Home and Property

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 Evergreen Junk Removal. 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.

 

 

Parents have a lot to do. Keeping their homes up to date and trendy might not even be on most parents’ list to-do list. Smart parents will realize that keeping a tidy and stylish home isn’t so much about the extra work involved, as much as it is about minimizing maintenance for the spaces you and your children share. It’s about practicality and functionality. It’s similar to when you’re choosing the best kitchen colors for resale.

There are colors that are not only very pleasing but actually increase the value of your home because they are functional. While these tips may not bring a lot of ROI on your home, they will make your life easier and help your little ones develop some basic house-keeping habits. It makes your day-to-day just a little easier so that you can focus on what really matters.

Choose the Right Colors and Material

Often one of the first and most common mistakes parents make when picking out paint colors and floor coverings is to go with the classic baby colors of a soft blue or pink for example. Oddly enough, most of the furnishings and floor coverings that come in these “baby-inspired” colors won’t make it through their first year.

Parenthood often requires something more rugged, something more robust. Look for patterns that hide stains well and for materials that can be washed again and again. Some might scoff at the idea of using exterior rugs inside, but they’re incredibly resilient and make for great play mats. It’s even better if you can go for an intentionally distressed look for hallway runners and other high traffic areas.

Choose the Right Furniture

This has a lot to do with material choice again. While some might be inclined to go super-resilient, we can’t exactly have a house full of metal furnishings for the kids to potentially bump into. There’s a nice medium in classic wood surfaces. They can still feel somewhat soft and smooth to the touch, be somewhat resilient, and can even be resurfaced once the kids are older.

There’s going to be some sort of liquid everywhere at some point. The trick to keeping your home looking nice through the wilder years of toddlerhood comes down to preempting the destruction. When purchasing furniture try to imagine how well it will hold up to several years of bizarre and brazen abuse.

Designate a Play Space

This can be hard to instill in rambunctious children, but will ultimately make your life a lot easier.

You also have to be mentally and emotionally ready to let this room get absolutely destroyed at times, so prepare accordingly. What we’re aiming for is to contain the chaos into once place. If they want to play in the house, it needs to be in this area. While most don’t have the luxury of designating an entire room outside of the nursery, even a designated area of the living room or kitchen can work.

Try laying out one of those hardy indoor/outdoor rugs and let the child know that this is their area and they can do whatever they want with it. Getting them to keep this area tidy comes a little later.

Designate No-Play Space

In the same way that you encourage your child to play in their designated area, you need to reinforce an area of the house that is strictly a no-play zone. This could be your bedroom, the area of the kitchen where you cook, or really any part of the house you don’t want them coloring on.

Don’t present this as an off-limits sort of space, as that will just pique their curiosity.

Rather try and get them to understand how important this space is to you and that you’re proud of it. You want them to help you keep that space as something you can both be proud of.

In the same way, you can use this example to try and compel them to keep their space nice as well.

Forgo a Fancy Dining Room

The kitchen table is the hub of a lot of homes. Projects, after-school snacks, laundry, and maybe the occasional family meal are all vying for space on this one surface. If you’re lucky enough to have room to separate the formal dining room from your everyday eating area, that’s great,

but for most, there’s the one room, if that. It’s going to be a battleground at times, and the space should reflect that. We’ve talked about furniture choice and color a little, but one of the real secrets is storage.

Bookshelves and more bookshelves

Bookshelves take the clutter of our lives and almost makes it look tidy. It’s true though. Take any pile of random stuff and place it on a bookshelf. Almost looks like it was supposed to be there, right? Bookshelves provide numerous homes for numerous lost items throughout the house.

They also provide a place to put items on display. This can be very helpful with trying to reinforce that idea of pride and respect. And believe it or not, they may actually house books at times, which might be the best thing for your little ones in the long run.

Utilize What the Kids Love and Create

Kids have different priorities than us, as they should. They don’t understand why the vase is special, but they definitely have a favorite toy of their own. If we can teach them to treat their special items with care and respect, there’s a glimmer of hope for them to treat the adult items that way as well.

The same way we display their art on the fridge because we are proud, we can use the children’s toys and other items as decoration on your recently acquired bookshelves.

It’s easy to get them to understand that everyone wants to be able to see their awesome teddy bear, so the shelf is a great place for him to sit when he’s not commissioned for cuddling.

Hide Everything

Is it delicate? Is it irreplaceable? It might be time to store some of these more sensitive items until the kids grow up a little. There will be a time to return it to its proper place on the coffee table, but for now, less is more. Stylish is impossible if things are never clean. The real trick to keeping a home stylish is not keeping up with the most recent trends or the most expensive furniture, it’s about keeping your home functional and welcoming, even in the midst of raising children.

Besides if your friends see your children cleaning up after themselves and respecting your delicate property, they’re definitely going to know you have some kind of style, even if they can’t pinpoint what it is.

 

Purchasing a brand new television can be an exhilarating experience. After all, with so many different models boasting a variety of features like smart TV app development available in the market today, it isn’t hard to get swept up by all the excitement that it entails. However, it can also be an expensive proposition and break the bank if tackled lightly.

The good news is that there are simple ways to get the TV that you want without spending more than you need. So, for those who can ill-afford to pay a small fortune, here are a few tips to keep your expenditure to a minimum.

• A little research can make a difference

Before you decide to spend your money, it’s a general rule of thumb to invest time in research. After all, it can be more than just a little challenging to find the TV that best suits your needs if you don’t know what you want. From the resolution and dimensions of the model to the features of the brand like LG or Samsung TV app development services by FX digital, you’re far more likely to get what you want without spending more than you have to by doing your homework first.

• Never give in to the temptation of buying on impulse

One of the reasons why TV buying can often be an expensive experience is that many people tend to give in to the temptation of spending their money impulsively. Instead, it’s good standard practice to take your time and carefully compare the options available to you before deciding on which model to opt for. In this way, not only will you maximise getting what you want as well as need but you’re far more likely to keep your expenditure to a minimum too.

• Check what people have to say about the product

Another thing that you should do before buying a TV is to check what people have to say about the product. After all, the majority of manufacturers often focus on the advantages and features of their models to secure their target audience. And you’re far more likely to make a better-informed decision by relying on the objective feedback of their customers. So don’t skimp on reading reviews. It will save money on buying a TV that doesn’t meet your standards.

• Choose a TV that boasts a lot of features

While buying a TV with a lot of features may sound counterproductive to minimising expenditure, it can save you more money in the long run. After all, investing a little more in a well-equipped model will not only make the viewing experience much more convenient and comfortable, but it will also save you time as well as money from spending on a new one in a short period. So if the budget allows for it, take future proofing with TV cable compare. You will get more out of your chosen TV in this way.

It’s not hard to let costs spiral out of control when buying a brand-new TV. After all, these products can be quite expensive. But by taking the time to plan and research, you will be able to keep your expenditure at a reasonably low level without compromising on the television that you want.

 

 

Living in a small house or apartment can sometimes feel drab or depressing due to the size of your home. While some might like the idea of living in a small and cosy apartment, many others tend to feel constrained by the size restrictions. It can be challenging to think about making home improvements due to the overall size. After all, how can you add more things when your home might not have space? Well, one thing to consider doing is ripping everything out and starting again, making the most out of the room you do have. Even things like Dry Lining and adding a fresh coat of paint can breed new life into a space.

Fortunately, you are not alone when it comes to dealing with such matters. When it comes to making improvements to a smaller home, it is all about perspective. Here are just a few ways to make the most out of a small house!

Making something small feel much larger

While it can be disheartening to be unable to purchase furniture because it will end up making your home feel cluttered, it all depends on what you want to buy. For example, one of the reasons why a house can often make you feel boxed in is due to the number of corners and edges – whether from the walls or the furniture. For the most part, you can take steps to ensure that the edges only come from the former.

For example, you can focus on rounded furniture. It can help dull the blow of all the corners and edges and make things feel larger. At the same time, you can double down and make use of glass furniture to maintain an illusion of space.

The benefits of improving a small home

It is all a matter of perspective. For example, while some might be disheartened at the idea of improving a tiny house, the silver lining is that the smallest improvement can have a significant impact. Even the act of putting up a poster of your favourite movie or game can help liven up a living room or bedroom. Focusing on making improvements to your bed will undoubtedly transform your bedroom, primarily if you focus on vivid colours!

Clearing the air

Another reason why some homeowners tend to get depressed living in a small apartment or home is due to the quality of the air. The small size can make it hard not to feel stuffy, which can be frustrating to deal with. Fortunately, the novel use of specific methods such as living walls UK companies supply can deal with the issue. A living wall is an installation of plants that makes use of green air technology. Not only does it look beautiful, but it ends up purifying the air by a substantial amount. For smaller homes, you will undoubtedly feel the difference!

From making use of living walls for clearing the stuffy air to making something small feel large, home improvements to a small apartment or house are all about creativity. While it might feel like an exceptional challenge to get the job done, the methods above are more than enough to help.

 

Given the opportunity, many of us would undoubtedly give our houses a makeover. But due to financial limitations and time constraints, a lot of people delay the idea of a home improvement project if not forget about it altogether. The good news, however, is that it’s not impossible to give your property a boost in both appeal and comfort without putting your finances at risk. So, for those who are looking to transform their houses into their dream homes without spending more than what is needed, here are just a few low-cost home makeover tips to consider.

• Opt for space-saving storage solutions

Space is a common issue amongst many homeowners, especially for smaller properties. But before you decide to increase the square footage of your home with a costly remodelling project, it’s well worth exploring other avenues first such as space-saving storage solutions like a fitted wardrobe. In this way, you will have a functional item that fulfils its intended purpose without occupying any more space than it needs. More importantly, it will allow you to avoid having to commit a substantial amount of your financial resources to an expensive renovation too.

• Give your home a fresh new coat of paint

One of the most inexpensive ways to make an immediate impact on the look and feel of a home is by giving it a fresh new coat of paint. After all, colour can affect the ambience of a home more than it is usually given credit for. And best of all, the task requires little more than a small investment of money in the necessary equipment. You won’t need to spend on the services of a professional either since it’s a job that can be done with relative ease.

• Stick with second-hand or refurbished items

It’s easy to break the budget of your home makeover if you stick with brand new items. As such, it makes sense to stick with second-hand furniture and fixtures whenever possible. After all, refurbished items are considerably cheaper than their newer counterparts. And time spent looking around for used items now can pay dividends in the amount of money that you’ll be able to save later on with your home improvement project.

• Enhance the ambience of your home with new lighting

Another cheap way to make a home aesthetically pleasing and appealing is by adding a new lighting system. After all, not only will it allow you to enhance the ambience of your house and make it more inviting, but there are energy-efficient lighting systems available that can reduce your monthly expenses too, making it a low-risk and high-reward investment that everyone should consider.

There’s no denying that a home makeover can be a massive undertaking, especially when tackled with limited finances. But even with a small budget, you can accomplish a lot with some careful planning and preparation. And by keeping these tips in mind, not only are you bound to accomplish your home improvement goals but pay no more than you need to in the process.