Published on: 23 December 2020
Last Updated on: 10 May 2021
A house with many family members is hard to manage as everyone loves to have their own space. But the limited space can make it crowded by giving your home giving an ugly look. All thanks to modern ideas which have introduced several ideas for crowded families. It makes the house look arranged while keeping in mind adjustments. The look involves the latest trends and lifestyles to develop my sense of styling while keeping my mind comfortable. Apart from these comes your pets, for whom a small kennel door with a dog door could be placed on the lawn of your house. In this article, we will discuss modern home design ideas for crowded families.
Ideal space for Teenagers
A crowded family must have children and teenagers who demand their own space. However, providing each one of them with their separate rooms may not be possible. To overcome this solution, the idea of the shared bedroom can be considered. The design of the bedroom should focus on the needs of children according to their age. To create more space, bunk beds are the most flexible options, leaving you with some empty spaces to play around.
Nowadays, study stable comes with multiples shelves fixed from the wall and can be closed when not in use while creating a good space-saving idea. These shelves are useful hacks for putting their stuff, toys, and books in a proper place. The sofa cum bed could also be turned on into a great option. The beds also come with lots of storage box options where new things, including sports or musical instruments, can be put on. Lastly, the wardrobe cabinet with multiple small shelves and space for hangers will store all their clothes methodically. If there are both boys and girls in a room, try keeping a neutral color of walls like calm grey, which would look pleasant without overly decorated.
Give a multi-dimensional look to your dining room.
For a home with a large number of people, there is much need for multifunctional spaces. The dining spaces could be transformed into a games room or a corner used as a reading place. You can place an armchair with bookshelves placed on the walls. One needs to focus on the preferences of family members for doing so. A television set could also be placed on the other side of the wall there with a lounge for entertainment purposes. You can add some masterpiece painting, vases, or wallpapers to give a modern look in your room. Place a dining table where your family can fit in have a meal together. The buffet tables or smart dining tables with extendable chairs are a great way to save space.
Go for an open kitchen
You can plan your dining room entrance just before the open kitchen as it will save a lot of space in the kitchen. The open kitchen doesn’t make it look congested, and the dining room’s access will recreate more space into it. It would be easy to serve food and won’t create a mess around long pathways. You can place a covered shelves box or drawers in the wall and arrange all your cutleries there for storage options. Make sure to build cabinets below the kitchen slabs where you can store multiple ingredients along with a cylinder at the corner. Put your microwave in one corner and attach extended shelves or cabinets on the walls for keeping more utilities there. A larger counter place would eliminate high trafficking in a home where more than one person works. You can create a specific station in the kitchen for getting your work more organized.
Turn out your lawn into a place to get together
For having a good time, a lounging area can be considered an entertainment room option. The large family tries to do everything together, so the lawn or balcony could be placed with comfy diwan and sofa sets. One could turn it up as a garden by putting up many plants, and the place would be great for a mini picnic spot. You can also add bean bags or swings and decorate them with warm lighting to create a unique evening look. The place would be great for barbeques, or a small get-together. If you don’t have much space, you can create a window seat and do partitions using some fabrics to create a visual barrier.
Create congenial public spaces
For your living thing, the best would be to go with L-shaped sofas. They are useful to handle the long stream of guests and can be placed with some more small seaters around. If you have a larger living space, you can break it into shorter sitting with cushions for private conversations. Make sure to use durable surfaces that would be durable and easy to clean the mess in a busy family. This setup will give a warm and comfortable space. You can also place a wall red sea aquarium to use the best of areas. Placing a wall aquarium will consume less space and it will be a center of attraction for everyone.
Conclusion
To avoid the mess, place a standard shoe stand. You can also use the garage’s extra space as a storeroom by putting up the different things there. Utilize the basement of your house for this purpose. You can save more space by having shared bathrooms placed between the bedrooms.
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Basil is one of the most popular and versatile herbs you can grow in your garden or indoors. It has a fresh and aromatic flavor that can enhance any dish, from salads and soups to pizzas and pastas. Basil is also rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants just like cilantro. It can benefit your health and well-being. But how do you harvest basil properly so that it keeps growing and producing more leaves?
If these are some of the things you want to know, I have you covered! In this article, I will answer all these questions and more and give you everything you need to know about harvesting basil! So, keep on reading this blog till the end to learn more…
How to Harvest Basil Leaves?
The first thing you need to know about harvesting basil is when to do it. The best time to harvest basil leaves is in the morning when the plant is still fresh and moist. Avoid harvesting basil in the afternoon or evening when the plant is dry and wilted. Also, avoid harvesting basil when it is raining or wet, as this can cause the leaves to rot or mold.
Steps to Harvest Basil Leaves
To harvest basil leaves, you will need a pair of scissors or a sharp knife and a basket or a bowl to collect the leaves. You can also use your fingers to pinch off the leaves, but be careful not to damage the stem or the plant. Here are the steps to follow:
Start from the top of the plant, and look for the stems with leaf clusters. These are called the terminal buds, and they are where the basil flowers will grow. You want to remove these buds, as they will make the plant stop producing new leaves and focus on flowering and seeding. This will reduce the flavor and quality of the basil leaves.
Cut or pinch off the stem just below the terminal bud, leaving about a quarter of an inch of stem above the next pair of leaves. This will encourage the plant to grow two new stems from the leaf nodes and produce more leaves. You can also cut or pinch off any other stems that are too long or leggy and leave about four to six pairs of leaves on each stem.
Repeat this process for all the stems that have terminal buds, and collect the leaves in your basket or bowl. You can also harvest some of the lower leaves but leave enough leaves on the plant to allow it to photosynthesize and grow. You should not harvest more than a third of the plant at a time, as this can stress the plant and reduce its growth and health.
After harvesting, rinse the leaves with water and pat them dry with a paper towel. You can use them fresh or store them for later use.
How to Harvest Basil So It Keeps Growing
One of the benefits of harvesting basil is that it stimulates the plant to grow more leaves and branches and prevents it from flowering and seeding.
However, you need to harvest basil regularly and correctly, so that it keeps growing and producing more leaves.
Here are some tips to follow. For instance, you must harvest basil:
At least once every two weeks, or more often if you see the terminal buds forming. This will keep the plant bushy and compact and prevent it from becoming woody and bitter.
From different parts of the plant, and not always from the same spot. This will ensure that the plant grows evenly and does not become lopsided or uneven.
Before it flowers. This is because the flowers will reduce the flavor and quality of the leaves. If you see any flowers forming, remove them as soon as possible. You can also pinch off the flowers and use them as edible garnishes or decorations, as they have a mild and sweet flavor.
Before the frost, as the cold weather will kill the plant. You can either harvest the whole plant and store it for later use, or bring it indoors and keep it in a sunny and warm spot. You can also propagate the plant by taking cuttings and rooting them in water or soil and grow new plants for the next season.
How to Harvest Basil Without Killing The Plant?
Harvesting basil is different from harvesting lettuce or other plants. The process is good for the plant and you, as you can enjoy the fresh and aromatic leaves in your dishes.
However, you need to be careful not to harvest too much or too often, as this can harm and kill the plant.
Here are some dos and don'ts of harvesting basil without killing it:
Do harvest basil from the top of the plant, not the bottom or the middle. This will allow the plant to grow stems and leaves from the lower nodes and maintain its shape and structure.
Don't harvest basil from the main stem or cut it too close to the ground. This will damage the plant and prevent it from growing new stems and leaves. Leave at least four to six pairs of leaves on each stem and about an inch of stem above the ground.
Do harvest basil gently and carefully, and not roughly or forcefully. This will avoid injuring the plant and exposing it to diseases or pests. Use a sharp and clean tool, such as scissors or a knife, and make clean and smooth cuts. You can also use your fingers to pinch off the leaves but be gentle and precise.
Don't harvest basil when it is stressed or unhealthy, such as when it is wilting, yellowing, or diseased. This will weaken the plant and make it more susceptible to further damage. Wait until the plant recovers and looks healthy and green before harvesting. You can also water and fertilize the plant to help it grow and thrive.
Do harvest basil when it is young and tender, not old and tough. This will ensure the leaves are fresh, flavorful, and not bitter or woody. Harvest basil when the leaves are about two to three inches long before they curl or turn brown.
How to Pick Basil Leaves?
Picking basil leaves is another way to harvest and use the leaves in your dishes. You can pick basil leaves with your fingers or with a pair of tweezers, depending on your preference and convenience. Here are some tips on how to pick basil leaves. For instance, you can pick it:
From the top of the plant, not the bottom or the middle. This will allow the plant to grow stems and leaves from the lower nodes and maintain its shape and structure.
From the stems that have terminal buds, not from those that have none. This will prevent the plant from flowering and seeding and producing more leaves. You can also pick some of the lower leaves but leave enough leaves on the plant to allow it to photosynthesize and grow.
Gently and carefully, and not roughly or forcefully. This will avoid injuring the plant and exposing it to diseases or pests. Use your fingers to pinch off the leaves or a pair of tweezers to pluck them off. Be gentle and precise, and do not pull or tug on the leaves or the stems.
When they are young and tender and not when they are old and tough, this will ensure the leaves are fresh, flavorful, and not bitter or woody. Pick basil when the leaves are about two to three inches long before they curl or turn brown.
How to Store Basil Leaves?
Storing basil leaves is a great way to preserve and enjoy them for later use. You can store basil leaves in different ways, depending on how long you want to keep them and how you want to use them. Here are some of the best ways to store basil leaves:
Refrigerate Them
You can refrigerate basil leaves for up to a week, by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and placing them in a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container. This will keep them moist and fresh, and prevent them from wilting or drying out. However, you should not wash them.
Freeze Them
You can freeze basil leaves for up to six months, by blanching them in boiling water for a few seconds, and then plunging them in ice water to stop the cooking process. This will preserve their color and flavor, and prevent them from browning or oxidizing. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel, and place them in a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container. You can also chop them and mix them with some olive oil, and freeze them in ice cube trays. This will make it easier to use them in soups, sauces, or dressings.
Dry Them
You can dry basil leaves for up to a year, by hanging them upside down in a warm and dry place, such as a closet or a pantry. This will dehydrate them and concentrate their flavor, and make them last longer. However, you should avoid drying them in direct sunlight, as this can bleach them and reduce their quality. You can also dry them in an oven or a microwave, but be careful not to burn them or overcook them. Once they are dry, you can store them in a glass jar or a spice container, and crush them or grind them before using them.
Make Pesto
You can make pesto with basil leaves, by blending them with some garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and olive oil. This will create a delicious and versatile sauce that you can use for pasta, sandwiches, salads, or dips. You can store pesto in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to six months. You can also customize pesto by adding other herbs, nuts, cheeses, or spices, according to your taste and preference.
How to Cut Basil?
Cutting basil is a simple and easy way to harvest and use the leaves in your dishes. You can cut basil with scissors, a knife, or your fingers, depending on your preference and convenience.
Here are some tips on how to cut basil:
Wash and dry the basil leaves before cutting them to remove any dirt or insects. You can rinse them under running water or soak them in a water bowl with a few drops of vinegar. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel or spin them in a salad spinner.
Cut the basil leaves just before using them, to preserve their flavor and aroma. If you cut them too early, they will lose their freshness and wilt. You can also bruise or damage the leaves if you cut them too roughly or with a dull tool.
Cut the basil leaves according to the size and shape that you need for your recipe. You can either leave them whole or chop them finely or coarsely. You can also cut them into ribbons or strips, by stacking several leaves together, rolling them up, and slicing them thinly. This is called the chiffonade technique, and it creates a beautiful and elegant garnish.
Cut the basil leaves with a sharp and clean tool, such as scissors or a knife, and not with a blender or a food processor. This will avoid bruising or crushing the leaves and releasing their oils and juices. You can also use your fingers to tear or pinch off the leaves but be gentle and careful.
How to Use Basil Leaves?
Using basil leaves is a fun and easy way to add flavor and aroma to your dishes. You can use basil leaves in different ways, depending on your mood and occasion. Here are some of the best ways to use basil leaves:
Fresh
You can use fresh basil leaves to garnish and enhance your dishes, such as salads, soups, pizzas, and pastas. Also you can use fresh basil leaves to make salads, such as caprese salad with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil, or Greek salad with cucumbers, feta cheese, and basil. You can also use fresh basil leaves to make drinks, such as lemonade, tea, or cocktails, with basil, lemon, sugar, and water.
Cooked
You can use cooked basil leaves to flavor and season your dishes, such as sauces, stews, curries, and casseroles. Also you can use cooked basil leaves to make dishes, such as tomato sauce with basil, garlic, and onion, or chicken with basil, cream, and mushrooms. You can also use cooked basil leaves to make breads, such as focaccia with basil, olive oil, and salt, or muffins with basil, cheese, and eggs.
Preserved
You can use preserved basil leaves to store and enjoy them for later use, such as freezing, drying, or making pesto. Also you can use preserved basil leaves to make dishes, such as pesto pasta with basil, garlic, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese, or roasted vegetables with basil, olive oil, and salt. You can also use preserved basil leaves to make snacks, such as crackers with basil, cheese, and honey, or popcorn with basil, butter, and salt.
Wrapping It Up!
Basil is a wonderful herb that you can grow and harvest in your garden or indoors. It has a fresh and aromatic flavor that can enhance any dish, and a rich and nutritious profile that can benefit your health and well-being. By following the tips and tricks in this article, you can learn how to harvest basil properly, so that it keeps growing and producing more leaves, how to cut basil, pick basil leaves, and store them for later use, and how to use basil leaves in different and delicious ways.
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Owning a home includes a good deal of responsibility.
Homeowners have dozens of minor tasks they need to keep up with if they want to avoid paying for costly repairs. With adequate preparation, though, the many maintenance tasks required of homeowners can be performed easily without taking up too much time.
Read on to find brief checklists for monthly and seasonal tasks that will make it easier to stay on top of everything.
Spring Maintenance Checklist
Winter can wreak havoc on a home, and everyone looks forward to using spring as a time to get outside and away from the house, but homeowners should take care of a few things first.
For example, spring is the best time to handle major projects like scheduling roofing services and repairs to address any damage done during the winter. Most homeowners also find that a small amount of work early in the season can help them prevent some extra hassles when summer approaches. Be sure to tackle the following.
Spring cleaning, both inside the home and in the yard.
Tree inspections to find signs of damage from winter storms.
Reseeding and fertilizing the lawn.
Properly servicing and storing seasonal equipment from winter, such as snow blowers.
Conducting a full inspection of the home's exterior, including its roof, gutters, and paint.
Giving the house a quick scrub.
Cleaning the deck or patio.
Opening the pool for summer.
Summer Maintenance Checklist
Getting the bulk of the major landscaping and exterior maintenance or repairs done in the spring gives homeowners more time to enjoy the summer. That said, they'll still need to take care of a few things regularly, including the following items.
Turning on the sprinklers for the season once the rain ends.
Mowing the lawn and weeding the garden every week.
Keeping the pool clean by scrubbing it twice a month and checking chemical levels weekly.
Completing weekend home improvement projects while the weather is nice.
Fall Maintenance Checklist
Just like spring brings a lot of work with it because it represents the changing of the seasons, fall home maintenance requires a lot of advanced planning for the winter months ahead. Important tasks to remember include the following.
Planting perennial flowers, trees, and shrubs.
Harvesting annual plants.
Raking leaves.
Cleaning gutters.
Turning off the sprinkler system.
Stacking firewood for winter.
Cleaning, closing, and covering the pool.
Winter Maintenance Checklist
Most modern families hunker down for the winter and don't worry too much about home improvement projects. However, there are some maintenance issues that must be handled in the early winter. They include these items.
Preparing the snowblower for the season.
Stocking up on ice melt and other supplies.
Coming up with a plan for dealing with ice dams.
Checking the emergency generator to make sure it's in good working order.
Monthly Maintenance Checklist
Not all home maintenance tasks are seasonal. Some must be performed every month of the year. They include the following elements.
Changing HVAC filters.
Inspecting major home systems.
Checking the plumbing system for damage.
Restocking cleaning supplies.
Checking and cleaning gutters.
Performing a full walk-through of the property.
Know When to Hire a Pro
Basic home maintenance tasks are easy enough to perform for someone with a DIY mindset. However, major repairs and renovations are best left to professionals. This is particularly true of projects like roof maintenance, plumbing repairs, and major landscape changes.
Read Also:
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Some Facts You Need to Know About Rainwater Harvesting
A home is more than just four-wall confinement to provide shelter. Sense of security, range of emotions, the commemoration of establishments, symbol of status, and more, all are some of the many aspects related to becoming a homeowner.
There are certain risks to achieve the absolute benefits of homeownership. It covers several social, personal, and financial advantages over monthly renting. Owning a house should represent your financial stability, emotional success, and community contribution.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reveals about 60% of Americans have homeownership. This lofty percentage is due to continued economic expansion with surging educational access. Settling for a home directly is thus more appealing for conscious people like yourself.
Concerning the monetary facts, you’re sure to enjoy an extended number of benefits. You can learn more at https://paradisedevelopments.com/blog/communities/renting-vs-buying-in-toronto/, the expert suggestions, practical ideas, and in-depth details are sure to relieve your headache associated with homeownership.
Financial Requirements Of Homeownership
Almost every person understands the financial prerequisites of owning a home. In fact, it appears to be the most invigorating point of homeownership. Initial investment requires you to spend an incredibly high amount of money. But the outcome is sure to make a satisfying payoff with time. The pointed facts should explain the obvious advantages in brief.
Building Equity: The possessed value of any given asset is represented as equity. In fact, monthly mortgage payment lets you establish equity for your house. Direct contribution to the physical asset explicitly differs from monthly rental payments to landlords.
Long-Term Saving: Equity happens to initiate certain savings for your financially stable future. There are a number of strategies available to tap into equity. Even a minimal saving per month will aggregate massive savings after several years. Several studies indicate peak outcomes on your retirement ages to suggest retiree savings.
Building Wealth: The value of properties is burgeoning right now. Therefore, it will help you sell the home for a notable profit after years of use. Although short-term use can’t exactly have a significant payoff; however, long-term consideration, like 30 years plus, will provide you with a great profit.
Expense Control: There are different uncertainties involved in rental living. But ownership lets you skip the issues with less fixed payments. The amount lets you reimburse the overall expense for every month. And you can initiate absolute control over your costs.
Financial Education: Ownership immediately starts to develop a personalized understanding of your financial knowledge. Likewise, you’ll have to deal with many financial aspects. It becomes easy to predict the probable costs, letting you plan ahead of time. The educational skills regarding its management will surely help future generations.
Taxation Aspects Of Homeownership
Attractive tax breaks on ownership are sure to give you definite relief from complex regulations. Many deductions should occupy your applicable Federal Tax rules following the purchase. Check out the benefits closely to understand their viability.
Property Tax Deduction: Distinctive jurisdiction allows you to check the deduction of property taxes. There are several regulations regarding the aspect. It requires your attention to the usable points.
Home Sales Profit: Exemption in capital gain tax can cover thousands of dollars on selling. Though taxation eligibility requires you to occupy the benefits. It should follow the sale of homeownership.
Reduced Mortgage Interest: Almost every payable home mortgage interest remains tax-deductible. Therefore, the curtailed mortgage interest triggers a particular deduction of your taxable income.
Imputed Home Rent: Every landlord that provides rental living space has to pay taxes on the income. But it has nothing to do with homeownership. You can skip the hassles of additional tax regulations.
Credit Builder: There are many direct or indirect factors that contribute to your credit score. Owning a home improves the average credit account length. And it simply manages to push the score forward.
Additional Aspects That Remains Underrated
Alongside the benefits, there are several other factors to consider. The extra aspects often remain neglected, ignored, or unnoticed.
Inflation Hedge: Rental costs or housing payments keep pace with the ongoing inflation rate. Continued inflation obviously affects your overall expense.
Borrowing Power: Superior home equity results in further eligibility of borrowing money. A credit line or particular load on home equity suffices for a second mortgage. And the loan can provide financial support. It can include, medical bills, tuition fees, home improvements, or additional purchases.
These are all the monetary benefits of homeownership. There are several social benefits to ownership as well. You don’t have to deal with landlord permissions or restrictions on any change. The emotional and financial security you get from owning a home provides great relief. There remains no uncertain rental stay. Possessing a home becomes a symbol of personal accomplishments to raise the status. Freedom of full customization lets you check the possibilities towards further development.
Encountering The Risks
Talking about homeownership, the discussion remains incomplete without discussing its risks. You must consider the current financial aspects to back your expensive investment. In fact, high maintenance costs are likely to give you trouble. It’s particularly true for houses that feature minimal facilities. A poorly maintained home can also reduce the property value.
More Resources:
Benefits of Investing in City Centre Property
Buy to Let Mortgage Explained
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