There’s nothing like making your home cozy and special for the end of fall and winter. Everyone has their own vision for how to go about this, but there are some really quick and easy ways to make your home feel a bit special in the winter months. It seems to be the main goal is to create a different feel to suit the season. A lot of people are spending more time than usual in their homes too. Coronavirus seems to be settling in again. Unfortunately, it means a lot of places, depending on where you live, might be limited right now and you and your family will be spending more time at home. Let’s try to make it the coziest it can be….
A Fresh Coat Makes All The Difference
Sometimes a home can look a little tired and dreary when all it needs is a fresh coat of paint. This can be a refresh of the same color that’s already there, or it can be a different color entirely, to match the winter mood in the house. Of course, for bigger projects speak to a professional like Barker-Whittle painters, but if it’s only one room or so you can do it yourself. Make sure you get a sample first to ensure you get the right color. It’s such a simple thing to do and will make the room look completely different even if you keep everything else exactly the same. Make sure you invest in some decent tarps to cover your furniture, especially if you’re using heavy-duty and dark color paints. You need to cover the floor too, especially if it’s carpet. One simple mistake can end up costing a lot of money.
Change Things Around
One easy way to help the home feel a bit different is by simply switching around some of the furniture. Change the focal point in the room from one wall to the other. It really does make a difference. This coupled with some new paint or decorative objects and you’re onto a winner look. All this might just mean is putting the sofa against another wall, and the TV somewhere else. A lot of people get hung up on TV placement and think they can’t move it…but consider putting the TV up high on the wall instead to give a new dynamic to the room.
Curb Appeal Makes A Difference
If you’re planning a fall./halloween display or a winter/Christmas decorations it’s a good idea to clean up the front porch. Consider using some varnish on the wood, or even sanding it down to help it look fresher. Cut the grass and clean the garden out one last time before winter sets in. It is best to do it now before it gets freezing. If you have a porch or any kind of external awning, consider repainting or repairing warped or damaged wood. Knowing your home looks great on the outside helps you to feel good on the inside.
When you enter many homes, you will notice that overall, they are pretty similar to one another in terms of contents. While we all have personal belongings, most properties will have similar uses for their rooms (lounges, bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens) and similar main features (a television, shelving units, wardrobes, etc). But there’s no rule saying that this has to be the case. There’s nothing stopping you from changing up your home and adding in luxury or novelty additions that could make it better fit your needs and preferences, especially now that we are all staying home more. There are all sorts of options open to you, as long as you’re open to them! Here are a few that you might like to try out!
A Hot Tub
Hot tubs are a pure luxury. People tend to associate them with spa days. Not only are they fun, but they have health benefits. They encourage you to unwind and relax. They soothe your muscles. Plus, they’re great for entertaining! Having your friends and family over for a catch up in the hot tub is a great way to spend time with your nearest and dearest.
A Swimming Pool
Sticking with a water based theme here, why not consider a swimming pool if you have the space. The cheapest option is an outdoor pool, which can be covered over and used throughout the year (though use during warmer months is more likely). Alternatively, if you can afford to spend a bit more, you could have an indoor pool, which is slightly easier to maintain and probably will genuinely get year round use. A pool doesn’t have to be olympic sized. Instead, something that you can swim a few widths in should be sufficient. Not only is this a great home addition for health and wellbeing, as it gives you a fun and simple means of exercising without leaving your property, but it can be great for entertainment too! Who doesn’t love a pool party? Just make sure to invest in quality water pumps and ensure your pool is cleaned due to schedule.
A Cinema Room
If you have a spare room, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a guest room or an office. Instead, why not transform yours into a cinema room? This is relatively cost effective, but so few people do it! All you need is a projector, a screen and some comfortable seating. If you want to go all out, you could invest in a surround sound system. Invite your friends and family over, get the popcorn out and you’re bound to have a great time watching your favourite shows and films!
Of course, there are countless other luxury investments you can make to improve upon your home. But those listed above hold some real value! Not only can they help your home to better suit you and your wants and needs, but they could all serve to improve your social life too! So, why not give them a go? A little planning can go a long way!
I am really going to try to keep my Wednesday post focusing on decorating. Last week we looked at options for decorating by the front door. This week, it’s time to turn around and decorate the back. Now more than ever we are spending time with friends and family outdoors. This does not have to stop just because the summer is over. It is so easy to transform your outdoor space into an Autumn wonderland. You can add some mums and pumpkins and even switch out your pillows for some darker shades, like forest green, burnt orange or navy blue. Maybe add a cozy throw and you are all set. Here is some inspiration to help you with the transformation.
I am obsessed with organizing. I love reading articles on how to stay organized, stick to schedules, and save money. Oh if only I was able to put these suggestions into practice every day!!!! The time spent in quarantine really jumped started a massive cleanout, though I have a long way to go. Here are some tips that I found that really helped me get started
1). Think before you buy….I am really trying to follow the rule, one thing in one thing out. This also helps with impulse buying. If you get a new sweater say goodbye to one in your closet that has not seen the light of day for years!!!!!
2) Get rid of unnecessary clutter…..lets this be the year we get rid of the following lying around the house:
- Old Magazines
- Old Shopping Bags
- Old Wrapping paper rolls, especially Christmas!!!! (even if you think there is enough to wrap one last present!!!!)
- Old Tupperware containers…you really only need two or 3 max.
- Lone socks waiting for a mate…I KNOW THIS IS HARD but just let them go!!!!!!!!
- Old towels
- Random Cables and Wires (though I have to do this when my husband is not at home!!!!!!!!!!!!)
- Delete your trash and junk folders on your computer
- Unsubscribe to any unwanted email subscriptions
- Lastly, dispose of any misc. logo mugs. Do you really need that Great Adventure Mug from 10 years ago????
3. Embrace A More Sustainable Lifestyle:
You can easily start saving and reducing the cost of your monthly bills through some clever swaps! For example, energy-efficient replacement windows are beautiful, easy to install, affordable, and highly sustainable – and, they can help you save a little more on your monthly bills!
Deciding to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle, it is not only good for the planet! Indeed, sustainable living can help you cut back on disposable and unnecessary items, reduce clutter, and create a healthier, more comfortable, and more beautiful living environment in your home. Start today!
I have noticed so many of my neighbors and social media “friends” decorating the most beautiful front doors. From cabbage leaves to multi-colored pumpkins, they have it covered. I really do not know how I want to decorate for fall this year. I don’t love mums even though they are a fall staple. They do not last long at all and they are so sad looking when they start to die. My favorite tip is to spray your pumpkins with a clear high gloss spray. This keeps the squirrels away and keeps them looking nice for the entire season. Here are my inspiration pix for my fall outdoors…
Renovating your home can be exciting, especially at the thought of upgrading your home with fresh new rooms and furnishings. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park. It requires a lot of hard work, and just like any construction site, you might be at risk of putting yourself in danger. About 13 million Americans report getting injured while working on home repairs and restoration. Sounds quite daunting, right?
Well, the truth is, you cannot wholly avoid accidents. They are, after all, unexpected occurrences. What you can do, on the other hand, is to minimize your risk of injury. Your home may be looking spotless at first glance, but you don’t know what could be going on inside those walls or pipes. Here’s what you need to prepare for yourself for those dangerous surprises.
- Safety hazards
A hazard is an item or situation that could harm people, and construction sites typically use guidelines to reduce the risk of sustaining injuries. Therefore, constructors are more familiar with these safety measures. That might not be the same for you, especially if you are not a constructor or working with one. If you’re not familiar with these safety rules and regulations, your chances of getting injured are much higher. For example, if you’re working on wiring, you might expose yourself to possible electrocution, or leaving exposed wires and putting other people at risk. What you can do is to hire an experienced constructor for high-risk tasks.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
VOCs are gases that emit chemicals and can be found in many home restoration materials such as paints, upholstery, and carpets. It’s most likely responsible for that weird smell, which lingers in your rooms after you paint or install a new carpet. Many of these gases are known carcinogens, meaning they can cause cancer in the long term. They can also trigger headaches or asthma attacks. When working with VOC materials, you must wear a mask to stop you from inhaling its fumes.
- Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral and pollutant that causes very deadly diseases through inhalation, and about 90 thousand people die globally each year from asbestos. The mineral in itself is not harmful but is only so when it becomes friable (easy to crumble). The older your home, the more likely your house might have asbestos. Usually, your home seller must inform you of potential asbestos risk. But suppose they don’t and you do discover this element in your home. In that case, you may be able to sue the previous owner based on negligence with the backing of a firm offering quality legal representation. Ensure that you and your household wear masks while renovating your home to protect yourselves from the risk of getting lung cancer or asbestosis.
- Creatures
You might have some unwelcome visitors living in your home, depending on where you live. In more dry and arid areas, you are more likely to find scorpions or snakes sharing your home with you rent-free. You might also find a wasp’s home or a beehive secretly lodged inside your walls. Some of these animals can be potentially dangerous, especially when they attack. You can protect yourself by wearing full clothing and not exposing your face, arms, or legs. Ideally, you should contact professional exterminators to help you get rid of them.
Hopefully, these tips will help prepare for the unexpected when you start renovating your home. Ideally, it would be best for you to hire professional services. However, if you are on a tight budget, try a more DIY approach.