Home Decor Ideas

There’s a lot of information out there on how to make your home more energy efficient. While it’s all meant to be helpful, some of the advice is not the most practical. Not all of us can afford to install solar panels or to buy all new appliances. With that in mind, we’ve brought you a few budget-friendly ways to save on energy. Read on to learn how to start lowering your utility bills.

An energy audit will take stock of your home’s strengths and weaknesses. Image: tommaso79/Shutterstock

Get an energy audit

If you’re unsure of where to start with making your home more energy efficient, having an energy audit done is a great first step. Also known as an energy assessment, these audits are designed to take stock of how much energy your home is currently using, to identify problem areas where energy might be being wasted and to offer suggestions on how to solve those issues.

As for how to get an auditor out to your home, calling your electric or gas utility company may be your best bet. There’s a good chance they’ll either conduct assessments themselves or be able to recommend local auditors. However, if not, the Residential Energy Services Network offers a search directory for qualified professionals. Just remember to always do your research before hiring any service provider to come into your home.

Insulating your attic will help keep cool air where it belongs. Image: Arturs Budkevics/Shutterstock

Insulate your attic

Your attic isn’t just a place to store your excess belongings. It’s also one of the places in your home that’s most likely to let cool air out. This, in turn, causes your HVAC systems to have to work harder, using more energy overall. However, by adding some extra insulation, you can go a long way towards keeping your temperature-controlled air where it belongs.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, you can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs — and an average of 11% on total energy costs — by taking the time to properly insulate your home. Here, they especially recommend insulating attics, crawl spaces and floors.

Fixing drafty doors and windows will keep you more comfortable indoors and help you save big. Image: Ray B Stone/Shutterstock

Seal drafty doors and windows

In addition to insulating the attic, you can also take care of any drafty doors and windows that might be allowing cool air to escape your home. While an energy auditor will be able to identify these “cold spots” during your assessment, you can DIY this task just by paying attention to where you can feel drafts coming through on windy days.

As far as how to do the sealing, this is definitely one home maintenance task where you won’t need to call in a professional. Adhesive sealing strips are sold at nearly every home improvement store. Once you have the strips in hand, it’s simply a matter of measuring the area you need to seal, cutting the strip to size and applying it securely.

Change out your light bulbs for newer, energy-efficient varieties. Image: New Africa/Shutterstock

Change your light bulbs

If you can’t afford to splurge on a new energy-efficient appliance package or to upgrade to solar panels, replacing the light bulbs in your home is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to make a difference in your energy usage. This move can help you save around 5% on your total energy bills.

In terms of which lighting options offer the biggest savings, you have three choices:

• Halogen incandescents: Halogen incandescents are popular bulbs because they come in a wide range of shapes and colors. In addition, they tend to work well with dimmer switches. However, while they do meet the minimum energy-efficiency standard, they are not the most efficient option that’s currently available on the market.
• Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs): CFLs are where you really start to see energy savings. These bulbs use about one-fourth the energy of traditional incandescent options. They also are said to last up to ten times as long. While these bulbs did not offer a lot of variety when they first came out, they are starting to become available in more shades and colors.
• Light emitting diodes (LEDs): Though LED lights have been traditionally used in outdoor applications, they are becoming more commonplace in indoor settings. LEDs use only 20% to 25% of the energy and last 15 to 25 times longer than the traditional incandescent bulbs they replace. They also use 25% to 30% of the energy and last 8 to 25 times longer than halogen incandescents.

Plugged-in electronics like coffee makers can use up a lot of unnecessary energy. Image: rawf8/Shutterstock

Unplug energy vampires

This last tip is more of an ongoing effort than a one-time task. Though it may be convenient to leave electronics plugged in even when you’re not using them, the reality is that unless they are certified as energy-saving, they are likely wasting energy. Directenergy.com estimates that you can save $100 to $200 per year simply by unplugging these devices when they’re not in use.

The post 5 Inexpensive Ways To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient This Summer appeared first on Freshome.com.

In the U.S., fire departments respond to one fire every 88 seconds, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Cooking is the most common cause of home fires and smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths. But there are many other ways that you could inadvertently start a fire. These are some of the hidden fire sources in your home.

Don’t store batteries near metal. Image: Mariva2017/Shutterstock

Batteries

All batteries pose a fire risk, even those with a weak charge, according to Craig Gjelsten, VP of Operations at Rainbow International, which restores damage caused by fire, water and mold. Gjelsten says that 9-volt batteries are the biggest fire culprit. Since their terminals are in close proximity, they can easily short. “I recommend a battery storage case or just leave batteries in their original packaging instead of lying around loose.”

Gjelsten also recommends storing batteries standing upright and placing electrical tape over the ends of each battery — regardless of the battery type. Other tips include not storing batteries in metal containers or placing them near keys, steel wool or other metal objects. “Also, be sure to store 9-volt batteries separately,” Gjelsten says.

Check for dust bunnies around sockets. Image: NothingisEverything/Shutterstock

Damaged electrical equipment and dust bunnies

If your electrical equipment is damaged, it can easily overheat and result in a fire, according to Tom Wallace, a Certified Master Inspector at Home Check Inspections in Riverview, FL. “It is important to regularly inspect the electrical equipment in your home for damaged or frayed cords and plugs,” Wallace advises.

You may be thinking that you’d know if you had damaged or frayed cords and plugs. But that’s not necessarily the case. “Power or extension cords hidden behind a bed or table that are repeatedly knocked against can become worn out,” explains Bill Timmons, Marketing Manager of Residential Products at Legrand. He also warns against walking over cords — for example, under carpets or on your hardwood floors — since this can also result in damage.

And don’t forget the dreaded dust bunnies. When they form around electronics, sockets and heaters, Gjelsten says they can ignite and start a fire. “Regularly vacuum dust near outlets, wires and appliances, including crevices and areas behind furniture,” he says.

Turn off your coffee maker when it’s not being used. Image: John Kasawa/Shutterstock

Coffee makers

“Your coffee pot could overheat and start a fire,” says Battalion Chief Raymond Williams of the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department in Birmingham, AL. He says coffee pots with plastic components can get too hot if you forget to turn them off. Although most coffee pots with digital clocks have an automatic two-hour shut off, that’s still plenty of time for them to overheat. Also, several years ago, Kenmore recalled 145,000 coffee makers due to faulty wiring. So, to be on the safe side, don’t leave your coffee maker unattended and manually turn it off when you’re not using it.

Use care with flammable liquids. Image: Elder von Rabenstein/Shutterstock

Flammable liquids

It’s probably no surprise that gasoline or kerosene can inadvertently start a fire. “These flammable items should be stored away from heat sources in appropriate containers,“ says Wallace. “The containers should be labeled and easily identifiable.”

However, there are other flammable liquids that can also start a fire. For example, a woman in Texas opened a bottle of nail polish remover and left it near a candle in an unventilated room. The bottle ignited and she suffered third-degree burns.

Keep laptops off of soft surfaces. Image: Twin Design/Shutterstock

Laptops

If you’ve ever held your laptop in your lap for an extended period of time, you know it can get very hot. However, you might not have known that it can actually catch on fire. “Laptops can get pretty hot during normal operation. When placed on a blanket or similar surface, the batteries can overheat and cause a house fire,” Gjelsten says. He warns against leaving your laptop on any type of soft surface. If you don’t have a home office or desk, consider using a laptop stand.

Use the proper wattage for your light fixture. Image: Darin Echelberger/Shutterstock

Light bulbs

Are you familiar with the term “overlamping”? It occurs when the light bulb wattage is too high for the lamp, and Gjelsten warns that overlamping can start a home fire. For example, if you use a 75-watt bulb in a 40-watt lamp, you’re overlamping.

“If the fixture is unmarked, stay under 60 watts to be safe,” Gjelsten says. He also advises caution with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). “Avoid using CFLs when the base of the bulb is enclosed by the fixture, such as with track and recessed lighting,” he says. “If your CFLs are burning out early and they’re brown at the base when removed, the bulbs are overheating.” Gjelsten recommends a cooler option, like LED.

Perform preventive maintenance on your dryer. Image: Good moments/Shutterstock

Dryer vents

While you’re sprucing up your laundry room, don’t forget to clean your dryer vent on a regular basis. You should empty the dryer lint screen before every load, according to Dave Lavalle, Founder of Dryer Vent Wizard. “While the dryer vent and duct system carries the air and lint outdoors, some of it gets trapped in the lint screen,” he explains. And since lint is very combustible, he says the screen should be emptied before every load. “Also, on a quarterly basis, clean the lint screen in soapy water,” he adds. That’s because detergent, fabric softener and other materials can build up and create a transparent film.

In addition, you need to check the vent cover on the home’s exterior to ensure that there’s no mulch or bird/rodent nesting materials. “Lastly, check the flexible tube-shaped transition duct that connects the dryer and the duct,” Lavelle says. Every other month, he recommends checking behind the dryer to ensure the transition duct hasn’t been crushed or broken.

Don’t let paper pile up. Image: Nongnuch L/Shutterstock

Other hidden fire sources

Gjelsten also warns that if you leave stacks of newspapers and magazines too close to a heat source, they can ignite. “And if you use heating blankets and pads, do not place the cord between the mattress and box spring,” he adds. Gjelsten also advises against using these heating items on anything but the lowest setting.

“Also, throwing that unused bag of charcoal in the closest storage closet is never a good idea.” He says that damp coal can ignite and start a serious fire. Instead, Gjelsten recommends storing the bag in a metal pail or garbage can with a tightly closed lid.

The post Hidden Fire Dangers in Your Home appeared first on Freshome.com.

Onyx comes in varying degrees of patterns and a rainbow of stunning colors. Many of the most popular onyx colors — like jade, mint, light pink and warm tan — work well with today’s on-trend colors.

Dusty pastels and earth tones are the hottest colors at the moment and the warm tones of onyx stone tie in with the look. Image: Philipp Shuruev/Shutterstock

An interesting quality of onyx is its lack of opacity. Onyx is more translucent than marble, making it a great stone for lighting or for creative purposes like a backlit wall or surface that casts a glow and enhances the stone’s patterns.

A panel of onyx was backlit to cast a glow and display the intricacies of the stone. Image: T_A_P/Getty Images

Considering onyx vs. marble? Here are some onyx decorating ideas that can help you incorporate onyx in your next home design. We even have some onyx home accents in stores now that you can add to your space to bring some unique texture to your room.

Pastel Onyx Decorating Ideas

You’ll find onyx in pinks, lavenders, tangerine, pale blues and celadon-like greens.

An onyx wall adds texture and high luxury to a room. If you’re on a budget or renting, consider onyx-patterned wallpaper instead. Image: Philipp Shuruev/Getty Images

The cool, smooth surface makes a great table or counter. Just remember to give it the same care you’d give marble since both stain easily. Image: Philipp Shuruev/Getty Images

A dramatic pink onyx bathroom gives this large space a modern yet art deco flavor. Image: snorkulencija/Shutterstock

Warm-Toned Onyx vs. Marble

If you find marble a little cold in hue, the classic earthy shades of onyx may be a refreshing option, especially when paired with crisp white or greys.

Onyx may be a better choice for a bathroom or kitchen if your space feels too flat or cold. Image: tulcarion/Getty Images

Your powder room may be small but can be dramatic. This one features onyx mosaic tiles, countertop and a vessel sink. Image: T_A_P/Getty Images

Gold is one of the most popular tones of onyx and works with nearly any home design style. Image: Corinne Labastrous/Shutterstock

Neutral Onyx Colors

If you’re looking to add texture without the warm tones, you’ll find onyx patterns featuring black, cool beige and pale greys.

This bathtub backsplash is understated and neutral, but still interesting, thanks to the onyx tile’s veining. Image: Food Travel Stockforlife/Shutterstock

For a dramatic effect, try adding some black onyx to a room. The white veining is high contrast and looks like a piece of art. Image: Philipp Shuruev/Getty Images

How’s this for a dramatic dining room setting? Image: Philipp Shuruev/Getty Images

A grey onyx bathroom looks contemporary and unique. Image: Vadim Ovchinnikov/Shutterstock

Onyx home accents in stores now:

The post Onyx Is The New Marble And Here’s Why appeared first on Freshome.com.

White is a classic go-to for any room. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

White Monochrome in Home Office Color Schemes

If you want your office to look modern, you can’t go wrong with a white monochrome color scheme, like in the photo above. White monochrome color schemes give an open feeling of airiness, making them work well in home offices. Since you might be spending so much time in there, the last thing you want is for the space to feel cramped after a while.

And because white opens up a space visually, it’s also a solid choice for small space home offices. Also, white has a clean look that tends to not go out of style. If you want something basic and clean, white might just be your choice in home office color schemes.

The neutrals in rich woods match other neutral elements in the space. Image: pics721/Shutterstock

Rich Wood Neutrals

Another option is rich wood and other neutral shades in home office color schemes. You can see in the photo above how rich wood gives a feeling of luxury. If you want one of those home offices that looks like an executive suite, consider going with wood textures in the flooring, paneling and furniture.

The photo above also shows how well rich woods combine with other neutral tones in the carpet and furniture. Wood layers well with rich visual textures, as you can see in the floor rug and chair off to the right. Also, small accents like the wrought iron lamp and wall sconces add classic appeal.

Blue really does go with anything, including this home office space. Image: Artazum/Shutterstock

Blue and Neutrals

Yet another idea for home office color schemes is to combine neutrals and blue shades. You can see in the photo above how doing so creates a transitional home office, meaning it isn’t likely to go out of style. Stark black cabinetry creates a modern appeal against the open white walls and ceiling.

The blue shades help round out the space by giving it some color. However, it’s a muted gray-blue, so it doesn’t overwhelm the space. It also shows that blue can go with anything. In this case, you might notice how the blue shade fits with the textured carpet and rich wood piece in the center of the room.

Get a classy, colorful look by combining bright neutrals with bold colors. Image: Africa Studio/Shutterstock

Bright and Colorful

If you enjoy plenty of color in a space, you can achieve that without looking like your office is a child’s bedroom. You can see in the photo above how bright colors combine with a white neutral backdrop. The colors pop all the more, while the white adds a modern appeal.

The photo above also shows how you can incorporate color into a home office in easy ways. You simply need to add some bright pieces to some open shelving, like the picture frame, file box, binders and cactus pot. You basically create one of the monochrome home office color schemes, then layer on colorful objects spread throughout the office.

Get a burgundy shade in a home office by choosing an accent wall. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Deep Red

There’s something about a deep burgundy that just screams home office or study. You see the shade in classic libraries often, so that might create the shade’s connection with spaces where you’re ready to focus. It’s both bold and grounded, so it adds a nice sense of balance to a space. There’s little to hate about burgundy in home office color schemes.

The photo above shows how easy it is to incorporate this shade into a home office. A simple accent wall with the shade can define the whole space. Combining burgundy with neutrals like white and black shades keeps other elements from competing with the accent wall. A nice touch is the added pink rug, chair and curtain, which complement the red wall without overpowering it.

The post 5 Ideas for Home Office Color Schemes appeared first on Freshome.com.

The transitional bathroom is the most popular bathroom design style, according to the 2019 Bathroom Design Trends report by the National Kitchen + Bath Association. And according to trend spotter Elle H-Millard, Industry Relations Manager at the NKBA (and also a cast member on season 2 of HGTV’s Design Star), the transitional style is projected to remain the most popular style for the next three years.

But what is a transitional bathroom and how can you get the transitional look?

Easily accessible spaces are a trademark of transitional design. Image: Dit26978/Getty Images

A mix of two styles

A transitional bathroom can have several meanings, according to Joan Kaufman, Licensed Interior Designer and President of Interior Planning & Design in Naperville, IL. “Most commonly, transitional refers to the style that is between traditional and contemporary,” she says. “The style would be more clean lines, yet not overly contemporary, with a warm, comfortable feeling that is not too cold or sleek.”

Easily accessible spaces are a trademark of transitional design. Image: deliormanli/Getty Images

Easy access

However, Kaufman says a transitional bathroom can also refer to a design that allows homeowners to age in place. “This means accommodations are made to the bathroom to increase safety and provide supports without being completely ADA.” For example, she says grab bars are added to the shower area and close to the bathtub. She adds that these bathrooms may include handheld spray showerheads “with the valve controls at a lower height. And the tub would have a lower profile to aid entry/exiting.”

In some designs, homeowners remove the tub and replace it with a shower that includes handheld sprays and a bench seat. “Mirrors and other fixtures will be mounted low enough to be viewed from a seated position and/or wheelchair,” Kaufman says. Another popular feature is under-toe kick lighting. “Having toe-kick lighting on a motion sensor is an added benefit,” Kaufman explains.

Showers may hold two (or more) people. Image courtesy of Case Design and Remodeling Charlotte.

Stylish safety

However, this is not your grandparent’s bathroom. “A transitional bathroom is both attractive and safe and can make your life comfortable, regardless of your age or physical ability,” according to Chelsea Allard, VP of Design at Case Design/Remodeling in Charlotte, NC. For example, she says those grab bars are decorative and can coordinate with your faucet suite. “Not only can they prevent a dangerous fall, but they can also be used as towel bars,” Allard says.

Likewise, those bench seats and handheld showers can also serve a dual purpose. “Benches can act as a foot prop for shaving your legs as well as being a seat if you are unable to stand due to an injury,” Allard explains. And those handheld showers are convenient if you need to bathe while seated, but she says they also make it easier to clean the shower or wash your dog.

“Comfort-height toilets are easier on the knees — but they are also great for tall users. And single handle or touch-activated faucets are great for people with arthritis or for people who just want a more convenient experience,” Allard says. Touch-activated faucets are just one of the 2019 bathroom technology trends being incorporated in transitional design.

Chandeliers and sconces add a touch of elegance. Images courtesy of Dawn Totty Designs.

Uber stylish

Another reason transitional bathrooms are so popular is the sheer beauty of the design. Bathrooms today are transitioning from a place of basic necessities to a space of luxury, according to Interior Designer Dawn Totty of Dawn Totty Designs in Chattanooga, TN.

“With today’s fast-paced lifestyle, designers and homeowners are implementing luxurious features such as chandeliers, saunas, free-standing tubs, beautifully papered walls and heated floors,” Totty explains. “It’s a spa-like place that they can escape to, but without the inconvenience and expense.”

Wood grain cabinets and floating shelves add natural warmth. Image: in4mal/Getty Images

Storage and workspace

H-Millard notes that the cabinets and vanity in transitional bathrooms are quite distinctive. “We’re talking free-standing, built-in or floating styles, with recessed panel facing and plenty of drawers,” she says. This bathroom style commonly uses wood grain, painted wood and mixed materials with decorative hardware.

The GRAFF Incanto Rose Gold Faucet. Image courtesy of GRAFF.

Countertops, sinks and faucets

“In transitional bathrooms, countertops and sinks tend to be quartz, quartzite, granite or marble,” H-Millard says. White porcelain and cast iron are popular for sinks, and undermount sinks are a common staple.

Transitional bathrooms incorporate the latest faucet design trends. “Faucets can be motion, touch-control or manual and are typically nickel, chrome, stainless or rose gold,” H-Millard says. Popular finishes for transitional bathrooms include polished, matte, brushed and satin.

Safety doesn’t have to be boring, as you can see with the Trinsic Bath Collection. Image courtesy of Delta.

Flooring

Popular flooring options in transitional bathrooms include ceramic, porcelain or stone tile, according to H-Millard. Other options include luxury vinyl, ceramic wood or marble.

“Using matte-finish tile flooring is a great way to decrease the likelihood of slipping, without sacrificing style,” Allard adds. Durable flooring is particularly important when designing the perfect kids’ bathroom.

A bathroom painted in Valspar Fragile Blue. Image courtesy of Valspar.

Colors

Since color choices are important, transitional bathrooms have a light and relaxed feel: whites, grays, beiges, bones, blues – and also silvers. “One good choice for a transitional bathroom is Fragile Blue, which is crisp and clean,” explains Sue Kim, Color Marketing Manager at Valspar. “It is a sophisticated white with a tint of blue, and its freshness creates a luxurious, spa-like environment, creating a room you never want to leave.”

A bathroom in Valspar Gotham Gray. Image courtesy of Valspar.

Another option is Gotham Gray. “This color adds a dose of drama to your transitional bathroom space and brings carefully-selected fixed features to life with clean elegance,” Kim says. Just make sure you follow the 10 commandments of painting to achieve the desired result.

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