Upgrades To Do On Your Apartment Next

August 5, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Cheap landlords enjoy doing the least by painting everything white, adding sconces from a funeral parlor, and putting in cabinet hardware that comes off after a few uses. While being a tenant can make you feel helpless, there is hope in renter-friendly repairs, from temporary flooring to shrewd advice on upgrading cheap lightswitch plates.

house interior

Because people believe it will take too much time, and money, that they won’t see a return on their investment, or that the home is only temporary, many individuals don’t take the time to actually make their rental look the way they want to make them feel happy and calm. But what’s this? That’s all untrue! There are numerous ways to incorporate unique touches to genuinely make a space feel like your own. There are numerous ways to make your apartment appear more costly and less transient, and they don’t necessarily involve spending a lot of money or time.

The greatest faux-wood wainscoting and panels 

We can try, but we can’t all live in a redwood and glass bachelor apartment from Laurel Canyon circa 1978. Despite being designed for temporary installation, this reclaimed-wood paneling has a five-star rating on Wayfair and will give your home the appearance of being extremely lived in redwood cabins.

There are also several conventional white wainscoting sets that can decorate a large, empty wall without making it appear cluttered if your aesthetic is a little more pared-down 1920s townhouse meets minimalist Parisian apartment.

Combine lighting 

Let’s face it, apartment illumination is frequently unsatisfactory. Replace your fluorescent bulbs with softer-toned ones to start. Warm (yellowish) to cool (blueish) tones are the two main types of light bulbs, and each has advantages and disadvantages. Although I like warmer bulbs, each home is unique. Layering your illumination is a good idea after changing your lightbulbs. When you layer lighting, you use more than one source of light in a space rather than simply your usual overhead lighting. Most apartments already have you covered with ambient lighting—the overall, central lighting for the room, usually from a ceiling light. Floor lamps are also good for adding another large light source.

Open up to the outside 

Plants bring tenderness to a space that is difficult to replicate with other decor. Plants give a room life (literally) and demonstrate that a house is occupied and appreciated. You don’t need to have a green thumb to take care of plants, and they may readily add color to neutral spaces. You don’t have to be concerned about ruining your new investment because synthetic plants now seem far better and more realistic than they did only a few years ago. Start with a succulent if you do wish to give indoor gardening a try. For survival, they require a lot of light but little watering and attention.

Increase security to feel safer at home 

Renting could not provide you with the kind of security you require to feel secure, especially if you’re relocating to a new location. Simple improvements are available, such as apartment intercom systems, sliding door locks, and window locks.

 

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Making Your Bedroom Bright And Beautiful For Summer

June 29, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Summer is here and, with it, a bunch more sunlight, heat, and clear skies. You want to make sure that your home is prepared for summer, made as comfortable as possible, taking advantage of the light while making things comfortable in the heat. There are few places where that is more important than in your own bedroom. Here, we’re going to look at some key changes you might want to make.

bright and sunny bedroom

Brighten it up

A bedroom with a lot of darker decor can look a little pallid and ill-fitting when there’s a lot more light in the room. To that end, you should look at some of the more summery color schemes that you can make use of. They can be bright, bold, and engaging, or you can opt for more airy pastels that create a sense of relaxation, and also work a little better at night.

Open up for more natural light

The natural light that comes streaming in through the windows is going to play a big role in defining the mood of the bedroom throughout the day. If you use it a lot during the day, then you should aim to let more of that light in. Opting for lighter window treatments such as plantation shutters that you can open easily is one of the best ways that you can do that. Keeping the windowsill clear of unnecessary items is a good tip, too.

Cut the clutter

It’s not just your windowsill that you should try to clear up. Clutter becomes a lot more noticeable in the light and can create a lot of unwelcome shadows in the bedroom that make it look even messier than it is. To that end, you should look to declutter the space as best as possible, which can be helped by finding additional storage space. Even a wicker basket under the bed can serve as a great temporary storage place so you don’t leave your clothes on the floor.

Switch out your bedding

Of course, it’s not just about how the room looks and feels. You need to make sure that your bed is ready, as well. Heavy duvets and covers aren’t going to be very conducive to a good night’s sleep. Lighter bedding, including breathable sheets to go beneath you, can help you stay more comfortable and cool throughout those sweltering nights.

Introduce some summer scents

If you have a bouquet of fragrant flowers outside your bedroom, then you can simply crack open your windows to let in some of the smells of summer. However, if that doesn’t work for you (or you have allergies) then you can make your bedroom a much fresher and more inviting place to be by getting some essential oils in there via a diffuser.

Welcome summer into your bedroom while making sure that it’s still comfortable and chill enough to enjoy a night’s sleep in. The tips above are only the beginning, look around to see what other changes you can make.

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Moving Into A New Home? 5 Important Things You Need To Do First

January 12, 2022 by 4 Comments

DIY

Moving into a new home is pretty much a life-changing experience, as it gives you a sense of a fresh start. Although it’s usually very exciting to move into a new home for the first time, the moving experience can be very stressful. You want to make sure you limit the stress as much as possible. So, congratulations on acquiring your new home, but here are some important things you need to do first before you finally move in.

  • Complete all repair works

Unless you don’t have the luxury of time, it’s best to ensure that you complete every important repair work on the building before you move in. you probably don’t want to deal with the inconvenience of repairing a roof or plumbing work in your bathroom. In contrast, you’ve already packed into your new home. That’s why it’s best to handle them before move-in day. 

It is possible to handle minor touches and external or outdoor repairs after moving, as they might not cause any major inconvenience. 

  • Boost your security

You can’t take security issues for granted, even if your new home is located in a safe neighborhood. The last thing you want is to experience a break-in during your first night in your new home. The first security move you should make is to change every lock in your home. This is especially important if the property has been on the market for long or you’re moving in after previous occupants. You can never be too sure if anyone else still has spare keys to your new home. Also, put other measures in place to secure your home, from burglar-proof upgrades to your home’s fencing. 

  • Electrical upgrades

If you’re moving into a new home, you’ll probably have every electrical outlet you need already installed. But moving into an older home could mean needing to redo the wiring system. If there are currently no faults with the old wiring system, you might be tempted to consider moving in and upgrading it later. But it is easier to get it done when there’s nothing in the building that serves as an obstruction. Additionally, it wouldn’t be a good idea to wait until something goes faulty before you make your electrical upgrades. 

  • Deal with health hazards

Another important thing worth handling before moving into your new home is health hazards in various forms. From mold infestations to pest issues, you probably already know how dangerous any form of health hazard is. Ordinarily, your safest option will be to avoid purchasing or renting a property that comes with health hazards. But if it’s already too late to change your mind, be sure to hire experts to rid your home of any potential source of health issues. 

  • Tenancy agreement

If you’re renting your new space, you must have every aspect of your tenancy agreement sorted before you move in. ensure that you clearly understand what the terms say and agree. Be sure that it spells out your rights, responsibilities and covers issues of liability, pets, repair works, and so on. 

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The Most Common Home Maintenance Issues (And How To Handle Them)

October 8, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Whether you live alone or are raising a family, there are always steps you can take to make home management easier. For example, you could create a cleaning schedule that helps you and those you live with keep your home sparkling clean. However, one of the biggest problems we face when managing a home is dealing with maintenance issues.

This is likely due to the fact that many of us choose to ignore maintenance issues as opposed to solving them right away. This means that instead of resolving the problem, you are actually allowing them to get worse – which can cost you even more money, time, and effort in the long run.  

tool kit

With that in mind, here are some of the most common home maintenance issues (and how to handle them). 

Broken HVAC Machines. You likely use your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) machine every single day – after all, it’s what helps keep your house warm in the winter and cool during the summer. However, consistent use also means that they are prone to breaking down from time to time. While this is often out of your control, ensuring that you work alongside a HVAC maintenance company ensures that you’ll never have to go without your HVAC machine. For example, you can simply give them a phone call whenever you need support – and they’ll be around as soon as possible to fix it for you. This is particularly important as you don’t want to be without your machine during the winter months, where being cold can present a significant health risk instead of a minor inconvenience. 

Leaking Pipes. There are various reasons why a pipe may begin to leak – whether it is damaged by extreme weather conditions or the fixings have come a little loose. However, while this may seem nothing more than an annoyance, to begin with (especially if you can hear constant dripping), the longer you avoid the problem – the worse it will get. This is because leaking pipes can lead to the build-up of moisture and mold within your home and could be the cause of disaster should this occur near any electrical outlets. As a result, you must be able to recognize the signs of a leak when they occur so that you can stop the problem from escalating. You should then contact the relevant plumber of the technician – who can do the repairs on your behalf. This is because even relatively ‘simple’ fixes come with an element of risk best handled by experts. 

Damaged roof tiles. Damaged roof tiles are one of the most common roof issues that homeowners have to deal with. While they are often made from highly durable materials, they are not immune to damage. For example, bad weather such as storms can easily cause tiles to break apart. When this happens, you again need to ensure that you reach out to the experts who can repair this for you  – sooner rather than later. This is because damaged roof tiles can open your home to dampness, flooding, and even pests. 

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Home Repairs You Can Quickly DIY with No Experience

September 6, 2021 by Leave a Comment

DIY home repairs

It’s not always easy to know which home repairs you can quickly do on your own with no experience. However, do-it-yourself projects can be a great way to save money, and they also allow you to learn more about how things work in your home. 

So, here is a list of common DIY home repair projects that are surprisingly simple for anyone who wants to take the time and effort.

Repaint Job

Before starting any home repair job, it is essential to identify if you need additional help from a professional to do the project correctly. But you can paint your house yourself. And you should know that some jobs like sanding down the walls before painting and using a roller or paintbrush.

A crucial part of repainting a house is to sand down the walls before applying paint correctly. It will help if you start by removing any baseboard or casing around doors and windows, which will expose more of your wall for proper sanding.

Fix Your AC

You can quickly fix your air conditioning unit by replacing the motor. The first step is to remove the front grill of the AC and inspect it for damage, like dents or cracks in any part of it. If there are damages that you cannot live with, then replace all components, including fan blades, coil fins, and compressor oil caps.

Once you have everything replaced, check to see if it still does not work. If that is the case, make sure all wires are correctly connected and tighten them down with electrical wire nuts. Depending on what’s broken in your AC unit, you can also purchase a new compressor or thermal cut-off switch. It should be easy for most people to complete this repair in less than two hours.

You can also clean the air filter by vacuuming it with a hose or using compressed air to get all the dust and debris out. If you have pets, then be sure to change your filters every three months as they will clog up quickly if not changed regularly due to pet hair. Then, fix your AC in less than two hours with no experience. But if all these seems like a hassle, consider hiring a 24 Hour AC Repair company. 

Leaking Pipes

Leaks can cause a lot of damage to your home;therefore, they must be repaired immediately. However, if you have the right tools and know-how, it is possible to fix leaks in pipes without hiring a plumber (which could cost hundreds or thousands).

The first step when repairing any pipe leak is turning off all water flow to the pipe. This is done by turning off all water to your home at the main shut-off valve. At this point, you should then go outside and turn on a faucet so that any remaining pressure in the pipes will drain out of them. This will allow you to begin working on the pipe.

Once you have removed the cap from your leaking pipe, some debris may be at the bottom, which could cause further problems later on if not taken care of now. Using a wire brush or sandpaper, clean out the inside of your pipe so that it is smooth. 

You can DIY home repairs with no experience by following the steps in this article. However, some projects require more attention than others, and you may want to consider hiring a professional instead. You might also want to avoid some DIY disasters that you may encounter for a smooth sail.

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How To Make Your Garden More Appealing To Future Buyers

August 13, 2021 by 1 Comment

gardening tips and tricks

Your garden is important to maintain for the future sale of your home. The exterior matters just as much as the interior. Thus, it is important to make your garden look as good as possible when buyers come to look around. If you lack gardening skills or knowledge and want some help to boost the curb appeal of your garden, here are some tips.

Clean it up 

Cleaning the garden is more than just a quick sweep of the fallen leaves. If you really want to impress future buyers then you can benefit from cleaning the patio, wooden features, and other areas that can be cleaned. 

For instance, Pressure Washing your patio can make it look as good as new. Instead of steering buyers away because your patio looks old and looks like it will be expensive to replace, you can show them the true potential of the home and show them that the garden is well maintained, which will keep their costs down.

Tidy up

Ensuring to organize your family home goes for more than the cupboards. Organising your garden and making it neat and tidy will look good to the buyers. 

As much as cleaning helps, tidying does too. If your garden is clean but messy, it will not be appealing to your buyers. Make sure to tidy up the grass, the flowers, and any other mess before people come to look at your property. 

Refresh the lawn

Refreshing the lawn frequently will ensure that your home is always ready for buyers. Some people book last-minute viewings and you will want to make sure that your place is always ready. 

Refreshing and trimming the lawn when it grows is more than enough to make your garden look well cared for and maintained. 

Or, add artificial grass

If you lack gardening skills or time to care for the grass, then you might want to consider artificial grass. This requires no maintenance and can be appealing for future buyers who also want to enjoy easy garden maintenance. 

After laying it down, you won’t need to do anything to it. It will keep its vibrancy and not need trimming.

Plant flowers

If your garden lacks color, then it might not show off its full potential. Adding colour and vibrancy will enhance its appeal and look well cared for. 

Planting flowers that are long-lasting will be great for the buyers as they can maintain them and enjoy their beauty after they move in. Ensure to hand over your tips so that they can enjoy the garden in the same way that you have.

Add a fun feature

A garden with a fun feature can be the unique selling point of the house. You might want to add a fountain, a treehouse, or a play area to make the garden more inviting and interesting. 

Ensure that it doesn’t take over the entire garden as the buyers might want lawn space or an area to add their own plants. You won’t want it to detract from its appeal. 

Utilise storage space

Storage space is ideal for the garden as well as the interior. New buyers might want a space to store garden tools, bikes, or sun loungers. 

Adding storage space makes the garden more functional and practical. It will also ensure that you can keep the garden tidy.

Make sure your garden walls and fences are in good condition

Your garden walls and fences should always be in good condition for your own safety and to increase the appeal to future buyers. 

If your walls and fences are in bad condition, not only will the future buyers assume that the house is unsafe, but it will result in them having to pay for a new wall or fence. It can be expensive to replace a wall or fence. Thus, maintaining it will keep your costs down as well as the future buyers, which will make your home more appealing. 

Add outdoor furniture

Although adding outdoor furniture can be costly, it could be a selling point for your home. You may want to take it with you or leave it behind for the new buyers. Either way, adding outdoor furniture will show off your gardens full potential. 

Without these features, your garden may not be appealing or inviting. You will want your garden to be as welcoming as possible to help the buyers feel at home. 

Grow your own produce

Growing your own produce is a bit of fun when you are living in the home. Plus, it will be very appealing for your future buyers. 

When you grow your own produce you can enjoy a fun hobby, live more sustainably, and save money. Most future buyers are looking at living more sustainably and reducing the cost of living, which a vegetable patch can help them achieve.

Ensure to enhance the shelter

Although people spend time in the garden to be outside, sometimes the weather can hinder that. Thus, if your garden has a shelter, it will be usable in all weather conditions. No matter if it is raining or hot, you and your future buyers will be able to use the shelter and spend time in the garden at any time of day or year. 

A shelter could be a shed, large umbrella, or marquee. Whatever shelter you have, ensure to show it off to the buyers so that they know they can enjoy the garden in any weather. 

Add a patio

If your garden lacks a patio, you might want to consider adding one. These are ideal for social spaces and again, make the garden more accessible no matter the weather. 

Patios are a great way to add value to the home and can enhance the welcoming feel of a garden. If your garden is all grass, it can be a lot of maintenance for the future buyer and may not be ideal for rainy seasons. Even a small patio area can be enough to make your garden more inviting and appealing to buyers. 

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10 DIY Kitchen Projects for A Shoestring Budget

April 12, 2021 by 1 Comment

Often, kitchens can look and feel hopelessly run down before you know what happened. What a lot of people may not realize is how a quick, affordable minor renovation can reinvigorate the room.  If you are handy with basic tools and have some do-it-yourself experience, you can transform your kitchen dramatically. Here are some small projects that can be done cheaply and relatively easily. Here are 10 kitchen projects for you to consider doing by yourself or with a partner. 

 

  • Change Out Your Faucets

 

A new fixture, especially your faucets, can change the look of your kitchen immediately. This upgrade is a relatively simple project for rookies and doesn’t have to cost a lot. If you shop around, you can likely find a reasonably priced faucet that fits your style.

 

  • Update Your Cabinet Hardware

 

New kitchen cabinet hardware can make cabinets look brand new. If you are bored with your old look, come up with different varieties of knobs, pulls, and handles to make a unique appearance.

 

  • Do-it-yourself Backsplash

 

A backsplash can add flair and style to your room. Tiling it yourself with subway tiles can be done cheaply, with amazing results. You can work this backsplash into any kitchen design you come up with, too.

 

  • Repaint Your Cabinets

 

Some people run into this problem. They found what they thought were the perfect kitchen cabinets and ordered them, but when they arrived the color was just a bit off from what they expected. Painting them whatever color you want can fix this problem, or be beneficial if you just want to make a change. 

 

  • Change Your Pantry Door

 

Changing your pantry door can make that whole section of the kitchen look fresh and new. Whether you are replacing an old dingy door or want a whole new style, you can swap out your pantry door with a replacement. You can choose a screen door version, a new bright color, or anything else you may think of to liven up the pantry area.

 

  • Wall Storage

 

The space on kitchen walls goes unused far too often. While cabinets become overloaded, that bare space sits blank. Buying shelves, hooks, or racks at a reasonable price can unlock large swaths of your wall, providing you with valuable storage space and a new feel.

 

  • Upgrade Your Kitchen Island

 

If your kitchen island is looking old or you need more functionality out of it, you can install a new top, build in cabinets, or even integrate appliances. 

 

  • Hanging Pot Racks

 

For the handy renovator, building a hanging pot and pan rack can open up cabinet space. As a bonus, it can also give you a look that fits both contemporary and traditional styles.

 

  • Easy Contrast

 

If you have the same color scheme throughout your cabinets, try painting the lowers or the uppers in a contrasting tone. 

 

  • Add Open Shelving

 

Open shelves can make the kitchen feel brighter and bigger. There are many affordable options for shelving and are easy enough to install.

No matter how you decide to update your kitchen, find a company that you can trust for kitchen materials. With many online retailers to choose from, it can be hard to find quality ones. Go with a name you know, like Walcraft Cabinetry (https://walcraftcabinetry.com) or other reputable companies. 

 

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Smart and Fun Ideas for Kid’s Playrooms

March 18, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Designing a child’s playroom may seem like an easy task, but any parent would agree that it isn’t. You put a lot of thought into the designs keeping in mind the kid’s age and activities. Children need their own space for play to keep themselves from getting bored and inactive. Psychologists believe that constructive play is beneficial to the kid’s cognitive development. Here are seven clever ideas on kid’s playrooms.

Attic Conversion

You can turn the dark, contractor-grade finish attic into a shiny, happy spot for kid’s games. When such space gets utilized well, it improves the general appearance of your home. Making use of such spaces also improves the flow of the house.

When the attic space is too small, you can choose sea-foam blue paint to give it a large and open vibe. Many other paint shades can help achieve the same effect. Your choices depend on your desired end-result. Combining traditional and modern design styles gives the room a unique feel.

Embrace a Theme

Ask your kid what they would like to have in a playroom, then transform their thoughts into a theme. You can get a sliding door to separate the playroom from the rest of the house to magnify the effect. Knowing what barn door to buy and how to choose barn door hardware is easy and has many options to choose from depending on your budget.

You can choose numerous themes, like creating a lower-level playroom filled with nautical details for a pirate-explorer theme. Children’s imagination is wild, and there is no way you can get stuck in creating a themed playroom for your kid.

Picking the Right Finish

Kids can be messy, and you want to hide the constant little smudges on the wall for a clean feel for the house. Most paint used in houses is challenging to clean or get stains out. You can inquire from your interior designer or research on the best finish to apply to your house.

Going with an eggshell finish on the trim may be a great idea. You can even use the same finish on the entire wall if the kids are of different ages and heights. The eggshell finish is easier to clean than either a flat finish or matte finish.

Utilize Vertical Spaces

For small houses where the space is tight, large playrooms are not an option. With this, you get to be creative and install baseplates on walls for the kids to build on. Make sure to install the plates firmly to avoid accidents. You could even hire professional help to ensure the children’s safety.

When the option of vertical space is exhausted, you can have multi-function furniture for the kids. You can use cushions that can be rearranged for crafts projects, lounging, or reading. A lofted-bed can be mounted on the wall to cater to sleepovers and scaling games. Always make sure everything is firm and properly secured.

Games

Buy meaningful games for your kid’s playroom. It is important to find educational games and thought-provoking projects for children’s development. Studies in psychology emphasize the importance of games in a child’s developmental journey.

On the other hand, always get games the child considers fun. Some of these games can be played by adults during game night or to relax. It is pertinent you create time to play with the kids in their playroom for quality time with your kids.

Aim to Create Fun

Install cool playroom items to add an edge to the entire room. Get unusual safe play items to increase the fun kids can have while in that room. You can get an indoor slide for the kids to use when outside gets too cold. Ensure they have as much fun inside as they do when they are outside.

In the adventurous spirit, always make sure all toys are safe and proofed for kids. Keep in mind the home’s layout to organize such play items in safe spaces. Research on all the safety measures you should adhere to, to avoid legal action or ignorant mistakes.

Get Creative

Allow the playroom to have its personality different from the house. Let your inner child out and design and organize without feeling like you are going too far. Create a youthful, joyous, and energy-packed playroom for your kids.

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