Category: Kitchen Improvement

Terracotta Floor Tiles Overview

There are many different types of flooring options you can choose for your home.

One option that is growing in popularity, and one that offers a unique look, is terracotta floor tiles.

Before choosing terracotta or any type of tile, it’s important to understand the benefits and disadvantages of each type. By reading this article on terracotta tiles, you will be able to make an informed decision about whether or not they are right for your space. Let’s get started.

 

What are terracotta floor tiles?

Terracotta floor tiles are very similar to the clay pots or other types of pottery you might see in a kitchen or at a flower shop. However, these tiles are designed specifically for use as home flooring and can be purchased at your local hardware store. They come in various shapes, sizes, and color options. They are most often glazed to give them a nice finish and enhance the decorative aspect of their look.

How do they differ from ceramic and porcelain tiles?

While terracotta floor tiles come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors, they also vary slightly based on what type of material is used to make them. Specifically, terracotta tiles are made of clay, while ceramic tiles are made of a mixture of clays and other materials.

Porcelain tiles are made from a type of clay that is fired at a very high temperature, making them much harder than both terracotta and ceramic tiles. This makes them more resistant to wear and tear, as well as to water damage.

Ceramic tiles are the most common type of tile that is used in homes. They are affordable, durable and come in a wide variety of colors and styles. Porcelain tiles are more expensive than ceramic tiles, and they offer a much higher level of durability. If you are looking for a long-lasting tile that will not require a lot of maintenance, then porcelain may be the right option for you.

What is the difference between glazed and unglazed terracotta tile?

As mentioned earlier, terracotta floor tiles come in both glazed and unglazed varieties. Glazed tiles are treated with a layer of glass that is applied to the surface of the tile. This layer helps to protect the tile from wear and tear, as well as water damage. It also makes them easier to clean, which can be very beneficial in high-traffic areas of the home where they are likely to get dirty quickly. Glazed tiles are more expensive than unglazed tiles, but you will find that most hardware or home improvement stores offer free installation on glazed terracotta flooring purchases over a certain amount. If you are looking for an affordable option with a great look, then consider installing unglazed terracotta tiles in your living room or another area of the house that gets light traffic.

Where can you buy terracotta floor tiles?

You can purchase terracotta floor tiles at many different retail shops and online retailers. They are typically sold in bulk, so you will need to calculate the square footage of your space before heading out to make your purchase.

Why should you choose terracotta floor tiles over other types of tile?

There are a few reasons why you might consider purchasing and installing terracotta flooring in your home. Let’s have a look at the most important ones.

High durability

When installed correctly, terracotta tiles can last for decades without showing signs of wear and tear. The glaze on these tiles helps them resist water damage, so they will not be easily damaged by spills or leaks from appliances such as washing machines or dishwashers. This is especially important if there is an auxiliary bathroom located near the kitchen, where many accidents occur that could damage standard ceramic tile flooring. These tiles are also resistant to scratches, making them a great option for high-traffic areas of the home.

Wide variety of colors and shapes

Terracotta tiles come in a wide variety of colors and styles, so you are sure to find one that will complement the look of your home. You can also find tiles in various shapes and sizes, which gives you some flexibility when it comes to designing your flooring. If you are looking for a unique tile that will stand out, then consider using terracotta flooring in your home.

ffordable

Terracotta flooring is typically much more affordable than other types of flooring materials such as marble or granite. This makes a popular choice for budget-conscious homeowners who are looking to make a big impact on the look of their homes.

Easy installation and care

Terracotta floor tiles can be installed by almost anyone with basic DIY skills, and they require very little maintenance. You will find that these tiles resist most stains and spills, so you need not worry about removing them to clean up messes. Combined with their affordability, this makes them great options for do-it-yourself homeowners who want to add value to their homes without spending a lot of money or time on renovations.

They come in different shapes and sizes

Most terracotta tiles come in one of three shapes: rectangular, square, or hexagonal. The size varies depending on the style of the tile. Some are very small, at only two inches by two inches in size, while others are much larger at four inches by eight inches or more.

It is easy to find one that complements the room

Terracotta tiles come in a wide range of different colors and styles, so it can be difficult to choose just one for your flooring project. The best way to narrow down the options is to decide what style you want for your home renovation project. Old-world traditional homes typically look great with terracotta flooring because this type of design evokes feelings of nostalgia and romance. On the other hand, modern or contemporary decor styles typically need a darker or less colorful tile to maintain their sleek appearance.

They resist water damage

One of the biggest benefits of installing terracotta floor tiles in your home is that they are resistant to water damage. This is because they have a glaze on them that helps to repel liquids and keep them from penetrating the surface of the tile. If you live in an area where there is a high risk of flooding, then terracotta flooring may be the best option for you.

It can also be a great choice for homeowners who live near lakes or rivers because it resists the damage caused by moisture.

They are aesthetically pleasing

Terracotta tiles come in a variety of different colors, including reds, greens, oranges, and yellows. If you select one with a color that complements your home’s overall decor theme then you will achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance when the flooring is complete.

You can install them indoors or outdoors on patios and walkways if desired. They are generally very affordable to purchase and they have widespread availability at most home improvement stores.

Wholesale Terracotta Tiles Supplier & Manufacturer, China Hanse Terracotta Tiles For Sale at Low Prices

Image Credit: http://hanseceramictile.com

Terracotta Floor Tiles Overview – FAQ

What are terracotta tiles?

Terra cotta is the term to describe unglazed ceramic products made from earthenware, stoneware, or porcelain clays. The name comes from Italian for “cooked earth”.

How durable are terracotta tiles?

As with any flooring, material durability will vary depending on wear and traffic patterns. It is important to consider the finish type as well as installation techniques when making your selection.

Most critics agree that glazed tile is more difficult to maintain than unglazed tile because no matter how careful you are, eventually the dirt penetrates through the glaze and may not come out.

Final thoughts on terracotta floor tiles overview

In conclusion, there are several factors to take into account when planning your new terracotta floor Understanding what’s involved when choosing terracotta floor tiles will help you work out what best fits your circumstances.

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Remove Tile Grout in a Few Simple Steps

Removing tile grout can be a long, messy project. You have to use buckets for water and vinegar, wear clothes that can get dirty, and deal with the mess of paste-like grout remover floating around the room.

However, it doesn’t have to be all bad. If you want to avoid all this work, you can get your tile grout looking new again with little effort by following tips used directly by the pros.

Image Credit: http://thepincer.com

In this article, we will give you the best ways to remove tile grout- with a tool, a blade, a chemical solution, or even through prevention. We will also provide some simple tips on how to clean up afterward. Let’s get started.

The Tile Grout Removal Tool

One of the best and easiest ways to remove tile grout is by using a grout removal tool. This is a handheld tool that has a small blade on the end. You can buy these tools at most home improvement stores.

To use the tool, you simply put it in between the tiles and pull out the grout that has collected there over time. The grout will come out of the tiles in small sections and may take some time to remove completely.

However, if you feel that this step is too much work, there are other methods to consider.

How To Remove Tile Grout With A Blade

Another easy way to remove tile grout is by using either a utility knife or a box cutter blade. Simply prop up one end of your tile on some spare boards or bricks so that the bottom side is facing up at an angle.

Then slide your blade into the crevice where the tiles meet, then forcefully push it forward. The grout will pop right out. Once you have removed all the grout in this way, you can then go over the tiles with a wire brush to remove any leftover bits.

If you have a lot of tiles to clean, this may be the quickest and easiest way to do it. However, it is not without its dangers- be careful not to cut yourself while doing this.

How To Remove Tile Grout With A Chemical Solution

If you don’t want to use a blade or a removal tool, you can also tryremoving tile grout with a chemical solution. There are many different products on the market that promise to do this job quickly and easily, but our personal favorite is muriatic acid.

Muriatic acid is a very strong chemical that can be bought at most hardware stores. It is used to clean concrete and masonry, so it is perfect for removing tile grout.

To use the acid, you will need some safety equipment- rubber gloves, goggles, and a respirator. You should also avoid any contact with your skin or clothing.

Pour the acid into a bucket and dip your brush in it. Then start scrubbing at the grout between the tiles. The acid will eat away at the grout and start to dissolve it. Keep scrubbing until all the grout is removed.

Be very careful when using this method- muriatic acid is a dangerous chemical and can cause serious injuries if not handled properly.

How To Prevent Future Buildup of Grout in the Tiles

If you want to avoid having to remove tile grout in the future, there is one simple solution – seal the grout lines with a sealant. This will create a barrier between the grout and the tiles and will help keep it from collecting dirt and bacteria over time.

There are many different sealants on the market, so be sure to do your research and find one that is right for your needs. Some sealants need to be reapplied every few months, while others can last up to 10 years.

Once you have sealed the grout lines, you will never have to worry about removing tile grout again.

Which rooms can you remove grout from?

There are various areas in your home where grout can get dirty and need removal. Here are some of the most obvious ones.

Bathrooms: Grout lines in bathrooms are exposed to moisture regularly, which can lead to mold build-up over time. If you see signs of this phenomenon beginning to happen, it is best to remove the grout as soon as possible.Kitchens: Kitchen floors usually have tile grout lines with food particles stuck inside them. This attracts dirt and bacteria, which can cause dangerous cross-contamination issues if not cleaned regularly.Laundry Rooms: The same goes for laundry rooms- tile grout lines collect soap scum and lint from clothes, so they should be kept clean at all times.ShowerGrouting a shower is a tricky business- it is constantly exposed to water and can easily become dirty. If you notice that your grout is starting to look stained or mildewed, it is time for a good scrubbing.Basements: Basements are often damp areas, and this can cause grout lines to become discolored and dirty. Make sure to check your basement for this problem regularly, and remove the grout if necessary.Anywhere there are tiles: If you have any tiles in any other room of your house, it is a good idea to keep the grout clean and free of buildup. This will help keep the room looking its best and will prevent any future problems.

Removing tile grout can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right tools and techniques, it can be a quick and easy job. Follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to a sparkling clean tile floor in no time.

How to Remove Grout: 8 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Image Credit: http://wikihow.com

Cleaning up after yourself

Once you have removed the bad grout, you should seal it with a new layer or reapply the old one to prevent future wear and tear. It is also a good idea to clean the work area so you’re not left with a mess.

Pour some diluted bleach onto the floor and use a mop to clean it up. This will remove any remaining residue from the acid and will help disinfect the area. Be sure to rinse the mop thoroughly after each pass, and don’t let the bleach come in contact with your skin or eyes.

When you’re finished, your floor should be clean and grout-free. Congratulations on a job well done.

Final thoughts on removing tile grout in a few simple steps

In conclusion, removing tile grout is a process that can be done relatively easily with the right tools and techniques. There are many different areas of your home where grout can become dirty and need to be removed, so be sure to stay vigilant and keep on top of it. A clean tile floor will brighten up any room in your house and will make it look newer and more inviting.

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Window Air Conditioning Tricks

Window AC units are a great way to stay cool during the hot summer months. But at the same time, they can be tricky to install and maintain. The wrong installation can lead to the AC unit falling out of the window, or not cooling your room as well as it should.

In this article, I will give you some tips for installing and maintaining your window air conditioner so that it works well all summer long. Let’s get right into it.

Installing and maintaining your ACs correctly

Understanding howdifferent types of air conditioners work is the first step in learning how to maintain them.

For example, most window ACs are cooled with simple, CFC-free R410A refrigerant gas. For these types of air conditioners, water is the cooling agent that absorbs heat from inside the room and passes it through the AC’s compressor.


Image Credit: http://popularmechanics.com

The compressor increases the pressure of the water vapour until it becomes a hot gas (steam). The gases are then released through a set coil outside your home which cools it down before pumping it back into your room. The AC fan blows cool air into your house or office space to lower its overall internal temperature window air conditioning tips

With that said, installing a window AC unit is very similar to installing a normal window. The first and most important step is measuring your window. Make sure you have the right size AC unit for your window otherwise it will not cool your room properly or may even fall out of the opening.

Once you have the correct sized air conditioner, carefully read over the installation instructions before taking any steps. A lot of units can be flipped horizontally or vertically depending on what suits your window best, so make sure you’re doing that correctly as well.

After you’ve got everything set up, it’s time to plug in your AC and enjoy some cold air. Because most units are installed inside a window, keeping them dust-free is important for keeping them running smoothly and reducing wear and tear.

Make sure to keep an eye on your filters and have them replaced when needed. Also, because you are dealing with water vapour, do not place anything that can melt or catch fire near your unit.

The last step is making sure the AC itself stays secure in the window so it does not fall out. Some ACs come equipped with locks but if yours does not have one, installing a few screws at the top of the unit will usually suffice to make sure it doesn’t accidentally slip out of its casing window air conditioning tricks

The importance of having air conditioners installed securely

As we mentioned before, one of the dangers of installing a window AC unit is that it can fall out of the window.

This happens most often when the window opening is too narrow for the AC unit, or if there is no installation support on the inside of the window frame.

To help prevent your air conditioner from falling out, make sure you are using the correct size unit for your window and that it is properly installed. You can also use a locking mechanism to keep the AC in place.

If you are still worried about your AC unit falling out, it’s best to contact a professional to install it for you. They will know how to properly secure your air conditioner so that it doesn’t move an inch over the long term.

Other factors to consider

In addition to proper installation and maintenance, there are a few other things you can do to keep your window AC unit running smoothly all summer long.

One of the most important things to do is to keep the area around your AC unit clear. This means not placing any furniture or other objects near the unit that could obstruct the airflow.

How to Install Window Air Conditioner Units | Clera Windows + Doors

Image Credit: http://clerawindows.com

Finally, set a schedule for using your AC so that you’re not turning it on and off constantly. This will help reduce wear and tear on the unit and save you some money on your energy bill.

Window air conditioning freeze-ups

Window air conditioner freeze-ups do happen, but there are steps you can take to lessen the frequency at which they occur.

The first is keeping water out of the unit. A window AC unit pulls in air from outside and then pumps it back into your room. If that air has any moisture in it, it will lead to ice forming on the coils which prevent it from cooling down your space again.

Just like for all other units, avoiding places where frost can form is important for keeping your unit running smoothly throughout the year.

Finally, be sure not to cover your AC with blankets or furniture when it’s turned on as this can trigger ice build-up very quickly.

Window Air Conditioning Tricks – FAQ

What is the best way to clean the filters on my window air conditioner?

The most effective way to clean filters on a window air conditioner is by vacuuming them with the brush attachment. You can also use a damp cloth to wipe them down, but be sure to let them dry completely before putting them back in the unit.

How can I improve the airflow through my window air conditioner?

If you are having trouble getting enough airflow through your window air conditioner, try cleaning or replacing the filter. You can also make sure the unit is in an open area with plenty of room for air to circulate.

What should I do if water starts leaking from my window air conditioner?

If water starts leaking from your window air conditioner, the first thing you should do is turn it off and unplug it. Next, try to determine where the leak is coming from and take appropriate action to fix it. If you are unable to fix the leak yourself, contact a professional for assistance.

Can I use a space heater with my window air conditioner?

Yes, you can use a space heater with your window air conditioner as long as it is placed at least three feet away from the unit. Be sure to keep a close eye on the space heater while it is in use to avoid any potential fires or other hazards.

Final thoughts on window air conditioning tricks

In this article, we’ve gone through a few window air conditioning tricks that you can use to keep your home cool and comfortable. By following these tips, you can save money on your energy bills and make the most of your air conditioning unit.

Always take care of your window air conditioning unit by keeping it free from dirt, debris, and other materials. This will help to keep the unit running efficiently for as long as possible. If you have any trouble with your unit or you notice something is wrong with it, be sure to contact an expert who can give you specific advice for your situation.

Finally, check out this article on the best air conditioners to buy if you’d like to get your hands on the best ACs in the market right now.

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Creative Bathroom Organizing Ideas

Bathrooms can be a total mess. It seems like you never have enough storage space, and every time you need something in there, it’s always at the bottom of a pile somewhere. Most bathrooms are small spaces that make organizing hard, if not impossible.

On top of that, we all have our personal preferences for keeping things clean and tidy. Luckily we have lots of easy ways to organize your bathroom with little to no cost involved. We’ve rounded up some bathroom storage ideas below so you can get started on making yours look neater immediately.

dd a Shelving Unit Above the Toilet

There are lots of ways to store toiletries above the toilet. You can put up a cabinet, use a wall-mounted shelf, or get creative with what you have around your bathroom. Many companies also sell shelving units made to fit around standard-size toilets.


Image credit: https://cdn.decoist.com/

Another great option is to build open shelving above the toilet for additional storage. Doing it on your own provides more opportunities to match the shelving with your home decor style. Also, consider open shelving.

These open vanities are classic and can make any sink look like a modern floating style and they don’t take up too much visual space in small bathrooms. You can easily add floating shelves underneath for attractive storage baskets that can even disguise the plumbing.

Lean a Ladder for Towel Storage

The space between the bottom of your shower and the ceiling is a great place for storing towels if you have an old ladder lying around. This is one of the straightforward ways to hang towels in your bathroom, especially when you add hooks or a towel bar to the wall.

Lean a Ladder for Towel Storage
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Incorporating ladders into your modern bathroom for hanging towels lets you maximize that vertical storage. Plus, you can hang hooks and baskets from a ladder to store washcloths and other toiletries.

Mount Shower Caddy Using Suction Cups

Hanging a shower caddy from the ceiling is an easy way to free up space in your bathroom. All you have to do is screw a hook into your ceiling, then fix strong suction cups or adhesive hooks to the shower surround. This frees up both counter and floor space while also giving you easy access to your bath products, linens, candles, and other toiletries when you’re in the shower.

Mount Shower Caddy Using Suction Cups
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A wall-mounted bath caddy allows you to store more items without taking up any extra storage. A bath caddy is one of the easiest and inexpensive small storage bathroom ideas to implement.

Store Your Reading Material

One of the best ways to free up counter space is to store your reading material elsewhere when it comes to bathroom organization. A great place to put it is in a magazine rack or bookcase that’s mounted next to the toilet. This way, you can grab your reading material when you’re finished with your business, and you won’t have to clutter up the countertop.

Store Items on the Inside of a Cabinet Door

If your bathroom doesn’t have a great deal of counter space, every inch is valuable. However, there are several items you can store on the inside of cabinet doors to free up room. For example, place an over-the-door shoe rack on the back of your bathroom door or in another inconspicuous area so you can store extra towels or shampoo bottles.

You can also buy a tension rod and hang it on the back of your cabinet door to store washcloths. You can also take advantage of this space by attaching clear bins to the doors in which you can store everyday essentials. Label each bin and add dates to items that have an expiration. This way, you’ll know where everything is, and nothing will go to waste.

Create Some Space for a Hair Dryer

If you don’t have a lot of space in your bathroom, try to find an alternate spot for your hairdryer. You can hang it on the back of your bathroom door or a hook on the wall. This way, you’ll have more room to store other items.

To implement this bathroom organizing idea, you can use an over-the-door rack to fit wider items, including hair tools. The nest part is that you won’t need to drill holes to hang it.

Keep Stylish Items on a Tray

If you want to keep your bathroom looking stylish, try placing all of your luxury items on a tray. Everyday household items, such as hand lotion, perfume, jewelry, cotton swabs, makeup brushes, and tissues can be placed in canisters or jars so they don’t take up room on the counter. Decorate your bathroom countertop with a stylish tray to hold some of your most-loved and visually appealing items.

Use Lazy Susan in Your Bathroom Cabinet

A Lazy Susan is a round turntable that can be installed into your bathroom cabinet. You can use this to store all kinds of items, including makeup, hair appliances, and personal hygiene products. Simply spin the lazy Susan to find what you need.

Use Cups or Jars for Storage

Add three mason jars to your medicine cabinet to make quick work of organizing toothbrushes, cotton balls, and swabs. You can even use cups or votive candle holders for storage on the countertop to hold your makeup brushes or favorite perfumes.

By storing items vertically inside a jar or cup, you can make better use of the vertical space inside the cabinet. This bathroom organizing idea requires you to keep items together. These include one jar for cotton balls, one jar for cotton swabs, and another for other necessities.

Create a Skinny Alcove

Use a skinny alcove in your bathroom to store smaller items like lip balm, sunscreen, or hand sanitizer. You can also fit larger items into the space by turning them to their sides. By using the vertical space within the alcove, you can stack extra towels and hold baskets with all your skincare products without sacrificing surface area in your bathroom.

Designate a Place for Dirty and Clean Towels

You can keep your bathroom neat and organized by designating a place for dirty towels. After you’re done in the shower, hang the towel on a hook right next to the shower or tub. If possible, create a small spot for a hamper so clothes and wet towels don’t end up in a pile on the floor. You can roll some clean towels and store them on top of the hamper to save space.

Roll Up a Bar Cart

If you have an unused bar cart sitting around, grab it and roll it into your bathroom. You can fit the cart perfectly in the corner, so you will free up some counter space if there’s no room next to your sink. You can also use this area as a makeshift vanity area since there are many drawers for all of your beauty. This is also a good place for flowers to freshen up a guest bathroom or powder room.

Blend It in with Colors and Patterns

If you’re aiming for a more sophisticated and chic style, match your bathroom organizer with the colors and patterns on your shower curtain. For example, if your shower curtain is white with colorful flowers, an all-white or cream laundry hamper will fit right in.

Paint it the same color as your wall for a clean, cohesive look if you’re looking to keep your bathroom storage shelving from standing out as a focal point. This also allows the entire space to feel sleek, clean, and fresh. Check how to paint the bathroom to get some amazing ideas.

Create Storage Unit Under the Sink

If you’re short on storage space, consider creating a hidden storage unit under the sink area. This is a great place to store bins for toiletries, cleaning supplies, and towels. You can even buy a special cabinet or organizer specifically for this purpose. While a decorative shelf is mounted on the wall for decorative items, the under-sink area offers you room to stow items out of sight, even if you have a tiny bathroom.

Fake a Linen Closet

Don’t panic if you’ve got a space that doesn’t have room for an actual linen closet or the previous owner took the closet when they purchased your home. Instead of having no place to hang damp towels and hand towels, give this idea a try. Take advantage of the free corner wall and add a shelving unit there. You can also attach baskets to the wall for a spot to fold extra towels and washcloths. A slim wall unit will also work.

Organize Bath Toys in Waterproof Bins

Do your kids have bath toys that they never seem to put back when it’s bath time? Turn a cheap plastic organizer into something functional. Niches in the wall are a great spot for storing such toys in a small plastic bin. If you don’t have a niche, turn to a strong suction cup near the bath. You can also hang an extra shower curtain tension rod along the back wall of the tub and add hooks so that you can hang toy bins.

Divide Vanity Drawers into Sections

Don’t let your bathroom vanity drawers look like junk drawers. Instead, purchase drawer dividers and group items together to make your drawers functional and appealing storage spaces. Curate your new vanity drawers with commonly used products that make sense in your household.

FAQs on Creative Bathroom Organizing Ideas

What are the three types of bathrooms?

Bathrooms are categorized as the master bathrooms, containing a shower and a bathtub adjoining the largest bedroom. There is also a full bathroom or full bath, containing four plumbing fixtures, including a toilet and a sink, and a half bathroom or powder room, containing just a toilet and sink.

Final Thought on Creative Bathroom Organizing Ideas

As you can see, bathroom organization isn’t as simple as throwing everything into a cabinet and closing the door. You have to plan out where things will go and what you want to bring together in one place.

Try these bathroom organizing ideas to spice up your space. Don’t let the lack of storage or time be an excuse for not washing your hands after using the restroom! Take some time out of your day to organize, and you will thank yourself later.

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10 Elegant, Traditional Living Rooms

Thanks to their comfort, the traditional living room style has stood the test of time. However, decorating a traditional style living room can sometimes be hard. There are so many rules and regulations that you have to follow.

Many people don’t know what they should do with the furniture or how to decorate living rooms to achieve the perfect look. We created this guide for those who want to create an elegant, traditional living room but don’t know where to start. Here are 10 elegant traditional living rooms you can copy.

Go Gray in a Traditional Living Room- The Lighter Shade, the Better

When you think about elegant traditional living room colors, dark shades like maroon should be the last thing on your mind. Keep in mind that a lighter color is a sign of sophistication and wealth, so try to paint your walls in a shade of gray or white. You can also opt for some light blue or beige tones.


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These colors will create a sense of openness and airiness in your living room. Gray is one of the most popular colors in any living room, but it can blend well in traditional living rooms. Pick some lighter hue with some grays and charcoals in your cushions and rugs for the floor.

Choose the Best Paint for Your Traditional Living Room

To choose paint colors for your room, opt for darker but muted paint colors like Benjamin Moore’s HC-146 Coventry Gray or Sherwin Williams SW6103 Spanish Cloth for an elegant, traditional look. These colors will give your room a rich and classic feel. If you want to add a pop of color, try painting an accent wall in a bolder hue.

Choose the Best Paint for Your Traditional Living Room
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This can be a great way to show your personality in your traditional living space. A warm color scheme would also be perfect for your traditional living design, especially if you’re sticking religiously to the style.

So, opt for warm neutrals, purples, reds, and forest greens. In addition, bright white and cool gray tones can create a simple, clean backdrop for your more traditional furniture.

Breezy Plains and Prints, Lafayette Residence, San Francisco

This is one of the great examples of traditional living room ideas. The dark-walled living room is softened with large white windows, high ceilings, and a fireplace. The pairing solids in the comfortable sofas, armchairs, and rugs give the room a curated, comfortable feel.

Choose Striped Upholstery for Timeless Feel

Whether you choose chic, wide stripes, or rustic french ticking linens, striped fabrics are a brilliant choice when it comes to upholstery and window treatments in traditional rooms. They are inoffensive and easy to live with because they can stand the test of time and come in all manner of weaves, weights, and different colors to match your scheme.

Consider Contemporary Features

The key to a traditional living room that doesn’t feel stuffy is to add contemporary features. This could be a sleek fireplace, a minimalist coffee table, or even pops of color. The contemporary sofa and armchair contrast beautifully with the more traditional features like the rug and fireplace in this living room.

Contemporary interiors feature sleek furniture and smooth lines. With these contemporary interiors, you won’t see a lot of tufting, piping, and patterns with contemporary pieces. The favored shape is rounded. You’ll see lots of coffee tables, lamps, and end tables in contemporary spaces.

You can use accessories such as candle holders, figurines, and other tabletop accents to keep it at a minimum. Other than traditional interiors, you can bring in wall art to bring that traditional feel.

Blue and White Glamor in a Living Room

For a more traditional living room, you can use dark paint colors and add dark accents such as chandeliers and even rugs. Use lighter colors like whites, grays, and yellows for contemporary spaces. You can add lots of light fixtures, such as track lights, to give off that contemporary vibe.

Blue and White Glamor in a Living Room
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You’ll also see hardwood floors in contemporary spaces, whereas traditional living rooms will have carpeting or rugs. Although you’ll see delicate armchairs in traditional living rooms, the emphasis when it comes to seating is on comfortable, sit-back, and relaxed pieces. Traditional roll arm or birch sofas are right at home more often when loaded with throw pillows to increase comfort.

High Ceiling Living Room

In traditional living rooms, you’ll often find more ornate details like crown molding and detailed woodworking. You’ll also see a lot of wallpaper, which can be used to create a luxurious or formal look. Rugs will usually be oriental or Persian, and flooring will be hardwood.

When it comes to furniture, a traditional living room will have a lot of dark wood pieces with upholstery in a neutral color. Traditional seating is made from leather, velvet, or tweed. There may be some tufting on the arms and back of sofas and chairs, as well as nailhead trim. Apart from tightly upholstered furniture, there will also be an iron lantern and architectural details to make the room look current.

Exposed Beams in a Living Room

Traditional living rooms will often have a large fireplace. You should avoid wallpaper with a busy pattern and choose something solid in color. If your furniture isn’t upholstered in a neutral color, you can add it yourself using slipcovers.

Lighting has to be traditional or even antique in these kinds of living rooms. Chandeliers and sconces are perfect, and you can also use floor lamps with shades that match the walls. Area rugs are a must in traditional living rooms, and you should choose something with a very traditional pattern like oriental or Persian. Leave the modern patterns for other parts of your home.

When it comes to accessories, keep them simple and elegant. Traditional living rooms don’t need a lot of clutter, so choose a few select pieces and display them carefully. Think vases, figurines, paintings, ornaments, and even plants. If you want to create a cottage-style charm in your living room, consider a botanical theme.

The rustic wooden beam and spare furnishings of the cottage work well with botanical prints and indoor flowering plants. You can also create a timeless vintage-inspired appeal by including shabby chic. Shabby chic takes the antique pieces from the traditional to vintage-inspired appeal.

Hang Curtains in Archive Fabric Prints

There are all sorts of window treatments to choose from but nothing says traditional style like classic floor to ceiling drapes. In that case, inject luxurious patterns and history into your living space using a rich archive of velvets, weaves, and embroideries. Traditional homes are often roomy with high ceilings and large windows, making it important to scale up.

Hang Curtains in Archive Fabric Prints
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Choose large-scale patterns to get the proportion right, and don’t be afraid to match the same pattern on the walls and the curtains. Make sure your decoration pays respect to the past and lives today to enable them to work well with both traditional and contemporary furniture.

Furnish with Antique Pieces

One of the easiest ways to add traditional elegance to your home is by including antique furniture in your design scheme. Not only will you have unique pieces that are sure to impress guests, but you’ll also get the benefit of their classic style and craftsmanship.

Fine crafted using traditional methods and boasting a quality of manufacture inimitable by many modern designs. Antique furniture makes a great choice for furnishing a traditional living room, whether you have a period property or looking to create a traditional look.

When choosing antique furniture, consider the era it comes from so that you don’t accidentally choose too mismatched pieces or from different periods. A dated color scheme may also complement the look you’re going for. For example, a rich gold finish with dark wood tones may work well with a traditional style, while a gilded mirror will shine against a neutral-colored wall in an entryway. Also, go for items that will sit on open shelves without taking much space.

Fit Floor to Ceiling Bookshelves

No traditional living room is complete without floor-to-ceiling built-in bookshelves. Not only do they provide functional storage for all of your books, but they also add architectural interest to the room.

Consider having your carpenter build a custom design that perfectly fits your space. Or go for a vintage look by choosing wooden shelves and painting them a dark, contrasting color.

Decorate with Mirrors and Art

Mirrors and artwork make for great focal points in any room – but this is especially true in a traditional living room. Fill your walls with large-scale wall art either grouped or spread apart to create visual interest and conversation pieces. Plus, mirrors will bounce light around the room and make it feel larger.

Go All-Cream for a Luxurious Look

A traditional living space so sumptuous that it feels like a bedroom is not always a good idea, especially when you have kids and pets around. But if you want a living room with lots of luxury, then consider piling in the cream color. You can’t go wrong with the warmth that this color brings to a room. Plus, all cream-schemes will bring out all the different textures of your soft furnishings.

FAQS on Elegant, Traditional Living Room Ideas

What makes a room traditional?

Elegant shapes, refined textures are hallmarks of a traditional living room. Plus, a charmingly predictable sense of order makes traditional style one that’s always warm and charming. While decorating may change the trend, traditional living rooms will always be style.

What is the difference between a traditional and a classic living room?

The classic living room is more formal and elegant than the traditional style, meaning that modern pieces will elevate a space and give it a more formal, elegant vibe, while the traditional style will be a lot more relaxed and approachable.

Final Thought on Elegant, Traditional Living Rooms

As you can see, there’s no style that lends itself to elegance and sophistication better than the traditional style. In fact, traditional interior design has paved the way for several modern design styles you see today. If you want to give your home a classic and elegant look, traditional design is the way to go. You can even mix and match styles if you choose to.

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12 Best Plants for Your Bedroom

You spend a lot of time in your bedroom. That’s why it’s important to make this space as peaceful and relaxing as possible. Apart from decorating your bedroom to look beautiful, you also need to improve the air quality and the best way to do so is to bring plants into the picture.

But which are the best plants for bedrooms? There is no one-size-fits-all answer here because there are so many different types of plants out there that could work well for you. This depends on where you live and other factors like how much sunlight they need and if they require special care or not.

Here are some air purifying plants that are all great for bedrooms:

1. Corn Plant

The Corn Plant is a great option for people who live in areas with low humidity. It’s a hardy plant that doesn’t need much sunlight and thrives in cooler temperatures. This makes it perfect for bedrooms.


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With its long, glossy top stout trunks, a substantial corn plant can serve as a handsome anchor in the bedroom corner. It produces white flowers when located in a sunny spot. The corn plant is also poisonous and shouldn’t be around nibbling pets and curious children.

2. Snake Plant

Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, the Snake Plant is one of the best options for bedroom plants because it thrives in low light. It’s ideal for people who don’t have time to give their plants a lot of attention. This is the best air purifying plant for any other houseplant.

Snake Plant
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The leather, strappy leaves of the snake plant have adapted to harsh conditions of West Africa where the soil is poor, and rain is irregular. This low maintenance plant is an optimal choice for the bedroom because not only does it claim a top spot in the best ten air purifying plants, but it’s also one of few plants that convert carbon dioxide to produce oxygen.

Snake plants filter indoor air during day and night. It prefers bright indirect sunlight but water it occasionally to avoid messy dropped leaves.

3. Peace Lily

This elegant flowering plant is a great choice for the bedroom because it’s one of the best air purifiers, and it’s easy to care for. Peace lilies thrive in shady areas, so it’s perfect for bedrooms with little light. It removes harmful gasses such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air.

Peace Lily
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The peace lily is poisonous, so make sure to place it somewhere out of reach for children and pets. To care for a peace lily, keep the soil moist and place it in an area of your home that gets moderate to bright indirect sunlight. This plant purifies indoor air and also helps in emitting water vapor.

4. Spider Plant

Spider plants have made a huge comeback in recent years after being commonplace in bedrooms. Most people are familiar with the spider plant, also known as the airplane plant, from its ability to produce multiple pups on stems that dangle from the mother plant.

You can leave the baby plants in place or clip them and re-pot them for gifts or use other rooms. Spider plants absorb odors and fumes to help keep the oxygen level high, making you fall asleep faster. These plants produce baby spider plants, so you can grow and propagate new plants for your bedroom.

This hardy plant is easy to maintain and can naturally filter air pollutants by removing pollutants such as cigarette smoke, ammonia, benzene, and Spider plants that do well in moderate to bright light with average moisture. If leaf tips turn brown, collect rainwater to irrigate your spider plants since they’re sensitive to the fluoride in tap water.

5. Monstera deliciosa

If you’re looking for a versatile plant that can thrive in low light, then the Swiss cheese plant is perfect for you. They can cleanse the interior spaces of your home without taking up much space or requiring much care.

The Swiss cheese plant is native to South America and thrives in indirect light, so it is ideal if your bedroom lacks direct sunlight. Also, keep it out of reach for cats, dogs, and other small animals because its foliage may irritate them.

6. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a great air-purifying plant and is easy to care for. It helps you sleep better because it emits oxygen at night, nourishing your body and mind. These succulent plants produce offsets that you can remove to start new plants.

Aloe Vera
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The new plants can serve as replacements if you remove leaves to harvest their healing gel for cuts and sunburns, making it good medicine.

7. Lady Palm

Lady Palm, commonly known as the Bamboo palm, is a great plant for filtering out formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air. Bamboo palm is also good at humidifying the air, so it’s perfect for your bedroom if you have dry skin or suffer from allergies.

Lady Palm
Image credit: https://www.thespruce.com/

Lady palm plant does best in bright, indirect light near a window or skylight commonly found in sleeping quarters but can also tolerate low light conditions. It doesn’t need much water, so it’s the perfect plant for people who forget to care for their plants.

8. English Ivy

English ivy can filter out benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde. It also is capable of reducing carbon dioxide levels up to 60 percent at night, though most experts recommend keeping your bedroom at 8-12 percent CO2. It requires a low level of light, so consider including it near a window or skylight in your bedroom.

English Ivy
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Thriving in all light conditions, the trailing vines of English ivy look attractive in hanging baskets or draped over a bedside table. Not only does English Ivy help remove toxins, but the research shows that it may be able to clear air of mold and animal feces and improve allergy symptoms.

9. Areca Palm

Areca palm is one of the most efficient air cleaners on the list. It removes harmful toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene from the air. It does not require much light, so that it can be placed near your window or even in low light areas.

Areca Palm
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Areca palm is also one of the best plants for removing carbon dioxide from the air. This palm absorbs air pollutants, hence purifying indoor air. These palms grow best in bright indirect light when their soil is kept evenly moist.

10. Chinese Evergreen

Also known as Aglaonema, this plant is very easy to maintain. It helps clean the air removing up to 12 toxins, including benzene, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. Chinese evergreen grows best between 65°F-75°F, so it’s an excellent bedroom plant since your bedroom temperature tends to be lower at night.

Chinese Evergreen
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This plant grows slowly, so it’s usually small enough to keep on your nightstand. It’s toxic to pets, so better steer clear and choose different bedroom plants if your animals sleep with you.

11. Golden Pothos

This plant is also known as Devil’s Ivy and is a great choice for beginners. It grows well in low light and high humidity, perfect for the bedroom. The Golden Pothos helps remove Formaldehyde, Xylene, and Toluene from the air.

This plant has a similar aesthetic to the heartleaf philodendron, which you can place with heart-shaped leaves on top of your dresser or nightstand to help purify indoor air and eliminate odors.

12. Rubber Plant

The rubber plant is another good choice for the bedroom. It tolerates lower light levels well and will help with better air quality by releasing oxygen at night. The abundant leaves of this plant draw in a large amount of contaminants, making it excellent at cleaning indoor air. It improves indoor air quality by absorbing airborne chemicals.

Rubber Plant
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FAQs on Best Plants for Your Bedroom

Is it important to have plants in the bedroom?

Yes, it is important to have plants in the bedroom. Not only do they add a touch of nature and beauty to the room, but they also help improve air quality. Indoor plants can help purify the air by removing harmful toxins and pollutants. However, remember not to have houseplants that can be harmful to cats and dogs if you have these pets around.

Final Thought on Best Plants for Your Bedroom

There are many varieties of indoor plants that you can bring to your bedroom to help with a good night’s sleep. These plants not only look great, but they also help improve air quality. So, if you are looking for ways to improve your health and get a better night’s sleep, bring in some plants.

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Outdoor Treasure Hunt for Kids

Kids love games, and they also love to be challenged. But sometimes, it is difficult to come up with ideas on how you can keep their interest in a game that might have become boring after playing it for the umpteenth time. An outdoor treasure hunt for kids allows them to explore nature while having fun.

It will also help them develop critical thinking skills and enhance their observation skills, which are important when looking for treasures around your home or community. And what’s more? They will get some exercise too.

This guide has printable outdoor scavenger hunt clues so that you can set these treasure hunt riddles in minutes:

What is a Scavenger Hunt?

A scavenger hunt for a treasure hunt is a fun game where you follow clues or riddles and collect small prizes or a large prize at the end of the hunt. For an Easter scavenger hunt, you can even use plastic eggs to hold the clues in. Both individuals and teams can play scavenger hunts. The game is adaptable and has greater activity for smaller and larger groups alike.

Scavenger Hunt Clue Ideas

Nature Scavenger Hunts

A nature scavenger hunt can be a fun way to get your kids excited about being outside and learning about the environment. You can make a nature scavenger hunt as easy or hard as you want by including different items in the list. It can take place in your backyard, a park, or a nature preserve.

 

It involves searching for items or following clues to find hidden items outdoors. These scavenger hunts are great for every age group, including very young kids. An outdoor scavenger hunt is a great way to engage the senses. So, consider a search that asks players to identify things they can watch, smell and hear.

A nature hunt can also be fun to teach kids about environmental stewardship. You can help beautify a trail by picking up trash you find on your walk. Collecting trash can feel like a menial task, but it can be fun when it’s considered a game. Pass out gloves and plastic bags and offer prizes for whoever collects the most trash and finds the strangest object.

Ensure each group of the kids has adult supervision for safety if they’re collecting trash. Nature scavenger hunt ideas include collecting sticks, pinecones, and leaves in a nature craft. Spot and photograph nature items from a list, and lastly, identify and photograph a variety of bugs, leaves, plants, and flowers.

Neighborhood Scavenger Hunts

A neighborhood scavenger hunt is another type of treasure hunt where players are given a list of items to find in their surroundings. This can be a fun activity for kids who live in urban neighborhoods. Items on the list might include a rubber band, toothpick, a canceled stamp, a cookie, a drinking straw, and a paper cup.

Neighborhood Scavenger Hunts
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There are a couple of variations on neighborhood hunt. The first variation is to have teams go door to door where players tell the neighbor who answers the door that they’re on a scavenger hunt. They then ask them for the items on their list. The next variation is holding an outdoor scavenger hunt in the neighborhood like you would have a nature hunt.

This is also a great way of keeping kids occupied during a neighborhood block party. Use discretion with a door-to-door variation of this game, as knocking on someone’s door more than once could quickly become irritating for neighbors.

If you have two teams, each team might go to odd-numbered or even-numbered houses, or one team could go to the north side of the street and the other to the south side. Neighborhood scavenger hunt ideas include finding hidden items in the neighborhood, finding specific landmarks and locations, following hidden clues to find a prize, and going door to door to request items from a list.

Color Scavenger Hunt

This hunt is perfect for younger kids learning the names of colors. Write down the names of commonly known colors and post them in a visible spot. Split kids up into teams and give each team a different color crayon or marker.

Color Scavenger Hunt
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The goal is for the kids to find all of the items listed on the sheet in that particular color. Let your child find the colors and label them with the appropriate names on the hunt sheet.

Photo Scavenger Hunt

This hunt is perfect for older kids. Give them a digital camera and take pictures of items listed on the sheet. The items can be anything from a specific color to something found in nature. The best part about this hunt is that you can tailor it to your child’s interests.

Photo Scavenger Hunt
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If they love animals, make a list of items that includes pictures of different animals. If they love nature, make a list of items, including plants and flowers. You can also make the hunt harder by including specific details in the photos, such as something in motion or a picture taken from a distance.

Photo scavenger hunt ideas include items of a particular color or shape, local landmarks, players doing certain activities, and things that start with a specific letter.

Stay at Home Scavenger Hunts

Scavenger hunts can be great at-home activities too. They’re a fun way of breaking up a boring weekend. Sleepovers and birthday party scavenger hunt ideas are especially popular.

Stay at home scavenger hunt ideas include favorite things like favorite foods, favorite colors, and favorite toys. Others include household items and something that starts with A, B, C, D, and more.

Scavenger Hunt Clues for Treasure Map

After creating a list of items or clues, tally up the total number of items and assign a point value to each item. For example, if there are ten items on the list, assigning a point value of five each would make the total points 50.

Now create a simple treasure map with a starting point and an ending point. The path between the two should have several circles or X’s drawn, each representing a clue.

Field Trip Scavenger Hunts

Field trip scavenger hunts can be a great way to keep your kids engaged at museums, zoos, or amusement parks. Scavenger hunts at public places involve finding specific items and clues. This is a fun way to explore new places and learn about unique objects.

Field trip scavenger hunt ideas include certain colors or shapes, items in an exhibit at the museum, items with the logo, and specific rides at a carnival or amusement park. Others include animals at the zoo and vendors that sell specific food items such as cotton candy and popcorn.

When having a scavenger hunt in public spaces, talk to kids about proper etiquette and safety. For example, if your hunt is in a museum, ensure your kids understand that they should talk quietly and walk.

If it’s a noisy outdoor venue, make sure your kids know to stay in designated groups and not wander off on their own. For safety, let an adult or teenager stay with each group if younger children are participating and make a plan of what you’ll do if someone gets lost.

How to Make a Riddle Scavenger Hunt

If you want to make your own outdoor scavenger hunt clues for scavenger hunt games, it’s pretty and easy to do. Even if you don’t consider yourself a creative person, you can come up with dozens of clues and ideas for riddles or games. You can try keeping one child busy and occupied or throwing a larger themed birthday party or traditional Easter egg hunt.

You can turn all these scavenger hunt riddles into whatever theme you like or use on a family camping trip. If you’re looking for a quick way to occupy your child once they’re on a school break, you can raid the dressing up box and toys for some props or age treasure clues with a wet tea bag and use some pennies as a real treasure.

Kids Scavenger Hunt Ideas and Theming

There are plenty of scavenger hunt ideas that you can use to theme your game. Whether it’s finding things around the house or in the garden, there’s something for everyone. You could even go on a treasure hunt and set up a series of clues that will lead players to different items hidden in your backyard or neighborhood.

Traditional Easter Egg Hunt

Alternatively, you could set up a traditional Easter egg hunt with wrapped candy or plastic eggs that contain some prize. You can even get your child’s friends involved and play along too.

Traditional Easter Egg Hunt
Image credit: https://www.organizedmom.net/

Try our treasure hunts if you’re looking for something truly inspirational and creative to do with the kids. When it’s clear what your theme is and whether you’re holding an outdoor or indoor treasure hunt, you can decide on the treasure hunt clue.

How to Make Your Own Find Things Treasure Hunt

If you don’t want to buy treasure hunt cards or cards with scavenger hunt items like the brilliant find it a game, you can make your scavenger hunt clues for kids or visual treasure hunt questions.

You can cut out magazine or newspaper pictures and stick them to a sheet, then your kids can run around hunting for the treasure hunt items on the list. This also works well for scavenger hunt clues around the house.

If your kids can read, then scavenger hunt clue ideas can include a simple list of the items or write down a subject. For older kids, you can make more elaborate riddles or rhyming riddles for them to solve.

Scavenger Hunt Supplies List

Here’s a list of universal treasure hunt ideas and can be used for an outdoor or indoor scavenger hunt game. You can also add rules like don’t bring anything back that’s alive like worms, a pet, a growing plant, or a flower.

Themed treasured gifts and prizesDecorationsTimerBags or baskets for the itemsPen or pencil to cross off the list itemsPre-printed list or paper and magazine pictures bought treasure hunt cards.

FAQs on Outdoor Scavenger Hunts for Kids

How can you do an online scavenger hunt?

You can use a virtual scavenger hunt to connect with friends and family who live far away. Virtual scavenger hunts are played the same way as in-person scavenger hunts, except that you’ll connect with fellow players over video conferencing.

What are some of the benefits of outdoor scavenger hunts for kids?

Scavenger hunts for kids have many benefits, ranging from inflicting team building to kids, improved outdoor time which helps in getting Vitamin D, which is crucial for the development of kids. Scavenger hunts are one of the best ways to bring kids into the present moment.

Final Thought on Outdoor Treasure Hunts for Kids

As you can see, these scavenger treasure hunts do not require special skills, materials, or investment. They’re also inexpensive and accessible games for people of all ages. So, if you’re thinking of a scavenger hunt, you can make it as simple and elaborate as you want with things you can find around the house and some items on the checklist you find.

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Why Window Air Conditioners Freeze-Up

Window air conditioners are not designed to be in super cold climates, which means that if you live in a climate that gets below freezing, your window AC will freeze up. This can happen when the unit is running or not being used correctly – it’s just part of how they work.

In this article, we’ll explain how to prevent your window AC from freezing up, as well as give you some tips on how to keep your energy bills down. Keep reading to find out more.

Solutions To Try When Your Window Air Conditioners Freeze-Up

To keep this from happening, you should either turn off the unit when it’s not being used or install an insulation kit to help protect it from the cold. If you do have any problems with frozen windows, it’s best to call in a professional to help you out.

Insulation kits are fairly inexpensive and easy to install, so this is a great solution for anyone who wants to make sure their window AC stays functional all winter long. For more information about the kits, contact your HVAC contractor for advice. They’ll be able to help you find a good insulation kit that will keep your room as cold as possible without having to worry about it freezing up.

Another solution is to shut off the AC entirely when it’s not being used. You can do this by removing the front grille and locating the switch, then moving it into the off position. This will stop it from recirculating warm air back into your room, which should help prevent freezing up while also saving energy costs.

Image Credit: http://storables.com

Even if your window AC does freeze over, you shouldn’t let that stop you from using it – just remove some of the ice before turning on the power again (never use hot water or open flames like hair dryers for this). You should be safe to run it normally again, but keep an eye on the ice levels to make sure they don’t get too high.

Other Solutions To Try

While there are manytypes of air conditioning systems, all with their own ways of working, the following solutions might also be worthwhile trying if the above tips do not work.

If you’re not comfortable installing an insulation kit or turning your AC completely off when it’s not in use, there are a few other things you can do to try and prevent freezing.

One is to keep your windows open while the AC is running; this will help to circulate the cold air and keep it from building up. You can also try using a space heater to keep the room warm while the AC is on, as this will help to prevent the unit from freezing over. While it may not be the best idea to use a space heater if you have small children or pets, it can help a great deal.

Most importantly, it’s a good idea to make sure that any air bubbles in the window seal are eliminated before turning on your window AC. These can build up from condensation and cause issues, so poke each one with a long needle until you don’t see them leaking out anymore. If they’re blown out completely, there will be no pressure buildup to cause ice problems – just make sure your windows are as tight as possible before using the unit again.

Window AC’s should not be left running while unattended for safety concerns and also since doing this could prevent the unit from working properly due to over freezing. Shutting the window AC unit off when not in use is a good way to prevent this. The insulation kit is also an easy and effective solution to try. If these solutions do not work, then freezing may be unavoidable in colder climates.

In this case, just monitor the ice levels and remove any ice before turning the unit back on. Following these instructions should keep your room cool all winter long without having to worry about your window AC freezing up.

The Importance Of Not Having Dirty Filters

Make sure that you’re cleaning the filter regularly. This will help improve airflow and stop the unit from working harder than it needs to, which can also lead to freezing.

When the filter becomes clogged with dust, debris, and pet dander, it is not able to do its job properly. This can cause your window AC unit to work much harder than it needs to by making it run longer for the room to become cool again after shutting it off (this is known as short-cycling).

If you notice that your filters are dirty or clogged up regularly then you will want to replace them more frequently if possible.

Why Window Air Conditioners Freeze Up – FAQ

Can an AC electronic board be responsible for freezing units?

When window air conditioners freeze up, many people wonder if they need to replace the entire unit. In some cases, the electronic board may be at fault and need to be replaced. However, several other factors can cause an air conditioner to freeze up as well.

How do I know if the electronic board is bad?

The best way to determine if the electronic board is bad is to have it tested by a professional. If you are experienced in electrical work, you may be able to test the board yourself. The most common symptom of a bad electronic board is that the AC will not turn on at all.

You can usually test the board by checking for power at the connector. There should be power at all of the connectors, each connector should have 12 volts. The voltage may not be exact depending on your model, so you may need to check the manual for the correct reading.

How do I test an electronic board?

You can test an electronic board by removing it from the unit and testing it with a multimeter for a continuity test. If you are not comfortable removing wiring or working with electricity, then you should take your AC to a licensed repair shop to have this done for you. If there is no power at any of the connections when attempting to start up the window air conditioner, then the board is likely bad.

What causes my AC to freeze up during use?

A window air conditioner freezes up for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is a temperature that the unit can’t deal with. However, there are several other possible causes. One common cause is a dirty filter. When the filter is clogged with dirt and dust, it can prevent air from flowing through the unit properly.

Another common cause is a blockage in the condenser coil. If the coil becomes clogged with debris or lint, it will prevent the unit from cooling properly and can cause it to freeze up. Finally, if the refrigerant levels become too low, it can also cause the AC to freeze up.

How do I fix my window air conditioner that has frozen?

There are several other possible causes, so it is important to determine the root of the problem before attempting to fix it. If the filter is dirty, you can clean or replace it. If the coil is clogged, you can clean it with a vacuum cleaner. If the refrigerant levels are low, you can add more refrigerants. However, if none of these solutions work, then you may need to replace the entire unit.

Final Thoughts On Why Window Air Conditioners Freeze-Up

4 Reasons Your Air Conditioner Is Frozen & How to Fix It | Blair's Air

Image Credit: http://blairsair.com

In conclusion, there are several reasons why a window air conditioner may freeze up. By knowing the most common causes, you can usually fix the issue yourself. If you are not comfortable working with electricity, then it may be wise to seek professional help if your AC freezes up.

Finally, if you want to know what the best air conditioners are, ones that function correctly in different types of weather, you can check out our best air conditioners buying guide

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14 Best Home Renovation Apps

Home improvement projects can be a tedious process, with much planning and execution required. Besides being time-consuming, these projects can drain your energy if you decide to do it yourself. Fortunately, home renovation apps can help make the process a lot smoother.

Whether you’re a DIYer or a construction professional, these apps can make your project easier. From finding inspiration to getting expert advice, here are the best home renovation apps for every stage of your project.

1. Houzz Home Design and Remodel Ideas

If you’re a homeowner looking for a renovation idea, the best way to find inspiration is through photos of real homes. With its collection of more than 40 million images from 1,200 home design professionals and collectors worldwide, Houzz is your go-to place to search for the latest trends in interior design. Consider it your one-stop shop for all your home remodeling and interior design.


Image credit: https://i.insider.com/

The Houzz Home Design and Remodel app is one of the most versatile home renovation apps on the market. The app also offers a wealth of other features, including articles on home design trends, discussion forums, and the ability to contact professionals directly. It’s highly rated, free to use, is supported by all major operating systems, and has tens of millions of downloads.

Pros

It’s free to useAvailable in App Store, Google Play, and Amazon App StorePresence of 3D visualization feature4.8-star rating in the App Store and 4.6-star rating in Google Play

2. IKEA Place Home Renovation App

IKEA Place Home Renovation App is another free home renovation app worth checking out. This app offers 3D previews of furniture items, and it also allows the user to virtually place them within their homes. It’s very easy to use, supports all major operating systems, and has garnered excellent reviews on Google Play Store and Amazon App Store.

IKEA Place Home Renovation App
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App users with IKEA Place can shop for IKEA furniture and use augmented reality technology to drop images of IKEA furniture into pictures of the home. Once you find something that you love, you can purchase it directly through the app or find a nearby store that has it in stock.

Pros

3D visualization featureEasy to usePresence of augmented reality technology

3. Photo Measures

It can be annoying to get to the hardware store only to find out that you’ve forgotten the notebook at home where you’re writing all your materials for your home renovation project. Not only is that, but even your measurements in that book. You’ll feel frustrated and drained.

However, if you’ve downloaded the Photo Measures app, you would have had all that information in the palm of your hand. All you need to do with this home renovation app is to take photos of your space, draw in your measurements and never worry about forgetting your supplies again.

4. The Home Design 3D App

This is a free home renovation app that has gained popularity. The 3D home design software shows you in real-time what it would look like if you added or removed certain objects from your space. This is also the perfect tool to help you design your entire home and is compatible with mobile phones, tablets, Macs, and PCs.

The Home Design 3D App
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Designed by Anuman Interactive, this home renovation app was released to the public in 2011 with the company’s first iOS version. Today, this app is available in most app stores and is compatible with all mobile apps and laptops. You can design any part of your home using this app as it allows the user to create multiple floor plans in 2D and 3D, add furniture and decorative items of their designs.

You can also experience your home design using the 3D real-time visualizer. There are also features that allow you to share your design outside the app. This home remodeling app is free to download, and you can use a few basic features at no cost.

Pros

It doesn’t require an internet connectionSupports all devicesAvailable in App Store, Google Play, and Microsoft Store

Cons

No free version for PCsWorks best with iOS devices

5. iScape Home Remodeling App

This app has a very clean and simple user interface that is easy to use. Animations of all changes while designing are smooth and fast, making it enjoyable while building your dream home. The application also supports 3D rendering for outputting images and videos of the design.

If you don’t want to plan a new house but remodel an existing one, this app got you covered with a library of objects and materials to work with. Home renovation projects also don’t need to stay within the confines of your home. Instead, take your space to the next level by tackling a landscaping project, courtesy of the iScape app.

Pros

You can design your landscapeGreat for DYers and landscaping businessesSharing capabilitiesIt comes with a 4.6-star rating in the App Store

Cons

Only available for iOs devices

6. ProjectColor by the Home Depot

ProjectColor is an app by Home Depot that can select paint colors and coordinate them with other design elements in your home. The app has a library of more than 1,500 colors and allows you to save your favorites for future reference. You can also take pictures of rooms in your house to get a better idea of what different colors will look like.

You can also check which paint colors are popular and trending. You can also visualize how the paint will look in any part of your home and save your favorite paints or buy them. If you’re not ready to commit to a full can of paint, paint samples are available for purchase within the app. This app is free and is compatible with iOs and android services. But when it comes to painting, learn how to choose paint colors first before you proceed.

Pros

It’s free to useIn-home color visualizerAvailable for iOs and android services4.5-star rating in the App Store

Cons

2.7-star rating in Google Play

7. Palette Cam Home Renovation App Review

This app helps you visualize what you’re going to paint and allows you to share your photos with friends and family. The home renovation app also provides a way for you to share the images on social media and save or print them, which is useful if you want to show off your painting skills. This app is free but does contain ads.

The Palette Cam app will pull all the colors in any photo to create gorgeous color palettes you can use to inspire your next design project. Whether you’re looking to bring the beauty of the beach into your bathroom or the warm colors of a sunset into your hallway, the Palette Cam app is the right choice.

8. Vivid Home Wall Color Selection App

Updating your wall color can be a big project, but it doesn’t have to be with this app. With the Vivid Home Wall Color Selection App, you can take pictures of your home’s walls and experiment with different colors to see what will look best. This app is free to download and use.

However, choosing between Intense White and Benjamin Moore or Essential Gray by Sherwin William can be a daunting task. But thanks to vivid paint colors, you no longer need to go to the hardware store and pick up bundles of paint swatches. You can search by color or inspiration for paints by top brands like Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and Glidden.

9. Roomle 3D and AR Room Planner

Roomle 3D and AR Room Planner is another great app for home renovations. If you’re unsure where to start or want to see what your finished product could look like, this app is for you. Roomle 3D and AR Room Planner offer a virtual reality view of your rooms as you renovate them.

This comprehensive home remodeling app helps homeowners design floor plans and use augmented reality to populate existing floor plans with furniture. This app allows you to measure and draw rooms and create your scanned room floor plan.

10. Wayfair App

Wayfair App is a home improvement app for homeowners or renters looking to improve their space on a budget. The app offers interactive 3D models of furniture by room, so you can get the feel of what it would look like in your living room before you buy it. With new products being added daily, this is an awesome app for anyone who wants to remodel on a budget.

This is a great tool when you’re furniture shopping for your home renovation. And if you want to design the complete area of the house with brand new furniture, then you can use a room planner tool to create a 3D design of your place with the products you want until you find the perfect setup.

11. Angi Home Remodeling App

This app is perfect for homeowners looking to do a little remodeling on their own. It includes tips, videos, and how-to guides for various home improvement projects. You can also find local contractors through the app, which is super handy if you’re not comfortable doing the work yourself.

Get your home renovation dreams completed in a snap by downloading this Angi app, formerly known as Angie’s List, to hire contractors in your area.

12. iHandy Carpenter App

This is the perfect app for homeowners who want to improve their homes without hiring a contractor. This app has five tools, including a spirit leveler, stud finder, a plumb bob, and even a protractor. You can use the surface level and bubble level to flat surfaces and plumb bob to access vertical walls. The app can also give you an estimate on how much a job will cost and how long it may take.

13. Morpholio Board

Any interior designer using this app would instantly understand that interior designers designed it. This is a total industry game-changer. This glossy app lets interior designers layout mood boards, design ideas, and collages.

Morpholio Board
Image credit: https://images.adsttc.com/

This app offers you a chance to let your imagination run wild. It is so easy to use, so much fun, and will help you develop ideas when you are in the shower.

14. MagicPlan Home Floor Plan App

This app is a must-have if you’re in the home renovation business. It will help you with everything from creating floor plans to estimating the cost of your project and getting real-time feedback from contractors.

This app is perfect for anyone who wants to undertake a home renovation project but isn’t sure where to start. It takes all the guesswork out of the process and makes renovating your home a breeze. It comes with an estimated feature, meaning no manual calculations.

The magic app also comes with augmented reality and LiDAR scanning features that make visualization and measurements easier. It’s free to download, and you’ll get full access to all of its features for your first two projects at no cost.

FAQs about Best Home Renovation Apps

What are some of the functions of a home renovation app?

Home renovation apps offer a lot of functions. They can help you stay organized, create and design projects, shop for products, and even hire contractors.

Final Thought about the Best Home Renovation App

Home remodeling can make your head spin. It can be overwhelming to stay on top of everything, from choosing wall art to how to level wall hangings, to how to arrange furniture and which color palette to choose. So, why not make these renovation apps simplify your design life in a major way.

 

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Sanded vs. Unsanded Tile Grout: Basics, Pros, and Cons

When updating or building your own house, it’s important to opt for a great flooring option for your project. And that’s where tile grout comes in. Tile grout is the material that fills the space between tiles and helps to keep them in place.

It’s available in both sanded and unsanded varieties, and each has its own set of pros and cons. So, which type should you choose for your project?

Let’s take a look at some of the most common types of sanded and unsanded tile grouts out there, plus their pros and cons. This will help you can make an informed decision about which one will work best for your needs.

What is Grout?

Grout is a thin mortar used to fill the joints between tiles. It is a mixture of cement, sand, and water applied with a grout float. In addition, grout is a dense, thick fluid made of water, cement, and sand. It also has other uses apart from sealing joints between tiles.


Image credit: https://networx.global.ssl.fastly.net/

Grout is also used as a reinforcement for existing structures and walls, used to fill voids. It’s also used to embed rebar masonry and even connect sections of concrete.

Factors to Consider Before Buying Grout Tile

Project Size

The size of the project will dictate the amount of grout you need to buy. If you are grouting a shower, you may only need a few pounds of grout because the space is small. Larger projects will require more grout. This is because grout comes in many forms and sized containers. You can get grout premade as a powder and in industrial-sized bags for extra-large projects.

Vertical or Horizontal Installations

Grout for vertical applications is often one color, while grout for horizontal installations is usually different colors. Vertical installation grouts are usually sanded or unsanded based on the application you will be using them for. You can also buy adhesive-backed backsplashes with integrated grout to make the process easier and cleaner.

In vertical applications, you’ll need a grout that can handle the tug and pull from the gravity, while in horizontal or floor grout, your grout doesn’t need to be thick or strong.

Tile Type and Size

Grout should also match the type of tile that you are using. For instance, you don’t want to use a soft, unsanded grout with large tiles as the grout will deteriorate over time and become prone to cracking.

Besides being larger than 1/8″, ceramic or porcelain tile is denser than glass, stone, or metal tiles. Even though they’re harder and denser than glass, stone and metal tiles still require sanded grout.

Colors of Grout

Sanded grout is also available in a variety of colors, whereas unsanded grout can only be white or beige. If you’re looking for a custom color, sanded grout is the way to go. Note that the most common grout color is gray. Grout also comes in many colors, including white, black, green, and even orange.

Some brands will also offer dyed grout where you can pick exact colors to match your decor or tiles.

pplication and Drying Time

Sanded grout is much thicker than unsanded, and as such, it takes longer to dry. While unsanded grout dries within four hours, sanded grout takes anywhere between 24 and 48 hours to fully cure or dry out.

This slow drying time means that sanded grout can be a hassle for contractors who need to get the job done and over with, but it also means that sanded grout is extremely durable. As such, sanded grout is more frequently used in commercial settings where durability is a must.

The Cost

Grout is not expensive, but you need to purchase large amounts of it based on the size of your project. The cost includes everything, ranging from the mixing pail, bucket or tray, coloring or special needs, and the application trowels, clean-up tools, equipment, and other items.

Grout Widths

Sanded grout is best for grout lines ranging from 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch. Grout lines of more than 1/2 are impractical and will crack and become unstable. And because unsanded can also be used for 1/8 inch lines, it’s recommended that you use sanded grout and not unsanded.

Unsanded grout is best for grout lines as wide as 1/8 inch and down to 1/6 inch. The unsanded grout is used in this application because the sanded grout won’t properly compact into thinner grout lines. On the other hand, unsanded grout will slump, crack, and not provide the proper fill.

Tile Surface Recommendations

Sanded grout is used for tile surfaces where scratching from the sand content in the tile grout won’t be a problem. If you’re looking regrout and lack much skills, then sanded grout is the way to go.However, unsanded grout is recommended for tile that is easily scratched such as natural stone, glass, certain porcelains and ceramics. The sand content in sanded tile may damage these surfaces. Abrasion from sanded tile is also not enough to scratch the tile surfaces.

Sanded vs. Unsanded Grout

Image credit:

These two types of grout may seem the same, but they are not. Unsanded grout is perfect for smaller projects or areas where less durability is needed. It is a blend of Portland cement, water, and sand that can be easily applied with a rubber grout float by pressing it into the joints.

On the other hand, sanded grout is a blend of Portland cement, water, sand, and lime. This type of grout is recommended for larger projects or areas that need more durability. The sand in the mixture helps to give it more strength and prevents it from cracking over time.

Sanded Grout

As mentioned earlier, sanded grout is a Portland cement-based grout with silica sand, inorganic aggregates, and chemicals. Sanded grout is best for creating wider grout lines.

Sanded Grout
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This makes it the best choice to consider for tiling applications because sand particles have the ability to lock with each other to form a sturdy joint. Sanded grout is also less expensive than unsanded grout as sand is a cheaper filler than polymers in unsanded grout. These fine particles increase grout stability, reduce shrinkage and offer better resistance to severe cracking of the grout.

Pros of Sanded Grout

It’s thicker than unsanded grout and is more durableLower cost compared to unsanded groutPresence of denser jointsAvailable in more color choicesPrevents shrinkage and cracking

Cons of Sanded Grout

Difficult to force into thin seamsMust be sealed with a pH-neutral, water-based, and penetrating sealerIt can damage smooth tilesIt cannot be used in joints less than 1/8 inch

Unsanded Grout

Also known as non sanded grout, unsanded grout is best for very thin grout lines from 1/8 down to 1/6 inch. Non sanded grout is easier to work with than sanded grout on vertical surfaces such as tile shower walls. The lack of silica aggregate in this grout works well with delicate tile surfaces such as ceramic tile and glass tile.

Unsanded Grout
Image credit: https://diy.sndimg.com/

Non sanded grout is not ideal for large grout lines because it will slump, crack and not fill properly in width more than 1/8 inch. The grout is smooth textured and best for highly polished stone like marble and vertical lines such as bathroom and shower walls.

Pros of Unsanded Grout

Suitable for vertical installation and clings well to vertical surfacesGrout sealing may not be required in some applicationsPreserves sensitive tile surfacesBest for small spaces less than 1/8 inch

Cons of Unsanded Grout

More costly than sanded groutSlumps when applied to wide seamsLess color choices than sanded grout

FAQs on Sanded vs. Unsanded Grout Tile

Why is sanded grout cheaper than unsanded grout?

Sanded grout is cheaper because it doesn’t need to be as dense as unsanded. In addition, the tiny spaces between tiles are usually filled with a material other than grout, such as epoxy or mortar mix.

Which one is best between traditional grout and epoxy grout?

Epoxy grout is used in areas that are continuously exposed to water. Traditional grout can be stained, while epoxy grouts feature a non-porous surface.

Final Thought on Sanded vs. Unsanded Tile Grout

When applying grout on your walls, floors, and even mosaics, you’ll need to grout. The type of grout you need, whether sanded or unsanded, will depend on the product and joint spacing you have. You need to ensure that you get the right grout for your application to hold the tiles and prevent issues like cracking. You should also learn how to regrout tile because you’ll need to do this later on.

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