Ideas For An Eco Friendly Interior

As more people become aware of their carbon footprint, many are looking for home interior alternatives that allow them to live consciously while still creating a beautiful home. With the growing number of products that are making use of byproducts or recycled materials, you won’t have to sacrifice appearance or comfort for an eco-friendly home. In fact, you’ll feel better about your home knowing it’s environmentally friendly.

1. Organic Fibers
When buying linens, pillow covers or woven area rugs, opt for those made of organically grown cotton or other eco-friendly fibers such as hemp, bamboo, tencel or wool. Not only are these textiles less often chemically treated, but many of these natural fibers are highly resistant to wear and feel better too.

2. Recycled Materials
This could mean choosing recycled or eco-friendly materials for new additions or flooring, as well as simply buying furniture made with refinished wood, or used furniture. Eco-friendly doesn’t necessarily have to mean new; reusing and repurposing furniture is a great way of making your interior more environmentally friendly, and goes well with vintage or rustic themes.

3. Look for Low VOC
VOC stands for “volatile organic compounds” and are commonly found in house paints, as well as building materials and carpeting. These chemicals are released when the products are used or stored. Look for “low VOC” next time you want to paint a room in your home or carpet your floor.

4. Creative By Products
Many byproducts are being converted into household materials instead of being discarded in landfills or burned. An example would be coconut tiles, which use the shells of coconuts to make decorative tiles with intricate designs or weaves. Each tile is finished with low-VOC resin and set on a backer made of sustainably harvested wood. These tiles shouldn’t be used in any place where they can be become wet, but otherwise they make unique design pieces.

5. Strand woven Bamboo Flooring
Strand woven bamboo is made from plantation grown and sustainably harvested bamboo, and also has a a zero-VOC finish. When some people think of bamboo they think of soft wood that might easily take damage, but strand woven bamboo is incredibly hard and durable, and can take a lot of wear. Bamboo also has a very attractive grain and comes in both light and dark finishes.

6. Bio-Glass
Beautiful sliding barn doors or glass pantry doors can also be eco-friendly, and post-consumer recycled glass is the perfect material for your kitchen or bathrooms. This heated and compressed material contains no binders, colorants, fillers, or other admixtures and has no off-gassing. You can choose from colors of white, green, blue and brown, and they make a unique addition to any home interior. Many home decorating pieces such as vases, glassware or decorative bottles come in recycled glass too, so take that into consideration next time you’re shopping for glass.

7. Eco lights
There are a few ways of making your lighting more eco-friendly. You can choose LED or energy star rated bulbs, as well as install motion-detecting light switches in your entryway, halls, or any place with frequent foot traffic. Motion detecting lights will turn off automatically at a set amount of time, preventing them from being left on longer than needed.

8. Decorate with Plants
Put plants all over your house for a natural and uplifting atmosphere as well as for a natural way of increasing air quality in your home. Flowering plants will add color to your interior, or if you happen to have a garden outside you can add some color and aromas with your own freshly cut blooms.

9. Insulation Windows
A well insulated home uses less heating and cooling energy, which is not only good for your wallet, but also good for the environment. Updates like these are always worth the investment as they end up paying for themselves over time. Another bonus is new windows, which will make your home look a bit shinier and new.

10. Keep your Outdoor Trees
If you have any trees looming around outside, definitely keep them! These not only help to keep your house cool during the warm months or your grass from drying out, but they turn carbon emission into oxygen, so you’ll definitely want to keep those around your property.
There is so much that can be done to make eco-friendly changes to your home, and as you can see, they aren’t that expensive either. You can take it one step at a time to gradually transform your home into an environmentally conscious abode, and you’ll feel good about your decorating decisions.

Have A Counter Top Project? Here's 6 Reasons To Pick Quartz

Countertops can be one of the most important facets of your home in terms of both appearance and usability. Whether they are being installed in your bathrooms, your kitchen or otherwise, their ability to withstand regular wear and tear will add to the value of your property and leave a good impression on your guests.

That being said, selecting the right material to construct your countertops is critical to their longevity. And, as tests by Breton Spa in Italy have proven, man-made quartz surfaces perform outstandingly next to other countertop materials in several departments. Its engineering process combines ground quartz (one of earth’s most abundant minerals,) resins, polymers and pigments to produce a stone that is essentially a composite of many of the best qualities of each countertop material.

1. Scratch Resistant
Compared to granite, laminate and solid surfaces, quartz countertops are extremely durable and more resistant to scratches and dents—meaning it will be less likely to chip if items are accidentally dropped on it, and its appearance will maintain its characteristic brilliance. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible.

2. Low Maintenance
Quartz surfaces do not require much upkeep; because of their manufacturing process (having been engineered to perfection in a factory,) quartz countertops are very easy to clean and preserve requiring only water, soap and a soft washcloth for cleanup. They also resist stains or corrosion from cooking oils, cleaning products and liquid.

3. Mold & Mildew Resistant
Similarly, the nonporous construction of quartz countertops leaves no room whatsoever for mold or mildew to form—a common pain for many homeowners in several aspects of their house. Moreover, they do not require to be sealed or resealed.

4. Flexural Strength
Similar to its scratch resistance, quartz countertops possess far more flexural strength and are impressively durable next to other materials—especially when compared to granite, likely its closest competitor—accounting for their recent popularity. In addition, you can customize the edges of the countertop to your liking.

5. Color Consistency
Quartz surfaces are among the most visually dazzling available on the market, showcasing outstanding definition and—also thanks to their engineering process—an almost endless variety of colors available to choose from. And, as the material has been perfected, manufacturers can now emulate the patterns, swirls and subtleties of other stone materials, making quartz nearly indistinguishable from the real thing.

6. Immunity to Freeze
Quartz, like granite, is immune to freezing and thawing—withstanding dropping temperatures to ensure countertops uphold their appearance in winter months.

DIY Home Project: Floating Secret Shelf

Today were looking at how to build one of those cool shelves that open up to reveal hidden storage! You can build it to hide essentially anything, which is pretty cool! Check it out Here!

DIY Home Project: Magnetic Bottle Opener

If you are looking for the perfect addition to any man cave you can stop the search here, this is what you're looking for, the magnets catch the bottle caps so they don't go all over the floor! Check it out Here!

https://www.pinterest.com/realestateleads/

DIY Home Project: Double Bench Chair

Today were looking at building a double bench chair, they are very easy to build and can be stained or painted to match any color scheme you have going. Check it out Here!

DIY Home Project: Tool Cabinet/Workbench Combo

Today were looking at a convertable workbench, thats a tool cabinet that converts into a workbench, its the ultimate workstation and space saver all in one! Check it out Here!

DIY Home Project: Stereo/WiFi/Cooler Combo

Today were looking at quite possibly the coolest diy cooler ever, the only reason it's not the coolest cooler is i recently saw on an infomercial one that included a blender and a radio, really can get better than that. Anyways, check out this cool tuned cooler, made by Crutchfield, HERE! And Here is a link to the mastersheet Crutchfield created explaining every step!

DIY Home Project: Golf Locker

Today were looking at the perfect thing to hold your golf clubs, it can be kept the garage, basement, pretty much wherever you'd like, the best part is it looks great and is made from ONE sheet of plywood! That's right, ONE!! Check it out Here!

DIY Home Project: Under Cabinet Lighting

Today were looking at adding some extra light to your bathroom or even your kitchen, the trick is this light is used for those moments at night when you wake up and don't want to turn on all the lights to maneuver around. The lights look great and will make an excellent night light that is bright enough to see but not so bright to wake someone. Check it out!

DIY Home Project: Illuminated Tree Stumps

Today were looking at these really cool illuminated tree stumps, tree stumps are so often used to line a driveway or path, now they can be illuminated to provide additional light. Check them out here!

DIY Home Project: Cement Topped Table

Today were looking at turning an ordinary table into a cement topped table, the finish is beautiful and very durable. Check it out here!

DIY Home Project: Rustic Open Closet

Today were looking at building a free standing closet for those rooms without one, or even ones that need just a little extra space. It looks great and gives the room a very rustic look, check it out here!

DIY Home Project: Tiled Concrete Front Door Landing

Today were looking at fixing up a beautiful entry way that is let down by the concrete landing, we're going to be adding tile to the existing structure to make it pop and look beautiful! Check out how it's done Here!

DIY Home Project: Framed Front Door

Have a boring front door like this one?

Well today is your lucky day as we're gonna show you how to class it up by framing it! Check out how to do it Here!

DIY Home Project: Wood Stained Aluminum Garage Door

Today were looking at redoing a old aluminum garage door with wood stain! Keep calm, it looks amazing, check out how to do it Here!

DIY Home Project: Professional Garden Edging

Today were looking at garden edging that looks professional that you can do yourself! Check it out Here!

DIY Home Project: Thin Brick Wall

Today were looking at doing a thin brick wall, it adds the great look of exposed brick while not costing a fortune, and you can have it in any room you choose! Check it out Here!

DIY Home Project: Spiral Planter For Herbs

Today were looking at how the build an herb garden planter while still looking elegant. Check out the results!

DIY Home Project: DIY Corner Door Shelf

Today were looking at what to do with that old door we have lying around, the answer is to turn it into a beautiful corner shelf! Check it out!

DIY Home Project: Hidden Cutting Board With Trash Chute

Today were looking at making a hideaway cutting board with a built in trash chute! This would make cooking so much easier, simply slide out both the drawer and trashcan and send the scraps below through the hole!

DIY Home Project: Pebble Mosaic Walk Way

Today were looking at creating this beautiful pebble mosaic walkway. It looks amazing, however it is time consuming to arrange the stones by hand, but does it ever pay off in the end!

DIY Home Project: Boost Curb Appeal In A Day

Sometimes when planning to sell a house, in the name of renovating interior living spaces, updating bathrooms, replacing appliances and adding decorative touches throughout the bedrooms, homeowners leave outdoor curb appeal as a last priority. While of course the inside of a home is important, sellers make a big mistake when they neglect the exterior. Why is a home’s exterior so important?

Consider this: Curb appeal is often a potential buyer’s first impression of a home, the very thing that helps him/her decide whether or not to come inside. Whether they’re shopping online or by cruising through neighborhoods, the outside of your property is the first thing they’ll notice. If you’re selling your home or about to, how can you quickly and effectively tackle the outdoor appeal? Here are some key tips for boosting the curb appeal in a way that means quick turnaround and increased home value:

• Start with the Front Door. Believe it or not, your home’s front door can be one of its most important assets. A new steel entry door consistently ranks as one of the most rewarding cost-versus-value projects in home repairs, yielding an increase in home value that’s greater than the costs to install one. Likewise, to make the door especially captivating, consider painting it a bold, pleasing color that will grab attention and add charm. When buyers see a new door that looks attractive, they see another asset that makes your home the one to buy.

• Make Any Necessary Repairs. Is the driveway cracked or the front doorbell busted? Now is the time to call a repair company or get out your own toolbox to make repairs. Buyers want turnkey, move-in-properties, and that means they want properties with repairs already done. Do the work now to get your home in ship-shape condition.

• Keep Up with Landscaping. From mowing the lawn to pulling weeds, make sure you’re keeping up with your outdoor landscaping so that your home looks presentable and well cared for at all times. Overgrown bushes and dying plants are a surefire signal to potential buyers that you’re not caring for your home and leaving more maintenance for them to handle.

• Add Lighting. While most buyers will come visit your home during the daytime, it’s not at all unusual for the most interested ones to also drive by at night to see what nighttime curb appeal is like. Landscape lighting can make all the difference in terms of how a home looks, so make an investment in attractive lighting options that illuminate and add interest to your property. “Solar landscaping lights are a great addition to any yard because they don’t require complicated and expensive wiring,” says Bob Vila. “Remember, though, you get what you pay for—cheap lights won’t last as long and simply won’t look as good.”

• Touch Up Paint. A fresh coat of paint is just as powerful outside as it is inside, so to update your home’s look, repaint the exterior or at least touch up problem areas. Another idea is to paint the trim a new color that creates either a nice complement or contrast to your home’s overall look.

• Make Over the Mailbox. You might not think a mailbox matters much, but it’s yet another one of those little details that can add up together to make a strong impression on a buyer. “When choosing a hanging drop box, pick a box that mirrors your home’s trimmings,” says Better Homes & Gardens. “Dress up mailboxes for curb appeal by painting the wooden post to match the house’s exterior color, or by surrounding it by a beautiful flowering garden.”

• Add Outdoor Furniture. From rocking chairs on the front porch to an outdoor patio set on the back deck, outdoor furniture creates outdoor living spaces that expand your home’s appeal. Look for attractive, durable pieces that will endure weather damage and look good for years to come — whether or not you include these pieces with the home sale, setting them up is a great way to stage your home for greater resale value.

The bottom line when it comes to curb appeal is that a little investment today can add up to big rewards tomorrow. Take the time to update, clean, repair and add value to your property’s exterior now and you will make it more attractive to buyers, not to mention more beautiful to come home to. Use the tips above to get started now.

DIY Home Project: She Shed

Forget a Man Cave, today we're talking about a She Shed! Check it out HERE!

DIY Home Project: Fish Pond Viewing Tower

Today were looking at building a viewing tower for a fish pond that your fish can swim up into! It looks amazing and would be a huge conversation piece! Check it out!

DIY Home Project: Custom Stepping Stones

Today were looking at customizing Stepping Stones to add that little touch to your walkways. Check it out!

DIY Home Project: Solar Lights Built Into Porch Steps

Today were looking at adding solar lights to porch steps! This is a great idea so that you can always see when walking up or down and you don't have to worry about turning on a light switch! Check it out!

DIY Home Project: Cooler Table

Today were looking at a great backyard addition, the table with a built in cooler! I have seen these and they are awesome and always wanted to know how to make one. Check it out here!

DIY Home Project: Butterfly Feeder

Today were looking at making a homemade butterfly feeder. I don't know about you but having a back yard full of butterflies is a gorgeous sight! Check it out!

DIY Home Project: Permanently Weed Free Brick Driveway

Today were going to look at keeping your brick driveway weed and grass free! This will work for existing brick driveways or ones you are going to install at a later date, and it looks amazing when done! Check it out!

DIY Home Project: Hardwood Painted Concrete

Today were going to look at painting concrete so that it looks like hardwood! It looks amazing when done and would really class up a backyard entertainment area! Check it out here!

DIY Home Project: 5 Great Home Improvements for $500 or Less

When it comes to upgrading our homes, there is a never-ending list of things to do, from buying new patio furniture to replacing the kitchen cabinets. But the editors of Money Magazine suggest five home remodeling projects that will vastly improve the look of your home without breaking the budget:

• Improve the curb appeal – Whether or not you are planning to sell your home, an inviting first appearance is important. Spend some time in the front yard from the curb in, pulling weeds, planting perennials, and trimming hedges. You can make needed repairs to fences or front steps and change out your old, dull mailbox all for under $500. 

• Paint the front door – A spiffy new fiberglass front door could cost $1,000 or more, but you can upgrade the look for a lot less by adding new hardware and a fresh coat of paint. Add a new light fixture, a fresh doormat and a pot of flowers and you may have money left over from that $500 bill.

• Paint interior walls – Nothing changes the look of a room more than a fresh coat of paint. It can get complicated and expensive if you need to repair drywall, remove mold, or have really tall ceilings, so you may need to hire a professional. But if you can do it yourself, you may even be able to upgrade baseboards or add crown molding and stay within a $500 budget.

• Update the lighting – Lighting fixtures are to a home what jewelry is to an outfit. They can add pizzazz or look dated and dowdy. Switching out a chandelier over the dining room table is a fairly easy, budget-friendly project. Shop big-box stores for inexpensive models or ask about floor sample sales at retail outlets. If you’re on too tight a budget, consider updating lamps you already have with new shades.

• Install new toilets – It may not materially change the look of your bathrooms, but if you have toilets installed before 1995, replacing them with new models will save thousands of gallons of water you won’t have to pay for. You can get new models for well under $200, so you may want to spend some of that $500 budget to upgrade the look with bathroom lighting, mirrors or storage units.

DIY Home Project: 4 Easy Ways to Xeriscape Your Yard

Unless you hire a crew for upkeep, your responsibilities as a homeowner likely include some form of landscape maintenance. Did you know that a large portion of household water usage goes directly to maintaining a landscape?

Enter the xeriscape. Xeriscapes require just a fraction of the water you’d generally use to keep your landscape lush. A University of Georgia study found that homes with xeriscapes saved approximately 9,450 gallons of water, shaving off nearly $23 in water expenses each month.

Proving once again that the Greeks were ahead of the times (and all-around better than all of us), the term “xeriscape” comes from the Greek word “xeros,” meaning dry. They’re best suited to drought-prone areas, particularly in the Southwest, but the basics can apply to any landscape.
To conserve water and save money on landscape maintenance, follow these xeriscaper-approved tips.

1. Get smart about watering. Water your landscape with a drip irrigation system or soaker hoses. Both water plants at the roots, which is crucial for conservation. Be mindful of rainfall, which can lead to overwatering – you can “set it and forget it” with a rain sensor add-on.

2. Supplement the soil. The success of a xeriscape depends heavily on soil. Fortify soil with compost or manure to balance water retention, and cover with a layer of mulch (think leaves or wood chips) for added absorption. Less mulch will be needed as your xeriscape develops.

3. Draw new turf borders. Another key component of a xeriscape is smaller sections of grass, which – you guessed it – need less water to get the job done. To maintain these areas, use a reel mower to trim the blades by just a third. Taller grass acts as natural mulch, which results in decreased water usage.

4. Go native. Aside from grassy areas, most xeriscapes are home to native plants that thrive despite limited water. In drought areas, ideal plants include cacti, agave, juniper and lavender; herbs like thyme and sage and foods like sapodilla fruits or black walnuts also flourish without excessive watering.

DIY Home Project: Staining Concrete To Look Like Tile

Today were looking at staining concrete to look like Tile! By using tape you can even make faux grout lines! Check it out!

DIY Home Project: Front Door Facelift

Today were looking at improving the curb appeal of your front door. Check it out below!

DIY Home Project: Hidden Air Conditioner Unit

Today were looking at hiding the air conditioner units from view when entering the house!

DIY Home Project: What Renovations Have The Best Resale Value

Today were looking at which renovations have the best resale value!

DIY Home Project: Smart, Self-Learning Thermostat

Today were looking at a smart thermostat, one that is self-learning and that can be controlled via smartphone! Check it out!

DIY Home Project: Hidden Sink Step

This would make all parents jobs easier, adding a hidden step into the bottom of the sinks would be so helpful to kids trying to do anything.

DIY Home Project: Dead Space Cleaning Cabinet

Today were looking at taking advantage of dead space. Here we are installing a shallow cabinet designed to house cleaning supplies, its a great way to hide everything in plain sight without taking up a lot of space, space that wouldn't be using anyway.

DIY Home Project: Hidden Kitchen Outlets

Today were looking at adding value to wasted space, we all have those fake drawers in our kitchen, what if we made them usable by adding outlets behind them!

DIY Home Project: Upgraded Showerhead

Today were looking at a simple upgrade to the bathroom that can add a wow factor, an upgraded showerhead!

DIY Home Project: Attic Master Bedroom

Today we are looking at turning an unfinsihed attic into a master bedroom, its amazing, check it out HERE!!!

DIY Home Project: Outdoor Barrel Sink

Today we are looking at making an outdoor sink out of an old wine barrel, granted you could use whatever kind of barrel you'd like. Check it out HERE!