Making Better Use of a Spare Room

Is your spare room going to waste? Are you just using it store all your unwanted things? The good news is that it doesn’t have to be a place where you store everything from old text books to sporting equipment. It doesn’t take a lot of effort – or money - to turn it into something more useable and practical. Here are some ideas to make better use of it.

Turn it into a home office

If you work from home, need somewhere for the kids to do their homework or just a place to keep your computer and household paperwork, the spare room is just crying out to be converted into a home office.

It doesn’t take much to do and it doesn’t have to cost the earth. Look at adding a sturdy desk that can fit a computer while leaving yourself room to work. Get a good chair that is comfortable and supportive. Add a filing cabinet for important documents and some other storage, such as a cupboard or shelving, and you are well on your way to creating the perfect work space.

Just remember to check if there are plenty of powerpoints and other connections, such as a phone point for a modem.

Kids’ playroom

Tired of the kids making a mess in the lounge room and family room? Then take it out of sight by creating a kids’ playroom in the wasted spare bedroom. It also provides the perfect opportunity to take some of the toys out of their bedrooms that contribute to the clutter.

Adding a television (and the inevitable gaming systems that go with them) can also add a solution when it comes to arguments over the TV remote.

Throw in a couple of bean bags, some simple storage for their toys and you have an escape that kids of all ages will love. You can even add a cheap sofa bed which comes in handy when you have visitors stay overnight.

Craft room

If you love to sew, knit, scrapbook or do anything else creative then the spare room can become a haven. Adding a simple table can provide a platform for a sewing machine, while some simple storage solutions such as cupboards provide the perfect place to keep all of your materials.

By keeping the floor clear of clutter you also give yourself plenty of room to spread out while working rather than taking up space in high traffic areas of the home. Using the spare room as a craft room also means you can close the door on a half-finished project and come back to it later without fear of it being disturbed.

Home gym

There is no need to pay expensive gym membership if you have a spare room at home. It is easy to turn into your own personal home gym, especially if you already have some of the equipment. You don’t have to be a gym junkie to make the most of it either – adding an exercise bike and/or a treadmill is more than enough. It gives you a place to exercise in private and whenever you want.

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A Gorilla's Portrait

Captured by my husband during our visit to the Ragunan Zoo (Jakarta, Indonesia).  Amazing critter indeed.

The Weekend in Black and White

Building Your Own Mini Green House

Greenhouses are excellent for improving the growth of plants and vegetables. Greenhouses are often too impractical for a small garden, however, and many people simply do not have the space which they need or the money with which to build one. Thankfully, even miniature greenhouses have a positive effect on your vegetable patch and they can be constructed from recycled items or from materials costing as little as $20, with the nothing but the most basic of hand tools.

How a Greenhouse Works

A greenhouse works by allowing light and thus heat into the area and then trapping it there. This is a natural phenomenon that is actually the same reason why the Earth is warm because the atmosphere acts in the same way with sunlight. This ‘greenhouse effect’ can be artificially created with any translucent material and this makes it easy to keep your plants warm.

How to Build a Miniature Greenhouse

The answer to this basically depends upon the size of the plant which you are trying to grow. I have successfully created an array of ‘greenhouses’ for my carrot plants, for example, using empty Coke bottles. By cutting the bottom off of a 2 litre bottle and removing the label this plastic bottle becomes the perfect greenhouse for a single carrot or garlic plant and it couldn’t be easier. It also has the added benefit of keeping slugs and snails away from your plants.

Making a larger miniature greenhouse can be slightly more complex but it is still very easy to do. To start with you should make a frame to the size of your intended area. This just needs to be a base that will rest upon the ground and support the arching braces. From this wooden frame you can then use a basic epoxy glue to hold some copper or plastic piping in place against it, which loops over the plants to the other side of the frame. You will need to make upwards of three loops depending upon the length of your mini greenhouse but this is then simply covered with plastic sheeting. 

Another way to make a mini greenhouse is by utilising panes of glass which may be left over from replacing windows in the past. Creating a wooden frame of a slightly greater height will allow you to simply rest this sheet of glass over the top of the frame and benefit from the heat generated in this simple manner. This will only be suited for plants which grow only to a low level, such as cress or herbs, but this can create an excellent individual habitat for the growth of vegetables.

Caring for a Greenhouse

The extreme heats to which your miniature greenhouse will reach means that you will have to regularly water your plants to ensure that they survive. This is not because the water evaporates faster; rather it is because the plants need to absorb a greater portion of water because they are photosynthesizing at a far greater rate. The plants will also need a greater level of nutrients to fuel their growth.

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General Costs of Burial Plots

Everyone recognises that a funeral can be an expensive event. Most people do not realise, however, quite what the costs will be. There are a wide array of funeral costs but it is the ones that aren’t considered that actually tend to cost the most. One of the more expensive elements of a funeral is buying the burial plot. This article considers the costs of getting the right spot.

When to Buy

Buying a burial spot is something that can be done well ahead of time. You can buy it for when you are ready to depart and this can be a huge help to your family. A burial plot will potentially be very expensive so buying in advance or at least adding funeral cover to your life insurance will greatly ease the burden on your family when you depart.

Remember that if you wish to be buried in the same area as family members, you will need to buy plots in advance to ensure that you can have your wish. Buying multiple plots at once will usually get you a discount, however.

How to Buy

1.       Choose your Cemetery.

Choosing your cemetery will probably be an easy choice. It will usually be somewhere with a close family connection and an aesthetic surrounding. The prices of plots within a cemetery will vary hugely so be aware of this.

2.       Look Around

Go to the cemetery and ask for a map of the available plots. Plots will be available in many locations around the cemetery, but the ocean view will be noticeably more expensive than the ones further from the sea.

3.       Compare Prices

Picking a few ideal spots and comparing the prices is a sensible idea. You will find huge variations and sometimes it just isn’t practical to opt for the ocean view.

4.       Consider the Grave

The type of grave you opt for will also have a big impact on the value of the plot. Consider whether you want a mausoleum, a flower garden, or a cremation burials plot. If you are planning for a family tomb to be created then there will need to be some significant planning carried out so you will have to approach the cemetery well in advance of the first death.

5.       Consider Other Fees

Many cemeteries will have opening and closing fees which aren’t included in the cost of a plot. Be sure to consider the cost of the actual burial because this expense could push your budget over otherwise.

6.       Inform the Funeral Home or Buy Directly

If the funeral and burial is an imminent event then be sure to inform the funeral home of your decision to buy. They will then handle the purchase and the arrangements for opening and closing along with those of the ceremony. If you are shopping for future use then you can make the purchase of a plot directly with the funeral home. In this case it is essential that you include this information in your Last Testament and Will because otherwise the Executor may not carry out your wishes.

Should You Become an Owner Builder?

Becoming an owner builder is a huge task but it is one that could potentially save you vast amounts of money. Building a property yourself will allow you to achieve a higher level of quality for a lower price and the feeling of producing your own home is one that cannot be beaten. This being said, there is little doubt that it is a monolithic challenge and one that will potentially end up very costly if you do not do it right. Being an owner builder requires a certain level of expertise because a house is not something you can pick up at IKEA and screw together. Here are some things you should consider before opting to become and owner builder:

Managing the Project

As an owner builder you will literally be in charge of and on top of the entire project. This means that everything from land acquisition to building permit applications and insurance will all fall under your list of responsibilities. There is a huge amount more behind a home construction than would first be imagined and completing it correctly is vital. If you buy land then it does not necessarily mean that you can build upon it without worry. Running this project will be a full-time role that will not let you sit back and relax until it is successfully complete.

Excessive Preparation

When managing a project on a construction site the key is preparation. It is essential to be prepared for every eventuality and this can be a very complex requirement. When materials arrive, for example, access needs to be arranged and space needs to be created. In most cases the material will have to stay where it is dropped and most materials are somewhat weather sensitive. This means that the area has to be ready well in advance and items need to arrive at precisely the right time of the build so that you can accommodate.

Preparing for deliveries is manageable but preparing for the arrival of rain when your roof is still a pile off wood is somewhat more vital. In this case, and in many other cases, a mistake or a failure to prepare could end up costing you thousands of dollars and also delay the build dramatically.

Structural Integrity

Remember that the home you are building needs to support your family and your life. It is vital that the structural integrity of the home is faultless and your ability to achieve this needs to be solid. Constructing a home should not be something that you learn on the job as every inch of it needs to stand together.

Safety

As owner builder you will be responsible for the safety of everyone on your site and this is a huge responsibility to take on. Given that even hand tools dropped from the roof of a house could cause a fatality, it is vital that safety is number one. The responsibility of this cannot be taken lightly because it is a serious issue and one that could ruin you financially even if no injuries take place. Insurance costs will be significant but more seriously than this, people’s lives will be in your hands.

Purchasing the Perfect Dining Sets for your Home

The dining set is not just another piece of furniture; it is a place where the family will gather together to have close communication and further develop a greater relationship. But with the numerous brands, styles and materials of dining sets all over the place, it seems a little bit complicated for consumers to buy the right dining sets that will be suitable for them. The first thing you must consider before buying your home dining sets is your budget. Once you have finalized this, relax and consider the following tips carefully, because a dining set is something that will last for many years.

The first thing you must take into consideration before you buy your dining sets is the size. The size of the dining table you want to purchase must correspond with the size of the space you want to put it in. A small dining set will look terrible in a large room, while a 21’ x 12’ room cannot accommodate a table with 16 chairs. Make sure that you consider all measurements before you make any decisions. You should also consider the size of your family and the guest you’ll possibly be hosting, so people don’t get uncomfortable when they visit you.

The next thing you want to consider is the shape and style of the dining. When deciding on style, it is paramount that you put the original style of your home into consideration. Check the surrounding décor and ensure that the furniture you’re buying fits in perfectly with the original settings. Most dining tables are usually rectangular in shape, but if you have a family that likes to communicate during meals, then you should consider a round dining table. If the numbers of people that come to your table are never static, then shop for tables with leaf inserts so you can make it larger when you’re expecting more guests.

Consider the type of material your dining table should be built from. There are dining tables made of wood, which are the most popular ones. If you decide to choose a dining set with sturdy wood like cherry or maple then you should be ready to spend more money, but they last longer than other types of woods. Wood is also very much preferable because it is easy to clean and maintain. If you’re someone who worries about scratches, then go for antique with cravings since it hides scratches. Glass dining tables on the other hand look elegant and can fit into any kind of home design however; it can damage easily and may not be the right choice for a family with very young children.

Apart from budget, style, size and material you should also consider the colour scheme. Ensure that the colour of the dining sets correspond with the colour of your home. In addition to colour, also consider the quality of the dining sets. Even though it may cost you extra, a quality dining set will take a lot of abuse and last longer, helping you save plenty of money in the long run.