There are several methods to make a small room seem bigger that an interior designer will use. Here are some of the tips and tricks that can make the smallest spaces seem larger that you can use during home decoration.

An experienced Interior designer will space out the furniture

One of the tricks that an interior designer will use to make a room seem larger is to leave spaces between different items of furniture. While some interior designers may recommend pushing the furniture against the wall, floating large items like sofas can achieve a better effect. You can add a thin console behind the sofa. Similarly, the interior decorator may also tell you to angle the bed. Leaving empty spaces around furniture will make the space seem roomier.

An interior designer will use colour

Another favourite trick for an interior designer is using light shades to paint the walls. This gives the room a light and airy feeling leading to the appearance of a larger space. Colours such as cream, light greys and white are great options for smaller rooms. Using a monochromatic colour scheme can also work well. Often, an interior designer will use shades of one colour to decorate a room to give it an airy feel.  Adding some focus pieces to the ceiling will also give the illusion of height and airiness in a room.

Interior designers choose furniture carefully

Often, an interior designer will recommend pieces that can have multiple functions. This will allow you to put fewer items in the room and not feel like you are missing functionality. A large and sturdy ottoman can also be used as a coffee table. Similarly, vintage trucks can be used as tables as well as for the storage space inside. A professional interior designer will also recommend items that fold away which can be stowed when not being used to keep the area clean and streamlined.

Mirrors can make a room seem airier

A mirror is a very popular item for an interior designer to use to make a room seem larger. They can be used in a variety of ways. Large wall-to-wall mirrors can add to the look but you can also go for multiple smaller mirrors in a salon like style to get the same effect. It is important to make sure that you do not over-do it with the mirrors as they may sometimes detract from the effect. The mirrors will add light to the room immediately and make the space seem lighter and airier.

Accessories can make a room larger

There are many accessories that an interior designer can use to make a room look and feel larger. Adding plants to a room will keep the air drier and cleaner which can make a room seem airier and less stuffy. Similarly, using different textures can add to the area feeling larger as the eye is drawn to the different pieces. Light accessories like wicker furniture and baskets also help to make a room look lighter and roomier.

An experienced interior designer will use these tricks to convert a small space into a roomier living area. There are many options available that can fool homeowners and a visitor alike into thinking a room is larger than it is.

Fires are one of the most common causes of property damage. This article will go over a few steps to make sure that you do everything necessary to prevent fires and make putting them out easier if they do occur.

Keep your vegetation trimmed

If you have a lot of trees on your property, make sure they are properly trimmed. Evergreen trees are highly flammable and you should make sure that they are well spaced out. If they are not, there is a chance that the fire will move from tree to tree very quickly. Often, a fire will jump between the crowns of the trees which are the branches of trees next to each other.

Keep firewood away from the house

Make sure that you move your firewood away from the house when it becomes warmer outside. Even small sparks from nearby wildfires can set firewood alight which can then cause the house to be set on fire.

Use non flammable materials for landscaping

Materials like rock and stone should be used from landscaping near any buildings on your property. They are great defences against fire. Each spring, make sure you clean out all the leaves and needles that have fallen near the building and from under the decks.

Make it easy for firefighters to get to your house

Make sure that your address plaque or mailbox is clearly visible from the road and not blocked by vegetation. You should also make sure that your driveway is wide enough for a firetruck to pull up if your house is not accessible from the road. Also, leave enough space for the truck to be able to turn around.

Keep your defensible zone clear

The home defensible zone is an area around the house that has been cleared of any fire hazards. The shape and size of the zone will depend on the type and size of structure you have. Make sure there are no old cars, piles of wood and other flammable debris in this zone.

It is important to make sure that your house is as protected from natural disasters as possible. If you have doubts about all the measures you can take to protect your home, you should consult a fire and flood restoration company that can help you with advise and measure to take. Always be vigilant and proactive when protecting your property.

If you are thinking of exterior home remodelling, you may be wondering about the options you have for siding. You may want to think of alternatives to the regular vinyl or wood siding that most homes have and consider fiber cement siding. Here is some basic information about the material and how it can be used on your house.

What is fiber cement siding?

Fiber cement siding is a relatively new material for siding. It looks like wood but has altogether different characteristics. It is fire retardant unlike wood and installation is also easier as you will not need to strip off any existing siding you have on the house. It is as durable as vinyl siding and is extremely resistant to the elements. It is also paintable unlike vinyl siding. It has a deep structure and is thick much like siding made of wood.

What is it made of?

Fiber cement siding composition will depend on the product and manufacturer but they are essentially made up of different proportions of sand, cement, cellulose fibers or wood fibers and fly ash. The combination of these materials makes it resistant to fire and moisture as well as to pests and mold.

Is it completely fire resistant?

No, fiber cement siding is fire retardant to a certain degree. It will not be able to protect the house completely from fire. However, it has excellent values in terms of slowing down the progress of the fire which might make the difference when it comes to the safety of you and your loved ones.  The extent to which it can slow down a fire depends on the thickness of the particular brand of siding that you choose to use. Most of the fiber cement siding products have around a “1 hour fire rating”.

Does it have good insulating properties?

Fiber cement siding, in general, does not have good insulating properties and is much like other sidings when it comes to insulation. Of course, this will again differ from product to product. However, their R-value is generally quite low. You will have to include extra insulation in the walls like you would for any other siding.

What are its disadvantages?

Apart from a low insulation value, it is also quite brittle and can break easily under stress. It is also quite expensive compared to other kinds of siding. Installation also requires professionals as it is almost impossible for amateurs to install without breakage.

Ask your contractor about the qualities of the siding and if it is a good fit for you.

If you are thinking of giving your child’s bedroom a makeover, you may be struggling to come up with fun ideas. Here are some tips that you can use in your home to decorate your child’s bedroom.

Use decals

Decals are a quick and convenient way of changing the look of the room. You can find decals that are peel-and-stick that make them very easy to install. With the huge variety of readymade decals available and ones you can order made just for you, there is no shortage of designs and ideas. Use your child’s favourite sports team or cartoon character as a source of inspiration if you are finding it hard to start. It is also a great idea in rented spaces where painting is not an option as decals can be removed easily. Children also grow out of fandom, so decals are a great way to create temporary decorations.

Create zones

A child can lose attention on a particular task pretty easily, so if you put the play area with the study zone, there will be very little studying done. Instead create zones in different areas and corners of the room. You can put a desk and bookshelf in one corner and the toys and play area in another. Make sure there is comfortable furniture in each area and no distractions in the study area.

Make shelving more open

Children are great at creating messes so you should make it as easy as possible for them to organize and put away their things. Open shelves take away a layer of work needed to put things away as the shelves can be accessed easily and they can put their toys away quickly after they are done with them instead of having them laying around. Use bins in the shelves to create more division if your child is up to it.

Create areas for children even when they are sharing a room

Just because you have two children sharing a room does not mean that they will share the same interests. Do not go for a theme just because you prize symmetry. Create areas with things that each child likes and keep them separate so that each feels like they have their own personal area. You may even consider using dividers between to room to have them be able to create a more personal area for themselves.

Ask an interior decorator for more ideas and keep your eyes out for things that your children like or hate about their rooms.

If you are building a new house and are thinking of what materials to use as insulation, you should know that your choices are not limited to the traditional synthetic insulating materials. There are a variety of natural and ecofriendly choices available that can work just as well as synthetic materials and help to reduce the carbon footprint of your house.

Sheep’s wool

Sheep have naturally evolved to insulate themselves against the harsh climates that they live in. Their wool offers great protection against the cold and insulates their bodies. You can bring the same insulation to your house by using sheep’s wool in your walls. Compressed wool fibers have millions of air pockets in them that trap air and insulate the house. Wool is also breathable which means that it can absorb the moisture in the air around it and this will not affect its insulating qualities. The outer layer of the fiber is resistant to water and can absorb a lot of water without feeling damp. In fact, wool can generate heat when it becomes damp which prevents condensation and moisture damage.  Sheep’s wool is one of the most effective insulating materials available.

Cotton

Cotton insulation is made from recycled scrap cotton denim and other materials. It is also a sustainable resource and is on the most environmentally friendly insulating materials you can use.  It is also easy to install as it comes in batts like fibreglass. While fibreglass contains formaldehyde which can cause cancer, cotton does not. It also absorbs moisture well after it is treated with boric acid. This also makes it fire retardant and insect retardant. However, cotton insulation can be expensive and can most almost twice as much as fibreglass.

Aerogel

Aerogel is one of the most efficient insulating materials by weight and size.  Aerogel is extremely light and is about 90% air which makes it an excellent insulator. It is made by removing the liquid from silica using high temperature and pressure points. Aerogel comes in sheets that can be installed very easily just by tacking it to the studs in the wall. There are also peel and stick varieties available that are even easier to install. However, Aerogel can get very expensive when insulating large areas of wall as it can sell for up to $2 a foot. This is because of its extreme effectiveness.

Using these green insulating materials will help protect the environment and give you a lot of savings in energy bills. Ask your contractor about the choices available to you to make sure you pick the right fit.