Update A Tired Bathroom With These Tips

Two focuses of my blog are Home/Living Discussions and Home/Property Discussions. One of the most important rooms in your home is the bathroom. Likewise a key room to update is the bathroom. The following contributed post is entitled, Update A Tired Bathroom With These Tips.

* * *

Our bathrooms are a necessary component of our house. They are arguably the busiest room in the house after the kitchen, especially in the mornings when the whole family is attempting to shower and get dressed. The bathroom must appeal to more than just the family. In the event of guests or visitors, it must also be attractive and pleasant. Of course, a decent shower and bidet toilet combos are a must for comfort but the smaller details can make a big difference.

Your bathroom will not make a good first impression if it is outdated and drab. The issue is that entirely renovating a bathroom may be pricey. But have no fear: here are a few basic strategies for updating a tired bathroom on a tight budget.

Image

#1 Storage solutions

Even a large bathroom can appear cramped and small if there is a lot of unwanted clutter and rubbish in it. Get rid of anything you do not use or need, and try to finish a bottle of shower gel or soap before purchasing another. Look for storage in cabinets and cupboards loaded with beautiful baskets and tubs to help you become organised and provide the illusion of more room.

#2 Give it a fresh coat of paint

This applies to almost any space, but notably a bathroom, which can rapidly become grimy and tired-looking. A fresh coat of paint, even if it is simply plain white, can breathe new vitality into a room. If necessary, colours can be added later with accessories. If you do not use a paint specifically made for bathrooms, it will fade very quickly, so pick the right one.

#3 Purchase some new towels

A new set of brightly coloured, fluffy towels can transform a bathroom. Consider how you will display them: will you roll them up and place them on shelves or in boxes, or will you think outside the box and use antique ladders set up against a wall as a towel rail, which is quite popular right now?

#4 Clean up the grouting

Grouting between tiles that is grubby will always detract from the appearance of a bathroom. Buy a grout pen, which can be found for a low price at any DIY or hardware store, for a quick remedy. Grind away the previous grout and replace it with a new compound for a better look. It takes a little longer, but it looks better in the long run.

#5 Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize

This could be the most enjoyable part. Polished chrome accessories are the way to go for a timeless style – towel rails, toilet roll holders, door handles, and robe hooks are just a few examples of easy and inexpensive upgrades. Vases of artificial flowers and candles, as well as paintings for the walls, can all provide a beautiful touch.

Giving your bathroom a whole new lease of life does not need to be expensive or time-consuming. Sometimes, it can be the smallest and simplest things that make the biggest difference.

Transforming Your Loft (Making It More Than A Place For Your Christmas Tree)

Two focuses of my blog are Home/Living Discussions and Home/Property Discussions. If you own a loft, you may want to upgrade it and increase its functionality. The following contributed post is entitled, Transforming Your Loft (Making It More Than A Place For Your Christmas Tree).

* * *

Image – CC0 License

One of the big problems with any family home is that there isn’t enough room to have everything you want. This means that with a constant overflow of kids’ items we struggle to store stuff, so this is when things go up into the loft. But that loft is going to waste. No doubt, right now it’s full of junk, not to mention the Christmas decorations that come out once a year. But a loft has plenty of scope to turn it into whatever you want, not to mention a place for storage. Let’s show you what you need to consider if you want to turn the loft into a recreation space.

The Practical Conditions

Of course, you’ve got to make sure that your loft is going to be able to house everything you want. There are things you can do to make your structure stronger, such as adding insulation. You can get spray foam insulation, which sounds too good to be true, but when you consider the overall spray foam insulation structural strength, it can make a difference in improving structural strength, especially when you apply it to walls and ceilings. You should also think about storage solutions that fit around the sloping roof. A loft sounds fantastic in theory, but is it going to be an uncomfortable experience? It’s also worth making sure that the roof is actually sturdy because you don’t want the conditions to hamper your enjoyment of the space.

Controlling the Environment

The loft is one of the greatest spaces because of its sheer length and breadth, but this usually means it’s not the most comfortable, because it’s close to the roof, and therefore closer to the elements. Ensuring that you can personally control them is crucial. Think about the temperature and light levels, and how you can regulate them to guarantee the optimum amount of comfort. You can incorporate blinds to control the sunlight, but you must also think about insulating the space if it’s not warm enough. A loft is a wonderful place for storage, but if you want to turn it into something more, it’s got to be comfortable.

Making it Look the Parts

When you’re designing a space like a loft, it will feel different from the rest of the home. It’s important to make sure that, when you are setting up a loft to help turn this space into something with more recreational uses, you’ve got to choose the right ambiance. This means picking warm and neutral colors but also recognizing that the loft could serve as a space for storage. It’s important to not get clutter built up because this could cause a very stressful environment. There are ways for you to get around this, such as floor storage spaces but it’s always worth getting into a minimalist mindset and decluttering on occasion.

The loft is the perfect space that can be used for many different things, this is why you’ve got to make it look the part, but also feel right.

Pre-Emptive Ways Of Saving Money On Home Repairs

Three focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Home/Living Discussions and Home/Property Discussions. You home is a major financial consideration once you move into it. Repairs and maintenance will be necessary over time and a major key is to be ready for them. The following contributed post is entitled, Pre-Emptive Ways Of Saving Money On Home Repairs.

* * *

Pexels – CC0 License

Trust no one who tells you that running a property is easy. Even if it’s just a small family home, caring for it, cleaning it, maintaining it and repairing it can take time, effort, and a fair amount of organizational skill. Add limited time to get to all that with a family and career and it can seem quite rough.

That said, our homes are more than worth the investment. You’ll come to love mowing your lawn or tending to your garden when you can, and there’s something deeply satisfying about doing a good DIY job. However, while it’s true that home repairs can be fun to take part in, not all of them will be under your control. Furthermore, sometimes, if an issue is left to stagnate for a while, it can get truly expensive.

In this post, then, we’ll discuss a few tips new homeowners can keep in mind when figuring out how to manage their place, including what repair issues you can pre-empt by frequent inspection or figuring out how to achieve a good approach now. Let’s get started:

Plan Ahead

It’s a great idea to plan ahead if you can. This might involve using firms like Dry Tek Environmental to make sure your cubbyholes and crawlspaces are perfectly weather protected, insulated and cared for despite the promise of flooding this Autumn. PLanning ahead might involve hiring a tree surgeon once a year to check your treeline and make sure that everything is in order and in place. Planning ahead gives you the chance to save thousands in aftercare and repairs, so don’t avoid it.

Attend To Issues Now

Attending to issues now is almost always the best rule of thumb to follow when it comes to identifying a home issue. Seeing cracks in the wall that imply the presence of subsidence is not necessarily one of the most fun realizations you’ve had that week, but ignoring it because of the apparent immediate cost will only lead the issue to grow, and potentially become untenable, overly expensive, or require evacuating your home for a period while the issue is resolved. Best you attend to issues now, if not for the health of your wallet, then the safety of your family and friends.

Check For Possible Leaks

It’s good to check for possible leaks from time to time. In fact, this can make a tremendous difference in preventing an issue from getting out of hand. Homes are built to standard, but it’s impossible for them to prevent every leak 100% of the time and especially if the property is somewhat old. This means that routine checking for leaks can be important, from seeing potential damp in your attic to inspecting behind the storage runoff in your garage from time to time. Clearing your gutters can serve as a great opportunity for this, too. As you can see, taking it step by step and leaving nothing to chance is essential. This way, you can prevent the long term and expensive damage that comes from a nasty, unwanted leak.

With this advice, we hope you can focus on the best and most pre-emptive methods of saving money on home repairs.

5 Ways To Create A Safer Family Home

Two focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness and Home/Living Discussions. Of all the places in this world, your home is the one place where you should feel safe and secure. There are things you can do to assure this. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Ways To Create A Safer Family Home.

* * *

(Unsplash CC0)

The life of a parent isn’t an easy one and you will fully understand this if you have a family of your own. There will be challenges you encounter on a daily basis, and there will be times when you are beset with worries about your family’s health and safety.

Thankfully, there is much you can do to care for your family’s well-being. While we won’t advise on the challenges that can sometimes crop up in family life within this article, we can give advice on health and safety matters to help you care for your family.

#1: Check for any maintenance problems

If there are any maintenance problems in your home, your family members could be at risk. We are thinking of electrical faults that could start a fire, for example, and damp on your walls that could lead to health problems. These are things you should never overlook, so check for such issues, and then call out an electrician, damp control specialist, or any other kind of tradesperson to eliminate any potential health risks.

#2: Use natural cleaning products

The air quality in your home can be negatively affected if you’re prone to use chemical cleaning products, and this could lead to health problems in your family. They pose other dangers too, especially if you have younger children in your home who like to touch and taste things they shouldn’t. Thankfully, you don’t have to use such products at all. While you will need to clean your home, you can use natural cleaning products instead of their toxic alternatives. Follow the link for a few homemade examples.

#3: Improve your home’s security

Do you have a security system in place at your home? You should, as whether you live in a known crime zone or not, your home could still be targeted by a burglar or any other form of intruder. With security cameras and alarms in place, your home would become much safer, partly because they would deter anybody from trying to gain access. Be sure to check the quality of the locks on your doors and windows too and replace them if you think they are loose or faulty.

#4: Add other safety features to your home

A security system is just the start. You should also install carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms, as both of these devices could save the lives of your family. If you have very young children living with you, it is also important to install railings and safety gates to keep them away from any hazards. And for those cupboards that contain dangerous items, such as prescription medications or chemical products, you should install locks on the doors.

#5: Keep pests out

Burglars are bad enough but what about those other intruders that are a little more difficult to see? We are thinking of mice and other rodents, as well as any other types of pest species that could spread germs in your home. Use these pest control tips to keep any bugs and beasties away from your home, and call on the services of a professional if you need specialist help.

There is always more you can do, of course, but we hope these suggestions were useful to you. Admittedly, you might have followed these tips already, but a little reminder is always useful when it comes to the safety of our families.

The Minor Details Make The Biggest Kitchen Changes!

Two focuses of my blog are Home/Living and Home/Property Discussions. One of the most important spaces in your home is your kitchen. As such, it’s important to understand how changes can make a difference. The following contributed post is entitled, The Minor Details Make The Biggest Kitchen Changes!

* * *

We do not always want a completely new kitchen that requires heavy renovation and a long list of troubles. Sometimes the existing infrastructure is enough for us to upgrade the existing one and enjoy some innovations and renovations, without completely replacing it. It is of course possible to fully renovate but also an upgrade will give you the desired and surprising result even without spending so much money. So how do you upgrade your kitchen? There are companies and consultants who will explain to you how to upgrade your kitchen yourself or with the help of a design company. However, there are also some methods and explanations by which you can smartly upgrade your kitchen yourself without a big upheaval.

Photo: Unsplash

Just upgrade the lighting

Sometimes all we need is a wiser and more accurate design of the lighting, so that it will be more efficient and help us work in the kitchen in a good way without straining our eyes. Older kitchens from the past don’t have any of the innovations we know today. To make the modern switch, it is recommended to look at LED lighting which is several times more powerful and very economical, and it lasts much longer than any other lighting fixture. It is also advisable to consider lighting at the bottom of the cabinets above the work surfaces, because then we will get direct lighting on the surface and this will allow us to work even in darker hours. Another upgrade in the kitchen can be with additional and more efficient lighting which is lighting inside cabinets or pantry, and special lighting for the dining area if it is located in the kitchen.

Upgrade your kitchen yourself – DIY

When trying to figure out how to upgrade a kitchen, many will answer that it is probably a do-it-yourself job, when buying the parts from a kitchen store or putting in all sorts of design elements that you can do yourself. Also, having appliances in good working order is vital; do you need to fix your temperamental washing machine or do you need to consider commercial refrigeration repair? These minor changes will also add a lot of ease to your upgrade.

You can also look to assemble dining tables and chairs for the dining area yourself, add different cabinets to corners and spaces that you have not used before and there is really no need to order a carpenter for this, or also add various shelving facilities from ready-made furniture stores that can be assembled modularly. Another way to upgrade a kitchen is with color. Upgrading the kitchen using paints can turn the kitchen into a completely different and exciting design experience when the base remains and only the color changes. Painting kitchen cabinets or walls will make your kitchen look completely different. With a steady hand you can improve plain white cabinets into pale pastel blue or jet black. Just make sure you choose moisture and heat-resistant paints, so that you can clean the kitchen cabinets over time and that the paint will last.

Time To Buy A Smart Home?

Three focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Home/Living Discussions and Technology. If you’re in the market for a home, you may want to consider a smart home. These homes have advantages over traditional homes. The following contributed post is entitled, Time To Buy A Smart Home?

* * *

Photo: Unsplash

The world of sustainability is racing forwards and when it comes to making a decision to buy property, it’s vital to ensure that you’re indeed finding a property that aligns with your morals and views. For example, you may wish to purchase a green zoned property. The way in which we adapt our homes and the places that we choose to live, may offer us less or more opportunities.

Why choose a smart home?

A smart home goes from future to present. Today, when almost every home has a computer and a smartphone and technology is evolving, it is a mistake to design a home that is not at least part of it is a smart home. Changing the infrastructure is so complex that in fact a house that was not designed with infrastructure for a smart home will need a major change total electrical overhaul to comply with new standards and to be able to implement all the new tricks. However at some point, it is likely that you will have to make the shift and change a few aspects of your home to keep up to modern standards. So even if you are not making a smart home now, it is advisable to prepare a suitable infrastructure.

Smart electricity is a system for command and control of electrical systems through dedicated controllers with a user-friendly interface. It may be run purely through solar power too, which is a modern concept that is still in its infancy in many ways. A smart home allows deep control over all home systems, washing machine, air conditioner, heater, electric gate, alarm and almost everything else. Even temperature sensors! Imagine that you can program your home so that the stereo system will turn on in the morning and the boiler will turn on and off at another time – you can even have the washing machine set on a timer! With the right design of the system you can achieve almost anything that the imagination can think of.

Higher efficiency

When the house is run smart the savings will be noticeable every two months in the monthly bills. This is beyond raising the standard of living and quality of life in the home. Smart homes will greatly increase the value of your home too which is what makes this worth the investment. The market is saturated with multi-application and user-friendly smart electrical equipment but when done properly, you can look at a major increase in value. Precisely because of this it is important to note that a smart home should be well designed and not rushed in any way. Do not be tempted to entrust such an important subject without a professional who understands this designing your home and electrical systems. Some homes today are being pre-built to these high standards but most people are adapting their homes themselves. If you’re considering buying a smart home, be sure that it is everything that you need and still be sure to do independent checks.

How To Enjoy Summertime At Home

Three focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness, Home/Living and Home/Property Discussions. While the end of Covid-19 may be near, we still don’t know exactly when things will get back what we consider to be normal. As a result, many people will spend their summertime at home again this year. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Enjoy Summertime At Home.

* * *

Pexels

Summertime is a wonderful opportunity to kick back and relax a bit and be with your family. With COVID-19 still lurking around and nothing quite being back to normal yet, you may find yourself spending more time around your house. Know that it will be what you make of it.

Summertime can be fun even when you’re at home and aren’t planning to do a whole lot else or travel someplace. Learn what you can do to enjoy summertime in and around your house and ensure you and your family members make it a memorable and fun season.

Prepare Your Space

You can enjoy summertime at home when you take the time to prepare your space inside and out. For instance, set up a dedicated office if you’ll be working from home some days, spruce up the backyard, and clean and declutter your rooms and belongings. Now is also a wise time to make sure your air conditioner is working properly in case it’s too hot to be outside. Contact a trusted air conditioning repair company should your system and unit need to be serviced. Make your space comfortable and cozy so you want to spend time in and around your home.

Spend Time Outdoors

Spend as much time outdoors as you can to enjoy summertime at home with your family. There’s likely a lot to see and activities to do in your own backyard and community. You may want to consider planting a garden you can maintain and work in throughout the season. Have your patio ready to go with a lounge chair where you can go to drink your coffee or read a book. Also, consider taking family walks or hikes as another way to enjoy nature.

Cook & Grill Out

You can also work and focus on improving your cooking skills over the summer. Eating out can be unhealthy and expensive if you do it all the time. Summer is the perfect time to pull out your grill and cookout with your loved ones. There are many different types of meat and recipes to try on the grill so don’t be afraid to branch out and experiment with a variety of meal ideas and foods. Get the family together and put some music on and play yard games while you wait for the food to be done.

Have A List of Activities Handy

It’ll also help if you’re prepared by having a list of activities handy that you can turn to and do over the summertime. For example, you can create an entertainment room for when the weather doesn’t cooperate, play sports in the backyard, and invest in a small swimming pool to use on warm days. Another idea is to put down a blanket and have a picnic in your backyard or at the local park. Start brainstorming ideas with your kids and spouse now so you have an idea of what will be fun and enjoyable and don’t feel pressured to come up with suggestions at the last minute.

Three Unexpected Ways to Create Space In Your Home

Two focuses of my blog are Home/Living Discussions and Home/Property Discussions. When you own a home, something you will think about at some point is creating more space. That could involved some sort of renovation but it could also involve maximizing what you already have. The following contributed post is entitled, Three Unexpected Ways to Create Space In Your Home.

* * *

Photo by Marta Longas from Pexels

There are lots of interior-design tricks you can use to create the feeling of space in your home. What many people need, however, is actual space. With that in mind, here are three unexpected ways to create space in your home.

Learn to food shop effectively

Effective food shopping basically means ensuring that every food item you buy is completely used. There are two parts to making this happen.

Firstly, you need to buy foods which you are actually going to eat. It’s fine if you want to try out new foods from time to time and it’s fine if you decide you don’t like them. You should, however, make a point of buying new foods in small quantities even if they’re on offer.

Secondly, you need to be practical about the quantities of food you buy. Buying in bulk isn’t necessarily more economical at all. Even if it is, it may not be economical enough to justify the space bulk purchases take up.

Make it a goal to use up any food you already have. Then make a commitment to buying mindfully. At the very least, this should mean your kitchen cabinets are comfortably full rather than crammed full. It may free up space in your kitchen you can use to store items that are currently in other parts of your home.

Create a home inventory

This is basically a twist on decluttering. Choose an area of your home and go through all the storage locations one at a time. As you do, ask yourself if you would be willing to pay to put the items in a storage container. If the answer is “no”, then move it on unless you have a compelling reason to keep it for now.

If you do keep an item, then take a note of what it is, where it is, and by) when it should be used. Then commit to “using it or losing it”. As a part of this, make sure you check your home inventory before you buy anything new.

This exercise may sound like a lot of hard work, and it can be. It can, however, also be a lot of fun. You may well discover items you never knew you had. It can also help to give you a clearer idea of what sort of insurance cover you need.

Downgrade your technology

Modern homes tend to be full of technology and it can end up taking over a space unless you actively keep it under control. One of the keys to controlling your technology is to be clear about whether or not its usefulness justifies its cost and space.

As a rule of thumb, multifunctional items like phones and tablets can almost always be justified. Single-use items, however, can only be justified if you really want or need the higher level of functionality they usually offer. Even then, you should think carefully.

For example, if you’re a coffee-lover then you might well get regular use out of a barista-standard coffee machine. You could, however, do the same job using a few affordable and compact tools. It would take a bit more effort but could save a lot of space.

What to do if a Disaster Strikes at Your Home

A key focus of my blog is Home/Living Discussions. As a homeowner, you also want to think about what would happen should an emergency or disaster strike, in addition to decorating the house to your satisfaction. The following contributed post is entitled, What to do if a Disaster Strikes at Your Home.

* * *

Image Pexels CC0 License

Your home is your greatest asset, so you likely do everything that you can to protect it. Unfortunately, there are times when no matter how hard we try, homes become damaged by circumstances outside our control, such as natural disasters.

While no one likes to think about the worst-case scenario of something disastrous happening to their home, it is a good idea to be prepared, so that if the worse does happen, you will be ready for it and know what to do.

Extreme weather is on the rise across the globe. Winters are becoming colder, and summers are getting hotter, and natural disasters such as floods are becoming increasingly common. Knowing what to do if any of these issues causes damage to your house can help you minimize the destruction and feel as prepared as possible.

Create an Emergency Kit

Having an emergency kit ready and waiting for whenever you need it is vital. You never know when a disaster could strike, so being prepared and equipped with all the items that you could need will help to take a lot of the immediate stress out of the situation when it first happens.

Following government advice on what you should in an emergency kit, will help you to ensure that you have not missed anything important from your pack.

Protect Your Home

Protecting your home as best as you can is a useful habit. Before disaster strikes, making some changes to your property will help to minimize the extent of the damage that could occur. Making sure that your roof is well-maintained and watertight will ensure it fares better during a storm. Testing your smoke alarms will reassure you that they are in working order and will alert the family if a fire was to start. Simple steps such as these are easy to fit into everyday life and could make a significant difference if the worse was to happen.

Call for Assistance

If a disaster does strike at your home, the priority is to ensure that everyone is safe and escapes from harm. Calling the emergency services is vital if the damage is extensive or not under control.

Getting to a safe place is the most crucial thing to do, so figuring out in advance, where you would head if something did happen is essential.

Professional Help

If your home is hit by disaster, then it is essential to remember that you are not on your own. Firstly, it is vital to inform your insurance company about the incident to begin making an insurance claim, if appropriate.

One of the hardest things to deal with when your home is damaged is the loss of your possessions. However, you may be able to salvage your belongings with the help of a service such as PACKOUTZ that specializes in restoring items that have been damaged during a disaster. Having at least some of your possessions back with you where they belong, can be a great comfort at this difficult time.

There’s No Place Like Home: How To Adapt Your Home For Your Elderly Parents

Two focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness and Home/Living Discussions. A decision many of us will face is caring for our elderly parents. In some instances that involves moving them in with us, requiring us to prepare spaces in our own homes for their twilight years. The following contributed post is entitled, There’s No Place Like Home: How To Adapt Your Home For Your Elderly Parents.

* * *

Pexels – CC0 Licence

Aging is a fact of life. Even then, it’s hard to watch as your parents struggle with things they used to do with ease. It’s as if they are no longer your superheroes. However, this is when you need to step in to make their lives more comfortable.

Some children do this by inviting their elderly parents into their homes permanently, yet, even if they remain in their property, you want them to visit and be a part of your life. As a result, it’s necessary to make adaptations to your home, regardless.

The question is, which ones should you focus on first?

Removing Fall Hazards

Hazards are double-edged swords. Not only do seniors struggle to see and or avoid them, but the impacts of a trip, no matter how small it seems, can be very damaging. And, if you have children, or lead a regular life, you are bound to have fall hazards throughout your home. Removing them is imperative, and you can do this with a simple audit. Go around your house and evaluate what’s safe and what’s unsafe, and find it a new place to live if it falls into the latter category. For example, decorative rugs or hardwood flooring might be slippy.

Installing Handles

You can’t go with them everywhere, which means you can’t always be around to lend a hand. Take the bathroom, for instance. Your parents require privacy, but your bathroom might not be conducive to the elderly. A surefire sign is an interior that lacks handles and rails. After all, the less-abled can’t lift their body weight without leverage. Installing hand grips is simple and cost-effective, yet it will make a significant difference to your parents when they visit or come to stay.

Putting Up Barriers

A mistake can be fatal. At the very least, it can be painful and result in a trip to the Emergency Room. You shouldn’t take any chances, and you don’t have to with barriers that are strong enough to shield your parents from further harm. A custom metal fabrication on the upstairs walkway is a fantastic place to start, as is the staircase, and any balconies or balustrades. And, if you have them, you might want to reinforce them just in case. With a custom metal design, you get peace of mind that everything is to a high standard.

Pexels – CC0 Licence

Keeping Numbers Handy

You’re not a professional caregiver. You’re a concerned child who does the best they can to assist your elderly parents. This is commendable, but it means you will need help when situations take a turn for the worst. Thankfully, expert care workers are on hand, all you need is their number. Taking down the contact details of emergency contacts should enable you to negate any problems. Of course, you know what to do if it is serious – call 911. Either write them down or store them in your phone or both in case of a situation where you don’t have either handy.

There’s no place like home, not when it’s designed for safety.