10 Great uses for Old Pallets

After being used as a simple wooden frame to load and transport goods on a truck, ship or forklift, the basic pallet can be magically transformed into numerous works of art!

You can get creative with pallets, changing them into anything from everyday furniture pieces to interior wall decorations and bunk beds.

The best part about using pallets is that they are free. Since they popup just about everywhere, getting a few to throw into the back of your car is simple and easy to do. (NOTE: Always remember to prepare and clean the pallets properly before using them.)

Here is a collection of 10 interesting and useful DIY ideas using old pallets...

     1.       Install custom wardrobes and shelving. Organise your clothing and shoes without the expense of having to install built-in cupboards.

     2.       Make beautiful outdoor furniture. Outdoor seating and tables can be pricey, why not make your own with pallets?

     3.       Incorporate pallets in your bedroom. Put together a rustic bedroom suite for your room the cheap and easy way.

     4.       Get that bar you’ve always wanted. If you’re willing to install an indoor bar at a low-cost price, then use some old wooden pallets. You’ll be proud and your drink will be even better.

     5.       Make sure you have enough space around your table for the whole family. Design and build a super easy, yet functional pallet dining room table in only a couple of hours.

     6.       Add some art. An artistic wall can add unique style to your room. A pallet art project is the perfect choice to transform your home.

     7.       Repurpose pallets into garden planters. Are you short on garden planters? Make these easy DIY garden planters from pallets just as they are.

     8.       Save your kitchen. A messy kitchen is not one you want to cook your favourite meals in. A pallet project to spice up your kitchen is the cheapest and easiest way to personalise your space.

     9.       Build the perfect stairs or staircase. Another interesting idea is to build a staircase with wooden pallets. The idea is simple; however it does take a bit of work if you’re going to be building a lot of stairs.

     10.   Customise your office. Pallets can be used to decorate your home AND your office space! A wooden pallet is enough to make a great desk for your home office.

From headboards and shelving to staircases and wall art, wooden pallets can be turned into charming, rustic piece for your home.

Visit your local hardware store like Brights to find the tools you need to complete these DIY creations!

How to choose the right Paint Colours for your Home

Did you know that the colour of something determines why we are attracted to it?

The effects of colour on us as people can be subtle, significant, physical and psychological. Wherever we go, whatever colour we see – we respond to it. But sometimes the importance of colour is overlooked.

The use of colour is so important, especially in our homes...

* Starting Small

If you’re unsure of where to begin with the colour of your home, why not start by painting part of your bathroom, hall or accent wall? To get your painting started, find a decoration, rug, accessory or furniture piece that you can use to draw the main colour scheme from.

* Mood

Before you choose a colour, think about the mood of the room. In your bedroom you want to feel relaxed and restful, so steer clear of bold colours such as bright yellow or pink. Stick to peaceful, neutral colours – intense bright colours can lead to irritability.

* Lighting is Everything

- Check your colours before hand in natural light to see the truest colour

- Incandescent lighting brings out warm tones and yellows

- Fluorescent lighting will cast a sharp blue tone

So, a strong colour might be too bright and overpowering when used on all walls or next to a large window, but it might be effective when used as an accent wall.

*Test Your Colour Choice

Don’t be afraid to test colours out! If it appeals to you, there is nothing wrong with strong, bold colours like dark brown or green. You can even add colours to your ceiling for a dramatic effect.

*Follow the Colour Wheel

A small colour wheel is a great way to test if two colours work together. You’ll be shocked at how many colours actually work together.

If picking one paint colour is tricky, how on earth do you find colours for your whole house? Use these steps to find the perfect paint colours for your home!

12 Basic Tools every Woman Needs

First of all it is never okay to borrow a man’s tools; he might not want anyone touching them. 

Secondly, you probably don’t know how to use them properly so you’ll end up messing them up (it’s not okay to try hammer a nail in the wall with the butt of his new hand axe!) Lastly, heaven help us all if you put the tool back in the wrong place.

The truth is, if you want to use tools they need to be the right weight and size for you and your lady-sized hands. Your own set of pretty tools will solve the issue of having to borrow his and they’ll be perfectly suited for you.

Visit your local hardware store like Brights. Consider asking someone for help, and ask a lot of questions, because they will likely by happy to help!

Start off by looking for basic tools that fit your needs and are comfortable, but also aren’t too pricey. Unless you plan on committing your entire life to becoming a handy woman, then it’s best to stick to mid-range priced tools.

Some basic tools to consider:

Hammer – a claw type is good for hanging pictures, banging in a loose nail... and even cracking open a coconut

Screwdriver sets – in both flat head and Philips. A variety of sizes come in handy for putting up light switch covers, assembling furniture and tightening knobs

Pliers – slip-joint, needle nose & diagonal

Wrenches – crescents, vise gripping and a hex key set

Level – the only way to hang that painting straight

Measuring tape – 16 foot, bright & easy-to-find with belt clip

Wood saw – helps trim excess bits off the Christmas tree

Utility knife – select automatically retractable blade for safety

Plunger – essential for clearing clogged drain pipes in the kitchen and bathroom

Flashlight – plug-in, with rechargeable lithium battery

Utility Stapler – comes in handy for fixing seat cushions

Cordless power drill – 14.4 volt variable speed drill/driver

A small shoulder bag or sports bag is a great, inexpensive place to keep your tools. Always remember to have a pair of safety goggles or glasses and work gloves to protect your new nail polish!

Choosing the Right Plumber

There have always been constant complaints of plumbers charging their off-guard customers thousands for the simplest of jobs. But, how can you make sure you won’t be the next to fall victim?

We’ve all heard the stories from friends, family or work colleagues about the sneaky plumbers who waltz into the homes of the vulnerable; spend 5 minutes unblocking a pipe and another 55 twiddling their thumbs, before handing over a huge bill.

Obviously not all plumbers are con-artists, but the sad fact is that there is a shortage in properly skilled professional plumbers and this has left the market open to dodgy people who don’t mind preying on the careless.

The decision of choosing the right plumber is vital. Not only will there be a stranger in your home, but if they don’t know what they’re doing, bad plumbing can lead to serious health hazards (leaks = mould).

So, if your washing machine’s leaking and you find your kitchen filled with water, how can you make sure the plumber who comes around to fix it is the right guy for the job?

Are they licensed? A plumber needs to have a license in order to practise their profession and have the correct knowledge to fix the problem.

Do they have insurance? Mistakes happen, that is why insurance is so important to protect your property and the plumber.

How long have they been in business? Always ask and check if the plumber has a track record of good, reliable work.

How much do they charge? Get quotes from three different plumbers. If you notice that one is much cheaper than the others, be wary because they could be using cheap products and not fixing the problem effectively.

Can you find reviews and referrals? Check with friends and family to see if they have someone to recommend to you. If they are on Facebook or have a website, read reviews online and check their ratings.

Have you compared? Don’t pick the first plumber you make contact with. Select two or three who sound promising and then compare them. Pricing is obviously the most important factor, but if the job is a big one, experience and good reviews could mean it’s worth it to pay more.

Whether you are preparing yourself for future problems, responding to a leaky emergency or looking to install new plumbing in your home, take the time to research plumbers before you decide on one!

Looking for the best plumbing tools for the job? Why not visit a Brights store or visit the website today!

Corded vs. Cordless – Which is better?

Both a corded drill and a cordless drill do the same thing, but they are used in different situations.

Read on and you will find out that corded drills will give you more power and cordless drills are more convenient to use.

However, having one of each means you have the best of both worlds:

Corded Drills: Power

There are a few other reasons why corded drills are better than the cordless drill...

-- The corded drill is lighter to hold as it doesn’t have batteries to power it
-- It is the cheaper option
-- No need for a battery pack
-- It provides more power
-- More reliable when it comes to drilling and driving because of the constant flow of electricity

Cordless Drills: Convenience

When it comes to corded drills, here’s why some people prefer them...

-- Extremely convenient
-- A large variety of useful features (reversible drive, manually adjustable clutch)
-- They have a lot of power depending on the batteries used
-- Cordless drills are able to move freely
-- No annoying, dangling cord
-- Easy for quick fixes in hard-to-reach places
-- Perfect for small household jobs
-- Never without power because they use batteries
-- Lasts longer because they don’t have to put their motors through stress

Both these drills can be used by the typical handyman or by the professional worker on the job site. Both have their pros and their cons. So, when it comes to choosing your ideal drill, make sure you make the right choice for your specific needs.

Visit the Brights website and take a look through the wide selection of drills to find the drill to suit your needs!