House & Garden

A Simple Guide to Light Switch Covers That Proves It’s All in the Details

Finally got around to remodelling your home? What a thrill! There’s always an unprecedented level of excitement that comes with adding new décor items and tailoring everything to your taste and preferences. Naturally, people tend to focus on the big picture, whether it’s the type of sofa to include in the living room or which home lighting fixtures to fit in the kitchen. So much to do, yet so little time to do it.

While all of those are certainly important decisions to make, you shouldn’t overlook the details either. Think about it this way, would you be able to finish the entire puzzle if you’re missing a few key pieces? Definitely not. Similarly, you’ll need to put the finishing touches on your home with some fine details.

Hear us out on our suggestion for perhaps the most crucial accessory that’s both functional and practical – sturdy light switch covers for added safety. More on this in just a bit.

The Ultimate Guide to Buying Bath Towels

Self-care routines needn’t be complicated. Simply having a good quality bath towel is one easy way to pamper yourself – after all, you do need to bathe in order to stay clean and maintain your personal hygiene. Bath linens, including bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths are as much fashion accessories as they are a necessity in every household.

From the comforting warmth of a fluffy bath towel to the subtle artistic touch of a well-placed hand towel, bath linens can enhance the overall look and feel of your bathroom. Although it seems insignificant, the warm and cosy feeling of a clean bath towel lends an ambience of contentment and comfort to the beginning and end of each day.

Having a pleasant, luxurious bathing experience largely depends on the towel which you use after taking the warm shower. You could get an uncomfortable experience if you use the wrong one. So you should have the right idea about your bath towel. Given the wide range of colourful and soft towels, you might be a bit confused when choosing the right one. This towel buying guide will help you pick the best bath towels for you to pamper yourself at home.

How to Choose Bath Towels

Though it can be a bit confusing, finding the right bath towel sets is not as difficult as you think – after all, it all comes down to your personal preference. Some people like super-soft, ultra-absorbent cotton towels, while others prefer quick-drying, lighter fabric towels.

When towel shopping, the feel and absorbency are very important considerations. The primary function of a towel is to soak in any moisture content so it has to be absorbent. But what usually catches your eye is the colour and the style of the towel. Let’s take a closer look at these towel buying considerations that will help you make your choice better and faster.

Absorbency

The primary function of a towel is to soak in any moisture content so it has to be absorbent. When choosing a bath towel look for a nice deep pile created with thin yarns. There is a standard of measurement for fabric called GSM or grams per square meter that will help you understand whether your towel has a deep pile and thin yarn. GSM shows the fabric weight – the higher the number, the more material has gone into each square of fabric. Generally, a GSM higher than 500 is a good indicator of a quality towel.

Thicker, heavier towels are usually more absorbent than thinner, lighter towels. Whether it’s Egyptian, Pima, Combed, or Carded, cotton towels are typically ultra-absorbent. Towels made with rayon are even better at absorbing water than cotton. Keep in mind that the more absorbent the towel, the more time it takes to dry when laundering.

Softness

More often than not, towels feel softer in the store than they do after a few washes. All that hard water and friction along with the regular exposure to oil and soil can wear the fabric down. Towels made with rayon and Pima or Egyptian cotton are very soft as their yarn is smooth and silky and less prone to fuzzies. Towels need a little tender loving care now and then, in order to keep them feeling their best. Actually, the secret to super-soft towels is to wash them properly, avoiding overdosing with detergent as it can leave towels stiff.

Style

When it comes to style, there is a wide range of soft and fluffy bath towel sets coming in eye-catching designs and a rainbow array of colors that you can choose from to complement your bathroom decor. A fresh set of simple white or towels in soft neutral colours is a timeless choice, adding a sophisticated and stunning deep look to your bathroom.

Types of Bath Towels

You will definitely want a luxury bath towel set that is soft, absorbent, quick-drying, and shrink-resistant, but a lot would depend on the type of fabric. The material type is the most important feature of a bath towel. Most bath towels are made of cotton, and there are different types of cotton towels that vary in their softness, absorbency, durability, and colourfastness.

Here are some of the most common bath towel fabrics:

Organic Cotton Bath Towels

Of all the raw materials that are used to make towels, cotton is the most preferable choice. As a natural product, organic cotton is free of chemicals, untouched by unnatural fertilizers or pesticides. Unlike synthetic fibres, organic cotton bath towels are super absorbent, durable, and breathable. They are extremely soft and comfortable for use as the cotton doesn’t irritate your skin. In addition, cotton bath towels come in different colours other than white which gives them a fine finish.

Egyptian Cotton Bath Towels

Egyptian cotton bath towels are one of the most popular types of bath towels. Made of the highest quality cotton, Egyptian cotton bath towels are extremely durable and can have a very long lifespan if properly cared for. The fibres used for this particular bath towel are extra-long and highly absorbent. Hence, their exquisiteness combined with pretty colours makes them a popular choice among many people.

Pima Cotton Bath Towels

Pima cotton is the American cousin of Egyptian cotton. As an extra-long staple length fibre, Pima cotton is perfect for creating luxurious and durable towel sets that ensure excellent quality and colourfastness wash after wash. Like their Egyptian relative, Pima cotton bath towels are known for being strong and very absorbent.

Turkish Cotton Bath Towels

Made with extra-long cotton fibres, Turkish bath towels are similar to Egyptian cotton towels. These thick and luxurious towels are known for being soft, fluffy, and strong. Turkish bath towels can endure a lot of wear and tear, which gives them a long life span. Though they may not be as absorbent as Egyptian cotton, Turkish towels are still absorbent and ideal for soaking moisture, especially in warm, humid climates.

Bamboo Bath Towels

Bamboo bath towels are another popular towel option due to their eco-friendliness. Bamboo bath towels can be made by using 100% bamboo, but more often than not towel manufacturers use a blend of bamboo and cotton. A bamboo-cotton blend is known for being fluffy and flexible. It’s also super absorbent, odor-resistant, and durable. In addition, the bamboo plant is naturally anti-bacterial, owing to its growth in a pest-free environment. Infused with vibrant colour shades bamboo towels surely look very appealing,

Microfiber Bath Towels

As a fairly new type, microfiber bath towels have gained much attention in the last few decades. Made from polyester and polyamide fibres in an 80 to 20 ratio, these towels are compact and lightweight which makes them ideal for backpackers and hikers, or for use on the beach. Microfiber towels also have a good absorbency power and are good at grabbing dust, dirt, and oil very easily.

A Guide On How to Enjoy Your Outdoor Space During the Cold Season

Who says that outdoor areas are only to be enjoyed when the weather is warm?! Although a lot of people are fans of summer, if you are on ‘team autumn’, then you would probably understand the need of spending more time outdoors once the weather gets colder. It’s something in the air, in the colours and calmness autumn brings with it, and luckily, fans like us can enjoy it a little more from our outdoor spaces.

With the right equipment, you’ll be able to enjoy it while sitting down on your comfy outdoor furniture while warming up and drinking red wine or the season’s favourite red wine mule.

Use an Outdoor Heater and Get the Ideal Temperature

The main thing that will make your outdoor space more inviting all year round is a heater. Depending on the size and power, you can choose between a heater for patio that is strong enough to warm up the whole surrounding area, or you can invest in smaller versions that you will place around the outdoor area. The choice is up to you, as you can literally choose from a large selection of outdoor heaters like free-standing and wall-mounted. Luckily, nowadays, you can find a patio heater that is convenient, comfortable, appealing and stylish, all in one.

You also need to consider the type of power. Generally, you can choose between electric, propane, natural gas and charcoal heater, where all of them have their pros and cons. The idea is to choose the ideal heater for outdoor space, the one that you’ll feel comfortable with and the one that will be the most convenient to use.

When comparing all of them, electric heaters are the best choice if your outdoor space lacks proper ventilation. The ease of use also adds to their benefit, and because of this, a lot of people rely on their use regardless of the type of space and ventilation. In order to use it, all you have to do is to plug the heater and that’s it. Their only downside is that they might heat up space much slower.

Natural gas heaters and propane, on the other hand, can heat up the outdoor space faster, and they offer plenty of warmth on well-ventilated outdoor patios and decks. Today’s natural gas heaters are available in plenty of designs which allows them to be used in different styled outdoor spaces. The only downside is that you’ll need proper ventilation and professional installation if you plan on using this kind of heater in your outdoor space. So, if wondering ‘are propane patio heaters safe’, the answer is yes, but only if the place is well-ventilated or open.

Note: A lot of people wonder can a patio heater be used on a screened porch. While they are completely safe to be used on a screened porch, if these heaters are improperly used or installed, there is a possibility of a fire hazard.

Choose Quality Outdoor Furniture for Lounging

If you want to use your outdoor space throughout the year, then you should probably choose quality outdoor furniture. An outdoor furniture set that is made of quality and weather-resistant materials can make a big difference in how a set holds up over time. Some of the most commonly used materials for outdoor furniture that can withstand the weather elements are natural teak, stainless steel and coated metal.

Natural teak is a type of material used for creating long-lasting outdoor furniture that still looks and feels warmer. Besides its gorgeous appearance and durability, the thing that makes natural teak so special is its sturdiness and ability not to wrap even when exposed to repeated moisture.

Additionally, natural teak isn’t prone to insects and rot thanks to its naturally occurring oils. The weather-resistant powder-coated aluminium, on the other hand, is also durable. Although lighter in weight, these furniture pieces are strong enough to withstand the weather elements while giving you the needed comfort.

Regardless of the type of furniture you choose, the thing that stays the same for both of these materials (or any other kind) is choosing waterproof cushions and backs. This is essential if you want to get the best of your outdoor space throughout the year. When speaking of this, you can always rely on the use of seats and backs made of vinyl-polyester mesh or some other type of fabric blend.

There are a lot of reliable stores that can give you the best of both worlds, a nice outdoor furniture set that won’t compromise the price. You just need to find ones that can provide you with an entire furniture set that is water and weather-resistant. That way, you’ll be able to use the set throughout the year without the fear of damaging it.

Beyond Storage: Unique Uses of Large Outdoor Sheds

Maintaining an outdoor area is rewarding but it’s not easy to keep it both fabulous and practical at the same time. As the items add up, you start browsing for large garden sheds but you hope that you won’t need one as it might ruin your home’s exterior decor. However, nowadays, large modern sheds can look very modern and can store more than just your carefully chosen outdoor furniture.

How to Remove Masking Tape Residue

A type of tape that can be used for almost everything around the house is what everyone wants these days. While duct tape is considered to be the champion here, there is one more versatile type of tape – masking tape. Masking or painters tape is mainly used by – you guessed it – painters to keep areas from getting painted on.

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A Simple Bathroom Style Guide: Vintage, Minimalist and Rustic

Having a bathroom that you love can make a world of a difference for your entire home! The bathroom is a very important room, with some reports stating that, over our lifetime, we spend around a year and a half in there! Fascinating!

A Simple Guide to Modern Garden Planters

Having a little green spot in your backyard can change your life in a way you didn’t think was possible. When you’re in touch with nature, your mind and body relax and you get to be present at the moment. But plants aren’t just decor that can make you feel better – they are living organisms too. That being said, you will have to find them the right spot, pick suitable soil, water them as much as they need and add fertilizer if it’s necessary.

A Simple Guide to Choosing the Right Letterbox for Your Home

When it comes to home upgrades, letterboxes are probably taking the back seat. People give a lot of thought when arranging the interior, while some exterior points become easily neglected. However, the letterbox can help a lot in creating a good first impression since it’s one of the first visual staples quests and passers-by recognise. Read More →

A Simple Guide to Self-Watering Balcony Planters

Big or small, freestanding or hanging on the wall, self-watering balcony planters not only look great, but they also offer many benefits you’ll love. If you’re an avid gardener, then you most probably always look for small hacks to save you a bit of time. This is exactly what self-watering planters will do, allowing you to water your plants much less often and helping you grow happy, healthy plants.

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