How to Create the Ultimate Home Theater Room

Many of us dream about having the ultimate home theater room in our homes, and it’s actually much more achievable than you might think. Here is the ultimate guide to creating the perfect space for watching movies in your home.

Choose a TV or projector.

Usually the first question homeowners ask as they are planning to create a home theater in their home is this: “Should I get a TV or a projector?” Here are the pros and cons of each.

TV

Some of the biggest advantages that TVs have are their ease of installation, ease of use, and ability to be used even in a lit room. 

Just about anyone can install a TV in their home, and once installed, using it is pretty much as simple as hitting the power button. You don’t need to wait for a TV to warm up before using it, and you don’t need to black out any windows before settling down to watch a movie, either. 

LED HDTVs are especially energy efficient, and this makes them relatively affordable to own. And since smaller TV screens are becoming a thing of the past, owning, say, a 70-inch TV is now more affordable than ever.

Projector

Still, projectors still hold the advantage of being more affordable per square inch when it comes to larger screen sizes. And before you assume that TVs still offer better image quality than projectors, take note that projector technology has made tremendous strides in recent years. 

Projectors are getting brighter and brighter, and they are providing extremely good blacks as well—even when there is ambient light. The images produced by projectors also tend to be easier on the eyes that those produced by TVs. 

If you end up opting for a projector, just make sure that you also invest in a high quality screen that will maximize the quality of your image.

Don’t skimp on sound.

If there’s one thing that will truly transform a room with a TV into a full fledged home theater, surround sound is probably it. 

A comprehensive home theater sound system will typically include at five satellite speakers (two front, two rear, and one center-channel) and a subwoofer. 

Many people who are creating their own home theaters will purchase a home theater speaker system that includes all of these components as stand-alone speakers; however, if you really want to step things up, you might consider making some of your speakers (such as the two front and two rear satellite speakers) in-wall speakers like this one.

Use reliable wiring.

In addition to high end visual and audio setups, you’ll also want to ensure that the wiring you use is high quality and reliable. If you’re unsure as to which wires and cables you’ll need for your home theater, this article is a great place to start. 

And if you want your home theater to maintain a clean and professional look, you should consider installing this wiring behind your walls as well.

Invest in prime seating.

This is where you’ll definitely want to invest in oversized, comfortable seating. Many people opt for oversized recliners (many of which even feature cupholders), but you might also consider giant bean bags, chaise lounges, or an oversized sectional sofa. 

If you plan on having more than one row of seating in your home theater, then you’ll definitely want to consider stadium style seating featuring multiple levels so that everyone in the theater can see the screen.

Add end tables.

On the subject of furniture, you shouldn’t forget end tables, either—at least to serve as a place for keeping your drinks, the remote, etc.

Include a place for refreshments.

It’s also a good idea to include space in your home theater for keeping refreshments on hand. You might include a mini refrigerator for drinks, as well as a cabinet or two for snacks—equipped with handles that you can easily find in the dark (a topic you can read more about here).

Control light.

The lighting in your theater will also have a significant impact on the overall atmosphere. First, be sure that you install blackout window treatments that will allow you to block out as much light as possible, so that you can enjoy watching movies in a truly dark room (this is especially important if your home theater has a projector). 

It’s also a good idea to add dimmable lighting to your theater to give it that movie theater ambiance. Many people opt for lighting that they can control with a remote for added convenience.

Add small details.

Finally, there are several small details that you can add to your theater room to truly set it apart and make it fit for movie viewing. Here are a few ideas:

• Large, comfortable blankets
• Large ottoman
• Shelving for movies
• Popcorn machine
• Framed movie posters
• Coasters for the end tables

There you have it. Building the ultimate home theater room is a dream that can be achieved and it will be the most favorite place in the house for the entire family.

Family-Run Bookstore: An Investment in the Future

If you love to lose yourself into the magic of reading, spend countless hours imagining the world and reliving the lives of the characters from your favorite books, and in addition to all of that you would love to one day retire and have something to leave to your family, then opening a bookstore is a perfect thing for you. 

It is a great opportunity to turn your passion into something real. Not only will it bring you great revenue, but you will also enrich your community and boost cultural growth of your neighborhood. Every beginning is challenging, and by following the below listed steps, you can succeed in turning your dreams into reality.

Do a proper research

Since there are already plenty bookstores out there, you need to make sure that opening yet another one will actually bring you income. Talk to small business owners, and use the information they provide for your own benefit. 

Explore many different niches, and see which one needs to be focused on and which ones are unexplored. Determine whether the market will support another bookstore or not. Ask your friends for their opinion, create polls and surveys online about what people would love to read and see in the bookstores. Once you have all these information, you are ready for the next step.

Come up with a business plan

Creating a business plan is very important part of starting a new business. It is basically a document which describes your proposed venture, states your goals and the ways of achieving them. Your business plan will develop you a solid income, if the developers and investors find it interesting and worth investing for. 

Therefore, conducting a proper research and putting all the pieces together is crucial for creating a proper business plan, one that will actually bring you investors. Make sure you do not neglect the financial part, for that is what the investors read first. If they see that their investments could return in no time, you are ready to go.

Find a decent location

Another very important part of opening a success business is its location. It is not the same if you open a bookstore next to another one and if you open one in the area where there is none. 

There are many factors that will affect your business, and getting a good location is essential. It has to be located in the area rich with pedestrians and traffic, and once you have this part settled, all that is left is to open a store and make it legal.

Becoming a legal store owner

Once all of the above stated steps are complete, all that is left is to apply for a business license, assemble the store and fill the shelves with books. Make sure the shelves are not filled with different niches, for that will totally look frivolous. 

It is true to say that getting custom shelving solutions will cost a bit more money, but it is more than likely to attract more attention and more potential clients. 

Once everything is in place, all that is left is to contact local retailers and order your books. Stack the books by niche, and do not by any means mix the niches. This will make it easier for customers to find books they are looking for. 

Advertise your business

Last step is all about spreading the word. Use social media, Youtube, create an event or send emails, all in order to let the people know that there is a new bookstore in town. 

If you manage to get special deals, offer them as an opening courtesy for the first buyers only. Before you know it, your bookstore will be in business and you will have something to leave for your younger ones once you are ready to retire.

By the time you reach the right age for an early retirement, your generated income should be enough to keep you covered for the rest of your days, and your family members will be able to take over the business for you. 

There is no bigger happiness than doing what you love and passing the same passion on to your children.

Home Plumbing: How to Save Money on your Monthly Utility bills

Utility bills are a necessary evil. One of the most annoying utility bills is most likely your water. In fact, your water bill is probably higher if you have multiple people living in your household. 

So how do you save money on your water bill each month? If you are looking for ways to save money on your home's water bill, you may be searching for methods that will not impact your use of water. 

After all, you may not want to rush through bathing to take a two minute shower or skimp on hygiene functions like washing your hands. The reality is that you need water in the home, but you may not want to pay a fortune for it. These tips will help you to curb your usage of water without impacting how you use it. 

Install Low-Flow Shower Heads

Low-flow shower heads and faucets are aerated. This means that they are designed to deliver a powerful stream of water to you without using so much water. Rather than relying solely on water pressure, they also rely on air pressure to create a forceful stream. 

This means that your experience using the water features is not impaired in any way, but you will use less water. Companies like HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric can help you to install new shower heads and faucets.

Update Your Toilets

Energy efficient toilets are still relatively a new thing over the last 10-15 years. If you live in a relatively old home, it would probably be smart to update your toilet. Today's toilets are designed to use significantly less water with each flush. 

Some have advanced technology that lets you decide if you need more or less water based on the type of waste that is in the toilet bowl. If you can’t update your toilet yet, you can at the very least adjust your water levels on your toilet to help you save on your water bill each month.

Invest in a Sprinkler System

A sprinkler system can help you to save money on your water bill as well. This is because these systems can be installed so that water is only distributed on the vegetation rather than falling on the driveway, street and other paved surfaces. 

It can also be placed evenly so that there is minimal water waste, and you can program the settings so water usage is fully controlled.

Invest in a Tankless Hot Water Heater

Tankless water heaters are becoming a thing now, especially if you are the kind of person that is looking for energy efficiency and looking to save on your water bills each month. 

You can also invest in a new hot water heater to save money on water consumption. Think about how much water you waste when you turn on the faucet to wash your hands with warm water or to take a shower. 

You may wait a minute or longer each time to draw hot water from the system. A tankless hot water heater heats water on demand immediately, and there are benefits associated with this.

As you can see, it is possible to save money on your water usage without changing how you use hot water and cold water. If you are interested in exploring new ways to save money on your water usage, consider working with a plumber to make some improvements to your home. 

You will also want to take a look at how you can decrease your water usage in order to save money on a month to month basis.

Don't Get Stuck Financially: Five Things You Need To Budget For During A Move

Moving can be a stressful process for anyone. One of the best ways to make your move a lot easier is to budget ahead - knowing exactly what your expenditure will be can make the difference between a smooth, easy move, and one that ends up being way more complicated than was necessary. 

Let's take a look at five of the most important things you need to budget for during a move.

Moving Equipment

It's amazing how many boxes you can realize you need while you're moving. Make a short list of all the moving equipment you might need before you begin packing. 

This can include boxes, packing tape, padding or Styrofoam peanuts for your delicate items, and so on.

Transportation Costs

If you're moving a long distance, consider how much your transportation costs will be. For example, if you're driving, estimate your gas costs. If your vehicle needs any repairs before you set out on a long trip, add these expenses to your budget as well. 

If you're traveling some other way, such as a plane or train, make sure to look into the cost of the tickets for you and your family.

A Professional Moving Service

This is perhaps the most important part of planning your move. Take into consideration exactly what your professional moving service will be transporting for you. By making yourself a checklist, you can ensure that the quote you get from Bekins Van Lines Inc is as accurate as possible. 

If you're uncertain about anything, be sure to call ahead and ask any questions you may have. Also, remember to inform your moving company about anything that may make the move more complicated, such as stairs.

Storage Fees

If necessary, you may also need to calculate storage fees. For example, say that you're unable to move all of your possessions in one trip, but you need to quickly vacate the house or building where you were before. 

Storage units are usually fairly affordable, but this expense needs to go on your moving budget as well.

Temporary Housing

It's possible that when you arrive to the new area that you'll be living, you won't be able to move into your new home right away. This might be anywhere from a week to a month in some situations, so budget accordingly for how much the rent of temporary housing will cost.

A moving budget can make the entire process of going from one house to another so much easier. 

Instead of worrying about how much you're spending - or being caught off guard financially - you'll be able to know exactly how much everything is going to cost each step of the way.