How to Decorate a Living Room

Whether your taste is classic or modern, informal or formal, bright or subdued, your living room should be a place where you can relax and spend quality time with friends, family, or just yourself. Designing a space that looks beautiful and functions well is an art. So, before you engage an interior designer to renovate your living room, do some research first.

1. Make use of a mix of light and dark hues.

A white and bright living room may look excessively "pure" and distant. When everything is dark, it might feel like you're in a tunnel. Combining dark and light colors creates a lively and well-balanced look. At least a little white and a little black must be present in each region's design.

2. Experiment with Contrasts in Natural colors

A variety of contrasting neutrals, as well as some white and black, go a long way toward making a living room appear rich and welcoming. The white walls, caramel leather, brass hardware, gray sofa, and blue-gray cabinetry all contrast with one another in this example, emphasizing their various finishes and undertones. The palette seems rich even before adding additional important elements like color, pattern, and texture.

3. Play around with texture.

When it comes to decorating a living room, texture is easy to overlook, especially since we don't see it nearly as much as we touch it. Soft textures that are pleasing to the touch, as well as coarser textures that provide contrast, are essential for creating a pleasant atmosphere in a living room. Consider adding taper candles too. Textures should be varied in leather, cotton, wool, metal, stone, glass, and plant life.

Look for a range of artifacts and furniture to add to the palette's variety of materials, even if just in little amounts.

4. Do Some Woodwork

Wood is one of the greatest materials for generating a nice environment in a living room, and we can't talk about texture without discussing it.

Wood may be used in a variety of ways to improve the appearance of a place Wall paneling, side tables, movable stools, picture frames and carved works of art are just a few of the many options.

5. Play around with your furniture.

Although most furniture companies offer the option of purchasing a whole living room set with matching upholstery, this is not something you should do Matching furniture in a formal seating area may give the appearance of maturity and order, but mixing and matching upholstered objects in your living room will make it feel more comfortable and welcoming.

Mixing leather chairs with a fabric sofa, or vice versa is one of the safest ways to accomplish this, as the materials contrast in an evident way. It adds variety to the living room decor, as well as giving family members varied sitting alternatives to suit their tastes.

6. Select Practical Fabrics

When it comes to upholstery, living room chairs need to be both comfortable and long-lasting. What this implies to your family will be decided by you. You may have babies or little children, pets or no pets, and they might or might not be unclean. Extremely pale or dark hues show dirt and wear quickly, therefore mid-tone textiles are the best choice.

Because leather is readily wiped clean, it is a good material for avoiding stains in the case of a spill. It may not tolerate animals as well as other fabrics since it is more easily scratched.

Denim and corduroy are two more fabrics that are both appealing and long-lasting. Plus, when contrasted to the standard basic cotton or wool upholstery you see in stores, they provide an interesting twist. When picking fabric for your living room furniture, seek a combination of natural and synthetic textiles to get the best of both worlds. If feasible, bend a fabric sample to make sure the weaving is tight and the backing material isn't visible. Regardless of the material, a tight weave will last longer than a loose one (which allows dirt to hide).

7. Add a pop of color to the mix.

While a beautiful environment may be created without the use of vibrant colors, even a small amount of color in a living room can go a long way toward creating a relaxing and pleasant ambiance.

Choose a vivid blue when in doubt; it's a hue that virtually everyone can agree on It complements warm elements like leather and wood, yet it's neutral enough to work with nearly any accent hue.

8. Place a Patterned Rug in the Room

A patterned rug provides these benefits to the floor while also anchoring a seating area and bringing new vitality to the room. Even if you already have carpeting, consider adding a rug to your seating area. Consider adding a rug to your seating area even if you already have carpeting. When you first roll it up to take to the cleaners after a major spill, you'll be glad you have it on hand.

9. Don't Take Everything Too Seriously

An artsy gallery wall, mix-and-match throw cushions, open storage baskets, and amusing furniture like this tepee-inspired tent are all wonderful ways to embrace intentional chaos in the living room.

Attempting immaculate order will make anything out of place stand out like a sore thumb, but embracing a little controlled anarchy will allow the occasionally dropped toy or draped blanket to blend in.

Have you ever arranged a tiny living room to make it feel more inviting and spacious? Have you made any modifications to a large living room to make it cozier?

Simple Household Changes That Keep Children Safe

As a parent, it’s your job to keep your little ones safe. Since there are numerous seemingly safe items around your home that can harm your child, protection is a full-time job.

Even if you’re busy, there are some minor techniques you can use to keep your children safe. These include:

Supervising Bath Time

Small children have an easier time drowning than you may think. In fact, it only takes an inch of water can be fatal to younger children. When your child bathes, give them your undivided attention and never move within an arm’s reach.

Even if they’re too big to drown, smaller children are still at risk. Your child may slip and hurt themselves if they try to get up. Getting a mat for your tub can help improve traction in order to make your bathroom safer. Make sure you’re always present while they’re bathing.

Fix Your Garage Door

Do you have a pesky garage door that constantly sticks or falls? This is serious for you and your children, especially if they enjoy playing outside. If the door falls while they are nearby, they could suffer from fatal injuries.

To protect them from accidents like these, get your faulty garage door fixed as soon as possible. Businesses like Raynor Door Company suggest that you inspect your garage door every 12 months for signs of deterioration. Professionals can do maintenance or replace your door completely to ensure your little ones can play safely outdoors. Take some time to check your springs to see if they have started to wear out.

Hide Your Cleaning Products

Cleaning products should always be put away where your children can’t reach them. Topically, they become a hazard when they come in contact with the skin. They’re also highly toxic when swallowed.

Laundry detergent, as well as everyday household cleaning supplies, can make your child very sick. Make sure that you have a dedicated storage space in your home for toxic supplies in order to keep them away from your children. Only bring them out when you plan to clean. If possible, also invest in some detergent that is environmentally friendly, or create your own cleaners that aren’t as dangerous for your children.

Consider Opting out of Walkers

Sure, walkers help infants and toddlers learn to walk. However, sometimes walkers can lead to serious injuries. If you have stairs in your home, leaving your baby in their walker can lead to a serious fall. They also have an easier time reaching and burning themselves on hot surfaces. Consider getting some baby gates to prevent your children from accessing the stairs in your home. Alternatively, you can invest in stationary equipment that helps them balance their body weight.

Kids can be injured within a small window of time. Do your best to prevent accidents by making small household changes. Taking a few precautions can make your home a safer place for your entire family.

How to Know if Life in a Big City is For You

Small town living has plenty of upsides, but many people living in rural or suburban areas dream of starting a new life in a big city. At the same time, there are far more people moving outward than in, with most moving from cities to the suburbs rather than vice versa. 

Whether you're thinking about buying one of the houses for sale in Toronto, moving into an apartment in New York City, or a place in any large metropolitan area, there are questions you should ask yourself in order to make the best decision possible. After all, it's going to be very different from what you're used to, with life moving at a much faster pace.

Can You Handle the Noise?

Living in the city can be noisy, with everything from loud voices to construction and garbage trucks. Some people actually thrive on it, but of others, it can be difficult to tolerate, leaving them longing for peace and quiet. Downtown areas in large cities like New York are noisy 24/7. If you have difficulty sleeping without silence, it could be a concern. 

Can You Afford It?

Major cities are always more expensive to live in than the suburbs, with places like New York and San Francisco ranking high when it comes to the cost of living. In Manhattan, you'd be lucky to find a one-bedroom for less than $3,000 a month. Utilities are usually higher and so are other basic necessities like food and drink. Of course, there are usually more job opportunities and higher salaries in major cities too, though it might be tough to find one that pays the elevated rent or high purchase price. 
The bottom line is, you'll ideally want to have a job lined up before moving to ensure you can afford the higher cost of living. 

Do You Treasure Your Personal Space?

If you don't relish crowds and treasure your personal space, it might be difficult to adjust. Whether you're walking down the street or riding a subway, you're probably going to get bumped into frequently, breathed on, and occasionally coughed or sneezed on. Sometimes people do enjoy the hustle and bustle, but you'll want to figure out if that's something you can get used to, perhaps by spending some time in the city you're thinking about moving to first.

Do You Like Getting to Know New People?

Big cities bring many opportunities to meet new people and potentially make new friends or even start a romantic relationship. There are usually people from all corners of the globe, which means you might meet someone you never would have had you not moved from your small town. This is usually a big plus for most, but perhaps for the very introverted it can be perceived as negative.

Do You Have Street Smarts?

If you've always lived in a small town, moving to a big city can be a culture shock in more ways than one. You're bound to come across those who are looking to take advantage of someone new, without a lot in the way of street smarts. While it's something that can be developed, it will be important to have a constant awareness of your surroundings along with a healthy dose of skepticism. You don't want to  always assume the worst about others, but you should be able to think on your feet and recognize red flags.

Of course there are many positives that come with living in a big city - as mentioned, better career opportunities and the chance to make friends from all walks of life, endless restaurants to choose from, cultural activities, and much more. 

Commercial Roofing Materials & Average Life Expectancy

How long does a commercial roof last? That depends greatly on the materials you select. In this infographic from Skywalker Roofing, we survey 13 roofing material options with their respective lifespans.

Commercial Roofing Materials & Life Expectancy

Choosing the right material for your commercial roof is very important. Here are just a few that we cover in the infographic:

1. Modified Bitumen 

Modified bitumen roofing starts with build-up roofing and then adds some polymer-reinforced layers. It takes some specialized labor to install, but provides reliable results. The average life expectancy is around 20 years.

2. Asphalt Shingles 

Shingle won’t work on a large flat roof, but they can work on other commercial roof styles. Shingles are popular for residential roofing, but they’re also viable for some commercial applications. The average life expectancy is around 20 years.

3. EPDM Roofing 

Also known as rubber roofs, EPDM is a popular choice for commercial flat roofs. One drawback is that sometimes it tends to absorb heat easily. The average life expectancy is around 25 years.

4. Green Roofs 

What if there were a way to cover and protect your roofing membrane with something attractive and sustainable? Planting roof vegetation can improve insulation and also extend your roof life. Green roofs can last upwards of 50 years.

5. Wood Shakes 

Wood shakes aren’t for every commercial roof, but they can work if your roof has enough slope. Wood shake roofing are eco-friendly, naturally beautiful, and can deliver a life expectancy of around 30 years.

6. Concrete Tiles 

If your commercial roof is sloped, then concrete is also worth a look. Concrete tile performs like slate, but weighs less and puts less stress on your roof’s infrastructure. The average lifespan for concrete tile is 50 years!

Check out the complete infographic from Skywalker Roofing to learn more!