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We’ve got the best part of a year ahead of us and many of us are starting to consider home improvements we want to make over the next ten months or so. Home improvements almost always prove to be a worthwhile investment of time, money and energy. At the end of the day, these are our living spaces and they’re where we spend a whole lot of our time - this is particularly true since the start of the pandemic. You’re going to want to make sure that this space is comfortable, enjoyable to spend time in and looks great in a way that matches your needs and preferences. You’re also going to want to make sure your home is functional to give you the best use of it. Finally, your home tends to be the biggest financial investment you make in your life. For most people, rent and mortgage payments are their biggest monthly outgoing. If you own your home, you’re going to want to maintain its value. If you rent, you’re going to want to get your deposit back at the end of your tenancy. Here are just a few ways that you can achieve all of this with some home improvement projects!
Decluttering
When it comes to home improvements, all too many people jump the gun. They’ll immediately start thinking of huge DIY projects that will take weeks to complete and completely change the look and feel of your home. But it’s important to remember that the first, and perhaps most important, thing you should when trying to improve your home is to start out by decluttering the space. This in itself will make all the difference to your home, creating a more open, clear and less overwhelming living space for you to spend time in. It also then allows you to engage with the bigger home improvements without having to tackle mess and clutter along the way. When you decide to declutter you can remove unnecessary belongings from your home, freeing up space and reducing the amount of items surrounding you. It’s a simple and straightforward process, as long as you follow the steps below.
Find what you don’t need - start out your decluttering journey by going through all of your belongings and picking out any items that you don’t actually need. When making this decision, consider when the last time you used this item is and if it has significant sentimental value to you. If you don’t use them and they have no real sentimental value, chances are, it can be removed from your home.
- Sell items of value - of course, you don’t just want to throw everything you no longer want to keep in the bin. This is wasteful in many cases. Instead, look through the items you’re getting rid of and decide whether any of them have a financial value to them. If they do, people might buy them, helping to remove the item from your home at the same time as generating you some money. There are so many ways to sell easily nowadays. Sure, you can go to a car boot sale. But you may find things easier and secure more cash by making use of online sales platforms like eBay, Etsy, Depop or Facebook marketplace.
- Recycle and donate - there will be items that don’t sell. For these, you may want to consider donation. There are plenty of worthwhile causes out there who require items to sell for a low cost in their charity store. So, find a cause that you support or that is dear to you and find out if they have stores that require donations. Drop your items off and they could quickly go to a better home at the same time as supporting a good cause. If items are rejected by the charity store, you should then try to recycle them at a recycling plant or by using a recycling collection service.
Deep Cleaning
We all tend to have cleaning routines that help us to keep on top of the state of our homes. We wipe down worksurfaces in the kitchen, dust shelves in our bedrooms and living rooms, vacuum the carpets, mop the floors and complete a whole host of other day to day tasks to live in a hygienic and presentable home. However, every once in a while, it is important to conduct a deep clean that will make all the difference to our living space. A deep clean is what makes your home really sparkle, targeting all of the areas you miss during your regular cleaning routine. Tasks can vary greatly. From using professional carpet cleaning services to deep cleaning the toilet, using DUCTZ to clean your ducts and vents, wiping down skirting boards, cleaning the inside of your oven and so much more. Make a list of deep cleaning tasks to complete and make sure to get them done before carrying on with any further and more major changes with your property.
Painting and Decorating
Painting and decorating can make a big visual change to your home. A fresh lick of paint will make a huge difference to the state of your walls - even if you stick to the same colour that’s already there. You may even want to change your colour scheme, completely changing the look and feel of your property. Of course, you can paint and decorate yourself. You will have to invest in supplies like rollers and paint and you should also invest in floor covers. Alternatively, use a professional painter decorator to lift the weight from your shoulders.
Renovations
Another more major option is renovations. These will require planning permission and you will have to call in the help of an architect. Renovations change the whole look and feel of your home. Popular renovations include:
Loft conversion- Garage conversion
- Basement conversion
- Extensions
- En suites
- Conservatories
As you can see, there are so many different ways that you can change and improve upon your home. Consider which best suit you and you should be able to see vast improvements in no time.
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When preparing your home to be viewed for sale, there are a lot of things you can do to make the house feel as comfortable and welcoming as possible. Creating an environment that feels comfortable and inspiring is important when selling your home, and today we want to talk to you about how you can do that and create a wonderful home that people want to purchase.
Here are some of the things you can do to make your home look and feel comfortable this year.
Bake beforehand
One of the best tips you can get from people who have had their Homes for Sale is to make the house smell like a home before people visit. The best way to do this is to bake up a batch of cookies an hour or so before hosting your viewings and this will make your whole house smell amazing, and it plants the idea in people’s minds of this being a warm and comforting home.
Clear away clutter
It is so important before you have people viewing your house that you get rid of any clutter and unnecessary furnishings. The reason for this is not only for the home looking tidy, but also to maximise the space in every room to entice people in and make them more likely to put an offer in for your home.
Add some colourful touches
When staging your home for people viewing it, it is important to create a proper asthetic and create a space that feels comfortable and stylish. People want to be able to walk around a home and envision themselves in there, and one of the ways that you can help do this is to add some colourful final touches that bring a space to life and make it look more styled.
Light a candle or two
If you want to make your home look cosy as well as make it feel warm when people come to view your house, a great idea is to light a couple of candles and set them up in different rooms of the house. A simple touch like this adds that idea of relaxation throughout the home and it can bring a sense of peace and calm for your viewers.
Clean the windows and doors
It is incredibly important for you to clean your windows and your doors before people come and view your home. Your front door as well as interior doors can become dirty over time and it is easy to forget about them as you don’t see them all of the time. Ensuring that your door is clean will create a better first impression when people view your home and it can be a great way to welcome people into your home. Your windows are also very important and you can create a brighter and more open space by ensuring they are clean. Also, getting rid of any traces of black mould or damp will improve your chances of someone offering to buy your home.
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Package includes:
On-site and / or online review of existing home and furnishings inventory.
On-site and / or online review of new home walk-thru.
On-site (1) full day on moving day to help with furnishings placement and arranging.
Please email JSInteriorDes@aol.com for more info or questions.
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Roof Inspection
Leaks and cracks are the number one reason homeowners need to perform regular roof maintenance. While identifying roof issues can be challenging, we've made it easy for you by providing a list of things to check for during your annual home maintenance check-up:
- Rooftop penetrations (including vents and bathroom exhaust fans) should be tightly sealed and not let in any water.
- Make sure ducts aren't loose or have fallen off.
- Look at all seams on the roof to ensure no visible signs of leakage.
- Check your shingles for curling, cracking, or splitting.
A missing shingle may indicate an issue with the underlayment that may have led to excess moisture absorption underneath.
Window Inspection
Your windows should be well insulated to prevent heat loss during the winter and overheat during the summer. Check your windows for cracks or gaps, which could let in air and damage the window seal. The window sill shouldn't have any water stains, indicating possible leakage. Finally, ask yourself if you even need all of your windows - energy-efficient windows are more expensive than standard windows but can save you money on your energy bills each month! When comparing different types of replacement windows, keep in mind that vinyl is typically considered the most durable option available.
Foundation Inspection
The foundation of your home is crucial to its structural integrity. If your property was built before 1978, there is a good chance that the foundation has lead paint. Given this fact, you should consider having your home inspected by a professional. The foundation walls and piers should be free of cracks and depressions that indicate water issues. Holes or gaps between or around the foundation and exterior walls may point to insect damage underneath. Keep in mind that even if there are no noticeable signs of corrosion, it doesn't mean your house's foundation won't suffer from heavy rain or erosion. Note: Foundation inspections typically cost $200 - $300 for an average-size home so consider getting quotes from several companies before hiring someone to inspect your residence.
Other Areas to Inspect
In addition to the three main areas of your home that you should inspect, there are several other things you'll want to check during your annual home maintenance check-up. The roof of your detached garage should be in good condition and have no visible signs of damage. If your home has a deck, take a close look at its structural integrity. Next, test any screens or storm windows for holes or rips by checking for bugs coming through or drafts of cold air entering. Finally, inspect any vegetation around the foundation of your house for pests such as insects, rodents, or fungi. While some bugs are harmless, others can cause extensive property damage!
Declutter
While decluttering doesn’t instantly sound like a maintenance checkup for your home, this actually is! Sure, while the structure of your home itself is going to be at risk due to clutter, it’s still going to help to focus on clutter. Ideally, every six months, you should look into what can be done about. Chances are, unintentionally, you have incurred some clutter that you didn’t even realize you had. This can be quickly addressed by opting for a reliable storage option.
A yearly home maintenance check-up is a great way to ensure that your property stays in good condition. Be sure to inspect all major areas of your house, including the roof, windows, and foundation, during this process.
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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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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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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!
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