basics, with their egg and muffin toaster. This particular machine enables you to boil up to four eggs at the same time or, if you prefer your eggs poached, scrambled or as omelettes, you can do that too. When you get down to it, space saving ideas abound and are only limited by the boundaries of your imagination - so, give it some thought and you are almost certain to come up with some innovative ideas to save you space and time.

Inspirational Making the Right Choice in Garden Pond Liners

Building your garden pond is work but for most they find it enjoyable work, and part of the tasks required to completing the job is to pick the proper garden pond products which includes choosing a pool liner.

You are going to have to make the decision about your pond liner before you actually start to construct your garden pond. If you decide to go with a preformed type, then your excavation has to be done according to the form. Using a soft liner is most often a choice that many make because if allows for more flexibility in designing a shape for the garden pond. People can be more creative when choosing these types.

There are things that you need to consider though when choosing your pond liner. The make and size are the two key issues.

Quality
The quality of your liner is very important. If you have been given a used one, be very cautious about using this. Often the older ones can become brittle and will crack when you try to lay them. Then there could be leaks that you cannot see but will soon discover when you fill your pond.

No doubt you have put a great deal of work into your pond and now is not the time to start cutting corners. Good quality garden pond liners are most affordable, and are a very important part of your water garden. You also want to be sure that the materials that the pond liners are constructed of contain no harmful chemicals, and will provide a safe environment for your fish and plant life.

Ease of Installation
Installing your pond liner should not be all that difficult. If you have purchased a liner that is of good quality it should be durable, and flexible. Many of these pond liners are lightweight enough that they are easy to maneuver and put into place.

Choosing the right size
This is a very important step to be sure that the liner fits properly. If it does not, it may not hold the water properly, and it will look unsightly. To determine the size that you need there is a simple formula.

For the width you need
Find the widest part of your pond and measure this. Then determine the depth of your pond and multiply this by 2 then add 2 more.
So for example, the widest point is 10 feet, it is 2 feet deep, this would mean for width you would need 10'+4'+2', for a total of 16 feet in width.

For the length you need
You would do the same for the length using the same formula. If the longest length was 15 feet, then you would need, 15'+4+2, for a total of 21feet in length.

Garden pond liners are normally sold in 5ft. increments. So for this example you would need to purchase a 20'x25' liner.

This formula takes into account the requirements needed for lining the walls of the pond and a safety overlap.

Best of Interior Decorating Ideas

If you are decorating the whole house or just a room, sometimes interior decorating can be expensive, but with enough preparation you can achieve your dream home without spending too much.

One of the best ways to make a fine-looking room without spending too much is to blend less expensive stuff with those that have superior quality like accessorizing a high-quality couch with inexpensive accent cushions . You can also have modern items and antiques or classics with dcor trends.

A fresh paint coat is a simple way to adding new life to the whole room .

One of the most inexpensive and easiest ways to decorate your interior is to add beautiful accessories to reflect your own distinct style. This may include mirrors, lightings, vases and, throw pillows.

Your living room is the heart of your home . You and your family are likely to spend your time in the living room . You would want to feel comfortable and relaxed so when shopping for furniture, choose comfort rather than style . Let style speak with other parts in your living room like side tables and entertainment units .

The most important rooms in the house is considered to be the bedroom. A bedroom have to be simple where you can find comfort and take a rest.

To add style to your hallway, hang paintings and place some furniture to create a welcoming entry for your family, friends and guests .

A workable, lovely kitchen can bring new life to your home by adding new appliances and accessories .

Redecorating your bathroom needs a lot of work . Transforming it into a beautiful space can make you feel relaxing after hard days of work .

How you choose the interior color in your Bluffdale Utah Homes will also determine the mood of your family and visitors.

There are so many products offered on the market for you . It is up to you to pick decorating design for your real estate property that would show your own unique style and interests .

Best of Gardening and Design

We dedicate plenty of time and money creating a perfect home for everyone to enjoy, but there's an additional 'room' outside that with a bit of effort can be an extension of your indoor living space. Learning the basics of gardening permits you to let your imagination run free and develop your garden into an 'outdoor room' that can suits your needs, your personality and those of your family.

Structure what shape do you want your 'room' to be?

The first thing to think about when gardening is what space do you have to work with and how would you like to lay out your outside room. What activities are going to take place in your garden should it serve as an additional dining area for al fresco dinner parties or would you prefer a garden that still serves a traditional purpose and reflects planting as much as usable space?

Thinking about the structure and design is your starting point for any gardening project. If cash to fund your project is limited, think about how you can keep your existing layout but perhaps create new points of interest through the use of spotlight planting, eye-catching ornaments or paths that create routes through the garden to and secret surprises.

Colouring your garden for all seasons. Colour is what makes many gardens interesting. The beauty of a cottage garden style with colour and freedom or the deceptive simplicity of a 'white garden' can reflect your personality and your own design preferences. In the same way that paint can alter the mood of a room, colour in a garden can reflect the changing seasons or make a bold, brash statement. Blocks of colour work well, but think about how each bed will look throughout the seasons and consider how the garden will look in autumn and winter, not just spring and summer.

With some careful planning, you can create an outdoor room that changes with the seasons. Bold yellows and purples of daffodils and crocuses in spring give way to swathes of multi coloured borders as summer arrives. In the autumn flowers often give way to larger plants and bushes providing structure and offering a tapestry of golds, reds and browns and during the winter months evergreens and late flowering plants such as hellebores can surprise those who have no winter expectations of a garden.

Creating a living space in your garden is something many gardeners aim for. Your garden doesn't just have to be an illustration of your gardening skills. It can also be a space that can be enjoyed for different hobbies by creating separate areas. By sectioning off your garden you often create an illusion of having more space ideal if your garden has a limited footprint. A decked area close to the house is perfect for al fresco dining or enjoying summer evenings with friends, while a separate section can be set aside as a play area for children.

How you use this 'outdoor room' is limited only by your own imagination. In forthcoming reviews we'll consider ideas to help you get the best from your gardening and to create various outdoor rooms, ranging from traditional cottage gardens through to ultra-modern urban settings.

Lovely Gardening by Yard

If you have a tiny yard and would like a simple but well-maintained garden, you only need two things - determination and know-how.  Here are some tips on how to keep your garden by the yard looking spruced up and glamorous.

1. Deadheading
Keep your border free from wilted flowers and dried leaves. Deadheading or removing dead flower heads will encourage the plants to produce more blooms for longer. Many perennials such as geraniums and dahlias, and some annuals benefit from having spent blooms removed

3. Pinch out tops.
Certain plants - especially foliage plants like Coleus - respond with a spurt of growth when their tops are pinched out. Pinching out makes the plant much bushier and so more blooms are produced. Fuchsias are prone to becoming leggy unless they are pinched out.

4. Fertilize lightly.
A minimal amount of fertilizer will further boost the growth of your vegetation. If you water your yard frequently, you have to fertilize it more regularly because of nutrient depletion. A fortnightly application of liquid fertilizer is sometimes more beneficial than granules as it is more readily absorbed by the leaves. Container plants will be considerably healthier with a half-strength solution of liquid fertilizer applied regularly.

5. Weed out.
This is one of the best ways to preserve the beauty of your garden by the yard.  Remember, weeds compete with your plants for both nutrients and moisture. If the weeds are not close to seeding, leave them on the bed to rot down for mulch. If you must use a weedicide, try and get a wick applicator, rather than a spray. This will protect you plants from spray-drift.

6. Water them well
One good tip when it comes to watering your garden by the yard is to give it a thorough soaking once a week, making sure there is no run-off to cause erosion. Deep watering will encourage the growth of deeper roots that will be able to withstand dry spells weatherwise

7. Say no to chemicals
Chemicals are dangerous to humans and often kill the natural predators of the pest in your garden, so avoid them if possible. There are many organic alternatives that work almost as well.

Waterproof systems and solutions

Energy star roofing systems

Beautiful How to Choose and Plan for Koi Pond Plants

To create a lush water garden design that enhances your beautiful fish you will want to choose a variety of Koi pond plants so that you have a balanced look and ecosystem. There are several types of plants you can include.

The first type are SUBMERGED PLANTS like Anacharis and Cabomba. These are planted underwater in the gravel or soil and they will help to oxygenate your pond. They do this by pulling carbon dioxide from the water and releasing oxygen as part of the photosynthesis process.

Another type are the FLOATING PLANTS. Many of these plants provide your garden with lovely flowers. The root systems that drift below the surface actually act like a filtration device, which is why some sanitation plants use Water Hyacinth as part of their purification process. Plants such as the Water Hyacinth and Water Lettuce also may serve as camouflage for your pond filter or other pond equipment.

MARGINAL PLANTS like Cattails and Irises do best in the shallow water or wet soil around the edge of your Koi pond. They grow up above the water. Marginal Koi pond plants make an ideal way to transition from pond to the surrounding area in a gradual way.

The final type of pond plants are FLOWERING WATER LILIES. They are the essence of any water garden or Koi pond. They are similar to marginal plants in that their roots grow underwater, while the leaves and flowers emerge above the surface. Lilies will spread across your pond surface. They aid in providing shade and shelter as well as aesthetic appeal.

The following are some of the items that are necessary for planting and tending to your Koi pond plants:

~Planting Baskets These baskets will contain and anchor your plants on submerged shelves. You can also use floating island planters to create one-of-a-kind floating arrangements.

~Aquatic Planting Media boosts the ability of root systems to gain a firm foothold and get well established for the growing season.

~Aquatic Fertilizers are used to promote blooms, lush foliage, and strong roots in aquatic plants.

~Pruning Tools give you the extra reach to trim and sculpt plants for a well-manicured Koi water garden.

The above suggestions include the basics that will give you a good start on planting and maintaining beautiful and healthy Koi pond plants.

Inspirational Home Lighting Design

If you are buying, building, decorating or re-decorating your home, you will soon realise that so many different aspects of house design and interior decoration work together to create a home. The size and shape of the rooms, the style of the furnishings, the colours, the furniture, accessories and clutter, or lack of them, all build up a picture of your lifestyle, personality and tastes. Every one's home, irrespective of style or luxury or lack of it should be beautiful in its own way, however different and individualistic it may be. Most people do care about their homes and do stamp them with the imprint of their uniqueness.

Probably not much comes close to creating atmosphere like lighting, and yet so often its impact is overlooked. Too many people choose light fittings just because they have an attractive design. This, of course is important, but nowhere near the most important part.

Perhaps you have designed your room but somehow it just doesnt match up to the way you imagined it would be. Your furnishings and colours are text book perfect, but something is wrong. Most likely you will find that everything falls into place and looks the way you dreamed it would, once your lighting is corrected.

Lighting is a really very complex part of your dcor. You may need a lot of expert help and advice before you finally install the fittings. Many websites, light fitting providers, decorators and home decor shops can help you choose, and explain the effects of their light fittings.

When you visit friends who have caught the right atmosphere, look to see what they have done, and question them. They will most likely be flattered rather than offended! Even look at what lighting effects you see in stores and shops. Their lighting is usually professionally designed to enhance their wares in particular ways.

You also need to look at magazine photographs that catch the appeal you are looking for, and study them carefully. Ask yourself lots of questions:

Which way do the shadows fall? What is the lighting colour and type? From which direction is the light coming? How high up or low down are the light fittings? Are they concealed or revealed? Is the room evenly lit or are certain areas or objects highlighted? What types of lights flatter which colours? When you have answered all these questions, you will be a whole lot closer to designing the lighting you need.

Dont forget the exterior of your house, your garden and outside features such as swimming pools, ponds and water features. This is the first impression that arriving visitors get of you and yours. A garden at night turns into a mysterious fairyland and your house lighting draws one with a welcoming warmth you can never capture in daylight. All water lends itself to light treatments, whether the cool, smooth, blue glow of a pool or twinkling diamonds cascading down a waterfall. The mystery and magic of the night only emphasise the beauty of light.

Best of Three Things to Consider when Choosing Pond Pumps

Once you have decided that you are going to install a garden pond, one of the most important tasks you will have is choosing one of the many garden pond pumps available on the market.

There are going to be three areas to consider when choosing the garden pond pump that is best suited for you particular pond. You are going to have to decide on the type, the brand and the power that you are going to need in your pump. When making your decision in each of these areas, you have to give some thought to each one of them on their own merits.

== >> Type
You will find that you have two choices of types of pond pumps. There is the external type which means it sits on the outside of your pond, and then there are the submersible pumps that are put in the pond totally underwater. Both have their advantages and you will need to give some thought and consideration as to which is most appropriate for you.

If cost is an issue, then you will find that the external pond pumps are less expensive and they also use less energy, which means there is some cost-saving factors here as well. The disadvantage to the external pump is that they do make some noise, and this may overpower the ambience of your garden pond. The submersible types are more expensive, but because they are totally submersed under the water you don't have to contend with the noise.

== >> Brand
With some careful planning and shopping around, you really can install garden ponds without having to spend a fortune. However it is very important that you purchase pond pumps that are of excellent quality, because you don't want to be running the risk of having to repair or replace them, or running into potential problems with your pond.

Pond pumps have the job of keeping your water circulating which is a necessity to keep your pond free and clear of any problems. You will find that the various garden pond pumps run at different price ranges, but a little bit of research will help you to determine what are the most favored and reliable ones on the market.

== >> Power
You are going to need to know how many gallons of water your water garden is holding. The general consensus of choosing a pond pump is to choose one that can move the water completely within every hour and a half. So if you have a 400 gallon pond then your pump should have the capability of being able to move 300 gallons of water per hour.

There are other things to consider as well though. You will have to take into account the shape of your pond and what the pond contains, as it could interfere with the water circulation.

By paying attention to these three specific areas you will have no difficulty in finding the right pond pump for your particular water garden needs. Also consider your future plans for your garden pond as well. If you feel that you are going to be adding several more items to it, then keep this in mind when purchasing your water garden pump.