House Checklist
Jun 11, 2009 General Nonsense |
If you have stairs in your home, you probably do what I do, namely leave little piles of crap at the bottom of the stairs that needs to go upstairs on your next trip. I hate those little piles. But I hate making trips upstairs for trivial reasons too.
In the house that we're building now we'll have little cubby holes in the walls near the top and bottom of the stairs - call them niches if you must, to hold the crap that needs to travel on the next trip. It won't look attractive, but it will get our stuff off the floor and tucked out of the way, and that's a start. This is more important than it seems because our dog thinks anything left on the floor for more than five seconds is a legitimate chew toy.
My other de-cluttering idea is what I call the Toy Jail. It's a closet beneath the stairs where I plan to toss anything found downstairs that doesn't belong there. In any given day the family drags in many pounds of miscellaneous stuff that is, for one reason or another, too valuable to discard, and too worthless to have its own space in the house. Generally your home has no established storage area for miscellaneous, odd-shaped, crapinalia. In our new home, that sort of thing will find a final resting place in the Toy Jail, along with any toy that should have been put away and wasn't. When the Toy Jail gets full, we'll probably have to move.
I am often amused at the features that big developers leave out of their homes. Our current home is a townhouse designed by one of the biggest names in the industry. When I want to sweep up some crumbs in the kitchen, I have to walk down two flights of stairs to the garage to get the broom. There is literally no place nearer to the kitchen to store it. I have to think the builder knew there was no broom closet in the design of the townhouse, but they also knew you wouldn't notice it was missing until after you moved in. It's diabolical. Our new house will have a broom closet in the kitchen.
All of this gets me to my point: Where's my frickin' checklist?
When you buy, rent, or build a new home, wouldn't it be good to have a checklist of features that a house could possibly have, so you could compare it to what you will actually get? And when you build a home, wouldn't you want to know about all the potential features that are relatively inexpensive if you think of them during the design stage?
Where's my checklist?
In the house that we're building now we'll have little cubby holes in the walls near the top and bottom of the stairs - call them niches if you must, to hold the crap that needs to travel on the next trip. It won't look attractive, but it will get our stuff off the floor and tucked out of the way, and that's a start. This is more important than it seems because our dog thinks anything left on the floor for more than five seconds is a legitimate chew toy.
My other de-cluttering idea is what I call the Toy Jail. It's a closet beneath the stairs where I plan to toss anything found downstairs that doesn't belong there. In any given day the family drags in many pounds of miscellaneous stuff that is, for one reason or another, too valuable to discard, and too worthless to have its own space in the house. Generally your home has no established storage area for miscellaneous, odd-shaped, crapinalia. In our new home, that sort of thing will find a final resting place in the Toy Jail, along with any toy that should have been put away and wasn't. When the Toy Jail gets full, we'll probably have to move.
I am often amused at the features that big developers leave out of their homes. Our current home is a townhouse designed by one of the biggest names in the industry. When I want to sweep up some crumbs in the kitchen, I have to walk down two flights of stairs to the garage to get the broom. There is literally no place nearer to the kitchen to store it. I have to think the builder knew there was no broom closet in the design of the townhouse, but they also knew you wouldn't notice it was missing until after you moved in. It's diabolical. Our new house will have a broom closet in the kitchen.
All of this gets me to my point: Where's my frickin' checklist?
When you buy, rent, or build a new home, wouldn't it be good to have a checklist of features that a house could possibly have, so you could compare it to what you will actually get? And when you build a home, wouldn't you want to know about all the potential features that are relatively inexpensive if you think of them during the design stage?
Where's my checklist?
Votes: +10
Comments
User Name: another
Jul 1, 2009
0
Look what I found:
http://www.
youtube.com/watch?
v=ZuL0tvG5FY4&feature=related
Green home design used to be popular because of tax credits. Green home design includes energy efficiency and designing for your climate. Green home design is sustainable and can be a reflection of the self. Learn more about green home design from author and architect Sarah Susanka.
There are lots of Related Videos. Some might be of use to you.
http://www.
youtube.com/watch?
v=ZuL0tvG5FY4&feature=related
Green home design used to be popular because of tax credits. Green home design includes energy efficiency and designing for your climate. Green home design is sustainable and can be a reflection of the self. Learn more about green home design from author and architect Sarah Susanka.
There are lots of Related Videos. Some might be of use to you.
User Name: another
Jun 29, 2009
0
I've been told there is a device that prevents the waste of the several gallons of water that run down the drain while you wait for the water to get hot, a diverter that sends it to a tank or the lawn or something.
Also, the gray water from the washing machine can be used on the lawn if your don't use poisonous detergent.
And This:
http://www.
youtube.com/watch
?v=dJStbAkXpWY&feature=channel_page
Also, the gray water from the washing machine can be used on the lawn if your don't use poisonous detergent.
And This:
http://www.
youtube.com/watch
?v=dJStbAkXpWY&feature=channel_page
User Name: another
Jun 28, 2009
0
Hire a landscaper who understands time - plant fast growing shade-making things close to the west side of the house, larger, slower growing shade-makers on the west side of those - remove the fast growers when the slow growing ones are big enough to do their job - they'll live longer, besides.
User Name: another
Jun 28, 2009
0
Really vent the dryer - put a hood over it and a flue or better yet, invest in a clothesline.
User Name: leopard96
Jun 25, 2009
0
That BlueTooth sounds like a Jawbone I tried out a while ago. It went back to the store cuz I couldn't get it to work as well as my $20 earpiece it was supposed to replaced.
On the backup front, I've been using Mozy's (www.mozy.com) 2GB free account for quite a while and it's working very well for me. It installs a small program on the PC or Mac that handles the file selection and backup schedule. They have unlimited storage accounts available for around $5 per month.
On the backup front, I've been using Mozy's (www.mozy.com) 2GB free account for quite a while and it's working very well for me. It installs a small program on the PC or Mac that handles the file selection and backup schedule. They have unlimited storage accounts available for around $5 per month.
User Name: Zuluwarrior
Jun 15, 2009
0
Barney would like an energy efficient home? C'mon. Barney's idea of energy efficiency would include a company of nubian slaves carrying him around on their shoulders and fanning him with large paddles.
I imagine you would settle for your wife and kids doing the same thing.
I imagine you would settle for your wife and kids doing the same thing.
User Name: Leora
Jun 15, 2009
0
I have the same broom closet issue in my house (built in 2004). I solved it by using a telescoping pole with a threaded end (you can buy them for painting or window washing) and attached it to a broom head. Now it clips on the side of the cupboard under the sink for easy retrieval, with the dustpan clipped to the pole. A simple twist and pull and it's ready to go. Sometimes it's easier to modify the tool instead of the storage space.
And I use a decorative basket at the top of the stairs to collect the myriad small items that need to go downstairs...but I think fondly of my grandmother's house and its dumbwaiter. A laundry chute would do the trick nicely, if you had a big enough receptacle at the bottom (maybe padded, for less sturdy items). Fun for the cats to play in, too!
And I use a decorative basket at the top of the stairs to collect the myriad small items that need to go downstairs...but I think fondly of my grandmother's house and its dumbwaiter. A laundry chute would do the trick nicely, if you had a big enough receptacle at the bottom (maybe padded, for less sturdy items). Fun for the cats to play in, too!
User Name: Slugsie
Jun 15, 2009
+1
I have a huge pile of crap on the lower few stairs in my home. I call them 'Asyougos'. ;) I.e. You pick them up (in theory anyway) As You Go up the stairs.
User Name: hedinnb
Jun 15, 2009
0
Stupid question I am sure, but have you tried Google-ing your request?
User Name: god save England
Jun 15, 2009
0
HALIVERPOOL:
I have a similar problem, I have discovered that most of it can be safely binned after a month, (I usually attack the bottom 20%) as knowone knows what is in that bottom fith, As long as you check it for anything actually important, (I once found an unpaid bill in my better halfs sock draw...) its safe to go. she wont actually notice, as its only the things on the top that are seen.
I regularly throw out about 20% of my better halfs glossy mags 2 years and she is none the wiser....
I have a similar problem, I have discovered that most of it can be safely binned after a month, (I usually attack the bottom 20%) as knowone knows what is in that bottom fith, As long as you check it for anything actually important, (I once found an unpaid bill in my better halfs sock draw...) its safe to go. she wont actually notice, as its only the things on the top that are seen.
I regularly throw out about 20% of my better halfs glossy mags 2 years and she is none the wiser....
User Name: god save England
Jun 15, 2009
0
HALIVERPOOL:
I have a similar problem, I have discovered that most of it can be safely binned after a month, (I usually attack the bottom 20%) as knowone knows what is in that bottom fith, As long as you check it for anything actually important, (I once found an unpaid bill in my better halfs sock draw...) its safe to go. she wont actually notice, as its only the things on the top that are seen.
I regularly throw out about 20% of my better halfs glossy mags 2 years and she is none the wiser....
I have a similar problem, I have discovered that most of it can be safely binned after a month, (I usually attack the bottom 20%) as knowone knows what is in that bottom fith, As long as you check it for anything actually important, (I once found an unpaid bill in my better halfs sock draw...) its safe to go. she wont actually notice, as its only the things on the top that are seen.
I regularly throw out about 20% of my better halfs glossy mags 2 years and she is none the wiser....
User Name: BalunS
Jun 12, 2009
0
For my checklist
Make sure doors don't go clashing into other doors including refrigerator, oven and dishwasher. Make sure they are 36 inch doors, I've been in a wheelchair and used a walker for a few months and had to live in the living room- -negative fun.
Hard surface kitchen, eating area, entry and bathroom. (what idiot thinks that carpet in the bathroom is ever a good idea)
Kitchen cabinets big enough to hold cereal boxes.
Costco room a downstairs 8x10 room for food storage that also doubles as a tornado shelter.
Seasonal closet, a large walk-in closet for the Christmas tree / summer gear / etc that is used by season.
Coat closet near the entry not on the far end of the house.
A secure cabinet for locking household chemicals in, in the laundry and kitchen.
Make sure doors don't go clashing into other doors including refrigerator, oven and dishwasher. Make sure they are 36 inch doors, I've been in a wheelchair and used a walker for a few months and had to live in the living room- -negative fun.
Hard surface kitchen, eating area, entry and bathroom. (what idiot thinks that carpet in the bathroom is ever a good idea)
Kitchen cabinets big enough to hold cereal boxes.
Costco room a downstairs 8x10 room for food storage that also doubles as a tornado shelter.
Seasonal closet, a large walk-in closet for the Christmas tree / summer gear / etc that is used by season.
Coat closet near the entry not on the far end of the house.
A secure cabinet for locking household chemicals in, in the laundry and kitchen.
User Name: another
Jun 12, 2009
0
Solar water heating can be expensive to buy and install, but that's all you pay for; your water is heated for free, forever.
Task lighting in the kitchen, above every work surface, including the stove, and wouldn't it be nice to be able to see into the dishwasher, in case something has fallen to the bottom?
Task lighting in the kitchen, above every work surface, including the stove, and wouldn't it be nice to be able to see into the dishwasher, in case something has fallen to the bottom?
User Name: arbyisme
Jun 12, 2009
0
Maybe I missed it but, did not see any accommodations for RV, big toy or boat onsite storage. Off site storage is very expensive and inconvenient. Not everyone has these nor will some code and CC and Rs allow them. But they are big items for those that do and are a valuable resale amenity. This storage area does not have to be finished. But it can include planned-for access from street, fencing, location and space, Reinforced concrete slabs as some motor homes and boats are 45 foot plus 20-ton monsters. Include rough plumbing, electrical, water and have other services close. Covered and or enclosed storage are even better. All these are easy to do while planning and building. If done right, all the above are almost like adding a small cottage to your home.
User Name: st001
Jun 12, 2009
0
Insulate the walls (even interior walls) and ceiling of family room. Use solid or foam core doors for family room as well. Kids parties, movies, video games can create a good deal of noise. Insulation and carpet can reduce and contain a good deal of noise. Also, outside noise doesn't get in when watching a movie.
I find Family Handyman magazine has at least one suggestion each issue that I want to add to my house. Ideas that would probably go well on a new house checklist. You can see past issues here: http://www.rd.com/family-handyman
I find Family Handyman magazine has at least one suggestion each issue that I want to add to my house. Ideas that would probably go well on a new house checklist. You can see past issues here: http://www.rd.com/family-handyman
User Name: sonofsaturn
Jun 12, 2009
+1
Why don't you have a cubby as long as the stairs, with a little 12 volt winch and cable? It would be similar to those stair raisers for the handicapped. Then when you are at the top, you can press a button and pull whatever is in the basket to the top. Or send it from the bottom. This is no big deal for you maybe, with your tennis legs, but you could sell the house to a person with a bad hip easy.
As for other items, I always want compressed air under the sink. If you mix 50 psi air and water, in a mixing valve, you have a mini pressure washer for the sink. No grungy scrub brushes. Or use just air for drying. You would have to run air tubing from the garage, to the air compressor. Don't forget to wire the garage for 220 volts, in case you need to plug in a welder, stove, dryer, or big power tools. Again, maybe not you, but sure nice for resale.
As for other items, I always want compressed air under the sink. If you mix 50 psi air and water, in a mixing valve, you have a mini pressure washer for the sink. No grungy scrub brushes. Or use just air for drying. You would have to run air tubing from the garage, to the air compressor. Don't forget to wire the garage for 220 volts, in case you need to plug in a welder, stove, dryer, or big power tools. Again, maybe not you, but sure nice for resale.
User Name: gjdulian
Jun 12, 2009
+1
Install outlets outdoors, on the underside of your eaves, wired to a switch indoors, preferably with a programmable timer.
You'll thank me when you put up holiday decorations and can just plug them into the eaves instead of running extension cords down the sides of your house.
You'll thank me when you put up holiday decorations and can just plug them into the eaves instead of running extension cords down the sides of your house.
