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Time & money| Think before guessing a guy’s decorating taste: Women make 80 percent of household furniture choices, according to Rowe Furniture. But failing to consider what looks men might want to live with can be a recipe for domestic discontent. Prevent gender battles by considering the following “Buying for Guys” tips from Rowe Furniture designers:
Guys who huddle up on game days prefer sectionals to sofas.
Take a hint from men’s clothing – plaids and stripes rule.
Armless chairs work well for multitasking busybodies.
TV addicts relish dual-purpose furniture like storage ottomans.
Energy| Cheap relief from temperature extremes: GILA, the 28-year-old window-film manufacturer, recently conducted a survey that determined homeowners save an average of $99 a season by installing do-it-yourself window film, and those savings can last for a decade. For roughly 80 cents a square foot, window films reflect heat from the sun, retain heat in the winter and cool air in the summer, reduce glare and block UV rays. Even the authors of “Home Maintenance for Dummies,” James and Morris Carey, tout the benefits of window film: “For years we have recommended window film to homeowners as part of their home improvement and energy efficiency plan.” Visit gilafilms.com for more information and retailers.
Space| “De-cluttering” tops spring cleaning to-dos: The Housekeeping Channel, a Web-only home and design information clearinghouse, reports that 42 percent of polled homeowners consider getting rid of clutter to be their top challenge. The tools necessary for clearing the way in a storm of disorganization are no-brainers: trash bags, storage boxes or bins, paper shredder (optional), time and determination. But house keepingchannel.com also offer the following “Tips for De-Cluttering”:
Focus! Zero in on one closet, drawer or bureau at a time.
File paperwork. Or trash it.
Simplify paperwork by keeping “life” documents such as birth certificates in a safety deposit box and financial records in a fireproof box.
When you buy something new for the house, find one item to remove. (Also a good rule of thumb for clothes horses.)
Clutter-proof storage areas by installing plenty of hooks and shelves.
Compiled by Elana Ashanti Jefferson
