Choosing the right window treatment for your home might seem overwhelming. But when you consider a few important factors, you’re sure to find the solution that will work best for you and your family's lifestyle.
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1. How your space is used helps define the ideal design style for your window treatment. Do you use the space for working, relaxing or entertaining?
2. What feeling or mood do you want to create in the room? Is it soft and elegant, casual and comfortable, classic and traditional or clean and contemporary?
3. Will you be working with electronic screens in the room? This includes televisions, computer monitors or other devices that are sensitive to glare.
4. If there are children or pets in your home, look for a window covering with safety features (such as motorized lift and cordless lift). Are the materials easy to clean and maintain?
5. Is privacy a primary concern? This is a key consideration for bedrooms and bathrooms.
6. What is the window’s exposure? A window with a southern or western exposure can cause fluctuations in temperature within the room. Direct sunlight also can bleach textiles unevenly.
7. How much light control do you need? For maximum shading at your fingertips, consider horizontal or vertical blinds. You can easily redirect the light or change the complexion of a room by rotating or tilting the slats or louvers.
8. If you want to maintain a view, consider the bottom up/top down option.
9. Do you open the window frequently or do you need easy access for cleaning? If you are opening and closing the window often, you may want to consider a lighter blind or shade.
10. Are there unique architectural elements in the room? Consider window cranks, window air conditioners, light switches, crown mouldings, beams and chair rails as you plan the size and scale of your window treatment.
11. Are you comfortable with color? Today’s window treatments are available in a multitude of colors.
12. Be sure to examine the back side of the window covering so you will know how it will look on the outside of your home. Some communities have covenants against visible window coverings in non-neutral colors.

Source: MODA Floors & Interiors, a NARI Atlanta member, is a flooring and window coverings resource with a showroom in the West Midtown Design District of Atlanta. The company also offers a Mobile Shop-at-Home service.

At some point, homes will require a renovation or remodeling. It is no secret that there is a fear of insects and rodents infestation during any remodeling project. Incorporating a pest management practice during and after the renovation process is fundamental or else you may be stuck with pest issues later. Besides being a nuisance, certain pests like rodents and cockroaches carry pathogens breeding ground for dangerous diseases. Pests like termites can threaten the solidity of the structure. So, it is of utmost importance to keep professional pest management services involved before, during and after the remodeling process.

Things to Do Before the Renovation:  The first step is to assess pest activity in the area your house is in. This will make it easier to determine the volume of treatment necessary to reduce pests through the remodeling process. Avoid wood to ground contact and also use non-cellulose building material for construction. This minimizes the chances of termite infestation. 

Inspect the Raw Material: Inspect construction materials before use. Pests can also find their way into the house if you are using already infested material. You can prevent potential damage by using construction materials that are free of pests or discard pest-infested material. Professional termite services can identify and eliminate this issue effectively.

Help from the Professionals: Hiring a pest management specialist will help you smoothly carry out the remodeling process. Throughout the remodeling process, they will guide you on preventive measures such as laying bait traps around the building exterior and near construction materials. Also, consider taking pest management professional help develop an education demo for residents on helpful information such as proper procedures and recommended sanitation practices for reporting any pest sightings. 

During the Build: As renovations start, your residence can become more receptive to pests. While home remodeling, you must stay cautious and a step ahead while taking precautions. If your remodeling process involves water or pipes, ensure that you have a proper drainage system in place. Pests are attracted to water, and it is essential to keep the water storage and drainage clean at all times. Make sure that any new windows, doors and fixtures are tight and secure against the frames. Screens and weather strips can also help get rid of any potential openings for pests. To reduce the possibility of problems, always keep the house and the surrounding clean. Be sure to clean after any discarded food, trash, and wood debris, all of which can be fodder for pests.

Project Completion: There are a few additional steps to be taken after the remodeling is complete. One way to attract less flying pests is to install sodium lights. Avoid placing plants too close to the house; they are an excellent breeding ground for pests. Whenever it’s time to make significant changes or renovate the whole house, whether adding a new section to the home or constructing an entirely new one, never overlook pest management, hiring a professional pest specialist will help ground level make the house secure and free of any pests. 

Author credit:
Raymond Web
https://takecaretermite.com/

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Author Bio:
Raymond Web has taken the task to educate people on pest prevention and control strategies helping them keep their surroundings healthy, safe and pest-free. Being the digital marketing manager for Take Care Termite and Pest Control, a top rated pest control service in Tracy, CA, he has an in-depth understanding of people and their pain points due to pests, which he uses in his content to educate.

Exerpt from A Guide To Setting Up A Home Office
by, Ben Finley
Founder of Staple Slinger

Most office cultures that were reluctant to allow their workers to have home offices before the Covid crisis have had proof handed to them of just how much can be done from home, while keeping office workers safe from the risk of infection.

Putting that genie back in its bottle may be a thing that neither workers nor companies are in any hurry to do.
But let’s get real for a minute. The people who worked from home during the Covid pandemic’s first wave weren’t doing it as it would ideally be done. They were working from bedrooms. From spare rooms. From living rooms and dining tables. They were doing it as a stop-gap, rather than as a long-term working solution.
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What’s the difference?

Planning. Thought. Long-term physical safety.

If you, like the millions before you, are going to set up a home office from which you intend to work indefinitely, no couch or kitchen table is going to cut it.

If you’re going to do it – let’s do it right....continue reading 

5 Steps to Make Your Home Office Succeed in a Small Space

​Having a home office can be the ideal solution to separate work from the rest of our daily lives. Yet, it can seem like a pipe dream if your property is on the small side. Fortunately, you don't need a mansion to give yourself the perfect workspace.

Have a Layout
Before you start making any changes, however, you have to plan out what type of home office your space can accommodate. With that in mind, ask yourself what your work will involve and what you need to fulfill your goals. For instance, you might only need a computer and desk, but you may require more than that if you expect to meet clients in your home. To get the most out of your space, measure the dimensions of where you want to set up your office and make a layout for it. If you want, you could sketch out your design to help you visualize your options. The right plan can be the foundation of your office, so invest in it.

Budget for Everything
Once you have a plan, you can budget around it and make adjustments where necessary. Thankfully, making an effective budget can be as basic as tracking your monthly earnings and expenses and recording them over the long-term. Your budget must factor in the big and small investments your office will need, such as supplies, furniture, a quality internet connection, and even potentially increased energy bills. Still, you don't have to buy new items to furnish your office, so shop around and look for deals. In the end, you may find that the perfect computer or desk for you are pre-loved items that your office just as well as premium options (you can often find pre-owned laptops for as low as $329 on sites like Amazon).

Consider Help
An important step to designing your home office is developing the space you have. That could involve decluttering and reorganizing your environment to reclaim unused real estate. Of course, if there is a lot of clutter, dealing with it can become overwhelming and take your mind off your goals. Fortunately, you can bring in some professional help, as a home organizing consultant in Atlanta usually ranges from $220 to $671. They can support your efforts to declutter and tidy up, and their experience can give you insights to use in the future.

Adapt Your Storage
A tight space will need creative solutions for storage. In fact, storage can be used as attractive décor or even integrated into furniture. This could, for example, allow you to spread the burden across your home by using bed or coffee table storage for extra office supplies. Likewise, you could go vertical by putting in a hidden door bookshelf for added storage while giving your office a decorative flair. Your filing system needn’t rely on traditional cabinets, either, as they could be turned into an attractive ottoman or vertical wall rack. Your strategy can be as creative as you want, allowing you to take advantage of the smallest of spaces.

Improvise, Improvise
Regardless of your home's size, you can put together a functional office. It may simply be a space in a corner, but the right fixtures and furniture can ensure it serves its purpose. After all, the basis of any successful office is a desk, and they come in all shapes and sizes. For instance, if you cannot fit a traditional model into your home, you could put in a hanging desk custom-designed to your dimensions. If your space is even tighter, you might transform a small nook, such as a closet, into an alcove workspace. Similarly, lighting doesn't have to take up valuable space, as track and recessed lighting can offer useful illumination. This can alleviate the pressure of needing large lamps for your place of work.

A home office can restore balance to your house, and give you peace of mind. With plenty of preparation, a well-planned budget, and creative storage, you can have a place perfect for productivity. Your office no longer needs to be held back because of limited space.

Author credit:
Alice Robertson
http://tidyhome.info/
alice@tidyhome.info