Getting an Empty Flat Ready using Clearance Services

The time between tenants can be particularly tough for those who are looking to lease out a flat as quickly as possible. When it comes to making sure that the property is ready in the quickest manner possible, one of the very best ways in which to help is to make sure that you hire in a flat clearance solution. Doing so will mean that you are able to bring in help which will allow you to get rid of any unwanted items and dispose of them before the arrival of the new occupants. But when it comes to making sure that your property is ready and waiting for the new people to move in, how can you best make use of a flat clearance service and why is this kind of solution so useful to you? 

One of the major factors when it comes to getting a property ready for the next people to move in is the small window which you have in order to make sure that everything is ready. Any time which the property is empty is time that you are losing money and not making the best use of the home in question. As such, it is vital that you are able to rely on a method of waste disposal which will allow you to make sure that everything is handled in a quick and efficient manner. In these instances, professional help can make a big difference and the option of hiring in help in the form of flat clearance can mean all the difference in efficiency which you require. 

As well as making sure that you are able to get a great and speedy solution when it comes to waste removal and rubbish clearance, you will also need to be assured that the company you hire in order to perform the duties are able to do a fantastic job. When you need the best in house clearance services, it can be a hindrance to rely on anyone other than those people for whom this is a specialist subject. By taking the time to make sure that you hire in the right house clearance, you can be assured that the property in question has the best possible workers on the case doing a fantastic job. 

As well as being able to apply their expertise in a quick and effective manner, one of the real benefits of hiring an expert solution is that it means that you are ready to tackle any problem which might lie ahead. Because of the nature of the house clearance industry, you can be assured that the best possible option when it comes to making sure that you are ready to tackle any waste removal which might be need for the home is to hire in those people who are the absolute experts in the field. Whereas there are options which might be able to help, real clearing services means that there is nothing to worry about, no matter what it is that you need cleared. 

For those in need of the very best help when it comes to getting a flat (or any other type of property, really) ready for a new set of occupants, hiring the right home clearance services can make a real difference. With the ability to dispose of everything from general waste to furniture (and to turn a furnished flat into an unfurnished one), the best professional help means that you are always doing the best thing not only for yourself and for the property in question but for those people who are about to move in. Man with a Van Paddington

Seven Big Decorating Ideas for Small Bathrooms

We've written before about the challenges of decorating a small bathroom challenges of decorating a small bathroom. It's a common problem, as house builders are apt to trim space from the bathroom floor plan to make more room in adjoining bedrooms and other areas in the house. Assuming that building your house from the ground up is out of the question, then what are homeowners' options when it comes to making the most of a cramped bathroom space? As it turns out, there are more than a few options available.

If your bathroom feels a bit too small, consider leveraging the following big ideas for small spaces:

1. Add texture

Small bathrooms have limited real estate—especially when it comes to areas where you can take decorative license. To counter this, look for unexpected opportunities to add textures or patterns to spaces that are already in use. For example, textured tiles along a portion of the wall will catch and refract light differently than smooth surfaces would. This is an ideal way to add eye-catching appeal without sacrificing any space.

2. Leverage Natural Light

It's not uncommon for small bathrooms to have little—if any—natural light pouring in. If the room has no windows (or only a very small one) consider installing a new one. Otherwise, take a look at the curtains that you have been using in the bathroom. The best curtains provide a secure screen against peeping Toms without blacking out the room. Beige or cream-coloured curtains provide a good balance of natural light and privacy. Finally bear in mind that north-facing windows in Australia can let in nearly twice the natural light of those on east or west faces of the house.

3. Waste no space.

This is actually an exercise in the economy of design. Be intentional in your quest to make use of every space available, and look around the bathroom for surfaces that could double as design mantles or wall-hanging space. One oft-overlooked bit of real estate is the window ledge, which could double as a place to place a vase with fresh flowers, an arrangement of bath salts or a host of other decorative items.

4. Add a tiled backsplash.

The backsplash is a functional bit of décor, as it protects the wall above the sink and below the mirror from water damage. While there are several budget options for a backsplash, a strip of decorative tile is perhaps the most attractive. The good news is that it does not cost much to implement. After all, it only takes a relatively small number of tiles to create a backsplash. If you are undergoing comprehensive kitchen or bathroom renovations in Sydney (or anywhere else, for that matter), you may even find that you have a few tiles left over. Why not put these to good use in your cosy bathroom space?

5. Go with a wall-mounted sink

You'll probably be surprised how much space a wall-mounted sink can free up in a cramped bathroom. Beyond that, sinks that are mounted into the wall have a distinct, modern feel. It's a simple step you can take to boost the aesthetic appeal and free up a bit more space at the same time.

6. Emphasise colour in decorative displays.

When you don't have much space to work with, finding ways to express your inner designer becomes more of a challenge. One of the most important steps you can take is to be meticulously intentional with colours. Look at your tiles, curtains walls for subtle splashes of colour that offset your overarching design scheme, then use those colours when selecting decorations, pictures and even hand towels.

7. Understand the power of contrasting colours.

It's not worth recommending the use or avoidance of contrasting colours. Instead, what really matters is that you understand how to use contrast to your advantage. To begin with, stark contrasts can actually make the room appear more cramped than it actually is. Opposite this, pops of colour can create a pleasing contrast and remain one of the easiest ways to create a bit of drama in a cramped space. With that in mind, if you are dealing with a relatively neutral colour scheme, look for opportunities to splash out with a few surprise colours here and there. 

How to Protect Your Property from Copper Theft

In a shaky economy, people will try to make money in some very creative ways. Unfortunately, some of these "ways" are also very illegal. For instance, copper theft is rising as one of the biggest forms of properly vandalism and burglary because copper prices are at an all-time high right now and copper scrap is bringing in premium prices. And because most modern homes use copper for piping and other essential utilities, it is a perfect opportunity for some opportunists to steal and sell the metallic material. One of the biggest threats is to vacant homes or homes that are in mid-construction, but no home is really safe, which is why it is so important to learn how to prevent copper thieves from destroying your home. Here is how to protect your property from copper theft.

One of the best ways to protect your property is to install security measures. These measures are especially important if your home is still being built. Not only do you want an alarm system - you also want security lights that are activated by a sensor. Many copper thieves would rather abandon their attempt if there are enough security measures - mostly because they bring a lot of tools with them; trying to pack up and escape can be too risky.

Also, it is critical to make it look like someone is home if you leave town. For instance, you want to stop deliveries for the time that you are away. You may also want to call on a neighbor to pick up any mail. Not only that, but you want to perhaps leave a single light on in a room inside your home. You probably don't want to leave an overhead light on, so an LED night-light should do the trick.

Another method to protect your home is to disguise your copper. Some police investigators and politicians are calling copper theft a national epidemic. As soon as thieves see that a home has an ample supply of copper, they will start planning. However, if you take measures to disguise your copper - you can paint copper pipes black and insulate copper wire with black rubber - you can make it look like your home doesn't have any copper in sight. If you are building your home, you may want to ask the construction workers to paint over any exposed copper - copper that is out in the open is the most attractive to thieves.

Combine a bad economy and the rising cost of copper by the pound and you have the makings a criminal epidemic. Most copper thieves use unique tools to detect whether there is copper around your home, so your best bet to deter them is to outsmart them. If you leave town, make it look like you are home. If you have exposed copper, disguise it to make it look like there is no copper in sight. In the end, you can wait for copper prices to drop, but in the meantime, you want to take measures to protect your home and property.

How to Keep Home Cooling Costs Down When the Temperature Goes Up

As the temperature continuously climbs higher all summer long, it can become harder and harder to keep you home cool without racking up an enormous energy bill. Instead of suffering in the heat or spending too much money, you can use alternative methods to keep your home cool. Here are some tips to help you keep home cooling costs down when the temperature outside goes up.

1.       Take advantage of ceiling fans throughout your home. Fans look great and can be chosen to fit with any home décor plus, they provide serious cooling benefits. Set your fan to move in a counter-clockwise motion in the summer which helps to encourage the circulation of air, evening the temperature in your home. The sensation provided from fans also impacts the skin, making you feel cooler even if the temperature is still the same.

2.      Seal up your windows and doors to improve insulation. Often windows and doors develop cracks, holes and gaps as the weather changes and the temperature cools and heats. This expansion and contraction will allow outdoor air into your home and comfortable interior air is then able to escape. Sealing external windows and doors can better insulate your home, making it more energy efficient. This helps reduce how hard your HVAC system needs to work while limiting energy waste.

3.      Open windows at night and close them during the day. A great trick is to take advantage of cool, summer breezes. In the evening, when the temperate has dropped drastically, open up your windows to let the fresh, cool air inside. This will aerate your home and cool it down without using energy. Then, get up and close all windows again before the sun comes up to trap this comfortable air inside.

4.      Use heavy curtains and blackout shades to keep the heat of the sun out. Heavy curtains act as a barrier between the outdoors and the indoors. It buffers the hot air trapping it between the windows and your room. Also, blackout shades will help prevent the hot sun from beating in through the windows, increasing the temperature.

5.      Plant trees and shrubs around your home to provide more natural shade. Not only can trees and shrub enhance curb appeal and add interest and dimension to your yard's landscaping, but they can also serve a practical purpose too. Tall bushes, shrubs and trees help to provide your home with natural shade, keeping the sun away from your home and allowing it to remain cooler.

If you are concerned about keeping your home cool in the summer without spending tons of money, these tips will definitely come in handy. Be sure to use ceiling fans to improve circulation , seal windows and doors for better insulation, open up windows at night allowing the cool breeze inside, keep out the sun with heavy window treatments, and plant trees and shrubs for natural shade around your home. These are inexpensive change that will make a huge difference, keeping your home cool all summer without causing an expensive energy bill. Be sure to talk to an HVAC professional about the benefits of a home energy audit and additional tips about how to stay cool without wasting energy.

Musicians

Some 'musicians' at the Mexican Park inside Bogor Botanical Gardens (Bogor, West Java, Indonesia).

 Monday Mellow Yellows

A Pond

A large pond inside Bogor Botanical Gardens (Bogor, West Java, Indonesia). I think it looks good in B&W.

Small fountain in the center of the pond.

The Weekend in Black and White