There are lots of improvements adults can make to their gardens to encourage their kids to spend more time outside. Now is the best time to create your plan because you have a few months to get the backyard ready for the summertime. There are some suggestions below that you might like to consider, and you can always conduct some extra research online if you need some inspiration. When all’s said and done, most kids spend too much time sat in front of the television these days. With that in mind, you need to work hard to turn that situation around.

[Photo courtesy of Jesper Sørensen/flickr.com]

Create a fun play area

When it comes to creating a play area in the garden for your kids, the possibilities are endless. You could purchase swings, slides, and lots of other equipment to make the outdoor space seem exciting to the little ones. Of course, you might have to employ the services of an affordable tree arborist if you don’t have enough space at the moment. Once you remove all those unwanted trees; you can start turning your backyard into a thrilling activity hub where your loved ones can spend time with their friends. Again, if you need some extra inspiration; just look through Google images.

Start growing fruit and vegetables

Most children find mother nature fascinating, and so you could spark their imagination by growing some fruits and vegetables in your garden. Your kids will love learning about the plants and caring for them as they grow. The best thing about that idea is that, in a few month’s time; you can sit down at the dinner table and enjoy some organic produce. Put your kids in charge of watering the plants and ensure they take an active role if you want the best results. Who knows? Maybe you’ll inspire them to take up an agriculture hobby or something similar? Stranger things have happened!

[Photo courtesy of Ricardo’s Photography/flickr.com]

Bring wildlife into your garden

There are lots of steps you can take if you want to bring some wildlife into your garden for the kids. Firstly, you need to secure the land to ensure your neighbour’s cats can’t get into the backyard. That should encourage more birds to land and eat from your feeders. You could also dig a small pond if you wanted to attract frogs and tadpoles. Some people choose to build chicken coops and benefit from fresh eggs every morning. The idea is just to make the backyard seem as vibrant and alive as possible.

If you put those suggestions into practice; there is a decent chance your kids will peel themselves away from the TV screen a little more often. Just be sure you spend lots of time in the garden as a family when the weather improves. Building a brick barbecue is a wise move because it will mean your family can enjoy a few meals outside during the summer. You might also think about adding some waterproof outdoor speakers, so you have some entertainment in the backyard. Just create a plan and work out your budget before the spring.

People from all walks of life can own a furry friend, but selecting the most suitable breed for your lifestyle is key to a healthy and nurturing relationship. Introducing a dog into your family and your life, no matter how you live, is a significant decision worth strong consideration. Once you’ve made up your mind that a dog is exactly what you need and you understand the cost of owning a dog, it’s time to figure out exactly which breed will work best for your lifestyle. Here are a number of pointers to help you with the decision.

How do you live?

You’re introducing a highly interactive pet that requires some adjustment on your part. Some changes need to be done to accommodate the furry friend and make them comfortable in their new home. If you have children, minding their needs and what they would want in a dog is important, which is especially critical if you have other pets and a number of children in the family.

Also consider your health and that of your household and whether there’s anyone with allergies. In such a case, hypoallergenic canine breeds will work well with your family. A low-shedding breed is perhaps what you want. Whatever the size of your household dog, ownership demands some responsibility such as making plans to feed the pet when you’re away for a number of days.

Dog size

Some people want a little, cute, lap dog easy to move around with. Others want a medium to large dog breed. If you’re not really sure what size to choose. perhaps a medium-sized furry friend will do? With size also come some concerns you need to be aware of. Small dogs can be excellent pals but they are also vulnerable and delicate. It’s easy to mishandle them, so they might require more time and energy. At times, low temperatures affect small dogs, so you’ll have to keep them warm in cold weather.  

For medium to large dogs some, space to play and run is especially important. A large, happy and playful dog wagging its tail and moving all over the house can suffer tail or paw injury. Household items will also be in constant threat of damage in small household spaces with large dogs. Also don’t forget that large dogs need more food. The expense can be exponential when you consider medical and health checkups, dog supplies, and quality diet. Large and giant dog breeds can be perfect lap dogs while small but once they’ve grown in size they’ll require some training.

Breed

Most people don’t mind mix breeds, while others simply love how specific canine breeds carry themselves or look. At times what you have heard, seen, or read about specific breeds makes you adore them. If your heart is set on a purebred, take a step further and find out as much as you can about it. Each comes with its share of challenges and responsibilities in terms of health, grooming, size and temperament. If the purebred characteristics and traits fit perfectly with what you’re looking for, lifestyle or family, by all means go for it.

You can also consider mixed breeds if you’ve no qualms about them. Perhaps, the fact that the mix of various dog breeds gives them unique physical attributes and personalities that you like.

It’s not easy to know for sure how your puppy will turn out once they’re all grown up. Challenges such as health issues are unpredictable. However, it’s agreed widely that in contrast with purebred dogs, mixed breeds usually have fewer health complications.

Energy levels

Know the energy level you would like in your dog right from the beginning. Most high-energy canine breeds are active and ready for activity. Some were bred as retriever dogs, sledge pullers, or herder companions and their stamina is evident. If you choose such a breed, be ready to stimulate it mentally and physically. These are dogs that spend most of their day moving around, investigating their surroundings, actively playing, and jumping about.  

On the other hand, a dog with low energy might be what you need. An archetypal couch potato of a dog can spend most of its day dozing and doing absolutely nothing. As you select the best dog breed for your lifestyle think about your unique lifestyle, level of activity, and whether an over-active, energetic, and cheerful dog is what you’ve in mind or you find that bothersome.

Novice owners

If you’ve never owned a dog before, consider breeds suitable for novice dog owners. These include canines easier to handle and train that are friendly and easygoing. A dog flexible and robust enough to move on about its activities even with the mishaps of a novice dog owner is a perfect choice. First time dog owners should avoid independent minded dogs, highly sensitive canines, and emphatic breeds, as they can be quite a handful.

If you are keen to learn a little about DIY, then you are not alone. This is the kind of activity that many people all over the world decide to get into every day, and it’s for a very good reason. After all, learning a little DIY can radically transform the way you think about your home, and it can equip you with much more understanding of how to make use of the space you have. In this article, we are going to try and get you started with the process of learning DIy by taking a look at a few of the basic projects you can begin with. Learn these, and you will develop a set of skills which you can then use to carry out more complex DIY tasks in the future.

[Photo courtesy of Pixabay/pexels/com]

Make A Shelf

It doesn’t really get much simpler than this, and yet it will be a great way to learn some of the absolute basics of DIY. If you have never made a shelf before, you might actually be struck by how easy it is to do, and you might find yourself wondering why you have left it so long to begin learning some basic DIY. To build a normal shelf, you only need three pieces of wood, a decent set of glue gun spray adhesives or a similar adhesive, and sometimes – if you prefer – nails instead. You should find that putting a shelf together is relatively straightforward and simple, but if necessary don’t be afraid to look online for a little advice. It is a simple beginning, but one which will build your DIY confidence quickly.

Install Some Outdoor Lighting

We mention this particular project because it often appears to be an especially popular one. If you have often thought it would be good to have a little outdoor lighting – or a little more of it – then the good news is that this is pretty easy to do. The good news about this is that there are so many ways in which you can do it too, so you can really begin to use your own creativity with this one and so develop even more confidence and understanding with the practices of DIY. You can make candle lanterns, tiki torches from bottles, or anything that you think will be good for your own home. Use your imagination, and create whatever you think most appropriate. That is the joy of DIY.

[Photo courtesy of Skitterphoto/pexels/com]

 Fix A Tap

Of course, much of DIY is all about fixing the pre-existing, rather than creating the new. If you want to learn how to fix things, it is best to start with something relatively minor, where it won’t matter too much if you can’t do it. Fixing a leaky tap is a great one to start with for this very reason, and because it tends to be quite easy to do. Look online for an in-depth guide on how to do this and then get to work. You might find that it is much easier than you had ever thought, and it will mean you no longer have to rely on the plumber quite as often.

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.