Archive for the ‘The Place called Home’ Category
Storing Shelves for your Garage
Are you using your garage for little more than parking your car? You’re missing out on the perfect place for storing everything from sporting equipment to Christmas decorations. If you’re thinking that there’s no space for garage storage then maybe you need some shelving to increase your storage space. Here are some tips to buying storing shelves for your garage.
Shelving can be found at any home improvement or hardware store. There are two basic types of shelving which includes prefabricated shelves and ones that can be made in your garage. The prefabricated shelving is usually self enclosed where as shelving kits are designed for mounting on your garage wall.
Shelving kits for building your own shelving is usually a inch length of plywood, brackets and strips to attach the brackets. The piece of plywood varies depending on the length you need. They usually come in standard sizes or you can have them cut (or cut them yourself) to fit your needs. While you generally won’t care about the aesthetics, you can buy them pre-laminated so spills are easier to clean up. The strips for attaching the brackets have several slots so the shelving can be easily adjusted once mounted. If you’re not affixing the strips to a stud then you’ll need appropriate anchors as well.
Make sure you heed the weight requirements of all equipment. Brackets and anchors will clearly state their recommended maximum weight range. It’s always better to err on the side of safety and get equipment that can hold more than less. You never know what you’ll be storing on the shelves in the future. This will save you from having to repair the drywall later.
The depth of your shelving depends on what your needs are but the standard is between 19 and 25 inches. A good idea is to set out everything you want to place on the shelves and then determine what you need. If you’re still unsure then just stick to the standard sizes.
There is also floor or ceiling mounted shelving which can also be a huge space saver. 2×4’s are attached to the flooring or ceiling in an “L” shape and then the shelving is attaches to the 2×4’s.
Prefabricated shelving comes in a variety of styles and materials. If you’ll be storing lightweight items such as boxes of Christmas decorations, then plastic shelving will do the trick. They come in various sizes and they’re stackable so you can buy as many shelves and supports as you need. There is also metal shelving for your heavier items. They are great for durability but usually can’t be altered or added to so customization may not be an option. Prefabricated metal shelving should be adjustable so it can accommodate items of different heights.
Now that you have a rundown of shelving you’re ready to use your garage for more than just a car.
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Tags: no space, shelving, storage in garage
Loving the Condo Lifestyle
M.A. (California) asks: “Kay, I want to downsize from my single-family home. I hear all this talk about how great the condominium lifestyle is. Are there any bad things?”
Dear M.A.: Luxury versions, low cost models, and those in between are the types of condos found in big cities, near suburbs, and resort areas. They come in all sizes and shapes. Condominium developments are sprouting up as you can see every time you drive down the freeway. The condominium lifestyle is very popular.
Let’s start with the definition of a condominium association:
Membership is mandatory and automatic upon purchase of a unit in a condo association.
All owners are bound by the condominium association’s governing documents.
Maintenance or condo fees are mandatory assessments. They are charged to each owner in order to operate and maintain the condominium’s property.
Use and enjoyment of the property are for all owners.
There are advantages of the condo lifestyle:
Why pay rent when you can be building equity? Owning your own home is a wise investment.
An income tax deduction may be the interest on your mortgage loan.
You can enjoy the lifestyle of freedom from performing exterior maintenance.
The recreational facilities are shared. The cost is born by all members, whereas you may not be able to afford them on your own.
When you want to take a vacation, just lock your door and go! The security system is “built in” because your neighbors are in close proximity.
All ages can enjoy activities that are planned for social and special occasions.
You may have a voice in the management by offering your services to the board of directors or special committees.
Property values normally increase because condominium living is a very popular lifestyle, and the association makes sure the property’s appearance is professionally maintained.
This lifestyle has a downside:
You may have to “get used to” the lifestyle.
There are restrictions about what you can do.
You may disagree with your neighbors.
You may not have any control over the assessments (maintenance fees) and special assessments charged to all owners.
Colors and styles of the building exteriors and choices of landscape plantings are controlled by the board.
Another restriction or inconvenience may be the limited parking.
The environment may be difficult for the handicapped to navigate.
Because the decisions in a condominium association are made by the board of directors, you may not be able to have a direct influence on those decisions. This means you will have to let other people make them, and they may make ones that you don’t like. Letting go of that control can be difficult for some people.
Is living in a condo different from living in your own single-family home? “Good-different” if you can reap the benefits this lifestyle has to offer. “Bad-different” if you have no intention of conforming or are unaware that there are differences. Depending on your attitude, you could be annoyed on a daily basis or you could enjoy your new lifestyle.
Understanding that you are sharing the operation and maintenance of your home with all the owners in the association helps you to appreciate that you don’t carry the entire burden. You have time to explore your other interests.
Do your homework by reading, or having your attorney read, the governing documents and rules. Then you will know the advantages and disadvantages of lifestyle in your particular condominium before you buy it.
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Tags: condo living, condominium, lifestyle
Designing Your Home with Mountain Cabin Plans
Mountain cabin plans are designed to be built into the side of a hill, or a sloped terrain of some degree. Mountain house plans are also called hillside floor plans, or sloped lot floor plans. But no matter what you call them, they all have a couple of things in common.
While one side of the lower level, or basement is outside in the open light, the other three sides are set into the side of a hill. Most mountain floor plans have this feature, called a walk out basement.
You may also choose to have your mountain cabin plans designed to have no underground at all. It really is about what it is you desire the most. Many hillside floor designs feature a wide open area for maximal outside views.
Do you plan to use mountain cabin plans to build your home into a hillside, or to just build your cabin in the mountains? This is why it is important to have the building site chosen before you search for that perfect cabin floor plan.
What kind of public utilities will you be able to hook-up to? Are they available at your property site? Or will you have to supply your own? The more that you need to supply yourself, the more expensive it will be to use the mountain cabin plans.
In your search for the perfect mountain cabin plans, decide if you want your home partially in a hillside, or not. If so, search for hillside floor plans, or mountain floor plans. If not, search for cabin floor plans.
I can’t think of anything more enjoyable, than to be with nature up in the mountains, relaxing in our own private cabin. For most of us, it is well worth the longer drive to go back and forth from society.
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Tags: building on a hill, creative living, hillside floor plans, home design, mountain cabin plans, sloped lot floor plans
