Bills are inevitable. Your mortgage, car payment, cellphone bill, gas, insurance, electric, you name it, never stop coming. While we cannot eliminate bills, we can cut down on everyday household expenses. Learning where and when your money is drawing out of your accounts can better help you budget your finances. Here are three places you may be able to save some more money in your home:

Entertainment 

The first place to consider cutting is your entertainment bills. What are your monthly entertainment subscriptions? Do you watch cable or use a streaming service? If both, you may want to switch to a streaming service, and if possible, you can select streaming services with no contracts. Decide what shows and series you want to watch and purchase individual streaming services at that time. When you are done watching your shows, switch to another streaming service. You can also see if family or loved ones want to split entertainment service cost since you are now allowed multiple users.

Heating & Electricity 

Heating and cooling systems can be a large part of your bills. While you can adjust your heat to 78 in the summer and 60 in the winter, you can also find an alternative method that is not as uncomfortable. Invest in well-sealed doors and windows to help keep your home’s temperature from fluctuating. Cleaning your HVAC system’s filter regularly will allow air to move with less energy. Some appliances draw energy even when you are not running them. Items like cell phone chargers, televisions, computers, and coffee makers can cost you over $100 annually. Unplugging these devices is a quick way to save some money. Also, remember to turn off your lights in rooms you are not using and switch to LED bulbs to use less energy. 

Water 

Saving on your water will take some creative ingenuity. There are two places your water is used in your home: outside and inside. The most wasted water is used for gardening and plants outdoors. Make sure that if the water is running from your yard to the street to shut off the water. This is just wasting your water if your yard is not absorbing it. Obviously, inside your home, you can limit your shower time. However, your laundry machine will still use a lot of water. Make sure your laundry machine is energy efficient and that you are putting in maximum loads to get the most out of each wash. 

These three simple tricks can help save you money. You may also decide to spread out your bills if possible. Some people prefer them to all come out at the beginning or the end of the month. Do what works best with your income, lifestyle, and household.

Wallpaper is slowly coming back into style, but that does not mean you want your home’s old, worn-out wallpaper in your house still. Whether you are looking to add new wallpaper or simply repainting your wall, removing wallpaper can become a little challenging at times. Older wallpaper especially can become very challenging to remove from your walls. If you are looking to remove your wallpaper, there are several tricks of the trade to use. Here are the best ways to get down your old wallpaper in your home:

Step One: Prep

Wallpaper is a decorative wall product that is overlaid on top of the drywall. This can help enhance the aesthetics of the room without using paint, and the paper adheres with a one-sided stick adhesive, generally activated by water. To remove your wallpaper, first, start by clearing your walls of any pictures or décor. If your wallpaper was installed before the trim was placed up, you can remove the trim or simply score your paper with a cutting knife as close to the trim as possible. 

Step Two: Soak 

Next, put a tarp down on top of your floors to prevent water from splashing on your ground. Grab a bucket of warm water and add some vinegar. Apply with a sponge directly to the wallpaper. Allow the water to soak into the wallpaper to wet the backside. This can take a few coats and a little time. Give the water roughly 15-20 minutes to fully penetrate the paper. 

Step Three: Peal  

Start at a corner of the room or a seam. Pull back your wallpaper slowly. You may want to use a scaping device for harder areas. The longer wallpaper has been up, the hard it will be to remove. You can also fill a spray bottom with water and vinegar to loosen the surface. As you approach more challenging areas, spray the water directly behind the paper to help break down the bond. 

You may hit a more challenging spot than other areas in one room. Do not stress and be patient. Removing your wallpaper is the best way to prep your walls to be painted. For more tips and tricks on home improvement, make sure to subscribe. 

As we move forward in time, many homeowners and businesses are becoming more cognitive of finite resources. By making some energy-efficient adaptations, many people have been able to eliminate bills and find more energy-efficient solutions. Energy-efficient homes can increase the resell value of your home and helps against the negative impacts of greenhouse gases. If your home was no built as an energy-efficient home, have no fear. You can still make some simple home improvement tricks to help make your home eco-friendlier. Here are four tricks to explore today:

Smart Homes Thermostats 

Your first simple plan to integrate can be adding smart home features. Getting a smart thermostat can allow you to save on your energy bill. They also can lower or increase the temperature of your home while you are away and get it back into a comfortable temp zone when you arrive home.

LED Lighting 

Most lights create unwanted heat as well as waste an abundance of energy. Switching your home to LED lights can save you electricity. These lights will also last much longer than halogens or incandescent lighting. While saving on one light bulb may not be super-efficient, switching all of them can create a more notable difference in savings. 

Windows 

Regulating temperature in your home is done through your HVAC system. However, if you have poorly sealed windows, you can be losing a significant amount of heat. While new windows can be a substantial investment, it can save you significantly on lowering your energy bills each month. 

Washing and Drying Machines 

Consider switching to ENERGY STAR qualified washing and drying machines. These energy-efficient systems can use about half the energy. You can also save almost 3/4 of your normal water used during a wash cycle.  

Doing these simple tricks can help make your home for ecofriendly. If you are looking to be more conservative on the energy you are using in your home, consider these hacks. While some may be investments, they can help pay for themselves over time.

 

You have spent hours determining what would be the perfect color for your walls, and then you realize “what about the interior trim?” The trim is the finishing touch that does not often get much attention. Many people choose to simply leave the trim the color that it has always been without giving consideration to the beautiful alternatives available. Whether you are thinking of applying a fresh coat of white paint to the trim or using another bold hue on it, here are some ways you can get the look you want:

White Trim

Of course, classic white is always a great choice. Whether you have a plain trim or a more elaborate trim molding, using white paint is always a safe choice. White also works well with colored walls or even white walls. When you pair a white trim with a bold-hued wall or an accent wall, the white trim will further highlight or frame the wall. Also, using white on the trim is a great way to tone down a dominant wall color. The white trim will steal some of the surface area, and the bold hue will not seem as if it is swallowing the entire room.

Neutral Trim

Dressing the trim in a neutral shade is bound to give the room a look of sophistication. Giving the trim a neutral color like grey or brown will create a stately appeal — a neutral trim pairs wonderfully with traditional decor. However, if your style leans more towards contemporary, you can add more modern furnishing to give the room more character. Opt for a neutral trim if you want to highlight an architectural feature, if you have a colored ceiling or if you love a transitional style.

Bold Trim

Are you interested in stepping outside the box by painting the trim a bold color? Since trim typically consists of a small strip of the surface, using bright colors like pink, blue, yellow, or green introduces a pop of color to the space. Bold color trim may be an ideal trim choice for you if you want an eclectic look or if you want to add a new hue without going all out on the walls.

What are your thoughts on trim colors? We would love to hear your opinions in the comment section.

Paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to completely transform a room’s appearance. Plus, it is a task you can perform yourself when modifying your home. This project can take a couple of days, so plan to make sure you have time to finish. If this is your first time painting, it is common to have a lot of questions. We answered some of your most frequently asked questions on painting and prep:

How much paint do I need to purchase for a given surface?

Typically, you can use 2.5 gallons to cover 400 square feet. Take into consideration that textured walls will need more product. To calculate the square footage of a wall, you will determine the length times the width (length x width). If your ceiling is 7 feet and 8 inches tall, and your wall is 12 feet and 3 inches long, you have 94 square feet. You may be able to paint around four of these walls with one coat. You should also take into consideration how many coats you will need. If you are priming the wall, you may get away with just two layers; however, bold colors may take more coats. It will also take a lot of coats to take a dark wall and make it a light color. These all should be considered before purchasing your paint.

Where do I start? Walls, ceiling, or trim?

Different people may have different approaches. There is no “wrong” way. Just make sure you can keep clean lines and no overspills or runs. Most people tend to start from the ceiling down. This way if paint runs, you can cover it as you go. Perhaps, start with the ceiling followed by the walls. You may decide to remove your trim to paint to avoid splattering on the floors.

How do I remove wallpaper?

Peel away as much as you can by hand. You may need a wallpaper shaver to get started. If the wallpaper is extremely difficult to remove, consider using a liquid stripper. These chemical options need time to soak into the wallpaper to break down the paste below the paper.

If you have more question you would like us to cover, feel free to leave a question below in the comment section. Painting can be an effective way to change your home. Remember to tape off everything thoroughly to avoid splattering.

For more tips and tricks, make sure to subscribe to our blog. Thanks for reading!

You get into a routine of when to do certain chores. Your daily chores may be as simple as making your bed or doing the dishes, or perhaps you have grocery day and a laundry day once a week. These simple habits can become routines. When you space out chores biweekly or once a month, it can be hard to remember what day they fall on during your busy life. It can be even more tasking to remember chores you only need to tackle once a year. However, we still have some maintenance and tasks we need to do annually. We put together a simple checklist as a reminder. If you have yet to tackle these in the last year, make these your new projects this week.

Curtains

While your curtains may be suspended, they still fall victim to airborne nuisance dust and allergens. Most textiles are magnets for dust. While your carpet and couches will hold more, your curtains and drapes should be washed once a year. This can help keep your home cleaner and prevent allergies.

Gutters

Your gutters are a simple way to take the water off your roof and direct it to a run-off or a drain; however, if your gutters get congested with leaves and debris, it will jeopardize the system. You should try to take care of this once a year to ensure your gutters are working correctly and efficiently. If you live in a wooded environment, you may need to do this more frequently.

Fireplace

When you use your fireplace, the wood you burn release contaminants and soot into your chimney. This build-up takes time but should be removed annually if you are using your fireplace. It is best to tackle this in the fall, so it is prepared by winter.

Mattress

You are recommended to sleep 1/3 of your life. That means you probably spend that portion of your life in bed and matting down your mattress. To prevent your mattress from “over-forming” to your body, it is best to flip and rotate your mattress once a year.

Today’s high pace society can make annual chores the last thing on your mind. With these four annual chores, you can rest assured that your tasks are complete. You can tackle them all once a year or break them into four separate tasks that you complete quarterly. Just find a method that works best with your own schedule.

Looking for a way to add character to your home without doing a complete overhaul? Try decorating an accent wall. It is a simple solution for creating a focal point in the room, and there are many ways to approach this idea. From traditional methods to more unique materials, the point of creating a feature wall is to have a section of the room that catches the eye, expresses your style and maintains functionality all at the same time. Read on for some great ideas for accent walls.

Forever a Classic

The simplest method and usually the first one that comes to mind is a painted wall. If you want to keep things minimalistic, a solid color that is more on the “bold side” can do the trick. If you are going to add something with a little more detail, try a patina paint to bring out a metallic look, or you can stick with a solid scheme and incorporate alternating stripes or a sponging technique.

Welcome Back, Wallpaper

If you want to skip the paint, there are endless possibilities with wallpaper. Smooth, textured, simple, intricate-there will most definitely be something to suit your tastes. It is especially helpful if you enjoy a particular design but do not want to have to go through the hassle of stenciling each section individually.

Embrace the Senses

Another way to add texture to your space is by simply using a different material. A few tried and true choices you can count on for a fabulous look are reclaimed wood panels, stacked stone, and faux brick. Any of these choices will add a more earthy, warm feeling to your home.

More Modern Approach

If you are looking for a more futuristic, modern vibe for your living space, try installing 3D panels or stacked upholstered wall panels. The 3D look will be an eye catcher and conversation starter no matter what color you choose. Like art, it will jump right out and command the attention of those in the room. Upholstered wall panels are a great way to achieve a symmetrical look that pops out at you as well. The extra dimension will add some softness to the room but will not make the space look too busy.

Which accent wall idea was your favorite? Let us know your thoughts below in the comment section!

Some floors can require installing an underlayment.  Your underlayment is a layer between the subfloor and the flooring you install on top of it.  Different underlayments come with a list of different pros and cons.  Knowing a few different types of underlayment options can help you choose the one the best suits your needs.  Most underlayment comes down to personal preferences, but keep in mind that some manufacturers will not warranty floors if you use a competitor’s underlayment.

Felt

The most traditional underlayment is felt.  It is one of the easiest underlayments to install and has a little bit more weight to it.  Thick felt is the best sound dampener underlayment.  It serves as an excellent insulator to help regulate your home’s temperature.  Plus, thicker felt can even give your floor a soft feel when you walk on it.  However, that being said felt is one of the more expensive options.

Foam

Foam is a common underlayment option and will come in different varieties of thicknesses.  Foam underlayments are typically manufactured with a moisture barrier to protect your floor from water damage.  They also serve as a sound dampener which is excellent for two story homes.  This can prevent noises from traveling through the home when people are walking upstairs.  Though foam absorbs some noise, it is not as good as cork underlayments, but you will find that foam is usually the most cost-effective underlayment and easy to install.

Cork

Another standard underlayment option is cork.  Cork is a natural option that does not hurt trees when extracted.  It serves as a moisture barrier as well as a high-quality sound dampener.  Some people prefer cork because it is an excellent insulator to homes as well as fire resistant.  If water does happen to get on your cork, unlike felt and foam, the cork will not mold.  That being said, cork can be a little problematic to install when it comes in rolls.

Even if your floor does not require an underlayment, some homeowners and business will still add one for their many additional benefits.  If you are looking for the most inexpensive option, go with foam, but the best quality would be felt.  Some homeowners will still go with cork because it is a more natural approach and offers slightly fewer benefits than felt at a lower cost.

Commercial environments are prone to heavy traffic.  The wrong flooring may wear quickly, fade, or even break down and increase the chances of injuries. As flooring professionals, we understand that these are all issues you want to avoid because investing in the wrong flooring will mean you will have to replace it more frequently.  To save time and money, you may want to consider some of these options for your business.  Every flooring comes with its pros and cons so you will want to decipher which flooring option is best tailored for your needs before making a purchase.

Carpet

The wrong carpet fibers will quickly wear and create many problems; however, carpet is not a bad option!  Carpet can be placed in some of the most substantial traffic areas in the world including malls and airports.  Commercial glue down carpet is a great solution to have carpet in heavy traffic atmospheres.  You can go a step further and invest in carpet squares.  Carpet squares are great because if one of them is damaged, you simply remove the tile and replace it with a new one.  This can help save you time and money.  However, carpet does not do well to water.  You will want to avoid environments with wet foot traffic.

LVP

Luxury Vinyl Planks or Luxury Vinyl Tiles are incredibly durable floors.  Most options can be floated directly over the subfloor which allows them to be installed in basements, over tile, or any unperfect floor.  Most LVPs are also waterproof and can be installed in water exposed areas.  These luxury planks can be very resilient to scratching and wear; however, they can still be scratched with extreme abuse.  Amongst being simple to install, very durable, and waterproof, this wonder floor is excellent for almost any application.  LVP is a very versatile flooring option and has been the largest growing floor in the industry to date.

Tile

Look for commercial grade tile.  The smaller the tiles, the less likely they will lead to cracking and breaking.  These floors have an extremely long wear layer, are treated to be stain resistant, and can be easy to clean.  Tile works great for commercial bathroom or any space you want to add a more luxurious feel.  Make sure you treat your floors properly to get the greatest longevity out of them.

Concrete

There are several different types of concrete floorings available from epoxy, urethane topcoats, poly-aspartic finishes, and more.  You may have noticed many commercial franchises and chains have been using this look in their designs.  Concrete is currently trending.  With the industrial look, concrete is extremely durable and with the right finish, can be very easy to clean.  

If you need additional assistance choosing the right floors for your commercial space, one of our expert sales associates would love to help you. Please click here to call or visit one of our locations.

We look forward to working with you.

If you are leasing an apartment or a home, it can be challenging to do any modifications. Typically the lease will prohibit any construction or renovations, so what do you do when your neighbors are too noisy? Luckily, there are several tricks you can do to your space to help soundproof your home that will not break the ground or your budget. Here are the top soundproofing tricks:

Rugs

Your lease will most likely prevent you from installing wall to wall carpet; however, you can throw down some rugs. Rugs are excellent at absorbing sounds from lower levels. Take it to the next level by adding some heavy eight-pound padding for extra noise absorption.

Wall Tapestry and Curtains

You can prevent noises from coming through your walls by applying and hanging wall tapestry. Textiles are exceptional sound barriers and can work on the walls as well. For windowed areas, add thick, heavy curtains, and you will be amazed by how much sound you will be able to absorb.

Seal Doorways

If you try to locate where the sound is coming from in your apartment or home, it is most likely coming through windows and doors. Getting a draft stopper on your door can also prevent unwanted sounds from penetrating into your home. This is a simple but effective method. Weatherproofing your door can also help with keeping your apartment warmer while also eliminating sounds. It is a great two for one solution.

Furniture

An empty home is a loud home. Add furniture to help muffle sounds. Large couches, bookcases, and chairs can all help dampen undesired noises. Putting them against “loud” walls can help stop the sounds at the source.

Acoustic Panels

If the sounds are still bad, invest in some acoustic panels. These are engineered to absorb sounds in your home. You can hang them on your walls or ceiling to prevent unwanted noises. Acoustic panels do more than just muffle the sounds but almost magically eliminate them completely.

These simple investments can save you from sleepless nights and unwanted noises throughout the day. For more great tips and tricks, be sure to check back weekly at Carpets N More.