Tips Guides

Well what can I say, when you have experience with a certain product or brand, you stick with it, right? Well RubberMaid, Arrow and Duramax are all top productions in the outdoor storage category. These products have all received great reviews with the users that have bought these sheds, and they are all “household” names. These brands make your life a little easier, and more convenient and if that wasn’t enough, these storage sheds and structures are really nice price wise as well. The last aspect is an important part for me, but even more is the actual quality of the product. Remember, a high price tag doesn’t always mean quality, and neither does a low one. If you are looking for storage sheds online or even offline for that matter it’s a really good idea to do a little research, find out who has what, who offers what, and who has the top ratings. All three of the storage units listed below are high quality and have gotten high ratings, check them out for yourself!

Rubbermaid Modular Large Vertical Outdoor Storage Shed - wall resin panels lock together quickly and easily. Heavy-duty structural foam floor has angled entry ramp. Hasp is also lockable and the floor supports up to 1,300 lbs. This is a huge shed, we have one in our yard and it really can hold everything you need it to without fail! These sheds can be used to store items or products that are not suitable for indoor storage, such as gasoline, pesticides, or herbicides. Or big things such as push lawn mowers, lawn tractors, and gardening supplies.

Specs:
Durable double-wall resin panels lock together quickly and easily
Heavy-duty structural foam floor has angled entry ramp
Easily assembled with basic tools
Dark platinum with mocha roof and black floor

Duramax Vinyl Storage Shed 4′ x 8′ Stronglasting SideMate With Foundation Kit - The SideMate shed is an easy-to-assemble outdoor storage solution designed to be placed on the side of your home. The contemporary design beautifies a backyard while maximizing space for yard tools or garden essentials. Constructed of durable all-weather vinyl in neutral ivory, the SideMate shed is maintenance free. It will never need painting or treating. It will not rust, dent, rot, mildew or fade. It is also fire retardant and much quieter in the rain than any metal shed.

Specs:
All-weather durable vinyl eliminates painting, treating or maintenance
Contemporary design in neutral ivory will beautify your yard or garden
Wall height ideal for most communities
Features 62″ interior height and 30″ wide door
Metal reinforced wall columns for superior strength
Fire retardant
Easy Installation In 3-4 hours (2 people recommended for installation)
Includes door handles
Outside dimensions: 94″ x 48″ x 73″ tall
Storage volume: 154 cubic feet

Arrow Woodview 10 x 8 - This one is nice because it has realistic looking wood grain and the tall roof allows for easy access to things such as lawn mowers, patio furniture, grills, and much more!

Specs:
Storage Area: Sq Ft: 74′ Cu Ft: 487′
Interior Dimensions: Width: 118 1/4″ Depth: 90″ Ht: 86 5/8″
Wall Height: 62″
Door Opening: Width: 55 1/2″ Height: 60″
Recommended Foundation Size: Width:121″ Depth:92 3/4″
Shipping Wt (lbs): 215
Wall Color: Wood-grain finish. Roof Color: Coffee

Good luck in finding the perfect product for all your needs! If you need help with review try looking on a site called GaltTech under the storage shed subcategory! You can also check other places as well including Lowes and Home Depot.

This author is a HUGE fan of Rubbermaid Sheds

Many styles of vanity mirrors are available for your bathroom, and you will see a lot that you like. How do you make the right choice? The biggest factor to take into consideration is the size of the vanity mirror, which takes careful planning.

The first thing you need to do is measure the space you have available for the vanity mirror. Decide if you want your mirror to be as wide as the sink or as wide as the counter holding the sink. After deciding this, measure the width of your sink and width of the counter. Also measure the vertical space between your counter and ceiling. This helps you make sure that you don’t purchase a mirror too tall for the available space. Record all measurements in writing and keep them with you when you’re researching mirrors.

Budget is a major factor when choosing the best size vanity mirror for your bathroom. Several things go into deciding on a budget. First, you’ll need to decide what size mirror you can afford. Do some research using the measurements you recorded. A good place to do this is on the Internet, using store websites, such as Lowe’s or Home Depot. Most online sites that list vanity mirrors also list the dimensions for the mirror, which greatly helps you in choosing one. Also consider the size of any other fixtures in your bathroom. You definitely don’t want the mirror to be out of proportion to everything else.

The second part of working up your budget is deciding who will be installing your mirror. This decision needs to be made before you make any purchases. Will you have a professional install the mirror, or do you have the capabilities to install it yourself? Installing the mirror yourself is obviously the cheapest option, but you may not have the skills to do it. If you decide to use a professional, be sure to ask if they charge different amounts for different sized mirrors. Get specifics from them on any fees they have. This can have a large impact on what size vanity mirror you are able to buy, as you’ll have to leave room in your budget for installation and labor costs.

A third part to deciding on what size mirror you can purchase is the quality of the materials. Higher quality materials are going to cost more, but will most likely last longer. Lower quality comes at a cheaper price, but doesn’t have the same longevity as better materials. You will have to decide which is more important to you and which you can afford. When you’re doing your research for different sizes of mirrors, also be looking at the materials used and the cost.

Remember that not every mirror can withstand long periods in a damp environment. If a mirror made for a bedroom is placed in the bathroom, its clarity will deteriorate over time because of the moisture and humidity. You need to find a mirror produced specifically for bathrooms. In addition, the decor of your home should be taken into consideration.

Other items that affect the cost of the vanity mirror are the decorating style, shape, color, finish and additional features. Choose a mirror that fits your overall theme.

Some mirrors are stand alone, while others come already attached to cabinets with or without sinks in them. Deciding whether or not you can afford to replace your entire mirror/cabinet system is a large consideration when choosing a vanity mirror. Setups where the mirror is already attached to a cabinet/sink system can be bought pre-built or custom built. Custom-built systems cost much more than pre-built ones, so carefully consider your budget when making this decision.

Although a lot of effort goes into choosing the best size vanity mirror for both you and your bathroom, the end result is well worth it. Having a bathroom that fits your needs and complements your style makes the time you spend there much more enjoyable.

Julia Ritzenthaler is Owner of boutique online furniture stores, http://www.UniqueVanities.com, http://www.UniqueMirrorsOnline.com, & http://www.UniqueLightFixture.com. For more information about unique decorative mirrors, visit us online or email us with your questions at uniquemirrors@msn.com.

Some places in every home or apartment can go from ordinary to extraordinary just by making a few key substitutions. Designer lights are a case in point. Check out the lighting fixtures in your home. Do they add as much to the decor as possible?

Lights are often an element that homeowners overlook. A subdued or recessed ceiling fixture in the entryway, a non-descript fixture at the top of an open staircase or centered over a dining room table: these are all areas that can be brought to life with proper light fixtures. While they are commonly referred to as designer lights, in reality they can be the cornerstones of a vibrantly stunning interior.

A striking hanging light that illuminates a foyer immediately catches the attention of your guests. The choice of an appropriate fixture depends on how large the foyer is and how high the ceilings are. The classic chandelier, that multi-light crystal centerpiece that we all remember gracing an entryway in countless movies and television shows, may be a little elaborate for a scaled-down foyer. But chandeliers come in all shapes and sizes.

A little investigation will help you zero in on the fixture that is most appropriate for your entryway. Designing your own chandelier is not out of the question if you just can’t find the fixture you have in mind. The right fixture will add drama and flare to the foyer. At the same time, it adds warmth and a sense of welcome to your guests.

Another light fixture that may do the trick is a pendant light. Pendant lights are generally smaller than chandeliers and consist of a single light source hanging from a ceiling fixture. Pendant lights are often found in kitchens, hanging over work-space islands or bar-type seating areas. They too add flare and drama to an entryway. Pendants have become very popular in the last few years, with a wide variety of materials and designs to choose from. Everything from Tiffany glass to metal sculptures can create unique and beautiful fixtures that not only highlight an area, but become the focus of the room and even the topic of conversation.

Turning your attention to that dining room fixture that is just ho-hum. Why not consider something other than a hanging light fixture? Wall sconces are a beautiful addition to the room and help to create a sense of coziness or intimacy, especially for those special dinner parties. Sconces also come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Rather than having a light source that shines directly down on the dining room table, sconces provide the ability to diffuse the light throughout the room, adding warmth and elegance to the experience. Sconces are also much better at highlighting wall decorations, such as paintings and wall hangings.

Depending on the type of staircase in the home, wall sconces are another option for lighting the way upstairs. Dimmer switches can control the amount of light thrown and again highlight your wall hangings. Like pendent lights, sconces are becoming more and more popular with home designers.

Another area that should be given full and careful consideration when determining lighting fixtures is the bathroom. Attractive lighting fixtures, including pendants and sconces can help transcend the room’s purely functional use. Mirrors that incorporate lighting also improve the look and the functionality, as both elements are key to good bathroom design. This is especially true in a guest bathroom where adequate lighting is a welcome addition as your guests touch up their makeup. Don’t forget that the mirrors themselves will reflect all the light sources in a bathroom, making the choice of mirrors an important element in considering the lighting effects in the room.

Whether you are overseeing a brand new home, doing some renovation or just want to change a few things to enhance the appearance of your home, don’t overlook designer lighting. For relatively little cost, well chosen and placed designer lights can make all the difference in the world. You’ll get props for being so creative and clever.

Julia Ritzenthaler is Owner of boutique online furniture stores, http://www.UniqueVanities.com, http://www.UniqeMirrorsOnline.com, & http://www.UniqueLightFixture.com. For more information about unique wrought iron light fixtures, visit us online or email us with your questions at uniquevanities@msn.com.

Nothing can change the appearance of a room or a house as effortlessly as mirrors. When you think about home interior design, think mirrors. Mirrors can open up a space, create new light effects, reflect color and even create the illusion of depth. Using mirrors can be both creative and functional. The trick is to think outside the box when considering mirror placement.

There are obvious places where mirrors work wonders. An attractive table with a mirror hung behind it at the front door always looks great. The mirror provides you with that “I’m good to go,” last glance as you walk out of the house.

Place a vase of fresh flowers on the table and suddenly you have two vases that brighten up the room considerably. How uplifting to look in the mirror and see not only your image, but a bouquet of colorful flowers as well.
Hanging an attractively framed mirror over the mantel is another obvious place. The larger the mirror (consistent with the size of the mantel, of course), the larger the reflection. Suddenly your room has opened up, and the reflected light enhances the interior lighting.

Be creative in hanging mirrors and in using mirrors generally. A blank wall hung with several mirrors of different sizes and shapes transforms into an attractive artistic design. Try painting the frames to match the color of the wall and hang the mirrors with complimentary ribbon. The effect can be truly eye-catching.

If you have a small, dark room with no windows, consider hanging a large frameless mirror, or two, on the walls. Use as much of the wall as possible. Getting custom made frameless mirrors is not as expensive as you might imagine. Your small, dark room suddenly has the appearance of a larger space. The mirrors will reflect the light in the room to brighten it as well.

One home interior designer decided to dramatically open up a long narrow hallway by using mirrors. The hallway contained several small windows. The designer created mirrors that matched in size and shape each of the windows, framed them as the windows were framed and hung them opposite each of the windows in the hallway. The effect was stunning. A narrow, fairly limited hallway suddenly looked spacious and bright. The mirrors reflected the outdoor view from the windows, creating the feel of nature on both sides of the hallway.

Don’t limit yourself to hanging mirrors on walls. Applying mirrors to the sides of a coffee table, for example, is a neat way to open up space, as the reflection in the mirrors creates a sense of openness and depth.
Consider placing a mirror on top of the coffee table. A vase of fresh flowers will reflect up, adding a splash of color and texture. Candlesticks with or without lighted candles become dramatic pieces, creating the sense of depth.

Your holiday buffet takes on a whole new element when you hang a long mirror, slightly tilted forward, over the buffet table, providing the table stands against a wall. Trying that with a free-standing table wouldn’t quite work out. If it is set up right, however, the mirror reflects the bounty on the table as well as the decorations. The effect is enticing and may even encourage your family and guests to try dishes they might otherwise overlook.

If you have young children who like to help you cook, a well-placed mirror over the stove can do wonders. It allows your child to keep a safe distance from the stove top while still enabling the little chef to see exactly what is going on.

As you can see from this brief survey of innovative ways to incorporate mirrors into your home interior design, the possibilities for using mirrors to change appearances or enhance functionality are only limited by your creativity. A great way to get your mind working on new ideas is to take the time to really look at your home. Where could you hang a mirror or use mirrors to transform a room?

Leaf through some magazines and pay attention to photos in which mirrors are evident. You can be your own home interior designer by using your knowledge of your home, what you would like it to be and what is available to make that happen.

Julia Ritzenthaler is Owner of boutique online furniture stores, http://www.UniqueVanities.com, http://www.UniqeMirrorsOnline.com, & http://www.UniqueLightFixture.com. For more information about unique decorative mirrors, visit us online or email us with your questions at uniquemirrors@msn.com.

You don’t have to live in the Wild West to have a “home on the range.” Western home decorating is a trend that’s catching on from coast to coast. Specialty designers have jumped on board with the trend. They’ve created a bevy of western home decorating items to suit many themes, right down to rustic light fixture chandeliers.

“Western home decorating” can refer to a number of different decorating schemes. Some of these include Southwestern (or Adobe or Arizona style), Native American, Old West (think cowboys, horses and covered wagons) or western outdoors (nature, wild game and the open range). Western home decorating can be casual and cabin-like or classy and formal.

Western home decorating shies away from man-made materials. Instead, it embraces natural elements that reflect nature and wildlife. Stone, wood, leather and even wild animal skins and antlers are featured prominently. Color schemes tend to revolve around tones that mimic the outdoors. Warm red and yellow-based colors are common and evoke the sense of a Western sunset. Earthen tones like browns and grays are also common.

Rustic light fixture chandeliers that embrace these same elements and tones are the perfect finish to a western room or home. Remember some of these tips when choosing rustic light fixture chandeliers for your western-themed room:

* Look for elements that fit with the overall theme. If your room is more formal, look for chandeliers composed mainly of glass and/or metal. Wrought iron or brushed bronze with frosted glass convey an air of formality. Tiffany-style rustic chandeliers also look spectacular in a formal setting. An outdoorsy room could be adorned with rustic chandeliers featuring laser cut scenes of nature or wild game. Chandeliers made of animal antlers or natural fibers also evoke a casual, nature-based feel. A billiard-style chandelier featuring amber-colored glass and metal may be well-suited for a Southwestern-style room.

* Size matters. This rule applies when choosing any type of chandelier. Be sure to consider how low the chandelier will hang. Some chandeliers have
adjustable-length chains; others don’t. A chandelier that hangs too low can be intrusive and get in the way of traffic. One that’s too large may dominate a room and detract from the type of activity that will take place. A small chandelier on the other hand may get “swallowed up” in a very large room. Choose the size of your rustic light fixture chandelier based on the size of your room and the space needed to maneuver around it.

* Light level is important. Chandeliers are by-and-large more decorative than functional. However, they do need to offer some level of light. Determine how much light you’ll need from your chandelier before buying. Will your chandelier be the main or only source of light in the room? You’ll need one that can accommodate the amount of wattage required. It may be desirable to find a chandelier with adjustable light levels. This allows you to control how much light it emits. Turn it up for more light (i.e., at night) or less for daytime use or for mood lighting.

Rustic light fixture chandeliers are like the icing on the cake when it comes to topping off a western-themed room. A great chandelier will enhance and complement your western home decorating efforts without being gaudy or distracting. Rustic light fixture chandeliers are more than just utilitarian appliances. They are works of fine art, and the right one will become a great conversation piece at your next dinner party.

Julia Ritzenthaler is Owner of boutique online furniture stores, http://www.UniqueVanities.com, http://www.UniqeMirrorsOnline.com, & http://www.UniqueLightFixture.com. For more information about unique wrought iron light fixtures, visit us online or email us with your questions at uniquevanities@msn.com.

Stained glass windows have been used for over a thousand years to decorate churches and to demonstrate the faith of its people. However, these windows illuminate and illustrate much more than the stories they depict and the churches they adorn. Stained glass windows have always been designed to be works of art.

These works of art last for centuries and have been enjoyed by millions of people all over the world. Once used only as elaborate embellishments for royalty and places of worship, stained glass windows can now be found in almost every kind of dwelling. Instead of being used to tell a story, these windows can simply be beautiful, brightly colored objects to enjoy.

Stained glass is a wonderful accessory for interior decorating. These windows can be installed as replacement for windows already in your home. The panels in stained glass windows block out UV rays, making it an excellent and beautiful way to prevent fading of your carpeting and furniture.

Stained glass windows are not made by painting windows, but are made with colored glass, making them a perfect way to enhance the natural light and beauty of a room. Because stained glass windows are so beautiful, they add value and class to any room they are in. They can also be used to add privacy and block undesired views.

Using stained glass to decorate your home can add a stunning elegance. It can be used in any room, entry hall, living room, kitchen or dining room. If you are interested in adding stained glass to your home, consider the following possibilities.

ENTRY HALL

The entry hall is one of the most popular areas for adding stained glass. Many people add stained glass to their front door creating a unique look and beautiful way to greet people as they enter. You can replace the glass panes you already have or create something entirely new.

LIVING ROOM

If you have skylights in your living room, you can replace them with stained glass. As the sun shines into the glass, the prisms reflect breathtaking colors on your walls and floor. You can also replace some or all of your regular windows with stained glass window panels. You can replace only the top part of the windows, depending on the type of windows you have, or the whole window.

KITCHEN

Working with stained glass in the kitchen can be a lot of fun and a very appealing improvement. Consider inserting stained glass into the cabinet doors turning bland cabinet doors into works of art. You can also replace your regular kitchen window with stained glass or use sun catchers or other wall hangings made with stained glass.

DINING ROOM

A great idea for using stained glass in your dining room is to replace the chandelier with one made from beveled pieces of colored glass. You can also use mirrors on the dining room walls to reflect the beautiful colors that bounce off the chandelier.

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

There are many household items decorated with stained glass that you can use to add drama and color to your home. Some of those items are candle holders, mirrors, ashtrays, lamps, vases, wall hangings, and jewelry boxes. You can also purchase stained glass kits that will enable you to add your own stained glass designs to household items.

Stained glass is a way for you to use your own creative flair to decorate your living space. Using stained glass allows you the opportunity to personalize your home with dazzling colors and unique designs, giving it a unique personality and elegance that you will treasure for many years to come.

Debra Gropp enjoys working on the Internet by doing everything from paid surveys and working for affiliate programs to blogging about her interests. Her articles pertain to some of the subjects she is most interested in, ways to save money, hobbies, work from home information, and diet, fitness, and health-related information.