Home and Garden

Self builds are becoming increasingly popular; in part because they allow families to build the home of their dreams, and in addition because they offer eco-conscious people the opportunity to build an energy efficient, low carbon footprint, home.  Modern building materials and design principles are a lot greener and far more energy efficient than the principles that we used a few decades ago, however if you want a truly green home then there’s a lot to consider.  Here’s a few tips to ensure your new build is as eco-friendly as possible.

1) Think of the Savings Room By Room

There’s more to a green home than just using green building materials and investing in insulation.  Your roofing felt choices and Velux windows might cut down on some energy loss, but you should think about the inside of the home too.  Simple considerations such as programmable thermostats, low flow shower fixtures, dual flush toilets, and energy-efficient appliances really do offer substantial savings over the lifetime of those appliances.

2) Consider Pre-Fab homes

Production homes, and pre-fab homes, can be incredibly green these days. Yes, you lose out on the thrill of building your own home, but pre-fabs in particular are inexpensive, quick to build, and far less stressful than a from-scratch self build.  If you’ve got a dream plot of land and simply want an energy efficient home on there, then this can be a good compromise.

3) Pick the Right Location

It would be unfortunate to invest in a green home only to then need to buy a gas-guzzling 4WD that you use every day to commute to work because your home is in a hard-to-get-to area.  If you pick a flat, sunny area in a neighbourhood that is easy to get around on foot, you’ll save on construction costs, heating, and transport.

4) Consider Passive Systems

Depending on where you live, energy generation systems such as windmills and solar panels might not be practical.  Consider “passive” technologies instead.  Passive systems rely on insulation to reduce heating costs, and ventilation to prevent sick-building syndrome.  These systems can save money and energy in the long term.

5) Recycle and Upcycle

Energy consumption is just a part of the equation.  If you want to build a truly green home then you should consider recycling as a lifestyle choice.  While you might not be able to get your Velux windows made of recycled materials, you could get reclaimed roofing felt, use wood from sustainable forests, and upcycle or use freecycle for a lot of your furniture and decorations.  Of course, you should try to buy new appliances for your home, as these are generally far more energy efficient than older ones.

When you get started on the path to building a greener home, it can often spur you on to look at the way you live the rest of your life.  For many families, building a green home is the start to becoming almost self-sufficient.  If your new home includes a garden, why not grow some vegetables or herbs there?

This guest article was contributed by Jon Platy on behalf of Principal Homebuyers  – getting the right deal when selling your home or business premises.

Residential solar panels have become very popular as concept is really efficient about the amount of money they can save families every month for utility bills. Nowadays, saving utility bills is essential, particularly for those being unable to afford conventional home energy. Home solar systems, can reduce the rates of monthly utility bills greatly, enabling families with enough money to spend for other crucial matters.

Also, families with home solar panel systems can even be eligible for tax rate reductions offered by the federal government. You will find some regulations, so home owners should find out whether or not they are eligible for the tax incentives. Some businesses also buy extra energy from family with residential solar panels. This is something each home owner with solar panel systems should consider. (more…)

If you want to make your back yard more inviting but lack the funds to hire a landscape professional, there are plenty of backyard projects you can do on a small budget. It doesn’t take a lot of money to have a beautiful back yard. Take a look at some easy, affordable ways to create an inviting outdoor space.

Design an Outdoor Garden

Plants and flowers add visual interest and appeal to any outdoor space. Greenery adds texture and flowers add color and aromatic scents. Whether you have a spacious yard or a tiny plot of grass, an outdoor garden will create an inviting atmosphere. When choosing plants and flowers, keep their size appropriate for the size of your yard. If you love to cook, you may prefer an edible garden with vegetables and fresh herbs instead of a garden with plants and flowers.

Build a Backyard Playhouse

If you have kids, a backyard playhouse will give your kids a private place to play in the comfort of their own yard. Depending on the age of your kids, consider the height and way of entry into the playhouse. For the safety of small children, build the floor low to the ground and provide minimal steps to the entry. If you have older children, you can raise the floor height and provide a secured ladder for entry. For safety, build railing around the platform, then hang some outdoor fabric panels around the perimeter for privacy.

Install a Bird Feeder and Fountain

By installing a bird feeder in your back yard, you can attract beautiful birds to your outdoor space. Choose a tree away from the deck or patio and hang a bird feeder filled with seeds. It will attract all types of bird species that are looking for food. You can also install a simple fountain that will provide fresh water. Birds will use it to drink and bathe, especially during warm spring and summer months.

Give Your Old Furniture a Facelift

If you can’t afford new outdoor furniture for your back yard, give your old furniture a facelift. If you have wooden or wicker chairs, give them some punch with spray paint in bold colors like red, orange, yellow or turquoise. If you have resin furniture that’s still in good shape, replace the cushions with new ones in bold patterns and bright colors. In outdoor spaces, bright colors create a lot of visual interest and design appeal.

If you’re like me who visits Ikea just to admire and appreciate their furniture collection, then why not go to an actual furniture museum? See how present furniture trends today have been influenced by the remarkable designs dating back to pre-World War I period. So if you desire inspiration for your home or office, then stop by these furniture museums for some aesthetics and history!

High Point Museum

North Carolina’s town of High Point saw first-hand the economic and social contributions of the booming furniture manufacturing era, which began in the 1880s. At the turn of the 20th century, High Point became the center of furniture manufacturing and marketing in the South, as well as the entire country. At the Museum, visit the High Point’s Furniture Heritage exhibit and learn how the furniture industry triggered the growth and prosperity of the city. Have fun with the interactive elements and learn from the videos, photographs, and memorabilia of the beginnings of the industry. Old machinery and furniture are also part of the exhibit. (more…)

Outdoor furniture will help to improve the beauty of your backyard, and make sure that all people are more comfortable taking pleasure in their great time in the back yard. Many homeowners are using their outdoor living space as an expansion to their living area. Consequently the outdoor furniture which is used should be perfect. Making it possible for family and friends to unwind and relax, and also get pleasure from the summer season entertaining and having a lot of fun.

The outdoor furniture which is invested in must easily fit in with the overall theme around the back yard. When the furniture is designed for the pool area it may need to be water-resistant and durable, nevertheless, when the furniture is meant for the BBQ area it might be more comfortable and more luxurious. Investing in outdoor furniture will surely cost a greater amount, however it is worth investing a bit more expensive to get top quality. The materials of the furniture should be made from top quality, durable and very comfortable. When homeowners are going to spend each time outside the furniture they are sitting on must be good. (more…)

Your garden is a crucial area to receive guests and hold small gatherings with family and friends. A well-maintained garden with good accessories, landscape, lighting and furniture makes your home the ideal venue for organizing small activities and parties.

No matter the reason why you must use your garden furniture, you need to purchase quality garden furniture. Find garden furniture which is comfortable, durable, practical, and also stylish. Apart from giving you the effective end result of providing a relaxed ambiance to your garden, quality garden furniture offers beauty and elegance to the outdoor living space, turning it into the center point of your house. By purchasing quality furniture, not only provide a comfortable place for homeowners, but it can also make your friends and relatives envy your high-quality taste and lifestyle.

You can find several ways of finding quality garden furniture. You may ask your family or friends that have just redesigned their gardens to suggest you furniture stores for purchasing the garden furniture. You can also find it on local newspaper and yellow pages to look for the best garden furniture suppliers. Take a look at their showrooms to find out the quality of the garden furniture available their store.

You can also find leading furniture store in UK by making few clicks on your pc. lazysusanfurniture.co.uk is a reputable garden furniture store that comes with well-maintained web store and they offer a complete online catalogue of the furniture that you want to buy along with product description. You can observe the material from which it is manufactured, color, size, style design and price so that you can get the right buying decision. Purchasing quality garden furniture online is easy. The top-quality garden furniture is available in beautiful styles and designs at lazysusanfurniture.co.uk.