Smart kitchen cabinet ideas
Smart kitchen cabinet ideas

Cupboards and cabinets are at the heart of space management for every home. Especially kitchens, with their myriad equipment, pots and pans, spice jars and boxes of this and that, require carefully planned storage spaces.

While most modular kitchens come with a uniform finished look with well-planned kitchen cabinets, there is no reason why you cannot mix things up to avoid a blocky, boring appearance, and give a unique signature look to your kitchen.For example, do you have pretty kitchen crockery that you’d like to show off? While base cabinets can still be covered, choose glass paned doors for the upper cabinets, so you can set up a nice display of your china. If your cabinets are a light neutral color, paint the insides of the glass-paned ones a bright contrast, to make it all the more eye-catching.

Alternatively, have you thought of a mixed approach, with a section of open shelves? This can work really well for small kitchens, creating a roomy look. If shelves are not an option, consider mirrors for cabinet doors, to create an illusion of space. The doors of the cabinets can be awkward to open and close in small kitchens, as they need quite some clearance room. Smart sliding doors solve that problem perfectly well.

To squeeze out the last drop of storage from really small kitchens, don’t be afraid to extend the cabinets all the way up to the ceiling. A step-stool, or a slim rolling ladder (why not?!) will solve the problem of reach, and look cool as well.

For a lot of people living in hot humid areas, the idea of completely closed kitchen cabinets doesn’t appeal, because closed doors may encourage odors. Why not create a farmhouse look with wire-fences or similar small metal mesh for the cabinet doors? This will help keep things airy and dry, and if flies are a problem, choose really fine mesh. Fabric curtains fitted inside the cabinet door frames will achieve the same thing, and can also add a splash of colour to your kitchen.

If cleaning is your thing, remember that most kitchen cabinets only require a sponge, some warm water and dish soap. Wooden cabinets will look great with an occasional wipe using white vinegar. For a really squeaky clean kitchen, elevate the base cabinets slightly, allowing you to clean underneath them.

A modular kitchen doesn’t have to be one-size-fits-all. With a little imagination, you can customise your kitchen cabinets to suit your needs, space and taste.

  • Things to know while buying vertical blinds

    Searching for cheap vertical blinds is an easy process these days. If you are following a clear budget, you should know where to look for the best places for buying affordable blinds. You do not have to spend a lot of money for purchasing blinds, but quality must be given top priority along with affordability. There is no point in purchasing blinds that are made using low-quality materials.

    Purchase top brands at discounted prices
    The most effective option is to purchase blinds of reputable brands and they offer amazing discounts to make your purchase affordable. All leading manufacturers offer vertical window blinds and you have to be a bit patient and when top stores offer discount sales, you can make use of these opportunities to buy the top brands at excellent discounts. You can browse the internet for buying cost-effective vertical blinds. These affordable blinds from reputed brands make for a sensible buy.

    Get to know about the products and compare prices prior to purchase
    Before making any purchase decision, you must learn about various types of vertical blinds available in the market. Once you get to know about the products available in the market, you can compare the prices of different products. This method allows you to narrow down your choices and finally, the most suitable one can be selected for the windows and doors of your home.

    Think differently while buying vertical blinds for your home and office
    The vital aspect to consider while picking blinds for your home is the material. The material that you chose should be compatible with your preferences and needs and it must also go in complete harmony with the room theme and dcor. You must employ different approaches while selecting blinds for home and office. Offices demand a sophisticated and professional look and you can consider buying vertical blinds that come with light and solid colors including blue, beige or grey. When you look for the cheap blinds for your home, you will get the best results with options like wood and faux wood because they always offer a warm ambiance.

    When it comes to price, the cheapest options available in the market are aluminum and plastic blinds. Although the plastic blinds are thought of as affordable blinds, the durability can be a big concern. Aluminum options are good, but the most effective options available are faux blinds and vinyl blinds. Wood blinds are a good option if you are not worried about the price. The Internet offers a lot of information about the blinds and choosing the best products at affordable prices is no longer a time-consuming task. There are lots of cheap vertical blinds available in the market today and you can buy an extremely affordable one that offers exceptional quality from a trusted and renowned online store.

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  • 3 popular hatchbacks to check out

    The popularity of hatchbacks has been rising in the country, and so is their demand. There are several reasons why you should get one yourself. For instance, a hatchback is perfect if you love driving and prefer something that can handle corners. It offers more versatility than other car types like sedans or wagons due to its extended roofline and smaller rear end. Here, we explore the top three hatchbacks you can consider.

    Dodge Dart
    The Dodge Dart is an excellent pick for drivers who want a stylish hatchback at an affordable price. It has a great audio system, heated side mirrors, and fog lamps. It also has many convenience features, including cruise control, a hands-free communication system, and a trip computer. With a starting price of around $17,000, the car is affordable for any driver. The base model comes with 16-inch wheels, air conditioning, power windows, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, a satellite radio, and more. If you want a little more luxury, go for the SXT and GT trims. The SXT adds 19-inch wheels, a power driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, a leather steering wheel, and a premium sound system. The GT trim comes with 20-inch wheels, Nappa leather seats, heated and ventilated seats, a sunroof, and a navigation system. Both come with front and rear parking sensors, fog lights, and heated mirrors. 

    Kia Soul
    Kia Soul has several trims, so you can choose one that best meets your needs. The base trim has a six-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 17-inch wheels, LED taillights, dual exhaust tips, and a rear spoiler. The EX trim comes with all the base trim features, plus heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, heated leather seats, a sunroof, and 19-inch wheels. The top-of-the-line SX has all EX features, plus Nappa leather seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging, and a panoramic sunroof. Kia Soul has many safety features, including a seven-airbag system, traction and stability control, active braking, a rear-view camera, and automatic emergency braking. It also comes with a hybrid option, perfect for anyone who wants to save money on gas.

    MINI Countryman
    This vehicle has a cargo capacity of 77 cubic feet, which is impressive for a car its size. It also offers many safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane assist, and a parking assistant. Further, you get a hands-free sliding and tilting panoramic sunroof, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control, as well as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and WiFi for easy connectivity on the go. The car has a starting MSRP of $25,900. This Countryman comes in multiple trims. The base variants have 17-inch black alloy wheels, LED tail lights, climate control, Apple CarPlay, LED fog lights, heated front seats, and much more. Besides other exciting features, the higher, more premium trims come with 18-inch black alloy wheels and LED headlights. You may also get heated front and rear seats and heated side mirrors.

    It is best to visit an authorized dealer to learn more about the different trims and model years of these cars and choose one that best suits your needs. Also, check out hatchbacks from other brands in the market to increase your options and get the best deal on your new car.

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  • Everything you need to know about keycaps

    The plastic layer that covers a key on a keyboard is called a keycap. It is the cover that you touch when you type on a keyboard. It essentially identifies the symbol or letter input into the device or computer. In recent times keycaps have become much more than the regular plastic keys, keyboard enthusiasts are often fond of switching keycaps by using customized options. These different kinds of keycaps can come in different shapes, sizes, and every color or texture imaginable. Having a colored keycap or a keycap with a unique texture or form has become a trend.

    What makes a keycap?

    A keycap is generally made through the process of thermoplastic injection molding thermoplastic. This process involves melting plastic and putting it under pressure so that it forms a steel mold. There are different plastics that are used to make these colored keycaps.

    ABS
    Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or ABS is found in many applications and formulations. This is the form of plastic that is most commonly used to create keycaps as the material that it is made with is easily available and less expensive.

    PBT
    Short for polybutylene terephthalate, this type of plastic is another upcoming favorite material for making keycaps. It is extremely durable but comes with a higher manufacturing cost. PBT does not shine even after long usage. The plastic is hard and it gives the keycap a texture. Most of the keycaps that are found in the aftermarket are made using PBT plastic.

    3-D printed keycaps 
    With the help of 3-D printers, it has become relatively easy to customize keycap designs. You can choose the shape and color as per your requirement. All you need to have is easy access to a 3-D printer. You can create colored keycaps, or normal keycaps in unique shapes and textures.

    Hand-molded keycaps
    These keycaps are relatively unique, a tad bit expensive, and highly sought-after because of their unique form and design. The process of making these keycaps is tedious. Artisans make a clay mold in their preferred shape. This is then made into a silicone mold of the design. The last step is to cast it in resin to produce a keycap. This method is extremely time-consuming and fetches a lot of money from the artists who create these keycaps.

    POM
    This is the least common plastic that is used to make keycaps. These keycaps though durable, are slippery; hence are avoided by manufacturers.

    Rubber keycaps
    Rubber keycaps are the plastic keycaps coated in an additional rubber layer. The rubber coating allows for a better finger grip and can benefit gamers who are making the jump to PC gaming for the first time.

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  • Top 10 debt settlement companies to consider

    A lot of people get stuck in debt due to many reasons. The interest rates keep adding up, taking a toll on an individual’s financial stability. In such a case, debt settlement can be quite helpful if you wish to settle a large amount. Here is a list of top 10 debt settlement companies that you can consider to help ease the burden off your shoulders.

    • National Debt Relief
      National Debt Relief has the most detailed insights on their website that can help you with debt settlement. It talks about the debt qualification, the amount of money you need to pay for enrolments as well as the debt relief services that they offer. The average savings after the fees is around 30%.
    • CreditAssociates
      This particular company is known for helping clients with the elimination of debt. They undertake this entire process between twenty-four to thirty-six months. They use enhanced software, and the outstanding expertise of their team to help their clients with great debt negotiation services.
    • Pacific Debt Inc
      This is one of the top 10 debt settlement companies that you can consider. You need to have a minimum of $10,000 in debt to avail their services. They offer an affordable monthly program/plan with payment as well as upfront fees. The service fees can vary somewhere between 15% and 20% of the entire debt.
    • United Debt Counselors
      If you are looking for an online debt settlement company, then this is a great option. It works specifically for personalized debt settlement. You need to pay about 30% to 40% of your debt to avail the reduction services.
    • CuraDebt
      CuraDebt is another company that offers debt settlement services with a great savings average. It offers 40% reduction after fees. You can opt for any of their business debt solutions that they offer. Their reliable customer service also helps with debt-related queries.
    • New Era Debt Solutions
      The average debt reduction for this company is about 47%. In this, you can expect the debts to get settled in three years or even less, depending on how the program gets funded. They do not charge any upfront fees.
    • Midland Credit Management
      This company is dedicated to helping different customers resolve past debt. They also have varied payment plans and discounts for their clients. You can check their impressive account history, which can be accessed online.
    • ZipDebt
      ZipDebt is also a great option to consider. It offers a flat fee, which includes $197 for a basic program and $777 for a premium program. You will end up receiving a lot of materials that can help you bypass the different settlement companies through which you can avoid bankruptcy. Their fees are negotiable and reasonable as well.

    Two of the other companies that you can consider while looking to settle your debt are mentioned below. They have a good track record and you can find different offers on both:

    • Donaldson Williams
    • J.G Wentworth Debt Relief

    We hope our list of top 10 debt settlement companies helps you ease your accumulated debt. Consider and choose the best option for yourself. We recommend you to compare the prices and do a thorough research before you settle on one company.

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  • Discount Tire, a Known Name in the Industry

    Discount tires company was first established in 1960 and has been performing exceptionally well since then. Not only is it known for supplying great quality tires, but it is also very popular for its ability to retain its customers by giving customer satisfaction priority. They have a commercial advertising ‘Thank you’ which says that the customers may return the tires purchased from the Discount tires if they are not satisfied with the product.

    This, and the very reasonable prices of the Discount tire has made the customers want to purchase tires for their vehicles from them. They have a very user friendly website which is quite helpful and informative as well. The website is more of a complete user guide and helps a customer in making choice of their tires based on their vehicle and needs. From safety measures to the type of tires, the website has it all.

    The Discount tire is very particular about the safety of their customers. Time and again, they warn their customers about the hazardous effects of choosing the wrong type of tire. Road conditions, adverse weather and driving behaviors are sure to affect the safety, but special emphasis has also been laid on the tires of a vehicle by the Discount tire. According to them, the tires are the only part of the vehicle that connect a person to the road.

    So, tires must receive that care, while making a choice and to maintain them. Before hitting the road, the health condition of the tires must be known to the driver. Tread depth, tire age, tire inflation/load, and keeping up with routine maintenance are the four factors indicating the health of the tires of a vehicle. The age of a tire is an important factor too. In simple words, more the age of a tire, more are the chances of its failure. Hence, they must never be taken casually.

    Apart from the selection of tires based on the vehicle type and terrain, the tires are also season based. There are all-season tires, summer tires and winter tires. Even though all-season tires can be used for all the seasons, specific season tires should be preferred as an alternative. In summer conditions, the all-season tires perform significantly better than winter tires, but not better than summer tires.

    Similarly, they perform better than summer tires in winter season but not better than winter tires. Summer tires are excellent both for dry as well as wet driving conditions. Winter tires are great for driving in the snowy and winters weather conditions. Discount tire may suggest the best one or a combination of tires based on the usage.

    Discount tire lays an emphasis on tread patterns as well. They also have a complete guide over this concept. This is very helpful for the customers to choose the one most suitable tread pattern for them based on their driving conditions. There is symmetric tread, asymmetric tread, directional tread and symmetric & directional tread. Each of them might be used for keeping a certain purpose of usage in mind.

    All this reflects the experience of Discount tire company. The quality of the tires is top class. But essential measures have also been taken give the best results. Even an uncertain customer can make the best possible choice of tires for his or her vehicle. And all this at very acceptable prices. Nothing short of brilliance can be expected of the Discount tire as every minute thing has been taken care of. Every aspect has been through of here and nothing is being taken casually. This has all come out after so many years of excellent service.

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  • 8 Protein Rich Foods That You Should Know

    Proteins are the building blocks of our body and our health. Proteins work hard to repair all our overworked or damaged muscles and tissues. They also help in the production of hormones and enzymes. High protein intake helps in reducing weight as well. Protein keeps you satiated, thereby reducing the craving for snacks and untimely eating. The Required Dietary Allowance for protein is just 0.8 grams per kilo of our weight. To find out how much protein you need for yourself or your family member, you multiply the body weight with 0.36. This helps you to calculate the protein requirement for your family per day and plan your menu accordingly. Protein intake in teens is crucial. It helps teens build immunity and make their muscles stronger and keep their skin and hair healthy. As kids, their menu and feeding are completely taken care of their parents. But as they grow older, diets go haywire and are guided more by peer groups. Junk food becomes more accessible as they begin to hang out with friends. Lack of energy and tiredness are early symptoms of an imbalanced diet in a teen. Teens that pursue active sports would need at least 75% more protein than kids who have a normal schedule. This is possible only if there is protein in every meal. Dieticians recommend that 25%-30% of the calorie requirement of teens should come from protein. Some high protein diet with high calories that should find a place in a teens diet – eggs, fish, shrimp, oats, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, milk, broccoli, beans, lean beef, quinoa, tuna, lentils, pumpkin seeds, and peanut butter. These list of high protein foods also are a source of essential vitamin and minerals necessary for them. Teenagers who are vegetarians can include Buckwheat, lentils, and beans including chickpeas in their diet.

    A list of high protein dishes that could both satisfy the taste buds of the teens and at the same time give them the required protein is as follows:

    • Egg sandwiches
    • Oatmeal with fruits and milk
    • Salads with Quinoa, fruit, and vegetables
    • Smoothie with Tofu, almonds, and fruits
    • Baked salmon
    • Brown rice with stir-fried vegetables
    • Turkey burgers with multi-grain buns
    • Peanut butter sandwiches

    Creative recipes can be created with one or many of the high protein food items. Burgers, sandwiches, casseroles keep teens interested in eating them. Teachers and parents should constantly engage with them at school and at home to create awareness about eating healthy.

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  • Ways to incorporate a TV outdoors

    It is not easy to install a television outdoors. You need to build a power socket, a weather proof cover, and have an HDMI cord to send high definition video out and audio. There are a lot of places you could find a TV outdoors like restaurants, residential homes,gardens, travelers, stadiums and theme parks etc. Of course, you cannot use the same television that you use within the house “ there are outdoor TVs that are specially made by manufacturers with shock proof, water proof and heat proof technology that will allow TVs to be left out 365 days.

    Here are few tips on what to do when it comes to setting up a TV outdoors:

    Indoor and outdoor TVs are of two different kinds: Get the guidance from the people who have already installed a TV outdoor to know about the biggest mistakes noticed while installing. First of all, you cannot use an indoor one as it is highly sensitive to weather and water. The TV has to be rated for outdoors with an extra bright panel which defends glare resulting in a good picture even in broad daylight.

    Check on warranty: While keeping the TV outside exposed to sunlight, dust, and sometimes even rain might affect the working system. Even if it seem to be working good it is better to give it for regular service to avoid damage.

    Outdoor rated mounts and cables: It is not enough to buy an outdoor rated TV the mounts and cables need to be UV protected as well. There are chances for the mounts to get rusted and fall apart and cords turn brittle and cracked when exposed to the elements of nature the deterioration strikes faster.

    Reflect on drip loop: Setting up a drip loop is very important for an outdoor television fitting. A drip loop is a TV cable that is placed next to the cable that enters the screen or to any outdoor devices. It helps in having the water and moisture drain away preventing water intrusion that could lead to major damages and expensive repairs.

    Size matters: The size of the screen, weight and the mounting restrictions has to be considered before you could find a place for it. The next step is to choose the right spot that supports the display size. However, don’t make it more exact as you will need some area for maintenance needs. If you have a large area go for bigger television for better viewing experience.

    Right power in place: Have the power socket secured at the right place where you are planning to hang the TV. You cannot change the place once its marked as too may marking on the wall will make it a mess. Nobody likes to do wiring over the sealed walls. However, you need not fear as there are ways to hide your ugly wires from visitors and of course it is not advisable to bring the cable down the floor or hanging on the ceiling. You can have them concealed with moldings.

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  • Learn how to travel on a budget

    Travel has never been cheaper. Competition between airlines is fierce and the cost of tickets has dropped drastically in recent years. Yet, there are ways to find even cheaper airfare. If you are planning a trip and want to save big on tickets, check out the tips given below.

    Book last minute
    It may seem like the worst thing to do, and granted there are risks, but booking last minute can often yield huge savings. Airlines cut prices drastically when they cannot fill up seats. The best way to stay updated is to subscribe to mailers. You will be among the first to be informed if last-minute offers like airline tickets from $49 or even less are on. Keep a bag packed and ready in case you have to leave the next day or the day after that.

    Be flexible
    If you are dead set on traveling to a particular destination or traveling at a particular time, you won’t really be able to save much. You need to be flexible on both fronts. A good way to do this is to have several locales in mind and forget about flight timings. The goal is to get to your destination and it should not matter whether you need to travel at 5 am or 12 am.

    Try to avoid weekend trips
    It makes sense to travel on the weekends, if you are saddled with work. However, everyone has the same thought, which means flights will be booked solid. Any remaining tickets will cost a bomb too. Unless you really need to take a trip on the weekend, try to travel on a weekday. It is easier to get airline tickets from $49 during weekdays.

    Check social media
    Airlines are taking to social media to advertise flights. If you are not on it much, it is time to start and keep an eye on offers and deals. Anytime you see one, check out the details quickly. Deals like these come and go in a flash because travelers looking for cheap flights from $49 also rely on social media sites for updates.

    Rethink round trips
    Travelers tend to look at round trip flights because it seems easier to get things booked at the outset. However, many airlines today offer cheap one-way fares. Unless you find a sweet offer like roundtrip deals from $58 or something similar, consider one-way bookings and that too from different airlines. Just because airline X has cheap tickets from point A to B, it does not mean it will offer the same price from point B to A.

    Be a frequent flier
    There is an advantage to flying frequently. You can cash in on air miles you have earned and book tickets at throwaway prices. You may even get free tickets! Join a frequent flier program or check your bank to see if using credit cards entitles you to special offers and rewards.

    Do not let a tight budget stop you from enjoying traveling. There are always ways to cut costs and save money for other more important things. The tips given here can be followed by anyone going on a domestic or an international travel.

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