Home & Interiors

Welcome to the Dubai Home & Interiors

Here we look at all the things to do with you home and it's interior in Dubai. We take a look at home security and safety tips as well as clearing your clutter and where to shop for furniture and what white goods you'll need amongst many other things.

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Furniture in Dubai
Moving to a different country can be daunting especially if it is a country like the UAE, completely different to what some nationalities have become accustomed to. The important thing to keep in mind about Dubai is that it has similar amenities and facilities as the rest of the world and the choice of shopping here is wide with ample options. Relocating can be stressful with the worry of moving home and pets, dealing with the properties in your home country, relocating the children’s schools and getting to grips with the different cultural journey that you are about to undertake. One thing that should be on the list of relocation priorities is furniture. There are a vast number of furniture shops ranging from budget to specialty and everything else in between. Find Out More>>

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Leaving Dubai?
Here we take a look at all those nitty- gritty things you need to sort out if you are going to be leaving Dubai- schools, landlords, home help, cancelling Etisalat, Du, DEWA and closing your bank accounts. We take a look at how to ship your goods and what to do with your pets too. You might not want to ship all your goods with you, so try selling them here before you go- you can do online, print or have your own garage sale. You can put a Classified ad on ExpatWoman.com, put notices on community notice boards in super markets in your area. Speak to your landlord… maybe the next tenants would like to buy some of your furniture too. Do something nice before you leave too- anything that’s left you could donate to charity.We've got it all covered for you so you can start to get organised- you are going to need to make a list! Read More>>

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Home Security In Dubai
Dubai is one of the safest places to live due to its relatively low crime rates, however residents tend to become complacent and the attitude that “it will never happen to me” seems to be the norm. No matter how safe the city it is good to important to remember that there are many people here that do not make a lot of money and may turn to a life of petty crime to make a quick buck.There are opportunists living here that will take advantage of you and your property if given the chance. While it is difficult to deter a professional burglar, many of the people that make a habit of breaking in are amateurs who look for easy targets. These opportunists are easily deterred by simple security measures. Here are some security tips for you and your family to begin making habitual use of. Read More>>

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Saving Water In Dubai
There has been a lot in the news at the moment in Dubai about high DEWA bills so here we look at some clever ways of saving water and hopefully reducing your DEWA bills. If we all do our bit towards water conservation it will help the planet too. There are many things to consider and also some top tips on how to find leaks as well as preventing them.A major issue with soaring bills are leaks and it’s important to spot and stop one as soon as possible to prevent water wastage. Every property has a meter and it’s essential you keep an eye on this as you are billed as per the meter reading. If you suspect a leak and want to confirm it take the following steps: Read More>>

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Clutter Be Gone!
Are you getting stressed out by clutter? It is your worst nightmare come true? Here's some top tips for you. Work on one room, shelf, cabinet… at a time before starting on the next one. Start at one corner of the room by the door and then move your way around. Begin at the most visible places like the surfaces and anything large that stands out before opening the cupboard doors and drawers. Make de-cluttering fun. Make it into a game with the children or even challenge yourself to goals like getting rid of something every half hour. Be ruthless. If clothing has not been worn in six months or more, sell or give it away. No, shoulder pads will not, should not ever, come back in style again. Give that padded blazer away, now. Read More>>

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Summer Time Home Security Tips
Don't leave home without reading our vacation tips! It is very common for residents of the UAE to go back to their home countries or take extended vacations during the hot summer period. Did you know that you can register your villa as being unoccupied during the summer and Dubai Police will keep an eye on it while you are away? You provide details of the day you are leaving the country and when you are expected to be back. During this time Dubai Police send a patrol unit to monitor the area and check on the house on a daily basis to ensure it hasn’t been burgled. To register for their “Safe Home” service please visit www.dubaipolice.gov.ae and it is listed under their online services.... best of all it is a free service Read More>>

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Food Safety In The Kitchen
Here we take a closer look at how to keep your kitchen clean and hygienic! Most of us think that having a clean and safe kitchen just means cleaning off the spilled sauce on counter tops, having sparkling floors, and keeping knives and handle pots from getting in the way, but there is much more to food safety. Having a safe kitchen encompasses all of the following... Make sure your fridge is frigid cold. Refrigerators should be at 4 degrees Celsius or colder to slow down the growth of bacteria. Clean your fridge and freezer regularly. Because bacteria can stay in raw meat juices, place all raw meat, poultry and seafood into containers or plastic bags. Read More>>

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Moving Your Household Goods to Dubai
If you’re planning your move to Dubai and are shipping your goods it’s hard to know what to and what not to bring with you from your home country. Here we take a closer look at all things electrical for you...Without getting too technical the voltage in Dubai is 220 V. 220 V has an advantage over lower voltage such as the 110 V in that it is cheaper to transmit but 220 V is more dangerous than lower voltages.So this means that the Dubai voltage IS NOT compatible with electrical goods from the USA and Canada, but IS compatible with Europe, including the UK, South Africa, New Zealand & Australia. Do not despair if you are coming from the USA or Canada- if you do want to bring your white goods with you, you can buy a transformer or convertor here in Dubai or bring one with you- this will enable you to be able to use your electrical goods here. Read More>>

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Measuring Curtains
Whether you are buying of the peg or having them made for you it’s always a little daunting when you first get your tape measure out. First things first, what look are you going for, floor length formal drapes, or more informal tab tops or just more functional curtains. It’s best to have some idea as this will make measuring easier. Below are some helpful hints to make the whole process easier. Decide where the curtain rod will go. You'll probably want it about 6 inches above the window frame, but you might want it higher or lower or - for a dramatic look on a tall, deep window - inside the frame. Always measure in at least 3 positions across the track or pole as floors and sills are rarely level. To avoid curtains dragging across the floor or sill we recommend you use the shortest of these 3 measurements. Find Out More>>

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