A resource for those seeking information on organizing and transforming spaces.

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Guest Post - 10 Design Tips For Creating Your Dream Home Office

Remote working is here to say. By 2025, it's estimated that more than 36 million Americans will be working from home permanently. If you're serious about nailing the 9-5 without ever having to leave your front door, you'll need a dedicated home office space to work from. Need some inspiration? Below are 10 design tips to help you transform an unloved corner into a first-rate home office.

Remote working is here to say. By 2025, it's estimated that more than 36 million Americans will be working from home permanently. If you're serious about nailing the 9-5 without ever having to leave your front door, you'll need a dedicated home office space to work from. Need some inspiration? Below are 10 design tips to help you transform an unloved corner into a first-rate home office.

1. Start By Picking A Suitable Space

Before you start ordering furniture or putting together mood boards, you'll need to pick out a designated space to transform into your home office. If your household is a busy one, you'll need to think about keeping the distractions of daily life at bay. You'll need a space set apart from the most active parts of your home, preferably with a door that you can keep firmly shut until clocking off for the day. A spare bedroom is ideal, although an unloved alcove can easily be transformed into a serviceable home office.

2. Short On Space?

Just because your home is short on space, doesn't mean you have to cancel your home office plans. If you own your own home, you can think about installing a partition wall to transform a second bedroom into two distinct spaces. Do you rent? Paneled room dividers and open shelving units provide a flexible partitioning alternative.

3. What Does Your Work Entail?

It's easy to get carried away when designing a home office, but you should rein in the urge to overfill your space with surplus furnishings and office equipment. Many of us can get by with little more than a compact desk and a laptop, so start small and go from there. You'll want to introduce some organization straight off the bat, so think about what kind of storage solutions you can integrate into your office. Once the bare bones of your office are in place, you can start thinking about aesthetic upgrades and finishing touches.

4. Breathe Life Into Your Home Office With Plants

Plants are an essential part of any stimulating work environment. In addition to improving air quality and inducing a sense of well-being, plants can also provide you with some much-needed indoor scenery if your home office is lacking a window with a decent view. You can keep things simple with low-maintenance potted plants and succulents, or get creative with an eye-catching terrarium.

5. Illuminate Your Home Office Interiors

If you want to promote creativity and ensure a productive day, you'll want a well-lit interior. Exposure to natural light is incredibly important, especially if you plan on working long hours. If your windows are on the small side, consider moving your desk closer to them to increase your UV exposure. You'll also need adequate interior lighting to brighten up your work environment. A desk lamp is a must, although overhead ceiling fixtures and free-standing floor lamps are also worth considering.

6. Get Creative With Color

If you plan on redecorating your new home office, you need to think very carefully about color. If you want to keep things neutral, go for off-white shades or balanced green hues. Looking for something more stimulating? A vibrant red might be the way to go. Whatever color you go for, make sure you avoid darker shades as these can absorb light, leaving your interiors feeling gloomy and drab.

7. Essential Office Furniture

If you need to purchase new furniture for your office, reserve the bulk of your budget for a quality desk and chair. If you're dealing with a smaller room, pick a desk with drawers and integrated storage to save you having to make space for vertical shelving and cabinets. If you have a bigger room, you might want to think about investing in a standing desk. This will keep you more active during the day and help alleviate things like lumbar pain. When it comes to seating, it's worth spending a premium on an ergonomic chair. 

8. Don't Forget The Tech

If you're designing a home office from scratch, it can be tempting to go all-in and splurge on new technology. If your current laptop has seen better days, it's certainly wise to consider an upgrade. However, you don't necessarily need to go for a brand new model. Refurbished laptops and refurbished desktops are incredibly affordable, with many pre-loved devices performing just as well as brand new ones. Choosing refurbished devices not only makes sense financially but also makes for a far eco-friendlier investment.

9. Add Some Personal Touches

Now your office is taking shape, you can start personalizing your space with personal touches. Add some character to underutilized wall space with framed prints and hanging artwork. Break up busy shelving with trailing plants and punches of color. If you've opted for a fairly neutral color scheme, this is your chance to break up the monotony with hits of pattern, color, and texture.

10. Outdoor Offices And Garden Buildings

Robust sheds and garden buildings can be transformed into first-rate offices with relatively little investment. Cladding interiors and installing insulation will help lock in heat during the colder months, while a connection to your mains power supply is a must. If budget is no option, you'll find many ready-made garden offices available from specialist suppliers. Provided you restrict the use of your garden buildings to work, you usually won't need to secure any planning permission to install one.

Author Bio: This article was written by Eloise Tobler of Wisetek Store. Wisetek Store was created to give our customers access to high quality, reliable and affordable refurbished laptops

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Guest Post - Ducted Heating: A Better Option for Home Improvements and Modern Living

The use of HAVC has increased as the system is now providing the comfort of heating as well as cooling. This system is not considered to be a luxury anymore, but it is a part of almost every house in Australia. Ducted heating is done with special heaters that are technical products used for heating, ventilation, air conditioning namely called HVAC. These are installed with various techniques to heat the air, cool the air, purify, ventilate and replace. The goal for using these products is to get better ventilated indoor rooms.

The use of HAVC has increased as the system is now providing the comfort of heating as well as cooling. This system is not considered to be a luxury anymore, but it is a part of almost every house in Australia. Ducted heating is done with special heaters that are technical products used for heating, ventilation, air conditioning namely called HVAC. These are installed with various techniques to heat the air, cool the air, purify, ventilate and replace. The goal for using these products is to get better ventilated indoor rooms. 

Purpose Of The Ducted Heating:

It makes the air accordingly warm and cold with the help of electricity. As air passes through the duct, it makes it changes the temperature i.e., warm and cold. It is a teamwork of the system by producing the heat and cold circulated air.

Functioning Of Ducted Heating:

Duct heaters have pipes and trucks these are the main distribution part of the system. These are the very first primary channel that provides the conditioned air to the indoor room. The duct pipes give out air to the room. Duct tankers give away the conditioned air to the duct pipes.

Duct Insulation:

It should always be insulated for useful ducted heating. Proper insulation is the only way to make the airflow a stable process in duct heaters. 

In the case of outdoor places which aren’t conditioned then insulation is the important part of the consideration. Fiberglass is the material to be used to cover the insulation. This material is only used in hot and cold ducts. Fiberglass materials are available in various forms namely loose, rigid, various R values, and thickness. When the ducts aren’t properly insulated then you are at your high risk of paying the expensive electricity bills and also it might reduce the efficiency of the heater gradually.

Designing And Building Ducts:

In these years, there are so many different ducts that project with various technologies. Many ducts help in super savings electricity bills. Moreover, the main thing as people of advanced smart living, we consider making use of the energy very effectively and consumedly. Many smart ducts heaters are available to make the room with smart air without leaking with the help of ducted heating. This comfortably makes artificial airflow in the room. Electrical duct heaters are used on a large scale. It gives us a versatile condition at home. It helps us in changing the summer heated and winter cold air. Ducted heating helps you save energy consumption to a great extent. 

HAVC Helps In Saving:

Super savings are possible only if the insulation is done as designed. Insulation is the part of the Construction and saving is a very important inefficient use of HVAC. There are some effective ways of practice for good electricity consumption and good life of the products.

  • Maintaining the losses from the building, that is controlling the leaking of energy. 

  • When even installation professional people are to be considered for better circulation of air. 

  • Avoid using air conditioning and heater simultaneously and in extreme cases.

  • Avoid frequent opening of windows and making the product consume higher energy.

  • Do not place more material objects in and around the room so that less energy can be consumed.

  • Look for good operating systems and get them fixed.

While choosing duct heaters considering certain specified criteria to choose is essential. One among them is the maximum operating system capacity of the products we choose, heating capacity, and maximum airflow it gives. Duct conductors that are available with open coils, insulated, finned heating elements are considered the best ones for home improvement these days.

Author Bio: Alyssa Moylan is an ordinary woman from Australia, a writer by day and a reader by night. She writes on various topics like home improvement, business, lifestyle, health, travel and fashion. She likes to think of ways on how to solve daily life problems of people. Follow her on Twitter to stay updated.

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How Garden Office Pods Can Be Beneficial For Your Work

When you decide to work from home, the idea seems great, but it is sometimes not practical. Because at home one doesn’t have a separate area to conduct their work, using any other place such as living room to work is also a bad idea as it is full of disturbance. At the same time, taking office on rent is also not worth it because of the increasing rent of properties. So, are you looking for a quiet and private space that is free from the hustle and bustle of the house noise, where you can work peacefully? What is the solution? Well, you can go for back garden office pods, having many benefits.

When you decide to work from home, the idea seems great, but it is sometimes not practical. Because at home one doesn’t have a separate area to conduct their work, using any other place such as living room to work is also a bad idea as it is full of disturbance. At the same time, taking office on rent is also not worth it because of the increasing rent of properties. So, are you looking for a quiet and private space that is free from the hustle and bustle of the house noise, where you can work peacefully? What is the solution? Well, you can go for back garden office pods, having many benefits.

Let’s take a quick look at these advantages

Provides dedicated space:

One of the main reasons you want to build back garden office pods is that you may require a separate area to do your work. So, this is the main purpose it will fill, it will be quiet, peaceful and the best part is you can design it the way you want. Moreover, you don’t have to be worried about keeping your paperwork safe from kids and pets. No one will touch your laptop in your absence if you have a dedicated space.

Enhanced productivity:

When you are working in a place where there is no distraction, your productivity will also increase ten times. You can focus on your work, plan your time, and keep your place organised. Hence, you will succeed in developing skills and keeping a positive attitude during work.

Provides you with privacy:

If you are working on some project that requires confidentiality and it is of sensitive nature. In such a case, leaving your project files and papers at home is not safe. Moreover, it is difficult to manage calls or video calls for meetings as there will always be some disturbances. But you can have full-fledged privacy in your back garden office pods. If you want, you can also make your pod soundproof so that you don’t get disturbed by any kind of noise.

Provides with freedom:

Well, you can’t sit whole at your computer desk and keep working despite the nature of the job. You need some change and freedom to move around. When you have your office workspace, you get the freedom to get up and take a walk whenever you want, and you can even change the position of sitting. Another benefit is the freedom to stylise your office the way you want, you can have a side coffee table and sofa, long convertible sofas, or a small place to do some yoga and exercise. It is all up to you and your needs.

Your own working hours:

Your back garden office pods will be at your service 24*7 a day. They are quiet and peaceful, and you can go there to complete your work at any time of the day. In your home, you could be disturbed by kids, pets, guests, and neighbours. The noise of people talking, coming, and going is as distractive. Someone else may also occupy the room you are using. All these are not at all a problem when you have back garden office pods.

These are some of the main benefits of having back garden office pods. These pods will provide you with a place that is dedicated to you and your work. When you have a dedicated workplace, your productivity is higher, and you can spend more time in your work from home opportunity without spending any penny on rent and travelling.

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Guest Post - 12 Garden Ideas to Brighten Up Your Home

An indoor or outdoor garden is a great way to brighten up your home on the inside and outside. Growing plants, vegetables, and herbs can help anyone feel more relaxed and give them something to do on a boring Saturday afternoon. The good news is anyone can have a garden, even if you live in an apartment, you just have to decide what type of garden is right for you. Here are some garden ideas to brighten up your home.

We partnered with a farm supply company. for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

An indoor or outdoor garden is a great way to brighten up your home on the inside and outside. Growing plants, vegetables, and herbs can help anyone feel more relaxed and give them something to do on a boring Saturday afternoon. The good news is anyone can have a garden, even if you live in an apartment, you just have to decide what type of garden is right for you. Here are some garden ideas to brighten up your home. 

Elevate Your Garden 

Infuse your home with warmth and charm by welcoming Rhode Island Red chicks into your garden. These adorable chicks not only add a touch of liveliness to your outdoor space but also provide fresh eggs and natural pest control. Consider creating a cozy coop or designated area for Rhode Island Red chicks, allowing them to thrive while bringing joy and vitality to your home environment.

Indoor Garden Ideas

1. Herbs

If you can't have an outdoor garden, then consider an indoor herb garden. Herb gardens are popular because you're not just growing plants; you're growing something you can enjoy or eat. There are different types of herbs you can grow, and you can find a variety of display options, including magnet pots that you put on your refrigerator if you don't have enough countertop or windowsill space. 

If this will be your first time starting an herb garden, consider starting with an easy herb, like mint, that you can grow in soil or water. When your mint has grown, you can add it to tea leaves to give your tea a minty taste. 

2. Hydroponics

If you want to have an impressive indoor garden, consider hydroponics that uses indoor cultivation units that allow you to grow your favorite vegetables indoors. If you live somewhere that gets snowy, cold winters, you can begin growing anything from carrots to tomatoes in your home without worrying about snow or cold weather.

3. House Plants

If you're someone who prefers to get delivery for dinner, then growing edible plants might not be for you. The good news is you can start a garden of indoor plants just about anywhere in your home to make it feel brighter and more peaceful. Depending on how many plants you have, you can even make your home feel like an indoor jungle.

4. Terrarium

Terrariums bring nature indoors by giving you an indoor mini garden with its ecosystem. While terrariums might sound like they take up a lot of space, they don't have to. You can find anything from a tabletop terrarium to a large terrarium online. You can also create your own terrarium with a variety of plants, including succulents and moss. 

Terrariums are simple and easy to maintain and don't require a lot of space, making them a great solution for apartment dwellers. 

5. Go for Easy Plants

If you've never had an indoor garden before, consider getting plants that are easy to maintain at first. Succulents and cacti are affordable for any budget and typically the easiest plants to maintain because they don't require you to water them often. Not only that, but they come in a variety of sizes so you can have a succulent in every room or on every table.

Outdoor Gardening Ideas

If you have space outdoors to grow your garden, then you can have a larger garden complete with all types of plants, including vegetables, herbs, and even flowers. Here are some ideas for outdoor gardens.

6. Try Edging

If you truly want to make your garden stand out from the rest of your yard, try to cut your lawn into a defined shape or edge your lawn so it doesn't grow into your garden. You can cut your grass into any shape you want, like a circle or square, or you can make your garden into one of these shapes and cut your lawn around it. 

7. Make a Container Garden

You can use containers for potted plants anywhere in your garden, but they look best on a porch or patio. You can put anything in a pot, including vegetables and flowers, and they're a simple and organized way to maintain a garden. 

Container gardens also work best if you don't have a lawn. You can easily grow a nice garden near the entrance of your home to give it better curb appeal. 

8. Paint a Backdrop

No matter what type of garden you have, consider giving it some flare with a backdrop in the form of paint. If your garden backs up to your house or a fence, consider finding a bold color for behind the greenery. Of course, you should also keep in mind what you're painting. Black makes the perfect backdrop for green, colorful plants, but it may not be a great idea to paint your entire house black. 

9. Create a Vegetable Patch

A vegetable patch can be grown even in a small area of your lawn, and it gives you the most natural, delicious vegetables to eat for snacks or to throw in your favorite salad. To make your vegetable patch, corner off part of your lawn or existing garden and prepare the soil. Next, you'll plant your vegetables and can start growing your food. 

10. Add Seating

While you shouldn't put a chair in the middle of your garden, you can create an outdoor seating area that can complement your garden, enhance your outdoor living space, and give you somewhere to sit so you can look over all of your hard work and watch your plants grow. Whether you have a patio or a deck, you can choose from a variety of seating options, including swinging loveseats, papasan chairs, and more. 

11. Hang Baskets

Hanging basket gardens can help you enhance your home in the front yard without digging up your lawn. If you want to add more color to your home's exterior or freshen up your garden with a new plant, consider getting a hanging basket or multiple hanging baskets filled with beautiful flowers. 

12. Keep Your Garden Safe

Finally, if you want your garden to thrive, you'll need to keep it safe from pests. Make sure to invest in a smart pest plan to help keep insects and other critters out of your garden so you can maintain healthier, and more vibrant plants. 

Additionally, you should aim to keep your pets out of your garden. This can be beneficial for the health of your pet if you're growing something that might be dangerous to their health. You can easily pet-proof your garden with a small fence or train them to stay out of your vegetables with reward-based training. 

Your Home Garden

Home gardens don't have to be time-consuming or difficult to maintain. The first step to brightening your home with a garden is figuring out whether you want to invest in an indoor garden, outdoor garden, or both. 

Marné Amoguis

Marné Amoguis holds a B.A. in International Business from UC San Diego. She is a contributing writer at 365businesstips.com where she loves sharing her passion for digital marketing. Outside of writing, she loves traveling, playing music, and hiking.

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