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How to be a responsible pet owner

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For most Americans pets are simple a way of life that people expect to see on a daily basis, this makes it so important for pet owners to be wary of the impact that irresponsibility with their pets can have on others

Portrait of a woman with her beautiful dog lying outdoors

Clean up after your pet

This a basic principle that applies to any aspect of life and is relatively self explanatory. Despite this there are some that do not properly clean up after their pet or at all, and this is extremely irresponsible. Nobody wants to deal with dog waste on the street and there is nothing worse than stepping on some. It is a great idea to invest in a pooper scooper, which makes it very easy to pick up any waste and means that there is a minimal amount of mess.

 

Many people cite a lack of plastic bags as an excuse for not cleaning up after their pet on the street, this is a poor excuse, but a good tip if you are going for a walk is to leave plastic bags next to the dog lead or even tie them to the lead itself. This way you can never forget them again!

 

Play with your pet

A pet in a lot of ways is exactly like a human, pets crave entertainment and want to keep active. This is crucial for the happiness and health of your pet. Think about when you don’t get enough exercise and you start to feel more stressed out and just don’t feel as good in general. Playing with your pets is a great way to help level their behaviour

 

Desexing

One of the most important things to remember when it comes to pets is their ability to reproduce. This can be a very sensitive issue for a lot of people and there are some that are opposed to it, however it is important to consider this option as a part of being a responsible pet owner. With the huge number of homeless animals it is the obligation of pet owners to manage their pets exposure to other animals and the fact that they may reproduce. It is important to think about what would happen if your dog or cat were to have a litter and what you would do.

 

Feed your pets at regular intervals

It is important that your pet is fed at regular intervals and that they are given a combination of food. This will prevent your pet from going elsewhere for their food and potentially disturbing your neighbours.

The post How to be a responsible pet owner appeared first on Decorating Insanity.


5 Reasons to have a hot tub

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Hot-Tub-003

Hot tubs are a great investment for those looking to find relaxation, but there are also a multitude of other reasons to have a hot tub. This article will talk a little bit more about hot tubs and why it is a great idea to have one.

Entertaining

Cornwall hot tubs are the ideal way to entertain guests and there really isn’t a better way to spend a cool winter night or a warm summer’s day, than in your hot tub. Having guests here is an added bonus and is an excellent addition to the home of a person who loves to entertain others.

Relaxing

The stresses of everyday life can really get the better of you if you don’t keep on top of them, but with a hot tub you can relax in the comfort of your own home. Until you sit in one, it is hard to understand how relaxing they can be, but with the massaging water jets and toasty warm water, there really is no better place to relax. Hot tubs are well known to have other health benefits, such as increased blood flow and improved circulation.

They look good

Hot tubs are not only good at helping you to relax, but they are also ideal for adding a functional piece of decoration to your home or wherever you decide to place your new hot tub. Hot tubs come in a huge range of colours and designs, so there is surely a design to complement your decor.

Easy to install

Another great reason to have a hot tub is that they are much easier to install compared to something like a pool. A hot tub can be easily adapted to almost any outdoor area and there are various in-ground and above-ground options to consider. This is also great because you don’t have to necessarily adapt the area to the hot tub, for example you don’t need to cut your decking away you accommodate a hot tub, you can simple have a freestanding version.

Space saving

I mentioned that hot tubs are very easy to install, but another added benefit it that they are space saving and take up significantly less room than something like a pool. This is great for people living in a variety of housing types, such as apartments, farms and houses.

The post 5 Reasons to have a hot tub appeared first on Decorating Insanity.

Tips and Tools for an Injury-Free Garden Makeover

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Undertaking a garden makeover is no easy task which requires a lot of physical exertion. Something many DIY garden enthusiasts don’t often consider prior to embarking on the task is their safety and how to prevent garden based injuries. Knowing the importance of a safe working environment, we’ve prepared some easy to follow tips along with information about available tools to help you keep your garden makeover injury free.

Moving Your Equipment
Your Wheelbarrow is likely to be your best friend during your garden makeover due to its multitude of uses. Along with moving your dirt, soil and plants around be sure to utilize it when moving multiple heavy garden tools.

Be Mindful of Your Tools
Once you have finished using your garden tools, put them in a predetermined space that’s out of the way. While it may be an amusing comedy skit, stepping on a rake and causing the handle to spring up and connect with you is a serious injury risk and one which is easily avoided. Additionally, stepping on the blade of shears or even a shovel can cause real injury, so if you aren’t using them, put them away.

Prepare Yourself
A serious garden makeover requires a lot of bending and stretching, something many DIY gardeners may not be accustomed to doing. If it has been a while since you undertook such exercises, get in a few sessions at a local Pilates studio in Denver before your project. This low impact workout can help to prepare your body for the work ahead and prevent you from feeling sore throughout your work and the next day.

Stay Smart and Stay Hydrated
Working outdoors for long periods of time is going to take its toll on your mind and your body, so be sure to take care of them both. Take regular breaks where you adjust your line of sight and take a step back to make sure you’re on the right track. Be sure to keep snacks and water handy and stay hydrated throughout the job. Small breaks in between tasks can be the best way to avoid getting exhausted and causing yourself unnecessary injury or stress.

While these are great tips to helping you undertake a safe DIY garden makeover, nothing beats common sense. If it looks like a certain task is going to be too hard, don’t risk it and ask for help from a neighbor or family member. There’s no point in preparing a beautiful new garden if you’re too sore to enjoy it.

The post Tips and Tools for an Injury-Free Garden Makeover appeared first on Decorating Insanity.

Tips and Tools for an Injury-Free Garden Makeover

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Undertaking a garden makeover is no easy task which requires a lot of physical exertion. Something many DIY garden enthusiasts don’t often consider prior to embarking on the task is their safety and how to prevent garden based injuries. Knowing the importance of a safe working environment, we’ve prepared some easy to follow tips along with information about available tools to help you keep your garden makeover injury free.

 

Moving Your Equipment

Your Wheelbarrow is likely to be your best friend during your garden makeover due to its multitude of uses. Along with moving your dirt, soil and plants around be sure to utilize it when moving multiple heavy garden tools.

 

Be Mindful of Your Tools

Once you have finished using your garden tools, put them in a predetermined space that’s out of the way. While it may be an amusing comedy skit, stepping on a rake and causing the handle to spring up and connect with you is a serious injury risk and one which is easily avoided. Additionally, stepping on the blade of shears or even a shovel can cause real injury, so if you aren’t using them, put them away.

 

Prepare Yourself

A serious garden makeover requires a lot of bending and stretching, something many DIY gardeners may not be accustomed to doing. If it has been a while since you undertook such exercises, get in a few sessions at a local Pilates studio in Denver before your project. This low impact workout can help to prepare your body for the work ahead and prevent you from feeling sore throughout your work and the next day.

 

Stay Smart and Stay Hydrated

Working outdoors for long periods of time is going to take its toll on your mind and your body, so be sure to take care of them both. Take regular breaks where you adjust your line of sight and take a step back to make sure you’re on the right track. Be sure to keep snacks and water handy and stay hydrated throughout the job. Small breaks in between tasks can be the best way to avoid getting exhausted and causing yourself unnecessary injury or stress.
While these are great tips to helping you undertake a safe DIY garden makeover, nothing beats common sense. If it looks like a certain task is going to be too hard, don’t risk it and ask for help from a neighbor or family member. There’s no point in preparing a beautiful new garden if you’re too sore to enjoy it.

The post Tips and Tools for an Injury-Free Garden Makeover appeared first on Decorating Insanity.

5 Secrets To Great Interior Design

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Everyone needs a great space to feel comfortable in and the home is the ideal place to really make your own. Interior design can be an overwhelming term for many people, but decorating your home really does not need to be difficult. Here are some great tips for some great interior design.

Hire a professional

Your Cornwall interior designer is the perfect way to get your home looking like you want. Make no mistake, these people are experts and really understand how to make any room come alive. An expert will have a lot of experience and knows exactly what complements different things, they are also likely to have connections that will allow you to find some great quality design.

Create space

The actual space in a room is really important and no two rooms in a house or apartment are ever alike. Creating space depends on many things, but ensuring you don’t feel closed in is the key to a great looking room. For example, for a room with high ceilings you may want to purchase higher standing furniture to make it look more proportionate. On the other hand if you have a room with lower ceilings you can purchase lower and more compact furniture, such as a futon, to create space.

Lighting

Lighting is probably the key to the best interior design. Think about the mood of the room that you want and choose your lighting accordingly. If you want the room to be more mood lit then go for a less intense bulb or a warmer but dimmer bulb.

Accessories

Accessories are the make or break part of a room and they work to tie everything together. Accessories are also great because they add a personal touch to the room and give it a finished look, so why not add a playfully coloured rug or interesting lamp to get everything to work together.

Comfort

Another often overlooked factor in interior design is comfort. The mainstay of comfort in a room is comfortable chair or couch, these don’t always have to look ultra modern and chic. But a comfortable but eye catching chair will always win the day in any room.

The post 5 Secrets To Great Interior Design appeared first on Decorating Insanity.

Great Home Décor Tips You Need To Remember

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We all have a friend that simply has an incredible home, one that looks perfect. Home decorating is something that seems to be incredibly simple but the truth is that it can be quite complicated. The good news is there are so many interesting home décor tips you can take into account. We can actually mention hundreds you will be able to apply in any home. However, some are more important than others. Make sure you remember the following when you consider home décor in order to make the very best possible choices.

The Decoration Leader

It is important to choose a good decoration leader. This is better than anything else you could do. Be sure you find a leader that will be great for you. When you are careful you can end up choosing a decoration leader that is quite creative. If your style is casual, this is what you should consider.

Storehouse Outlets

You always have to add at least one good outlet inside the warehouse. Storehouse lighting is necessary because of how easy it makes it to find the searched products. Use the warehouse as a storage area so you free up your home.

Install Floor Drains In The Low Place Of The Bathroom

When you bathe you use quite a lot of water that enters the sewer through the installed floor drain. There are constructors that will not leave enough launch grade so water overflow will appear. Door deformation normally appears in this case and the neighbors will definitely have problems too because of that. Be sure measurements are properly done before you install the floor drain.

Waterproofing The Bathroom

Waterproofing is normally done whenever a new home is bought. However, as time passes, problems can appear. It is normal to not be faced with a qualified waterproofing installation or what was done is no longer going to be of top notch quality. It is really important that quality waterproofing materials will be used. Water tests should be done at all times.

Water Pipe Pressure Tests

Water leakage can easily be located, just as water penetration will be found but water pipe pressure needs to be analyzed. Decoration materials are not always going to be of a suitable grade. Testing the pipe pressure is something that is necessary. A testing period needs to be of over 30 minutes. Professional supervisors can be hired to perform the checks if needed.

Working With Professionals

As already mentioned, home décor is quite complicated. With this in mind, it is a really good idea to talk to a professional. It is not at all difficult to find an interior decorator that is going to help you make some great choices. Most people decide not to hire the decorator because of the payments. However, when you hire a really experienced individual you can end up faced with many interesting options, including the possibility to save money because of the connections that the decorator has. This is definitely something that will help you out.

 

The post Great Home Décor Tips You Need To Remember appeared first on Decorating Insanity.

Home Improvement Strategies that Increase the Value of Your Home

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Not all home renovations are created equally. Some home renovations have a primary focus of making a property more pleasing to its residences. On the other hand, there are some types of renovations that add value to a residence, which can be important if a homeowner is considering placing the property on the market for sale. There are some improvements that result in both an enhancement of the property for an existing resident’s enjoyment and benefit and that also increase the overall value of the property.

Invite a Pro to Your Home for an Evaluation

One important step that you can take as part of your efforts to improve the value of your residence is to invite a professional to your residence for an evaluation. There are Realtors and interior designers who have developed reputations for their talents at enhancing the value of residential property.

Keep in mind that these pros typically charge a fee, which will probably be in the $100 range in the state of New Jersey. Consider the fee a cost-effective investment in obtaining ideas about what you should and should not do to enhance the value of your residence, with an eye towards putting it on the market for sale.

Obtain an Inspection

There may be issues with your residence that are not merely cosmetic. While a Realtor or interior designer can assist you in identifying some of the cosmetic issues you will want to address, they will not be able to provide insights on other matters that are not obvious.

Obtain a professional home inspection to check for issues like deteriorating roofs, termite infestation, or outdated electrical systems. Once again, there will be a fee for this type of inspection. However, identifying a more significant issue with a residence, and taking a proactive stance in addressing it, will work to enhance the value of the premises and increase its salability if placed on the market.

Paint

This particular headline is kept simple intentionally: paint. Perhaps the most cost-effective improvement you can make to the exterior and interior of your residence, that will result in a value enhancement, is painting. Relatively speaking, paint is cheap. Even if you hire a professional to undertake the task, painting typically results in a cost-effective value enhancement. If you do the painting yourself, your sweat equity helps to ensure that you will enjoy a value boost of your home when the work is completed.

Get Inspired

You don’t need to hire a designer to assist in making decisions about upping the appearance of your home. Yes, you are wise to have a visit from a Realtor or designer as discussed a moment ago. But, armed with that information, you can do your own research to become inspired about the specifics of what you can or should do to improve the look and enhance the value of your residence.

You can garner inspiration in many different ways. This can include the commonly pursued avenue of online research. But, you can also generate inspiration from endeavors like travel or even visiting the residences of friends, family, and colleagues.

Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Scaffold Store, the favorite and trusted scaffold supplier of the largest contractors.

 

The post Home Improvement Strategies that Increase the Value of Your Home appeared first on Decorating Insanity.

How to Maximize Your Garage Space

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Too often garages are black holes of missing sports equipment, busted gardening tools, and vague ideas of home renovation. It doesn’t have to be that way though. You can not only have a garage that is well-organized, but one that looks great as well.

Your Car

It’s probably best to start with the biggest item on the list: your car(s). It is not an uncommon occurrence to see people forced to park in their driveways or on the street because of an overflowing and clutter-filled garage. That is simply not acceptable, especially if you are sporting a new ride. Being able to park in the garage will keep your car cleaner for longer, and help it avoid the dings and scratches that inevitably come with street parking. Parking in the garage will also add an extra layer of security to your vehicle. So, if you can, envision the area you would like to park your car or cars in. Dead center or off to the left, once you do this you can then begin the task of organizing everything else around it.

Think Vertical Not Horizontal

Much like the packed downtown’s of cities, sometimes the only way to expand is up. This can go for garages too. Maximizing the vertical space in your garage can free up space in other areas of your garage. One of the easiest ways to do this is with shelving. Wall-mounted shelving can free up tons of space while creating a system for you to organize things sensibly. One shelf can hold old toys, another can hold old photo albums, and so on and so forth. Shelving is cheap, and relatively easy to do yourself if you wanted. Pair your shelving with some magnetic strips to hold metal object like gardening equipment or power tools. Other easy DIY ways to expand your spatial capabilities include installing hooks to hold your bikes, creating a “fake” attic with overhead storage units, and cubby hole shelving for other miscellaneous items. The important thing is to maximize the space you have vertically. This will lead to more open space you can utilize for other purposes like parking your car.

The Chopping Block

Invariably you are going to run across some junk in your garage that will make you scratch your head. No, aliens have not been using your garage as a storage unit for the earthly artifacts they find, it’s just a lot of things get thrown into the garage and are then promptly forgotten about. While some of these finds might fill you with some joy (I mean your chances of finding some long lost toy or valuable photograph are pretty good) most of it will be just junk. So what to do? Well as the saying goes one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, so print some flyers and have yourself a good ‘ol fashioned garage sale. Nothing remedies a hard weekend’s worth of cleaning like some cold hard cash. Be ruthless and donate what you don’t sell to a charity if you can.

Wrap Up

Look at you now, you have a garage nice enough to sleep in! You’ve turned your nightmare of clutter into a work of organizational art. You might even have room for a couch and TV, perfect for Sunday afternoon games with the boys. Mission accomplished… now about that tool shed…

 

 

The post How to Maximize Your Garage Space appeared first on Decorating Insanity.


How to Tell If You Have Too Much Stuff in Your Home

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The mass accumulation of gadgets, gizmos, trinkets, and doodads is hard to avoid when we’re so heavily influenced by ads and media to consume as much as we can. It isn’t uncommon to find drawers, closets, and garages all across the world that are absolutely bursting at the seams with junk.

 

Here are some signs that it’s time to have a garage sale and let go of some of that junk.

  • You Never Have a Spot to Place Anything New

You may have too much stuff If you’ve ever bought a new piece of furniture or an appliance but found out once you’ve brought it home that it doesn’t fit. Do you really need that dusty floor model TV that you inherited from your great-grandparents to house your equally dusty ceramic angel collection? The answer to that question is most likely “no”, especially if you’re struggling for square footage.

Take stock of what you have and consider if keeping broken, old and/or outdated items is really worth the effort. Sit down and put some effort into coming up with a plan of attack to declutter your home. You’ll be happier getting rid of that stuff whether that be recycling, donating, selling off or making a trip to the landfill.

 

  • Closets and Drawers are Overrun

Does it take you forever to find anything? Are shoes and clothes scattered across the floor or piling up? Are you nervous when you open your closet doors? All of these are signs that you have too much stuff! You shouldn’t have to force a door to get it to latch, nor end up with a mountain of a mess after every search. If you’re seriously thinking about renting off-site storage just to store your bag and belt collection, it might be time to pump your brakes.

 

  • You Wait Days or Weeks Before Opening New Items or Packages

Ever bought something at the store or ordered something from Amazon, just to let it sit for a month before cracking open the packaging? If an item can sit around in a box for some time before you ever think to open it, that’s a good sign that you never needed it in the first place. Compulsive shopping is a very big issue that affects a lot of people, and it not only can ruin your clean home but also ruin your finances.

You’re not powerless to the impulses that urge you to spend your money on things for which you have no use or need. Asking yourself some questions before hitting the checkout line – or pressing add to cart – can really put your needs into perspective.

If you get stressed every time you open a drawer or closet door, know that you don’t have to live that way forever. At some point, everyone has to take inventory of what they own and make some decisions that will lead them to a less cluttered and happier life. By starting today, you’ll immediately begin feeling better about your home situation and can begin enjoying your spaces once again.

The post How to Tell If You Have Too Much Stuff in Your Home appeared first on Decorating Insanity.

5 Reasons To Ski With Your Family This Year

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Our family is heading off to Ski falls creek soon and as we were getting ready for our trip it reminded me why I love skiing with the family. Here are five reasons why:

It’s Fun

Ok I admit this is pretty obvious, but isn’t fun the whole point of a family holiday? It’s your opportunity to spend some quality time with your kids outside of the house, when you don’t have to worry about work and you can focus on having as much fun as possible.

Learn A Skill For Life

I remember when I was first taken to France skiing by my parents and I was in lessons everyday. My last holiday with my parents was at 15 years old, I didn’t go skiing again until over twenty years late but it really was just like riding a bike. After a day or two I was very confident on my skis, not as brave as my teenage self I confess, and having a great time.

Knowing that I had the ability to still ski quite well gave me the freedom to take my son and daughter out for the afternoon, I was more than able to take care of them and guide them down the slopes. I have never been more happy that I was taken skiing as a kid as when I was showing my own kids how to do it.

A Time To Bond

In this crazy life we now find ourselves living, rushing from A to B in this rat race, we need to make time to bond with one another. On a ski trip you are rarely on your phone or distracted by anything, you are always together, exploring, chatting and then reflecting on the adventure you had that day.

Winter Is Fun

I love the fact that my kids now embrace winter and see it as a fun time of the year. I don’t want them to feel like when the temperature drops they have to stay in doors and not go outside. After a ski holiday kids learn very quickly that the cold is just as fun as the heat!

Get Back Up

When we first learn to ski we will spend a lot of time on our backside, we fall, then fall and then fall some more. But you know that the only way you’re going to improve and be as good as the people you see flying down the mountain is to keep getting back up. This is a huge life lesson for young kids who make have lived quite a comfortable life.

The post 5 Reasons To Ski With Your Family This Year appeared first on Decorating Insanity.





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