With the colder weather setting in, now is the perfect time to switch up your sleeping area to suit the season. Chilly evenings and mornings can feel so much easier to cope with if you have a warm and peaceful haven to hibernate in during your daily downtime. By adding just a few simple touches, you can transform your bedroom into a warm and snug spot to relax in until the warmer weather comes around again. If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are our top five ways to make your bedroom a cosy retreat this winter.

1. Get Your Glow On. Your bedroom should always be filled with really good lighting, even if the lights are off. Whether you’re bedding down for the night, or waking up gently in the morning, soft, natural light adds a natural cosy feel to any room. Place small lamps on either side of your bed and replace your existing pendant lights with low watt bulbs to create an ambient and inviting glow throughout the room. If you really want to create a winter wonderland, drape string lights from your bedstead, around a mirror, or across your windows to add a magical touch to your bedroom this winter.

2. Go With The Throw. Throw cushions and blankets always add extra depth and interest to any room. The winter months are perfect for creating a super soft sanctuary using faux fur throw cushions, velvet bedspreads, and sumptuous brushed cotton sheets. Not only will your extra cushions, bedspreads, and blankets come in useful as the mercury plummets, they will also make your bed feel extra inviting.

3. Choose Your Winter Hues

The colors we use in our rooms help to set the mood in our homes. Warmer tones like reds, golds, and oranges are a surefire way to generate a bit of heat. If you don’t fancy a complete redecoration, simply look for accessories in rich deep hues to help fuel the warm feeling in your bedroom this winter.

4. Sleep Comfortably. Investing a lot of time and effort into dressing your bed becomes irrelevant if you are sleeping on a worn out mattress. A good night’s sleep feels better than ever when it is cold out, so make sure you have a high quality mattress that is not only comfortable, but also made from natural materials. LA based sleep and mattress specialists Brentwood Home offer finely crafted natural latex mattresses, made from 100% fully natural materials.  Comfortable and eco-friendly, the all natural latex layers are computer-designed to cut into zones of pressure relieving comfort. Their natural latex mattresses are perfect all year round, but feel doubly delicious when it’s cold out.

• Tread Softly On Sumptuous Floor Coverings. Rugs are an awesome way to keep the drafts at bay. Used for many centuries as a way of insulating houses, they still do a great job of keeping us cozy even in modern times. If you have natural wooden floors, exposed boards, tiled or laminate floors, rugs add softness and help to keep you feeling toasty.

When it comes to selling your home first impressions are everything.  

The first impression your property creates is fundamental to forming the buyer’s gut instinct reaction to the property.  Just like if you were to go on a date with someone, you can’t help but let your subconscious first impression set the scene for the rest of your interactions, and within a few seconds you have made up your mind as to whether you’re interested or not.

It’s no secret that when selling a house first impressions are critical, but so many property owners overlook the most basic things such as decluttering their space, making it neutral (i.e. no purple and yellow wallpaper), and keeping on top of basic maintenance tasks such as painting fences, mowing lawns, and trimming the bushes.

Declutter

This is the most important principle.  Declutter your home.  You want people to see the space at it’s best, they are not buying your life, they are simply buying a space that is a blank canvas in which they can fill with their own lives.  If the space is too cluttered with personal artefacts such as family photos, artwork, and children’s toys it makes it harder for the potential buyer to see the home as their own.  Therefore, you need to declutter – even if that means there is one room full of boxes, as long as you create the impression of space and blank canvas, the potential buyer can start to see your home as a place to make their home.

[Photo courtesy of paulbr75/pixabay.com]

Take Care of the Basics

If someone were to arrive at a property with an overgrown lawn or hedges, it suggests that the current owners have low standards, in that they simply don’t care enough to make an effort to take care of the basics.  The impression this gives is one of sloppiness and the question that might be prompted in their mind is what other areas have the current owners not taken care of.

Mowing the law is something that could realistically be outsourced to a local teenager, but if you’re more into DIY and looking for the the ultimate machine to make light of such chores, it might be worth checking out the WORX WG896, as the amount of time it will save could be well worth the investment.

Imagine turning up to a property where the paint is peeling, the hedges and lawns are overgrown, and perhaps there are some children’s toys in the yard.  The impression this gives is not one of “home sweet home”.  It’s one of chaos, neglect and imminent disaster.  If you’re struggling to sell your home then your first step is to make sure these basic maintenance issues are being taken care of.

Make it Neutral

Your favourite colour combination might be purple and yellow, but the aim when trying to sell your house is for it to be a house, not your home.  It should be a blank canvas the potential buyer can project his or her own unique personality onto.  Most sellers need a paradigm shift in terms of becoming more aware they are selling their house not their home.

Staying in dorm is the best thing to do only if a person is far from his or her family. With that, taking time to put some dorm décor to make it presentable and at the same time more comfortable to stay is the thing a person could do. He or she could design it according to his or her types. Or if not, design it same as his or her family’s home. In this way, staying in dorm can be fun and feel just like home!

There are a lot of shops which do sell different kinds of decors that are perfect for homes, dorms and a lot more. With that, when it comes to buying such stuff will no longer be that hard anymore. However, due to the rampant growth of these shops, we find ourselves helplessly seeking for perfect and suitable decors for our place because there are different kinds of designs and ideas offered. Thence, searching online or seeking for help with experts about good interior decorations that suit our place is the best thing to do before buying instead.

However, if this idea is quite difficult and pricey in one’s part, then getting ideas out of searching online would be the best alternative too. Unlike asking for experts, this particular stuff is cheaper and the same time one can see great, fresh and brilliant ideas that one would definitely love.

Check out some ideas online. Indeed, google or bing will never get tired of giving you good results!

Everyone needs space. The addition of a new family member, or a new hobby, can leave homeowners scratching their heads thinking about how they can free up space in their home.

Here are some ideas for homeowners looking to make more space in their property:

1. Have a clear out

The first thing to do, that doesn’t cost a penny, is to take a good look at all the rooms in the house. How long has that wicker basket sat in the corner holding magazines? Do the baby books that the kids used to read 10 years ago, still sit on the bookshelf? Often, we accumulate clutter that we just don’t need. The first step to gaining more space is to take a good look at the contents of the home.

• Throw away items that are just rubbish. Homeowners with large amounts of rubbish may find it convenient to hire a skip! There are many skip hire companies that can provide skips for reasonable rates. Make sure you choose a company with green credentials.
• Give books and old clothes to charity/friends/family.
• Sell good quality items on ebay.

2. Room use

Right – got rid of all the junk? In doing so, did you notice that there are rooms in your house that aren’t perhaps being overly used? For example, a family with a young child could find that a seldom used office could double as a playroom during the day, and an office at night. Or maybe a guest bedroom could double as a workout room if the spare bed was swapped for a sofa bed. For more tips on dual room use, check out this blog post from theinspiredroom.net.

3. Furniture

Evaluate if existing furniture is being used effectively. It may be that some of the furniture in the home isn’t required, or could be reused in a different way. This page on Pinterest shows some great space saving furniture ideas!

4. Make the most of outdoor space

Lesser used objects be stored in the shed or garage, freeing up cupboard space. Adding a patio heater and a cosy area close to the house, makes the patio feel more like an extension of the living room or dining room, giving the illusion of more space. Those with larger gardens could even add a garden studio or sun house to provide outdoor rooms. Getting an electrician in to run an exterior power supply is not that expensive and providing power to these outdoor rooms increases their usage potential enormously.

5. Extend

This one’s a last resort, as it’s the most expensive option. Relaxed planning laws make it relatively straightforward to obtain planning permission for a house extension. There are also many types of house extension. Examples include loft extensions, conservatories and flat roof extensions – the only limitation is a homeowners property type, budget and preference.

Looking at the house with a fresh eye, and spending a bit of time on de-cluttering is a good start. However, the key when trying to make more space in a property, is to have a bit of imagination!

Moving into a brand-new home can be exciting. You and your family will be the first ones to live there, which means you’ll get to be part of the decision-making process. From the design and sizes of the rooms to the bathroom fixtures, having a new build home is a chance to really put your stamp on a house. But, just because the house is a new build, it doesn’t mean there isn’t the potential for problems down the line. So, what do you need to do to make the transition as smooth as possible?

[Photo courtesy of paulbr75/pixabay.com]

Final Walk Through

Before your builder packs up and leaves, it’s important to visit the property and make sure the job has actually been completed. Test all the lights and plumbing, look for any accidental damages that may have occurred while your builder was working and inspect the exterior of the property too. At this point, it may be wise to hire a professional building inspector that could spot things an untrained eye wouldn’t notice. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Flooring

Don’t try and move in without having your flooring fitted first. It’s a real pain to have to switch all your furniture from room to room while flooring is laid down if you’ve already moved in. Two of the main things to do before moving in is to replace your flooring and curtains for a nice look. It won’t just look nice when you do eventually move in, but it will also mean your furniture can stay where it is, and you’ll have the privacy you need after a long day’s work. The hardest decision will be choosing between carpet and wood flooring.

[Photo courtesy of 4Me2Design/pixabay.com]

Choose What to Take

Many people find that their current furniture doesn’t fit in well in a new build house, or they want new things to go with their new property. If you know there’s furniture that you won’t need or use in your new house, it’s better to get rid of it beforehand, instead of taking it with you. If you’re trying to save money, an old dining room table could make all the difference to your moving costs. The less furniture your movers have to take, the cheaper the cost. Once you know what you’re taking with you, clearly label things for each room so unpacking is easier once you’ve arrived.

Moving Day

It’s easier to move the big house items first, like beds, sofas, tables and chairs. However, if there are rooms in the house with new carpet, you may want to stay out of them while moving things in and out, especially if the carpet is a light color. It’s inevitable that some dust and dirt will enter the house while you’re moving, so you may want to wipe furniture down before moving it into carpeted rooms.

Once you’ve settled into your home, you may start to notice minor things that need to be changed. Get in touch with your builder sooner rather than later if they were already in your agreement.

There are many benefits of restoring old furniture which is why it is important to stop buying new furniture and restore the pieces you already own. Restoring your antique furniture helps you pass along memories, it takes out a huge chunk of space in your local landfill, it helps you give back to the economy when or if you hire help and it saves the forests from being chopped down.

Keeping Your Family Memories

Furniture handed down through family generations have memories that are passed on with them. Several generations of your family used the furniture and when you keep it, you will be keeping them in memory of the family and making much more memories for generations to come. Restore them so they always will look like new and to make your house look beautiful.

Reduce the Local Waste

Restoring your old furniture will also help in reducing wastage. When you discard your old furniture, you fill the local garbage dump much faster. To avoid filling the local HUD, you can restore your old furniture. With restoring, you can make your antique furniture look amazing and you can still use them or even sell them if they are no longer wanted or needed. You will save money, make money (if you decide to sell), and you will reduce waste.

Improving the Local Economy

Antique furniture restoration can be difficult and time consuming. So when you do decide to restore, you may need someone to help you. Hiring an expert crafts person will help you make sure your furniture looks great and improve the quality of your furniture as well. When you employ these people, you help to improve the local economy by giving them a source of income. So, it helps improve the local economy.

Saving Forests

When people decide to stop buying new furniture and start restoring old furniture, more forests will be saved. Most furniture is made from hardwood trees which are found in hardwood forests. The forests are important for both humans and animals. The trees keep purity in our air and the forests should not be exploited.

Restoring your old furniture not only saves you money in the long run from having to buy new furniture all the time but it comes with many other benefits as well like the ones stated above. You will keep your family memories, reduce the local waste, help in improving the local economy and save forests because no more trees will need to be cut down to make new furniture.

Moving to a new home is always an incredibly emotional experience. As you prepare to leave the place you’ve called home for a long time, you will realize just how much you’ve enjoyed your time there. Of course, though, it’s not only joy, nostalgia, and excitement taking the stage, and you’ll have another feeling standing in the way of your move; stress. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring a procedure which will remove the element of dread from your relocation, all while making the job a lot easier for you.

To begin, it’s important to come up with a solid plan of action before you start working on the job itself. This plan should be made with your removalists in mind, as they will be the ones doing most of the hard work for you. Your plan should include the order, labeling, and methods you’ll use to get this job done. Of course, though, it also helps to think about unpacking at the other end. The way that you pack your items up will have a huge impact on your experience at the other end of your journey.

[Photo courtesy of Jillien Minera/unsplash.com]

Once you have a good idea of how you’ll be taking on your move, you can start to think about the resources you’ll be using to help you. Boxes will be a big part of this, and you have the option to buy them new or to go on a hunt for some free ones. But, most importantly, you need to think about your labeling system. Permanent markers are great for most applications. But, for items which can’t be written on, you might need some proper tags or labels to seal the deal.

After a little bit of shopping, you should be well on your way to being able to start your packing, and it’s time to consider the items you’ll be packing first. This sort of information should be covered loosely by your plan. But, for the most part, logic and organization will be the best tools to help you here. Starting with the smallest and least-fragile items, you should work on packing room by room. Each container or piece of storage furniture should have a box or two to itself which is clearly marked to help you with unpacking.

Some of the items around your home will be unlikely to fit into a box or other container, and you’ll need to devise a way to move these items easily, as well. This is where your labels come in. By marking which rooms each large item will be going to, you will make the job of unpacking a lot easier. Along with this, though, you could also consider investing in some plastic wrapping material. Not only will this protect your furniture and other big possessions, but it will also make them easier to move around.

Hopefully, this post will give you everything you need to start taking action and working towards moving home. In a lot of cases, people struggle with this sort of work. Stress and worry become big factors, making the whole thing a lot harder, and it can feel like there’s nothing you can do to make it better. In most cases, though, a little bit of work will go a very long way.

As a homeowner, you probably keep your house clean and tidy and looking great. But can you honestly say the same about your garden? So many people ignore what’s going on in their garden, and that’s often because they don’t know how to tackle those kinds of outdoors challenges. Well, it all starts with getting the right equipment and learning how to use it. Here’s more information on all the garden tools and equipment every homeowner should have.

Well-Designed Garden Pruners

Pruning is something that all gardeners must to do keep their plants as healthy as they can be. Make sure you have some well-designed pruners that you can use and rely on in your garden. It can be tiring for your hands, so it’s best to use pruners that have been designed with this in mind.

Small Weeding and Digging Tools That Are Easy to Grip

Weeding and digging is something you’ll probably be doing a lot of in the garden, and that’s why you should get yourself some tools that are easy for you to grip. It’s not always easy to use cheap tools because they are not designed in a very ergonomic way. That’s why you should try to use higher quality weeding and digging tools if you can. It’s one of those things that’s worth spending a little extra money on.

A Chainsaw for Tackling Unwanted Branches

When you have branches hanging down and getting in your way all the time, it can be very frustrating. Don’t just ignore them, though. It’s easy to get rid of them when you have the right tools. A chainsaw will help you with this and any other tree problems that might need to be remedied in your garden. It’s definitely worth considering. You can buy a chainsaw from this website. It’s an investment that will serve your garden well.

Compression Gloves

You’re going to need a good pair of gloves to rely on if you want your gardening to be comfortable and easy. You will cut your hands and experience all kinds of problems if you try to garden without using gloves. It’s not even worth considering. So, be sure to find yourself a pair of compression gloves that offer that little bit extra padding and keep you properly protected. It might not sound like much, but good gloves can make a world of difference.

[Photo courtesy of maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com]

A Good Lawnmower

Of course, you’re going to need to mow the lawn on a regular basis if you want your garden to look great. The lawn is the focal point of pretty much every garden out there. And when you don’t cut it correctly, it either gets brown and barren or it gets overgrown. Neither of those outcomes are particularly desirable, so you should upgrade your lawnmower for better results. There are so many high-tech options out there today.

If you own a home with a garden, you want that garden to look great. But it will only look great when you have the right tools and equipment for the task of keeping that garden in check.

Your home is your fortress. Make sure no one can break into your house while you’re at work or on vacation. Don’t take your home security for granted. When you buy a new house or an apartment don’t forget about security check. This information will help you in eliminating your weaknesses, thus increasing your home security level. Over time, many people forget to re-evaluate their homes for security flaws. Some people forget to fix their window locks and replace the broken bulb. These little things can compromise your safety when you least expect it.

Re-examine your home security with the following steps:

Secure your entrances

Replace your entrance door with a durable solid core metal or wooden door. Avoid having a front door with a large window, otherwise burglars would break it  in order to get inside. Prefer installing thick bolt locks on all your entrances. Many burglars kick front doors to enter houses. That’s why you need to have a reliable lock to defend your home against any burglar.

[Photo courtesy of pixabay/pexels.com]

Don’t forget to change the locks when you move to a new apartment. You never know who has a set of spare keys to your new home. This minor investment would help you avoid any major loss.

Windows and glass doors

Deadbolt locks would secure all your windows and sliding glass doors. Sliding doors provide an easy access to burglars; don’t forget to lock them every night and before you leave the house. Burglars love broken window locks. Examine all your windows and change loose or broken locks.

Spare key

Hiding your front door key under the doormat is a cliché. Every burglar would search for the key under the doormat, flower pot or on top of your door frame. These most common hiding spots caused a lot of troubles in the past.

Give your spare key to a trustworthy neighbor or a close friend who would help you when you lock yourself out and water your flowers when you’re away. Even if you think your key is hidden in a secure place, a creative burglar would always find it.

[Photo courtesy of Tookapic/pexels.com]

Take care of your garden

Trim the bushes in front of your windows. Burglars can hide behind overgrown trees and bushes; make sure that your garden plants are not blocking your windows. Avoid planting a tree in close proximity to your house. A burglar can climb the tree and enter your house through unlocked sliding door on the upper floor.

If you have a big garden, consider installing motion detectors around your house. Burglars don’t like well-lit places; they prefer hiding in the dark.

Home insurance plan

Home insurance policy would add an extra layer of security for you. Homeowners should get several homeowners insurance quotes before choosing the best option. Comparing the rates and quotes would help you evaluate your options and understand what’s best for you and your family. Keeping aware of security plans makes sense. If you have a home insurance plan you would feel more comfortable leaving your house for several weeks when you travel.

For most young people, buying a house is synonymous with freedom. Finally, you can do whatever you want in your home without worrying about what the landlord might say or about getting your deposit back. It is yours, and to put things clearly; you can put as many holes in the walls as you want to. Except, naturally, that buying a house brings a lot more than just a new sense of freedom. There are responsibilities — on the financial and on the practical sides for instance —, compromises and the discovery of new skills too. Buying a house together is truly the beginning of a new adventure. Unfortunately, for a lot of couples, it can also bring serious disagreements and difficulties to their relationship. In the end, the best way for yourself to prepare for this exciting journey into an unknown universe — the land of home ownership — is probably to hear about it first hand from those who made the journey and survived it!

Moving into your first home

#1. First things first: How much can you afford?

Does it need saying? Buying a home is naturally an important investment, and it’s likely to be the first of its kind for you. Most couples choose a combined mortgage option when they buy their first home, as it is one of the easiest options. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t look for other mortgage offers. To keep things basic, the more you borrow, the more you will have to repay. So it’s always a good idea to work with a housing loan calculator to determine first how much you can afford to pay back over a period of time. Sometimes, you might find that it’s easier to save or borrow from your friends or relatives to pay a large deposit on the house and be able to take a loan on a smaller amount.

[Photo courtesy of AlexanderStein/pixabay.com]

 How much can you afford?

#2.It’s all about money and planning

Don’t fall into the common trap of thinking that the cost of your home is the cost of your loan. It is far from it, especially if you hadn’t taken any renovation project into account when you agreed on a price. Affording home improvements can be especially stressful if you’re not used to it. But do you know that you don’t need to rely on an FHA loan to finance your home improvements? Indeed, first-time buyers can also focus on eco-friendly transformations that can be funded by governmental bodies, for example. For extensive renovation works, you can apply for a construction loan or borrow from your 401(k).

#3. Budget as a couple

In fact, the decision to buy a home together marks for couples the first struggle to keep a budget that cares for their individual and common financial needs. You may be used to keeping your own budget, but a couple budget is a whole new kettle of fish. For a start, you need to define your household needs in terms of mortgage repayment, bills, groceries, etc. These, while they are common, will be different to the kind of budget you had BEFORE you bought a house. Additionally, it’s essential that you and your partner agree on the long-term saving goals. There’s no point working towards separate goals.

#4. Combining furniture or buying new?

For some couples, buying a house is the first time they will be properly moving in together — it’s not uncommon for couples to spend time together but keep their separate apartments until they are ready to move in together properly. You might think that the hardest part about this is to share private details through the cohabitation. But believe it or not, most couples report that the hardest part of moving in together is combining their styles and furniture. Indeed, you need to be prepared to get rid of as much of your stuff as you expect your partner to. It’s only fair to keep the best of your common belongings, and it’ll avoid arguments in future. Besides you can also focus on buying new pieces of furniture together.

#5. You’re emotionally ready for the life together

Buying a house together might sound like a good idea. But you need to ask yourself first if you’re ready for this kind of commitment. Cohabitation becomes real when it’s in your own home. In a tenancy agreement, you can leave whenever you want. If it’s your home, you can’t leave. That’s why you need to be sure that you’re ready to move in together for real. Living with the person you love requires accepting levels of intimacy that you may not be prepared to deal with just now. For instance, as silly as it might sound, being able to talk openly about your choices, aspirations and desires for your relationship is a crystal-clear giveaway that you are ready for the move. The best test, though, is to observe how you interact with each other when you’re dealing with stress or financial issues, as these tend to be relationship killers.  

#6. You need to establish some basic rules

Buying your first home also means being ready to accept and share the responsibilities that come with it. You’ve guessed it right: Household chores are a big area of disagreement for couples. Indeed, as both partners often work in modern relationships, household chores need to be shared fairly between both of you. If you prefer doing the laundry while your partner enjoys washing up, then you can simply stick with your eras of expertise or preferences. Admittedly, nobody really enjoys doing chores, but you can work on the basis of things you don’t hate doing instead, as it’s a healthy way of sharing tasks.

#7. Create your decor together

Ah decorating. Who doesn’t love decorating? However, when you buy your first home together, you need to establish a fair approach to your interior decor. It’s not only a personal matter; it’s a matter of shared personal tastes. If you’ve got two different styles, it can be fun to blend both approaches to create an in-between style that will keep your decor eclectic and exciting. You will find the decorating exercise can get a lot easier if you can agree on a common palette of colors that can bring everything together. As a rule of the thumb, though, a good palette consists of five color schemes — by color scheme, we mean blues and grays, for instance, that offer many variations without one theme.

#8. Discover the joys of DIY

You can’t move happily in a house without knowing anything about the most basic home repairs. In fact, you will soon find yourself checking online tutorials to find out how to unblock the toilet or how to clean your grout. While nobody expects you to become a plumbing expert or a qualified electrician, your home maintenance requires some basic DIY skills. Tiling, painting, repairing wood or metal surfaces with filler compounds, or fixing the tap on the sink are essential requirements that every handy(wo)man needs to learn. And don’t leave it to the man in the house simply because he is a man! There’s no room for sexism in home maintenance!

[Photo courtesy of Free-Photos/pixabay.com]

Get your DIY tools with your first home

#9. Give your home a  housewarming party

You might be considering throwing a big housewarming party for your friends and neighbors. If you can; don’t skip on the party as it’s a great way to introduce yourself to a new neighborhood. But remember that once the party is over, you’re the one left to clean. So keep it civilized, friendly and alcohol-light!

In the end, there is a lot to consider when you decide to buy a home together. Your finances; of course; are a priority. But your relationship, your personal preferences and your ability to work together will transform your house into a home. Don’t be fooled: It won’t be perfect every day. But that’s okay because with time and goodwill great things happen.