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5 Genius Solutions to Common Kitchen Design Problems

Poor kitchen design can prevent you from using your kitchen in a seamless and efficient way. But the right design solutions will help ease your headaches and save you plenty of time. A complete kitchen renovation project is thus a perfect opportunity for you to fix any annoyances in your kitchen.

To help you out, here are some solutions to common kitchen design problems by Toby Walker from Zesta Kitchens.

1. Storage

Insufficient storage is one of the common kitchen design problems that result from poor planning. This can lead to frustration, mess and clutter. To fully maximize the space, you need careful and imaginative planning and expert help.

Most modern kitchens are equipped with numerous kitchen tools and appliances. Organizing all these implements has become a common challenge.

Incorporating an appliance cupboard in your kitchen design can be a good solution as this offers plenty of storage space. You can keep items here that often come out once or twice a year. It can also be home to vases of different shapes and sizes, platters and water jugs.

Another clever storage solution to consider is to include hidden spice racks and secret drawers in your design. Good kitchen design maximizes storage, helping owners keep bench tops clear and avoid a cluttered look.

2. Ventilation

Proper ventilation will allow the removal of steam, cooking smells and smoke in the kitchen. Otherwise, the smell can linger on your clothes and furniture, especially for properties with open-plan layouts.

When choosing a kitchen ventilation system, look for a high-quality model and the right size of ducting. This way, it fits perfectly on your chosen hood. Also, this will result in a quieter and effective extraction, leading to increased energy efficiency and making the unit less likely to incur damage.

Imagine how much noise your rangehood makes if you choose a model that has a noisy motor, which is also a common kitchen design mistake. This is crucial if your kitchen is huge enough that everyone often gathers in it. You should hear the television or comfortably converse with someone even while there’s cooking going on.

3. Countertop Space

Another common kitchen design problem is insufficient countertop or benchtop space. This can also be frustrating because your counter is essential for a huge number of tasks carried out in the kitchen.

Having sufficient benchtop space does not just offer convenience but promotes safety as well. You do not want to find yourself carrying hot food across your kitchen looking for the safest spot to set it down.

Homeowners often neglect to leave enough space opposite or next to an oven or a fridge – this can host extra counter space. Another excellent solution you can try is to get a movable island extension. A unit on wheels will give you flexibility if you need it most.

4. Rubbish and Recycling

Sufficient space for garbage management is also something that you may overlook. A small trash bin can often easily fit in a cabinet, allowing you to maintain the clean aesthetics of your kitchen. However, the reality is that only a small container can fit most cabinets. The bin may fill up too fast which means constant emptying for you.

Some of the most effective solutions to this problem are to get a container with bigger capacity, install a kitchen waste disposal unit, or bring in a bin with separate compartments. Rubbish removal services like Kwik Sweep will help you to get rid of an even greater amount of garbage in no time.

5. Task Lighting

Another complaint you might have is insufficient task lighting. This type of lighting is essential in any kitchen as it focuses direct light to specific sites. These include the stove, sink areas, and the countertop or benchtop.

Usually, counters for preparing food are positioned under the upper cabinets. Thus, these cabinets will cast shadows and even darken the surface if there is no additional lighting. The lack of light makes slicing, cutting and other food preparation tasks more challenging.

The best solution to this kitchen design problem is to install spotlights on the underside of upper cabinets and statement pendants over an island. By doing so, you successfully combine practicality with great visual impact.

Gone are the days when only one cook is in the kitchen. Today, one person is preparing in the countertop space while the others are cooking on the stove and searching for food in the ref.

A modern kitchen is now a busy place where you and your family members share the same space. Thus, you must be meticulous when planning your kitchen design. Most importantly, work with a kitchen designer who considers your habits, kitchen requirements and lifestyle.

If you found these solutions interesting, have a look at these useful kitchen tips and tricks or take on a DIY project and build your own kitchen island.

Using An Amazon Echo or Echo Dot Outside The US

By now you’ve probably seen videos or heard of a few of the popular smart home voice assistants out there, the Amazon Echo range, Google Home, Apple’s Siri integrated HomePod are all big competitors in the market. The Amazon Echo seems to be leading the pack in terms of functionality, speed and compatibility with third party products so I wanted to try one out. The issue is, I do not live in the United States. I managed to get one anyway and here’s my experience with the Amazon Echo and its functionality outside of the US.

How Do You Buy An Echo?

The main sales channel for the Amazon Echo range is through Amazon’s online store and while they’re been making an increasing effort to make their products available to the international market, you’ll see that if you choose a delivery location outside of the US, you’ll get a message saying that the product does not ship to locations outside of the US.

These are the most popular models available online from Amazon:

Amazon Echo (2nd Gen) -Buy Here

Amazon Echo Dot (2nd Gen) – Buy Here

Amazon Echo Spot – Buy Here

To get around the shipping issue, we used a US based forwarding service, more specifically MyUS. They essentially give you a US based address to ship your online purchases to and when the products arrive at the address, they forward them to your chosen international address and simply charge you a handling fee and the courier services fees. Its reasonably affordable and the service which they provided was fast and efficient. This is the first time I’ve used a package forwarding service so I don’t really have anything to compare it to but I was quite impressed with the service provided by MyUS and I’d probably use them again if required.

Amazon Echo Dot

My Echo dots (I ordered two just in case) arrived in just over a week from the date of ordering them from Amazon. This is quite impressive considering they had to be sent to the forwarder and then a further 18000 km (11000 miles) to my house.

Does It Work Outside Of The US?

If you’ve come here looking for a quick answer, in summary, yes it does work. Is it worthwhile getting? Definitely. Are you able to use all of the functionality and applications advertised? No, but almost all of the apps which do not require third party or location based services seem to work quite well.

To be more specific, the apps which do not work are those which have location based regulations such as some music and radio services (although these can be worked around by using a VPN) and those which require third party services such as food delivery, goods delivery and transport services.

While these apps don’t work and certainly do limit the functionality of the Echo a bit, there is still a lot that can be done with the Echo without these apps and services, especially from a smart home point of view.

I’ve been using the Echo for around three months now and I’ve found it to be quite useful for a couple of things we’ll get into a bit later.

Some Problems I Experienced And How I Solved Them

The Supplied US Plug

While the Echo supports voltages from 110VAC to 220VAC, the plug on the power adapter is a US plug. You can solve this problem by either using a local power adapter with the correct plug from your own country or by using a cheap plug converter from US to your local plug.

The Echo Dot is powered through a USB cables and comes with a USB power converter which also has a US plug. Again, you can either use your own USB power converter or use a cheap plug converter to plug the supplied adapter into your local plugs.

Epicka USB Adaptor

This USB travel adaptor works well for USB devices in different plugs around the world.

You Won’t Find The Alexa App

Because Amazon don’t sell the Echo outside of a few select countries, the Alexa app is only available in the App Store or Google Play Store in those countries. Being outside of one of these countries, I had to log out of my local App Store account and sign in to my US App Store account in order to download the app.

There are a number of guides available on the internet for opening US accounts for the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Work through one of these and you’ll soon be able to download the app.

Note that on an iPhone you only need to log into the US store to download the app, you can then log back into your local store and the app will remain on your phone and function correctly.

If you don’t want to use your phone or open US stores, you can also set your Alexa up from your laptop.

Have you got storage space issues on your iPhone? Here’s some advice on how to free up some space on your iPhone.

What Works Well With The Echo Outside Of The US

Let’s start off with some of the basics I’ve found useful. I’m not going to list all of the things you can do with your Alexa, once you get one, Amazon will be sure to fill your mailbox with bi-weekly Alexa mails suggesting phrases and apps to “ask Alexa”.

I’ve been using the Echo for around 3 months and these are some of the things I use it for on a daily basis and some thing I’ve simply found to be entertaining.

Useful

Alexa, what is the weather today?  You’ll get a summary weather report for your current location. Once you’ve set your location in your Alexa app, this seems to work for almost any location where weather services are available around the world.

Alexa, do I have any meetings tomorrow?  You’ll be informed of any meetings or appointment scheduled in your calendar for the next day. This can be expanded to the week or a particular day as you need to.

Alexa, what can I make with mince? The recipes functionality is quite useful if you’re stuck for ideas for dinner, can’t find a recipe for a particular dish or you’re looking for something to make with a particular ingredient. You can get the recipe read out to you or sent to your phone to make it easier to follow.

Alexa, how many steps have I taken today?  Requires linking to your Fitbit app but provides an easy summary for your daily activity.

Alexa, who is leading the US Masters? This seems to work for most popular sports games, you can get real-time scores for most games.

Alexa, who is the current minister of finance? Who is questions work quite well and are location based. So if you ask who the current president is and you’re in Germany, you’ll get a different answer to the US.

Alexa, pair to my phone. You can pair your Echo to your phone using bluetooth and then play music stored on your phone using your Echo as a Bluetooth speaker. This is a useful stand in for not being able to us Amazon or Apple music directly through the Echo.

Alexa, turn on the living  lights. The Echo pairs well with the Philip Hue bridge to provide easy voice activated lighting. Turn lights on and off, dimmer or brighter and set scenes or moods using your voice. I’ve gone into this in a bit more detail later one.

Alexa, I want to watch TV. I’ve paired my Echo to a smart universal remote (see next section). This allows me to set routines such as this one. Telling Alexa I want to watch TV automatically dims the living room and dining room lights, turns the TV on and turns the audio system on. I can also say “I’m done watching TV” and the Echo will reverse these steps, turning the appliances off and the lights back to being bright.

Entertaining

Alexa, tell me a joke. You can also ask for a joke about cars, work, computers etc.

Alexa, give me a quote. You can also ask for a quote by a particular person.

Alexa, can you beat box?

Alexa, can you sing?

Alexa, can you rap?

Alexa, where are you?

Echo Compatible Smart Home Devices

One of the more exciting aspects of a smart home voice assistant is its ability to control your smart home devices. Along with the Echo, I ordered a Philips Hue starter kit, some extra Hue light bulbs and an RM Mini 3 smart universal remote to control my TV and audio system.

These are the products I bought:

Philips Hue Starter Kit

Philip Hue Bulbs 4 Pack

Philips Hue Wall Mount Switch & Remote

RM Mini 3 Universal Remote

Philips Hue 4 Pack

The Philips hue bulbs are quite pricey but once you’ve got them installed in your home, you’ll love them. They really make life a lot more convenient, especially when you’re away from home or you have pets. They enable you to set timers, use day/night functionality, arrival and leaving lighting and remotely operate your lights from your phone. I don’t really like the idea of having coloured lighting in my home so I saved quite a bit by simply ordering the Philips Hue white bulbs, they’re significantly cheaper than the coloured ones and still offer the smart and dimming functionality.

RM Mini 3

The RM Mini 3 universal remote is a small black cylinder which you mount somewhere in line of site of your TV and anything else you’d like to control. You can then copy your existing remote controls to the device through the app and use it to switch the devices on or off through your phone or through your Echo. The RM Mini 3 is quite a challenge to get up and running as there are two apps for it in the store and it’s not clear in the instructions which one to use for the Echo compatibility. Once I got it working, it’s easy to use and hasn’t required any further input to maintain.

These are just two of a huge range of smart home devices which are compatible with the Amazon Echo range and I’ve been really impressed with them. They work reliably and have survived power cuts and internet downtime without needing to be set up again.

Overall I’d definitely suggest the Amazon Echo, its a really reliable and well built voice assistant which has definitely been useful in our daily lives. If you’re not planning on using it for music then the Echo Dot is a great and affordable device that offers the same functionality as the Echo but without the powerful speaker. If you’re looking for a speaker and voice assistant then the Echo is definitely the way to go.

Have you used the Echo or any other smart home voice assistant? Let us know what you use them for in the comments section below.

If you enjoy tech, have a look at these 5 secret iPhone codes hardly anyone knows about.

Things to Look at When Choosing an HVAC Company Contractor

Is your HVAC system many years old now? This means that you may be looking to replace it in the next year or two. On the other hand, if your HVAC system is new, you will want to ensure that it works and runs properly by scheduling annual maintenance. Either way, sooner or later you will require an HVAC company to do the servicing.

Here are a few things you should consider when hiring one.

Licensing and Experience

Your HVAC system is probably one of the most expensive pieces of equipment in your house and you would want someone who has been properly trained in the field to be working on it. The person should have valid licensing through the HVAC company. In addition to this, the HVAC company should also have a minimum level of bonding and insurance. Insurance is to protect the homeowners in case of any accidental damage or injury.

You should also ask the contractor whom you are planning to work with about their experience. While longevity alone will not guarantee that a contractor will do a good job, the stability in the business will show you that the HVAC company is doing a good job and has a satisfied client base. You can also ask about the certifications which their contractors and the technicians have and you should see that the company has all of their licenses updated, you should keep details of these for future safety.

Home Evaluation

If you are looking to have an HVAC system installed, the potential contractors should offer a thorough evaluation to determine the best heating and cooling solution for your home. There are many factors which have to be taken into consideration. These include the square footage of the home, the level of insulation, the number of windows and their locations. The HVAC company should also inspect the ducting system for leaks, loose components and insulation. The size of the new system should not be determined solely on the basis of square footage, but on the calculations which are determined with the additional data which is fed into the calculation software.

Once you are done with the evaluation, the prospective contractor should give you a written itemized estimate which will help you to compare costs, warranties and energy efficiency among other proposals. You should never go to someone who simply offers you a low priced estimate, a better quality and a more efficient furnace or air conditioner would help you use less energy over the time.

Efficiency

Efficiency is one of the most important considerations. When you are shopping for an update in the system, you want to get the most efficient equipment which you can afford. You can ask the contractor about the energy ratings and consumption of each model. This will help you to compare prices and then see which one would offer you the best value for money in the long run. It is important to consider that a low upfront cost is quickly negated by a system which is designed poorly and therefore wastes a lot of energy. You’ll be better off in the long run spending a bit more money on a better quality system which is more efficient.

If you enjoyed this article, have a look at how to Take Your Home Off Grid The Smart Way.

5 Incredible Ways To Make Your Workshop Safe And Efficient

Are you looking to renovate your workshop? Are you enthusiastic about chemicals, wood, paint or cars? What is the budget for the place, and most importantly, how are you planning to make it safe and efficient?

Safety needs to be your primary concern because workshop accidents are pretty common. Taking expert help to safe-proof the area is not enough; you need to ensure that your activities do not cause any harm to you or your loved ones.

Read on to learn about ways that can keep your workshop safe to provide you with peace of mind, which will increase your efficiency noticeably.

1. Avoid Low-Quality Purchases

The primary issue with an in-house purchase is that you don’t worry about maintaining a standard for your purchase because there are no official checks. You always wish to save cost, which encourages you to buy the cheapest item you see. What you don’t realise is how dangerous it can be to prefer rates to quality. The equipment might break down and hurt you or your loved ones, or it may destroy your work entirely. So, you have to decide if a low-quality purchase is worth the risk or not.

2. No Harmful Chemicals or Tools

When you are dealing with a garage workshop, you have to understand what will be suitable for the place in terms of chemicals and tools. You cannot be invested in deadly chemicals or lethal tools that can cause damage to you or your loved ones. It needs to be a workshop that creates innovative, safe products, and where the process is not risky too. It can never be your laboratory; rather, only be a wood workshop, paint workshop or a car repair/modification workshop.

No harmful chemicals or tools

3. Innovative Decor

When you are looking to spend on decor, don’t just purchase the traditional workshop furniture and tools because the world is changing and convenience is gaining importance, which has led to the designing of innovative decor that has multifaceted uses. A stool that can double as a workshop table, a wall painting that can double as a storage space or a toolkit design that saves space while storing your workshop tools are some typical examples for you. This will allow you to spend wisely and decor more cleverly; ensuring utmost satisfaction and convenience. It will also increase your efficiency manifolds because convenience plus innovation encourages efficiency.

4. Control Entry

A steel grill or a digital security system are not the only solutions that will keep your loved ones out of the workshop, so it is always better to make them understand why is it dangerous for them to enter the area, especially kids. Your children will not recognise the severity of the space, which is why you need to prohibit unauthorised access to the area. Grounding them or cutting on their pocket money are some useful methods of persuading them. The security locks and alarms will inform you about the access, smoke or any other disruptive occurrence.

5. Man-Proofing

Just like you must have childproofed your entire apartment, you need to man-proof your workshop now. This does not only focus on the security aspects but on your leisure aspects too, like a mini-fridge for your beers; a small LED to keep up with the score and obviously a barcalounger for you to lie down when you are taking a break. You can always go to your bedroom, but why break the flow when you can rest right there? If you are comfortable and happy in your workshop, then it will undoubtedly increase your productivity notably.

Keeping workshop clean and organised

Keeping it clean and organised will also help prevent slips and encourage efficiency. Also have a look at these 5 projects to improve your workshop.

Safety! Innovation! Efficiency! The three pillars to ensure a secure, result-oriented workshop construction.

iPhone 6 Volume & Mute Button Replacement Guide

Here’s a complete guide to replacing the volume and mute button assembly on an iPhone 6. The repair fixes any problems you may have with the buttons sticking, not clicking or registering at all and problems with the phone not going into mute mode or switching rapidly between mute and normal mode. The repair is quite easy to do however it does take quite long as you need to remove both the screen assembly and the battery in order to get to the volume and mute button assembly. It is well worth it though as the replacement parts can cost as little as $3, far cheaper than taking your phone in for repairs.

Although this repair video is done on an iPhone 6, the process is fairly similar for the 6 plus.

If you’ve shattered or cracked your screen, we also a have a guide to replace your iPhone 6 screen.

What You Need To Replace Your iPhone 6 Volume & Mute Button Assembly

  • iPhone Toolkit – Buy Here
  • iPhone 6 Volume & Mute Button Assembly – Buy Here

The iPhone 6 plus is very similar internally to the iPhone 6 and this guide can be used for both models.

  • iPhone 6 Plus Volume & Mute Button Assembly – Buy Here

How To Replace Your iPhone Volume & Mute Button Assembly

Start out by finding yourself a nice well lit work surface on which to work. You’ll need a bit of space to lay out the components as you remove them and the screws are really small and easy to lose.

Make sure that you keep track of each component and its screws as you take them out, the screws are different lengths and you don’t want to damage components by putting the screws into the wrong places.  It helps to draw a small sketch of the components and place each screw on the sketch as you remove them, this way you’ll always remember which one goes where.

One area which is particularly difficult is getting the battery out of the compartment. It is stuck into place with really strong adhesive tape. Gently heating up the back of the iPhone case with a hair dryer or heater softens the adhesive a bit and makes it easier to remove. Be careful not to damage any of the ribbon cables for the side buttons near the top of the phone when you are prying underneath the battery.

For more information on removing the battery, have a look at our guide to the iPhone 6 battery replacement.

Good luck and enjoy the repair. If you found this video helpful, please like it and subscribe to my channel for more tech videos.

Top Landscaping Ideas for 2018

Every household should tell a story. Exterior space is just as important as interior in this regard, and gardens are by far the best outlet for creative expression. One can easily experiment with its appearance because the changes are not as lasting compared to the ones you can make on the very structure of your house. New trends always bring some new aesthetic ideas to the table, and checking them out is a good opportunity to light a spark of creativity. With that in mind, if you are in the mood for a garden makeover, here are top landscaping ideas for 2018.

Beach Landscaping

Beach landscaping

Do you ache for a house at the beachfront? Do you feel a tad bitter because you live in the harbor city, yet your lot is far removed from the sandy coastline? Well, you can easily “trick” your eye by opting for the beach landscaping style in your yard. This design choice has become very popular among people who live in continental areas and yet yearn for the “summer beach” feeling. The trick to this landscaping idea is all about rocks – this is why it is one of the most DIY friendly projects. Simply, start off by creating winding paths with gray-white gravel, but make sure the rocks are of similar sizes for the most aesthetically pleasing visual effect. Line your trails with bigger rocks, preferably the ones collected at the beach area. When it comes to plant life, you can go wild with a variety of tropical grass, agaves, Mediterranean shrubbery – essentially, anything that typically grows near the sandy beaches. Don’t pay too much attention to rows and lines when it comes to plant life; the more messy it appears, the more genuine it will look.

Japanese Garden

Japanese Garden

Traditional gardens from different corners of the world are always a good source of inspiration, and it appears Japanese ideas are about to blow up once more. It’s hard to deny the soft and graceful allure of such setup. Above all else, there is a sense of organic flow to Japanese gardens that are coupled perfectly with orderly appearance. Waterfalls, charming bridges and streams are the crucial elements that define this design choice, but you don’t have to waste money and clean water to get such appearance. You can fill the streams with sand instead. However, grovel is a better choice if you have a sizeable yard and you live at the location where winds tend to be strong. Pine trees, bamboos, and a variety of mosses are good starting choices when it comes to plant life, as well as the mini-trees, shrubbery, and succulents. Line your garden paths and corners with larger rocks pulled out of streams and faster rivers – the ones with a plate-like shape.

Modern Formalism

Modern formalism

As a stylistic trend, minimalism simply refuses to leave the spotlight due to a very obvious reason. It is one of the most elegant and simple solutions that compliment every space, and especially lend itself perfectly to the idea of making smaller environments feel larger. Therefore, turning your backyard garden into a formal oasis with clear outlines and a simple approach to design is always a good choice. However, opting for this style will definitely require some help from experienced landscaping professionals because it is much more sophisticated than it initially appears. In design, there is a saying: the simpler something truly elegant appears, the more effort went into it. Such design choice will definitely pay off in the long run as your garden will always look modern.

Open Air Rooms

Open air rooms

We have discussed types of garden landscaping, but what about the complimentary spaces like decks and porches? Well, in 2018, it’s all about going large, and open air rooms are the best way to truly indulge in your impeccable garden while still enjoying the comfort usually reserved for interior. In fact, you can create an open air living room in your backyard and take out the comfy couch, pillows, and coffee tables. It can be the largest room of your home.

Landscaping is a good outlet to test your creative limits and draw out the true you when it comes to aesthetics. Following contemporary trends, as well as looking backwards, can prove to be very helpful when it comes to defining your own idiosyncratic idea of a garden. This organic approach to landscaping is viable as long as you do not do it too often. Whenever you do something new and daring, wait a few years, and you’ll have enough overgrown material to serve as the new blank canvass.

If you enjoyed this article, have a look at these creative ways to use pebbles to upscale your garden or decorate your garden by turning an old tyre into an amazing pond.

iPhone Storage Full, Here’s What To Remove To Free Up The Most Space

If there’s one thing that is particularly frustrating when you own an iPhone, it’s trying to record a video or download an app only to be told that your iPhone’s storage space is full. If you’ve had your phone for a while, you’ve probably built up an awesome collection of photos, videos, messages, emails and apps and it can be quite a task to decide which to get rid of in order to free up some space.

Here’s a guide to help you find out which apps and files are taking up the most storage space and how you can make use of cloud storage or external devices so that you don’t have to lose your information permanently.

While you’re here, check out these 5 Secret iPhone Codes You Didn’t Know About.

Check Your iPhone Storage Details

To start with, you’ve need to find out what your biggest storage consumers are, you can bring up a quick list of the guilty parties by going to Settings > General > Usage. You’ll see a list of apps followed by how much storage space each is using.

iPhone storage usage

Now that you’ve got a list, here’s how to decide what to remove in order to free up some space.

Videos

Video files are usually one of the biggest storage users on your phone, especially HD video. In general, 1080 HD video uses up around 130MB of storage space per minute of video. this goes up to around 500MB per minute for 4K HD video.

If you use your phone for recording video, you should consider getting an external drive to store your video on or upload it to a cloud based platform as soon as you’re done. It won’t be long before 3-4 GB of space is used up when you’re filming.

Here are some of our favorite external drives which plug directly into you iPhone’s lightning port and provide user friendly apps to copy your content across. You can also save your videos, pictures and music to your drive and play them on your phone when you need to.

Sandisk 32GB iXpand Drive

SanDisk 32GB iXpand Flash Drive – Buy Here

iPhone Lightning Flash Drive 64GB

iPhone Lightning Flash Drive 64GB – Buy Here

Photos

One of the next biggest users of your storage space is likely to be your photos. Camera’s have become an integral part of our smartphones and our lives, we love taking and sharing pictures. A photo takes up anything from 3-8MB depending on the model of your phone and the camera settings.

The best thing to do is to delete your unused or unnecessary photos as you take them. I’m sure you don’t need fourteen pictures of your healthy lunch you had on Tuesday or the eleven pictures of your dog sleeping. Upload the ones you like and delete the duplicates.

Better yet, make use of Apple’s online photo storage facility by automatically uploading your photos to iCloud. This way you can delete them form your phone but have them always available online when you need them.

Apps

Most apps don’t take up that much space but it adds up quickly if you’re one who has an app for everything.

iOS provides a nice feature to “Offload Unused Apps”. This is also accessible in the storage view as done above.

Offload Unused Apps

Offloading unused apps essentially means that your app data and settings are retained but the actual application is removed from your phone for older apps which you haven’t used in a while. If you do decide to use the app again, you simply download it and it will install along with the data and settings which you had previously set up.

Music

Each song on your phone takes up around 3-10MB and storing music on your phone is not really neccissary anymore with services like Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music and Sound Cloud to name a few.

Keep a few songs or albums you enjoy on your phone and leave the rest to the online services.

This sums up our list of things to delete in order to free up some space on your iPhone. If you’re still having storage problems then you’ll probably need to consider getting a slightly larger phone on your next upgrade.

Are there any tips and tricks which we missed? Let us know how you keep your iPhone storage free in the comments section below.

Are you charging your iPhone battery correctly? Here’s a guide to charging your iPhone battery the right way.

Dog and Cat Hair, How To Keep Your Home Hair Free With a Shedding Pet

We all love our furry friends and most of us consider them to be a part of the family, but if you own a short hair breed of dog or cat then you’ll know the continuous struggle involved in keeping your home free of pet hair. Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can manage your pet’s shedding and control the amount of hair lying around your home and we’d like to share them with you.

Brush Every Day (Or At Least Every Second Day)

It may sound a bit excessive but this is perhaps the most effective way of managing your furry friends shedding. Giving  your dog or cat a quick one minute brush every day will save you hours dusting, sweeping and vacuuming, it will really be worth your while. Try and get into a habit or brushing your pet at the same time every day, perhaps before dinner or before their afternoon walk, habits make daily tasks seem more routine and less of a chore.

Try the Furminator, it is an all in one pet de-shedding tool which really works wonders in removing all of your furry friends loose hair, you’ll really notice the difference around your home if you use one of these once a day. For large dogs buy here, for smaller dogs or cats buy here.

Use Blankets, Throws Or Covers On Your Furniture

Think about what’s easier, getting the vacuum out and giving your sofa, couch, bed or ottoman a brush down and good vacuum or simply rolling up the blanket or throw and throwing it into the washing machine? It’s a lot easier to simply throw something into the wash, especially since all of the covers can be done at once.

Keep two sets so that you can wash and dry one while the other is in use. When you have guests, simply pull the covers off and your furniture will look clean and fresh.

When washing the blankets, throws and covers, remember to use a warm wash of at least 55 degrees Celsius (130  degrees Fahrenheit) to kill of bacteria and other allergens. Don’t mix these covers with your clothes or bedding, always wash them separately.

While you’re cleaning the throws, blankets and covers, have a look at these Things You Should Be Cleaning But Probably Don’t.

Cover Your Car Seat

Following on from the previous tip, if you take your pet in the car often then your car is probably also covered in pet hair. Get a pet car seat cover like the one below to keep the pet hair in one place. It not only protects your seats from their sharp nails but is also easily removable to brush off, vacuum or wash, keeping the rest of your car clean.

Barksbar Pet Car Seat CoverBuy Here

Dress You Furry Friend

This tip ins’t for everyone, or every breed of dog, but it certainly goes a long way towards keeping the hair off the ground. Dressing your pet up in a well fitted pet jersey or t-shirt keeps the hair in the clothes and off of your floor and furniture.

Dog Sweater And Track SuiteBuy Here

Vacuum Regularly

A lot of the hair that lands up on your clothes and on your furniture has been carried there from the floor and other furniture. Vacuuming your home regularly picks up all of the hair on the floor and removes the chance of it being re-distributed around your home.

Get a good quality vacuum with a water filter or HEPA filter, one which has been specifically designed to suck up and filter out pet hair and dander.

Here are our top recommendations:

BISSELL Big Green Complete Home-Cleaning SystemBuy Here

Eureka Mighty Mite Pet Lover Bagged Canister Vacuum CleanerBuy Here

Ovente Bagless Canister Cyclonic Vacuum – HEPA FilterBuy Here

Use A Rough Blanket In Your Pets Bed

If your pet has a tendency to lounge around in their favorite spot for most of the day, try using a rougher blanket in that spot or in their bed. A rough blanket helps to “brush” the hair off of them while they sleep or roll around in it. The blanket traps the hair and you can simply wash the collected hair out once a week.

Clean Your Air Conditioning System Filters

If you’ve got pets, especially dogs, cats and birds, you’ll be surprised how much pet dander lands up in the AC filters. Be sure to check, clean or change your AC filters every month or two to prevent a build up. Pet dander can quickly clog up these filters and may land up damaging your AC system.

Cleaning Products To Help You Around The House

Now that you’ve implemented the above tips to keep your home hair free, you’ll likely have a lot less hair lying around.

For those bits that still make it through, here are some of our favorite products we use to keep our home, furniture and clothes hair free:

Swiffer Spray Mop Cleaner Starter Kit – This all in one mop kit is perfect for giving your tiles or hard wood floors a quick clean up. Run it over the floor and use the built in spray bottle to attract and keep pet hair stuck in one place to collect and throw away. Buy Here

Lint Roller – Going out with pet hair all over your clothing doesn’t look good or give a good impression of your home’s cleanliness. Get a good quality lint roller to quickly go over your clothing before you leave and remove any excess pet hair. Buy Here

Pet Grooming Glove – If you pet is not a fan of being brushed then consider getting a grooming glove. It is much softer on your pet and also allows you to hold them firmly while the glove removes loose hair. Buy Here

Now that you’ve got rid of the pet hair in your home, have a look at these 5 Cleaning Tips To Rid Your Home Of Dust.

Top Backyard Hashtag Trends This Summer: Instagram Upgrades for Your Outdoors

Having a backyard is a fantastic perk, and it is no wonder that people like to brag about it on social media and beyond. Whether you like taking pictures where your backyard is the primary object of interest or you want it to be a background for portraits, you probably want them to be seen and appreciated by other people. You know what helps your photos be seen? That’s right: hashtags. And behind every hashtag, there is a backyard trend that will make your outdoor space look even more astonishing. Here are the hottest current trends to watch this summer.

#stringlights

Backyard lighting is vital if you want to use your backyard after the sun is down. While you have a wide range of backyard lighting options, including lanterns, candles, solar lamps, and chandeliers, there is nothing more romantic and whimsical than illuminating your patio with bistro lights. Besides giving the exterior an unparalleled charm, string lights also serve as a great portrait (selfie) backdrop, because they can produce excellent Bokeh effect.

#fire

fire instagram hashtag

Fire is a great backyard hashtag that can get you seen over time. It is mostly manifested through fireplaces and fire pits. Fire pits are especially popular because they are easy to make or affordable to buy. They can serve as centerpieces of the seating area or a “wow” factor incorporated into the pool. You can build it in or above ground, use concrete, iron, or bricks, etc.

#palletfurniture

Even though 2018 was marked as the year when we leave the DIY behind and move on to craftsmanship and artisan pieces, this trend still hasn’t reached our backyards. Pallet backyard furniture is still all the rage, regardless of whether we are talking about benches, sectionals, club tables, dining tables, lounges, shelves or stools.

#shade

shade instagram hashtag

A backyard without proper shade is impossible to use, especially during hot summer days. However, that doesn’t mean pergolas and other solutions are there only because of their function. The offer of custom Shade Sails Online is extensive, and they can fit into every outdoor space. Besides sheltering you from the sun when taking selfies (good lighting is the key for a perfect selfie), these installations also make great landscape photo stars, if you catch them at the right angle.

#pool

Nothing beats having your own pool in the backyard. While this is hardly a new trend, it is essential to stress that it is not going anywhere. In fact, it is being updated more and more with creative ideas such as a hot tub, waterfalls, fountains, lighting solutions, plants, and an inviting poolside.

#flamingofloat

flamingo float instagram hashtag

Another pool accessory that has taken the world (especially Instagram) by storm comes in the form of an extravagant inflatable toy – a pink flamingo float. Celebs like Taylor Swift have shown us how to strike a pose on floats, and you can rock this trend too. Besides flamingos, there are more elegant floats, such as giant swans, or downright silly ones, like a pizza slice or watermelon.

#japanesemaple

This plant is in demand these days, especially in urban gardens, because it grows slowly, and it can be kept in a container for several years. As an interesting combination of green, pink, and red, Japanese maple can bring in liveliness into every garden.

#alfresco

It is a common idea that outdoor dining spaces should be located just off the house. While it is convenient to have them near the kitchen, it also doesn’t allow you to immerse yourself in the magic of the garden fully. Alfresco allows a luxurious experience which includes special furniture, lighting, and flooring. It is tailored for a group photo with your friends.

#greengarden

greengarden instagram hashtag

Green is always in, and particularly when it comes to gardens. It is nature’s most beloved color easily evoked through the lush lawn, bushes, shrubs, ferns, creeper plants, trees, herbs, and flowers. All of these elements together make an ideal canvas for out-of-this-world Instagram photos.

#petfriendly

An outdoor space your pets love has multiple benefits. It makes them happier and more playful. It gives you the chance to take a pic of them playing in their intimate surrounding. If your pets are happy, you are happy. A pet-friendly garden is accomplished with a good fence for safety, fresh water, pet-friendly plants, running tracks, shelter, and playing area.

These were the top ten Instagram hashtag trends that can guide your way through backyard upgrading. The result will be a gorgeous outdoor space and stunning photo sessions.

Now that you’ve got the right hashtag, why not try out these 10 Easy DIY Upgrades To Do This Weekend To Increase Your Home’s Value.

How To Save Thousands When Decorating This Year

Regardless of whether you are a professional interior designer working on a large project or just want to redesign your kitchen, it always pays to know the best ways to save as much money as possible. Decorating your home is rarely a cheap thing to do and usually comes with stress, hassle and a lot of mess. Even the smaller tasks are never as easy or as quick as you think. Keeping that in mind, we’ve made sure that the tips chosen in this guide will save you time, hassle and of course, money.

Saving money when decorating is always important as the budget of decorating can often determine the style we decide to go for. For example, you may wish to turn your room from modern and minimal to retro chic and to do this you will need wooden type furniture, bespoke features and vintage lighting. All of these things are usually every expensive, but with these tips you can achieve this look and have money to spare. In this guide we are going to show you the top 20 tips on how to save the most money when decorating this year.

If you’ve interested in saving money, have a look at these 40 Frugal Tips To Save Money On Living Expenses.

Tip 1 – Find free materials around you

By this we don’t mean rummaging through bins of course. You will be surprised to find out how many things you can actually get for free! Many people will want to just get rid of items they don’t want anymore because they are moving and can’t be bothered to try and sell them. This is where you can get some amazing bargains. From small table lamps to large tables and chairs, people will often happily give you these things for free if you are able to pick them up.

Tip 2 – Improve your existing furniture

Before you start throwing out all of the furniture in the room it might be worth considering if it can be updated or improved. One of the biggest trends right now in interior design is re-purposed and reupholstered furniture, especially with wooden furniture. As the vintage look has never been more popular, we are seeing a huge rise in people re-purposing old tables and chairs, bringing new life to something that was once nearly thrown away.

Tip 3 – Feature wall

Feature Wall

One of the simplest ways of adding a fresh and new feel to a room is through painting or wallpapering the walls. Paint and wallpaper vary in price, but one thing that is consistent with this is the amount of time it takes. Updating the walls in your home is a long process and one that needs care and attention if it is to look right. However, to save money and time you can simply just update one wall; the feature wall. You might be surprised at how much a feature wall can change a room’s dynamic. It draws the eye as soon as you enter and instantly sets the tone for the rest of the space.

Tip 4 – Update the plumbing fixtures

Your bathroom and kitchen plumbing fixtures are often untapped resources when it comes to adding a new design feature to the room. By simply changing the usual metal finish to copper, brushed chrome or brushed bronze you can quickly update the style without having to purchase a new sink or bathtub.

Tip 5 – Laminate worktops

Replacing your kitchen or bathroom worktop is usually a very expensive thing to do, but also one of the best ways to redecorate a room. It instantly breathes new life into the space whilst setting the tone and creating a brand new feature that is guaranteed to impress. This can cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of pounds. This is because people will usually prefer the feel and style of natural wood or stone for their worktop. Well, the good news is that you can now have this natural style without having to pay out big thanks to modern laminate worktops. Recent technological advancements has meant that laminate sheets now look identical to the real thing and even have the same texture. They come in a vast selection of styles/colours and if you wanted to know more about this then please find here an ultimate laminate sheet guide.

Tip 6 – Door handles

Changing your door handles is a very quick, easy and cheap way of creating a new design style. Although small, the right colour door handle can have a surprising effect on a rooms look. Research what material and colour goes with what colour and type of home to ensure it doesn’t look out of place.

Tip 7 – Never underestimate the power of a mirror

never underestimate the power of a mirror

Mirrors do so much more than you might think. They can add light to a room, increase the size and add seamless flow. However, many of us are guilty of not making the most out of the mirrors we already have. Before you go out and invest in new ones, look at the ones you have already and see how they can be improved. Maybe it would look better in a different room or nearer natural light.

Tip 8 – Bring the outdoors inside

The past few years has seen a surge in popularity with indoor plants being used to create a new type of bohemian style. Often in vintage looking pots and hanging from the ceiling, these indoor plants are relatively cheap and a great way of updating your interior design.

Tip 9 – Shop second hand

This may seem like a more obvious one, but shopping through second-hand stores, thrift stores, markets and car boot sales can result in finding fantastic furniture for incredible prices. Some designers make a great living this way so it’s definitely worth checking out your local area for bargains.

Tip 10 – Use lighting

use lighting

Lighting has the power to create a mood and even add size to a room. If used right, lighting can completely change how a room feels and looks. Whether you make use of the natural light more or invest in some new lamps or lampshades, lighting is an interior designers best friend. To save money, look at simply changing the lampshades, bulbs or position of where these are and see how different your room can look.

Tip 11 – Rearrange the furniture

Sometimes the best way to change the dynamic of a room is to simply rearrange the furniture. For a calm and serene environment try looking into how to implement Hygge and Feng Shui into your home.

Tip 12 – Decorating with paint

If you feel like your home needs redecorating but would like to keep it as cheap as possible then sometimes all you need is paint. A new lick of paint on the walls can totally revamp your room without having to change anything else. If your home has a shed or garage where you keep old tins of paint then check these first before buying new ones. If there isn’t much in some of them then you could mix these to make a bespoke colour and add a touch of your own personality to your home.

Tip 13 – Use fabric

Whether it’s sheets draped over lights or a throw on your sofa, fabric has the potential to turn your room into something completely different. By using them over lamps you can create a soft and subtle ambience that’s much cheaper than purchasing a brand new light.

Tip 14 – Don’t forget about the details

don't forget about the details

Sometimes the smaller things have the larger impact, so if you’re looking to spruce up your home but don’t want to pay big prices for big pieces of furniture then have a look at tweaking the smaller things. This could be anything from new cushions on the sofa to new towels in the bathroom, anything that can inject colour into a room can change the interior style.

Tip 15 – Declutter

Decluttering your home is sometimes all you need to do to revamp a room. If you think you need to redecorate then always declutter first as you may be surprised to find that this is actually all it needed!

Tip 16 – Layer rugs

Carpet or hardwood flooring can be pricey, but a fantastic way of updating your floor without having to break the bank is to simply layer rugs together. You haven’t got to use expensive rugs for this because you are layering them together. Get creative with it and enjoy making your own bespoke design feature.

Tip 17 – Group similar items together

group similar items together

If your home has large walls then this can sometimes cause a problem when decorating within a smaller budget. Trying to fill a large space can get expensive if you are looking at buying large items, such as a full length mirror. However, if you group smaller, cheaper items together then you can fill this gap, save money and add a whole new dynamic design feature to the room.

Tip 18 – Wallpaper offcuts

Do you have any wallpaper offcuts at home? If you do then you can still put these to good use by adding them to staircases or wall borders. They can add a boost of colour to any room whilst also creating a beautifully bespoke design feature. You can find some great examples on Pinterest here.

Tip 19 – Mix and match

It’s almost too easy to go over budget when decorating your home as there is just so much to choose from. Sometimes it really pays to compromise, only on the items themselves, not the style. Mixing different types of furniture is a great way of adding a modern style to any room. For example, a dining room chair isn’t too expensive for one, but if you need 6 then this really adds up. So, instead of this you can simply get two for the ends of the table and then cheaper chairs for the middle. It can still look fantastic and save you money.

Tip 20 – Swap party

Swap parties have become much more popular recently thanks to the fantastic bargains you can get! We all have different tastes so these parties are a wonderfully collective mix of furniture and furnishings. Get swapping with friends and family and have a great time whilst doing it.

Now that you’ve read our 20 tips to save thousands when decorating this year, have a look at How To Use Design Principles To Decorate Your Home.