Search
Related Links



    

Informative Articles

A Guide to Bathroom Vanities
When it comes to sharing bathroom space, the vanity set up can make or break the relationship! Many couples spend a great deal of time focusing on spa bathtubs and marble showers, but neglect the space where they actually spend a greater amount...

Concrete Cutting: The Unknown Niche
What is Concrete Cutting? Concrete cutting is a process of controlled sawing, drilling and removal of concrete performed by skilled operators using special saws that use diamond impregnated blades. Unlike the old-fashioned dusty "jack...

Fountains of Refreshment
When hot, sticky days hit, try to use all your senses to keep cool. Sight and sound have amazing psychological effects, even when the thermometer soars. One of the most cooling and relaxing sounds I know is that of a trickling spring. It...

How to make your Backyard a Wonderland Oasis
Home and garden accessories make the difference between house and home. Unfortunately, quality accessories can be notoriously expensive and in today's economy, finding beauty at a price one can afford is sometimes difficult but can be done. The...

Top Electrician Jobs
In today’s high speed world where information moves at the speed of light across the country, electrician jobs go unfilled for lack of qualified, talented individuals. There are entire websites and head hunting personnel firms that specialize in...

 
An ExtraOrdinary Home Is Easily Within Reach Of Virtually Every Homeowner

Planning to remodel, repair or build a new home? Looking for some terrific features to include that won't be budget busters? We can help! We started collecting over 1,000 uncommon, affordable convenience built-ins in 1998, when we first began writing books and consulting to help people have truly extraordinary -- but affordable -- homes. Here are some of our favorite ideas that cost virtually nothing to add to a project that's already going to require open walls, ceilings and/or floors. Add a handful of these, and you'll be on your way toward creating a home that's truly beyond the ordinary!

* A bedside light switch. Control all the bedroom and nearby hall lights from bed, and consider a dimmer that goes from bright light to soft light with merely the flick of your wrist when you get up after dark. Overnight guests who aren't familiar with their room's setup will find this especially handy when they move around at night. (Be sure you know exactly where your headboard will be, so this switch doesn't get hidden behind it.)

* Lots of lights on dimmer switches. One of their benefits is how dramatically they reduce the need to replace burned-out lightbulbs. This offers you light-level options you can't get with low-wattage bulbs controlled by traditional on/off switches. Plus you get those varied levels all from a single switch.

* Indoor switches that control all your outdoor holiday decorations' outlets. No more having to go outside in nasty weather or late at night to turn the lights on or off!

* Optimal heights of each electrical outlet, both indoors and outside. Outlets at waist height are easier to access from a standing position than those closer to the floor, especially if bending down is difficult.

* Countertops that are the right heights for your home's inhabitants. For example, tall adults --


and seniors who find it difficult to bend over -- might want their bathroom countertops and sinks to be higher than usual. Others might prefer them lower.

* A dishwasher that's one foot above the floor, to minimize bending to load and unload it.

* Hose-mounted, hand-held faucets for easy sink, bathtub or shower use. They also help when you're cleaning those areas. Plus they can fill pots on nearby cooking burners or buckets on the floor, rinse kids or pets in the bathtub, and allow showering while seated.

* Cedar tiles on closet and cabinet ceilings or walls wherever you store wool items. No more moths or other bugs feasting on your sweaters or blankets!

* A pantry that you convert an unused broom closet into by installing pullout or stationary shelves, bins and/or racks.

* A detachable garbage bin mounted inside a pullout or tiltout cabinet door or storage bench, or inside a closet door. No more tripping over freestanding garbage cans!

Like this article? Then you'll love our books with dozens of innovative, affordable ideas just like these! We also offer a free e-book at www.extraordinaryhomes.com: The 34 ExtraOrdinary Home Principles: Over 70 Fabulous, Affordable, Innovative Ideas That'll Improve Your Life and WOW You!

© Copyright 2005 by Carol Abrahamson/ExtraOrdinary Homes. All rights reserved.

About the author:

Carol Abrahamson consults, writes and makes presentations about more than 1,000 of these fabulous features that can improve your life, add value to your home and make you the talk of the town. She spent years researching them via thousands of sources just so you can quickly and easily use them to create your affordable, extraordinary Home of Your Dreams™. Learn more about her work via www.extraordinaryhomes.com or carol@extraordinaryhomes.com.