7 Tips on Preparing Your Home for a Make-Over

The contractors will be coming to your home soon to do things like install new carpet, upgrade fixtures, design a room, or whatever it is that you have requested, but you know your home is not quite ready for the work.  So what do you do to prepare for your make-over?

1.  Select an area where items in the room that will be receiving the work will be stored.  If you have no room, consider a back porch, basement, or an off-site storage unit.  Workers become frustrated when homeowners don't remove items out of the area that needs to be done.

2.  Be sure to cover all items that will be exposed to things like sawdust and other debris including taking down pictures and curtains.  Note: wrap up any lose or dangling cords.

3.  Lay mats, tarps, or something down to protect your floor and if need be, hang coverings up to protect walls and fixtures.  Workers will be traveling back and forth between rooms getting tools and throwing away items.

4.  Keep children and animals out of the workspace.  Lose nails, tools, chemicals, and other items are hazardous. 

5.  If you are a smoker, smoke away from the construction site.  Since some items the workers might be using could be flammable, you will not want to light up near them.  Also, smoke can be a distraction especially to those who are smokers.  If you don't want the workers taking too many smoker breaks, don't light up near them.

6.  Box up all lose items and stack them away from the workspace. 

7.  If you will need a temporary wall constructed, so as to keep the work area separate from other parts of the home, let the workers know in advance.

Be sure to go over details with contractors on how the work will be done, how long it will take, and what more they might need.  Do not offer to feed the workers or do other niceties if you know you are under a tight deadline.  Also, don't expect them to complete the job in a timely manner if there are constant interruptions.

May your project go well without any unexpected delays or unnecessary issues!

Nicholl McGuire writes relationship and business articles at Workplace Problems and Relationship and Dating Tips.

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12 Useful Decor for Your Bedroom

So you have some bedroom shopping to do?  What might you need to bring life to your bedroom?  Following are 12 useful things that you might find your bedroom lacks.  Take a moment to print this list or copy some of the things you might have forgot about.

1. Comforter set

A comfortable bed with beautiful bedding is key to making your bedroom worth walking into.  Don't pass on a quality, comfy bed set on sale.  It will definitely enhance your bedroom!

2. Nightstands

From holding your alarm clock to keeping your valuables close to you, they are definitely useful and will keep your room looking organized.

3. Lamps

What's a room without them?  Sometimes overhead lighting is too bright so a lamp comes in handy when you want the lighting dim.  If not needed, you might want to get a nightlight or both.  Nightlights keep you from stumbling at night.

4. Fan

This is necessary if you tend to have a hot bedroom and no AC.  Some people enjoy the breeze blowing on them while they sleep and will place the fan near a window on hot nights.

5. Drawers

Always handy and much needed when you have many clothing items, accessories and the like.

6. Desk

Sometimes when you don't want to be anywhere in your home, but in your bedroom to work, a small writing desk or large enough for a laptop or desk computer is most useful.  If space is limited elsewhere in your home, then you might have to use your bedroom as an office.  If you are not one for working in your bedroom, skip the desk.

7. Additional pillows

If you should ever want to work or read in your bed, additional pillows are so comfortable and help you to relax.

8. Wall décor

Brighten up a dull room with nice looking wall décor.  If you are ever sick in your room, you will find it calming to stare at an attractive art piece in your room.

9.  Throw rug

This is not a needed item, but if you notice a stain on your carpet that doesn't come up or you just want to add some color to a boring rug, why not get one?  If you enjoy sitting on the floor, get a throw rug that is comfy to touch.

10.  Shelf for collectibles

From reading items to keepsakes, they will need a place other than an unsightly box or bin.  Give your bedroom some life and yourself the motivation to enjoy your stuff again, invest in a shelf unit.

11. Small covered wastebasket

Sometimes you are emptying your pockets in your bedroom or have mail that needs a place to trash, keep your wastebasket near the door or next to a desk.

12.  Organizers

Select closet, corner, over-the-door, or under-the-bed organizers based on what items you have the most of.  Items that needs to be stored away, use under-the-bed organizers or plastic bins for inside a closet.  If you have jewelry, consider a piece that holds your items in place.  Lots of shoes? Invest in a rack or bins.

Enjoy your shopping experience and feel free to come back and share with our readers!

Nicholl McGuire also maintains many other blogs including When Mothers Cry, Face Your Foe, and Laboring to Love an Abusive Mate.

Organize Your Office Desk in 10 Minutes or Less

So you've been busy lately and have had little time to clean your workplace?  No worries, here is what you need to do in under 10 minutes!

1.  Collect all small pieces of paper and place them in a pile.

2.  Collect all large pieces of paper and place them in a pile.

3.  Place all items that you frequently use on one side of your desk.

4.  Place all items that you don't often use in a drawer or other area that is rarely used.

5.  Wipe areas clean once items are removed.

6.  Sort documents that were in piles.  File, place in binder, or post.

7.  Throw or give away things you no longer need, want or use.

If you don't have any organizers, be sure to find something to place small items in such as: pens, paper clips, etc.  If you don't have a bin, file drawer, or something to sort miscellaneous items, place in corner of desk until you are able to get one or place underneath desk in bag, box or some other useful item that can temporarily hold your stuff.  Make a note to yourself to get something to hold your miscellaneous items as soon as possible so that you aren't starting to collect clutter.

Check out more articles on this site on keeping your office area tidy!

Nicholl McGuire also maintains other blogs: When Mothers Cry, Work Place Problems, Things to Do When Bored, and Laboring to Love an Abusive Mate.