There are many different things that can be done with closets. From creating the walk-in closet of your dreams to designing a top-notch pantry that offers select spots for all of your non-perishables, simply using the right design tricks will help you to makeover your closet quickly, easily and all for an affordable price. These cheap closet makeover designs will provide you with some excellent ideas that may serve as inspiration and that you can get started on right away with some spare time and affordable materials. 
  1. Master Closet Shelving - If you have a large walk-in master closet, there's no better way to make use of the space than by installing shelving. Perhaps you're not interested in hanging up every piece of apparel that you own or maybe you'd like to create a separate rack for purses or shoes. Install high shelves and then place a low dresser on the bottom of the closet for a sleek and chic look that gives you tons of storage space in this large area of your master bedroom. 
  2. Curtain Closet Doors - Brighten up your entire bedroom and create a brand new look for your closet by removing the current closet doors and replacing them with curtains. Pick a curtain design that pops or blends in with the current decor in your room. This is ideal for small closets and nurseries. Simply slide the curtains open to reveal the clothing that is hung behind them. This is such a simple and affordable makeover idea. 
  3. Box Storage - Closets are great for hanging up shirts and pants, but perhaps you have smaller items that you simply do not know what to do with. Invest in some cheap yet chic boxes that can be placed on your closet shelves and used for storage. These boxes will add a pop of color and create a whole new organized look within your closet. 
  4. Pursery - A pursery is the perfect option that all women should have in their closets. Simply install some square shelves to create as many different "boxes" as you need to hold your purses. Place one purse on each shelf to display your purses and to make them easier to find when changing up your daily looks. 
  5. Closet Wall Space - If you have extra space on your closet walls, take advantage of the space by installing wall hooks that can be used to hang ties, jewelry and hair accessories.
Hayley is a freelance blogger. She recommends high quality painters in Chapel Hill for superior house painting.

Utility bills increase each year. However, these bills can be reduced with three easy changes. Insulation, appliances, heating and cooling systems can drain the budget. By making a few changes in these areas, the utility consumption will decrease.

Proper Insulation

The amount of insulation in a home will determine how comfortable a home feels. Poor insulation can allow heat or cool air to escape the home making it more costly to keep comfortable. Insulation can be added to the attics easily to keep the heat or cool air inside the rooms where it is needed. In addition, sealing up any cracks will decrease the air from exiting the home.

Solar Energy

Switch to solar energy to operate the appliances and electrical systems in the home since the home appliances use a great amount of electricity. In addition, the solar energy allows an individual to take advantage of a cleaner solution to lower his or her utility bills. A solar electric system can provide power to all of the home’s electrical items, and dramatically reduce the cost of electricity being used. A solar system will produce the most electricity during the day when the utility rates are the highest making it an effective way to reduce utility cost.

Programmable Thermostat

Almost half of the energy used in the home comes from the heating and cooling system. The units need to be inspected annually to establish a more efficient way to regulate the temperature in the home. A programmable thermostat can help to regulate the temperature more effectively. Setting the temperature at a set amount can keep the operating cost down as well. In addition, the ductwork under the home should be checked regularly to ensure that there are no holes. Bad ductwork can cause an electrical bill to increase since the system will have to work harder to heat or cool the home.
By making small changes in the home, an individual can stop paying too much for utilities. For instance, changing the regular light bulbs to energy efficient light bulbs can reduce the amount of electricity being used. Keeping the refrigerator and freezer full will help it to stay cool and use less energy. In addition, energy efficient appliances can reduce the cost of electricity used. A budget can benefit from taking advantage of these changes in the home. Insulating an attic, installing a solar power system and regulating the usage of electricity can all make a positive difference in utility cost.
Author Bio: Annette Hazard is a blogs about home and environmental matters. She is promoting Vivint and also uses Vivint to protect her home and family. In her free time she is an avid cyclist.
Many parents face the same challenge – how to create a stylish space with the focus on the comfort and safety of the kids? With a little planning and a lot of creativity, it is possible to create kid’s spaces that focus on functionality without sacrificing style. The secret to achieve this goal is to pay attention to the right questions.

Where would your son or daughter sleep? - The bed is the most important purchase for your child’s room. You may pick a specific bed and create the room’s theme around it or decide a theme and find a bed that suits the décor.

Do not choose a very small bed, as your child would soon outgrow it. Do not choose a very large bed either, as your kid may feel uncomfortable in the expanse. Choose something that would be suitable through his/her teen years. You can upgrade the bed once he/she is not a teenager anymore. 
 



Here is a style that looks good in a boy’s as well as a girl’s room with the right accessories!

Opt for a style that would be appropriate even after your child grows from a toddler into a teenager. An ornate bed frame with a pink canopy may feel great for your little princess; however, she will grow weary of the theme within a year or two.

A solution to the design dilemma – opt for an ornate bed frame in a simple white or black. Find changeable accessories to create the look you want. Dress it up with frilly pillows and lace bedspreads when your princess is two years old; replace them with pastel shades or vibrant prints when she grows up.

Where would your son or daughter play and read? - It is important to leave as much floor as possible to give your child enough space to play. This makes a bunk bed a good idea for a child’s room. 
 


The next thing you need is a study desk (a good example of how to incorporate this in the décor is shown here). This is where your kid will do his/her homework, work on arts and crafts and play with board games and puzzles. If there is no built-in desk, you just need to pair a table with a comfortable chair to create the right space to study.

To make the study area a little more interesting, you may use a number of simple tricks. Here it is done with a punch of bright red! Another great idea is to pair a simple desk with a classic Knoll chair. Seems too expensive? Opt for an inspired piece instead.

Another area that is sure to be a favourite with your child is a reading nook. 
 


A cosy, little built-in daybed or bench next to the window is the best place where your kid can curl up with his/her favourite book, take a nap or just sit and daydream. Drawers under the bench, as in the picture, can provide extra storage.

Where would your son or daughter brush and wash? - If you have more than one child and adequate space in your home, you may design a separate bathroom only for them. A space designed especially for them is sure to make your kids feel more inclined to wash and brush regularly. A space like this is sure to be nice!

If you and your kids share a bathroom, make sure there are steps that help them reach the basin or tub. While your child may not like a neutral colour palette, you need not saturate the space with colours to make things attractive. All you need are dashes of brightness.

Where would your son or daughter keep his/her things? Clutter – the thing every parent dreads! Always keep in mind that your children cannot be as well-organised as you want them to be. However, there is a solution for your troubles; just incorporate the right storage spaces in the room and help your kids de-clutter. 
 



Smart design classics, like the one in the picture, can store his/her clothes and playthings. If you want a little more extra storage, add baskets under the dresser or trays above it to make it easier for your children to stay organized.

Eva Green is a professional writer. In this article she has given idea on kids life, in particular design classics. The author is solely responsible for the views and images provided in the article.
Making your home work for your hard earned dollars will result in a better return if you can make your home more energy-efficient. There are a number of ways to invest in your home to achieve this goal. A home will be energy-efficient when steps are taken to reduce energy usage

  • Usage Meters


This is a device that allows you to measure the electric usage of various devices in your home. You can find this tool on Amazon and other online sites. This device works like an adapter. One end will plug into the outlet on the wall and the power cord for the appliance will plug into the device. The display will show you the amount of electricity that all your appliances use. You can keep a list of all electronic devices that are in your home.

  • Light Bulbs


Replacing traditional incandescent bulbs with CFL bulbs is an easy way to make your home work better for you when using electricity. You can now use a CFL bulb in a lamp that has three stages or in a light that used a dimmer switch. CFL bulbs are not as hot and do not use as much energy as an incandescent bulb. The result is a decrease of energy that is used in your home.

  • Thermostat


Many homes have thermostats that can be programmed to set temperatures for various times of the day or night. However, a smart thermostat can be installed to work with an app for your smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device. The benefit of a smart thermostat is that it is able to detect when you are anyone else in is a room. A smart thermostat can turn off heating and cooling in your home when you are out of the house.

  • Solar Power


The addition of solar panels to your home allow you to collect energy from the sun. This is an expense that will give you solar power from infinite energy. You can even sell excess power back to your utility company. Also, check to see if you qualify for solar power rebates.

  • Windows


Money is well spent when replacing old windows in your home with ones that are energy efficient. Old windows are a cause of energy loss because they often leak air.

  • Insulation


The addition of insulation to an attic or crawl space will help to limit heat loss. Insulation will help you keep lower floors of your home warmer. This will translate into lower energy costs as your furnace will not need to run as often to maintain a set temperature.
The double-edged sword of living frugally is that when you save so much money on individual items, you are able to purchase more of what you want and need. Of course this is a good problem to have — who doesn’t want to be able to have things they love? But it does raise one problem: Where do you keep all your great scores? Here are some cheap and simple ways to keep all your favorites organized without hiding them away in the closet:

  1. Display wearable art – your clothes! Frugal fashionistas know that there is no such thing as enough closet space. The problem with keeping your wardrobe updated while hanging on to your favorite classic pieces is that eventually you will run out of space. So why not put those beautiful clothes out in the open? Hang a length of chain with holes that are large enough to slip hanger heads through from the ceiling for an unexpected and striking way to store your clothes out in the open. Mounting a plumbing pipe or storage rod to the walls is also a great option when you run out of space in your closet.

  1. Are you working with a tiny kitchen that is seriously lacking storage space? Why not get those beautiful spices and bulk ingredients out of the cupboards and out into the open? Large mason jars are inexpensive and make lovely storage containers for your kitchen counters, and can also double as water glasses or leftover containers in a pinch. If you are looking to get really frugal, simply reuse the glass containers from your pasta sauce or pickles. Simply soak these containers in hot soapy water or use a citrus-based solvent to remove the unsightly labels and glue residue.

  1. Stick your stuff in a high-class crate. Many of us have used free milk crates for storage at some point in our lives, and for good reason: you can stack them up, you can stick them on your bike, and most importantly, you can usually find them for free! But if you’re ready to graduate from the milk crate look, consider using wine crates instead. These lovely wooden crates are used to ship fine wines, and they are often just thrown away when they reach your local wine merchant. Once you’ve procured your wine crates, glue them together to make a shelf or mount them on the wall for practically free storage.

With a little ingenuity, you don’t need to have tons of storage space to keep your home organized! You’ll be surprised how much more your home feels like “you” when you put your style on display.

Guest Author’s Bio: Lisa is a guest blogger and organizing expert who helps families cut out clutter using smart strategies and storage units. When she is not filling her storage units in Colorado Springs and storage units in Virginia Beach with her frugal finds, she enjoys crafting and DIY projects around the house.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
There's nothing like the feeling of plush carpet under your bare feet; carpets can bring a little luxury into your everyday life. However, as with any type of flooring, carpet needs care in order to keep looking its best. Following the seven steps below will extend the life of your carpeting, and allow you to enjoy it for years to come.
  • You've probably realized that the carpet in more heavily-travelled areas gets worn and matted down more quickly than that in other areas. For a better appearance and longer life, use throw rugs in front of chairs and other often-used furniture; you can also try rearranging your furniture and area rugs in order to more evenly route traffic through your living areas.
  • Another kind of damage that can come from high traffic is crushing, which is the loss of carpet thickness. It's not generally regarded as a manufacturing issue, unless there's a clause in your warranty. To keep crushing to a minimum, vacuum your carpets regularly.
  • Depressions or indentations can result from the prolonged weight of heavy furniture items, and can become permanent. Use furniture pads or cups underneath the bottoms of heavy pieces, or move it slightly once a week or so. To repair depressions that are already present, work the pile of the carpet with your fingers, then moisten the area slightly and heat it with a blow dryer.
  • Color loss and fading can happen when carpet is exposed to direct sunlight, heating system emissions, or exposure to chemicals. To prevent this kind of damage, protect your carpet in the same way you would any other piece of colored fabric.
  • Filtration soil is caused by air flowing through and over carpet, which allows finely ground dirt to settle on the carpet's surface. It can also be caused when more air enters a room than can be removed by the system. To prevent it, seal openings under baseboards and doors, and use good filters in your HVAC unit and vacuum cleaner. If the soil is especially set in, you may need to call a cleaner or carpet fitter for help.
  • Matting usually results from the untwisting and subsequent tangling of fibre tips due to foot traffic. It can be caused by things such as padding failure or improper maintenance, but it's not considered a defect unless specified in the carpet manufacturer's warranty.
  • Most woollen carpet is treated to be resistant to moth damage, and synthetic blends are naturally insect-resistant. To control carpet-living insects, vacuum regularly, and change the bag frequently; severe infestations will require the help of a pest control professional.
  • People usually buy carpet because it's soft, warm and comfortable, and because it just feels good to walk on. By properly cleaning and maintaining your carpet, you can prolong its good looks and extend its life by many years.

​​This post was written by James Harper on behalf of Stewart Groom Flooring the carpet fitting specialists. Please follow this link to find out more about the carpet fitter in Leicester.

Rooms Colors That Will Put You In A Good Mood

Looking for an instant mood-boosting paint color for your room? 
Try these bright ideas:

Yellow. People associate the color yellow with sunshine.

Lavender. Bright and peaceful at the same time.

Orange. Eccentric and Bright.
Green. The color of Nature and Nurture.



Not ready to go too bold? Try a couple of throw pillows to add a pop of color.
Orange pillows and furniture can do the trick.

Different colors go well with neutrals.

Want a color-overload? Go for the bold walls AND colorful throw pillows. POW!
 

Featured Guest Post

I absolutely love decorating. But, I don’t have a huge budget to do it with. So the easiest way that I have found to decorate without spending a fortune is to shop my own house instead of a store. If I want a new accessory, or even a new look for a whole room, I check out what I’ve already got and try to figure out how to use it in a new way to fit the look I’m wanting. I think about how it can be made over to feel like a brand new item. With a little creativity, even the cheapest of items can look nice.


Things that I like to have on hand for making changes to my décor:
  • Mod Podge (a glue/glosser)- I use this stuff when I want to recover an item like this photo box-turned-recipe box. I was tired of the original red color, so I covered the box with cut out recipes from an old cookbook.




I also used it here, to cover this frame with broken glass.




  • Spray paint, in a couple neutral colors like black and white- The look of an item can be completely transformed using spray paint. I paint and repaint items around my house all the time depending on what look I’m going for.


Before:




After:



  • Hemp cord (also known as Jute)- This is very versatile and can be used in many ways to decorate with. I like it for wrapping around vases, pots and bowls to give them a new look.





Even grass planted in a disposable plastic cup looks nice when the cup is wrapped in Jute.




  • An old book that I can rip pages out of- Book-page-covered items are everywhere and for good reason- somehow everything looks smarter when it’s covered in text. Use pages torn from a book to recover everything from picture frames to flower pots, or even the backs of shelves. Make art for your walls by cutting shapes from book pages and using Mod Podge to apply them to a canvas.





I don’t believe that decorating a home needs to be expensive, and reusing what we’ve already got is a great way to keep costs down. When we’re craving a change to our décor, we don’t always need to run out and buy new stuff. We have the old stuff for a reason: once upon a time, it was something that we liked, and with a little creativity it can be again!

Brooke
Inside-Out Design
This Week's Featured DIY Idea:
Craft DIY Ideas
Laura has an awesome collective list of 21 crafty ways to make your walls pretty. Check out her site, it has tons of other cool ideas.