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There’s this idea floating around that you can’t live an entirely sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle during the winter months. Truth be told, that’s completely false. Sure, during the winter months, that’s usually when the most energy is being used since it’s to warm up the house. But you can still very much be energy efficient, eco-friendly, all while keeping your home nice and toasty. These are some helpful tips for keeping your home eco-friendly even during the coldest of winter months.
Check for drafts
One major issue that homes have, especially older houses, would be drafts. These can come in a variety of ways such as through cracks, the space between the window sill and window, rooms with thin insulation, and the cracks that doors have. There can technically be other ways as well drafts can get into a home such as holes or cracks in the walls, and even outlets can play a part in bringing a draft in. Needless to say, there are plenty of ways for drafts to get into homes.
Since these drafts can cause your home to waste up to 30% of your energy, it’s best to look into sealing these crafts. There are several ways you can do it, some of which include
- Using rubber foam spray to cover any gaps
- Using rubber strips for the cracks on doors
- Using curtains to cover up doors
- Covering unused outlets
- Checking your home for any potentials cracks and holes in the walls
- Rolling up a towel and placing it between the space of the door and floor (known as a draft snake)
These are just a few ways that you can combat those pesky drafts that many homes have.
Consider getting a new heater
Sometimes all it really takes for getting your home eco-friendly during the winter months can be as simple as looking into a heater replacement. If your heat is too old then it’s not going to be as effective as it once was. This means you’re burning through your money trying to use a heater that’s not too effective. So in cases like these, you’re far better off just looking into getting yourself a new heater anyways.
Get a ceiling fan
One cost-effective hack for your home would be getting a ceiling fan. Many homes actually have these, and there’s a chance that you already own one. Running your ceiling fan in a clockwise direction can help out with pulling in warm air. Since heat tends to rise, the fan will allow the warm air to circulate throughout your home. Something like this could have the potential of lowering your energy bill by 8%. While ceiling fans do indeed need energy in order to be on, they don’t use nearly as much energy as heating does.
Check out eco-friendly insulation
Did you know about eco-friendly insulation? Not only is insulation on its own very eco-friendly as it warms up your home but there are multiple eco-friendly alternatives to insulation as well. There are some which are made from recycled green materials, others from wool, denim, and even cork. It’s just best to do some research on what your preference would be.
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Have you ever looked at pictures of the interior or even seen commercials of beautiful indoor airy spaces and wished you could achieve something like that for your home? Well, you definitely can, and you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank either! In order to achieve that flowy airiness that many beautiful spaces have, there need to be some major or minor tweaks.
It mostly has to deal with creating a seamless transition between the indoors of your home and the outdoors of your home. The main point is to just create an illusion that makes your home look huge, spaced out, and very flowy. Even the smallest of spaces can easily achieve this since this is all just an illusion.
Plus there are plenty of benefits to having these illusions in your home anyways. This can include creating a soft and positive atmosphere, bringing a touch of nature inside your home (which is an automatic mood booster), plus it makes your home stand out from others. Your home should be a little piece of paradise, and it can most certainly be achieved through the power of interior design. So here are some helpful tips for creating a nice flow between the interior and exterior of your home.
Let there be light
Of all things you need for this transition, the biggest is going to be having more sunlight. Having large windows in your space is going to hands down be the best way to bring more natural light into your home, but it’s also going to help with creating this illusion that your space is large. Since large windows are large, this is going to allow for more greenery to pick through which will make your home look bigger and endless.
If you’re wanting to replace your windows or see what’s better than you can check out Renewal by Andersen as they can help you out with getting large windows for your home. Sure, it’s a bit of an expensive option but in the end, you could be saving a lot of money as more sunlight that goes into your home means less heating that needs to be used.
Light curtains
After you have your windows figured out, you’ll want to look into your curtains next. Having light-colored curtains can help with creating that illusion that your interior and exterior are one. While white and beige are great, you’ll want to think about the fabric of the curtains as well. Something like chiffon or even sheer can be great options. These are very light in color and texture, plus they bring this airiness appearance whenever the sun seeps through the curtains. While you may think about skipping out on curtains if they’re not even going to block out light,
curtains also help with creating an illusion of tall ceilings.
Ceiling extension
While this may sound overboard, it could be a great option. This doesn’t mean that you’re changing the ceilings inside of your home, instead, it’s already extending your ceiling to the outer section of your home. Extending your ceilings to create a taller room sounds nice, but it’s far too expensive and the process itself is quite lengthy. But you can still create a seamless transition just by adding outdoor living space and adding a ceiling on top of that.
This can also be very useful as well in the case you do have an outdoor living space such as a patio. This not only creates the appearance that the outdoor section of your home is a part of the interior space, but it truly helps in combining the two elements of indoors and outdoors. It’s almost like a nice little medium. Having this extension will create the flow of going outside rather than abruptly stopping it.
Another benefit would be the fact that your outdoor furniture is protected as well from weather such as rain or snow. There are plenty of ways you can decorate your outdoor living space where it helps blur the lines of interior and exterior. This can include buying some patio furniture for it, adding some textiles such as an area rug, cushions, coffee table, and even a fireplace. Some great ideas for extending the roof could include awnings, gazebos, pergolas, and even pavilions.
Glass doors
A lot of modern-looking homes will have backdoors which are essentially sliding glass doors. These work as both a door and as a window which can be a great combination. There are concertina doors that also exist which helps in creating a flowy appearance in the home. Glass doors are very versatile, as they help out in removing that division of your home and the outdoor world. Also, whenever the door opens up, it immediately combines the two elements together. Just like windows, glass doors are a fabulous way of allowing the outdoors to peek inside the house and it’s a great way to encourage you to go outside too.
Remove walls
These may be a bit more difficult depending on the structure of your home. Open plans are perfect for creating that flowy appearance for homes. If your home has too many walls, then tearing them down could be a great way of achieving that flowy transition.
Floor level
While this may seem absurd, have you ever noticed a difference between the floor levels between the indoor and outdoor sections of your home. It’s usually one small step, but this step can immediately create a division between the two elements. Some common dividers could be just the difference in leveling, but it could be steps or stairs as well. These create a physical and a mental break that crushes any sort of transition that was created. If possible, try to look into having the same floor level between the indoors and outdoors of your home as this union will help.
Plants
Bringing the outdoors inside with some plants is one of the best ways to create a transition, not to mention that this is a very cost-effective hack as well. Plants are luxurious and they can help with creating balance indoors.
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Picking a home is a big decision. In fact, it’s probably one of the biggest you’ll make in your life, besides choosing a spouse.
In this post, we take a look at some of the factors you’ll want to consider when picking a home. Check them out below.
Check Whether It Requires Renovations
Some people want to move into homes that meet their needs from day one. Others want properties that are fixer-uppers: low cost to buy upfront but that have massive potential.
Your job is to decide which side of the fence you want to be on before you go ahead and buy. Do you want your property to be perfect when you move into it and pay a premium for the privilege? Or do you want to go in at a lower price and do all the renovations yourself?
Imagine You Live There Already
Most people take used cars for a test drive but don’t do the same for homes, usually out of politeness. However, this approach is actually damaging the market. People are winding up buying the home equivalent of lemons and then having to spend a small fortune on fixing up their properties.
The trick is to imagine that you live there already. Go to the bathroom and flush the toilet. Unfold the ladder that leads up to the attic. Try turning the locks on the external doors to test whether they are working currently.
By checking whether things work, you’re saving yourself time and money. You’re also putting pressure on the owner to fix the problems themselves.
Think About Your Long-Term Needs
Most people plan on staying in their properties for fifteen years or more. However, most only wind up staying about six before moving on.
The reason for this is simple: they’re not considering their true long-term needs. Most buyers overestimate how much their lives will change in the next two years, and underestimate how much they will change in the next decade.
Think carefully about what you want and how much space you’ll need. Remember, choosing the right home today is considerably cheaper than moving around multiple times.
Get A Property With Enough Storage
While the majority of apartments near me come with plenty of storage features, it’s not standard throughout the industry. You can sometimes wind up in a property that simply doesn’t offer you all the space you need.
Before going ahead with a purchase, check that you have space for all your possessions. If you don’t, then you’ll be constantly fighting an uphill battle regarding where to put everything.
Check Other Properties In The Area
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You can often tell a lot about a location by the way that other people present and maintain their properties. If most of the houses look dishevelled and as though they’ve seen better days, then it is a sign that you’re looking in the wrong area. However, if the accommodation looks good, you might be onto a winner.
So, in summary, always do your checks before picking a home. They could save you a lot of time, fuss and money.
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Finding a forever home seems like a massive challenge. However, there are often signs that you’ve done the hard work and you’re ready to move in.
In this post, we take a look at what these signs are so you can figure out whether you should go ahead and make the purchase or not.
You’re Planning A Massive Kitchen Renovation
If you’re thinking about spending a lot of money on your forever home (such as a kitchen renovation), then it’s a sign that you’ve found the place that you want to live. You’re willing to invest in it, suggesting that you plan on staying for a while.
The same goes if you’re thinking about an extension or perhaps adding a conservatory at the big. Large-scale projects like this indicate that you’re ready for the long-haul and planning for the future.
The Price Doesn’t Bother You
Another sign that you’ve found the home of your dreams is that the price doesn’t bother you. Yes, it’s a little above your budget, but that doesn’t matter – you’ll make it work. It’s more important that you move in and get on with your life than prioritise your finances.
You Have A Gut Feeling About It
All of us have a picture in our minds about how we would like our perfect forever home to look. For some of us, it is a detached property with space at the front and the back. For others, it’s a large apartment in the middle of a city, close to all the amenities that we want to enjoy.
Whatever the case, if you think that your home looks idyllic, then it is a sure sign that you see it as your forever home. You want to return to a property that just “feels right” after a busy day.
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It is true that décor can be pretty expensive, from curtains to furniture. However, the idea of some things being expensive shouldn’t immediately deter you. Fortunately, there are plenty of helpful tips so you can transform your space to create your dream home all without breaking the bank!
Take a good look at your furniture
For most rooms, the furniture tends to be the focal point of the space. The bedroom has the bed as the focal point, while the living room is going to have the couch as the main focal point. These are usually right front and center as well, meaning that these immediately catch the eye the second someone steps into that space. Since these are going to take up most of the space and they’re going to be the main focal point, you’ll need to think of ways to make this look better.
Furniture can truly be all it takes to set up a mood in a room. This can include the design, the shape, the material, and even the color of the furniture itself. Furniture, whether it be a couch, table, or bed, doesn’t need to be expensive at all. You can check out the sales sections at furniture stores, but even thrift shops will have beautiful (and unique) pieces of furniture that simply should not go unnoticed.
Paint your walls
One of the best ways to make a cost-effective transformation for your home would be with paint. Paint tends to be affordable, and this project can usually get done within one to two days. Wallpaper can even be cheap as well if you’d like to do that. Changing up your walls with color and design is fantastic for creating a whole new atmosphere, plus they can really make a space feel brand new.
Think about the fabrics that are used
A lot of rooms will have fabrics. The living room and bedroom are the top two that are fabric-heavy. The bedroom itself seems to be the same that will have the most textiles present, such as the blankets, pillows, linen, and even right down to the curtains. Not only will the color of the fabric make an impact on the room, but even the materials themselves can. Using something such as silk or satin is going to make the room have a different atmosphere compared to cotton.
Think about your décor
All the little pieces of décor throughout your space come together and can build up to something great. All pieces of décor can create an impact, and it shouldn’t be neglected. However, you should also try and make your décor blend in as well. You don’t want your décor to stand out too much or it can shift the mood in the space. You’ll also want to maintain a balance between practical and decorative items in your home too.
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Making your home rentable takes planning and attention to detail. The following tips will help you rent your home faster:
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Put safety first.
No one would rent a property with safety issues. Safe and secure rental homes are always in demand, especially when families with children are involved. Install safety features like smoke alarms, and fire extinguishers. You should always make sure your fire doors have correctly fitted gap fillers too. If you can, build a fence around your property to provide an additional degree of security. Additionally, consider adding a clearly visible emergency exit path.
Enhance the exterior
The exterior of your property is one of the simplest ways to make it more appealing. Sometimes all it takes is a fresh coat of paint, a well-trimmed fence, flowers, or well-paved walkways to transform a space into something special. The first impression is critical, and hardscape is the best way to make it. But don't overdo it on the hardscape. Avoid dramatic renovations and intricate changes that may create the impression that your home is extremely pricey. Many potential renters are put off by high upkeep costs.
Home renovation
Numerous issues, ranging from leaking faucets to a clogged toilet, could put a damper on your plans to become a landlord. Renovating your kitchen may be the key to attracting those hard-to-find tenants. Verify that all of the property's fixtures and appliances, such as the doors and windows, are working properly before tackling any repairs or replacements. Before allowing visitors into your home, thoroughly clean it and make sure everything is working properly. The previous occupant's rubbish will deter any reputable tenant.
Be deliberate in your marketing efforts.
Typically, properties are developed with certain market categories in mind. As a result, make sure your adverts are well-targeted to your ideal tenants. Don't forget to include important information about your property and location. Include surrounding social amenities and public facilities, such as retail malls, schools, and even the distance from the town center. A compelling advertisement may be all that is required to persuade a prospective tenant. Promote your dedication with professional images or films. Describe in detail with colorful language and beautiful photos. Choose the best way to get your message across to your audience.
A permit and insurance are required.
It is not sufficient to repair and renovate your property prior to listing it. If you don't receive authorization from the local authorities, your efforts will be in vain. Schedule an inspection and approval for your property. Get landlord insurance as well.
A good tenant will help you achieve your goal of becoming a landlord. As a responsible landlord, make necessary repairs and updates to your property and engage in creative advertising.
Stuck on your own room? I'll design it for you. See my online design services →
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The Basics of Home Planning
The first step in home planning is deciding what type of home you want. What is the style? How will you use it? How do you want it to serve you basically?
Once you know what you want, it's time to think about what functions are essential to your lifestyle and what you will be adding for eye candy. Do you need a metal roof for added protection against inclement weather, or do you require an HVAC for those unbearably hot summer days? Maybe a smart home is something that can support your lifestyle. When looking at external features, consider your environment; for example, are you close to the coast meaning your windows can end up covered in salt from the ocean. Or do you live in an area that experiences frequent extreme weather, so you need to look at hurricane impact windows?
By working through these questions now, you will have a better idea of finding that elusive balance.
How to Choose the Right Home Features
We spend a lot of time deciding what type of home we want to live in. We consider the layout, the appliances, and whether or not we have enough money for it. But when it comes down to it, who hasn't thought about how their home will look?
It's a common practice for homeowners to think about the aesthetic value of their homes while they are still building them. But to decide precisely what features should be included in your home and which ones can wait, there are a few important questions you must ask yourself.
The first question is, "What do I need?" This is where you must be honest with yourself. Do you need room for family members? Are you looking for an open living space or a more closed-off one? These questions will help you figure out what your home needs.
Next, ask yourself how your home will function once it's complete. Will it be primarily used for entertaining guests or for relaxing at night? Does your home need plenty of space so that everyone has someplace to retreat from a busy day?
How to Balance Practicality and Decorative Features
These days, designs have evolved so that you do not need to compromise on style for functionality or even safety. Sleek modern techniques allow you to install the best functionality discreetly that enhances your lifestyle yet doesn’t detract from your look. Think integrated appliances for a seamless kitchen look or underfloor heating to remove ugly radiators from your wall, or switch out traditional radiators for the floor to ceiling ones that create a statement look and take up less room! You can implement many features around your home that can blend in with your chosen aesthetic once you have settled on this.
In reality, it all boils down to how you intend to use the house and what you want to get from it. You will then strike a balance as you look for the right products to populate your home.
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Whether you are redecorating for winter or freshening up with a spring clean, your new or existing home projects should be appropriately planned. However, renovation is more than ripping out and installing new fittings. There are numerous aspects to track, plan and order. Fortunately, there are many ways you can use computers when renovating.
Proprietary Design Programs
You don’t need to be a CAD or CAM expert to design your renovations on a computer. While there are specific programs, such as AutoCAD, which you can use, they are challenging to learn. Fortunately, many planners use proprietary planning tools. For example, your architect may offer you the chance to sit down and visualize your outside extension with purpose-built deck design software. Additionally, most modern showrooms use software to design your perfect bathroom or kitchen, given the measurements and space available.
Project Management Apps
Suppose you are to handle a renovation yourself without the help of a professional. In that case, you can get flustered by everything that needs to be done. For instance, timing is crucial since you don’t want a roofing team on-site before your tiles arrive. Or you may not want a new oven and hob sitting in your kitchen while you try to place new fittings and paint around them. So again, project management apps are your best friend. One of the easiest planners to use is Asana for iOS and Android. But you could also manually track a project using a simple spreadsheet.
Communication and Coordination
Further to project management, communication and coordination are essential to any home renovation. At the very least, you will need to communicate with suppliers about orders and arrival times. But contractors also require adequate communication as well. Phone calls are all well and good, but most contractors are busy and won’t answer while on the job. Therefore, email or instant messaging are a great alternative when planning a bathroom for example. Additionally, when you use email, you can write exactly what you need to, reducing the chance of miscommunication while keeping a written record in case of disputes later on.
Buying and Selling Online
Online sites like Amazon and eBay are excellent sources of materials and fittings when working to a budget or time constraints. They are also excellent sources of hard-to-come-by fittings when restoring your home to a particular style. Additionally, you can set delivery dates that work into your overall project plan. Further, you can sell anything still intact after an initial rip-out, and there is a market for older fittings. Therefore, you can use the money earned to add to your budget or cover additional expenses that might arise towards the end.
Try The Sims 3
The Sims is a well-known video game series that has sold over 200 million copies across 4 series. However, a primary feature of the game is to design and build homes. And the home building feature of The Sims is more advanced than you might expect. While the Sims 4 is the latest game, the Sims 3 is better for design. The reason is that it has a “Create-a-Style” tool that allows you to apply any material to any item in the game, such as walls, floors, fittings, and furniture. And you can probably get a copy for less than the price of a coffee!
Stuck on your own room? I'll design it for you. See my online design services →
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When it comes to securing our homes, most of us know there are certain given staples that we should put in place. A secure front and back door with strong locks, for instance, should be the baseline consideration, while making sure that our windows are locked and structurally robust is also key.
Yet depending on where you live, the house you live in, work that might be conducted, and your daily conveniences and preferences, you may wish to enact a more worthwhile security plan that can help you keep your home safe without you having to think about that much. For instance, what if you live in an area where porch pirates seem to focus on stealing packages more frequently?
What if you live in a busy environment, or what if you live in a home with a lot of land surrounding you thanks to rural life, offering you less of an immediate police and neighborly response should something go wrong? These questions are worth asking and answering as appropriate. In this post, we’ll try to do that and offer more.
Consider Your Unique Build & Surroundings
Your unique build, its location, and its surroundings may detail how better to handle your home security. For instance, if you have a tree next to your household, with branches that move incrementally upwards (as trees often grow), could it be that an enterprising trespasser could climb up this tree and stand on an overhang, giving them access to window? Might it be worth chopping those branches? Or, perhaps a side alley provides unseen access to the side of your house, providing an ideal point for someone to jump the fence without being seen. Floodlights or a camera might work well there. Inspect your home, and look for weak points. You’ll no doubt find a few.
Convenience In Security
It’s important to make sure that your security isn’t overbearing or hard to maintain, because you won’t use those systems if they are. This is why searching for ‘Home security near me’ services can help you more accurately install alarms, locks, and interlinking systems to help identify and report intruders or other security issues. For instance, door cameras that record footage when they notice motion can save you storage space, time, and grant you immediate access.
Run A Checklist
Make sure to run a checklist of everything your house uses to protect itself. From making sure your roofing system is intact to gauging the strength of the windows and doors, to making sure the garage door is secure and the opening chain is still in great condition, to keeping your garden fence properly maintained as well as managing your privacy fencing, all of this makes a difference. Perhaps you’ll notice that people on the street can look in and see your living room at night, thanks to having no blinds or leaving your curtains open. As you can see, a careful balance here is essential.
With this advice, you’re sure to define the home security your house needs, and expand it where possible.
