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An ExtraOrdinary Home Is Easily Within Reach Of Virtually Every Homeowner
Planning to remodel, repair or build a new home? Looking forsome 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 beganwriting books and consulting to help people have trulyextraordinary -- but affordable -- homes. Here are some of ourfavorite ideas that cost virtually nothing to add to a projectthat's already going to require open walls, ceilings and/orfloors. Add a handful of these, and you'll be on your way towardcreating a home that's truly beyond the ordinary!
* A bedside light switch. Control all the bedroom and nearbyhall lights from bed, and consider a dimmer that goes frombright light to soft light with merely the flick of your wristwhen you get up after dark. Overnight guests who aren't familiarwith their room's setup will find this especially handy whenthey move around at night. (Be sure you know exactly where yourheadboard will be, so this switch doesn't get hidden behind it.)
* Lots of lights on dimmer switches. One of their benefits ishow dramatically they reduce the need to replace burned-outlightbulbs. This offers you light-level options you can't getwith low-wattage bulbs controlled by traditional on/offswitches. Plus you get those varied levels all from a singleswitch.
* Indoor switches that control all your outdoor holidaydecorations' outlets. No more having to go outside in nastyweather or late at night to turn the lights on or off!
* Optimal heights of each electrical outlet, both indoors andoutside. Outlets at waist height are easier to access from astanding position than those closer to the floor, especially ifbending down is difficult.
* Countertops that are the right heights for your home'sinhabitants. For example, tall adults --
and seniors who find itdifficult to bend over -- might want their bathroom countertopsand sinks to be higher than usual. Others might prefer themlower.
* A dishwasher that's one foot above the floor, to minimizebending to load and unload it.
* Hose-mounted, hand-held faucets for easy sink, bathtub orshower use. They also help when you're cleaning those areas.Plus they can fill pots on nearby cooking burners or buckets onthe floor, rinse kids or pets in the bathtub, and allowshowering while seated.
* Cedar tiles on closet and cabinet ceilings or walls whereveryou store wool items. No more moths or other bugs feasting onyour sweaters or blankets!
* A pantry that you convert an unused broom closet into byinstalling pullout or stationary shelves, bins and/or racks.
* A detachable garbage bin mounted inside a pullout or tiltoutcabinet door or storage bench, or inside a closet door. No moretripping over freestanding garbage cans!
Like this article? Then you'll love our books with dozens ofinnovative, affordable ideas just like these! We also offer afree e-book at www.extraordinaryhomes.com: The 34 ExtraOrdinaryHome Principles: Over 70 Fabulous, Affordable, Innovative IdeasThat'll Improve Your Life and WOW You!
© Copyright 2005 by Carol Abrahamson/ExtraOrdinary Homes. Allrights reserved.
About the author:
Carol Abrahamson consults, writes and makes presentations aboutmore than 1,000 of these fabulous features that can improve yourlife, add value to your home and make you the talk of the town.She spent years researching them via thousands of sources justso you can quickly and easily use them to create youraffordable, extraordinary Home of Your Dreams?. Learn more abouther work via www.extraordinaryhomes.com orcarol@extraordinaryhomes.com.
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