Category: small space ideas

Mold Remediation in the Basement

via Millhaven Homes

When flood water seeps into your basement, you can expect that problems will follow afterward. Mold can be one of the problems if you don’t get rid of the moisture immediately. Since basements are often dark, dank, and cold, cleaning and maintaining it might be the last thing in your mind.

It is recommended to check the basement twice a month, especially if it’s already the rainy season. There are times that you may notice that flood or melted snow is already seeping into your basement, and you may not see this problem until it’s too late. The resulting wet materials are the perfect growing area for fungi, such as mold. You can read more about fungi when you click here. For issues involving mold, here is some information that can benefit you.

What Mold Needs to Grow

Two components contribute to the growth of fungi. The first one is damp space, and the other one is wood or any material that the mold can grow on. Once an area of the house is flooded and the moisture is retained, it will take less than a week for mold and algae to grow on wood and any other surfaces in that place.

If you have experienced a flood, you must dry any material that has moisture in it. You may need a little help from the professionals if the issue is too much to handle. Some contractors can help you with areas that have poor ventilation and lighting.

Mold begins with a spore that floats everywhere around and inside the home. The spores are always around the environment, and they can’t be exterminated completely. If the spores don’t come in contact with water, they will be left sitting wherever they land. But if there’s water around, they can turn into a problem.

If water is added in the mix, the fungi will begin to spread their tentacle arms. The arms called hyphae will tangle into the surfaces to grow. The arms will be fuzzy and slimy when it comes to areas where it’s dark and damp. Note that any material inside the basement can be a thriving place for the fungi as long as the water is present.

via Millhaven Homes

Effect of Mold in Various Materials

Drywall

There are times when you check the basement on a rainy day and discover that flood is coming in. Sometimes, melted snow falls from the roof into the ground and seeps into cracks and crevices near your property’s foundation.

When it comes to drywall, there are times when the fungi grow between the walls. This is an issue that you can no longer ignore. You can call an expert in mold remediation to provide you with a solution to this problem. These experts can do dehumidification, sump pump installation, testing, and other methods to remove the mold inside your home.

The fungi are not only inconvenient, but they can also cause serious health risks to the people around the home and damage your home’s foundation. One of the tests that the pros do is to drill a hole behind the drywall area. They stick a testing tool to check the presence of fungi. If they found out that there’s a significant amount of fungi growing in there, they will suggest replacement of portions of the drywall that were affected.

Wood

via Millhaven Homes

In many properties, wood is present in the basement in the form of floors, walls, frames, and furniture. This is another vulnerable material that you should watch out for. It can contain pathways where the fungi can attach their hyphae and reproduce.

There are times when there’s too much mold in furniture that can break down some of the framings and support. There are times when the fungi grow on the other side of the planks and make the floor splintery or breakable. It can take an expert to discover the extent of the problem, especially if you have a dark basement.

What you can do to remedy the situation is to bring any wooden furniture upstairs. It would be best if you dried it out in a ventilated area to reduce mold. You can read about how to effectively remove them from your wooden furniture on this site here: https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/cleaning-tips/a27076660/remove-mold-from-wood-furniture/.

via Millhaven Homes

One thing that you should keep in mind is that the spores can transfer from one room to another. You can risk spreading them if the other rooms in your house are always damp. You can wrap small objects with plastic bags before you transport them upstairs to reduce the risk of spreading mold. Thanks to Basement Waterproofing Gurus for consulting

June 19, 2020
3 Benefits of a Whole-Home Air Purifier

Poor indoor air quality is a fast-growing problem and, thankfully, one we’re becoming increasingly aware of. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air we breathe indoors is often significantly more polluted than what you’re breathing outside — up to five times more polluted, in fact. Exposure to poor-quality air can lead to both short and long-term consequences where your health is concerned. Pollutants, such as pet dander, dust and mites, toxins from cleaning products, and other allergens, build up quickly indoors and cause problems like headaches, nausea, persistent respiratory issues, and even neurological damage.

There are many ways you can improve the quality of air in your home, such as opening windows, switching to non-toxic cleaning products, and grooming your pets outside, to name a few. The most effective way to cleanse the air you’re breathing is to install a whole-home air purifier. Typically, but not always, connected to your HVAC system, a whole-home purifier filters out up to 99 percent of toxins from the air providing you with numerous benefits.

Cost Efficiency

via Lisa Furey Interiors

Individual air purifying units are wonderful. While they filter up to 99 percent of contaminants, they only provide this service to the room they’re operating in. Meaning to effectively clean your whole home, you’ll have to invest in multiple units. Whole-home systems offer more for your investment — filtering the air throughout your home. Additionally, you won’t have to keep several units maintained and running, and will save money replacing only one filter at a time, which can cost you up to 30 dollars each.

Fewer Allergens and Pollutants

via Lisa Furey Interiors

One of the most important benefits of a whole-home purifier is the significant reduction of contaminants and allergens in your air. The quality of the air you’re breathing can have a huge impact on your health and how you feel on a daily basis. Persistent throat or eye irritation, congestion, and coughing can be symptoms of poor indoor air quality, and chronic conditions like asthma are worsened by contaminated air. Long-term exposure to dirty air has been linked to heart and lung problems, as well as some types of cancer. Using a purifier greatly reduces these risks.

Extended HVAC Life

via Lisa Furey Interiors

Since your HVAC system filters the air in your home, the dirtier your air is, the harder your system will have to work to keep you comfortable. When your air is particularly polluted, this build-up accumulates faster, leaving you with two options: paying for filter replacements more frequently, or allowing dirty filters and coils to lead to premature system breakdowns. A purifier collects contaminants that would otherwise settle into your HVAC system filter. Allowing your HVAC to circulate clean air will extend its lifespan and let it run more efficiently, saving you money.

Most of us spend up to 90 percent of our time indoors, specifically those who suffer from allergies or respiratory ailments. Installing a home air purifier can improve your home’s air quality substantially, reduce allergy symptoms, and save your household significant money on energy and HVAC repair costs. Thanks to Lexair for contributing.

June 18, 2020
Five Ideas For Decorating Small Lawns
You can decorate your lawn very successfully even if it is very small, but you need to make sure that you have taken some steps that will make the lawn beautiful given you have so little space. You will change the way that you are planning your home, and you could make your lawn an extension of the house when you walk through the door. This is something that you can do right now because it makes a big difference. via Walnut Creek
1. Make It All A Garden
You can make the whole space a garden, and you could add little flowers, herbs, and other plants around the space depending on what you think your best option is. You just need to decide how this will work when you plan the space. Lawn care and tree maintenance expert in Rancho Cucamonga can help you with this process. You could completely change how you handle the space, and you could start a garden that is even more colorful than the inside of the house. via Claytoncountryjam.com
1. Add A Patio Or Blocks
You could use one of the services CoastCrete offers so that you can have something poured that will look like a patio, or you could create something that will look like the stamped blocks that people have to buy and lay down on their own. It all depends on what you think will look best, and you could have a concrete professional show you how the blocks are supposed to look. They make the blocks look perfect, and they use the design you have suggested. thetreecenter.com
1. Add Just One Tree
You could make your whole space look like the fairy forest from a novel if you put a little tree in the middle. You could create a place where you can read or think, and you could put your outdoor furniture under the tree. The tree could be the focal point of the whole lawn, and it is something that you can tend every year so that it will look perfect no matter what you are doing with it. worthingcourtblog
1. Add A Fountain
You must add a fountain that will be good for you, and you will be soothed by the sound of the fountain more than anything else. You have to be certain that you have chosen something that will recycle your water, and you could make a fountain that makes the trickle sound because you want that so that you can relax. This is a fun thing to do that does not take up much space. via ?
1. Add A Swing
The swing could make the whole space seem that much more interesting, and you will start to notice that you could change the way that you use the lawn because you can go on this swing and enjoy the whole space. You will feel like you are using more of the lawn, and you can see it all from the swing. via BHG You have to make some choice about decorating your small lawn, and all these little things make the lawn look perfect. You will change how you approach the lawn, and you will add a lot of value to your home. Thanks to coastcreteoncrete.com.au for collaborating with us!
September 24, 2018
A modern lighthearted and comfortable Park Slope Brownstone

A Brooklyn apartment full of inspiring ideas and details

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July! It seems like another lifetime ago when I used to live in Brooklyn, first Greenpoint, Williamsburg, and then Park Slope. I’m full on domestic now and living in the suburbs of Washington DC, but there are times when I miss the quirky apartments and having 10 cafes all within 5 blocks. The apartment below is much nicer than any of mine were, but it still makes me nostalgic for Park Slope living!

For a New York apartment, the natural light in this place is amazing. Ant that mirrored mantle! I thought it was the entrance to another room at first. Notice the tin ceiling, which was a common characteristic of the brownstones there.

Exposed brick was another fun element in a lot of apartments. These old buildings were full of character and charm.

So serene and beautiful!

I really like the wallpaper and pink door in the bathroom.

The ceiling is actually painted a soft mint to complement the antique runner.

A fun blue home office and guest room.

Principal of Wills Design Associates Lauren Wills is a friend of the family and helped them transform their home into a modern and comfortable space. Wills loves creating contrast and a statement, so the black accent wall in the master was a way to do that without being over the top.

Check out the lamp table wit the bird legs! What do you think of this light-filled Park Slope home?

Read and see more at Domino

July 5, 2016
Crisp and bright rooms

We had a bit of a heatwave here in Maryland this week so I thought a little cool off was in order. The rooms below are perfect for hot summer days because they are light and airy, just like a crisp cotton sun dress!

Love the spotty drapes.

I always have my eye out for a large floor mirror for a good price. A mirror like this can throw enough light around a room it’s like having another window.

Sometimes greenery can be just as pretty (and unexpected) as flowers.

Crushing on that coffee table!!
all images via Adore Home

June 20, 2014
Small Spaces: Defining a space

More and more people are choosing smaller spaces to call home. They tend to be more efficient and don’t take as much time to clean ( a big perk for me), and are easier to maintain. Sometimes it’s hard to define a certain area or space as it’s own but all of my tiny NYC apartments have allowed me to try out almost all of these ideas. Here are some of my favorites.

via housebeautiful

For me, feeling like I had a little privacy while sleeping was crucial. Creating a foot board that creates some privacy for the bed is a great way to define the bedroom space. I also love the entryway table they used against to the foot board to create a real wall look.

via pinterest

Looking for a not so permanent solution? A rod with a curtain can do the trick. You can keep it open and airy or close it off for privacy. A sheer or semi-sheer curtain is important to help filter light through though.

via Apartment Therapy

On the topic of light, it’s important to choose window treatments that will allow for maximum light to come through. Make sure when you open the curtains you’ll be able to pull them completely to the edges of the windows. Also make sure you have proper ambient lighting to prevent dark shadows which will make the room seem smaller.

via pinterest

A very budget friendly solution is to purchase an open bookshelf like the one above to use as a wall space. The fact that it doubles as storage is really important since small spaces tend to lack storage space. This is one of my favorite tips and I’ve used it in the past. You can find similar, inexpensive modular shelving at Ikea. Mine has held up well over the years.

via decor8

Consider raising up a space! This creates a ton of storage space and puts one part of your space above the rest. This is a great solution if there’s not enough square footage to create storage otherwise.

March 20, 2014
Uplifting and functional rooms

This home office is soooo pretty. I love the muted colors, and the soft pink in the rug, yellow in the curtains, and green accents makes such a happy trio.

Very bright colors are kept to a minimum in this rooms, which keep the rest of the colors from being too busy, but still cheerful.

Another great mix of muted colors.

The 4 images below are all from the same multi-functioning living room, that also serves as a foyer and home office.

Effective layering makes this space look more expensive than it was.

Wood in honey colors keep the space casual, and the art adds a whimsical touch.

LOVE that little console!

Everything has a pretty place to be stowed in the office nook, and an organized space is a happy space! To read more and see all the pics from this room, click here.

via BHG

July 2, 2012
A fresh, light and airy house tour that totally has me craving spring!

Even though the winter here in Maryland has been mild, I feel like we really haven’t been getting much sunshine. This morning there was a fleeting 10 minutes of bright sunshine coming in my bedroom window, so I just stood there soaking in the light and heat while I could get it. It was nice to feel a little perked up for a while, and apartments like this one give me the same feeling of spring, when things are first starting to brighten up and you can smell spring in the air.

Now that my curtains are finished – I’m thinking of slip covering my couch in a lighter fabric like this. I love the easy look of it.

Like my apartment, which is a one bedroom, the living room also serves as a dining nook and home office.

A white chair and clean-lined Parsons desk helps integrate the office space into the living space

How could pretty pink flowers not make you think of spring?!?

The more I see simple white linens, the more I want them.

What do you think, is this space too sparse and white for you, or could you feel right at home here?

via Rue mag

February 21, 2012
Beautiful and small: spaces to inspire small-space dwellers

This kitchen is too cute! Lots of cabinetry, and a space-saving pegboard add storage space. Checkout out the kitchen pegboard organizer I made.

I’ve always loved this idea: Install a shelf in a window (preferably glass, to let the light through), and you can grow some herbs, or have extra display space.
2 above via Small Space Style

This kitchen is small, but functional and pretty.

If you live small, you’ve got to think vertically when it comes to storage. No room for nightstands doesn’t mean you have to go without the convenience of a place to put a lamp a clock, and some accessories. This shelf does the trick just fine. Check out my small space solution to nightstands in my former Brooklyn apartment.

Clear and glass furniture don’t take up a lot of visual space since you can see through them.

Mirrors are an old and good trick for making a space seem larger. I always place mirrors across from the main light source in a room, usually the window, so they reflect the light and also make the space brighter.

6 images above via BHG

January 12, 2012
A winter’s day refuge: the home library

As the days get colder and gloomier, we naturally spend more time inside. Sometimes a rainy or snowy day is just the excuse you need to cozy up and spend the day with a new or well-loved book.

via House of Fifty

That’s one comfy looking loveseat. I’m sure I could read there all afternoon.

via Little Green Notebook

Talk about book storage!

via Loft Life Mag

If I ever have the space, creating a little reading nook like this will be a top priority!

via Maree Homer

via Marie Claire Maison

Check out how they’ve even extended the bookcase on the sides. Definitely making the best use of space here.

via Poppytalk Handmade on Pinterest

via Apartment Therapy

I’ve been reading a lot lately that if you have “ugly” books, to cover them in plain white paper to create a nicer looking shelf. I don’t know how I feel about this. Something about it to me seems too forced, but I’ve never seen it in person. Has anyone tried this?

via Ballard

dreamy

via Sweet Home Style

Squeeze the most out of an otherwise unusable wall space by running low shelf units along the bottom.

via Sweet Home Style

Do you have a dedicated home library, are your books spread out throughout the house, or have you carved out a space for books in another room?

November 1, 2011