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.
Carol Abrahamson
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