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Everything You Need to Know About Cockroaches in Your Home and How They Got There

Cockroaches are an unfortunate incident that occurs in a lot of people’s homes. This doesn’t necessarily have to be the result of something that you have done yourself, but it is something you need to be aware to look out for and know how to combat if it is to ever occur. Of course, this begs the question, where do they actually come from, and how are they able to get into your house in the first place? This article will explain everything.

Do You Need Help with Roaches?

If you are reading this because you are unlucky enough to have been hit with an infestation of cockroaches, then do not fear as just like cockroaches, help is never far away. By enlisting the assistance of the likes of Economy Exterminators, who are experts in exterminating the German roach and other similar creatures, you will be able to get rid of your unwelcome guests in no time.

How Do Roaches Actually Get into Your House?

When you do see that an infestation of cockroaches have managed to get into your home, you may find yourself wondering how they actually managed to get there in the first place. Don’t be disheartened when you see them as it isn’t necessarily a reflection of your home or how clean your house is, sometimes they can get through purely as a coincidence. The different ways they can get in include but aren’t limited to:

  • Boxes and bags that you bring home

A lot of species of cockroaches may well hide in grocery bags, luggage, furniture, and also cardboard boxes. It may well be likely that you bring home the egg casing of a cockroach or a cockroach themselves after you visit the grocery store without even realizing it. The best thing that you can do to be sure in these instances is to check through your grocery bag thoroughly when you get home. By doing this, you should hopefully be able to check whether or not you have accidentally brought any cockroaches home with you or not.

  • Up From the Drains and the Sewers

These are incredibly popular avenues into properties that cockroaches commonly take. They are used as entry points very frequently, and as such, you should try and keep an eye on your drains to make sure there aren’t any pests coming out of there.

  • The Plumbing and the Pipes

Another very common entry point for roaches and a lot of other types of insects as well tend to be straight through the plumbing. They are guilty of migrating to and from your and your neighbors’ houses by using the plumbing pipes that connect the two. A lot will be able to get from this plumbing into your property by coming out of floor drains and making their way into your actual living space.

Conclusion

A lot of people are unlucky enough to get a cockroach infestation at some point in time; however, these are not necessarily a reflection of the cleanliness of your house. Cockroaches can enter through the likes of plumbing and also be brought in through the drain.

 

Tips For Remodeling Your Home

Your home is a great asset. Investing in upgrades and fixes over the years is inevitable, but being wise about what and how you choose to update will decide whether or not the process is profitable in the end.

You want to know that the work you put into your home will pay off, and research is a powerful tool in that department. Take some time now to check out a quick look at some tips for remodeling your home, and prepare yourself to make the best decisions possible along the way.

The biggest bang for your buck

A minor bathroom remodel (if done on a sound budget) can grab more than 100 percent return. Reglaze and recaulk the tub, slap a fresh coat of paint on the walls, and update all the fixtures in your bathroom.

Also, old shower doors should go. Replacing the shower door for a new one will give potential buyers the feel of having a whole new bathroom area, and you’ll recoup all of your money when you sell the house.

Minor kitchen remodel

The kitchen is one of the busiest places in the house, and investing in a kitchen upgrade is worth the time and money. A minor kitchen remodel won’t cost you as much while still refreshing the space for the future.

Give the countertops a facelift, and repaint all the cabinets. Adding a nice backsplash could put some color in the mix, and sleek lighting is always a sellable quality in a kitchen. When it’s time to sell your house, you won’t be sorry that you took the time to complete your kitchen remodel.

Taking it to the exterior

The exterior of your home makes the first impression on visitors. Taking the time to properly maintain and revamp the outside of your home can keep it in good shape for much longer.

A fresh coat of paint goes a long way for boosting the aesthetic of the exterior of your home, and a paint job is not going to break the bank. Work on making the front door area more welcoming too, and you will have some curb appeal when you’re through.

Add a new bedroom to the floor plan

Expanding the living space within your home will be beneficial in many different ways. You can draw equity from the upgrade, and you’ll have more room for the family to enjoy while you’re still occupying the space.

The basement or the attic are great places to start when considering the addition of another room to the floor plan. Finishing these spaces will greatly affect the value of your property, and produce a hearty return on your investment.

Why choose a furnished rental in Barcelona?

When making the decision to rent a home, one of the questions that arise is whether we have to look for a furnished or unfurnished rental home. Some may be clear about it, but for others this choice raises many doubts. This choice seems a totally personal decision that leads more than one to big headaches. But the truth is that apart from the personal factor, each circumstance will have its best option and that is why you need good rental experts.

There is no decision that is better than the other; the correct option depends on several factors. These factors are the length of the rental agreement, the attractiveness of the home, the liquidity to pay expenses and the availability of furniture.

I don’t know if we will be able to choose the best option for each of your cases. However, we will give you some keys that will help you choose the alternative that best suits your needs.

Rental Contract with Furnished Home

A furnished home refers to a property with the necessary furniture to move into, as well as a bed, sofa, chairs and other furniture. This option is a good selection for students and workers planning to live there temporarily. A perfect choice for those who think of renting for a short term and for those who want to share a flat. In addition, furnished homes are one of the most chosen and most practical options when you are thinking about buying or renting another property.

No matter how long you plan to stay, they have furnished apartments available ranging from daily rent to annual rent, and even many for sale! (In case you fall in love with this city). In addition, they offer a wide range of services through their concierge team, who will provide you with everything you need to guarantee a perfect stay. I definitely recommend it if you are planning to come for short term rental Barcelona!

Advantages Of The Furnished Home

Among the advantages that we can find when the home that we are going to rent is furnished, we find the following:

  • Possibility of entering to live at the moment. The property has what you need for day-to-day life, so you can start living in it as soon as you can.
  • Savings on furniture. If the house is furnished you save all the furniture that you should buy. To furnish an apartment we could easily spend between 2,000 and 3,000 euros, so it is an important piece of information.
  • Higher rents. When a home is furnished, the landlord has the possibility of increasing the rent of his property.
  • Short and long term rental. When our home is furnished we have several possibilities to rent it. We can rent it both short-term for tourists in the summer months and long-term for students and workers who come to live in the city for several months.
  • Rental preferences. Some renters find furnished homes more attractive than unfurnished homes. These tenants seek flexibility and carefree, forgetting all the steps to furnish a home.

Advantages For The Owner And Tenant

  • Long term rentals. These homes are intended for those people who want to rent a property to live a long time in a specific place. These people buy new furniture to their liking or bring their own, so a short-term change of residence is very unlikely.
  • Less worries. When the owner rents an unfurnished apartment, the worry of incidents and repairs is removed. In addition, as these leases are usually medium or long term, you do not have to worry about looking for another tenant or paying more money to real estate agencies for this management. It all comes down to less worry for the landlord.
  • Feeling of your own home. When we rent an empty house and begin to arrange furniture to our liking, we create a pleasant environment that gives us the feeling of having created our own home.

So What Is The Best Option?

These are some of the important points that you should know, both in rentals with furnished and unfurnished properties. We recommend that you breathe deeply and weigh all the positive and negative points. Once all these points have been analyzed, we are sure that you will choose the option that best suits your needs.

At “Magicstay”Barcelona we make the process of selling your apartment a simple task. For that we are with you from the beginning advising you and informing you of the entire process of selling your property and saving commissions. In this way you will only have to think about what to do with the money saved. Contact us and find out without obligation!

Winter Weather Tips for New Homeowners

Owning a home for the first time is an exciting prospect. Even though the stress of moving is nothing to take lightly, becoming a homeowner is one of the best ways to establish yourself financially and get out from under the thumb of the rental industry.

That being said, owning a home means taking on a great deal of new responsibility. If something goes wrong with the property throughout the year, there is no landlord or superintendent to call in for help. You must take on the financial burden of resolving such issues on your own.

While things can go wrong with your property at any time of the year, there are some particular issues that are more likely to arise during the winter months. Thankfully, there are a number of things that you can do in order to get your new home ready for your first winter as a property owner. Being proactive about such things is one of the best ways to minimize the risk that something will go wrong.

Here are a few tips to help you get your new house ready for winter.

Gear Up

With winter weather comes a great deal of inconvenience caused by Mother Nature. This is why you should take the time this fall to get all of the gear and equipment that you will need in order to prepare for the harsher weather.

A snow blower can be incredibly helpful in keeping your walkways and driveway clear of snow, and you should also make sure that you have a few bags of snow and ice melter on hand. Mixtures of sand and salt will help to dissolve patches of ice so that your walkways are safe for you and your family.

Schedule Servicing

Since you are going to spend the majority of the winter months heavily relying on your central heating system and your hot water boiler, you will want to schedule servicing for both of these systems this fall. The fact of the matter is that having your heating or hot water go out in the dead of winter can cause you not only discomfort but also some other issues. The increased use of your central heating system and hot water boiler can result in a fault in either or both of those systems. These can be pricey to repair and are things that you won’t want to be without for very long when the cold of winter sets in. So, before the cold weather arrives, get a professional to check that there is nothing wrong with your boiler or heating system.

Have Emergency Numbers on Hand

Make sure that you not only have your systems serviced before it gets cold but that you also have the number of an emergency repair service on hand should the worst occur during the colder months of winter. For instance, should your hot water go out and if you cannot have it repaired in a timely enough manner, you risk having one or more of your pipes burst. This can result in some expensive repairs and massive damage to your home.

A Guide to Choose Functional and Versatile Outdoor Furniture

Decorating and furnishing your house doesn’t stop until you’ve managed to get to the outdoor furniture too. Before you rush off to pick stunning furniture for your outdoors, consider what you want.

Many people find decorating their backyard and patio more difficult because there are many factors to consider besides comfort and functionality for your outdoor furniture.

If you are unsure about buying your outdoor furniture right away, consider a service like Huntley and Co, where you can rent furniture. It will also let you compare different designs and aesthetics to choose the one best suited for your requirements.

Colours and Design

With the ideal outdoor furniture, you can use it during any weather and get the most use out of it every time.

Versatile furniture is usually offered in neutral shades to match any interior design and backyard plan. Vibrant colours lose their shine due to sunlight and other weather factors, which aren’t truly versatile.

You can choose accents like cushions and rugs to add bold pops of colour, which will be easier to replace over time. Picking designs that are simple to assemble and built from natural materials like wood and teak will add to the charm of your backyard.

You could consider metal, steel, and plastic too for your outdoor furniture. They fit perfectly with modern and quirky designs and come in a range of colours and styles. Refrain from choosing complicated designs that have limited functionality for your outdoor furniture.

Maintenance

Depending on the materials your outdoor furniture is made of, the level of maintenance required will be different. Natural materials like wicker, straw, and teak are low maintenance, while iron furniture may need extra care to keep the rust off.

Furniture with removable pillows and components will be easier to clean, as well. Look into care instructions for the furniture before you invest in them.

Durability

Depending on the type of climate your area receives, you should consider how long your outdoor furniture will last. Organic materials can be prone to damage in areas with high rainfall and humidity. It can cause mould and mildew in the furniture, which is a health risk too.

If you experience sunny and warm weather quite often in your area, be aware of cracking and colour fading from your furniture. Check beforehand whether the furniture you’re planning to use is weather-resistant for the type of climate your location experiences.

Price

While you may be inclined to buy cheaper outdoor furniture, it can end up costing you more compared to good-quality furniture. If you do not want to invest in high-end pieces, consider renting the furniture for your house.

Expensive materials are not only well-made, but they are also suited to last you a long time. It will require less replacement and provide more functionality and use. Staying within your budget is essential, but cheaper furniture will be lightweight and cannot be used often.

Get Comfortable Outdoor Furniture to Suit Your Aesthetics

If you want to test specific outdoor furniture before investing in it or are looking for efficient furniture rental services, experts like Huntley and Co are the perfect option.

With these factors in mind when you’re selecting your outdoor furniture, you can get maximum use and functionality from your furniture with your friends and family.

 

5 Indoor Plant Benefits That You Should Know About

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Indoor plants may be the most underrated items you could add to your house.

You may be thinking, why not just get a fake plant? It doesn’t need any water or personal care. While that may be true, nothing adds vibrance to your house like a living, indoor plant.

There are also indoor plant benefits that many don’t know about. Let’s check out a few of them below.

Indoor Plants Help You Relax

It may seem silly, but it’s a truth backed up by scientific evidence.

When you pot, prune and water your plants, you release pent-up stress. Not only that, but you’ll start to feel happy, too.

One study revealed that participants who cared for indoor house plants saw a reduction in heart rate and blood pressure.

Indoor Plants Boost Confidence

The more you tend to your mini indoor garden, the more confident you’ll feel. How, you ask?

You’re caring for another living being!

In your diligence toward keeping something alive, you’ll feel proud and accomplished. You may even feel sentimental toward the little friend who keeps you company all day.

Indoor Plants Help You Concentrate 

No, really. It’s true.

Simply put, having something to look at helps us focus better than if we’re sitting in a blank, colorless room. So, give yourself permission to splurge on low light indoor plants like dragon trees and aloe blizzards.

This means that your home isn’t the only great place to put indoor plants. What about your office? Click here to shop for office plants requiring little light.

Indoor Plants Purify the Air

The air in your home is full of pollutants that may cause sickness or irritate your lungs, especially in the winter. They even clear out a large percentage of formaldehyde and benzene, which are cancer-causing chemicals.

They do this by releasing water into the air. The humidity helps moisturize your body, prevents overheating, and keeps your lungs clean.

Did you know indoor plants help your pet, too? They carry all sorts of pollutants with them inside, so indoor plants will protect both of you.

Just make sure you place your plants strategically at home. Some plants, if digested, are fatal for dogs.

Indoor Plants Improve Your Immune System

As mentioned above, keeping you from sickness is one way indoor house plants improve your immune system. The other way is tied to mental health.

Your immune system is strongest when you’re sleeping well. The more stressed you are, the harder it is to sleep. Through the release of stress-reducing chemicals, your body becomes well-equipped for fighting off sickness.

Treat Yourself With an Indoor Plant Today

Now that you’ve seen all the awesome benefits of indoor house plants, go out and buy a few today. When you start feeling more relaxed and productive, you’ll wonder why you didn’t buy an indoor plant sooner!

Just don’t tell the fake plants or they may get jealous.

As always, keep browsing our site for more advice on decorating your home.

Top 5 Best Emergency Items to Have in Your Home

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How do you prepare for the unpredictable?

One of the more troubling facts of life is that emergencies happen when you least expect them, and there is not all that much you can do to stop them. But, while you may not be able to predict and plan around a flash flood or tornado, you can make sure your family is prepared to deal with the aftermath.

Not sure where to start when it comes to emergency preparedness? We’ve got you covered. Here are five pieces of emergency gear everyone should have in their homes.

1. Lantern or Flashlight

Say the power were to go out right now, what would you do?

No matter how good your eyesight might be, humans can’t see in the dark. The first thing you should add to your emergency kit is a few easy-to-use and rechargeable light sources.

While candles have always been a staple of emergency kits, they can be a fire hazard. A few flashlights and electric lanterns are the more reliable and safer emergency lighting choice.

2. Trauma Kit

During an emergency, it can be hard to get immediate medical help. But by putting together a well-stocked trauma kit, you’ll have access to everything you might need to take on a medical emergency until emergency services can reach you.

While you can buy pre-made trauma and first aid kits, you can also assemble one yourself, but make sure to check and restock it every few months.

3. Water and Rations

A supply of food and clean drinking water is another essential part of any emergency kit. Most survival experts agree that you should plan on storing a three-day supply of food for every member of your house, plus one or two people. Remember, it’s always better to have too much than too little during an emergency.

While you should also plan on keeping a three-day supply of water, keep in mind that the freshwater you store is for more than drinking. You may have to use your saved water for medical emergencies and cleaning too.

4. Hand Sanitizer

Getting sick during an emergency is not an option. That said, keeping up with hygiene essentials, like handwashing, might be a little more challenging than usual. And that’s where hand sanitizer comes in. Hand sanitizer will help protect you and your family from accidentally picking up any nasty bugs that could turn an uncomfortable situation into a life-threatening one.

5. Power Supply

Finally, your emergency kit should also include a few reliable power sources you can use to keep any essential electronics up and running for the duration of an emergency.

Rechargeable phone chargers are an excellent way to keep your phone powered up for a few days and a must-have feature of any emergency kit. On top of that, investing in a sustainable power generator, like the best solar generator on the market, will let you keep powering other essentials, like your refrigerator, without having to worry about having to refuel.

Gather Your Emergency Gear

Remember, there’s no such thing as being too prepared! Now that you know what kind of emergency gear you need to ride out whatever life can throw at you, it’s time to get started putting together your emergency kit.

Are you looking for more advice on how to prepare for and deal with an emergency? Whether it’s a medical emergency or a natural disaster, we’re here to help. Check out the rest of our blog for more helpful articles and tips today.

 

How Do You Wash Dishes? 5 Innovative Methods to Improve Dishwashing

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When you’ve got a lot of greasy dishes to scrub, even the most enthusiastic dishwasher might feel discouraged and think twice about putting some elbow grease into their work. But it’s important to remember that there are ways to make this task easier, no matter how much cleaning is involved.

If you’re looking for tips to get your dishes sparkling clean without having to resort to excessive elbow grease or chemical additives, try some of these innovative strategies.

#1 Prep & Soak Your Dishes

The most important way to speed up hand washing dishes is by making sure your dishes are prepped beforehand. While you’ll need to spend a few minutes preparing your dishes, you won’t have to spend as much time washing them.

There are several methods you can use to prep your dishes, including:

Scrape Your Dishes

This is an old hack that could save you time and effort if you’re looking to simplify your dishwashing routine. Scraping your dishes first will make a big difference in their cleanliness, and it can save time that you’d spend scrubbing otherwise.

Use Very Hot Water

Heat – when it’s applied to soap and water or glassware and tableware – helps make them easier to clean. Hot water will help break down grease and can aid in drying dishes without streaks.

Let Them Soak

Fill the sink with clean, hot water and let the dirty dishes soak for 15 – 30 minutes.

For incredibly stubborn grime, use some dish liquid while soaking to let those baked-on food bits loosen over time. After a while of soaking, you’ll be able to wipe all the grime away without having to scrub for hours.

Try a Soap & Shake

For containers with lids, you may not need to scrape them—just place soap and hot water in the containers you’re washing, snap on the covers and shake them from time to time. Think of it as a mini dish washer.

#2 Use Quality Tools to Wash Dishes

You may not need all of these tools every single time you wash the dishes, but it is good to have them around when you need them. Having the right tools can make all the difference when it comes to washing dishes.

Dish Scraper

If you hate soaking and scrubbing dishes, you’re not the only one. A dish-scraping tool like this one can make scraping dirty dishes so much easier because you can quickly scrape off any food that has dried or baked onto a dish.

Dish Washing Sponge

Make sure to get a good scrubbing sponge to get your dishes squeaky clean. It is best to choose a gentle, non-scratching sponge so you won’t ruin your dishes.

Tip: Sponges should be sanitized or tossed weekly due to bacteria build-up. You can even buy reusable sponges that can be washed with the laundry to make things easier and cut down on waste.

Dish Washing Gloves

Dish gloves are a simple solution you can use to take care of your hands while washing dishes. In addition to protecting your hands from chemicals and hot water, dish gloves can also help prevent blisters that can develop from washing dishes over long periods.

Water Bottle Cleaning Brush

Many things might be irritating in the kitchen, but washing your water bottle is among the worst. A bottle washing brush is the easiest way to clean your water bottle and other hard-to-reach places.

Dish Towel

Thin, small dish towels are great for polishing drying glasses, while thick, super-absorbent towels are better for spills and drying pots and pans. Check out some of the best dish towels for only $1.

Drain Strainer

A kitchen strainer is a tool that can keep your food bits out of the drain while allowing water to flow freely through. Choose from many different models that will work with your specific sink to keep food out of the drain while protecting your pipes from clogging.

Soap Dispensing Dish Brush

Soap dispensing brushes are one of the most popular kitchen tools in recent years, for a good reason! They hold dish soap, have a soft sponge on one end, and make it easy to clean your dirty dishes without getting your hands grimy. These soap dispensing brushes come highly recommended:

OXO Good Grips Dispensing Dish Brush

This dispensing brush has a wide opening that is easy to fill with dish soap and a special valve that cuts out waste and dripping when not in use.

This dispensing brush has a built-in scraper that removes baked-on food easily and quickly, and it also comes with a soft nylon brush to use on non-stick pans and other more delicate dishes. The brush handle can also work with scrubbing sponges that are sold separately.

Scotch-Brite Advanced Dishwand

The Scotch-Brite Advanced Dishwand is an excellent tool for any kitchen. The brush has a foam sponge and a scraper, which are both helpful in removing stuck-on food and grease. It does not leak and has a button that lets you precisely control the soap dispensing. With a non-slip grip handle, this dish wand is compact and keeps your sink area nice and neat.

Soap Dispensing Palm Brush

Soap dispensing palm brushes are tiny but very powerful. They have a small button on the top that will release the soap through the bristles so that you can scrub off grease, grime, and stuck-on food, easily and quickly.

Their small size makes it easier to get into hard-to-reach spots, and they don’t take up much room on the counter at all.

#3 Get the Best Dish Soap

Using high-quality dish soap, such as joy dish soap, makes a huge difference. Quality dish soap can easily cut through grease and grime, and it won’t leave a slimy film on your dishes.

When dirty dishes are sitting around for hours, the moisture evaporates from the food, causing it to dry out and bond to the dish’s surface. High-quality dish soap can get rid of dried-on food better than any other cleaning solution.

#4 Use a Sanitizing Rinse

Rinsing your dishes in a sanitizing solution will help you feel confident that your dishes are clean. A sanitizing rinse can kill the bacteria on your dishes to ensure no germs are left behind.

After you wash dishes, dip them into a homemade bleach and water sanitizer solution, or purchase a food-safe sanitizing solution to use for this method.

#5 Invest in a Good Dish Rack

Let your dishes dry without overcrowding the counter when you invest in a suitable dish rack. Indeed, there are other choices for drying your dishes, like microfiber mats or drainboards. Still, a good dish rack helps keep your dishes separate, providing better airflow and drainage, ultimately making your dishes dry faster. The most popular current brands of dish racks include:

KitchenAid Full Size Dish Rack

The KitchenAid Full-Size Dish Rack provides a great balance of features vs. size for a four-person home. This dish rack is approximately 20½ inches long and 15 inches wide, and it fits perfectly on most countertops. The draining dish catches excess water. Steel sides help protect plates from falling out and breaking. You can also take apart this rack into three pieces to make cleaning it a breeze.

Simplehuman Steel Frame Dishrack

This is one of the larger dish racks available, and it is one of the most effective for draining water. It has a closed-in basin that does not overflow easily, even with a lot of water inside. This dish rack even has a swiveling ability, allowing you to arrange dishes on your countertop however you need.

Rubbermaid Antimicrobial Dish Drainer

The Rubbermaid Antimicrobial Dish Drainer is a budget-friendly option and is one of the best-selling dish racks available. It manages to hold a good amount of dishes for a family of four people. This rack does not come with the drainboard, but the brand sells a separate drainboard that will work with this dish rack.

Dish Mat

It’s not a dish rack, but a dish mat also has its advantages. You can leave your wet dishes on a super-absorbent dish mat while still keeping your countertops dry. After you’re done using your dish mat, simply hang it to dry.

Discover More Home and Lifestyle Tips

We hope this article has given you some valuable insights on how to wash dishes by hand and improve your dishwashing methods. If you’re looking for more advice for cleaning in the kitchen or home cleaning ideas, our blog provides you with valuable lifestyle and home tips to help you achieve your goals in a snap!

5 Ways to Make Your Living Space Brighter

We’ve almost made it through a pretty miserable winter and spring is just around the corner. The days will get longer and you won’t have to leave your house in darkness and return in the same way. Prepare yourself for the coming dose of sunshine by pulling as much light into your living space as possible. Your home will look larger and feel fresh, and that’s a pretty good starting point as we gear up towards the season of spring cleaning. By the time you’ve finished reading this, you’ll look up and feel the dark losing its hold.

Revel in That View

If you’re lucky enough to live in a lavish house with a luxurious panoramic view out on the horizon, but that you never get to see because the walls just keep getting in your way, then consider treating your house to a see-through wall by installing Cover Glass Texas’ sliding glass doors. With a frameless glass door, you will be able to take in the breathtaking view while flooding your house with a healthy dose of sunlight.

Cut Back Your Window Cover

Don’t worry, you don’t need to live in fancy houses and spend a lot of money to make your home brighter. Simply by making your windows as clear from clutter as possible, your space will feel brighter. If you tend to opt for blackout curtains that drain the light from a room, then consider swapping your winter curtains out for some bright seasonal drapes. Natural light gives you considerable health benefits, so invite it into your home.

Let Nature into Your Home

With life beginning to bloom outside, why not spruce up your living areas with some well-placed plants? Whether you bring in a cute coffee table cactus or an elegant tree, a little bit of greenery is bound to make your room feel vibrant, fresh, and light ready for spring.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Two birds with one stone here – see your pretty face and get yourself plenty of light while you’re at it. Putting strategically placed mirrors will spread the light you already have coming into the room. Further, if you place your mirror near a window it will set the illusion that your room is bigger.

Take Your Living Space Outside

If you have access to an outside area, like a garden, then you’re already winning. Why stick to the confines of your house when a bit of outdoor furniture can have you literally living outside during those long, warm, and brighter evenings? With a patio right outside your door, you can create the feeling of one large “room”.

Whether you have money to burn or a tight budget to keep, there’s always a way of making your living space that little brighter. Now that you’re all set with some great ideas on how to beat your dark-room blues, what are you waiting for – get your creative head on and start experimenting with light today!

2 Ways You Can Add Value to Your Home

If you’re currently toying with the idea of upping sticks and moving on to pastures new, you might seriously want to consider adding a bit of value to your current property. The more money your humble abode sells for, the more cash you’ll have at hand to spend on your new home, allowing you to get something genuinely fantastic. This will help you kick off the next new era of your life in style, which in turn will aid you in your bid to enjoy a happy and fulfilling family life for years to come.

Do you want to find two ways you can add value to your home? If so, be sure to read on.

Tend to superficial defects

As soon as they step foot in your property, prospective buyers are going to want to be blown away by all of the cool things that your home has to offer. One thing’s for sure, they aren’t going to be blown away if they unearth a number of superficial defects. If you want to make a great first impression on everybody that comes to view your humble abode, you need to make a conscious effort to boost its aesthetic appeal.

Here are eight superficial home design defects that you must tend to before you open your property’s doors to prospective buyers:

1. Peeling paint

2. Dirty walls

3. Dripping taps

4. Squeaky floorboards

5. Carpet detachment on stairs

6. Mold or mildew in bathroom

7. Limescale built up around kitchen fittings

8. Broken lightbulbs

Optimize the basics

You have to delve deeper than simply boosting your home’s aesthetic appeal if you’re serious about selling it for a high price. If you want your humble abode to reach its full sale potential, you need to go above and beyond to optimize the basics. The things about your home that you can’t see are just as important as those that you can, which is why you must put effort into fixing everything.

Your first port of call in this instance should be your pipes. Mold and mildew could be entering your home via these unguarded passageways, which is why you need to optimize your plumbing at all costs. To ensure that you leave no stones unturned when performing this all-important task, be sure to align yourself with an expert such as Dial One Johnson plumber Duncanville TX. With this family-owned team of plumbing professionals by your side, you will be much more likely to keep your pipes in perfect condition over a sustained period of time. As a result, you’ll be able to clarify to prospective buyers that your property’s plumbing system is in good working order, which in turn means that you’ll have the capacity to increase the asking price of your home.

If you want your current home to fetch a lot of money on the market, it’s crucial that you put the advice laid out above into practice.