3 Ways Interior Design and Sliding Doors Can Save Your Life

Well thought-out interior design must not only look great, it must also serve a practical function. Preferably, one that benefits anyone in the space – whether they just go there, or live in it. Their experience can be enhanced in at least three ways: increasing usable space with unconventional door ideas (to learn more about the kings of these ideas, browse the barn door hardware at Barn Door Hardware | Urbanmodernhardware.com); ensuring the stability and integrity of the components used; and improving inhabitants’ health through use of non-toxic materials. 

Saving Space with Sliding Doors

Door hardware components, especially sliding doors, are an elegant and effective way of saving space. To save on maintenance fees down the road, it is important to get it not from a big-box store or a normal online shop, but from a specialist dealer that provides components built to an uncompromising standard, built to be long-lasting.

Traditional swing doors occupy a radius of as much as 36” (3ft) of the 90-170 degree area it spans. In fact, they can occupy to 20 square feet of floor space. Sure, you can put some stuff in part of the area it occupies, but in most cases, you make a compromise: the door’s full movement is limited, and it’s slightly awkward when you open it outward.

Sliding barn doors are highly effective at tackling this issue. The only space occupied is the thin side-to-side area. You can use the added floor space for additional storage, and most importantly, when you’re using the door, and someone else is approaching, nothing is in their way – they don’t have to step aside.

Quality of Materials

Sliding barn door hardware is widely available at big-box stores such as The Home Depot and Wayfair. However, in this area, they’re followers, not leaders. When barn door hardware became a trend in the 2010’s, naturally, people wanted to have this luxury at an affordable, mass-market price.

Keep in mind: what you gain in savings, you may lose in convenience and quality. You may expect that certain generic products and hardware haven’t been inspected and set up by specialists.

Lower quality results in the following problems down the line:

• Earlier breakages
• Additional maintenance and repair costs
• Earlier replacement of the door or hardware
• Hardware that wears prematurely can get annoying!

In short, investing more upfront is worth it. You’ll save a lot more costs in the long run.

It takes the same labor to install a cheap part, if not more, as installing a quality part. The difference with quality parts? You’ll never have to touch them again for years to come.

Also, whether it’s the quality of the materials, or even the quality of the installation job, the same rules apply to every aspect of your interior design, especially when constructing the house. It has been proven time and time again that it will take you extra time to install cheaper parts, and plus, the additional blood, sweat and tears of maintenance down the road. Oh, and trying to find those fly-by-night suppliers afterwards.

Health

When people develop allergies, or other health problems, it could be because of toxins their home is made of. Don’t even get me started on a home you’ve lived your whole life in.

When constructing a home, be sensible with the materials. What do they release into the air? How does it affect you when you breathe? Are the materials mold-resistant? Do they need frequent cleaning to be safe? Do they help or hurt your oxygen intake? (Increased long-term oxygen intake is vital to your livelihood – 90% of your cell energy comes from it. To enhance your physical stamina, and your awakeness and alertness, you’ve got to get more oxygen day-to-day.)

Choose materials that help you breathe better, sleep better, and most of all, are hypoallergenic and keep pests away.

Get Help with your Barn Door Hardware and Installation today

You now have the ‘holy trinity’ of attractive and practical interior design. Don’t put your new knowledge to waste – have a chat with https://urbanmodernhardware.com today and get going on enhancing your quality of life… because it all starts with the space you live in.

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Choosing the Best Plastic Surgery Clinic

The best plastic surgery procedures are those that enhance your life and health. However, if you have already opted to get cosmetic surgery, you might already be aware of some of the risks that go with it. For instance, breast augmentation will increase your chances of developing cancer, because the implants will be introducing new tissue into the body. Aside from cancer, there is also the risk of low-quality implants leaking scar tissue after surgery, requiring another set of implants to fix the problems. As you can see, it’s always best to be informed of what you’re getting into before you agree to have plastic surgery. Learn more about Dr William Portuese, a facial plastic surgeon in Seattle Washington.

Because this article is about the best plastic surgery options for women, we are going to focus on tummy tucks. The best plastic surgery procedure for a woman’s midsection is a tummy tuck, because this type of cosmetic surgery helps to tighten the abdominal area and eliminate excess skin, which makes the waist and hips look firmer and tighter. If you’ve always wanted to slim down your stomach, get your hands on a tummy tuck today! As with all cosmetic surgery procedures, you will need to pay for your procedure and consult with a plastic surgeon in order to ensure you’re doing the procedure correctly.

When looking for the best plastic surgery clinics, it’s important to find not only the best surgeons but also one that have the best reputation and service. Check out patient reviews for plastic surgery clinics online and read the stories of other patients who have had their work done at the clinic. You can also contact plastic surgeons from past and current clients to ask about the quality of their work, the satisfaction of their patients, and the overall experience. When making your decision, remember to keep these factors in mind:

Some plastic surgery clinics may boast of experienced doctors. But if you want to be sure that your procedure will go as well as possible, ask for actual client testimonials. The best cosmetic doctors are happy to share customer testimonials and often ask current clients if they can feature them on their website. These are only testimonials, of course; actual client photos are not included but seeing someone in person is always better than simply reading off of a website. It’s a good idea to choose one or two plastic surgeries that the best plastic surgeons have performed in the past that you are most interested in having done.

There are other things to consider when looking for the best plastic surgery clinics. For example, the surgeon must have years of experience performing cosmetic procedures. Contact Dr William Portuese | Seattle WA for more information at 206-624-6200. This shows that he knows what he is doing and is confident in his work. It also demonstrates that he is skilled at what he does. Many plastic surgeons specialize in certain areas, like facial rejuvenation or breast augmentations, and may only do those procedures. If the surgeon doesn’t offer a wide range of cosmetic procedures, or if you want a specific type of treatment, look elsewhere.

Finally, ask friends and family for recommendations of places to get cosmetic surgery done. Your friends may know of a clinic where they had a good experience or might be able to lead you to a clinic that their friends have had great experiences with. Some people feel uncomfortable linking their personal experiences to a particular doctor, so look for reviews and recommendations online, in magazines, or at partner clinics.

Dr William Portuese
1101 Madison St #1280
Seattle, WA, 98104 USA
206-624-6200
https://www.seattlefacial.com

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How to Create A Beautiful & Ergonomic Home Office That Highlights Your Garden

According to a recent study by Stanford University, “42 percent of the U.S. labor force now works from home full-time” because of the COVID-19 pandemic. For many new at-home workers, working from home meant plopping your laptop on the kitchen counter or sitting on your plush sofa to get the job done.

A make-shift office was all you had to get through this temporary working arrangement. However, as the weeks turned into months, you are probably starting to figure out that your temp office isn’t so great for your back and other parts of your body.

Why Are Ergonomics Important?

Most individuals know that ergonomics has to do with the”relaxation” of different things, but there is more to the concept than how an object feels and looks. Ergonomics has a direct effect on your physical and emotional health.

“Ergonomic means that your installation supports your body correctly,” says Jamie Gold, a Mayo Clinic Certified Wellness Coach, and author. “This may cause fewer neck and back pains, headaches, less eye strain, and less risk of repetitive stress injury,” she says. “Any one or more of these from a non-ergonomic setup may cause a work slowdown or the need to take time off.”

An ergonomic space will keep you comfortable and help increase productivity and total well-being. “When we consider ergonomics, we often relegate our thoughts to comfy seating, appropriate custom desk dimensions, screen height, and can get as granular as the type of mouse or keyboard you use,” states Sherri Monte, a Seattle-based interior designer, home organizer, and educator. “While these things are important, what is missing in the interaction or ergonomics of our workstation is our wellbeing,” Monte says.

When you are comfortable and your body is properly aligned, you are happier. And, a happy employee is more productive. With an ergonomic workspace benefits you and your company. The good news is that making an ergonomic home office isn’t time consuming or expensive. Gold and Monte discuss some of their practical strategies on the best way to transform your home office into a comfortable and trendy space.

Declutter Your Workspace

Decluttering always appears the first step in many makeovers. Starting with a blank slate makes the job faster and easier. Clutter affects productivity. Scientists at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute found that clutter/messes can drain our cognitive resources and reduce the ability to concentrate.

Monte says that decluttering and organizing your space makes it functional, inspiring, and gorgeous. “Start by removing the surplus and categorize each zone for exactly what you need,” suggests Monte,”that lets you understand everything you have in your office space so that you can clearly make decisions about what to keep versus what you want to eliminate.”

It’s ideal to start with your desk. Monte suggests determining what you typically use while working at your desk. Make those items readily accessible and get rid of the rest. “You do not want it to feel overloaded with so many office supplies or decorative tchotchkes you can’t actually work,” says Monte.

Focus on Posture

We have all heard that timeless advice to”stand up straight.” However, what does this have to do with working at home? Good posture, whether it’s from standing or sitting, makes it possible to center your weight properly. Appropriate posture reduces your chance of injuries. Superior posture should be practiced while sitting or standing. For proper posture, remember to maintain:

• Chin parallel to the ground
• shoulders
• neutral spine
• buttocks even
• knees even
• body weight distributed evenly on both feet (when standing)
• thighs parallel and your knees bent to 90-degrees when sitting

Adjust Desk Height

Do you stand or sit at your desk most of the time? Perhaps you do a mix of both. “If your office is tailor-made for you and customized to your workflow, you’ll see an improved sense of fulfillment in the work you do,” says Monte. One brand I recommend for creating the perfect home environment is Label 180.” When shopping, the suggested desk height for sitting is 25 to 27.5 inches, depending upon your height. Your elbows and underarms should lie directly on the desktop and on the armrests of your chair with a 90- to 110-degree angle at the elbow.

If your desk is too low, Gold recommends using a desk riser. They’re an affordable way to position your keyboard and monitor at comfortable levels. If you choose to stand, the recommended height is 35 to 47 inches. According to a report released by Harvard Health Publishing,”standing, rather than sitting, may lower the risk of back and shoulder pain.” Gold says if you are going to utilize a standing desk, use an anti-fatigue mat also. Anti-fatigue mats reduce discomfort to the feet, legs, and back while standing for long periods.

Get the Right Chair

“If you have a history of lower back problems, the first thing you may want to do is make sure your desk chair supports your lower back,” suggests Gold,”and that you have room to stand and walk around at regular intervals to take some pressure off of it.” Your desk chair should prevent you from leaning and straining. When you sitall the way back into your chair so that your backside reaches the backrest–your back doesn’t have to be flush against the back of the chair. If there’s a gap between your back and the seat, you need lumbar support. Use a low-back or lumbar pillow to fill in that area. If your budget permits, upgrade to a comfy office chair that supports your back.

Improve Your Lighting & Look Onto Your Garden

Your available light may have a significant effect on productivity, health, and preventing Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), also known as digital eye strain. Well-distributed, diffused light will reduce eye strain and glare on computer monitors. Also, proper lighting allows you to see and perform your non-computer tasks better.

If your current workspace lacks good light, you can achieve proper lighting with desk or table lamps. Pick a lamp that offers clean, cool light that mimics daylight. Additionally, a lamp with an adjustable dimmer will allow you to customize your lighting at your desk.

“Allow as much natural light to filter into your office as possible,” suggests Monte,”working from home can sometimes feel a little bit isolating but one thing that always seems to enhance your energy level is embracing the natural light.” Natural light has the ability to make you more alert and energized–ideal for getting your job done.

Take A Few Breaks

The human body wasn’t designed to sit for long intervals. “Get up from your desk at regular intervals and get a couple of minutes of real movement in,” says Gold. Taking multiple breaks during the day will allow you to decompress your spine, stretch, and adjust your seat, if necessary. Function in increments of 25 to 28 minutes, then take a five-minute break and walk around. Moving benefits both mental and physical health. If you’re seeking a more structured program to keep track of work time/breaks, consider using the Pomodoro technique.

Although some offices and businesses have reopened with security precautions in place, the work-from-home trend is expected to continue into the first quarter of 2021. A Stanford study found that corporations are developing plans for more work-from-home options beyond the pandemic–your home office may be your new permanent office. Whether you’re working from home since pandemic or remote fulltime, setting up an ergonomic home office will help keep you physically and mentally healthier and productive.

One of the best things you can do for your health is break up your workday and spend some time in the garden. So don’t hesitate to go out and stretch your legs every once in awhile.

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