Benefits of Shopping Online Opposed to the Big Store

Anytime you want to purchase something, you may just jump in your car and head to the closest discount store to get the best price.  You think that this is the way to save the most money.  The problem with this is that while there are some savings, you may be giving up quality.  Also, there are other ways to shop to get a better price.  Shopping online can offer many benefits to the shopper as opposed to the big store discount chains.

  • Quality – Even if you save money, you can give up quality.  How much of a savings is there when the product breaks or is damaged because it was not made to withstand the test of time?  You end up having to buy the item again to replace the one that is no longer functional.  Instead, spend the same amount online and get a better product that does last much longer because the quality is better.

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Inexpensive Upgrades to Help Sell Your Home

inexpensive upgradesSelling your home can be difficult today because of the drop in sales in the housing market.  Homes are not being sold for the same price that they were purchased as housing costs are plummeting with the market.  There are some inexpensive upgrades that can be made to the home that can help it sell much quicker and for a better price than the market shows.  The following are some inexpensive tips to upgrading your home to help you sell it.

  1. Go Green – You can make your home more desirable by putting in some green and ecologically friendly aspects.  Switch out your existing lighting with low energy LED lighting or other more economical light types.  You can also plant some shade trees that offer a cooler home.  Install a downspout with a barrel to collect rainwater for watering the garden.  Low flow toilets and shower heads can also make the home more green and help it to sell much quicker.
  2. Kitchen Bring your kitchen up to date by changing some small parts of it.  The pulls and hinges on the cabinets and drawers can be changed out to something more modern that adds a nicer touch to it.  Replace the old sink hardware with new and see how quickly the look of the kitchen is updated.  If you have some DIY skills, you can always change the paint or the stain color of the cabinets to make them look fresher.
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Spruce Up Your Bathroom with Bathroom Accessories

bathroom accessoriesBathroom accessories can make all the difference in your home bathrooms. Whether it is a master bath that you will mainly be the only one using or a guest bathroom that is meant to help your guests feel comfortable and at home, there are accessories to suit every need and décor style.

Bathroom hardware and accessories can make all the difference in the overall appearance of the bathroom. They are also a great way to give your bathroom a mini makeover. If the bathroom is looking old and outdated, changing the hardware and accessories can make a world of difference, even if you are on a budget.

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Glass Bathroom Shelves Can Help Modernize Your Home

Glass bathroom shelvesThe bathroom is often one of the most neglected rooms in the home when it comes to decorating. Some homeowners are limited for space, making it difficult to make major changes. One of the best ways to add extra storage space in your bathroom and make it more modern at the same time is with glass bathroom shelves.

Glass bathroom shelves are beautifully designed. They can enhance any décor and add the extra space needed to make the bathroom more functional. Shelves can be placed most anywhere in your bathroom and they’re easy to install. Therefore, you can put them in yourself with a ruler and screwdriver or small drill. Just be sure and measure the distance before installing to make sure you place it in the right position.

Glass bathroom shelves come in a variety of sizes and designs making it easy to find something that suits your personal taste and needs. Some of them have corners while others are designed with rounded edges. Some are wide, others are narrow and there are many sizes in-between.

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Decorative Hardware Styles and Colors

Crystal Knobs
Crystal Knobs

Many people simply use the same hardware for their drawers that they use on their cabinets.  When the drawers are in the bedroom or dining room china cabinet, it is not common to switch out from the stock ones that come with them.  When redecorating, do not forget that you can create a new look by simply changing the decorative hardware styles to match the new décor.

If you are changing a child’s room to a more grown up look, when they transition from toddlers to school children, you may want to give the room a more grownup look that can easily transition to the teenage years.  For a boy’s room, you may want to choose the colors of blue and green.  The great news is that there are drawer pulls in many variations of these colors which are also made out of stone and other materials.  Use more feminine colors when decorating a girl’s room such as lilac or peach.

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Tips for Decorating with Switch Plates

Switch platesThere are many small changes that you can make within your home to enhance your decor and one great way to make a difference is by installing decorative switch plates. The switch plate was originally designed as a way to protect you and your family from the electrical wires within the walls. They still serve this very important function but they’re not all just plain and simple anymore.

Decorative switch plates come in a variety of styles and colors. For example, some of the finishes include antique bass, copper, flat black, satin pewter, marble, nickel plated and chrome but there are still other options available. They’re also available in many different designs from the simple to the extravagant. They come in a variety of prices but most all of them are very affordable making it possible for you to choose a designed that suits your needs and décor perfectly.

Some of these are plain while others have designs etched into the edges and some of them are themed orientated to make them more decorative. For example, you can buy switch plates designed for nurseries, children’s rooms or ones that are animal or sport themed. Some are designed especially for bathrooms and kitchens and some can be used anywhere. There are many options to choose from.

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End of Summer Home Improvement Projects

Cabinet Knobs and PullsAs summer is coming to an end, you begin to realize that your summer renovation and home improvement projects haven’t been finished or haven’t even been started. No need to worry, these quick and easy tips will make it seem as if you spent your whole summer remodeling.

 When it comes to a quick kitchen spruce up, I’m not looking to start replacing or painting cabinetry. The easiest way to make your kitchen look brand new is to start with the details. Updating details like hardware, lighting, accessories and your paint job will surely give your kitchen a face lift, while saving a buck!

1. Let’s see what you have to work with. Take a look at the elements of the space that can’t change. Typically these would be your countertops, cabinetry and appliances. See if you can notice a theme or design style that is already there. Look for details in the shapes and colors of your space. Since we are not going to be changing these elements, we need to make everything work as cohesively as possible. Do you have knotted, rustic cabinets; reminiscent of an old world villa? Do you have sleek modern countertops with a bold color screaming contemporary bistro? The bones of your kitchen are there, it’s up to you to decide what to dress it up with.

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Complete Cabinet Resurfacing with Cabinet Hardware

<a href="http://www you can look here.myknobs.com/ssempire.html”>Cabinet HardwareIf you have spent time and money in choosing the cabinets in your home, or if  you are looking to renovate or redesign the cabinets in your home, then you may already know that cabinet resurfacing is a great way to do this and save money while you’re at it. However, there is one aspect of cabinet resurfacing that sometimes goes overlooked. The cabinet hardware is a vital part of the renovation that is sometimes not given the proper attention.

Cabinet hardware has an important function of allowing the cabinet drawers and doors to be easily opened and closed. However, there is also an aesthetic appeal to cabinet hardware. People choose the hardware in order to match the existing décor of the room or to help to create a new design of décor in the space.

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Choosing Antique Style Door Knobs – What to Look For

Antique Door KnobsOne small way for you to change the decor in your home in a dramatic way is by using antique door knobs. This may seem too simple to make a difference but even little things stand out in a big way. When you change the interior door knobs throughout your home, you’ll notice a difference right away. They’ll stand out and make a statement especially when you choose antique style door knobs.

The antique knobs are also a great choice for anyone renovating a home and going for a classic or antiqued look. Instead of changing out entire doors, you can switch out the knobs and create a completely unique appearance.

In order to get the right look and make a real difference, you need to know what to look for when choosing antique door knobs. There are three main types to choose from which are the crystal, the glass and the brass door knobs and each of these are discussed below.

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How to Install Exterior Handle Sets on a New Door

Exterior Handle SetsExterior handle sets can dress up your home and add security from intruders. They’re available in a number of different styles and finishes to go perfectly with your personal style and existing décor. You can have handle sets installed professionally but you can also do it yourself. When installing a handle set onto a new door you’ll need to cut out the holes where the hardware will be installed. It’s important to get the measurements exact or it will not close properly and it can be annoying if the handles are too low or too high.

Basic instructions on how to install exterior handle sets on a new door:

  • The first step is to gather up all of your tools. You’ll need a screwdriver, tape measure, chisel, square, marker, drill, coarse file and a round saw drill bit for cutting holes.
  • Support the door on its side and secure it in place. You don’t want the door moving around while you’re trying to drill holes.
  • The average door is eighty inches high and the handle set is placed forty-six inches from the top and thirty-six inches from the bottom. This places the handle where it’s convenient for the average size person to use. It can be adjusted according to your personal preference.
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