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Bike Storage Tips For Small Spaces

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Not everyone who wants to own a bike has a lot of room for storage. Because of that some people will simply give up on having a bike altogether. There are some things that you can do that will allow you to have a good bike even when your space is limited. It may take a little extra work but in the end, having limited space should not limit you from having the bike of your dreams. Here are some of the best tips for ensuring that you have enough space to enjoy your bike and store it as well.

Remove The Front Wheel

One of the best things that you can do to save you some space when you own a bike is to remove its front wheel. It is not difficult to do so. You may have seen a lot of people who already do this. People do it when they leave their bike on the street as a way to secure their bike but you can also do it in order to save you some room. All that you need in order to remove the bike’s wheel is the right tools. If you bought your bike to assemble it yourself you probably got the tools when you bought the bike.

Using A Storage Facility

If you live in a city, it should not be that difficult to find a storage facility. As long as the storage facility is close to your home, you could be using it to keep your bike there. While it may be additional money to spend, a lot of people who love cycling are doing it because that is the way they can keep their bikes and not have to make their living space even smaller. Most of the storage facilities will have different size compartments so get one that’s just good enough for your bike.

Using Hooks

Another great way to save yourself some room while keeping your bike at home is to use wall mounted hooks. These hooks allow you to hang your bike over other items and therefore save you space. The hooks are very easy to install and use. All you have to do is attach them to the wall and use strategic spots on your bike to hang it. Some hooks are especially designed for bikes and that is your best bet when trying to save space in a small apartment.

Specially Designed Furniture

Finally, it is also possible to find specially designed furniture to keep your bike in smaller homes or apartments. The furniture is designed to keep your bike in one spot with other items in the same place so that you can save space. They are generally shelving unites with a section specially designed to store your bike. You can find this type of furniture at specialized stores and the biggest furniture stores in the market. This furniture is very affordable so that you could be saving space and money at the same time while you keep your bike right at home.

Crystal has written this article for Torpedo7, New Zealand’s largest online outdoor sports gear store.






Home Improvements That Will Enhance Your Way of Life

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When we make changes to our homes, often we do so because we are planning on making them look better or increasing their worth as an investment. Most of the changes then tend to be either practical or aesthetic, but if that’s all they’re doing then this is quite a limited approach to take.

While your property might benefit a lot from getting an attractive new paint job you see, and while it might be able to benefit to a large degree from having double glazing put in, other projects for your home can do much more to change the way you actually use your property and even alter your routine on a daily basis and your whole lifestyle. Here we will look at the changes that will have the biggest direct impact on the way you spend your days and probably your happiness as a result.

Kitchen/Bathroom Renovations

These are two of the most practical rooms in the house that we use on a daily basis in a very functional way. There are jobs we do in our kitchens and bathrooms that we simply can’t avoid, but having the best utilities and layout here can make those jobs easier and more pleasant – whether it’s adding a hot tub for your bathroom or adding a washing machine and more draining space in your kitchen.

Home Gym

If you’re struggling to get into shape, then giving yourself a home gym will make that a lot easier and mean you are much more likely to stick at the routines you come up with because you won’t have to leave the home to do so. This will then mean that this simple renovation helps you to look and feel better and to avoid illness or obesity – which is a very significant thing to change about your life.

Terrace or Patio

Having a terrace or patio area in the garden allows you to actually use your garden in a much more effective and pleasant way. Rather than just using this as somewhere practical to grow plants/work this then becomes somewhere that you can sit outside with a cup of tea while you read the paper, or somewhere that you can entertain guests. This will mean that you spend more time outdoors, and that in turn will mean that you feel much less stressed and aren’t as likely to get cabin fever after a day at home.

More Living Space

Added more living space in general to your existing rooms by extending them can make a huge difference to your daily routine and make you generally feel a lot less hemmed in and give you many more options for how you want to use your rooms. For instance if you use home extensions on your living room then this could give you more space to entertain allowing you to host dinner parties or have more people round without worrying about the lack of space. Likewise if you use them in your bedrooms it means you can have a larger bed in there, or add some of your other belongings whether they’re decorative or practical.

Donna Shepard is a very artsy person and her taste in taste in design is impeccable. She gives tips, ideas and advice on house decoration in her blogs.

Gray Is The Hottest Decorating Trend For 2013

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As the new year approaches, people are looking for a way to update the home. Every year brings new ideas and trendy colors. Here are some great ways to stay on top of design and transform the house for 2013.

Color Palette

The first part of decorating is choosing the right color. Recent seasons have included bright colors as a major trend. 2013 is seeing a departure from bright colors of the past, with the addition of a more sophisticated backdrop of neutral colors. This does not mean that the room must be boring. Decor is being filled with furniture and accessories that are made from great textures, shapes, and finishes. Light or deep blue is being used as an accent color and brown leathers are definitely important. Olive and purple are being infused into rooms as well. Reds are more orange in tone and as previously stated, caramel, cream, and gray are very popular.

Gray is one of the most used colors for 2013. It is beautiful when blended with gemstone colors like deep purple or green. It also looks nice with yellows and oranges.

Choosing the right tone of gray is important as well. Some grays are muddy which will detract from the room. A clear gray will appear fresh and crisp, especially when used with a pure white. Many major catalog brands are filling pages with grays. Gray paint, accessories, furniture, and stained woods are everywhere. Gray has the power to add class and elegance to a space while keeping it contemporary as well.

Decorating Ideas For 2013

When a person does not want gray as the major color idea, it can be used in small accents in the decor. Most homes are leaning in a warmer direction. People are also searching for quality products. As budgets become tighter and tighter, homeowners are looking to purchase furniture and household items that will be durable and last a long time. Even though this may cost more money up front, it will be worth it in the long term.

Many homes are becoming smaller sized without an aspect of comfort. Using soft colors and textures will make the home seem homey and welcoming. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to keep the floor plan open and flowing. Neutral colors along with natural accents are popular for 2013. More and more homes are exposing stone accents and open ceiling beams. Marble counter tops have continued to dominate kitchens as well.

To create a unique atmosphere, people are using special art and antiques throughout the home. Taking advantage of natural materials is also important. A “green” atmosphere can include the use of bamboo instead of hardwoods or plastics.

Decorating Themes

2013 is seeing a variety of decor themes. People may choose a French decor or more earthy ideas. Shells and ocean themes are popular and add a bit of relaxation to the atmosphere. Others install French doors onto patio openings and incorporate floral patterns into the room. This upcoming year, botanicals will be in abundance, since it is a simple means of bringing the outside into the indoors.

Other homes will use a Bohemian theme. This will be popular for the bedroom. Bedding and curtains are two places that designs can reflect the theme. Most patterns will combine two or three different colors. When mixed with neutral walls, the room will appear splashed with color.

Wallpaper is becoming more popular in 2013. Larger prints will keep furniture upholstery much simpler along with bedding or other accessories. Scroll patterns and chevrons are extremely trendy. A clean pattern of a few colors will not overpower the room.

2013 is the year for gray. No matter which room is being decorated, it is important to find something that will be quality made and last a long time. In the end, a timeless and neutral design will be worth the money.

Attached Images:
  •  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://www.123rf.com

Jeff has been a blogger and content marketing expert since 2009. He works with real businesses, mostly on improving online visibility and user experience. Also Jeff is marketing consultant for ny homes for sale luxury community.

How to Select A Drapery Rod System

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Draperies can enhance the look of a room in an amazing manner. The look of draperies depend on a lot of factors like the fabric used to create the drapery, the style selected for the drapery, the hardware on which the drapery is mounted, the position of hanging the draperies and the type of drapery rod system. Drapery rod system is that aspect of a hanging a drapery which determines how the drapery rod will be installed and how the drapery will function. Generally the drapery rod system can be categorized under three types depending on the functionality of the drapery.

Manual rod system – As the name indicates, this style of rod system requires manual effort to function. Draperies hanged from such kinds on rods require manual endeavor to open and shut them close. In this case the draperies can be hanged in a lot of ways. The manual rod system supports rings, tabs and grommets to hang the draperies. The rings, tabs or grommets are attached to the curtain panel and are hanged from the drapery rod. Then they are manually operated to make the window treatment functional.

Traverse rod system – This is a traditional method of hanging the draperies and has been around for a long time. In this system, traverse rods are used in combination with a pulley and carrier system. This pulley and carrier is used to open and close the draperies. The draperies are attached to the back side of the drapery headers with the help of pin hooks which are then introduced into the eyes of the rod carriers. A cord that hangs at the side of the traverse rod is used to operate the pulley and carrier of this rod system. Traverse rods can be of three types, namely – one way traverse rod, two ways traverse rod and double traverse rod. In one way traverse rod the pulley system operates in a singular direction only. In case of two ways traverse rod, the draperies are drawn from the center to the right and left of the traverse rod with the help of two pulleys. This style is also known as center draw or split draw traverse style. In the double traverse rod style, two curtain panels can be accommodated on the same window. It is mainly used for the purpose of decoration.

Stationary rod system – This rod system is static in nature. The draperies are hanged from the rod for the purpose of appearance rather than being functional in nature. The curtains are not shut or open as the curtain panels have a static nature. In this style of rod system one can be experimental and divert from the traditional method of using curtain poles or rods to hang the draperies. Any long and slim but strong item like a metal stick, etc. can be used to hang the curtains. As the rod system is static in nature, the only thing to be kept in mind is whether the drapery can be hanged from the alternative item using hooks, rings, etc. or not.

Adam is a passionate writer and currently writing for Buycurtainrod, the best place to buy curtain rod hardware.

Interior Design Ideas for a Better Home

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When you are looking to beautify a room, the first thing that usually comes to mind is paint and soft furnishings. Putting a new ambiance to any bare and boring room is easily achievable when you have the right color of paint or some attractive wallpaper. However, if you want a more magnified way of rejuvenating it, placing some nice new accessories and decorations can definitely do the job for you. Get rid of old and worn skirting boards, and internal doors which can bring the aesthetic quality of your room to its lowest and bring in new furnishings which can lighten up any space and transform it into a place where you and your family would want to hang out most of the time and spend quality time together. Let your room achieve its maximum potential by replacing items that give it a discordant appearance. Internal doors, for instance, which are among the common items that are frequently neglected but in fact play an important role in interior decoration, often set the tone for the theme or concept you would like your room to have. Most people stick to their same old door even if they have already changed their interior’s style which then leads to an uncoordinated look.

Going for the Contemporary Look

At this age and time, some people still prefer traditional styles for their homes while others choose the modern interior designs. The more contemporary look is chosen by more homeowners and allows them to stay abreast of the latest trends. If you have just recently transferred to your new home or want to imbibe a new ambiance to it, it is important to know some basic ideas for contemporary interior design as this will allow you to determine if such design ideas suit the vision you have for your home.

Among the most common trends in design styles is the use of black and white contrast. Some people prefer to incorporate these colors in all items and walls in the room while some choose to limit them only to the furniture and accessories. No matter which you choose, the classic style and ambiance that the black and white combination creates will surely make your room much more inviting.

Bold Colors Add Life

If the magic of the black and white combination does not appeal to you enough, you can choose to make use of bold colors. People who opt to incorporate bold colors in their home’s interior design usually choose furniture pieces and décor that imbibe the African spirit. The life in the Safari is a very interesting theme to have in any room as bold colors are what give it its much-needed appeal. Throw pillows or curtains which have animal prints will definitely brighten up any living space and add life to it. If you are the adventurous type, this theme will surely appeal to your senses.

Visualize Your Choice of Theme

You can put your innate creativity to use in designing your home, or you can opt to relinquish this responsibility to someone who is more knowledgeable by getting the service of a reliable interior designer or decorator. Either way, you must know beforehand what theme or concept you would like your home or room to have in order to achieve a unified look. The Internet is a rich source of interior design ideas so it would be a good idea to do some research and find out if such ideas suit not only your taste, but also your budget. As soon as you have already decided on the theme, you can then shop for items and decors that go with it. Shopping in discount shops where rugs mentioned above can also be found are a great way for you to save money and still find quality items that can last you a long time.

Rugs Can Do Wonders

Aside from your door, there are other elements that need to be considered when enhancing or improving the look of your interior. Items like rugs in themselves play a role in your room’s transformation; from a simple space to one that seems to transport you to another dimension or part of the world. Persian rugs, which have are in demand all over the world because of their intricate patterns, are a mainstay in many homes. Aside from providing appeal to your living space, they function to prevent slippage thus providing safety to anybody who treads in your home.

The aforementioned trends and styles all show a variety of rugs that you can choose from, depending on the patterns and materials they are made of. Some can cost a fortune depending on the quality and craftsmanship but if you are on a tight budget, you can always go to any rugs sale in your nearby home furnishings stores and avail of huge discounts.

Attached Images:
  •  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://morguefile.com/

Cedric Loiselle is a highly talented writer providing quality articles for a wide range of niches. These include business and finance, health and fitness, as well as home improvement and real estate.

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