How to Survive Bathroom Renovations

For most people, the bathroom is often the first place to look when thinking of house renovation. Bathroom renovation is a great way to increase the resale value of your house. Houses with modern bathrooms tend to sell fast. Therefore, a bathroom renovation is an excellent investment. We need lots of items in the bathroom. Renovation gives you the chance to increase your bathroom storage space. Additionally, it allows you to update the look of your bathroom.

Planning

Timely planning is critical whenever doing renovations. Planning lets you know what to expect before getting started. With so many activities involved, it's essential to be very clear about your needs. How far do you want to go?

Start by listing down your priorities before commencing the remodeling process. Asking some key questions helps you define the scope of the project. How much is the project going to cost? Bathroom remodeling can be costly. Therefore, look for ways to save on the remodeling costs.

Take a good look at the project to see if it's something you can do. It's one way to save you some cash. Not all tasks require a professional. However, if you're hiring a professional, make sure they're licensed. Friends and family can be a good source of recommendations.

Measurements

Before buying renovation products for your bathroom, it's vital to take measurements. Ensure you know the kind of fittings and sizes to avoid costly mistakes. Unless you're using a sliding door, the entry door width is an essential factor to consider. To accommodate residents with disabilities, be mindful of how wide the door opens.

Moreover, expanding the bathroom entryway increases the number of potential buyers when selling the house. When reconfiguring bathrooms, keep the heavy foot traffic in mind. Although features such as sinks and large shows are necessary, walking space is paramount.

Speaking of space, did you know that an upflush toilet is more portable compared to a traditional one? Not only that, it’s cost-effective and water-saving too! It’s an investment in terms of added value, utility bill savings, and flexibility for future renovations in your bathroom. Take the time to weigh whether the cost of installing an upflush toilet is within your budget and worth it for you.

Lighting

Good lighting for the bathroom is vital. Having the perfect lighting for your bathroom is an indispensable part of a renovation. Most people tend to save the lighting decision for later. However, it's highly recommended to decide on lighting before starting the renovation process.

Remember to utilize as much natural light as possible. However, if the natural light is not enough, opt for cost-effective lighting solutions. Ask your renovator for suggestions for the perfect lighting for your bathroom. Remember, bad lighting can make your bathroom look smaller. Consider getting mirrors. They help give the illusion of more sources of light.

Ventilation

When renovating your bathroom, don't forget the ventilation. The bathroom is one of the wettest rooms in the house. Proper ventilation helps keep excess moisture from building up. Excess moisture comes with potential problems. It can lead to the pealing of the wallpaper, hence causing you to dig again deeper into your pockets.

Choosing the proper bathroom fan helps keep the humidity in check. Some fans can act as both a fan and lighting fixture while adding a bit of style. For proper bathroom ventilation, the fan should be installed in the right spot. Remember installing the fan to a bathroom that didn't have one requires a professional. A vent fan with an automatic humidity sensor can come in handy.

Alex Capozzolo is a partner of Kind House Buyers, a real estate developer based in Washington. He has been writing for the real estate industry for several years. Kind House Buyers focuses on large multi-family houses around Tacoma and Seattle.

Five Ways a Clean Home Can Increase Your Home's Value

There’s more benefits to having a clean home than simply the fresh feeling one gets when inside a freshly cleaned room. People who live in a clean, well-maintained space experience less stress, reduced anxiety, and find themselves to be more productive in general. Put simply, having a clean house is good for your body and mind.   

But there’s another benefit to a clean home that might surprise you—a clean home can actually increase your home value. Regardless of if you’re starting to go about the many steps required to sell your home, or don’t plan on selling until well into the future, maintaining a clean home can bring a real boost to your eventual selling house in five surprising, but effective, ways. 

A Clean Home Leaves a First Impression for Potential Buyers

Whenever you place a house on the market, there are dozens of ways you can make your home seem more appealing, from putting up a fresh layer of paint to basic tasks like decluttering your space. 

But the easiest, and most effective, way that you can leave a good first impression to any potential buyers seeing your home for the first time is to clean every room thoroughly. In fact, a deep clean of your home can increase its value by up to $2,000. 

This makes sense—if you walked into someone’s home and saw dirty floors and cluttered spaces, you’d assume that they don’t value their own property. And if they don’t value it, why should you?

The best way to make a full, deep clean easier to pull off is to constantly clean your home. The more often that you clean your home, the less work you’ll need to make it ready to put on the market, which can save you time and energy. 

Cleaning Lowers the Risk of Long-Term Damage

We all know the old adage of “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” That applies to cleaning your house as well. If you let dirt, grime, and dust accumulate, you could soon find yourself with major damage to your home that could have easily been avoided by consistently keeping your home clean.

While cleaning up dirt and mud in your home’s nooks and crannies can sometimes be frustrating, the mold that develops when you fail to clean up can lead to costly repairs to clear the mold from your home. 

Don’t let a short term problem become long-term damage. Clean your house regularly to keep your home safe and secure.   

The Cleaner Your Home, the Healthier the Homeowner

While you can’t put a price tag on your health, you can definitively link a clean home with a healthier homeowner. Keeping your house clean helps lessen, or completely remove, the amounts of germs and bacteria that might be lingering, which could get you sick. 

And speaking of mold yet again, apart from being a major issue requiring invasive renovation, if your home develops mold, that can lead to a slew of health issues, from shortness of breath and fever to the development of asthma in some children.   

By cleaning your home consistently, you’ll kill off germs, microbes, dust, grime and mold spores, keeping your family safe and healthy, and helping boost the value of your home.

Also, if you want professionals to do the cleaning for you, Best Office Cleaning will let you worry no more for they have all the professionals you need from cleaning, to sanitizing and to disinfecting securing the safe and health of your family.

You Can Identify Maintenance Issues

We said earlier that cleaning your home frequently can stop you from developing long-term, serious damage. While that is one of the most important ways that cleaning your home can help add (or at the very least, stop you from losing) value to your home, keeping a clean space can have an even bigger impact.

Specifically, every time you clean your home, you inadvertently examine areas that you might often overlook in your daily routine. You’re focusing on potentially neglected rooms and spaces, and in doing so you might discover lingering maintenance issues that need to be addressed.

This could include hidden cracks in your ceiling that could lead to leaking, cracks in your drywall that could grow over time, or a whole slew of other items that require maintenance and repair. By cleaning often, you are more likely to discover these issues and address them, as opposed to having to make costly repairs further down the road when the problem is discovered during a home inspection. 

You Can Best Showcase and Maximize Your Available Space Through Cleaning

Finally, cleaning your home allows you to best showcase the dimensions and size of your home. This goes beyond the basic decluttering and deep cleaning that you’ll want to make a good first impression on potential buyers. 

Cleaning affords you a chance to look at your space and see what layout works best. In the process of cleaning, you’ll find yourself moving furniture around and opening up space that might otherwise be taken up. This can lead you to consider how to best “stage” your home in a way that makes the room seem larger (and thus, more valuable). 

A clean room with copious amounts of open space is much more valuable than that same room when dirty and cluttered with items.

At the end of the day, you don’t need to rely on massive restoration projects or overhauls to increase the value of your home. Simply keeping your home clean on a regular basis can show immediate dividends in both the look, feel, and price tag attached to your home.

Guest Contributor: Jeff Good

Things About Indoor Plumbing You Need to Know

One essential utility that powers our homes and commercial buildings is the plumbing system. Thanks to the plumbing system, we can accomplish daily and basic tasks such as showering, drinking water, washing hands, cooking, cleaning, brushing teeth, and even having hot water at our disposal. However, most people don’t give the plumbing a second thought when it is properly doing its job, but it is all they could focus on when something goes awry. Thus, having a basic understanding of your plumbing system can help you troubleshoot, conduct DIY minor repairs, or decide when to call a plumber. With general plumbing knowledge, you can save money in service calls and avoid headaches when it comes to breakdowns and plumbing problems. 

If you have a basic understanding of indoor plumbing, you can fix some of the most persistent leak problems with just the use of a wrench and other essential tools. While no one should ever be discouraged to call a trusted, licensed professional plumber to conduct quality plumbing maintenance, we listed some things about indoor plumbing that you can learn. 

Know Your Water Source 

More often, water comes into a house or building from one of these two sources-- a residential well and private pump or a city water line. In rural areas, most residents have well water carried into their homes via a pump, with no charge. |For urban residents who have city water, they receive a monthly or quarterly bill for water usage. 

Know Where and When to Turn Off Water Main 

Should your building experience some leak, it would greatly help knowing where to go and what to do to cut off the water supply. Knowing where and when to turn off your water main is way better than when you’re panicking, and water is spewing everywhere and flooding your property. This task is pretty easy since there is almost always the main valve near your street. If it is not the case, you should probably check your basement, where a second valve is sometimes in place. The water main often resembles a bar-type lever or a wheel. If your main resembles a wheel, you can turn it off by turning it slowly clockwise until it stops. On the other hand, if it is a lever, you can push it right or down until it stops. Keep in mind that it never hurts to find the water main at the onset and practice turning it off so you would know the process once a crisis occurs. 

Finding the Individual Cut-Off Valves 

Aside from the water main, water-using appliances such as toilets, sinks, or the washer have individual cut-off valves. It would be best to check them by looking for a small handle that you can use to stop their water supply. The handle is usually low for toilets, back, and often to the wall. While for sinks, underneath the pipes, or against the walls. Washer handles are generally behind the item and near the wall. As for showers and bathtubs, they often come with cut-off valves in adjacent closets or the basement. Finding the locations of these appliances will enable you to isolate one area that may need maintenance without the need to shut off the water supply for the entire place. 

Examine Water Meter and Bill 

When you know where your water meter is and how to read it can help you monitor your usage and keep utility expenses down. Also, it is best to thoroughly examine your water bill every month because spikes can indicate leakage that you don’t see.

Acquaintance With the Water Heater 

Usually, there is a handle or lever near the water heater connected to your main water line for the water supply. Take note that the water heater has two water lines-- one for cold water and another for hot water out of the heater. Hence, your water heater should have a temperature gauge or a dial near its top or bottom, where you can easily adjust the temperature you want. You will have to regularly examine all the pipes and accessories attached to the water heater for checking leaks. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to place some drip pan underneath the water heater. It is to prevent leakage, especially during the last of the heater’s life. 

Unclogging a Sink 

Clogged sinks are probably the most common plumbing problems anyone could encounter in his or her life. Often, a drain cleaner can do the job, but if the sink still drains slowly even after using a drain cleaner, you can try a natural solution-- a mixture of ½ cup each of vinegar and baking soda. Mix the substances well and slowly pour them into the drain to see if it helps. If the clogged sink is due to an object stuck down the line, you have to cut off water supply to the sink and place a bucket underneath the “p-trap” part of the pipe beneath the sink. Then, you can unscrew both sides of the U to find the stuck object or clear the clog. If you’re not sure if you can handle this issue, then it’s high time to call a professional than risk further damaging the pipe. 

Installation of a Plumbing Access Door 

Installing a plumbing access door is one of the most straightforward DIY plumbing jobs that anyone can do. Not all households or commercial properties give much attention to plumbing access doors, but what they miss out on is the chance to provide easy access to the plumbing system. With an access door, repairs and maintenance will be easy and quick. Moreover, with the many kinds of materials today, plumbing access doors now come in different construction to accommodate every building’s unique needs. 

Guest Contributor: Chris Jackson

When Do You Need a Commercial Plumber?

Plumbing problems are so common and inevitable that at some point, you have probably dealt with some in your home. Unfortunately, home plumbing issues can be different from commercial plumbing problems. Aside from being more complicated than home plumbing issues, major commercial plumbing repairs can become a huge dilemma for any business. 

While DIY jobs can solve some plumbing issues, such as installing plumbing access panels, some problems would require commercial plumbing services. A problem that is as small as a broken toilet in the public comfort rooms will likely need a plumbing professional if you want to resolve it completely. Moreover, commercial operations have a more complex design and require more in-depth maintenance.

Now, the next question that would probably pop in your mind is how you would know if your commercial building requires immediate attention from a commercial plumber. To help give you an insight, here are some things that you need to know when it’s time for you to call a commercial plumber.

• Emergencies 

When we say emergencies, we refer to clogged toilets, sudden leaks, broken grease traps in the commercial kitchen, or even a suspected blocked sewer line. These issues are easily noticeable because they can bring your business operations to a halt. When your commercial building experiences any of these issues, then it’s time for you to engage the help of a commercial plumber. 

• Slow Drains and Toilets 

When your drains and toilets experience slow drainage, it would usually mean that there is a clog somewhere along your drain pipes. Whether it is a minor clog around the drain opening or further down the line, this problem could affect multiple fixtures in the building. In either case, you need to call a plumber who has the right tools to remove drainage and toilet clog. Moreover, a commercial plumber can also examine the drain lines for other potential blockages that are difficult to detect. 

• Hot Water No More 

Some businesses require hot water, for it is vital to their operations. However, for others, no hot water would mean having frustrated employees or customers. If you want to avoid such an experience, it would be best to call a plumber for water heater repair once you notice that there is not enough hot water circulating in your building. 

• Frozen Pipes 

Most businesses probably already know that frozen pipes are common, especially during the winter season. Hopefully, they also take precautions to avoid this issue from happening at all. But if it does occur in your case, it is good to know that professional plumbers have extensive experience dealing with this plumbing issue. This kind of problem is not something that you or any of your employees could resolve by yourselves. Attempting a DIY job against frozen pipes can be risky, and you wouldn’t want to further damage your pipes by not calling a plumber. 

• Puddles 

When you start noticing water spots or puddles around the building, it is time to call a plumber right away. It is a sign that there could be a leak somewhere in your pipelines. The same also holds if you feel reduced water pressure from your faucets. Remember that waiting around for leaks to disappear on their own can be detrimental to the property, so be sure to hire a commercial plumber to inspect your building. 

• High Utility Bills 

Generally, commercial properties have high utility bills because they ensure that their business operations run smoothly. However, a sudden increase in the usually normal range of your utility bills could mean that there is a big leak. If this happens, you need a commercial plumber to check on your plumbing lines. Not addressing this issue could lead to a mold or mildew problem in your building. 

• Providing Easy Access to Your Pipes 

Providing easy access to pipes often entails installing plumbing access doors and panels, which can be a DIY job for anybody. But if you want to ensure that the installation is secure, it would be best to hire commercial plumbing services. A commercial plumber is also knowledgeable when it comes to plumbing access doors. Aside from installing the plumbing access door, a commercial plumber can also ensure that you have the right louvered access doors and panels in your building. 

Having a commercial plumbing problem would mean a massive inconvenience for you as a business owner. It could be a costly business interruption that would mean suspension of operations and drive away customers and guests who visit your business. Hence, the best solution when you do have a problem is to call a commercial plumber. It is always better to spend more on the services of a commercial plumber than breaking the bank when the plumbing issues get out of hand.

Guest Contributor: Chris Jackson

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

Outdoor kitchen with swim up bar

Outdoor kitchen with breakfast bar

Outdoor grill station

Outdoor bar and grill station

Outdoor fireplace and sitting area

Outdoor kitchen and dinning area

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.

10 Backyard Pond Waterfall Ideas You'll Absolutely Love

Garden Pond Waterfall Ideas Every Backyard Needs

Every home needs to have a waterfall pond with a little pond filter in their backyard. Since most of us are going to be stuck at home for the rest of the Summer, due to Covid-19, why not add an appealing feature to your backyard that will bring joy into your life? It doesn’t have to be anything to elaborate. Here are 10 pond waterfalls that you’ll absolutely love.

Waterfall with small koi pond

Koi pond with water feature

Water pond with bridge and bench

Small Koi pond with water feature

Water stream with rock display

Small pond with rock features

Waterfall with lights

Waterfall with bridge to heaven

A Zen Dream

Backyard Waterfall Heaven

There you have it, 10 backyard pond waterfall ideas that should bring absolute happiness and joy into your life!!!!

Tools Used by Diy Experts When They Have Less Gardening Experience?

Tools Used by Diy Experts When They Have Less Gardening Experience?

Everyday gardening could be a challenge if you have to call for a handyman to fix or maintain your garden. Thanks to the DIY experts who know how to save money and yet keeping the yard look beautiful always. These DIY handyman gardening tools can save you ample money that you can use on other activities. Perhaps, getting more plants would be an amazing idea for a healthier life.

Take a quick read of this article as we have listed some of the best gardening tools recommended by the precioushandyman.com or DIY experts. These tools come handy when you have lesser experience in gardening and do not wish to experiment on anything with little knowledge.

Tools Used by DIY Experts

1. Gardening gloves:

No task is possible without proper gardening gloves especially with less experience. You cannot afford to face any injury by sharp gardening tools or objects thus, buying a pair of gardening tools will cost you less and save more than on injuries.

2. Shovel:

Shovel is made with some amazing creative ideas too online. You may wish to check some videos by the DIY experts. Shovels could be of different types such as post hole diggers, drain spades, digging shovels, scoop shovels, etc.… Based on your requirement you may buy a shovel within your budget. These come handy as you cannot afford to dig every pot of plant or portion of your grass with a knife.

3. Hose:

No DIY activity works without a watering hose. Watering is more comfortable with the help of a good basic hose. Depending on the garden size, you may buy the tool to water plants. You can cover a larger area than otherwise by bringing a watering hose in your garden. Getting the right nozzle will further help you to reach extra and difficult areas too.

4. Rake:

Rake could be built of metal, plastic, or bamboo. Metal rakes are most preferred by DIY experts for longer durability and quality. You can also choose an adjustable rake to make life easier with gardening. Rakes are one of the most essential tools for gardening especially for beginners. The purpose of buying these is to collect piles of leaves with ease and comfort. The different types of rakes are, lawn rakes, shrub rakes, hand rake, and thatch rake. 

5. Wheel barrow:

Wheel barrows are essential if you have unwanted soil that needs to be moved around from your garden. These come handy to settle compost in the garden bed areas. There are some maintenance tips that need to be followed if you go for a traditional wheel barrow. You may find the basic tips along with the product or you can check these online. Choose a wheelbarrow that you can easily move especially after loading it.

Few other tools that come handy for gardening beginners as suggested by DIY experts are watering can, watering wand, Hoe, garden fork, Loppers, and some small tools. Hope you are all set to settle the beauty of your garden with these cost saving tools. 

 Guest Contributor, Maninder Singh

How to Reduce Hazardous Waste at Home

How to Reduce Hazardous Waste at Home

Products that we use daily in our homes can be harmful to both our health and the environment. Direct contact with some of these chemicals can cause irritation of the eyes, skin, throat, or nasal channels. Some of them may even cause headaches and nausea. On the other hand, some household chemicals can impact the natural environment unless properly disposed of as hazardous waste. Dumped into kitchen or bathroom drains, they can pollute water supplies and harm marine ecosystems. Here are some ways of dealing with hazardous waste in your home.

Reduce the use of cleaners

Many drain cleaner formulas contain sulphuric acid, while oven cleaners are known to contain potassium hydroxide. Both chemicals are highly corrosive and cause irritation of eyes and mucoid membranes. Cleaners that contain grease-removing chemicals such as petroleum distillates can damage lungs if inhaled. To reduce your exposure to these chemicals, use products made of natural ingredients whenever possible. For example, a mixture of baking soda can be used for cleaning drains, while lemon and vinegar are great from removing limescale.

Avoid pesticides

Pesticides are formulated to be deadly to insects, rodents, weed, and fungus, but some of them are potent enough to be harmful to other living organisms, such as pets and their owners. Instead of spraying pesticides, try to find alternative ways of pest control, such as using natural grade diatomaceousearth for getting rid of bugs, pulling weeds by hand, or using mulch, and using covers to keep flying insects at bay. Recently, the use of beneficial nematodes, microscopic parasites, has been reported highly successful in garden bug control.

Remove contaminants professionally

Building sites, repurposed lots, and heavily cultivated soil sometimes contain contaminants that seem impossible to remove by their owners. Derelict homes are especially challenging as contaminants, such as asbestos, are often difficult to isolate from demolition debris and recyclable waste. Before you give up on the location, give these experienced demolition contractors a call. With more than 20 years of experience in providing remedial services, they can make your site clean and legally compliant again.

Check the laundry detergents

Many household laundry detergents contain ingredients that have nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) as by-products.These organic compounds are identified as one of the major threats to marine life. NPEs have been discovered to mimic hormone strings and disrupt the endocrine system in sea organism. They don’t decompose naturally, and in reaction with sewage bacteria, become even more toxic. Fortunately, companies such as Cintas and P&G offer many NPE-free detergent brands.

Be careful with motor oil

Almost all car fluids, from antifreeze and AC coolant fluid to motor oil and petrol, can be extremely dangerous if disposed of irresponsibly. Motor oil and antifreeze contain heavy metals such as lead and cadmium that can be potentially very hazardous, contaminating water supplies and poisoning aquatic organisms. Instead of contributing to the pollution, contact your local environmental agency or sanitation department and inquire about available disposal and recycling procedures for automotive liquids.

Recycle power-saving bulbs

Although LED bulbs have become a standard for energy-efficient lighting, there are still many compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) being sold and installed. Although the amounts of mercury used in those bulbs have been reduced due to more stringent laws, more than 670 million mercury-vapour light bulbs are thrown out only in the US every year. Most of them end up in a landfill or being incinerated, despite environmental expert’s warnings that recycling is the only sustainable way of disposing of mercury products.

Our homes often contain corrosive, flammable, chemically unstable, or toxic chemicals. Found in cleaning products, automotive fluids, and even the light bulbs, these materials shouldn't be disposed of with regular waste. Apart from recycling and using local safe disposal programmes, the only way to limit exposure and adverse environmental impact of those chemicals is to reduce their use to a minimum.

Guest Contributors, Lillian Connors

5 Home Improvements to Boost Water Efficiency

5 Home Improvements to Boost Water Efficiency

It's all too easy to forget that freshwater is a finite resource. With the convenience of public utilities, water conservation isn't a top concern in the United States. Even so, it's one of the most pressing issues of the 21st century, especially when you consider the EPA's findings.

The average family can waste as much as 180 gallons of water each week from household leaks. These leaks account for approximately 900 billion gallons of water waste across the nation each year. As context, that's equivalent to the annual household water usage of 11 million homes.

Clearly, the subject of water conservation demands attention. If the average family is losing that much from leaks alone, how extensive is the problem? More than that, what can you do to alleviate pressure on the country's water resources and participate in conservation efforts?

Here are five home improvements that can increase water efficiency.

1. Rainwater Collection Systems

The strategic placement of special barrels on your property can capture rainwater and reduce your water usage. Many towns and cities distribute these barrels to residents during annual sales, so check if your area participates. You can also purchase them from online retailers and home and garden supply stores.

However, it's essential to note that rainwater can pick up pollutants as it runs over the surface of your roof. If you're thinking about using rain barrel water on edible plantings, you should research the subject in greater detail and take the proper precautions. It's an essential preliminary measure.

2. High-Efficiency Sprinklers

Many sprinkler systems consume far more water than necessary to maintain your lawn and garden. When the water pressure is too high, the system will mist the air instead of providing a proper flow to soak the ground. As the mist evaporates, your plants receive less nourishment and your water efficiency plummets.

Fortunately, a high-efficiency sprinkler system is a simple improvement with both economic and environmental benefits. Certain systems with pressure-regulating stem heads can save up to 45,000 gallons of water per year. That's the equivalent of flushing your toilet 63 times each day, every day for one year.

3. Low-Flow Bathroom Fixtures

According to the EPA, the average person uses at least 20% less water with efficient fixtures and appliances. Since showers and toilets are the two biggest sources of consumption, your bathroom is one of the best places to start. A variety of low-flow products are available today.

More specifically, low-flow faucets, shower heads and toilets can make a dramatic difference in your water usage. When searching for products, remember that a toilet should use less than 1.6 gallons of water per flush, and a shower head should have a flow rate under 2.5 gallons per minute.

4. Automatic Shower Timers

On the subject of bathroom renovations, shower timers are effective in regulating a homeowner's water usage. You simply install the device in your shower, and it monitors your consumption. If you're taking too long, it alerts you and automatically shuts the water off to let you know it's time to get out.

Of course, not everyone likes the idea of a shower timer. When you come back from an exhausting day at work, you might want to take a long shower before you call it a night. While this is fair, a timer will let you know when enough is enough, even when you're reluctant to admit it.

5. Upgraded Dishwashers

Your dishwasher makes your life easier, taking care of dirty plates and silverware without the time-consuming task of hand-washing. While this isn't necessarily bad for water consumption, the model of your dishwater definitely matters. If you have an older dishwasher, it can use as much as 10 gallons per cycle.

An investment in a newer dishwasher can reduce your consumption by almost half. Modern machines require an average of 5.8 gallons per cycle, which make them an excellent option for water efficiency. That said, you don't always have to upgrade your appliance if you clean and repair your current washer.

Start Planning Your Changes Today

As you assess the water efficiency in your home, consider some of the suggestions above. Any of the five improvements on this list can help you minimize your impact and make a big difference to our planet.

Holly Welles is a home improvement writer who believes anyone can make the most of their space. You can find more of her work on her blog, The Estate Update.

Guest Contributor, Holly Welles

How to Get Bali Bathroom Furniture Shipped To Your Door

How to Get Bali Bathroom Furniture Shipped to Your Door

No one purposely lets their home fall out of style, but it is bound to happen to even the best of us. Life takes over, and more important things occupy the mind. As much as you may love design, chances are at least a few rooms of your home could use some attention.

If you think this is where you are at, maybe it is time to consider a remodel. If you keep up on current trends and place an emphasis on aesthetics, you have no doubt noticed the rise in popularity of Bali bathroom furniture.  

Just take a look at any design blog and you will see Bali influences everywhere. There is no question for those with objectively good taste—the elements present in Bali furniture design are like a breath of fresh air.

Whether it is because everyone is pining for a little piece of island life, or simply because this decor is highly modern, it is clear that this trend is sticking around for a while. In a time inundated with a great deal of maximalism, these fixtures offer a kind of reprieve from clashing patterns and color.

Picture vanities without fixtures, softly rounded bathtubs and sinks, light colored wood—these elements are all common in the Bali furniture trend.

These sleek designs prominently feature clean lines and smooth curves, sometimes accented by wood or stone, without anything extra or ornamental. Metal is not often featured in this style.

Bali furniture in the bathroom inspires a sense of calm and relaxation, so it’s no wonder why anyone planning a bathroom remodel right now is likely on the hunt for this kind of fixture—but how?

Bali is not exactly centrally located, but there are still ways to get authentic forms of this furniture shipped directly to your door, and it is not as difficult (or expensive) as you might imagine.

Here are a few simple steps you can take in order to achieve the goal of decorating your bathroom with Bali furniture.

●       Plan a design

Obviously, the first step in achieving your new, Bali inspired bathroom is to create a design plan, but this first step is actually three-pronged: you will need to choose a design, set a comfortable budget, and speak with a remodeler.

Take a look at some inspiration boards, and get an idea of how your bathroom would look in a perfect world post-remodel.

Sites like Houzz are aimed at helping homeowners find design ideas that resonate with them, and many reputable businesses will have accounts you can browse on the site.

Next, figure out a price point at which you are comfortable for this remodel. It is important to have a figure in mind, and to stay realistic about what that amount will buy you.

Finally, speak with a pro about how much of your vision is physically possible. You might love a waterfall shower, double sinks atop an expansive counter top, perfect soft lighting, but it may not all be achievable.

Bear in mind that no one is a miracle worker, and sometimes considerations like space and budget will get in the way of your ideal design, but a good remodeler will do their best to offer comparable alternatives if something is not possible.

Once you have a better grasp on what can be achieved, you will be able to confidently pick out what types of furniture and fixtures will be appropriate for your new, updated space.

●       Pick out your furniture

If you have already done the design leg work, sift through your inspiration pictures for ones that align with the plan you have discussed with your remodeler.

Make sure you have considered aspects like color palette and placement within your bathroom (including measuring the space) otherwise you may miss something that will impact the overall aesthetic.

Whether you are on the hunt for a new counter top, a pedestal sink, or just some shelving, you are sure to find plenty of beautiful options available for purchase, but which pieces you go with will depend on several factors.

These factors include things like cost and material, but perhaps the most important of these is authenticity. Is it important to you that your Bali bathroom furniture is actually made in Bali, and not just in that style?

If so, you will have a few more steps to complete before your furniture arrives.

●       Work with the creator

Assuming you choose to go with a Balinese creator, they may or may not have a preferred shipping provider available for you to use.

Even if the creator does have a preferred shipping provider, it may be in your best interest to explore your options, as there may be a more cost effective or convenient one for your location.

Talk with the creator of the furniture you have chosen about their flexibility on this point and how much they are willing to assist your efforts, then work on researching options.

●       Find a shipping company

This piece of the process will entail finding a reputable company who offers freight shipping. Make sure that they have the necessary capabilities to perform this kind of long-distance shipping.

Once you have found a company, request a quote so you know how much shipping your furniture will cost you. Legitimate companies should offer you a quote without requiring anything from you in return.

From here, you can set up coordination between the creator and the shipper, or facilitate the coordination yourself.

Whichever direction you decide to go, the most important factor of this step is choosing a shipper you can trust so that you do not experience undue anxiety waiting for the furniture to arrive.

After you have completed all of these steps, the only thing left for you to do is sit back and leave the rest to the professionals. Before you know it, your Bali bathroom furniture will arrive and your remodeler will bring your vision to life.

In just a few simple steps you can have high quality furniture shipped from across the world to your doorstep, and enjoy a wholly transformed bathroom.

If a more calming, tranquil room is what you are after, do not wait to start this process. Take your time researching designs and remodelers so that you can rest assured you will be pleased with the outcome.

Guest Contributor, Tom Masters