Category: Local Branding

Kitchen and living rooms are an important part of every household. Partly because we spent most of our time here and partly because these are the rooms where we introduce our guests. Remodeling or refurnishing kitchens can be a costly affair. Hence we have prepared a list of 10 kitchen improvement ideas that are budget-friendly and can assist you in changing the appearance of your kitchen. You can also request free catalogs via mail for similar solutions.

 

• Paint the cabinets

 

Instead of replacing the whole set of cabinets, you can revamp your existing set of cabinets by painting them with trending colors that go well along with other elements of your kitchen. With proper prep, you can achieve the desired results. Fill in the gaps with putty, polish surfaces with sandpaper, and let the paint dry completely to have smooth finish and texture. You can repaint your cabinets for just $70 to $75.

 

• Change hardware

 

Replacing handles and knobs of the cabinets is also a good idea as they are subjected to wear and tear with constant use. You can opt for an antic or rustic look just by changing knobs and handles of the cabinets.

 

• Revamping sink

 

Polish your sink with the help of sandpaper and paint it with the spray paint that is meant for metal surfaces. This will give your sink new look for considerable less cost when compared to buying new sink altogether. You can also replace old faucets with stylish and sophisticated ones according to your taste.

 

• Creating Attractive Backsplash

 

You can give your kitchen a beautiful and attractive look by utilizing Vinyl peel-and-stick flooring box which cots only $40. All you will need is vinyl flooring box, box cutters, levels to draw straight lines, measuring tape, and Loctite Power Grab which you will apply to the vinyl floor before pasting it to the wall. Loctite Power Grab ensures that vinyl floor tiles are secured tightly against the wall.

 

 

• Play Dressup

 

Change old, dull and rugs and curtains with trending colors, prints and patterns. Go for bold and bright prints for Bohemian theme, Aztec or geometric patterns for contemporary or warm and bright hues to give a rustic feel. You can also replace old and heavy rugs with runners and seat covers. Changing upholstery can give your kitchen an overall revamped appearance without having to spend much.

 

 

• Lighting

 

Proper lighting can be a complete mood changer. Instead of going for large and expensive chandelier, buy simple vintage lamps that cost around $20 each. Choose fancy, rustic, modern or chrome lamps that are affordable and also suit your personality and range between $30 to $70. You can also utilize a simple string of led lights that can illuminate dark space below the shelves and cabinets without you having to break your bank.

 

 

• Remove clutter

 

Removing clutter from your kitchen won’t cost you a penny and it will also make your kitchen more spacious, tidy and manageable. So give away all the utensils, appliances and chinaware that no longer serve you in the kitchen.

 

 

• Spruce the countertop

 

You can revamp your countertop with marble, zinc, wood or stain resistant material that too without breaking your budget. Sealed countertops made of wood like walnut, imbuia or anigre are durable in nature as they are sealed with acrylic finishing. Other durable materials that can be utilized are glass top, zinc, Oak slab, etc. You can choose one which suits your requirements and aesthetics of your kitchen.

 

 

• Install a chalkboard

 

Turn empty wall or fridge door into a chalkboard with the aid of magnetic primer and chalkboard paint. It costs you only $30 and also makes the kitchen more functional.

 

 

• Expand storage

 

Get a dish rack or turn cluttered drawers, empty walls and used cabinets into storage for books, pantry, extra dishes, chinaware, etc. Costs of this depend upon the size and area of the storage.  

 

Final verdict

There are many ways and DIYs which let you improve the aesthetics off your kitchen without you having to spend hoards of money for the same. Whether you opt for changing upholstery, hardware, countertop, storage or paint sinks and cabinets depend on your requirements, taste, and overall theme of the kitchen.

 

Most people who work from 9 to 5 don’t understand the lifestyle of digital nomads. Instead of getting paid by their employers, getting all their benefits on the row, and traveling on vacation, these globetrotting professionals need to think about their day-to-day logistics 365 times a year. On the other hand, people are intrigued by their social media updates, check-ins from eclectic waterfront coffee shops, airy hotel rooms, verandas overlooking the valleys of greenery, and neatly packed minimalistic wardrobes. The unbearable lightness of traveling that these young people promote has become a source of inspirations for many fashionistas and designers, who’ve now embraced the concept of a comfortable yet stylish capsule wardrobe.

Simple but well-made

Much more than simply a way of running the business, the digital nomad life is a choice that demands that you’re often on the road. Once you’ve decided to accept it, you must also accept that your wardrobe needs to shrink accordingly. Schlepping a heavy suitcase around the terminals and narrow streets doesn’t really work for anybody. However, before you get to optimize your wardrobe, you need to consider a quality backpack. It needn’t be one that lets you camp out in Alaskan bush bivouac-style for two weeks – a 60+20 liter capacity is more than enough for hopping between places. It will be enough for carrying your clothes, toiletries, and essentials, while the detachable rucksack will take your laptop as hand luggage, or be your primary bag for town exploration. The choice of clothes needs to be basic, but the price tag shouldn’t compromise the quality. Instead of getting through three or four pairs of cheap jeans every year, it makes more sense to pay a bit more for something that lasts longer.    

Bright new outlook

The freedom to work from wherever they want is the main motivation for many digital nomads. In most cases, it means working somewhere where the weather is warm and the sun shines much more often than it does in their home country. This also means that sunglasses should be a quintessential part of their wardrobe. When it comes to sunglasses, the vast majority of models are manufactured by the same company which works with most fashion houses and owns a lot of brands. While there are smaller brands who’re struggling to stay on the surface, online sales are their only chance. Your choice will ultimately depend on your personal preferences, but you should look somewhere along the lines of Oakley Holbrook, Tom Ford Henry, Ray-Ban Aviator, and Persol. These models come with durable plastic and metal frames while having a glass instead of polycarbonate lens makes cleaning much easier. Just make sure you don’t lose their hard case, as they’re to be knocked about quite a bit every time you need to move place.

Shoes made for walking

No matter where you travel, you’re likely to do a lot of walking, so having a pair of comfortable and lightweight shoes is more important having several statement pairs for different occasions. A quick visual survey of some of the most prolific digital nomad fashionistas’ Instagram profiles reveals that digital nomads have been following latest men’s Adidas footwear trends, appreciating the premier materials and timeless look of their sneaks that is easy to pull off with even darker jeans as well as with jogging pants. Those who are more into innovative materials and designs should consider some of modern Merino wool shoes with lightweight rubber soles. While wool shoes might not sound like something one would wear all day, Merino wool used in Allbirds Men’s Wool Runners has great temperature regulating and moisture wicking properties, and none of that irksome scratching we usually relate to wool.

Packable puffer jacket

Wherever you go, the nights are likely to get cold and rainy, even in the subtropical regions at a certain time of the year. With this in mind, a versatile and functional jacket is more than essential. However, not all jackets are made the same. A down-filled puffer jacket can protect you from wind and rain, but also be surprisingly warm, in case you find yourself in a part of the world where winters are real. The best feature, however, is that it can be rolled up and stored in your backpack, taking no more space than your Dopp kit. Unless you specifically plan on visiting extreme climates, toting a heavy-weight jacket around just in case doesn’t make sense.

While your clothing ultimately depends on the location and climate, breathable cotton or performance fabrics that can be easily washed on the go are always a great choice. While mainstream fashion experts have been developing the capsule wardrobe concept, the same evolution has been unfolding in backpacks of millions of digital nomads.

With the number of time employees spend in their offices during the day, one of the main consideration for the employer should be to create an environment that is pleasant and comfortable to work in. The surroundings not only affect employees’ well-being and productivity, but also their satisfaction, dedication, and creativity. With this on the mind, modern office designs should strive not only towards creating inspiring and motivating spaces but also providing optimal comfort that ensures a smooth work process.

Specific challenges

As the global temperature is rising, the issue of thermal comfort in commercial environments is becoming more and more important. Interestingly, even with all the technological advancements we’ve accomplished to this day, the idea of a thermally comfortable office isn’t always realized. More electronic equipment generates additional heat, and every employee is different when it comes to a subjective level of thermal comfort and metabolic rate, which makes finding an optimal temperature inside the office impossible in some cases.

Insulate walls and roof

The first step in optimizing the thermal comfort in any indoor environment should be improving the wall and roof insulation. As in most commercial buildings internal walls are made of wood and drywall, they are thinner than the exterior ones and lightly insulated, which allows for easier heat transfer between the rooms. In addition, the roof can be a constant source of heat in the office, especially if your offices are located on the top floor. By upgrading the exterior and interior insulation, not only can you improve the thermal comfort for the employees, but also maximize your building energy efficiency.

Building orientation

Apart from wall and roof insulation, another constituent in your office thermal performance is the orientation of the building, position of windows and their exposure to sunlight. For example, in the southern hemisphere, offices that face north receive significantly more sunlight, and sun-generated heat, than those with south-facing windows. On a global level, sunlight yields about 164 Watts/m²in a 24-hour period. Although the figure varies greatly on the latitude and other geographical factors, considering solar thermal gains help you better understand the heating and cooling needs in your office.

Consider different window design

Different climates will require different solutions. For example, although they share about the same latitude, and should receive the same amount of sunlight throughout the day, Perth, Australia, and Santiago, Chile has a considerably different climate throughout the year. To an extent, exposure to sunlight can be controlled and modified by upgrading the window design. For instance, having double glazed windows in Perth can maintain a comfortable room temperature throughout the day, while allowing you to take advantage of the cool morning breezes coming from the sea.  Optical grade acrylic glazing used in these windows is up to 6x more thermally efficient than glass.

Shortcomings of HVAC systems

While most offices rely on their HVAC systems for thermal control, they have proven insufficient in many cases, as their BTU formulas don’t include specific office features like renovations, different layouts, cubicles, as well as the heat from the electronics. HVAC calculation also disregards the orientation of windows, the position of the sun, and natural shade. When considering solutions to improve the thermal comfort in an office, all these factors need to be taken into account.

Placement of ventilation inlets/outlets

While the fact that cold air settles down and hot air rises are known to many, most people are unaware that the placement of inlets and outlets also has significant effects on indoor air circulation. By placing the outlet duct in the opposite direction from the inlet, you can increase the air turbulence in the room. While not all office designs and layouts will make this possible, if you manage to find the most favorable location for inlet and outlet ducts, you’ll be able to save on your cooling, as well as to recirculate the hot and stale indoor air.

When you consider and apply few of these solutions, apart from optimizing the thermal comfort in your place of business, which is directly related to the overall employee comfort, satisfaction, and productivity, you can also end up using energy more efficiently, cutting utility bills, and even increasing the property value.

Starting a company is always a great challenge, with many uncertainties waiting around the corner. Is your idea good enough? Will people respond to it? Are you going to cover all the costs and create a sustainable business? All these questions and many more linger in the minds of those about to embark on the track of entrepreneurship. Still, everyone agrees that the way you start has the greatest effect on the future.

So, what are the typical problems at a very early age? Securing financial backup and having a clear idea about how the business should be run spring to mind. With around 90 percent of all startups failing in the first year, getting it right from the very beginning is crucial. One of the things you need to ensure is that you don’t waste any money, especially when starting a company. Let’s take a look at some tips that should help you keep your costs to the minimum.

Rental costs

Success can greatly depend on the location of your office, as we all know. The more you depend on it, the fewer options you have at your disposal. If you have to work 24/7, sharing the premises with some other business in order to save money on the rent is impossible. However, if your business is such that will allow you to split the rental costs with some other company, make sure you use the opportunity to do so. Sharing office space with another business can be tricky, but if done correctly, it can save both you and the other company a lot of money and could easily be the difference between making it and breaking it.

Purchase in bulk

It’s understandable that startups wish to limit the expenditure by buying small quantities of items they need and repeating such purchases more frequently. However, in doing so, they are actually spending much more than necessary. Office equipment and stationery are the things each company needs and they are best bought in bulk. Also, finding a reliable supplier, like Winc Australia, for example, who will offer free delivery and match any lower price you find for the same items, is very important if you want to keep your expenditure low. Naturally, you shouldn’t clutter your office with the stuff you won’t be needing any time soon, but if you have a suitable storage facility, this is a chance to save some big bucks.

Streamline and automate as much as possible

Many startups fall into the trap of having everyone doing everything, powered and inspired mostly by the thrill of setting up a new business. Still, that fuel doesn’t last forever. People get tired, disillusioned and realize that there is no method in the madness. The right way to go about it, which is going to save you both human and financial resources, is to automate processes such as payroll, accounting, and administration as much as possible from the start. The more you allow yourself and your colleagues to focus on work, the better it will be for the company.

Consider hiring freelancers

If the nature of your business allows it, think about employing freelance employees instead of full-time ones. The latter cost more, since you have to pay for a full-time salary, sick-leaves, benefits, equipment, and other expenses. Such costs are non-existent when it comes to freelancers and that can save you quite a lot. Just make sure you aren’t breaking any laws when offering such employment since one lawsuit can easily be the end of your startup.

Plan and monitor expenses

It’s vital that you make a plan for your expenditure and monitor where, when and how much of your money is spent. Make sure you don’t forget things such as insurance, utilities, salaries, and others, which are often overlooked as something that will figure itself out. Without a plan, you’ll never be able to know if you’re doing something right and if your business is successful or not. What you also have to plan is the period after which your company should start making a profit. However, in order to live to see that day, you have to be extremely careful with your expenditure before that moment.

What you need to understand when starting up a business is that there are no guarantees and that in order to succeed, you have to do several things right. In the beginning, you have very little margin for error, which makes the task even more challenging. On the other hand, every successful company was once a startup, which means you too can do it. However, you need to be doing a lot of things right from the onset.

Image source

 

Stretched thin between trying to stay above the surface and deciding on the right marketing approach for their products or services, not many startup owners have time to consider what their office design says about their brand. However, when it comes to the appearance of the office, there’s rarely a second chance. The moment a new client or potential partner walks into your place of business, the impression they get directly translates to you as an organization. The question, however, remains whether you are making the desired impression?

More than meets the eye

At this point, you need to clearly define what message do you want your office to send about your brand. Would it be a statement of a strong and energetic enterprise? Is there an element of clockwork precision, planning, and organization? Does the place look like it attracts goal-achievers? Perhaps the target clientele is family-oriented, so you want to stress your origins as a family-run business. When considering the details of your office design, you need to account for every inch of your space, as all those details reflect your brand’s values, culture, and core beliefs.

Entrance

Before visitors even enter your place of business, it’s important they have a prelude of what they’re going to see. The entryway, together with the company parking, walkways, and landscaping needs to be clean and inviting, but also to reflect the seasonal mood and festivities. Add decorative items to make it more welcoming. When coming for the first time, people don’t know what to expect, and if the entry area is poorly maintained, the initial tone would be a wrong one.

Reception area

As new clients step into your reception/waiting area, the first thing they’ll notice is its appearance. If you want to impose a serious no-nonsense tone, opt for a dark hardwood desk and chairs. However, if you accent them with bright colours, you automatically infuse the setup with a sense of humour, making the whole place warm and welcoming. On the other hand, bright coloured furniture and wall treatments will paint your company’s portrait as vibrant and lively. On top of it, the kind of furniture, colours, and logo display have a big role in perceiving your business as more or less successful.

Traditional or open plan?

A traditional arrangement with private offices and cubicles always convey an image of privacy and confidentiality. While in creative industries this might be perceived as unwelcoming and unimaginative, it suits perfectly for insurance, financial, and security business niches. An open plan is more suited for companies that want to emphasize their flexibility, cooperative values, and sharing which they aim to invest in their business. If you are not sure which approach to use, consult a construction company which specializes in design and construction of commercial developments with aesthetically appealing outcomes aimed at maximizing your returns.

Exterior

The way your office looks from the outside is just as important as its interior design. Current trends for exterior facades propose the use of lightweight aluminium cladding, comprised of a fire-resistant core with non-combustible minerals sandwiched between two aluminium sheets. In addition to meeting rigorous safety standards, the use of aluminium composite panels is also cost-effective and low-maintenance, and with a practically unlimited colour range that is available today, you can easily incorporate it into your brand identity.

Transitions and lights

The way one space flows into another makes a big difference in how your business is perceived. When a visitor to your space is met with a glass door, they subconsciously see transparency as one of your core values. The more they are able to see your business in action the more they are likely to trust you with their money. The lighting also plays an important role. An office that offers bright, but layered and non-invasive lighting brings on liveliness but also a degree of sophistication.

Office greenery

In order to present their business as environmentally conscious, many offices bring the outdoors inside by resorting to living walls, water features, skylights, and other elements that create an atmosphere of growth and natural cycles. In a simple variant, you can add greenery to your office by choosing office plants which apart from purifying the air, reduce stress and absenteeism. Succulents, for example, are perfect for office environments as they thrive in dry areas, which means their leaves won’t wither in case someone forgets to water them two days in a row.

The way you design your office interior not only advertises the inner culture of your company but also affects how your brand is seen among many others. For your employees, the office design can increase their productivity and efficiency, while for your clients, a positive impression of your space will reinforce their faith in your brand and organization.