When we set out to buy a home, it can feel like an impossible task. So many potential homes to choose from, so many factors to consider. There’s your budget, the location, whether it suits your family, and everything in between. The one thing you can’t predict is the feeling you get when you step through the door. The feeling is like trying on your wedding dress for the first time. You just know. No one can tell you how it feels or describe it to you; it’s just there. So what happens if you get that feeling, and the home is a bit of a disaster zone? You need perhaps more work than you had anticipated. Rest assured, here is an essential guide to making an older home feel brand new. Creating your perfect space. 

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Think about the exterior and structure

A big giveaway of a property’s age is the exterior look. A house or property can have the telltale signs of brickwork looking shabby, maybe some parts having broken away. There are the windows and the doors. All of which could look a little dated and in need of some attention. This is where you may need to consider getting some professionals in to take out any structural repairs. Or perhaps consider some new windows to make the property more energy efficient. This way you are giving your new home a little makeover while potentially saving yourself some money on your energy bills. 

Make use of original features

A lot of older properties have beautiful original features like exposed beams or fireplaces. These are a wonderful designer feature to any home and are worth restoring and keeping if you can. They make great talking points and can work well with a modern design. Original features can often be very difficult to maintain though, so you may want to get some help from experts who might be able to help you. Exposing and creating a fireplace needs more than just the fireplace itself, it is the chimney to think about and the internal structure. This is when getting a professional chimney sweep could help you to make more of it. Websites like https://www.jcs-homeservices.com/chimney-sweep-in-northern-va/ are worth looking at. Beams are also a great feature, but they may need treating thanks to rot. However, experts will tell you exactly what needs to be done, and of course, the costs involved. Original features are always worth restoring where possible. 

Add a modern twist

An older property may look desirable. But that doesn’t mean the kitchen and bathroom will be. Often in this kind of property, those features may not have been improved for some time. So it’s the perfect opportunity to add a modern twist to the home by adding a fantastic state-of-the-art kitchen and serene bathroom suite. These are the rooms that often add value to a property so don’t be too worried about losing your investment. 

Work with smaller spaces

Older properties often don’t have square or boxy rooms like new builds do. After all, it is probably why you fell in love with the place thanks to its quirky nature. But sometimes that means that buying furniture might not always be a possibility. It may not fit or even look right. This is when creating bespoke pieces to fit certain areas of a room could be ideal. Chairs or built-in seating with storage, for example. A carpenter can work on your design and measurements. It definitely will help you make the home a little more user-friendly. 

Make the home work for you

A lot of the time, in older properties, the layouts don’t work for modern living. So don’t be afraid to knock some walls down and make the internal space work for your family. Of course, the only thing to bear in mind here is any buildings that are listed. This is where you will need to speak to a conservation officer to ask what work you can and can’t do to the property. In most cases, any interior work is permitted. 

Don’t forget the garden and landscaping

Finally, the garden and landscape can be a big feature of the property. So make sure you spend some time updating it. Even if you keep things simple with a pretty flower bed and a well-kept lawn. It can instantly change the curb appeal of your new home. 

I hope this helps you if you have fallen in love with a home that needs some work.

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The curb appeal of your home is the first thing people will notice when passing by your property. First impressions are formed in seven seconds, and once this impression is made, it can be challenging to overcome this. Your home is your castle, as they say, and you should be proud of your house. Creating a good first impression and boosting your home’s curb appeal should be part of this strategy.

Improving your curb appeal means looking at all the different factors outside your home that can impact what people think when they see you home and how you feel each day when arriving back.

These tips can help you improve your curb appeal and give you a home you are happy to return to every day.

Clean It Up

Before you make any drastic changes, give the whole place a good clean-up first. This can instantly give you a facelift. Get rid of any rubbish that is building up, jet wash the exterior of your property, and clean brickwork, windows, and doors, as well as your garage too. Pay attention to any areas that collect dust and dirt, including cutters, drains, edges of pathways, etc, and you’ll be surprised at the difference it will make.

Spruce up The Fence

If you have fencing around your property, give it a facelift or carry out major repairs. Fix broken panels, repair holes in metal fencing, or even change up the type of fencing you have if yours isn’t up to the task anymore. You can get a wooden fence or an iron fence, build a wall, or use steel or vinyl. A fence really adds charm to the character and security of your home and helps to keep any children and pets safe when playing outside.

Add Feature Lighting

Lighting can really help you add an extra dimension to your outdoor aesthetics, but feature lighting can create a focal point and help you set the tone for what people will expect in your home. Feature lighting can enhance certain areas, such as footpaths or your doorway, and provide an extra layer of security for guests and residents arriving home after dark.

Tidy The Lawn

Think neat edges, manicured grass, and maintaining its lushness. If you have a lawn at the front of your property, it needs to set the tone for how you live, and an unkempt lawn can give out all the wrong ideas. Keep your lawn neatly trimmed, remove any weeds, and ensure it grows healthy all year round.

Add Plants

Plants can give any property, inside and out, a boost. And if you want to make your garden more attractive or even a plain yard, plants can be exactly what you need. Plus, they don’t even need to be real. Artificial plants can work just as well. Add them to borders, plant pots on paths, around the front door, or by gates and fences. You can even make features in your lawn to help your plants stand out a bit more.

Improving the curb appeal of your home isn’t just for visitors or potential buyers if you’re looking to sell your home. It can also help you to enjoy coming home and improve your happiness and enjoyment of where you live too.

If you are a homeowner looking for ways to feel more private at home, you have come to the right place. 

It is important to feel safe, secure, and hidden in your own home as it will make you feel more comfortable and relaxed. Hence, here are the best ways to maximize your home’s privacy.

Modern House Building · Free Stock Photo (pexels.com)

Add blinds to your windows

Installing window blinds will not only add to your privacy at home but choosing beautiful materials and styles will enhance your interior. Ensure to invest in blinds that add beauty to your home as well as privacy so you make the most of the investment.

Adding these to every window will allow you to have more privacy when you want it and allow light in during the day to make your home feel fresher and more spacious.

Install fences or make them higher

Fences make good neighbors as they will enhance the privacy of your garden. Although you might be friendly with your neighbors, you will want your privacy. Whether you are sitting outside in the sunshine or doing some gardening, it is great to feel secure and private in your own home. 

Therefore, consider installing fences or making them higher to maximize your privacy at home.

Add higher trees and bushes

As well as adding higher fences to maximize your privacy at home, it can also be useful to install higher trees and bushes. 

Adding taller trees and bushes can look more natural and less invasive if you wish to keep your garden more private and eliminate the interference of neighbors. Adding a tall fence can make it look like you want to block them out. Meanwhile, trees and bushes will not look like you are maximizing your privacy and blocking them out on purpose. 

Plus, trees and bushes can be more aesthetic, which will allow you to maximize the beauty as well as the privacy of your home. 

Install reflective windows

Another way to achieve more privacy at home is to install reflective windows. Reflective windows allow you to see out but any onlookers will see the reflection of your outside space. These will not dim the lighting in your home, but they will make your home appear darker from the outside. These are ideal for the lower windows, where people can see in easily.

This will maximize privacy to the fullest without needing to draw your curtains and blinds throughout the day when you want privacy.

If you do not wish to install new windows, you can add frosting to the windows or a reflective sheet. This can be more affordable yet still allow you to achieve a level of privacy. 

There really are such simple ways to maximize your privacy at home without spending a fortune. Privacy at home is essential if you want to feel comfortable and safe in your own space. Therefore, utilize as many of these tips as possible to enable your home to feel as private and secure as possible.

A lot of people tend to overestimate just what it takes to be “healthy” these days. It’s not something that will require large sweeping changes to your life, and as long as you make small adjustments every day, you can gradually improve your overall health without feeling exhausted or tired from all the effort.

So in this post, we’ll be sharing a few everyday things that you can do at home which will drastically improve your health without you even knowing it!

Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/ffmkD8dm7Zw (CC0)

Be more mindful of your current health

One of the first things you should do is to be more mindful of your health. Identify if there are problems in your health and how they should be solved, don’t overextend yourself past what your limits are, and just pay more attention to what your body is telling you.

Drink more water

Stay hydrated at all times! It doesn’t take much effort to get yourself a bottle of water and just keep it on your desk while you work, or just get into the habit of making a healthy cup of tea whenever you need to stretch. The more liquid you consume (preferably clear liquids like water) the better your hydration levels will be.

Think about what you’re eating

Think more carefully about what you’re eating. You don’t have to go to the extent of counting calories unless your plan is to lose weight, but it is important to at least have an idea of what foods are high in calories. This can greatly improve your health if you make small adjustable changes (such as diet soda instead of regular soda).

Get plenty of sleep

Sleep is one of the most important things that we need in order to survive and function properly, yet some people insist on sleeping only a couple of hours each day or getting into a really uncomfortable bed. Invest in your bed, your sleeping routine, and your comfort levels when you’re going to bed. Your body will really thank you later.

Understanding conditions

There are a variety of different conditions that could affect your health, be it some kind of food allergy or even just old age. In order to counteract these, you should consider looking at home health products to find everything from medical compression stockings to seat lifts for. Tackling these one by one is a good idea as they can usually be overwhelming.

Get active

You don’t have to hit the gym or perform entire workouts just to lose weight and protect your heart. You can simply get up and move around more, do a light bit of cardio, or even engage in chores that are physical such as mowing the lawn.

Eating a balanced diet

Don’t just think about calories in and out. Instead, think of the nutrition that you get from every meal that you eat. A few pounds of chicken can lead to a lot of protein despite the high-calorie count, and the benefits pale in comparison to empty junk food.

Getting started with homemade pottery can be an uphill task if you have never done it. But there is no need to get worried because there is a lot of information to help you achieve your dreams of crafting amazing clay items for your home. Pottery offers an exceptional opportunity to use your hands and creativity to make a variety of items for your home such as plates, platters, cups and mugs, soup bowls, vases, and more.

Whether you are looking for a creative outlet, a soothing hobby, or a chance to produce lovely and useful items for your home, you need to have the basic homemade pottery tools and equipment to get started. Thereafter, you can start your project. Let’s dive into the insights you need to begin. 

What Is Home-Made Pottery?

Homemade pottery is a satisfying and eye-catching art that involves making clay items at home with basic tools. As mentioned, there are many items you can make, but you need to be prepared for this.

Crafting homemade pottery is one of the compelling hobbies or interests that many people enjoy. If you are one of them, then you are in the right place. You can visit Supper Club and keep reading to discover more.

Basic Tools for Home-Made Pottery

You will need certain tools to create beautiful pottery yourself at home.

·         Clay and glazes – Clay is the soul of pottery, and choosing the right type such as earthenware, ceramic, porcelain, and stoneware is crucial. Glazes highlight the aesthetically appealing characteristics of the clay you select.

·         Potter’s wheel – The potter’s wheel makes the magic happen. It spins the clay as you form it into the desired shape.

·         Rolling surface and pins – A rolling surface and pin are indispensable for items that require flat clay and precision in your creative process.

·         Cutting and shaping tools – Tools such as a clay knife, needles, wires, and other shaping tools help you to make precise shapes and etch intricate details into your designs.

·         Brushes and sponges – Brushes and sponges serve as your artistic tools, allowing you to apply glazes and underglazes and create captivating textures.

·         Kiln – The kiln is where your pottery undergoes a breathtaking transformation of hardening into durable ceramics through firing.

How to Get Started with Home-Made Pottery

Your homemade pottery journey is an exciting adventure waiting to unfold. Now that you know all the basic tools that you need, you can try ideas displayed on reputable homemade pottery websites and social media accounts to get amazing ideas. You can also use tutorials on video streaming and sharing platforms for helpful guides and steps to make homemade pottery.

Once you are ready, just prepare your working surface in an area such as a garage, kitchen, or unused room in your house to get started. Many people create pottery as a hobby during their free time such as evenings after work and weekends.

Conclusion

When crafting homemade pottery, you should not be afraid of making mistakes as a beginner because this is how you learn. After reading the insights we have shared, you will have an easy time getting started with your projects. With time, you will perfect the art and make impressive pottery that you can even sell in your town and online.