EASY AND SIMPLE DIY TIPS TO UPGRADE YOUR BATHROOM

Your bathroom is probably the second most personal area in your house next to your own room. This is where most of your self-care routines take place, and it is also an area that is often considered when it comes to selling a house aside from the kitchen. That’s why it’s important to make it a space you actually like spending time in.

Upgrading your bathroom actually doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to have a major overhaul. You can also improve your bathroom yourself. All you need is to allot time to do it.

Do-it-yourself bathroom makeovers have an advantage because they cost less than typical remodeling, which normally involves tearing down and removing a lot of stuff. If you are interested in making this project happen, then this article can help you out. The following are easy and simple DIY tips to upgrade your bathroom.

UPDATE FIXTURES AND HARDWARE

In the grand scheme of things in your bathroom, something so disproportionately small as hardware and fixtures are so important for providing that chic finishing touch. And it will only cost you less for something that has a major impact.

You can start by replacing your bathroom faucet by installing something that’s sleeker and more functional and/or more contemporary. You may also swap shower fixtures if you’re planning to remodel your shower anyway. Another option is to install new wall hooks where you can keep your towel and clothes from falling to the bathroom floor.

There are plenty of options for these upgrades that can be found in a quality hardware store like Magnificent Marketing.

STYLISH BATHROOM LIGHTINGS

It may sound intimidating, but most people can switch out a light fixture safely and successfully by being careful and following instructions. Fresh lighting also makes a huge difference for your bathroom. This is another simple DIY bathroom upgrade that you can do in just under an hour or so.

For people who have large mirrors inside the bathroom, installing a light directly onto the bathroom mirror is a unique and useful idea. Since your mirror occupies space, most of the time you won’t be able to get lighting directed to your face. By installing a light directly onto your mirror, you will be able to see yourself clearly and do what you need to do in front of the mirror much quicker.

MAXIMIZE STORAGE SPACE

Maximizing storage space in your bathroom includes utilizing underutilized areas to store items. One area of your bathroom that you can use for storage is the wall. Take advantage of your wall space by mounting ledges, shelving, or racks to achieve this.

You can put your hygiene and vanity items such as your toothbrush, toothpaste, perfume bottles, and your comb on racks above your sink and below your mirror. Using the wall for storage space will help avoid clutter inside your bathroom.

MAXIMIZE THE MIRROR

Mirrors are beneficial particularly in upgrading small bathrooms. They reflect a lot of light and make the tiniest feel a bit more spacious than it actually is. Aside from ensuring that it is well-lit, your bathroom mirror should be large enough to see at least your entire head when you stand in front of it.

WRAP UP

These simple DIY tips are exactly what you need for your bathroom. Something simple, but will have a great overall effect on how it looks and how comfortable you feel when you use it.

Author’s Bio:

Rosette has a knack for anything DIY. She spent her younger years learning about the different hardware tools and equipment in the hopes of establishing a hardware business in the future. Her career options may have changed, but today, she continues to write so passionately about her first love.

TOP 8 SPECTACULAR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES

TOP 8 SPECTACULAR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE

When Summer rolls around, most of us like to spend it outside. You will want to have an outdoor area that is perfect for entertaining, or the perfect space for you to spend outdoors with your family. The last decade people have started to put a lot of effort in their backyards, or what we would rather call it, outdoor living space. When you live in or around Chicago, you’re use to having bipolar weather year round. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spend your time and money on your outdoor living area. The perfect outdoor area would be usable Spring, Summer and Fall. Let me show you some great ideas, that will make you want to run out and start working on your perfect outdoor living space.

Outdoor fire pit with sitting area in between the pool

What did you learn? Your outdoor area should have good seating, fire pit, bar, kitchen, grill station, and cover. Start utilizing your backyard. Make it a living space. Not only will you enjoy it, it will bring up the value of your home.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ASBESTOS AND ITS EXPOSURE RISKS

Things You Need To Know About Asbestos and Its Exposure Risks

Are you living in a house that was built in the 20th century, especially during the middle to late part of that period?

If the answer is yes, then there’s a huge possibility that your residence has asbestos in its walls, floors, and even textured ceilings. That means your house will have to undergo proper asbestos abatement and removal at some point.

Manufacturers have heavily favored the use of asbestos in the production of cement, floor tiles, and other construction products during that period. Even products like hair dryers and car brakes contained a certain amount of asbestos back then. Asbestos, after all, is incredibly resistant to fire and heat, electricity, and corrosion, which makes them an ideal material for construction products and the like.

If asbestos is that useful, then why is it that the mere mention of the word now brings forth images of suffering and death?

WHAT IS ASBESTOS?

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral made up of needle-like fibers that are soft, thin, and flexible.

It also happens to be a human carcinogen and has been considered as such since the 1980s. Many countries have promptly banned the use and importation of asbestos. Some nations, however, have chosen not to impose any such bans, and are still using asbestos in various products, albeit at a much smaller scale than before.

EFFECTS OF ASBESTOS EXPOSURE

Fire, electricity, and corrosion can’t do much to asbestos. Handling by humans, however, can break asbestos quite easily.

Something as simple as drilling into walls or taking a sledgehammer to a floor can send tiny asbestos fibers flying in the air. Without adequate protection, the people performing the tasks mentioned above are likely to inhale those fibers. And if that level of exposure is a regular thing, it would only be a matter of time before they develop any of the following illnesses:

MESOTHELIOMA

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is most closely associated with asbestos exposure. Every year, approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the United States. From 1999 to 2015, eight per one million people in the U.S. have succumbed to the illness.

As with any type of cancer, there is no cure for mesothelioma, which affects the pleura and the peritoneum, which are the serous membranes that line the lungs and the abdominal cavity, respectively.

The symptoms of mesothelioma include:

chest or abdominal pain
shortness of breath
fever or night sweats
fatigue
muscle weakness
dry, wheezing cough

ASBESTOSIS

When a person inhales asbestos fibers over a long period, he or she will also likely develop asbestosis, a lung disease that causes severe respiratory problems and scars lung tissue. People with asbestosis will experience a variety of symptoms, the most common of which are:

swelling in the neck or face
swallowing difficulties
hypertension
breathing that crackles
blood in sputum
shortness of breath
weight loss
decreased appetite
finger deformity

Asbestosis may not be a cancer, but anyone suffering from this illness is at risk of developing mesothelioma.

LUNG CANCER

The leading cause of lung cancer may be smoking, but a small percentage of lung cancer cases have a direct link to asbestos exposure.

OVARIAN CANCER

In 2012, the International Agency for Research on Cancer had confirmed that there is a link between asbestos exposure and ovarian cancer.

OCCUPATIONS WITH HIGHEST ASBESTOS EXPOSURE RISK

Construction workers have a pretty high risk of asbestos exposure. The same goes for people who work in factories and shipyards.

At one point, men and women in uniform were very much at risk of asbestos exposure because the military used a lot of products containing the mineral. Navy ships, in particular, used a lot of asbestos for decades.

NO U.S. BAN

Many people don’t know that as deadly as asbestos has proven to be, the United States still didn’t see fit to ban asbestos. To this very day, fireproofing materials and gaskets manufactured in the U.S. contain asbestos.

Australia, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and other European Union countries have banned the importation and use of asbestos. There is no sign, however, that the United States, Russia, China, and several other countries are going to follow suit anytime soon.

Guest Contributor: Rachel Anderson

10 WAYS TO CREATE A STYLISH SMALL HOME OFFICE

10 Ways to Create a Stylish Small Home Office

The idea of a home office may seem like a luxury but creating your own small and stylish workspace is easier than you think. A full-size home office can be a costly commitment, but for something smaller you only need a little bit of effort and creativity. Here are ten ways to create a small home office.

1. Use a Spare Room

If you have a spare room, consider whether you could convert it into a home office. A guest bedroom can be easily transformed by swapping out the bed for a fold-out sofa bed. This way you still have a place for guests to stay. A garage, basement or even a garden shed can also be turned into a suitable office space with a little refurbishment.

2. Use Another Space

If you don’t have a spare room, you can still create an office in another space. Look around your house and see if there are any unused areas. This could be the corner of a bedroom, living room or dining room. Sometimes all you need to do is move a sofa or table over by a few feet to create that extra space.

3 Use a Room Divider

If you set up your office in a shared area, you may be concerned about privacy. It can be hard to focus on work if you have kids playing nearby or you’re sitting across from the TV. A simple and creative solution is to use a room divider. Room dividers are relatively inexpensive and come in a variety of styles and sizes. Not only is this a practical solution, it also adds character to the space.

4. Use A Closet

A creative way to maximise space is to convert an unused closet, large enough to fit a desk in. By placing a desk inside and adding a little decoration, you’ll have your own private workspace. A walk-in closet is ideal for this, but even smaller closets can still be used for office space. If you can’t fit a desk in there you could use it for storing your work materials.

5. Home Extension

If none of the above are possible, consider adding an extension to your house. One eco-friendly and affordable way to do this is to use a recycled shipping container. You’ll need to refurbish the container to provide proper insulation, electricity and lighting. But this can still be cheaper than a traditionally constructed extension. You can alter the container to blend in with the rest of your home, or leave its original appearance intact for a unique industrial look.

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6. Lighting

Good lighting is essential for any home office. While natural lighting is ideal, you’ll also want a source of light for working at night or if your office isn’t near a window. Don’t underestimate the effect a lamp can have on a space. Whether it’s a statement piece or something simple that complements the rest of the décor, a lamp is an effective way to add style.

7. Furniture

When choosing office furniture, it’s important to not only look for stylish pieces but ones with practical benefits too. You’ll want to find an ergonomic chair that supports your posture to avoid back pain from sitting too long. Or you could consider a standing desk. You could also try sitting on a Swiss exercise ball to engage your core muscles and help you keep fit while working.

8. Maximising Space

A clever way to get around limited space is with multi-purpose or convertible furniture. You could use a desk that folds up into the wall, or a coffee table that doubles as storage. Wall-mounted shelving is another effective way to add extra storage space. You could also refurbish an unused cupboard or cabinet.

9. Décor

Unlike a workplace office, a home office allows you to decorate however you want. You may want to decorate in a way that complements the rest of your house, or you could make it a unique space just for you. You can stick photos or paintings on the walls, place as many trinkets on your desk as you like. Pot plants and flowers can be used to liven up the space and add a pop of colour.

10. Wallpaper

Using wallpaper or paint helps add style to your home office regardless of where you choose to set it up. This is a great way to distinguish the space if it’s in a shared area. By choosing a unique colour or pattern for the walls of your office you’ll be making it your own and adding character to the space.

A home office isn’t just for large houses. With a little creativity you can create your own stylish and inspiring workspace at home. If you’re tired of trying to work on a cluttered kitchen counter or not having space to focus, try some of these ideas.

Author bio:

Spending long hours in front of the computer makes Harper hugely appreciative of any change in activity – from quick stretching exercises to yoga and meditation! Discover more about her work on her personal blog.

Guest Contributor: Harper Reid