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Advice for Preparing Your Home to Sell
Are you looking to put your house on the market? Selling a home will always be a stressful and difficult process, particularly if you are also trying to find a new home at the same time. You will want to speed the process up while still getting the maximum amount for your current home and there are a few tips to keep in mind that should help you to achieve this. So, if you are getting ready to sell then read on for a few suggestions for ways that you can get your home ready and start attracting buyers.
Improve the Curb Appeal
First impressions are hard to change when it comes to a property and these impressions are formed from the outside of the home. This is why you should find ways to improve the curb appeal of your home whether this is painting the front door, tidying the front lawn, replacing the gate or installing exterior lighting.
Perform a Deep Clean
Nothing will deter a potential buyer more than a dirty, dingy and unhygienic house. You should always perform a deep clean before putting the house on the market, particularly focusing on the bathrooms and the kitchen, which are the areas usually worst affected. You may then want to perform regular cleans before any visits so that the house looks (and smells) fresh.
Make the Home Neutral
It is hard to imagine yourself living somewhere when it is filled with someone else’s life and personality. This is why you should try to make the home look as neutral as possible – this could include minor steps like making sure that your washing is not out during a visit or perhaps redecorating in a more neutral theme if you have a unique, bold decorative style. If possible, it might also be helpful if you are not present during any viewings as it could make a potential buyer feel uncomfortable and rush their viewing.
Get Rid of Any Mold
Mold will also put off any potential home buyer because it is unsightly, brings down the tone of the entire house and it is also toxic and can cause health issues. Getting rid of mold is also difficult, which is why you need to use experienced mold remediation specialists that will not only be able to rid your entire property of mold as well as stop it from reappearing (a major issue).
Get Repairs Carried Out
Leading on from this, if there is any repair work that needs carrying out then it is worth doing this before putting the house on the market. It is hard to sell a home that needs work and you should be able to recoup the cost of the repairs in the sale price or you may be able to do it yourself, so it could speed the process up and at no cost to yourself.
These tips should help you to get your home ready to put on the market and hopefully allow you to maximize the sale price while finding a buyer quickly. This will always be a difficult process to go through but these tips should make it slightly easier for you.
What You Must Remember When Moving Home
Moving home is one of the most stressful tasks you can do. With such a long list of responsibilities, it’s easy to forget everything you need to tick off the list. It’s important to make sure you get it all done, though, as this will reduce stress and create a smoother move.
Reduce Your Items
Moving is the perfect opportunity for a big de-cluttering. Before you’ve even started packing up, you should go through your belongings and decide what you want to keep and what you want to get rid of. There are plenty of options of where they can go — recycling, donating, a yard sale. By purging your items, you will have much less to move on the day, which can save you a lot of time and effort.
Have Enough Boxes
You don’t want to start packing and realize that you haven’t bought enough boxes. Make sure there are plenty to pack your stuff into: you’ll use more than you think! You can even get creative with it and use household items as boxes. For example, your clothes basket is fit enough to hold a bunch of your stuff!
Hire Movers in Advance
There’s nothing worse than the stress of waiting for a moving van you’re not sure will deliver. By using trusted movers and booking them in advance, you minimize that worry. Also, when you hire professionals, your workload will lessen as they will help you load everything into the van.
Change Medical Practices
Unless you’re moving local, you don’t want to forget to change your medical practices. Your dentist and your doctor will have to be updated, so make sure you let your old practices know you won’t be returning and sign up for new ones in your area.
Label Your Boxes
You won’t want to forget this one! When packing, avoid throwing a mixture of items inside your boxes and hoping for the best on the other end. Do your future self a favor and label everything (yes, everything!). If you remember to do this, then unpacking in your new home will be much easier. You don’t want to lug a heavy box of pots and pans up to your new bathroom, after all!
Eat Your Fridge and Cupboards Clean
Minimize your moving load by eating everything that you have in – especially from your fridge! There are handy websites that will help you come up with recipes to use up everything you already have. It might be a little experimental, but at least it’ll lessen your moving load!
Update Your Address
This one can be time-consuming, but it is best to get it done in one go. The tedious task of updating your home address for your work, bank, and other online areas can be daunting, but once it’s done, it’s done. Make a list of every place you need to update and go through it one by one.
Moving house is always going to be a little frantic, but by making sure you don’t forget everything you need to do, you will lessen the stress.
The Best Gift Ideas for DIY Enthusiasts
Do you know someone that is a DIY enthusiast? It might seem simple buying a gift for someone that loves to complete projects around the home, but it can actually be quite difficult as you do not want to buy something they already have, and you need to make sure that it is something thoughtful and that they will actually use. There are lots of good options for gifts that any DIY enthusiast is sure to appreciate and get a lot of usage out of, so whether this is for Christmas, a birthday or just as a spontaneous gift, here are a few ideas to consider.
Blower Vacuum
A blower vacuum is a great gift idea for anyone that likes to look after their home and garden, especially at this time of the year. A blower vacuum allows you to easily gather leaves, debris and grass clippings in the garden and can also be switched to vacuum up hard-to-reach waste and anything else. Essentially, a blower vacuum can make it much quicker and easier to maintain your garden and keep it looking its best even in the autumn and winter months.
Bench Vice
A bench vice is an incredibly useful item to have if you like to carry out DIY as it acts as an extra set of hands which can be helpful in any kind of project (especially if you are working alone). In addition to having something that can securely hold on to just about anything, a vice can also provide a tremendous amount of strength which is useful in terms of bending, working with a drill, using a saw and many other uses.
Heat Guns
Heat guns are another handy tool which can be used in all kinds of different projects (as well as being great fun to use). Just a few examples of how this could be used include:
- Removing wallpaper
- Welding plastics
- Window tinting
- Drying damp surfaces
- Defrosting the freezer
- Defrosting frozen piping
- Getting rid of adhesives
Tool Chest
If they do not have one already, a tool chest is the perfect gift for anyone with a love for DIY. Being able to keep all of your tools neatly organised and kept safe in a tool chest makes it much easier to find what you are looking for, it will keep the garage tidy and without any trip hazards and will also add security (tools can be expensive and often are targeted by criminals).
Digital Tape Measure
A digital tape measure can take all of the guesswork out of measuring distances and provide 100% accurate figures – accuracy is everything when it comes to a DIY enthusiast. Additionally, many of these digital tape measures can store multiple readings, meaning that you do not have to worry about forgetting them if you are taking multiple measurements.
Hopefully, this will give you a few ideas for gifts that a DIY lover will certainly appreciate and make the most out of as well as be reminded of you each time they use the present.
What to Avoid When Building a New Bathroom
Renovating or installing a new bathroom can be fun and exciting. However, that excitement can lead to bad planning and many mistakes being made. When designing a new bathroom, there’s a lot more to consider than just finding the right taps and tiles in order to make the most of this space. Here are some of the major pitfalls that homeowners should avoid when renovating or building a new bathroom.
Don’t Switch Things Around Unnecessarily
If you already have a bathroom layout that makes sense and is comfortable, don’t fall into the trap of moving things around for the sake of it. Changing the position of a toilet or sink can be hard and expensive, due to the extra plumbing that’s required, so avoiding this can save you some hassle and money. If you’re certain about moving things around, speak to a plumber first to make sure your ideas are at least possible.
Don’t Forget About the Door
There have been many instances where people have built a fantastic bathroom that looks great, but they have forgotten to take into consideration the door and how it opens. This means there are a lot of bathrooms where the door smacks against the bath or a cupboard every time it’s opened, increasing the risk of damage. A good way to avoid this and maximize space is to think about installing a sliding door, as this can make a bathroom far more accessible.
Make Sure to Treat Any Wood
Using wood in bathrooms is becoming an increasingly popular choice for luxury bathrooms, due to how nice they look. However, before you use the bathroom, make sure that the wood has been properly treated with the appropriate vinyl. This is because an untreated wooden surface will be very susceptible to humidity and water damage, which can cause it to warp, buckle, and even rot quickly.
Don’t Forget to Budget
One of the biggest traps people fall into when building a new bathroom is that they fail to budget for every possibility, meaning they could end up paying way over what they expected. Bathrooms are notoriously well known for harboring hidden costs such as rusted pipes, rotting joists, dodgy electrics, and mold, which all can be expensive problems. To make sure you’re working well within budget, allow a 15%-20% contingency fund so that you’re prepared for the unexpected.
Another good way to stay within budget is to avoid doing the work yourself and instead get a bespoke bathroom from granitetransformations.co.uk as you’re able to negotiate a fixed price.
Consider Privacy
Windows are essential for bathrooms as they provide a source of light and ventilation. However, depending on their placement, they could leave users exposed to prying eyes. To avoid this, make sure key areas of the bathroom such as the shower isn’t directly in view of a window. If this isn’t possible, you can also install shutters or blinds to effectively block the view and limit how exposed you are. Shutters can also be a stylish choice as they can offer a pop of color, too.
How to Create the Perfect Feature Wall
A feature wall is the pinnacle of any living space, a focal point to center your room around, provide an eye-catching aspect and bring harmony and symmetry into your space. Getting a feature wall right can be tricky, especially if you have an odd-shaped room, but there are many great ways you can make a feature wall really stand out.
Choose a Wall You Want to Be Facing
You want your feature wall to be the center point when you’re spending time in the room, so it makes sense to choose the wall which your furniture is most centered around, such as the wall which your couch is facing. Ideally, you want the wall to be centered in the room, and one of the largest walls.
Try to avoid choosing a wall which is broken up or disrupted, such as the wall with the doorframe or any windows.
Be Bold
It is possible to make a feature wall choosing more neutral colors if that’s your preference, but to really make an impact with a feature wall, it’s better to go bold and bright. If the rest of your room is neutral, it’s especially important to make your feature wall a contrast which is going to stand out.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with bolder colors or large-patterned wallpapers, as these will work well on feature walls. You can also combine wallpaper with paint to create a harmonious effect with complementary colors along one wall.
Introduce a Fireplace
A fireplace is a fantastic feature, not only for the room as a whole, but to make your feature wall stand out more. Fireplaces can easily add coziness and charm to any traditional room, or a modern and warm update using more minimalist design. You can also add more décor choices to a fireplace, using ornaments and accessories, to really make your feature wall pop — as well as it being fun to decorate for the changing seasons and holidays.
Suppliers like Stonewoods offer a variety of fireplaces suited for any home style.
Try to Avoid Too Many Accessories with Patterned Wallpaper
If you’re using a bold wallpaper with an eye-catching design, then you want this to be the main focus. You should avoid overcrowding your wall with mounted accessories like frames and mirrors, so that your wallpaper can remain the full effect, and not covered up by other items.
You can place mounted accessories on other walls of the room instead.
Use Lighting
You want your feature wall to still stand out, even during the evening, so adequate lighting is essential. If your feature wall is placed behind the TV, use backlighting and lamps to light up the space. You could use wall-mounted lighting, too, if they don’t detract too much from the feature wall’s color and design.
You could also install floor-standing lamps which adjustable heads, so you can place these around the room but have them pointed more considerably towards your feature wall.
Most importantly: have fun!
5 Ways You Can Give Your Backyard an Instant Upgrade
If you have a large family or you like to entertain, chances are your backyard is seeing a lot of action. Perhaps you want to get the most out of it and are thinking of making some modifications which is a great idea, and making just a few additions or adjustments could give it a second life. There are some projects, however, that could end up being an absolute pain to complete, or costing you in the long run. Here are a few simple ways that you can give your backyard an instant upgrade.
Add a Porch or a Deck
Having a deck built is one of the fastest and easiest ways to improve any outdoor living space. Not only will it make it more functional, but everyone loves a good deck. This means that you’ll be able to impress buyers if you ever decide to sell the house and be able to increase its value with a modest investment.
Having a porch is also a great way to improve your house’s curb appeal and functionality. If you want something that you’ll be able to use in bad weather or will give you additional protection from insects, you can go with a screened porch. A regular porch, however, is still a great addition if you want some extra sitting space.
Create a Nice Kitchen Space
Outdoor kitchens are also a big winner with buyers and a great option if you love to entertain. You don’t have to go all out, however. You can create a great BBQ island out of wood, though some might want to go with something more luxurious like brick. That’s also something you can do yourself if you have the skills. Just making this addition could take your backyard to the next level.
Add an Outside Living Room
If you’re going to build a kitchen, why not add a living room while you’re at it? Create an inviting space with comfy sofas and chairs. You could decide to have it covered or uncovered. A nice outside fireplace could also be a great addition.
Add Privacy
No matter how great your backyard is, you won’t be able to enjoy it if you constantly have neighbors peeking in. Some may want to add some vinyl fencing for more privacy. Greenery can also be used. Another thing you could do to add privacy to your patio is to install noise colorful rugs between the posts.
Be Creative
A nice thing about outdoor spaces is that you get to be more creative and experimental. This is also a great place to use reclaimed wood. You could easily turn reclaimed lumber into a nice bench, for example. Also, try to find if you can ask people around you for materials they aren’t using. Something like unused flagstones and pavers would be great. Sit them on top of a pit and you now have an impromptu tabletop. Just little touches like this can make the space more convivial and give it a unique feel.
Conclusion
Upgrading a backyard doesn’t have to cost a fortune and can be made with a few simple changes. Make sure that you follow these tips and always look for new ideas to elevate your space.
5 Ways To Make Your Home Cozier
All it takes is a few clicks on an interior design blog define yourself thinking, I wish my home looked like that, but what is it that makes it so inviting? The secret to an inviting and stylish home is making it cozy. The best news is that making your home cozier isn’t rocket science. It all comes down to balancing a few elements and tying the pieces together. Take a look at some of the best ways to make your home instantly cozier.
Add Plants
House plants are modern interior designs staple, and they don’t show any sign of going out of style. Not only do they bring more life to your home (literally), but they also create an inviting feel. Adding plants to your home is known to reduce anxiety and even lower blood pressure.
Some plants produce oxygen at night, improving the quality of your night’s sleep. If you’re not sure whether you have what it takes to keep a plant alive, consider starting with easy house plants that require very little effort. If it doesn’t go well, you can always opt for plastic plants, but they’re not quite the same.
Get New Bedding
Nothing says interior design magazine like bedding that pops. The great news is that bedding doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. You can get stylish and chic bedding for considerably affordable prices; you just have to know where to look.
The trick to making your bedding work its magic, however, is remembering to make your bed. An unkempt bad has the power to throw your whole houses look off.
Lighting
When it comes to setting mood and tone in your home, lighting is everything. Using the right lighting can transform your home from an overly lit stressful environment to a romantically candlelit cocoon. Make sure that you find a balance between practical lights for when you need to be able to see with mood lighting for when you’re ready to relax in the evening.
Choose a Neutral Color Palette
Bright colors make a great addition to your home if you’re looking to feel relaxed. Dark colors don’t just make a space feel smaller; they can give you a dark and depressing vibe. When choosing your color palette, think bright and airy, and that’s exactly the effect that you’ll get.
Mirrors
Hanging mirrors throughout your house can reflect light and give your home an even more spacious feel. The more light the room has, the better you’ll feel in it, it’s not simple.
Consider placing mirrors throughout your home in places that you want to expand. You can even play around with placing them on tables and dressers to add a stylish sprinkle of accessories.
2020: The year of positive energy in my home
It is going to be remembered for a whole host of different things and as we all know, most of these are hardly going to be positive.
For me, I’m trying to put a different spin on 2020. I’m trying to bring as much positivity into the year as possible and considering how much time I’m spending within these four walls; my home is receiving the lion’s share of my creativity.
First and foremost, I’m not the type of person who has really bought into Feng Shui in the past. I believe in positive energy, but it has to be on my terms. This might go against the so-called science, but there have been a lot of tips and tricks I have implemented which have just brought a bit of lightness to mine and my family’s life.
For example, let’s start with the natural sunlight. Apparently, there is a bit of science behind this first point, as natural light can stimulate the production of Vitamin D (which, in turn, creates better moods).
I’ve changed my approach to interior design somewhat and now place every emphasis possible on natural light. This isn’t just about using window dressings stereotypically either, although this does help no-end. It has also been about placing mirrors on walls opposite mirrors, or even cleaning windows a little more regularly. It has all helped to bring much more lightness into our home and ultimately, make it a happier place.
The natural light hasn’t just helped people though, it has stimulated the growth of other things in my home. For example, I’ve now started to place a lot more attention on flowers. They just add a fresh vibe to our living space and bring a little bit of color in these times of need.
Avas Flowers have helped me endlessly with this, mainly through the official Avas Flowers Instagram page which has provided more inspiration than you would imagine. I’ve been lucky enough to stumble across a couple of Avas Flowers coupons pages, and I’ll proudly admit that I have been leaving Avas Flowers reviews on any platform that will have me! I don’t have to go out to the store, everything is delivered safely to me.
Some of the positive energy transformations have been a little more permanent, as well. For example, I’ve recently started decorating for the first time in the last ten years. It’s meant that the once fashionable, but now dull and drab tones are gone and in their place are fresh, spring tones that have done wonders for everyone’s mood. It’s like old, heavy memories have been banished.
In truth, my positive energy journey has only just begun, but I’m loving the results. Hopefully, when the current situation ends, I will continue these tactics and perhaps add more to my arsenal. I will keep you updated on my progress.
How Can You Make Your Home Renovations Easier?
Renovating your home can be difficult, whether you are contemplating decorating your rooms yourself or are trying to communicate your vision to contractors. However, it is possible to make home renovations easier and achieve a successful and beautiful final product. If you are planning to start the home projects that you have been putting off for years, here are some top tips for making your home renovations easier this summer.
Hire a Professional
Rather than struggle through months of DIY, you should consider making your home renovations go smoothly by hiring a professional. Professional home decorators can ensure that your renovations are conducted correctly, that there will be no issues with your installations in the future, and that you will be able to achieve your dream home without learning heaps of DIY technique. If you are looking for a home decorating professional, Home on Call can provide you with the expertise that you need, whenever you need it.
Devise a Thorough Home Renovation Plan
The first step to ensuring that your home renovations go successfully is to devise a succinct and thorough home renovation plan that will help ensure that you make progress and stick to your budget over the lifetime of the project. Planning can ensure that you are able to obtain the materials and skills that you need, while also enabling you to carry out your tasks in the right order. Small, achievable goals add up to big changes!
Tackle Your Renovations in Sections
However, home renovations can seem daunting if you intend to carry them all out at once. Rather than tackling all of the rooms in your home at the same time, you should consider renovating your home in manageable sections, starting with the rooms that you use the most. This will enable you to reduce the disruption to your lifestyle and will make your home renovations seem more achievable than if you are struggling to know where to start.
Organize Your Home Before You Decorate
One of the biggest disruptions that can occur when you are decorating your home is obstructive furniture and possessions. To avoid spending your days painting or sanding floors around large obstacles, you should consider organizing your home before you decorate. This will ensure that you are able to clear the appropriate space that you need to complete your project, while also protecting your furniture from damage, such as stray paint or falling objects. You should also consider covering your furniture with a dustsheet to prevent you from worrying about staining your treasured furniture during the completion of your renovation projects.
Know What You’re Doing
The most important action that you should take to make your home renovations easier, though, is to know what you are doing. If you are conducting DIY decorations, you should research the latest tips on DIY techniques to ensure that your project is able to go smoothly and that you do not end up creating larger issues within your home.
Now you’re armed with these tips for making your home renovations easier, get cracking, and enjoy a freshened-up home for the summer!
Aluminum Ladders and Beyond, Basic DIY Materials Every Home Needs
Unless you plan on doing plenty of DIY work on your home then you probably haven’t lost much sleep over which tools or pieces of equipment that you’ll need to buy. Unfortunately however, regardless of how dependent you may be on bringing the pros in to get a job done, there are always going to be times whereby you will need to get your DIY cap on and complete a couple of jobs in the home. This is why it make sense for you to grab a few tools and pieces of kit which are always going to come in handy, and here are the bare essentials that you’ll need.
Aluminum Ladder
An aluminum ladder most definitely falls into the category of bare essential for any homeowner and there are a million and one uses which you’ll find for this. Whether clearing a gutter, painting a ceiling, gaining access to the loft or hanging up some birthday or Christmas decorations, there is always a reason to use that ladder. Don’t risk climbing on chairs or any other piece of furniture, grab yourself a quality aluminum ladder and you’ll find out just how essential it can be.
Screwdriver Set
A small screwdriver set with a mixture of flathead and Phillips screwdriver heads is a very smart choice to make and it is something which will come in handy far more than you realize. Whether you are looking to tighten up some furniture or fix a leaky tap, this purchase will be one which you will find yourself using time and time again, and you will be very thankful that you took the decision to buy one.
Hammer
Hammers can be used for a wide variety of purposes and having one in the home just makes a lot of sense. You could be hanging pictures or trying to change the shape of something with a good whack, and you will always find a need for this tool in your home. A hammer is low cost, small and easy to store and most importantly incredibly useful, which is exactly why every home should come complete with a hammer.
Alan Keys
Most homes fall into 2 categories when it comes to Alan Keys, there are those which have an absolute abundance of keys owing to the fact that every flat pack piece of furniture comes with a set, and then there are those homes which never have them, when they most need them. If you fall into the latter category then you should most certainly look to get your hands on a set of Alan keys because there is always a need for them. More and more items have screws which require these keys and tightening up furniture or fixing installations is always easier when you have a set to hand.
You may not be a DIY type of person but having these simple essentials in your home will most certainly help you out in your hour of need, so be sure that your home is armed with them.