What to consider when choosing a bathrooom sink

Your bathroom sink is a vital part of your bathroom functionality but beyond that, it is also a decorative element. It is not just a place to wash your hands, it is a fashion statement. The choice of sink for your bathroom needs to meet the needs that you have in that bathroom but everyone also wants to create a bathroom they are proud of. Here are some things that need to be considered when choosing a bathroom sink.

When it comes to buying a sink for your bathroom there are many things that are important. Space is one of the primary issues. Get your tape measure and accurately measure the space you have available. Once you have that measurement you will be able to consider whether you can fit a vanity or you need to go with a pedestal or wall mounted sink.

A vanity offers the option of extra storage as well as functionality. There are many sizes of vanities from very small to spacious double sink models. You can choose a vanity that is on display at your local hardware or plumbing supply store or you can custom design one from components that they have available. You can also provide your own piece of furniture and either build in the sink you choose or pick one of the bowls that sit on top. 

Bathroom sinks are no longer just ceramic. They can be made from blown glass, metal. stone or composite materials. They come in every color under the sun and in patterns and designs to suit every taste and purse. Everyone from the traditionalist to the cutting edge artist will find something that they find aesthetically pleasing. 

If space is at a premium, a wall mount or pedestal sink may be the best choice. It allows you to have a sink in an area where a vanity is not possible. Bathroom sinks can be quite small and a small wall mount sink takes very little space. Pedestal sinks take a little more space and of course, you must have the floor space as well. You can find a new sink in a variety of shapes,  round, oval, square and rectangular, with a large lip or none at all. They can be hand painted, plain white or in fashion colors.

When choosing your bathroom sink, remember to coordinate with your tub and toilet. With some sink choices, your piping will be visible and this should match your choice of faucets. 

Buying a new bathroom sink can be an inexpensive way to give your bathroom a whole new look. Another way is to add a new floor. 

DIY: Creating a unique headboard

The headboard in a bedroom is an important design element. Most bedroom sets come with a headboard which can be made of many types of wood including oak, maple, cherry and mahogany. Another common headboard material is brass and also white painted iron. When these are just not cutting it, what options are available? The options are limitless. Here are a few tips for creating a unique headboard for your bedroom.

Padded headboard

Some padded headboards are available in stores. These are usually made from a plastic or velvet type of materials. You don’t need to settle for something that can be found in a store. With a little work and a little imagination, a unique one of a kind headboard is easy to make.

First stop is the local lumber yard where a piece of plywood needs to be purchased. Measure the size of the bed that the headboard will be used with to make sure the piece being purchased is large enough. 

Depending on the height of the ceiling and the size of the bed, two or three feet tall is a good height. Purchase glue that will work for attaching padding to the plywood and a heavy duty stapler. Head to the fabric store with measurements in hand. Purchase padding, batting, and fabric. The padding is glued onto the plywood and the batting and fabric are stapled to the rear of the headboard. Buttons may be added to the front to create a tufted effect.

Not everyone wants to do a craft project to create a unique headboard. Many beautiful and unique headboards can be created from items that are purchased already made. One place to look for unique items for a headboard at stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot.

Mantle

One interesting option is to paint and hang a pre-made mantle. Painting the wall behind the bed in a focal color sets the tone for the room. The mantle can then be painted white or stained a color to match the rest of the wood in the room. The mantle now is placed on the wall behind the bed about a foot and a half to two feet above the pillows. It can be used to display a special collection, family pictures or just about anything including lighting. If you prefer an antique look, places like Black Dog Salvage offer some amazing mantles that have been rescued from demolition.

Thanks to Pintrest https://www.pinterest.com/explore/fireplace-mantle-headboard/

Mirrors

Another unique headboard option is a mirror. These can also be purchased at the big box stores but also check out antique and home décor stores. Placing mirrors on a wall makes the room look larger and also increases the feeling of light in the room. To create a headboard, place the mirrors in a line behind the bead at the height of a normal headboard. Mirror tiles can be used or framed mirrors, just be sure to place the mirrors right next to each other to create a clean line.

Art

Art is a great focal point as a headboard. Art can be purchased or it can be created. It can be placed in one frame or several frames and lined up behind the bed. If you have some great photos that you have taken these can be blown up and used as art.

Shutters

Shutters make a great headboard. Purchase tall ones, paint them a color that matches the room and then attached them to each other. They need to be attached to the wall with nails, glue or Velcro. Shutter purchased at stores like Loew’s and Home Depot can be plastic which is quite light.

Doors

A door painted and placed on the wall behind the bed is a unique and pretty headboard option. New ones can be purchased or used ones at tag sales or second-hand stores.

For my headboard, I have a peiece of wrought iron art that I found at Pier One, I love having a headboard that is attached to the wall, not the mattress. 

Creating a unique headboard is only limited by your imagination.  Let these tips get you started and let your own tastes find what will make your bedroom truly unique.

Efficiently loading your dishwasher

When it comes to loading the dishwasher efficiently, there are a few things to consider. Every dishwasher is a little different in how the interior is organized. The interior configuration will be a factor in how your place dirty dishes, glasses and pots and pans.

Silverware

Most dishwashers have a spate basket that is designed to hold the silverware. It allows the silverware to stand up and be washed from top to bottom. Keep in mind that how you place the silverware in the basket may affect the amount of water and detergent that actually hits them. If the tines of the fork are down inside the basket, they will get less vigorous cleaning than if they are placed handle down. If placing knives blade up, be very careful when loading and unloading the machine. The silverware basket is also a great place to place your sponges and small lids which may fall between the rungs of the shelves.

Delicate items

If you are washing delicate glasses or cups in the dishwasher, it is best to place them on the top rack where they will safest. It is important to be sure that delicate items are not crowded on the rack as well, since the pressure from the water can move them, and you don't want to allow them to touch each other. Try to place soft plastic glasses in between the more delicate items if at all possible. 

Other items that are best placed on the top rack include some plastic containers and lids. They should be as far away from the heat source as possible, which is often at the bottom of the dishwasher.

Large items

Large trays and platters are best placed on the outside of the rack and in most dishwashers will only fit on the bottom rack. Make sure they are secure since you don't want them moving around and banging into other items in the dishwasher.

Dishes

Most dishwashers have prongs that come up off the racks to keep items secure in an upright position. Use these to maximize the amount of cleaning that the washer can provide. They hold the dishes in place and allow enough space for the water and to move easily between soiled items.

Pots and pans

These are among the hardest items to place efficiently since they are awkward sizes and shapes and often need to be placed at an angle to maximize the cleaning. Just be careful, whatever angle you place these items at, that they have plenty of room for the cleaner to hit the dirty spots.

The most efficient thing you can do when loading your dishwasher is to make sure that you don't overcrowd the items that you want to get clean.

Preventing falling TV injuries

Your TV is a lethal weapon when it comes to your children.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that there are between eight and ten thousand injuries every year from falling televisions and of these six will result in death. This is a serious danger that needs to be addressed in every home.

Today's families gather together around the television. In many homes, this is where everyone interacts, eat their meals and spend time relaxing as a family. It is hard to imagine that these televisions which we have come to rely on pose a hazard to small children and infants. Televisions are heavy and if they fall off the stand they are on they can cause serious injury and even death. There have been more and more cases of this reported in the news recently. It should be making everyone aware of the potential danger.

With the philosophy that bigger is better, our TVs have gotten almost obscenely large. In years past they were much smaller and often built into a cabinet which made them not at all dangerous. The same is no longer true. Some of the new large TV's are front heavy which makes them more likely to fall over. The big screen TV, however, is not the culprit, most injuries involve screens between 20 and 30 inches. This is the size that is usually perched on a dresser or stand.

The most common injuries reported were head injuries, concussions, and fractures. The second most common injuries were broken bones in the arms and legs. Little limbs are no match for these heavy televisions often with other electronic equipment perched on top of them.

What can you do to safeguard your child from the danger of a falling TV? The most obvious would be to remove all TV's from your homes but few people are willing to go to that extreme.

Here are some options that aren't quite as drastic.

• Replace all older TVs with new flat screen models.
• Place a bracket on the wall to hold the cabinet in place.
• Use low furniture and place the TV as far back as possible.
• Test the furniture to make sure it is strong enough to hold not only the TV but a curious child. It should not tip over easily or at all.
• Use an appliance strap to secure the TV.
• Don't use the TV stand to store anything except the TV.
• Discourage your children from climbing on the furniture. Make sure that the VCR or DVD player is below the TV not above where the child might climb up to put in a movie.
• Know where your children are at all times and never leave them unsupervised.

What other options are there to make the TV less of a hazard for small children? One option is the wall or ceiling mounting bracket. The TV,as well as the DVD player, is suspended from the ceiling on a frame. There is also a high wall version of this mounting. This makes the TV totally child proof. If this is not an option then you will need to consider which of the other options works best and safest for you.

Our children are our greatest asset and we need to do everything possible to make our homes as safe as possible. Being able to prevent falling television injuries is a top priority. For additional reading, read this article by the Consumer Protection Safety Commission.

Creating a princess themed room for your little princess

When it comes to little girls, a princess themed bedroom is a perfect fit for most of them. While every little girl isn’t a princess, most of them wish that they were. Creating a princess themed bedroom will bring out the inner princess in moms as well as daughters.

The first thing to decide is if this is going to be just any princess or is it going to be a specific princess. There are quite a few Disney princesses that may be used as a theme. Princess Jasmine from Aladdin, Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Snow White. Maybe your princess is a fan of Shrek and Princess Fiona or maybe she loves the Princess Bride. Before you begin to create your room you need to decide who your princess is.

Once you have decided if this is a general princess theme or a specific princess you can determine what your colors are going to be. A general princess color can be almost anything that your little princess would love. Many little girls favor pink or purple and adding silver trim is perfect for the princess theme.

If you are going all out you will want to have a canopy bed. If your princess would like a canopy bed that is a copy of Cinderella's coach you will be able to give it to her. You can even find an amazing silver canopy bed that will set the tone for your little princess dream room.

Once you have chosen the bed it is time to move on the bedding. JC Penneys has a Disney princess bedding set that features three of their best-loved princesses. This is the stuff that little girl princess dreams are made of.

When it comes to window treatment, you can get the matching drapes or you can go with something much gauzier and romantic, the type that any princess would love. Perfect for looking out the window to see if Prince Charming is coming to the rescue.

No princess bedroom would be complete without a tiara collection. You can place a shelf on the wall or use a dressing table or dresser to display the collection. If you are just a beginning collector, a trip to the Disney Store may be in order.

These days, your little princess has a real princess to look up to. Meghan Markle has shown that dreams do come true. 

All little princesses need to have a collection of princess costumes and placing a special rack on the wall or an additional bar in the closet to hand costumes is a must.

Above all, this is a bedroom where your little princess will be sleeping. You want to make sure that you have soft and cuddly blankets and pillows and plenty of stuffed animals to make her fall in love with her room.

You can add princess themed lamps, light switches and throw rugs. This is going to be a room that your little girl will fall in love with. Be sure to get her input as you are putting it together but having a few surprises is sure to delight her.