Getting yourself organized is not the easiest task. We all have those moments when we look around and are suddenly overwhelmed with the clutter in our homes. Its summer now which is the perfect time to get a move on this important home improvement task: decluttering with shelving and extra storage. We at Handyman Connection Florida think that the following are the places in your home that shelving and extra storage could make a considerable difference.

1. Bathroom – For some reason it seems like the bathroom is the one room in the house that is constantly undergoing home improvement jobs. We tend to gather bathroom supplies – lotions, shampoos, extra soap, toilet paper, towels and more! The underside of the sink and the linen closets can get quite full and disorganized. Try installing roll-out bins under the sink and roll out shelves in your deeper linen closets. Use corner shelves to create space for in a small bathroom.
2. Kitchen – Organization is the key to having a successful kitchen. With all of your food, dishes, appliances, Tupperware and more, it’s important to keep organized. Roll out shelving allows for less tossing and piling of kitchen items. Lazy Susan’s can make a huge difference when it comes to spices and other dry kitchen goods. Mounting shelves can be not only for improving your organization but improving your kitchens visual appeal as well.
3. Home office – This is a room that extra storage and shelving can be added in so many inconspicuous ways. Add files to your desk drawers to create organization in your desk. If you are on a budget, try going to a local home improvement store and get a readymade or do it yourself kit for bookshelves.
4. Garage – Garages tend to be the catch all room for random unwanted and seasonal items that you just couldn’t find room for in your home. Many homeowners cannot even park their cars in their garages because this room has accumulated so much stuff. Shelving can make a huge difference in this room. Lining the walls with shelves can allow you to create a place for all of the stuff to go, instead of on the garage floor. Try adding a workbench or cabinets so that every item can have a ‘home’. This home improvement task may be too big for some homeowners, so do not hesitate ask for help by contacting Handyman Connection.
5. Closets – Adding shelves to your closet can make organizing easy. Shelves can hold shoes or folded clothes and still leave room for your hanging garments. If you can, using adjustable shelves can create optimized space specifically for your needs.

Getting the most out of your space can be tough. If you are looking for expert advice, Handyman Connection Florida can offer personalized ideas to help organize your home.

The outside of your home needs to have a covering to seal the structure and give your house curb appeal. Here in Florida, there are two very popular options for you to choose from: stucco and vinyl siding. Both have pros and cons to consider before you choose a material.

Stucco

Stucco is a cement-based product that is sprayed onto your home to provide an aesthetically pleasing exterior that also seals your home. It is very popular in homes throughout Florida, from the suburbs of Orlando to neighborhoods in Sarasota. Stucco ends up having a textured finish, which can be altered depending upon the device used to control how the product sprays. It can be painted easily, which makes it possible to have any color combination that you prefer on your home. Since you can paint stucco, this also means you can change the color of your home according to new trends or changes in personal preference.

Stucco also has two very important features to point out. For one, it breathes very well. This helps in our climate, where humidity can allow water access to your structure that will eventually need to dry out. This speaks directly to the length of time that stucco will provide your home with a great looking cover. Stucco is also very durable. As a cement-based product, it can stand up to wind, rain and anything else that you or your children might throw at it. The durable nature of stucco also helps it to provide a solid exterior to your home.

Vinyl Siding

This is a plastic-based building material that you purchase in sections. You then adhere the sections to the exterior of your home until you have a compete covering. Siding also comes as a relatively finished product. The color of the siding is established when it is made in a factory. This is good because it means you get a finished product with one set color that lasts years–without any significant fading–for over a decade. If you are the type of person who likes to change the look of your home frequently, this might not be good for you because you would have to completely reside your home.

When you need repairs down the road, vinyl siding is a good option because you will have to replace only the panel that has been damaged. It is important to note that vinyl siding is also a very durable product, so don’t expect to be making repairs on a regular basis. If you like the look of vinyl siding, the only real argument that some make against it as a product is that it is not the most environmentally friendly building material to produce.

The way each material looks will probably be one of the first factors in your decision making process. Take the non-aesthetic factors into account also. Either is a great option that will look good on the exterior of your home and provide your structure with adequate protection. Both are also relatively cost-effective solutions.

In the event that you already live in a home with one of these exteriors, you might need some help with maintenance. The Handyman Connection has craftsmen on hand who can help you with stucco repairs and vinyl siding replacement. We can also reduce your “to-do” list while you enjoy your weekend.

Sources:

Green and Save.com

This Old House

Stucco vs. Vinyl Siding is a Major Home Improvement Decision

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Preserving the environment and “going green” is often seen as an outside activity. While protecting the ozone, using less disposable containers, and picking up after ourselves are important, it’s also important to wisely use the resources within our home. Going green at home is critical for a number of reasons that range from protecting the outer environment to saving money.

There are many ways to go green at home; here are a few of the most important ones. Many are easy to do and cost little to no money.

Saving Energy

• Conduct a quick energy audit of your home. A do-it-yourself guide can be found at the U.S. Department of Energy.
• Switch appliances to more energy efficient models. These models will likely bear the “Energy Star” label. Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy to help people save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices
• Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).
• Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Also consider using a "smart" power strip. These strips sense when appliances are off and reduce energy use.
• Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. According to the Worldwatch Institute, as much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
• Dry clothes using a clothesline.
• Turn off lights when you leave the room.
• Utilize natural light during the day.
• Turn off your computer completely at night.
• Use a ceiling fan to cool off a room or house. It consumes as little energy as a 60-watt bulb. Turn the fan off when you leave.
• Install a programmable thermostat to regulate the temperature in your house through the day and night.
• Install storm windows and doors.

Saving Water

• Don’t rinse your plates before putting them into the dishwasher. Time and water are wasted during this activity.
• Install low-flow toilets. These gadgets use advanced computer modeling to deliver more flush power with less water.
• Fix leaky faucets.
• Take shorter showers.
• Install a low-flow showerhead on each shower.
• Install a faucet aerator on each faucet.

A little bit of work around the house can make your home more environmentally friendly while keeping some green in your bank account in the long run. The money you save in the form of reduced utility bills and fewer replacement light bulbs will ultimately pay for the renovations, plus some. If you have looked over this list and seen that many of the items apply to your house, then you are like most people. If you would like a little help from an expert so that you can make some home improvements and still enjoy your weekend, let us know. We can send reliable handymen to help from Tampa to Melbourne.

Sources:

Simple Mom

Earth911.com

World Watch.org

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