Preparing your home furniture for a new baby! Here are 5 tips to be super prepared!

Congratulations on your new baby! How exciting of a time. When you learn you are expecting, things can get overwhelming quickly. From preparing work/life balance, to investing in new baby toys and cribs. Making time to see the doctor while still working on work or school projects. There are a million things to get done so that you are ready and confident you can look after the new baby the best you can. Unfortunately, a lot of parents neglect the nursery room when there is so much to get done in preparation. We have compiled a list of 5 very helpful tips that will make setting up the nursery and keeping your little one safe, as easy as possible.

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1. Place your baby’s crib In the right spot

While it might seem like common sense to put the crib somewhere convenient, like close to the bed, it is not always easy to see when waking up to the cries of the baby at night. This is why we suggest putting the crib in a place that you can access quickly, and could do so blindfolded (if that were ever necessary)

We also recommend having the change table near to the crib, so you can be as efficient as possible and keep awkwardness to a minimum.

2. Choose cribs and changing tables that offer as much room as possible

Why? Its very easy to mistake cords and other hanging objects in the area, and trip or run into them causing disorientation and possible damage to other furniture and harm to you or the baby. We suggest purchasing furniture that takes up as much space as required but doesn’t have any “bells or whistles” than can lead to a choking hazard for the baby. Choose your furniture wisely when shopping.

3. Use straps to secure the furniture

If furniture isn’t strapped down, it can prove a problem with slips and injuries. For the sake of safety, we suggest placing straps on the toy box, shelving, dressers, changing tables and the crib. This will provide maximum security and make sure that nothing moves into a place it shouldn’t be.

4. Get spring loaded toy boxes

What we mean is to have a lid on a toy box that can’t slam shut on hands and fingers. This is important as the baby may try to look around for a favorite toy and accidently close the lid on its fingers leading to a lot of pain and crying (both of which can cause you to sleep less). Make sure to invest in safety measures on places that are accessed frequently.

5. Go for a crib, not a bassinet

A baby can grow, fast! Many babies will simply get too large for a bassinet, making it a redundant purchase. Save yourself some money and aim for a waterproof mattress inside of the crib and woods that are resistant to liquid. This is make sure you can focus entirely on the babies needs, without having to worry about their safety due to poor furniture quality.

These are just some of the quick tips that will help you to prepare your dream nursery for your little one.  Since your baby’s safety and comfort are the top priorities, make sure to call professionals who offer Furniture Repair service whenever you see any furniture that need to be restored. 

Things to consider before choosing a Stove

Many people want to buy a stove as their main heat source or as a source of other heat sources. As technology advances in recent years, ovens have become a reliable way of providing heat. However, there are a few things to remember. This raises questions about how much you are ready to do in order to keep the furnace running, safety precautions to be considered and the reliability of the furnace fuel supply. This article will take you through these points in turn and will give you some basic considerations to keep in mind when buying a stove.

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What the oven should do, of course, is a critical moment and you need to consider its size depending on the amount of heat you need. If you need a stove to heat the room, a small stove is enough. Or, if you want an old-fashioned room, consider choosing one of the traditional pear pot designs, such as an old-fashioned home stove. However, if the stove is needed to heat the entire house and use it for additional hot water supply, then you need something more powerful. One of the larger models of pellet stoves that can be connected to a hot water system can be used as a street wood boiler. Deciding which oven to use is the first step in choosing the right oven for your needs.

Of course, your choice will depend on the amount of work required to keep your oven warm. Currently, many people are looking for traditional methods of heat supply such as firewood or coal. Many old firewood stoves and ancient coal stoves that have now been restored are available. However, firewood or coal stoves are time-consuming, and it is best to avoid these types if firewood or coal mining is not suitable. If you like the vintage look but don't want to store a wood-burning stove, antique gas-fired stoves may be the answer. Another option is a pellet stove. Most of these ovens have automatic containers that fill the oven throughout the day, reducing the work required to maintain heat flow. You can check different stoves at Farmhouse stoves

The safety aspect should also be considered. If you are looking for a way to heat your entire house, an outdoor stove with a boiler can be a good option. Some of these models run on wood and others run on oil, but they provide certain safety factors because the oven is off. Most of the decisions depend on your family situation. If you have children, you need to carefully choose a vintage stove. For example, some camouflage ovens can get very hot, so you need to protect your surroundings. One type of oven to throw away is an unrebuilt stove. Such stoves can emit smoke only indoors and can be considered a potential safety hazard. This species is banned in some US states.

Regardless of what kind of stove you choose, one of the most important factors is the reliability of the fuel supply. With this in mind, it is better to opt for a multi-fuel stove called multi-fuel type. Among the most common types of wood and oil. If you are considering choosing a pellet stove, a model that can burn a wide variety of pellets may be a good choice, so the heat won't drop even if the supply of quality pellets is short for some time.

Furniture Arrangement Tips To Make Your Home A Cozy Abode

Buying new furniture for your newly bought home or decorating it with your old furniture – both are tricky art. Even rearranging furniture can easily revitalize the appearance and mood of the rooms anytime. Successful furniture arrangement is all about optimizing the space for maximum functionality. Depending on the size and shape of the room, plan a layout and then bring it into life. If you have bought a new home and wish to furnish it, it is possible to feel overwhelmed wondering about filling up the empty spaces with right kind of furniture. However, furnishing an empty home is like a blank canvas which can be either an opportunity or a challenge.

Anmol Singh, an interior designer who recently moved into a 4 BHK apartment on B.T Road suggests, “It’s always good to consider the arrangement of furniture in the new space carefully well before you move. The right furniture arrangement can make any room a functional, coherent space no matter what the size.” Anmol shares some simple insights to furnish your home to achieve professional-looking results with minimum stress:

1.    Consider functionality:

At first, consider how the space will be used and how many people will use it. If your living room is mostly used for having conversations, two sofas facing each other will be ideal but if you wish to watch TV while sitting on the sofa, this setting will not serve the purpose. Whether the room would be used only for formal entertaining of the guests or as a family recreation room – can dictate the type of furnishings you’ll need and the amount of seating required.  Furniture, rugs, bookshelves can be used to create separate zones in rooms that serve multiple purposes.

2.    Size does matter:

Ensure a visually free-flowing space by incorporating furniture that are very sleek and less voluminous. If you have large, elaborate living rooms you can experiment with heavier, chunkier furniture. Strike a balance between heavy furniture pieces with other large objects or groupings of smaller items. Use furniture pieces of different sizes throughout the room, so that your eyes move up and down as you scan the space. Try to create multi-levels within the space according to the height of the furniture. For example, a tall floor lamp can complement a small coffee table beside it.

3.    Create more space:

While arranging furniture, it’s important to increase the sense of space. Do not push furniture against the walls, position them at least 3-4 inches from the wall. This creates a visual illusion that a wall is further away than it actually is. Have striped rug or sofa as they have an expanding effect. Place mirrors strategically to visually expand a room. Opt for a round table that allows plenty of space for more diners in a small area. Incorporating benches is a trendy way to create more space for guests in the dining room. Keep the horizons clear across the room so that the eyesight doesn’t get blocked.

4.    Make a focal point:

Draw attention by making the best use of what your home does have. It can be a quirky furniture piece, a prominent window with beautiful view or a pretty lighting fixture. Sometimes focal point appears naturally and sometimes we need to create it ourselves. In most of the living rooms, the television cabinet becomes the focal point. In that case, there should be distance between the screen and the viewer. Sofas or sitting area should be at least eight feet away from a standard television screen.

5.    Consider traffic flow:

The path between doorways should not be blocked by furniture. No one should trip over furniture or each other to pass through the room. Arrange furniture to direct the traffic around a seating group, not through the middle of it. Allow a couple of feet gaps between the coffee table and sofa, and between chairs. It is especially applicable to rooms with two doors. Create a clear path so that people can move from one room to another without any difficulties.

 

Tips for Choosing Patio Furniture

Warmer days are just around the corner, and if you want to feel the fresh breeze and sunbeams on your skin while chilling with your family at your home, maybe it is time to get your patio ready for the season. Here are some tips for choosing patio furniture for those who have just moved to a new house or those who like to rearrange their home exterior. After reading these, you will not consider patio arrangement a home improvement you should never do by yourself.

Measure your patio before you go furniture-hunting

Arranging your patio is definitely one of the home improvements to make before you move in. So, the best time to hit the stores is now! When you find yourself in a store selling garden and patio furniture you might not be able to decide what would fit the space you have at home. That is why it is always good to have the exact measurements of your patio. If you are not really sure what you are looking for, it will be easier for the sellers to recommend some pieces when they know the dimensions and the shape of your patio.

Know what you are planning to use your patio for

You need furniture that will suit your needs and your lifestyle. Why would you buy a large dining set if you are not fond of entertaining? On the other hand, if you plan to invite guests and enjoy meals with them on your patio, you definitely need such a set. The bottom line is - choose what you really plan to use!

Choose something like this only if you like to entertain

Go for comfort

A patio should be all about comfort. After implementing the landscaping ideas for your garden, it is time to think about the place from which you will enjoy looking at that garden. Before you buy any piece of patio furniture, you should try it. Take a seat and see whether it is comfortable enough and whether you can envision yourself relaxing in it. Even though that is pretty much the same as you would do when buying a sofa or a couch for your living room, when it comes to garden and patio furniture, many people would make a purchase without assessing the comfort factor.

Choose good quality patio furniture

If you do not want to waste your money buying a new patio set every two years, you should think about investing in top-quality pieces. Our advice is to go for the best that you can afford, and you will not regret it. Even if you decide to move any time soon, it is better to relocate just a couple of furniture pieces (the really good ones) than to buy some new low-quality items all over again.

The materials your patio furniture is made from will determine its quality and the way it is supposed to be maintained. Now, let's see what your options are.

Furniture made of wrought iron

Pieces made of wrought iron might be a good choice for windy areas since they can be rather heavy. They are easy to maintain in terms of cleaning, but they do tend to rust if exposed to excessive moisture. Furniture made of wrought iron can be rather stylish and consequently, it is not cheap at all.

Patio furniture made of iron can be rather decorative

Aluminum pieces

If durability is what you are looking for, then you might opt for patio furniture made of aluminum. It can look great, and it is the best choice for those who cannot be bothered with high maintenance. The material does not rust, so it is great for wet and salty areas. There are two options to choose from: aluminum framed furniture and solid cast aluminum patio furniture. 

The first one is much lighter, so you'll be doing the guys from homegrownmoving.com a favor when the time comes for you to relocate. It is also less expensive but can be rather light which is not a good thing if you live in a windy area. The second one seems to tick all the boxes, but it can be very expensive.

Wooden patio furniture

Let's start with pros of choosing wooden patio furniture. It does not hold the heat from the sun so it is rather comfortable to use on a sunny day. Wood is durable and can hold more weight than plastic or some aluminum pieces. But, this furniture can be heavy and it is not really the best choice for patios that are exposed to direct sunlight. Wood also requires various treatments in order to be resistant to water and discolorations.

Items made of wicker

Wicker furniture is usually very comfortable and resistant to fading from sun exposure. These pieces are usually not so expensive but they do have some shortcomings. For instance, they cannot stand the moisture, and they become sticky when exposed to it. They can even start rotting and falling apart if left in humidity for too long.

Plastic patio furniture

What's great about plastic patio furniture is that it comes in many colors, it is light, and usually quite affordable. But it tends to fade in the Sun and if you go for very cheap options, the chances are that it might break easily. So, it is not really the safest choice.

The furniture you choose should be easy to store

If you live in the area where winters are harsh, you will have to store your patio furniture until springtime. Foldable chairs are the best choice for those who do not have much storage space. Consider yours before you make the purchase.

You need a place to store your patio furniture during winter

The colors matter, too

Patio furniture is not only meant to be practical. Nowadays, you can find so many decorative pieces. The colors that you choose should be inviting, but think about maintenance too. Surely, all-white furniture looks great in the magazines, but it gets dirty and stained quicker than beige or grey colored materials.

We hope that you will find our tips for choosing patio furniture interesting. Now, all you have to do is make your final choice and hit the stores.

Is your HVAC ready for the Summer?

Summer is fast approaching. Add the fact that we are all encouraged to stay at home right now for our safety, you want to make sure your Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) unit is ready for high usage. Here are the things that you need to check to see if your HVAC is ready for the summer:

Check the Filter: Checking your filter is a must as far as the readiness of your HVAC unit is concerned. HVAC repair Attleboro MA company Sinclaire Home Services, advises homeowners to replace their filter at least once a month. If it is a permanent one, cleaning it thoroughly at least once a month is essential. If you have pets inside your house and smoking inside the house is a norm, cleaning or replacing the filter is a must.

Install a Programmable Thermostat: Using your HVAC unit can add to your electricity bill big time, and a programmable thermostat can be a big lifesaver. With a programmable thermostat, you can schedule when your HVAC needs to be working hard or not. Scheduling will not only save you money but it can prevent your HVAC unit from working too hard.

         

Clear the Vents: Your HVAC will run smoothly and efficiently if there are no obstructions to the airflow. You can check the vents by yourself and see if dust and debris are obstructing your vents. This is basic HVAC maintenance that you can do by yourself. If unsure, calling for professional help won’t hurt.

Install Fans to Maximize Air Flow: Installing fans can maximize the comfort your HVAC unit provides your home. There are several types of fans sold in the market: ceiling fans, tabletop fans, and floor fans. Setting the ceiling fan to rotate clockwise during summer is ideal as the air will flow downwards. The downward flow of air can prevent excess heat to rise up into the higher levels of your house and make your HVAC work less. If possible, have the smaller tabletop and floor fans running throughout the house to maximize the cool air flowing throughout the house.

Reduce Heat from other Appliances: To help your HVAC unit work less, it might be smart to avoid using big appliances that generate heat throughout the day. Using the grill instead of the oven to prepare a big dinner will help in lessening the heat your HVAC unit has to battle. Similarly, hang your clothes outside instead of using the laundry dryer.

Replace Your HVAC Unit: If your current HVAC unit is not running smoothly and efficiently, even with basic maintenance and energy-saving tips, maybe it’s time to replace your HVAC unit. Keeping your current HVAC might be more costly than you think. Most newer HVAC units are designed to be more efficient and less costly.

These tips can help you summer-proof your HVAC unit. If all else fails, seek help from a professional.