Home and Property

If you’re wanting your home to feel brighter, cleaner, and more welcoming, letting more natural light in can help you accomplish all of these feelings and more. However, with only so many places where you can put windows, many homeowners struggle with knowing how to get more natural light into the current layout of their home.

To help you learn how you can deal with this type of issue, here are three ways to let more light into your home.

Install Glass Doors

It’s not only the windows of your home that can let light in through their glass facade. According to HouseBeautiful.com, you can also swap out some of your exterior doors for doors either made completely of glass or doors that have more glass in them.

Having a glass door, or just a door that has a few glass panes in it, can really add a lot more light to a room. But to get the maximum benefit from this, you may want to see if there are any walls that you could add a glass door to to brighten up your space to the fullest extent. While this won’t work in every home or for every budget, if you’re able to make this change, not only will you let more light into your home, but you may also get a great view added into your life as well.

Hang More Mirrors

If adding glass doors or more windows isn’t a possibility for you, you can always amplify the light that you already have going on in your home by adding mirrors or other reflective surfaces within your living space.

According to Monique Valeris and Kelsey Kloss, contributors to ElleDecor.com, putting a window in a room of your home can double the amount of natural light in that space by allowing the light to bounce off the mirror and reflect back into the area in which it’s pointed. But to save you from having a mirror on every wall, you can also try installing more reflective tile in rooms like your kitchen or bathroom as well as choosing some more reflective paint for certain areas of your home.

Put In Some Skylights

For those who love the idea of additional windows but either don’t have the wall space or are needing a little extra privacy, a skylight could be a great option for you.

With a skylight, you’re able to get more natural light in without actually having a window that you’re able to look through. And according to Lee Wallender, a contributor to The Spruce, you can even get more natural light with a skylight than you can with a window because there will be less time during the day when your roof is in shadow.

If you’re wanting your home to be lighter and brighter, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you get more natural light into your space.

 

For many people, the majority of their waking hours spent at home take place in the common areas of their kitchen and living room. Considering the amount of time spent here and the type of activities you participate in in these rooms, it only makes sense that you should try to make them as comfortable and welcoming as possible.

If your current living room situation isn’t fitting this bill, here are three tips for giving your living room a makeover.

Play With Color

Generally, there are two kinds of people when it comes to playing with colors in their home decor or design: those who embrace bold colors and those who shy away from bold colors. Depending on what type of person you are, your strategy for playing with colors when updating the look of your living room will vary.

According to Nicole Sforza, a contributor to Real Simple, one of the best ways to play with color in your living room space is to pick one statement piece that’s a bold color and add a few accent colors in the same tone on top of an overall neutral color scheme. By doing this, you’ll be about to ride the line between having too many colors and having too few colors. So if your living room presently looks like a color palette exploded, trying reeling it in a bit. And if your space is looking a little monochromatic, consider picking one bold color to use in a few places throughout your space.

Make It Warmer

One attribute all living rooms should aim to fulfill is being a space that’s warm and welcoming. To accomplish this, Lee Wallender, a contributor to The Spruce, shares that a great addition to your current living room could be to add a fireplace, be it an insert or a real fireplace. However, this may be an upgrade that you’re not ready to take on. If this is the case, you could also add a faux fireplace to give your living room the same warm feeling without the actual physical warmth.

To bring in warmth without adding any kind of fireplace, you can also play with the textiles you have in your living room, opting for lush, luxurious fabrics and accents.

Rethink Your Storage

Another great way you can make your living room look like an entirely different space is to rethink the storage options you’re using.

According to HGTV, by simply adding some additional storage units, be it shelves, bins, or something else, you can rearrange the items in your room and even add some more interest while also serving a very functional purpose.

If you’re tired of your boring old living room, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you give this space an entirely new look.

 

Owning a car is a big responsibility. They weigh several hundred pounds and can travel at speeds over 100 mph. It should be obvious that there is a huge potential for accidents when you look at it from this perspective. Are you prepared for the possibility of an accident whether it is your fault or someone else’s? If you are not then you need to start comparing coverage options from various insurance providers. Automobile insurance is highly important if you happen to own a car. So, what is auto insurance and why is it so important?

What Is Auto Insurance?

Auto insurance is a form of insurance that protects vehicles from financial damages and liability. You will pay a monthly premium each month to your insurance provider and in return, you will receive coverage that protects you in case of certain circumstances depending on your coverage. It can be a lifesaver if you damage your vehicle and are unable to afford a new one. Instead of going without a vehicle, your insurance will give you the financial assistance you need to replace your vehicle.

The Top Reasons Why Car Insurance Is so Important

Car insurance is incredibly important for a number of reasons. Cars cost a lot of money and most people cannot simply afford to go around paying for new ones and repairs all of the time. The only way to make sure you do not need to worry about that is by having the right coverage.

You Are Protected If There Is an Accident

This is by far the number one most important is and to carry insurance. Whether you crash into someone else or someone else crashes into you the right coverage will make sure that you are taking care of. You do need to be careful and make sure that you have coverage that protects against uninsured drivers so you are not out of luck if you are in an accident and the other driver does not have insurance.

It Can Save You Money in the Long Run

While it is a huge pain to pay those monthly premiums and the deductible at the end of the day you will probably end up financially ahead by paying these costs. That is because without coverage anything that happens to your vehicle is entirely up to you to take care of. Most people don’t have enough money lying around to simply buy a new car whenever they want but their insurance company does.

You Are Legally Required to Have Coverage

Most states require that you carry some type of coverage for at least liability. This is because cars can cause so much damage and most people cannot afford to pay for those damages. The only way to fairly make sure that people are taking care is by forcing everyone to have a minimum level of liability coverage.

It Can Protect You from Financial Harm If You Are Found at Fault

In the event that you end up being at fault for an accident, you could wind up on the hook for not only damages to the victim’s vehicle but also any medical expenses the accident might have incurred. Both of these can be incredibly expensive and typically the only way that people are able to afford to pay all of this back is by using their insurance.

Automobile Insurance Can Supplement Other Insurances

If you are worried that your health insurance or homeowners insurance will not cover all of the cots for something you can rest easy knowing that your auto insurance coverage includes some coverage that is supplemental to these other insurances. That way you are able to get things 100 per cent taken care of.

They Will Often Have Roadside Assistance Included

One of the most terrifying experiences you can have as a vehicle driver is getting stranded. If you are on a road trip and something goes wrong with your car and you are not close to any major population centres if you did not have auto insurance then you could be totally out of luck. Most insurance coverage options include roadside assistance service. This allows you to call out a tow truck to take your car to a mechanic without needing to pay anything additional at the point of service.

Final Comments on the Importance of Automobile Insurance

Insurance for automobiles is not only legally mandated but it is highly important. There are all kinds of things that happen in life that we cannot prepare for but an auto accident is one of the things that we can do something about it before it happens. The right kind of coverage will keep you protected and the other people that are involved protected as well.

 

You spend in your dining room some of the most enjoyable moments in your life, meeting friends and relatives, celebrating holidays and birthdays. It should be a space that happens to make you happy. If you like the modern style, you’ll love to incorporate the latest trends in room decoration. An on-trend dining table set will set the space’s design theme, so designing the stylish dining room you want will be simple.

Dining tables are a vital part of any home. Despite today’s busy lifestyle, most of the family rarely get to see each other or let alone spend any quality time with each other. And if tragic, the bitter truth has been this.

Now, one may wonder, what that has to do with a dining table. Yeah, good. Here is a reply.

To several families, dinner is one meal where all the family members come together and have a pleasant bonding time over food, discussing their days and sharing their burdens. For the head of the family seated at the far end of the dining table, the tradition has been that many families have respected and practiced. Back in the good old day’s families were bigger in size and had at least twelve-seater dining tables.12-seater dining tables in the least.

But now, with urbanizations and the number of people inside the family being smaller, the majority of people prefer 4-seater dining tables. As they are more convenient and suit the requirements of space. Furniture adds to your home’s character and life and they project the signature style of the people living in that house. Many people now opt online to purchase furniture.

Yet according to several polls and surveys conducted in India’s urban areas, more and more people choose to purchase their furniture like online beds, and moreover, people rent furniture instead of preferring to invest in the long-term commitment to purchase their own furniture.

In India’s urban and metro cities this pattern of renting out furniture from various online platforms is mostly seen. This is also the nation’s Millennials who take full advantage of this facility to rent pieces of furniture or to purchase online furniture if they are up to make these investments.

Many prefer purchasing their furniture online because it saves them the trouble of actually having to go out and visit a zillion shops to find one that may suit their wallet and taste. And then comes the negotiating aspect with the shopkeeper and the shipping costs and the difficulty of setting it up.

Nevertheless, most online furniture retailers have a wide range of furniture parts and types of models on sale at the best available prices on their websites. Most reputed online furniture vendors also give their customers free delivery and set-up furniture.

No matter the style, if the seating is a mix of both chairs and benches, a 4-seater dining table set may be much more conventional. Benches on both sides of the table will take the place of side seats, or only on one side. It gives a relaxed atmosphere to space which is ideal for less formal homes.

Nowadays, more home designers and architects are scrutinising the potential of small homes of the future. More than ever, they are now in the search for ways to utilise limited spaces and interiors to make them look roomier. Minimalism experts have always presented that living with less builds simplicity, and a calmer way of life, allowing many people to prioritise and centre themselves on what is essential.

Regardless of your living conditions, there are several methods to make the most of a tiny space. If space is a challenge for you, here are some of the best interior design London solutions for a small home.

Capitalise on the lights

Darker shades of paint give you the feeling that walls are closer, especially in a tiny room. To achieve the effect where walls appear farther, use white paint. Then make it brighter by installing bigger clear glass windows so natural light will come in during the day.

At night, you may want to use a diffused type of lighting. This is best in darker corners; you can set multiple lights that point toward the walls and ceilings. Doing this will give your room a light effect of soft and overhead glow.

Custom-built furniture

For smaller houses, storage space is potentially the most challenging aspect you should consider. Instead of buying pre-made furniture, you may want to have it custom-built for your area. Tiny homes are typically designed to have higher ceiling spaces, so make use of it by personalised furniture.

Custom-built furniture allows you to have multi-purpose beds, cabinets, tables, and fixtures. Several options are now available for this purpose, and you will appreciate the extra space and the functionality these types of furniture items.

Make use of mirrors

Setting up mirrors in your home is one of the oldest tricks in the book of design to create an impression that space is bigger. Plus, mirrors are inexpensive solutions for you to achieve your target of a roomier area.

Furthermore, settling a mirror in the right place in your home gives you access to natural light. To achieve this, just put the mirror near a window to catch the light and see it bounce across the room.

Converting the roof space

Chances are, you may still have space on the upper level of the house. The best thing you can do is to convert this space into a loft and use it for several purposes. You can either transform it into another room with its own bathroom or, you can also use half of it as an extra storage space.

Whether space comes with a premium in your situation or you just want to live a minimalist lifestyle, smart interior design can address the issue of not having a bigger area. As discussed above, you can use simple tasks of choosing the right shade of colour, natural light, and mirror location to more complex works such as renovation. Regardless of what you prefer, it is vital to know that you have options to maximise your living space.

 

A clean and organized home is relaxing and inviting. If your house doesn’t feel this way, it may be time to declutter. However, it’s also vital that you keep your home organized after decluttering so you can enjoy that refreshing feeling every day and not go back to a messy place. Here are some tips on how to do that.

Do a general cleaning

Set aside a day or two to do general cleaning. Get everyone in the family involved to make things quicker. If the schedule doesn’t permit, divide the work by focusing on one area each day. For instance, you may concentrate first on the living room, then the kitchen, until you get to work on everything. Set aside items that need to go. Since your hands are already full with the tasks that you need to do, you can leave your garbage disposal to the hands of the experts by hiring junk removal in Omaha. You can save time and energy not having to dispose of the trash yourself, so you can focus more on the other things that you need to do.

Invest in items for organizing

With all the things that you need to dispose of gone and only the essentials remaining, you can now do the organizing part. Invest in things like bins, baskets, and containers where you can place your stuff. It will keep them organized so they will look tidy, and it will also be easier for you to find the things that you need.

Immediately put things back in their place

The house can easily get disorganized again if you leave things anywhere after using them. See to it that you put them back in their proper place after every use. For instance, after reading a book or magazine, instead of just leaving it on top of a table, put it back on the shelf or place where it belongs.

Throw garbage away immediately

Just like putting things back where they belong, make sure to throw trash immediately into the bin. Whether it’s a piece of paper or a candy wrapper, don’t leave it anywhere. These small things can pile up in the long run, and before you know it, your place will be back to its cluttered state. You don’t want that to happen, so make sure that you keep it clean.

Develop a habit

Aside from throwing away garbage and keeping things in place, develop other practices that will help in maintaining the cleanliness of your home. For instance, you may start by fixing the bed right away as soon as you wake up in the morning and cleaning the dishes after dinner instead of letting them pile up until the next day. These little things that you do regularly will turn into habits, and before you know it, you’ll be doing them automatically as part of your routine.

If you are living with other family members or housemates, get everyone on the same page so everyone can do their part. It will be easier to keep the home tidy and organized if everyone is involved and is aware of the drill.

Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/chairs-contemporary-furniture-2181960/

 

Deciding to sell your home does not come easy. It is a hard choice to make for most people because of sentimental reasons. You may have spent a good number of years building great memories with your loved ones. You may have spent a fortune on renovations to turn it into your dream home.

If you plan on selling your house, you have to contemplate things. Since you have already invested a lot in the property, you also deserve a good return on the investment. Here are some tips on how to market your house fast and at a fair price.

Look for a realtor

There is nothing wrong with selling your property all by yourself because, in reality, it is an excellent strategy to save money on commissions. But the question is, do you have enough experience? Selling a home means you need to have lots of connections or prospective buyers, and that is where a realtor can be of help.

Set a competitive price

Remember that buyers are only willing to pay for a property that they think is worth the price. If you believe that your home has a high market value, you need to pause and reevaluate the entire property. If you have stayed in your home for a long time, it is normal for you to feel sentimental, and it could affect the way you value your home. The best thing is to hire a reputable property estimator to give you a reasonable price range for your home. If it is too low for your standards, you can do something to make it higher.

Make sure that everything is presentable

Selling your home means that you have to open it to other people. That means making an effort to make it look more attractive. Increasing its curb appeal helps a lot, and getting in touch with companies like Evergreen Junk Removal Service would be beneficial in removing all unnecessary stuff inside your home.

Depersonalize your home

It is nice to see family photos as part of your wall display because it reminds you of great memories. However, if you want to impress potential buyers, it is essential to depersonalize your space. Allow people to envision your home as theirs, so you will have a higher chance of selling your house fast.

Market your home online

Aside from having a realtor to help you sell your home, you can also advertise it online. Use your social media accounts like Facebook and Instagram to reach a broader audience. Who knows, you could find the right buyer in no time. Attract more buyers by uploading the best photos of your property to gain people’s interest.

Give yourself enough time

Selling your home takes time. You need to be patient with regard to the process. It takes weeks or months to find the next owner. Just make sure to focus on improving each aspect of your property. The more attractive your property, the more chances for you to negotiate a reasonable price.

Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/new-home-for-sale-house-estate-new-1540889/

 

Choosing a floor screed is like looking at a restaurant menu. With the variety of options available, it is easy to get confused. Some terms may be new to you, which makes the selection process more complicated. In making the process simpler, you need to begin by keeping in mind where you will apply the screed. These are types of screed that are best used for new construction, while there are kinds that work best for improvements over existing flooring. This article provides you with more information on how to best select a floor screed for your needs.

What makes liquid screed different from an ordinary cement mix?

Why is liquid screed preferable over ordinary cement? Here are some of the reasons:

• Floor screeding contractors spend less on labour.
• If you are installing underfloor heating, using liquid screed is more compatible.
• You can apply screed in thin layers; hence, allowing you to even out the surface.
• Screed is less prone to shrinkage, unlike cement.
• Cement cracks quite easily, while you can reinforce screed, so it does not crack.

The primary difference between screed and cement mixture is the ingredients. While screed also contains cement, it uses a finer aggregate and has higher water content. Although both are comparable in strength, the smoothness of screed has a better overall appearance.

Type of flooring installed over the screed

One essential factor to consider in choosing the kind of liquid screed is the flooring you will install. If you are using tiles, for example, your choice will have a significant impact on the result. If you are using anhydrite screed, you need to sand the surface before installing tiles. On the other hand, choosing liquid cement screed will not require sanding.

Different types of liquid screed

Here is a comparison of the common kinds of liquid screed used in most flooring construction:

• Bonded screed. If your home is susceptible to moisture or water damage, the bonded screed is best. This type of screed is also better for thin applications. In applying bonded screed, a bonding agent is applied to the concrete base to maximize bonding with the mixture.
• Unbonded screed. Instead of directly applying the screed mixture on the concrete base, a layer of plastic separates the surfaces. The purpose of adding a layer of plastic is to prevent cracking and protect from moisture.
• Polymer floor screed. Liquid screed that contains polymers has a high concentration of adhesive. The additives will ensure that even if the mixture is thin, chemicals and moisture will not leach out.

With every floor screed installation, it is essential to understand how long it takes to cure the material. Timing will vary depending on the ratio of additives added into the mixture. The higher the additives, the longer it takes for the screed to set and dry. If you are planning to remodel a large area in your home, it is best to hire a professional who can install the screed and flooring correctly. Look for a contractor with extensive experience in working with different types of liquid screed.

 

 

People purchase rental properties for a lot of reasons. Owning a second home to rent out can provide some good tax benefits, for instance. And the extra income can make a big difference in most family’s lives. However, being a landlord isn’t a simple undertaking. It’s a lot of work, and like any other investment, what makes sense now may not make sense a few years down the road. Here are three signs that it’s time to sell your rental property.

You’re not making money

If you’re not bringing in enough income from your rental properties, you’ve got a few options before you sell. First, make sure you’re running things efficiently. You shouldn’t be charging your tenants for services if you don’t have to, and you also shouldn’t be paying too much for certain services that you can get for little to no cost elsewhere.

The Internet gives you access to a ton of useful landlord tools. You can get free landlord software from Turbo Tenant, for instance, which will save you both time and money. When you’re a landlord, it may seem like you never have enough of both. Try to look at your operation and think of ways for you to cut costs without lowering the level of service you’re providing to your tenants.

Making the above changes often works, but if it doesn’t, that could speak to a bigger issue. You may be renting out a money pit that requires too much maintenance on your part. The local rental economy might not be as strong as it was when you first bought the property. If something like that is happening, it’s best to get out before you pour too much money into a property that isn’t going to give you enough back.

Property values are up

When you first got into the rental business, a one-room apartment went for about $800 in your neighborhood. Now the market value is over $1,000 and still climbing. You’ve also heard that neighbors are selling houses for nearly twice what they paid for them, which suddenly means your rental property is a hot commodity.

But maybe you don’t want to sell right now. That’s OK, but you can’t assume that the market will stay hot forever. In places like Southern California, prices are still high, which sounds good for sellers, but it’s not. Sales have gone down because buyers are frustrated and tired of trying to find a house they can afford.

High prices do not always correlate to high demand. If people are buying and selling at high levels right now, it’s probably worth selling your rental property a little sooner than you intended. Finding a buyer interested in rental property can be harder when the economy slows down. Pay attention to local trends. Talk to local economic experts if possible.You’re better off unloading rental property six months before you’re ready than six months too late.

You want out of real estate

If you’re drawing income from rental property, that’s considered passive income. But if you’re a landlord who is always taking care of something at your property, it’s not going to feel very passive. If you’re burnt out and tired of dealing with additional property problems, that’s as good a sign as any that you should exit the real estate market before you completely hate it.

For many people, taking care of their own home is more than enough. There’s nothing wrong with that. If someone in your family is dealing with a serious illness or other crisis, it’s perfectly reasonable to want to spend time with them rather than waste it upgrading and repairing a rental home. Major life events have a way of making you rethink your priorities. You should be a landlord because you want to, not because you feel like you have no other choice.

 

You can’t complain about how damaged the environment is if you also don’t take the necessary steps at home to protect it. Everyone’s collective actions could significantly impact the environment. Therefore, you need to start making changes at home if you want things to get better.

Use energy efficient lighting

Let go of your regular light bulbs and fluorescent lights – they consume too much energy & they also don’t last long. Apart from damaging the environment, you’re also spending a lot of money. LED lights are more energy efficient & they last longer too, so you will save a lot in the long run.

Install solar panels

Many households started to move away from traditional energy sources to solar panels. The use of solar panels will make you less dependent on fossil fuels, which you know isn’t a sustainable source and significantly damages the environment. Solar panels harness the energy from the sun so therefore, it doesn’t cause significant pollution. The only problem is that it might be costly as it takes time before you break even. The good thing is that you might receive government subsidies if you opt for solar housing & besides, your primary goal is to help save the environment. The use of solar panels is certainly a step in the right direction.

Use natural cleaning products

Even the cleaning products you use at home could have a significant impact to the environment. Once you use cleaning agents with toxic chemicals, they pollute the water but the good thing is that there are natural alternatives such as vinegar, soda, citric acid, baking powder, and many others that could help clean your home. They’re just as effective as cleaning agents with harsh chemicals.

Improve insulation at home

A well-insulated home means that you won’t have to use the air conditioning unit for a long time. Once you already have a reasonable temperature at home, you can stop using the cooling or heating device. The air gets trapped and the temperature remains the same. You also need to cover cracks on the floor and windows to further insulate the place.

Create a compost pit

You don’t need to rely on garbage collectors all the time. You don’t know how they deal with the items you throw away. You would rather have a compost pit at home so you can immediately throw biodegradable items there. Leftover food and kitchen scraps are perfect for the pit.

Buy recycled items

Apart from practicing recycling at home, you also need to appreciate recycled or second-hand items. Gaming consoles and mobile devices that are not brand-new could still function well. Instead of seeing them getting thrown away, you can purchase them. You can also buy tissue paper, school supplies and cooking items made from recycled materials.

Use a fireplace

You don’t need to turn the air conditioner on during the cold winter nights. Instead, you can use a fireplace that could provide heat. Don’t forget to use a kiln dried wood to make sure that the wood will keep burning for a long time. A fireplace doesn’t leave a carbon footprint which is good for the environment.

These changes are challenging to do at first, but you have to do the right thing. Think of the impact to the environment.