Whether you want a natural flow of outside breeze in your stuffy attic, or a tight hold on temperature-controlled air, the soffits and fascia you choose will affect your house or building. Although the soffit can refer to the bottom of many structures, it typically means the underside of a building’s exterior eaves. The fascia covers the end of the rafters. Together they can affect how well a building is ventilated and sealed.

Ventilation

Attics can become insufferable in the warmer months without proper ventilation. Installing vented soffits can solve this problem by encouraging some air flow in your stuffy storage space. This kind of soffit is ideal for attics that are not lived in and don’t have alternative ventilation options. Storage areas for commercial properties will typically choose ventilated soffits.

Energy Efficient Soffits and Fascia

If your attic’s temperature is regulated with air conditioning or heating, an energy-efficient option will save both energy and money. Give your air conditioning system a break by using unvented soffits and fascia that seal the building and prevent outside temperatures from creeping into your home. Not only will you be helping the environment, you will also begin receiving friendlier utility bills.

Water Damage

Although ventilated soffits provide an outside air flow into the building, they can actually help seal the interior rooms from external water causing mold and mildew. Decent ventilation prevents condensation from building up and compromising the rafters or roof.

Soffits and fascia are easily damaged by wet weather patterns. They can begin to rot and acquire mold, and the dampness can occasionally creep into the building if it is not rectified in time. Replacing rotting soffits and fascia is a safe and easy procedure that usually doesn’t require professional assistance. To prevent future damage, ensure that your soffit has been treated with a water-protection sealer.

If you need help installing or repairing soffits and fascia, the Handyman Connection team can help! With locations all over Central Florida, our trusted handymen have the skills and experience to complete soffit and fascia projects of any size.

Sources:

DIY Life

Hometime

This Old House

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[from Ballywho]

Looking to make your mark on the business you just bought? Making improvements to the property can send a positive message to clients and employees, while also improving the functionality of your work space. These changes can be as simple as a new coat of paint, or you can delve into more complicated commercial renovations that will improve the appearance and flow of your new property. Start brainstorming and decide which will work best for you and your business.

Make a Statement

Maybe your new business didn’t have the best reputation under the old owner’s rule. If this is the case, even major renovations could end up paying for themselves in a short matter of time. A change on the outside can reflect the change on the inside to your potential customers and clients. It lets them know that someone new is in charge, and things are turning around. Even successful businesses can benefit from a makeover when they change hands. Customers will naturally want to explore what’s new, and simple changes to your building could lure them in the door.

Property improvements will also speak to any remaining staff members, serving as a constant reminder that the old is gone and the new has come. This can be a helpful tool when you inherit employees that are struggling with changes to expectations or business practices.

Consider Going Green

Make an instant impression on customers by changing the office into an environmentally friendly building. These improvements can cut down on operating costs, and attract clients who want to support eco-conscious companies. As a new owner to the business, this move can instantly set you apart and define you in the eyes of both staff and clientele.

Reevaluate Needs

If your new commercial property was built several decades ago, chances are your business’s needs have evolved along with technology and the modern work environment. Extra outlets or phone jacks are often a necessity for older buildings. If you have some extra space, consider these additions to the building:

· Conference room

· Cafeteria

· Private bathrooms

· Extra parking

· Storage space

Don’t get settled in until the building meets all your needs for a smooth work day. You can hire a handyman to come in and make all of the commercial renovations or remodels that you need to do business. We would be happy to discuss your remodeling options and have handymen conveniently available from Orlando to Sarasota.

Sources:

An Office Renovation Pays for Itself (Businessweek)

Whole Building Design Guide (National Institute of Building Sciences)

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Adding a Half Bath to Your Home

Send Mold Packing

Mold inside your home or commercial property is something that no one wants to encounter. If you think that you might have a mold colony—or several—on your hands, the following steps will help you take care of the problem.

• Find it: When a mold colony develops, you will be able to see it, smell it, or both. Use your eyes to look for green, brown, black, and even yellowish patterns of mold growth on walls, in corners, and around air ducts. If you keep picking up on an earthy aroma in the air, it might be mold.
• Determine the cause: Cleaning the mold is necessary, but if you don’t fix the cause, it will probably come back. Is there a leak that is leaving moisture on the moldy area? Maybe you’re A/C needs an adjustment.
  • A/C tips: Your air conditioner might contribute to indoor mold. Make sure the fan is set to “Auto” and not “On”; if it is set to “On” all the time, then moisture on the condenser coils will not have time to drain off before the unit immediately blows it back into your vents, distributing moisture. Your unit might also be too big for the building it cools. If a unit is oversized, then it will not spend enough time dehumidifying the air that it circulates, which means that your home or office will constantly be delivered moist, mold-friendly air.
• Rip it out: Most mold can be wiped away with the right cleanser, but if you have drywall or cabinetry that has a large mold colony on it, your best bet is to remove the material altogether, wrap it up, and dispose of it. This will also give you more space to clean inside walls and a better view of the extent of the damage.
• Sanitize: There are mold cleansers available at the hardware store. You can also mix one cup of bleach with one gallon of water. We suggest putting your cleanser in a clean spray bottle and spraying down the entire moldy area, then wiping from top to bottom with a clean towel. As towels become soiled, throw them away in a disposable bag that you can later seal. Repeat the scrubbing process until all the mold is removed, and then allow the area some time to dry.
• Vacuum: Once the area is dry, you will want to use a HEPA vacuum. These vacuums have a special filtration system and are made by many manufacturers. Spend one minute per square foot. This process will remove debris and mold spores that may still be there, but are too small to see.

At this point, many people will use a paint or other agent known as a fungicide, which will help to ensure that the mold does not grow back. This step is definitely recommended, as is throwing away all of the rags, brushes, and cloths that are used for cleaning the mold. If you have questions about how to eradicate fungus in your home or commercial property, feel free to visit us online. If you do the job yourself and find yourself in need of some new drywall and paint or need some cabinets installed, we would be more than happy to help.

Sources:
Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services
Florida Department of Health
Florida Solar Energy Center at the University of Central Florida

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Getting Rid of Mold Part One

A new addition to your family is a wonderful thing. It means more opportunities for memories. It also means that you need to make some immediate changes to your home. Once your little one is crawling, she is likely to get into anything and everything. It is amazing how many updates need to made to your cabinets, doors, windows and even appliances to prepare for a toddler.

It will take some time and cost some money, but as all of your friends with children have probably already shared, having kids is not cheap. It is worthwhile to spend the money to know that your child can play in every part of the house and still be kept out of harm’s way.

Childproofing Additions

• Safety latches- Kids will get into cabinets and drawers where household cleaners, scissors, and all other sorts of potential dangers await. You can purchase safety latches that require an extra step to open drawers and cabinets. They can be installed fairly easily, but remember to put them on all appropriate openings.
• Corner bumpers- Children will inevitably run in the house and fall. If their head comes into contact with the edge of a counter, you will be on your way to the ER for stitches. Avoid this trip by purchasing plastic bumpers that will cover the edges of counters, tables or anything else, and affix them properly.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors- These are safety elements for the whole family that many people do no install until a child is born. If your house does not have working units that identify both substances, you must invest in them. They need to be hung strategically around the house so that all areas have a detector. Some units run off batteries, while other are wired into your home’s electrical circuits.
• Furniture and appliance anchors- Kids climb on things and jump off of them. For a kid it’s fun; for an adult it is dangerous and sometimes even annoying. Protect your children from the potential injuries incurred when an appliance or piece of furniture falls on them by anchoring the object to the ground or wall. This will require some tools and basic craftsmanship, so if you aren’t that handy you may want to have a professional handle this aspect of childproofing.
• Pool fence- Living in Florida makes having a pool feasible. Whether you add it yourself or have someone else do it, a pool is a family-friendly home addition. But it can also be dangerous for homes with small children. Have a safety fence installed around your pool to keep little ones away. A quality pool fence will require that it be attached to your porch or deck at some point. Having a handyman do this for you will ensure that the job is done right and that the end result looks good. You will hate looking at a mangled deck that resulted from an inexperienced person trying to drill a fence in and then realizing that they did not calculate space correctly.
• Outlet covers- This is an easy one–just purchase a set of plastic pieces that you can insert into electrical outlets so that your child cannot insert their fingers. Make sure to buy enough for the whole house.
• Slip-resistant tub- Bath time can turn into an accident very quickly, in as little time a sit takes for you to go retrieve a new bottle of shampoo, in fact. Slip-proof your tub. You can buy adhesive pads or mats that install very easily. If you like the idea of a long-term slip-resistant tub, you can have it resurfaced to add traction.

Keeping your kids safe is a parent’s number one priority. Take the time to childproof your home. If you do not have time or want to know that it is done right, feel free to contact us at the Handyman Connection. We can make any of the changes that we listed so that you know your child is safe. We can have a handyman inspect your home and install childproofing tools in Tampa, Orlando, Fort Meyers, Bradenton and many surrounding areas.

Sources:
eSSORTMENT
U.S. Product Consumer Product Safety Commission
Good Housekeeping

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Kid Friendly Renovations

The plumbing in your home does a thankless job. It constantly brings water in, disperses it properly, and then removes it from your house. It generally does such a good job that we take clean water to drink or bathe with for granted–until there is an issue with the plumbing, that is. To keep your pipes in tip-top shape, or at least to have some type of warning before a plumbing issue becomes a serious problem, it is important to keep up with some maintenance.

Take some time to inspect your plumbing and do a little work. You should at least invest an afternoon annually, but doing it more often will definitely not hurt. Take these tips to clean out pipes and inspect for problems.

• Leaks- You can hear a leaky faucet, but when it comes to pipes the leak might not be obvious. Walk around the areas of your home where you know you have pipes in the walls or ceiling. Look for discolored spots or other signs of water damage. Usually the leak is at the spot of the discoloration, but water may be traveling down the pipe before finally dripping off. Catching a leak early can save you from replacing portions of walls or ceiling when you replace the pipe. If any pipe is exposed, look for green tarnish around joints and sealed portions. If there is a green substance, it is likely that the seal you are looking at is not tight enough.
• Hot water heater- Think about life without a hot shower. Now take the time to go drain your hot water heater. As sediment makes its way into your heater, it collects in the tank. Draining the tank will remove corrosive sediment and keep it from clogging up your hot water heater. It will also mean that the water you use to shower with does not pass through a sediment-filled reservoir before you use it bathe. When you are done draining the hot water heater, follow the instruction manual and restart it. Look into the burner chamber that displays a flame. The flame should be entirely blue; if you see yellow or orange you might need to have the valves that feed the flame cleaned out.
• Drain exterior faucets- You don’t need water to set idly in your plumbing. Turn of the water feed to the faucets on the outside of your home and then go turn each one on and allow it to drain. This will remove sediment and keep standing water from growing mildew and/or leading to corroded pipes that will leak.
• Drains- A well working drain turns standing water into a swirling display that quickly and effectively removes spent water. If your drains are slow to remove water or if bubbles are coming back up from your drain you have an issue. You can try plunging, chemical drain cleaning products or you can purchase an inexpensive disposable device that you insert into a drain to clear any debris at your local hardware store. If none of these fix the clogged drain the problem could lie deeper than you are ready to handle and you should call a professional.
• Toilets- Toilets play an important role from a plumbing and a sanitation perspective, so they must stay in good shape. Make sure that they do not rock back and force when you push them. If they do, they need to be anchored; a moving toilet can lead to leaky or broken pipes. Also take off the top and make sure that interior parts are in working order. The plug should fit snugly in the drain at the base of the toilet and should not leak. Otherwise the interior of your toilet could have one of several basic kits. So long as the toilet is not “running” and fills and drains efficiently when flushed, you should be in the clear.

Preventative plumbing maintenance is necessary. It can save you headaches and reduce repair bills even if they are necessary. If your inspection turns up some leaky pipes then you should consider professional help. Feel free to visit us online, we have replaced toilets from Bradenton to Orlando and helped with many other plumbing problems.

Sources:

Do It Yourself.com

Good Services Plumbing and Heating

All Bay Home Inspection

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What to do With the Florida Room

Tired of Your Tub? Convert it!

Kids need to get outside and run around. Their bodies need the exercise and their parents need for them to release some pent-up energy. With all of the video games, websites and flat screen televisions that kids have access to, it is sometimes a little tough to convince them that they need to be outside and active. One great way to help coax them away from television or computer is to have backyard playground equipment installed. It gives them a toy that will keep them active and entertained for hours.

There are some things to take into account when you are choosing playground equipment for your children. You have to evaluate your back yard, all of the available products, and what your children need, among other factors.

Safety First

Every parent is concerned with the safety of their children. Backyard playground equipment can be very safe but you have to take a few things into account.

• What it’s made of- Playground equipment generally is made of wood, plastic or metal. All of these materials can be very durable, so long as you keep a few factors in mind.
  • Metal- Look for play sets constructed of galvanized steel. This is a durable, rust-resistant material that can handle the pressure your kids will put on the equipment while swinging, jumping, and otherwise having a good time.
  • Wood- You need a wood that doesn’t rot easily on its own (redwood or cedar) or that has been pressure treated. Wood that rots will eventually lead to injury, so spend the extra money.
• Corners- Your kids are going to be running and diving on the equipment. Look for equipment that does not have a lot of sharp corners, or better yet a set that has soft plastic covers over every corner.
• Two Yards- In this case, we mean six feet. This is the distance of open space that, at minimum, should be left open around the equipment. Swinging, sliding and other playful activity needs space, so do not put your child’s play set near a building, fence, or any other object.
• Flat surface- Your yard will probably need to be leveled before you have your playground equipment installed. Setting up a play set on uneven ground leads to a dangerously wobbly place for your children to play.
• Maintenance- Having a professional install the equipment lets you know that it is set up correctly and safely. Down the road you will want to pull out your tool set and make sure that all of the nuts and bolts are tightened and that your child is playing on structurally sound equipment.

Features

Some sets have slides, while others have swings or other features. Think about what will best suit your child when evaluating a play set.

• Swings- Swings are very popular features. Make sure that your children have a clear path while swinging (the six-foot rule) and that the bar that suspends the swings is made of steel or an extremely strong material. Also remember to check weight restrictions to ensure that your child’s weight is accommodated.
• Slides- These are very popular features and are usually made of a sturdy plastic. Make sure the slide will not drop your child in front of the swings or into an area that is likely to be heavily trafficked.
• Education- If you have small children, you can buy sets with features that will help stimulate their minds. Moving parts or attachments with letters and shapes can be a great for toddlers to learn basic lessons while playing outside. Do keep in mind that a play set entirely designed for little kids will not be fun once your children are a little older.
• Ropes, nets and ladders- Most equipment will have various ways for your kids to climb on or inside. Ladders and rope nets are fun for older kids, but might be a bit much for the younger ones. Make sure that your play set has options for every child in the family; you might also want to consider waiting to install some of the features geared towards older kids until your child grows up a bit.

Adding some playground equipment is a great way to get your kids outdoors. If your yard doesn’t accommodate a play set, you can look into a basketball hoop on the driveway or something similar. Spending a little bit now can keep your kids active for years to come.

Sources:
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
My Great Home
Choosing Backyard Play Equipment

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Kid Friendly Renovations

Were you planning on hosting a holiday party this year that you cancelled because you felt like your house couldn’t accommodate guests? Even a smaller home can be used for entertaining; it might just take a little remodeling. If you do want to do more entertaining, then you should incorporate this desire into your home renovation plans. Each room can be tweaked a bit to better accommodate guests.

The Kitchen

• Add an island- Having an island installed can be great for entertaining and for family use. It gives you a little extra counter space when you are getting your party appetizers ready and then converts into a place to serve food or a bar when your party starts.
• Keep it open- This rule will apply to all of your rooms. If you strategically place counters in ways that allow traffic, your kitchen will allow you more mobility and space for friends to collect and talk. Larger open kitchens have become more popular over the past several years, because the kitchen isn’t just for cooking anymore.
• Appliances- You might want to think about new appliances if you are renovating to entertain. You might need a larger refrigerator or a unit with a larger icemaker, maybe even a wine chiller to stock your favorites. You will want to consider these items when you are planning out cabinets and the layout of the kitchen.

The Living Room

• Open it up- Again, open spaces accommodate more guests. If you have a wall dividing your common areas, you might want to have it taken down. Avoid putting bookshelves or large entertainment centers near walkways. They will stifle traffic and cause backups. Having shelving built directly into walls can be a good way to store your things and eliminate large furniture. Shelving like this can easily be added during remodeling.
• Add seating- A house built for entertaining needs plenty of places to sit. These places should be comfortable and allow multiple people to take a load off and enjoy each other’s company. Having two or three seating areas in a large living room makes this common area a great place for a party.
• Provide access to other rooms- If your current living room is in a corner of the house or otherwise off on its own, you might want to consider repurposing it. Maybe use a more central dining room that connects to the kitchen and/or outside exit. This will allow party traffic to move freely throughout the house and give people multiple rooms, instead of trapping everyone in one confined area of the house. If you lose your dining room, consider a breakfast nook in the kitchen for family dining or purchase a dining room table that easily retracts or folds for storage during your events.

Take it outside

• Use the patio- Florida weather can be great for evening parties in the summer or anytime parties when it cools off a bit. Think about how nice a cocktail party on a screened in patio that has some contemporary outdoor tile could be. This remodeling idea can help you throw birthday parties for the kids in Naples or casual dinner parties for a select group of friends in Bradenton.
• Take it poolside- If your home has a pool, then you are ready for summertime parties. Birthday parties for the kids or a family-friendly Fourth of July barbecue beg for some poolside renovations. Try adding some pavers if your pool deck is smaller, to provide more space for people or even an outdoor table.

Every house has potential. With some planning and the advice of an expert, you can turn your house into an entertaining Mecca with some strategic renovations. Just think about what kind of parties you want to host and focus on the rooms that best accommodate them. If you would like some advice we would love to help; just call (800) 884-2639.

Sources:

Eplans.com

Building Materials 365

Renovator’s Place

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Time to Remodel but Where to Begin

Walls do more than break an open house into rooms; they play a very important role in the overall look of the home. A room can go from bland to brilliant with a few strokes of a paint brush or an afternoon of properly putting up wallpaper. You can surround yourself with your favorite colors, patterns and even images by way of finishing your walls. While both paint and wallpaper can do the trick, many people find themselves wondering which option is better.

As much as personal preference plays a role in any home renovation decision, there are some differences to consider between the two media.

• Ease of installation- Paint tends to win this argument hands down. Even a novice remodeler can effectively paint a wall. While this does not take texturing or painting patterns into account, spreading paint is considerably easier than the process of putting up wallpaper that is straight and free of air bubbles.
• Intricate design- Wallpaper takes the cake here. While you can absolutely paint intricate designs, it is far simpler to pick out a wallpaper pattern that you like. You literally have hundreds to choose from.
• Modern look- While this is the most debatable point we will make, we are choosing paint as the winner in this category. Many people associate wallpaper and their grandparents’ house. This is important to keep in mind–regardless of your personal opinion–if you are remodeling to help sell your home. A potential buyer might be turned off by what they perceive as an outdated look.
• Ease of replacement- Once again paint wins the battle. While dark paints may take several layers of primer, properly changing wallpaper is more time consuming and difficult. It is possible to wallpaper or even paint over existing wallpaper, but this is not recommended. Having multiple layers on your wall can lead to air bubbles in the future.
• Longevity- Wallpaper easily wins the longevity argument. Paint needs to be touched up every few years, while quality wallpaper can easily last a decade or more. The only question becomes whether you are happy with having the exact same walls for a decade plus.
• Cost- Up front paint is considerably less expensive than wallpaper. While there is an argument for wallpaper’s longevity (bringing its total cost down), paint is still generally less expensive. Think about it like this: you buy wallpaper by the square foot and paint by the gallon.

While this is an unofficial set of guidelines, we have paint winning the competition 4-2. Our guidelines took aesthetics, functionality and monetary factors into account so by our decision-making process the choice is easy. As we said, your own personal tastes may value aesthetics more than other factors, so some people will choose wallpaper and there is nothing wrong with that. In the end you should be happy with your walls.

If you have any questions about your options when it comes to finishing off your walls or need a helping hand in getting the job done feel free to visit us online.

Sources:

Searchwarp.com

Remodeling Geeks

Do It Yourself.com

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Interior Doors-More than Finishing Touches

Top Tips for Choosing a Contractor or Repairman

One of the overlooked finishing touches inside a home are the interior doors. Doors can add to the look of a room or house and provide privacy, yet most people overlook them and opt to focus more on paint, bathroom fixtures or even countertops (not that any of those aren’t important; we’re just saying don’t forget about doors.)

The best way to begin is to go over the common types of interior doors.

• Hinged Doors- These are the most common doors that every house has. They attach to the door frame via hinges and swing open and closed. While they are basic, you can get hinged doors in various styles so you can match the doors with molding and trim.
• Pocket Doors- These doors slide in and out of the wall itself. They are attached to a track that makes it easy for them to be opened and closed. These doors allow you to have closure in a room if you want, while giving you the option of keeping the doorway a completely open walkway. They are also good in tight spaces that might not accommodate a swinging hinged door.
• Folding Doors- These are doors with several sections. The sections fold and press against each other when they are opened. This type of door is good for large openings as they can be made with many sections. You commonly see them on closets and pantries.
• Bypass Doors- These are similar to folding doors in their use but are not always the best for large spaces. They involve multiple sections that slide on separate tracks. As you open one section it slides behind another. Sliding glass doors are the most common type of bypass door.

You will need to choose your doors based upon:

· The size of the doorway- If your opening is more than a traditional hinged door can handle you will have to decide which other type of door suites you best.

· The space around the doorway- If the doorway is in a hallway or a tight space you will probably factor in the area needed for a swinging door. You might want to look at a pocket door that won’t take up any more space than the doorway itself.

· How sealed you want the room to be- If the door is only in place for aesthetics or to keep pets or children out, you won’t need a very thick door. A folding or bypass door will be perfect. If the point of the door is privacy, you will need to think your choice out a little more. Likely you are thinking about a hinged door, but remember that they come in different thicknesses. Most interior doors are hollow core. This means that the door is made of two pieces of plywood that are spaced by either wood or thick cardboard, leaving the rest of the door hollow. While they do the trick, they are not that sturdy (if security is an issue) and they don’t block noise. If you want a thicker door you will be looking at engineered wood doors or solid wood doors. Engineered wood doors are made of compressed wood with solid wood support systems. They are heavier and stop noise effectively. Solid wood doors are a far more expensive and generally unnecessary option, so save that expense for exterior doors.

· Your personal preferences- Remember doors are functional finishing touches. Realistically you could live in your home without them, but they add function and aesthetics. Pick out doors that match your trim and molding to tie the room together. Also look into painting or staining your wood doors to match with the colors of the room.

Once you have picked your doors out, you are ready to have them installed. While this can be done by the adventurous homeowner, it may be better to call in a professional. Incorrectly framing a door can cause it to rub against the frame, wear and even stick.

Sources:

Home Interiors Zone
Bob Vila
Home Addition Plus

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One of the life factors that influences a great deal of home renovation projects is children. When they arrive and as they grow older, they have changing needs and interests which are often reflected by the way that your home is arranged. Growing up brings a need for different furniture, safety parameters, and, of course, age appropriate interior design. What measures must be taken to ensure that your home renovation works for both you and your child? We recommend that you take safety, design, and flexibility into account when planning your kid-friendly home. Once you have installed your kid-friendly electrical socket covers and cabinet locks you can start to think about bigger home remodeling jobs.

• Non-toxic paints and finishes- Whether it is for aesthetics or protection of furniture, many of the things in your home will have some form of exterior coating. Look at your materials, from paint to finish for wood furniture, and make sure that they are not toxic. You can talk to salespeople or your trusted handyman to ensure that you use materials that will not have ill effects on your children when they come into contact with them. Generally speaking, you will want a material that is made from organic, as opposed to synthetic, compounds. Bear in mind that finishing for floors and adhesives foe carpet will also contain similar chemicals so be careful when you choose these products as well.
  • Off Gassing- Off gassing is the process of a paint or finish releasing some its compounds as it dries. The compounds are sometimes toxic. When renovating, open doors and windows and use fans to help the substances dry. Be sure that all of your paint/finish is dry before you put the room back together and let your child play or sleep there. Paints and finishes are classified as VOC’s because of the tendency to off-gas. You can purchase materials that are low VOC or even non-VOC.
• Height- One thing that you know for sure is that your child will grow. While they may need “kid size” furniture and home additions now, children will outgrow them almost as quickly as they do their clothes. For this reason we suggest that you stick to adult-size appliances such as toilets and sinks. Do not get appliances that are suited for tall people as this is not logical but there is no need to buy a “kid’s size” toilet and sink that they will have to stoop to use once they hit middle school. Instead incorporate kid-safe stools in the bathroom and even the bedroom. You can purchase kid-size closet organizers with cubbies and install low shelves that they can use until they are tall enough to use hangers and taller dressers. Focus on less expensive yet safe additions for small children while you plan for them to get taller.
• Non-Toxic furnishings- You will want to dress up your home with blinds, rugs and other finishing touches that have both functional and aesthetic value. Be sure to look at what these furnishings are made of. Children will hide behind drapes and crawl around on rugs while playing. Many furnishings are made from synthetic materials, so read labels and packaging. Just like with paints and finishes, you want to buy furnishings that are made from organic materials and are not finished with harsh chemicals intended to protect the fabric. Proper washing and drying will prevent your non-toxic furnishings from being dirty or picking up foul odors, while creating a safe environment for your little ones at the same time.
• Leave room to grow- Keep in mind that you might want to make changes several times as your kids grow up. Use paint to dress up rooms as opposed to more expensive additions when appropriate. Paint is easy to change and requires less construction work. Buy beds that can adjust in height so that you can set them up lower while your child is young but raise them as they grow. We advise against completely child themed bedrooms because the cost up front is often expensive and the “investment” will be worthless once they no longer love cartoon characters or superheroes. Pictures, posters and other decorations will help create a kid-themed room that can later be transitioned.

Arranging your house until it becomes a home for the whole family is on every homeowner’s to-do list. With proper planning and advice from your expert handyman you will end up with a design that meets both your wants and your needs.

Sources:
Handyman Connection- Home Renovation
Freshome.com
Home and Garden Television
Healthy Child.org
Child Perspective.com
American Chemistry