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Ah, the lounge room. The place where you come home to after a hard day’s work, kick off those shoes and sit back and relax. Put on some Netflix and have a glass of wine and snuggle up to that special someone. And you’ve just purchased a brand new lounge suite. You’re going to want to keep it looking spick and span. Let’s check out seven different ways you can take care of that new suite.

Leather Care

Let’s say you’ve purchased that brand new leather lounge suites. Leather looks great, is as comfy as can be and is totally luxurious, but it requires some care and attention. In order to keep that leather feeling soft and smooth, don’t use any abrasives, solvents or detergents to clean it. Use a specialised leather cleaner and a slightly damp cloth to wipe it down. Do this once a week or once a fortnight. Don’t leave it any longer than that.

Pets Off!

While we all love our four-legged friends, they’re bad news when it comes to keeping a lounge suite looking great. Paws and claws can scratch and mar a perfect looking couch and armchair set, leaving it looking shabby and damaged. Lay down the law and ensure that your pets know their place – on the floor. By all means get them a comfortable bed or cushion so they don’t feel left out.

In Case of Stains

Accidents happen, we know. Instead of freaking out, there’s a few steps you can take if your new lounge suite sustains a stain. If it’s an oily type of stain – for example, from chocolate, fats, makeup or a drink, dab the area lightly with a paper towel at first. Then get some neutral soap and a damp, clean cloth and wipe it from the outside in. Dry it with a dry cloth. Take care not to use heaps of pressure, as this can push the stain into the leather.

A Word on Heat

Heat is not your new lounge suite’s friend. Keep it away from direct heat sources – such as heating ducts and split systems and wall heaters. Also, keep it away from direct sunlight. Place it in the room so it’s not in the path of the sun coming through the windows. Heat sources can fade and wear the leather or fabric, leaving it faded and sorry-looking.

Don’t Dry Clean or Machine Wash

This tip is self-explanatory. Keep your suite and cushions away from the washing machine and clean them by hand!

Vacuum and Dust

Make sure to vacuum the suite regularly, paying attention to both the surface and below the cushions. Use the soft, brushy vacuum head to suck up all that dirt and dust that accumulates week-in, week-out.

Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions

When in doubt, break out the owner’s manual, which will give you a list of do’s and dont’s for your new furnishings.

Be Careful with Food and Drinks

This is self-explanatory, but if you insist on enjoying a beverage and a snack while relaxing on your new suite, take care. If you really want to preserve it for a long time, take your meals and drinks at the dining room table.

In Summary

To conclude, always be careful when eating and drinking on or new your new lounge furnishings. Be sure to read the manual and paperwork that comes with the lounge suite and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Never dry clean or machine wash the cushions, fabric or leather and keep it away from heat sources.

Make sure your furry friends have their own cushion or bed to chill out on, and use a proper leather cleaner to clean any leather. Finally, if you do stain it, follow the instructions above to avoid a lasting blemish! Enjoy and relax.

Choosing a new door for your home is quite a big issue; it is one of the first things your visitors and neighbours will see, and it is something you are going to open and close every day.

There are also a range of styles and materials to choose from, making the situation even more complex. Thankfully, this article highlights the top 5 advantages of owning an aluminium front door and why this should be your choice for your next front door.

1. High thermal insulation

Aluminium doors have higher thermal insulation, meaning you can save money on your energy bills!

Yes, you heard that correctly, they allow for optimal levels of insulation to be achieved all year round due to the method of manufacturing. The door leaves are placed on the glazing and the leaf profile is reinforced with carbon glass fibre, which helps to keep out draughts by preventing thermal bridges and maintaining the warmth of your home.

Those who like plenty of daylight to come into their home, but don’t want to compromise on insulation can opt for a glass front door with an aluminium profile – which offers a welcoming entrance and delivers on insulation.

2. High security

Everyone wants to feel safe in the comfort of their own home, and an aluminium front door allows you to do just that. They are tough, sturdy and are usually manufactured with multiple-point locking which helps protect against forced entry.

To put your mind at ease even further, reputable aluminium door providers will provide the option of break in resistant RC equipment to give you even more security. This, combined with 8mm think laminated safety glass (if you opt for a window aluminium door), will make forced entry near impossible. In case of an attempted breakage, the glass splinters also remain on the plastic film, preventing hazardous injuries

3. High acoustic insulation

Superior to plastic and timber doors, aluminium doors deliver acoustic insulation when you need it most. The thick insulation and laminated glass help to keep noises at bay, which is very useful if you live on a busy main road with high volumes of traffic. Keeping out loud exterior noises means you can enjoy a more peaceful home experience with your family and friends.

4. High stability

Aluminium front doors from reputable companies use their expertise to create unique products which undergo endurance tests in real-life conditions, so you can be assured of a durable and stable aluminium front door. Most come with a 5 year guarantee, and in some instances come with a 10 year guarantee – so you know they will last and are made with quality.

5. Stylish

Modern style dictates that aluminium doors are fashionable. Their durability means that they look new for years, and the contemporary design offers a stylish entrance which will impress your family and guests.

Glaze finishes and colour options are available, allowing you to personalise your front door to your requirements. Side elements and transom lights can also make your aluminium door unique – so don’t be surprised if your neighbours start asking where you got your new front door from!

If you’ve been considering adding a focus feature to your home, there are a few design questions you should ask yourself. Features can vary from accent walls to sculptures to fountains, and the best option is the one that fits your home’s design aesthetic. It’s important to consider the overall plan for the space and choose something that suits the other design elements of the room. No matter what you’re considering adding, read on to discover easy ways to find a feature that will fit right in to your home.

Accent Walls and Decals

If you’re looking to repaint, adding an accent wall or wall decal is an easy way to brighten up a boring space and take the art and furniture in a room to the next level. It doesn’t need to be bright red to be effective, it only needs to offset the color palette of the room enough to create an interesting contrast. This can be an off white wall in a room of color, or a darker shade of the room’s color on a back wall to give the illusion of space. Wall decals and painted patterns are also a great way to give character to a blank wall. Images of birds and plants can be an interesting feature in an urban space, of to the opposite effect, brick details can create structure in a more whimsical space.

Fountains and Water Features

A fountain is a deceptively simple way to add elegance and motion to a room in a way that’s noticeable but not distracting. The sound of running water can be a great addition to a home office to help with concentration, or to a yoga or meditation space for a sense of calm. Fountains can be freestanding or wall mounted, and depending on the size and nature of the room, either could be the right choice. Look at what open space you want to fill, and there’s almost certainly a fountain to suit your taste and design needs.

Sculptures and Standing Art

Sculptures are a fantastic way to break up a broad space and give dimension to simple open areas. They’re a better option for homes without little kids running around, but can be more kid friendly, especially if they’re not sharp metal or hard stone. If you’re considering adding a sculpture to your home, make sure you find one that’s the right height so as not to make ceilings look lower. To get the most out of a focus feature, it’s also a good idea not to simply drop it in the middle of the room, but to place it strategically in a spot that’s hard to miss, but that can still easily blend into a design landscape.

No matter what you’re considering as a focus feature, with a bit of creativity and good judgment, there’s plenty of success to be had. Take an honest look at your space, needs, and means, and do some research to find out what best suits your situation. A little change can go a long way!

Your home should be your sanctuary away from the outside world. It should be the place where you can kick back, relax, and release your inhibitions. If your home isn’t providing the comfort you need, then you’ll have to make some changes. Here are a few small things you can do to increase the coziness level of your abode.

Regulate Your Home’s Humidity Levels

Most people don’t even consider the humidity level in their home. However, humidity plays a large role in how comfortable you feel. Optimally, humidity levels should be between 40 and 60 percent. Any higher, and your home will feel overheated. Being below that range makes it seem too cold.

One way to regulate your home’s humidity level is to have a whole-home dehumidifier installed. You can also add in ventilation in moist rooms like bathrooms or kitchens.

Pick New Colors

While neutral colors are the trend right now, they aren’t exactly friendly tones. These plain whites and beiges often leave something to be desired. If you’d like your home to have a more personalized feel, try painting your walls a slightly darker color, such as brown or gray. These tones can add a bit of drama without being too over-the-top. For even more vibrancy, use some metallic accents.

Add Some House Plants

Image via Flickr by F.D. Richards

Not only do plants add a pleasant touch to any room, but they also help to purify the air by converting carbon dioxide into oxygen. They’ll add some necessary green and give you a sense of accomplishment when you keep them alive. Just their presence works wonders for soothing stress and helping relieve your anxiety.

Display Photos and Artwork

If you really want a house to feel like a home, make sure to put up photos of your family and friends on the walls. Remembering the good times you’ve had in the past is sure to put you at ease and lighten your mood. Artwork is also a good tool, as you can hang a number of colorful and pleasing pictures as accent pieces.

Put a Rug on the Floor

Image via Flickr by DesignFolly.com

Plain carpet can get boring after a while. If you have hardwood floors, they can be both literally and figuratively cold. One way to spice up the environment and reduce chill on your feet is to throw down a few accent rugs. This will instantly brighten things up.

Update Your Lighting

Lighting plays a large role in the mood and atmosphere of a room. If your home is outfitted with fixtures from the 70s that still use fluorescent bulbs, it’s time to make a change. New fixtures, such as recessed lighting, are making a comeback and offer a beautiful glow without being too overpowering. Another option is to simply use string lights, as these give off a comfortable shimmer that will that will create a tranquil oasis.

By making a few of these changes, you’ll start feeling more at home in your house in no time. In fact, you might make your rooms so cozy that you never want to leave.