Sacramento Movers Share How To Make Halloween Costumes Out Of Packing Materials

If this is the year you decided to ditch the Halloween costume shop in search of a fun do-it-yourself costume, you’re in luck! Not only have we thought up some fun do-it-yourself options, but all of them can be made with things you have around the home or can get cheaply: packing materials! You can convert cardboard boxes, bubble wrap and a little paint into some of the best Halloween costumes.

(Photo Credit: CountryLiving.com)

Lego Block. Take a cardboard box and glue or duct tape onto the front disposable drink cups. Line up two rows of cups so that they make even ridges similar to a Lego block. Spray paint the whole box in a bright color such as red, blue, green, or yellow. Don’t forget to cut holes for arms, head and legs. Wear matching long sleeves and pants underneath.

Facebook Page. Take a large flat piece of cardboard and paint it white. Draw the outline of a Facebook profile page including the status update box, a few wall posts, and maybe a Farmville update. Use markers to color in detail on the page. Cut a hole where the profile photo would go. Then just hold up this “page” so that the profile picture cut-out goes right around the person’s face.

Bubble Wrap Snowman. For this you will need a lot of bubble wrap. Simply wrap bubble wrap around the person several times until they look snowy and plump. Use a marker to draw buttons on the chest. Wear a top hat and scarf and carry a broom.

(Photo Credit: MovingInsider.com)

Barbie and Ken. If you’re looking for a couples costume try Barbie and Ken. Put on some trendy duds then all you need is a shiny pink box with a “Mattel” sticker on it. To do this, use a large box. Flatten it and cut it to about the size of a door frame. Slightly below the middle of the box leave a diagonal strip long enough to write “Ken” or “Barbie” across the front of the box (see photo). Paint the whole surface pink then write “Mattel” in the top corner. Each person holds a frame. Don’t forget to smile!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Sacramento employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK at 916-852-7411 or contact us here. 

Sacramento Movers Suggest DIY Decorating Ideas For Halloween

With Halloween right around the corner it might be time to start thinking about decorations. If a Halloween party is planned, keep in mind that decorations are just as important as costumes. If the plan is simply to pass out candy to trick-or-treaters, it still may be a good idea to dress up the entry way or front yard. Sacramento Movers offer a few suggestions for using inexpensive materials to come up with do-it-yourself décor. These suggestions are helpful to those on a budget as well as those going for something just a little different from cookie-cutter Halloween trimmings.

 (Photo Credit: DIYNetwork.com)

Paper Cut-Out Jack-O-Lanterns. Print out pumpkin stencils on orange paper and cut the paper in the shape of a pumpkin. Alternatively use a thick black marker to draw the face of the Jack-O-Lantern onto the orange paper. This could be a fun craft project for kids too! These cut-outs can be stuck to the walls or hung from the ceiling. Through the stem at the top of the pumpkin punch a hole and tie a string through it, then fasten the other end of the string to the ceiling using a thumbtack or a piece of tape.

http://www.bhg.com/halloween/pumpkin-carving/printable-pumpkin-stencils/

Ghoulish Gourds. All you need for this simple yet crafty decoration is white and black paint and a few gourds. Completely paint each gourd white and let it dry thoroughly. Cut-out stencils or use a pencil to draw the outline of the ghostly faces onto the gourds. Be sure the heavy side of the gourd is on top with the slender side where the mouth goes. Fill in the eyes, nose and mouth with black paint. These can sit on the ground alongside carved pumpkins or can be placed on tables or stairs.

Tomb Stones. Use small rectangles of wood or Styrofoam to create the “stone.” If working with Styrofoam, use a craft cutter to “engrave” or carve out lettering on the tomb. If working with wood, get wood lettering from a craft store and glue the letters to the stone (wooden) slab. Next, use gray paint to coat the tomb stone, front and back. Be sure to paint all the edges around the lettering. Stand these up in the yard for an eerie graveyard ambiance.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Sacramento employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK at 916-852-7411 or contact us here. 

Sacramento Movers Offer Tips For Combining Households

Whether you just found a roommate or you are joining your partner, combining households can add up to double the moving stress if you aren’t careful. If you have kids or pets involved, things can get especially chaotic. It’s important to give this transition some forethought and a little planning so that everything runs as smoothly as possible. After all, you wouldn’t want to get things off to a bad start with your new roommate or partner.

Reduce items first. For many people, moving is a great time to sort through everything and pair down their possessions. This will be especially important when two households come together since you have double the items fitting into one space. Take the extra time to go through your closets, storage spaces, and garages to get rid of any items that you are no longer using. You can donate these to charity, sell, or simply throw away anything you are not likely to use anytime in the near future. You may want to make an inventory of the furniture and appliances at each home and then sit down with your partner to discuss which items will stay and which will go. It’s no good to hold onto duplicates of most items since this will simply be clutter in your new home. Discuss what items each of you particularly likes and wants to keep in order to avoid getting rid of items that mean a lot to you or your partner.

Merge styles. One of the challenges of merging households is that you have two different decorating styles to work with. When all your furniture and decorative items perfectly match but are different styles and colors than those of your partner, you will have to jointly make a decision about which set to keep. If you are keeping some basic furniture items but want to change the overall look of the décor to suit both of you, then consider two things. First, are there some items you currently have that will work with the new decorating scheme? If so that may be a good way to reduce the cost of completely redecorating a living space. Second, find common ground as far as colors and styles you are both interested in. It may not be your first choice for décor but a second-best decorating scheme may make each of you feel more comfortable and at home.

Divide up household duties. Right from the get-go be sure to determine who will be responsible for household chores. Whose job is it to take out the trash? Who will wash the kitchen floor? What about the bathroom? You may also want to determine how often these tasks should be completed. If there are kids involved, it’s a good idea to include them in household chores. Make a chore list with each person’s name next to the chores they are assigned to complete so that everyone is aware of who is responsible for what.

Discuss financial responsibilities. Similar to discussing how you will divide up household chores, you should also talk to your partner about financial responsibilities. Will you divide all the expenses evenly, each person paying an equal portion or will each person be responsible for certain bills? For example maybe one person will pay for the rent while the other person pays for groceries and household utilities. Or you can record all expenses and divide up the total cost at the end of the month.

When combining households you can avoid problems by thoroughly communicating with one another before anything becomes an issue. If everyone is in understanding about their responsibilities, then you are on the road to a happily united household.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Sacramento employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK at 916-852-7411 or contact us here. 

Sacramento Movers Share 5 Tips For Throwing A Halloween Party On A Budget

Want to throw a Halloween Party without draining the wallet? Adding up the expense of the décor, festive activities and food, not to mention a Halloween costume can be a scary prospect. But don’t give up on having some friends over quite yet. Sacramento Movers share tips on how to host a Halloween party on a tight budget.

(Photo Credit: HGTV)

1. Go Paperless. With two weeks till Halloween, this is the perfect time to send out those invitations. Don’t wait until the last minute to do this, risking a disappointingly poor turnout. While those witch-hat invitations you saw at the store looked terribly cute, don’t spend the extra buck on paper and postage. Create a quick and easy invitation through online event services such as Facebook invitations or Evite. These useful tools will even send guests reminders and collect RSVPs. The best part? These online invitations are absolutely free!

2. Make It A Potluck. Whether this party will be a sit down dinner or simply afternoon or evening snacks, ask the guests to bring a food item. Perhaps give suggestions for preferred dishes or ask each person to bring a bag of candy. Some ideas for inexpensive snacks include homemade caramel apples, caramel popcorn balls, or homemade frosted cookies.

3. Dollar Décor. Keep things simple and shop at the Dollar Store or 99 Cent Store for festive party décor. Use orange and black streamers and balloons or fill a bundle of white balloons with helium and draw ghost faces on them. Carved pumpkins are fun if you have the money for it, but if that is pushing it, use stencils on orange paper to make cut-out jack-o-lanterns which can be hang from the ceiling or stuck to the wall. Finish off this festive setting with streaming a Halloween Playlist through free online music sites Pandora or Songza.

4. Costume It Up. What’s a Halloween party without costumes? Although buying a ready-made costume from a Halloween costume shop can cost an arm and a leg, there’s no reason to skip the costumes entirely. Go to a thrift store to find items that can be repurposed into an epic Halloween costume. Consider being Mary Poppins, Willy Wonka, the Joker from the movie Batman, or anything else that catches your interest. Sometimes the costumes that require more personalization and creativity end up winning the show.

5. Plan Fun Activities. Have a fun activity in mind to keeps the guests engaged. Consider what age group will be in attendance and come up with activities suiting that group. It could be a scary movie, apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, three-legged races, or a costume contest. For any contests or games that honor a winner, have a prize on hand. This could be something simple such as a bag of candy or a toy from the Dollar Store. Costume contests are a good idea for any age of guests. If a costume contest is on the agenda for the night, let guests know in advance so that they have a chance to come up with something extra special.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Sacramento employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK at 916-852-7411 or contact us here. 

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Sacramento Gives Tips For Staying Healthy This Season

We all know that getting sick is no fun! Going to doctors, getting lab work done and staying confined at home is a drag. All this can also lead to stress, not to mention the cost to yourself and your employer.  So to make sure you are not out longer than necessary, follow these tips.

• One of the most important positive actions you can take to prevent illness is exercise. Vigorous work-outs - when you're breathing hard and sweating - help your heart pump better, give you more energy and help you look and feel your best. Start with a warm-up that stretches your muscles. Include 20 minutes of aerobic activity, such as running, jogging, or dancing.
• Avoid smoking. Smoking contributes to the development of almost all diseases.
• Start your day with breakfast. Breakfast fills your "empty tank" to get you going after a long night without food. And it can help you do better in school or work. Easy to prepare breakfasts including cold cereal with fruit and low-fat milk, whole-wheat toast with peanut butter, yogurt with fruit, or whole-grain are great ways to get your day started right!
• See your doctor. Doctors and health professionals are trained to recognize, treat, and prevent illness, so seeking their advice before symptoms worsen is always a good way to avoid long and painful sick spells.
• Nutrition. Make sure to load up on fruits and vegetables. Yes I know, a lot of us find eating these a tad boring. However did you know that these food items help your body fight cancers, heart disease and diabetes?
• Sleep. Healthy sleep habits have a pervasive effect and are crucial to health and well-being at any age.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Sacramento employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office ofTWO MEN AND A TRUCK at 916-852-7411 or contact us here.

Sacramento Movers List Equipment That Should Be Included On The Moving Truck

If you are planning a do-it-yourself move, you may find yourself packing everything and getting the truck rented, meanwhile forgetting to buy, rent, or borrow from a friend, a few essential tools that should be included on the moving truck for your move day. When you hire professional moves, these tools often are already included on the truck. However if you rent a truck, you will need to procure these items separately.

Dollies, Hand Trucks, Carts and Straps

For large furniture pieces and appliances, make sure to have hand trucks or dollies available to roll a piece from the home into the truck. While moving large pieces, be sure to secure the item to the dolly using straps. Once your items have been loaded on to the truck, secure items in place using straps attached to the inside walls of the truck.

Floor Runners

With the high traffic of moving items in and out of doorways and halls, it’s always a good idea to lay down some floor runners to protect your carpet or wood flooring. This is especially important in wet weather, since you never want to track dirt or moisture into a new home. Neoprene runners work best as the material absorbs moisture and dirt and will not slip under foot. You could use other materials however make sure that whatever material you use will not cause you to slip and fall.

Furniture Blankets and Stretch Wrap

Furniture blankets also known as furniture pads or furniture quilts, can be rented or purchased from truck rental companies, moving companies, and some storage facilities. Furniture pads should be used to protect all your furniture items from being scratched, chipped, or damaged while being moved from point A to point B. Stretch wrap which is like an industrial saran wrap can also be purchased from movers or storage facilities. Once you’ve padded furniture items with furniture blankets, stretch wrap each piece to secure the padding to the piece. Items that are stretch wrapped will be less likely to be damaged since the adhesive quality prevents items from shifting around on the truck.

Mattress Bags

You can purchase mattress bags from your moving company or storage facility. While this may seem like an added expense, you can actually save money by using mattress bags. If you do not use mattress bags to protect your furniture, your other options are to stretch wrap it or not to cover it at all and simply put it on the truck as-is. Keep in mind that a mattress that is uncovered will come in contact with outdoor debris and any dirt or germs it rubs up against while on the moving truck. In favor of a more sanitary option, many people will stretch wrap the mattress. However the amount of stretch wrap that is used plus the time that it takes to stretch wrap a mattress will end up costing more in the long run the using a simple mattress bag.

Tool Kit

Make sure that you have the tools handy to dis-assemble and re-assemble furniture. You also may need to remove doors off of appliances in order to fit them through the entry way. Before the move, assemble a box of basic tools needed for such tasks as well as any owner’s manuals for appliances so you will have directions for re-assembly. You should also have at least two safety cones to place by the corners of the moving truck where it may be an obstacle in the road for other drivers.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Sacramento employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office ofTWO MEN AND A TRUCK at 916-852-7411 or contact us here.

Sacramento Movers Give Tips On Moving Appliances

Many professional moving companies will move your appliances for you however they do not connect or disconnect appliances since they are not certified plumbers. It then falls to you to either get a plumber to disconnect your washer, dryer and refrigerator or do it yourself.  Be sure to find your owner’s manuals and read the instructions on disconnecting appliances. If you have lost your original owner’s manual, you can usually find a copy on the appliance manufacturer’s website. We’d like to offer some additional tips for preparing your appliances for the move.

Refrigerator/Freezer

This one takes some advance planning. Be sure to empty the contents of your refrigerator 24 hours (or more for the freezer) before your move to make sure that it has time to defrost. Disconnect the water line following the guidelines in your owner’s manual or hire a plumber. Once the water line is fully drained and the refrigerator or freezer is defrosted, clean the inside of the unit. Thoroughly clean the appliance on the inside walls, ceiling and shelves. You can do this with a cloth and dish soap or a mild cleaner. Wipe all surfaces thoroughly with a clean, dry rag. You may wish to remove all shelved and storage bins that could shift in transit. Pack these separately and label the box. Tape the electrical cord to the back of the unit so it is out of the way for the move.

Washing Machine

Check to be sure that you remove all clothes from the machine. Some manufacturers will recommend bolting down the “tub” or “drum” of the machine so check the owner’s manual to be sure. Turn off the water at your home then remove the machine’s hoses from both the cold water and hot water faucets. It’s a good idea to have a bucket available that you can drain the hoses into. Wrap each hose in a towel and place it inside the washing machine. Secure the lid closed with masking tape and tape the electrical cord to the back of the appliance so that it’s out of the way.

Dryer

Remove all clothing from the dryer then clean out the lint filter. If it’s a gas dryer, disconnect the gas supply at your home. Disconnect and disassemble the vent then clean it out, so that there is no dust, dirt, or lint. Secure the door closed with masking tape and tape the electrical cord to the back of the dryer.

Taking these preliminary steps a day or two before the move will really speed thing up on move day. If you will be loading appliances into the moving truck yourself rather than having professional movers do it, be sure to secure each appliance to the tuck using straps. Place the refrigerator on one side of the truck and the washer and dryer on the opposite side to ensure that the weight of these items is evenly distributed across the truck.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Sacramento employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office ofTWO MEN AND A TRUCK at 916-852-7411 or contact us here. 

Sacramento Movers Give Tips On Loading A Moving Truck

 If you’ve decided to do the move yourself and rent out a moving truck, you may want to consider how you will efficiently and safely pack the moving truck. Or perhaps you’ve hired movers to do your move but you still want to understand the process for loading a moving truck. Here we break down the truck into sections called “tiers” and explain how to load each tier.

Fill the attic. The attic is the part of the moving truck that stretches out above the cab of the truck. It is the perfect place to put your dining table and antiques. First lay down furniture pads and place your padded and stretch wrapped dining table upside down in the attic of the truck. Pack boxes or padded antique items on top and around the table. Fill any extra space with light weight or soft items such as rolled up rugs, linens, or pillows. Secure attic items in place using straps. You can also stand a mattress up against the front of the truck so that the top of the mattress provides a wall for the items in the attic.

Tier 1. This is the front of the moving truck right behind the cab and the attic. Tier 1 is where you can stand mattresses and box springs on their sides. You can place your padded pictures, mirrors, or headboards between mattresses for extra cushioning. Place the sofa and love seat on end and use straps to secure each one to the side of the truck. Any other heavy furniture should be secured in this tier. Stack items from floor to ceiling, putting heavy items on the bottom and lighter items on the top. Make sure to pack tightly, leaving no space for shifting. Once you’ve filled this tier to the ceiling, section it off and secure the load with straps.

Tier 2. Place lighter furniture items in the second tier. Tables, chairs, and small desks work well in this space. Avoid loading furniture against other furniture or the truck walls without proper padding. You can also continue to pack your boxes into this space, packing around the furniture to fill in space and prevent shifting. Remember to place the heavier items toward the bottom and the lighter ones toward the top. Section off this tier and secure it with straps.

Tier 3. Place your appliances against the walls of the moving truck. Put the washer and dryer on one side and the refrigerator on the other so that the weight is evenly distributed. Secure the appliances to the sides of the moving truck with straps. Be cautious about stacking anything on top of appliances since they may not be able to support much weight without sustaining damage. If you place items on top of appliances, be sure that the items are lightweight and there is a layer of cushioning between them and the appliances. Fill in this last tier with oddly shaped items such as the lawn mower, bicycles or garage items. Continue filling in the space with any other lightweight items.

Additional loading tips. If your load does not completely fill the truck from floor to ceiling, front to back, then taper your tiers. Make tier one the tallest with tier two a couple feet shorter and tier three a few feet shorter still.  Be sure that all items on the truck are either padded and stretch wrapped or packed in moving boxes. If you use uniform moving boxes rather than grocery boxes that are irregular shapes and sizes, you will find it easier to stack boxes evenly throughout the truck. Be careful not to load flammable or perishable items onto the truck as well as living items including pets or plants. These may not survive a long hot ride.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Sacramento employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office ofTWO MEN AND A TRUCK at 916-852-7411 or contact us here. 

Sacramento Movers Explain Packing Supplies You May Need For Your Move

In our recent blog post we explained SpecialtyMoving Boxes And How To Pack Them. Besides boxes, there are several other items that are useful when you’re packing up to move. Here we discuss everything from stretch wrap to markers so that you can get an idea of what items you will need before you begin packing.

Bubble wrap – bubble wrap is the ultimate cushioning material. You may not want to wrap everything in bubble wrap or it could get expensive and consume a lot of space in the boxes. However this packing material is perfect for wrapping small, fragile items that have already been wrapped in tissue. You can also use this to wrap lamps, electronics and larger breakable items. Every picture and mirror should be wrapped in bubble wrap before being packed in a picture box.

Tissue paper – Tissue paper is thinner and softer than packing paper, and is ideal for wrapping around delicate items such as fragile figurines. However don’t plan to pack the whole house with tissue paper since for bulkier items it would take several sheets of tissue to create a protective cushion.

Packing paper/plain newsprint – Packing paper should be used as cushioning around items that are to be boxed up. In some cases you could use newspaper or paper grocery bags that you may have on hand. Newspaper could be workable for wrapping some items such as tennis shoes or tools in the garage. Be careful what you wrap in newspaper because the ink on the page can easily smudge onto your fine china or lamp shades. For most of your household items, your best bet is to use plain packing paper which is clean and sanitary.

Permanent marker – This one is easy to find, since most of us already have a permanent marker laying around the house somewhere. A great idea would be to use multiple colors of markers or get one black marker and several different colors of paper to label your boxes. Using colors to identify what rooms boxes will be place in is great idea to make the move a quicker, easier process. Movers will see the colorful writing or colorful paper and immediately be able to associate it with a given room in the move-to house where the box should be placed. For example you could use green labels for the living room, orange for the kitchen, and blue for the bedroom. Also don’t forget to note the contents of the box so you will know where to begin unpacking. Mark boxes with the words "fragile" and "this side up" when appropriate.

Packing tape – Make sure to seal your boxes with packing tape. Duct tape doesn't adhere well to corrugated cardboard and you wouldn’t want to risk putting together boxes with duct tape only for them to fall apart and damage your belongings. For the best support, stagger three strips of clear plastic packing tape across the seam of the box on both the bottom and the top.

Resalable plastic bags – Small plastic bags are wonderful for keeping track of small items in the shuffle of the move. Use these bags to store nails, screws, framing hardware, nuts and bolts as you disassemble items. Label each bag and put them all in a box together or tape each bag to the corresponding disassembled item. You can also use plastic bags for packing kitchen pantry items to prevent spillage. Use these for cooking oil, spices, and your salt and pepper shakers. Remember that perishable food items should not be loaded onto the moving truck.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK offers a wide selection of competitively priced moving boxes and packing supplies including packing tape, packing paper, markers, paper moving pads, bubble wrap and stretch wrap, and more.

We'll give you a full refund for any boxes you don't use. Remember as you pack — the heavier the item, the smaller the box.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Sacramento employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK at 916-852-7411 or contact us here.

Sacramento Movers Discuss How Measure Curtains For Your New Home

So you’ve settled into your new home, unpacked the boxes and now you’re on to decorating. The project you’ve decided to tackle is installing curtains over your windows. You can easily purchase curtains from any home store in a variety of colors, styles, textures, and sizes. Or if you want to accomplish a custom look, head to the fabric store and sew your own panels. Whichever you choose to do, the first step is essential to the project: take accurate measurements.

(Photo Credit: ArchitectsForLife.com)

First of all decide what style of curtain you are going for. A café style covering, a light crisp accent, or formal drapery? Do you want them to be floor length or just cover the window area? Next determine where the curtain rod will go. For a standard look you can place the rod two to three inches above the top of the window. If you want floor-length drapes, you may place the rod just a couple inches below the ceiling. Or you may even consider placing the curtain rod just within the window frame. This works well for small kitchen windows where you just need a simple layer of material to cut the sun’s sharp rays.

Once you’ve decided on the style of curtains you are looking for as well as curtain rod placement, you will need to measure your windows. Measure your window for width and height. If you are doing floor length curtains, measure height from the curtain rod to the floor. For curtains that simply extend past the windowsill, measure from the curtain rod to three inches below the window. Next, in order to allow for a full, gathered look, you will want your window panels to be 1 ½ to 3 times the width of the window width you measured.

Bring along your measurements and any color swatches you’re working with whenever you go shopping so that you can make a wise purchase. If you are also in the market for a curtain rod and hardware, just make sure to find a rod that measures the width of the window itself plus a couple inches on either side. Often curtain rods are sold with installation hardware as well as directions for installation.

Curtains can be fairly simple to install but they make a big difference when it comes to the coziness and completeness of your decorating scheme. Once you’ve taken the time to take measurements, do the shopping, and finally make the installation, you will be able to enjoy shade in the summer and warmth in the winter!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Sacramento employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK at 916-852-7411 or contact us here. http://www.twomensacramento.com/contact-us

Sacramento Movers Say It’s Time For Fall Cleaning

Who says Spring cleaning must only happen in the Spring? Fall is the perfect time to sort through the clutter. Think about it… with more time spent in-doors during the cold winter months wouldn't it be nice to have a tidy, clutter-free home to spend time in? Set aside some time to sort through those stacks of paperwork, magazines, photographs, and miscellaneous boxes hidden away in the attic.

(Photo Credit: CaseDesign.com)

As you get started on the de-cluttering project, you will likely come across items that you just don’t know what to do with. You’ll find yourself wondering if you should throw away, give away, sell, or keep? To make it simple, we have put together a list of “clutter” items that should be thrown away, donated to charity, or sold; and a list of “not clutter” items that you should hold onto.

CLUTTER

·         Objects that are broken or obsolete

(example: that ancient telephone that’s been collecting dust)

·         Articles that you have outgrown physically or emotionally

(example: clothing that has been too small for years)

·         Things that are more bothersome to use than they are worth

(example: the electronic devise that must be dusted off, plugged in, set up, and loaded before using and is really not helpful enough to bother pulling it off the shelf in the first place)

·         Things that wouldn't really affect you if you never saw them again

(example: that box in the attic that you forgot you even had. If you could live without if for years you can probably get rid of it)

·         Items you’ve always hated

 (example: that hideous picture frame from your aunt)

·         Clothing, decorations, or other items that are either the wrong size, style, or color

(example: the decorative pillows that just didn’t quite match the curtains)

·         Items that generated bad feelings

(example: something that brings back memories of a family disagreement)

·         Things you have to clean, store, and insure it but you don’t get much use out of

(example: the boat that you store, insure, and license but never take out on the water)

NOT CLUTTER

·         Things that prompt good feelings

(example: a birthday card from a loved one)

·         Items that you need for your job

(example: camera equipment for a photographer)

·         Things that help you save time or energy or do things you need done

(example: household tools and appliances such as microwave, rice cooker, hair dryer)

·         Items that will interest the coming generation

(example: old family photographs)

While you sort through your belongings, make sure to pace yourself. Don’t be over ambitious and attempt to do everything all at once. Spread out the project over several days. Try not to get distracted. Just focus on categorizing things into throw out, give away, sell or keep. If you hit a wall and can’t seem to decide on some things, try switching your focus. For example, when you’re working in the attic and start to feel burnt out or indecisive; try working in the garage for a little while.

 If you really just can’t decide if something should be kept or not, place it in a box, label the contents of the box, and date it with today’s date. Write in your calendar a reminder to go through the box again six months from today. If you’ve needed the contents of the box before that time, then keep it. If not, then you should at least have more clarity about what to do with it by that time.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Sacramento employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office ofTWO MEN AND A TRUCK at 916-852-7411 or contact us here.