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Whether it’s because of limited space, unpacked boxes or because you simply don’t want lots of people traipsing across your carpet, there are many reasons why a housewarming party might turn you off.

Luckily, there’s another room in the house that could be put to use: your garage.

That’s right! Garage parties are in this year, and because the garage is often one of the largest areas in the home and has easy outdoor access with lots of fresh air and natural light, it might very well be the best place to throw your housewarming party.

Here are 7 tips that will help you throw an unforgettable garage party that’ll be the talk of the neighborhood!

1. Tidy Up

Before you do anything to transform your garage into party central, you’ll need to do some cleaning!

Sweep the garage floor to remove any dirt or debris, and dust any shelves or items that will be in sight during the party. Also, remember to remove any cobwebs!

If you can, clear any large or bulky items from the garage and put them somewhere else in the house until the party’s over. This will allow for a bigger space for your guests! If you can’t move these items, you can simply cover them with a sheet!

2. Cover the Walls and Floor

An easy trick for transforming your garage into a party venue is to cover the walls and floor. By doing this, you’re instantly changing the atmosphere and your guests will even forget they’re in a garage at all!

Hang white sheets from the walls to make the room seem brighter. This will also give the effect of an actual party venue as it hides the evidence of the room being a garage.

For covering the garage flooring surface, you can choose to lay down a tarp or to add a colorful rug.

3. Add Seating and Tables

Of course, you and your guests won’t want to just stand around the entire party, so adding some seating is a must.

This part can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like — it’s really just up to you! Simple folding chairs or lawn chairs can be placed around the garage for your guests, or you can bring out some of your seating furniture from inside.

If your guests are going to be dining during the party, you need to have an area where they can sit and eat. You can use an affordable folding table for this part, too.

4. Decorate

Garage party decorations are perhaps the most important parts when it comes to setting up. They’re also the part where you’ll have the most freedom since you’ll be able to incorporate your own style and creativity.

Depending on your party’s theme, choose tasteful decorations like accent rugs, table runners, floral arrangements, and even alternative seating like beanbags. You can even add balloons or sprinkle confetti across the floor for added effect!

5. Add Lighting

Whether you prefer the soft, warm twinkle of dainty string lights or the brightening glow of lamps, you’ll need to bring in some extra lighting.

You can string lights from the ceiling or walls, or place lamps or other lighting fixtures around the garage where you see fit.

6. Provide Food and Drinks

What’s a party without food and drinks?

Your guests are going to be hungry when they arrive, so be sure to have snack foods and appetizers out on tables. If you’re wanting to do more of a dinner party, then you can place a table in the middle of the garage and bring the food out when it’s time.

7. Add Entertainment

Nervous about guests getting bored during your party? There’s an easy way to fix that.

Investing in a game table is the surefire way to keep the fun going in the garage even after guests leave. From ping pong to air hockey to pool (or even a table with all three), there are so many types of game tables out there that’ll instantly upgrade your garage party.

Check out some of these multi game table reviews to see which kind of game table is for you!

Kick off Your Garage Party

Now, you have all the tips you’ll need to throw the best garage party your guests have ever been to! Prepare to be surprised at just how simple and fun these parties can actually be.

If you found this information helpful, be sure to check out our other posts!

Almost 80% of all remodeling projects start in the kitchen. In fact, designing a beautiful kitchen comes second only to bathroom remodeling projects.

Are you thinking about redesigning your kitchen this year? Before you do, it helps to have a plan in place. With these 15 kitchen designing tips, you can create the kitchen of your dreams.

Otherwise, you might miss out on some of the finer details.

By updating your kitchen, you can improve the room’s aesthetics and function. You can also add to your home’s value, too.

Cook up your dream kitchen with these 15 easy tips!

1. Start With a Plan

Before you start removing appliances or stripping old cabinets, start by developing a plan.

What are you hoping to accomplish with your kitchen renovation project? Do you want more storage space? Maybe you’re more focused on turning your kitchen into a gathering place.

Start by searching for inspiration online. You can look at Pinterest boards, renovation websites, and online guides. Then, create a Pinterest board of your own!

Try to separate your ideas between “must-haves” and “want-to-haves.” If it comes down to your budget, you’ll know which beautiful kitchen designs to prioritize.

Explore different textures, materials, and color schemes while you’re at it. You might come up with more than one kitchen design. That’s okay!

Once you have a fully developed plan, you can choose your favorites.

Learning how to design a kitchen comes down to your needs. Think about how you work and move throughout your kitchen when you’re cooking. Where do you spend the bulk of your time?

Think about the problems you’ve encountered in the past, too. For example, you might feel like you don’t have enough counter space.

Then, you can focus on developing solutions within your plan.

Once you have a strong plan, you can maximize your time and start putting these kitchen design tips to work!

2. Consider Storage

When designing a beautiful kitchen, make sure to consider your storage space. Many people neglect to plan for storage when developing their design plans.

You’ll want to utilize every inch of space you can. Maybe you want to push your overhead cabinets to the ceiling. That way, you have extra space and you don’t have to worry about dust collecting.

You can also deepen your drawers to make it easier to find the pots and pans you need. Consider adding shelves within your drawers, too. Keeping everything organized and easily accessible will improve your kitchen’s functionality.

Improving the storage space in your draws and cabinets will free up your countertops.

Where else can you add storage space? For example, you can start using your walls! Utilizing your wall space will improve the kitchen’s functionality and beauty.

Consider adding a metallic strip to one of your walls. Then, hang your knives up! You’ll have easy access to your knives while you’re cooking.

If you don’t want to add a knife strip, add hooks to your walls instead. You can hang your pots and pans up instead of filling your cabinets.

Does your kitchen include an island? You can add a chandelier to hang your pots and pans from, too.

Either way, these kitchen designing tips will help you maximize your kitchen space.

3. Utilize Your Counters

Once you’ve added new storage space throughout your kitchen, take a look at the countertops. Choose a surface that’s beautiful but also easy to work on.

You might want to reconsider using tiles. The grout between each tile can become difficult to clean and maintain. Stainless steel, on the other hand, will scratch too easily.

Instead, consider stunning, smooth granite or marble countertops for your kitchen renovation project.

4. Don’t Forget the Details

Kitchen renovations often cost between $25,001 and $50,000. When exploring different kitchen design tips, make sure to keep your budget in mind. Instead of focusing on huge remodeling projects, try a few smaller ones.

For example, you might consider using salvaged wood within your kitchen to save money. You can also expose old ductwork to create a more rustic look.

Think about your trash, too. You can create a build-in trash bin that’s hidden behind a cabinet to improve your kitchen’s look.

5. Let There Be Light

Make sure your kitchen has plenty of light. Placing the light source behind you will leave the room full of shadows. As a result, you could end up working in the dark.

Instead, try to position the light in front of you. For example, you can place small lights or LED light strips under your cabinets. These lights will shine directly onto your countertops while you work.

No more shadows!

Don’t forget natural light, too. Instead of old blinds, consider updating your kitchen windows with classy white shutters. The natural light will help your kitchen look lively and spacious.

6. Out With the Old

When updating an old kitchen, many people remove old appliances, cabinets, and even their sink. Going out with the old can give your kitchen a fresh start.

After years of use, your faucet is bound to look old and scratched up. Adding a new faucet to your kitchen will improve the aesthetic and functionality. You can even look for a faucet that includes a filter to improve your home’s energy use.

As you look for new sinks, consider different materials and colors. For example, you might choose these cement vessel sinks. These sinks feature anti-scratch and waterproof coating that will ensure they’ll last for years.

Don’t forget to consider your budget as you start stripping old appliances and kitchen features away. You might decide on updating old features to give your kitchen a vintage look. Either way, using these design tips for kitchen renovations will help refresh an outdated kitchen.

As an added bonus, choosing energy-efficient products for your kitchen will provide benefits in the long run!

7. Power Up

As you start using these kitchen designing tips, don’t forget to think about your power sources. You might need to relocate outlets to add new appliances throughout your kitchen.

Many people fail to think about power sources until it’s too late. Try to utilize these kitchen design tips as soon as possible. Otherwise, you might block out potential kitchen space.

Take the time to measure your appliances. Will they fit within the spaces you’ve build for them? If not, appliances like your dishwasher could fail to drain properly.

8. Prioritize Safety

Over 10% of Americans completed a kitchen or bathroom remodeling project in a single year. As you complete your own remodeling project, don’t forget to consider everyone’s safety.

You want to make sure your kitchen is safe and family-friendly, especially if you have children running around.

For example, you might decide against a metallic strip for your knives if your kids sit on the counters often. You can also use safety-conscious elements like rounded countertops instead of sharp edges.

What about your floors? You can use slip-resistant flooring to keep your kitchen safe.

If you have toddlers or pets roaming around, consider positioning your oven higher up. Putting your oven at adult-height will minimize the risk someone will get burned.

9. Check the Floors

Don’t forget those floors! If you choose hardware floors, remember they’ll wear down faster around appliances. Natural stone, on the other hand, is durable.

Plus, it can give your kitchen an earthy feel.

10. Choose a Look

What type of kitchen do you want to design? For a French look, focus on earthy elements like marble along with elegant elements like a chandelier.

If you want more glitz in your kitchen, add shiny metallics instead.

Do you prefer an industrial look? Try steel, stone, and wood materials!

11. Add a Pop

Many homeowners prefer a stunning, white kitchen to keep the room looking clean. If you decide on white decor, add a pop of color within the room. For example, you paint your cabinets yellow or blue glass panels to bright brightness into the room.

12. Focus on Function

As you use these kitchen designing tips, don’t forget to balance functionality with elegance. For example, you can add custom storage cabinets. If you have an island, consider hollowing out the space to add shelves.

You can even tuck chairs under your island to turn your kitchen into a gathering place.

13. Lighten Up

A dark kitchen won’t feel very inviting. Instead, consider a color scheme that keeps your kitchen looking light and bright. You can combine white with yellow or a kiwi-green for a lively kitchen.

What about adding a skylight? Don’t forget, natural lighting can go a long way to breathe life to the room.

14. Pair Styles

If you feel stuck between two styles, combine them! For example, you might decide on bringing contemporary American styles with traditional French decor ideas. Use ironwork to bring a French look into your American home!

15. Beautify With Backsplash

Adding a new backsplash is a fun way to update your kitchen. Instead of an outdated look, have fun with it! Consider using tin tiles to give your kitchen a bright, playful look.

Eat Up: Kitchen Designing Tips for a Fun and Functional Kitchen

Balance functionality and beauty! With these 15 kitchen designing tips, you can discover the kitchen of your dreams that works well, too. Get designing with these 15 tips today.

Searching for more helpful guides? Explore the Tips section of our blog today!

The last thing any of us would want to experience is having our house getting flooded.

Even if we live in an area that is particularly vulnerable to flooding, we often do not take the necessary precautions. Even after the devastating Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, not everyone in the city is properly protected against possible flooding.

So what do you do if you experience a flooded house? If you did not get the time to prepare beforehand, you need to know how to get through this disaster before you can prepare for another crisis.

In this guide, we will show you what to do right after your house gets flooded.

What To Do in a Flooded House

If you do get into the unfortunate situation where you find yourself in a flooded home you want to make sure you take the right steps moving forward.

Make sure you save this guide as a reference so you can always come back to these steps.

1. Stop The Water (If Not an Act of God)

If the cause of the flooding was not by a natural disaster, also known as an ‘Act of God’ then you need to immediately stop the water at its source.

If the flooding was caused by a running faucet in the sink or the bathtub, it needs to be turned off. If your hose was running and the water overflowed, then you should rush to the valve and turn off the hose.

2. Turn Off the Electricity

Once you have turned off the water sources, you have to now turn off the electricity.

First, you should go to the fuse box and turn off the power.

Afterward, you should try to unplug all wires from their outlets. If possible, lift up the wires from the floor and place them on a raised surface; for example, place your wires on the kitchen counter or on the dinner table or on your bed.

If you cannot reach the fuse box or the wires without wading through a lot of water, you should call an electrician.

3. Leave the Home

Now you need to leave the flooded home and make sure everyone else in the home does so.

If there are elderly, children, or any other vulnerable persons in your home – make sure you assist them in evacuating. They should be the first persons to be out of the home.

Once everyone is out of the home, find a safe spot. If the flooding is not so intense, you may be able to stay in your backyard or in the driveway. If it is more serious, you may need to seek a temporary shelter home. This is often the case when the flooding is caused by a natural disaster.

Report the flooding to the authorities and ask them where you should temporarily relocate for shelter.

4. Medical Help

If anyone in your home requires medical help, you should immediately call for an ambulance. This will likely be the case if you have any vulnerable persons in your home.

Make sure this is done right away before moving on to anything else. If you have sustained any injuries or illnesses from the flooding, you must call an ambulance for yourself.

Medical attention cannot be postponed. You need to think about your wellbeing and the wellbeing of your loved ones before you think about the home!

5. What to Do About Your Home

Once you have looked after your wellbeing and the wellbeing of your loved ones, you have to now think back to your home.

If you are a renter, all you have to do is call your landlord and inform them of what has happened. They will be able to handle the rest.

If you are a homeowner, then you need to call your insurer. When speaking to your insurer, make it clear to them how the flooding started.

You should ask them if you are allowed to clean up the house (after the flooding ceases) before the adjuster comes to inspect or if you have to wait for the adjuster to come first

If you don’t have flood insurance, purchase it before the worst happens. This is one of the necessary precautions that is often overlooked. Get it now before it is too late.

6. Document the Aftermath

Once you have taken the above steps, you should try to return to your home to document the aftermath of the flooding.

When you return to the home, take out your phone and take photographs and videos of the damage that has been caused. Make sure you do not miss any spots when documenting the aftermath.

There should be no damaged corner that does not have a photograph or video showcasing the damage. Make sure you keep these photos and videos organized on your phone and ideally, on your computer or a hard drive as well.

If you have photos of your home (prior to the damage) you should have these handy as you may need to show both sets to the adjuster.

7. Cleaning Up

Once the adjuster has looked at the damage and given you the green light, you can start cleaning up the home.

Make sure you disinfect all areas where water was standing. Remove all personal items from the home and throw away any seriously damaged items.

You may need safety gear and a set of supplies for cleaning your home after the flooding.

You should also be aware of the possibility of mold developing after a flood. The best way to avoid mold is to make sure the home is dry and use a strong cleaning fluid (such as bleach) for cleaning the home.

Tackling mold can be challenging, so make sure you follow the instructions so that you do not have to deal with such issues.

Prepare Yourself

Now that you know what to do in the event of a flooded house, you are better prepared. Make sure you keep this guide with you so that if this unfortunate event does happen, you will have less to worry about.

Be sure to check out the rest of the site for more advice on how to prepare yourself and live a great life.

Spring is an important season for your lawn. With the right care, you will be able to prep it for a year of healthy growth. On the other hand, if you neglect it – your lawn could suffer for the rest of the year.

The good news is that spring lawn care really isn’t all that difficult, nor is it a lot of work – as long as you know what to do:

• Properly rake your lawn and remove thatch

People often assume that they only need to rake their lawn in the autumn, and that simply isn’t true. By raking your lawn in spring you can not only remove any dead leaves, but also the thatch (i.e. dead grass) that will have accumulated.

Thatch can block air, water and nutrients from reaching the roots of your grass – which is why you need to remove it. On top of that too much thatch can get in the way when you mow your lawn too.

• Prevent weeds

One of the first steps you should take to make sure your lawn is on the right track is to prevent any weeds. If crabgrass, dollarweed, clover or other weeds have been an issue in the past you should try to use pre-emergent herbicides so that the seeds that dropped in the summer don’t get the chance to germinate.

For perennial or winter weeds you could find the right post-emergent herbicide, dig them out manually, or look for all-in-one herbicides.

• Repair bare spots by overseeding

Technically spring isn’t the best time to repair bare spots in your lawn, but the alternative is waiting until autumn to get it done. If you would rather not wait that long, you can overseed your lawn to fix them.

To help ensure the bare spots are filled out, try applying a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer when you first overseed your lawn. In five weeks when the grass has germinated you can apply a quick-release nitrogen fertilizer as well.

• Lightly fertilize with mulch

Fertilizing your lawn with mulch can help it to grow lush, but you should wait a few weeks into spring before you start so that the soil is warm. In most cases you should wait till the grass starts to green (i.e. after the first two or three mowings).

It would be best to come up with a schedule and plan out your fertilization for both spring and fall so that you don’t end up applying it too early and feeding the weeds.

If you follow all of these tips, you should be able to ensure that your lawn care is on the right track. As you can see none of the tasks are particularly difficult, but each of them will help to pave the way to a better lawn.

By ensuring that your spring lawn care is on point, you can avoid many issues in the future and help your grass to grow lush and even throughout the rest of the year.

Are you thinking of installing a new roof, and looking at the different options that are out there? As you may know there are many different types of materials that you can use for your roofing nowadays, and one of the more popular options right now is metal.

Keep in mind that just like any other type of roofing, metal roofs have both pros and cons. Before you decide whether or not it is the right option, you need to know about both.

Pros of Metal Roofing

The popularity of metal roofs is well deserved, and is due to the many advantages that it brings to the table. Some of its more notable qualities are:

• Impressive longevity and durability that allow it to typically last for four decades or more – which is more than double what other types of roofs provide. Metal roofing won’t corrode or crack, and is fire resistant and fungus proof too.
• Good energy efficiency due to the fact that it is reflective and will minimize heat. Typically a metal roof can reduce air-conditioning and cooling costs by 10 to 20 percent.
• Quick and easy installation with panels that are light and comes in sections. If you already have a different type of roofing installed, it may be possible to simply place the metal roofing on top of the material without any issues.
• Excellent in all climates as well as seasons. It can keep your home cool during hot summers, and help to prevent snow and ice from accumulating into snow dams during winter.

Cons of Metal Roofing

As attractive as metal roofing may be, it is not perfect and it does have drawbacks of its own. Some of the disadvantages of metal roofs are:

• Prohibitive upfront costs that can be up to two or three times more expensive than conventional types of roofing. In theory this is offset by the longevity and energy-efficiency of metal roofs, but it still means you’ll have to fork out more initially.
• Noise levels especially during heavy rain or hailstorms. While this can be mitigated by using additional insulation or adding structural barriers, there are limits to what can be done.
• Requires proper installation otherwise other problems may surface. For example metal roofs that are not properly installed may cause water to accumulate, or could end up loosening due to the metal’s expansion and contraction.

Final Words

Before you decide whether or not to install a metal roof, be sure you take into account all of the pros and cons described above. Keep in mind that this is a decision that should last you several decades, so it is best that you take your time and be sure about it.

If you do decide to go for metal roofing, the next step is to look at your options then find a qualified and reliable contractor. Be sure to look for one with the right experience, so that you can be assured that the installation will be done right.

Is your car slow to start? Guzzling gas? Emitting black smoke?

These are concerning issues for any car owner, but what you might not realize is that they can all be caused by one thing— a dirty air filter.

Air filters are essential to the running of any engine, and if they are dirty, you may be left with a hefty mechanic bill.

Read on to learn the most common signs of a dirty air filter, plus how you can deal with them.

1. Problems With Your Ignition

Is your ignition not starting on the first try, or seems to be much slower than it should in starting? If so, a dirty filter could be the culprit.

If your filter isn’t clean, it’s hard for air to get through the filter into the engine, via your spark plugs, which is what starts your car. You may also notice the engine misfiring as well, which can also be caused by the bad air filter.

Any suspected ignition problems should be investigated right away.

2. A Dirty Air Filter Causes Lower Mileage

If you drive regularly, you’re aware of how much mileage your car gets per tank of gas. There are many ways to improve gas mileage, but one way is to always have a clean filter.

If you start to notice that you’re filling up more often than normal, this could be caused because the engine isn’t receiving enough airflow, and therefore is working harder than it should be. This uses more gas, which means your fuel efficiency rate is no good.

Keeping your air filter clean is an easy way to save money at the pumps.

3. Black Exhaust Smoke

Black smoke coming from your exhaust pipe is never a good sign. If you notice this coming from your car, or even worse, flames, stop driving immediately and take your car to a mechanic.

Dark smoke can be a sign that fuel isn’t properly going through the combustion cycle, which can be caused by a dirty air filter.

A car with this problem can be very dangerous to drive and should be examined as soon as possible.

4. Air Filter Looks Dark

An easy way to check the condition of your air filter is with a visual inspection. The normal color of your air filter should be either white or off-white, so if you notice it looks grey, darker than it should, or full of small particles, it is probably a sign that it needs either changed or cleaned.

If you’re unsure of how to find your air filter, consult your car’s manual to find the exact location. It should be checked regularly by either yourself or a qualified mechanic.

An air filter cleaner can be an effective way to keep your car running smoothly.

Check Your Engine Today

Now that you’re aware of the serious and potentially expensive problems that can be caused by a dirty air filter, check your car and its engine today to make sure your air filter is clean.

With cars, prevention is the best medicine, and regular maintenance will go a long way to prevent vehicle problems in the future.

Did you find this article helpful? If so, head over to our blog and check out some of our other content!