A lot of us don’t do much with our garden once we have moved into our property. Of course, we may lay some turf and grow some plants, but we are not properly utilizing the space we have. Especially if we have a big garden! After all, it’s best to make the most of your garden as it can be one of the top selling features when you do put your home on the market. Therefore, here is some unmissable help to make the most of the space in your large garden.

Add an entertaining area

It’s hard for everyone to fit in your home when you are entertaining people for a special occasion. After all, your kitchen and dining area might not be that big inside your home. Therefore, to make the most of the space in your garden, you should make an entertaining area. It will be a great place to have guests over for a party. You can add a table and chairs and a BBQ so that you have everything you need for the occasion. Remember to get some kind of canopy, so that everyone can enjoy being outside for the party. Also, as extras, you should look into adding a fire pit and a chiminea to the entertaining area.

[Photo courtesy of noahherrera/pixabay.com]

Add a summer house or log cabin

You should also look into adding a summer house or a log cabin in the garden of your property to make the most of the space. It would be ideal as an extra play room or office for your property. It could be a mini home for your teen, so they have somewhere to complete homework or spend time with friends. You can either get a company into build one in your yard, or you could look into making one yourself; check out this video for more advice. Remember to make sure it’s protected for weathers all year round. You can find lots of help online for log house maintenance to ensure it stays looking great through the harshest of climates!

[Photo courtesy of Antranias/pixabay.com]

Add a beautiful garden feature such as a pond or water feature

If you have the space for it in your garden, you should consider adding a beautiful garden feature such as a pond or a water feature. They have lots of benefits; for one thing, you are doing your bit for the environment. After all, you are giving some fishes a must-needed home! And kids will love looking at them and feeding them every day. Also, water features are very relaxing for your soul. The calming sound of the water flowing can do wonders for your blood pressure!

Consider building an extension

A lot of people have a smaller home but a lot of land outside which belongs to them. In that case, you could make the most of the space in your large garden by extending your home. You might be able to make an additional bedroom or even an office room in your property if you do extend your house. Of course, make sure you are allowed before you do extend your home.

And remember to add a greenhouse to your yard if you have the room. That way, you can grow plenty of vegetables for your family’s use.

Owning your own property is its own reward. Your home is yours and you can do what you want with it. You don’t need to abide by the decoration rules of a landlord; it is full of its own touches and delights. It feels more like your home than any rented property ever could.

Despite all of the benefits, there is one downside to home ownership – you are totally responsible. If something goes wrong, there is no landlord to call to ask for help. Your insurance can cover some things, but most policies require you to at least make the effort when it comes to maintenance.

Maintenance is one of those thankless tasks. Rarely does it feel like you have made a difference; the whole point, of course, is to keep things running as they should as http://www.thepackratwifey.com/why-household-prevention-is-better-than-cure/ shows. It doesn’t feel like an exciting way to spend money, especially if you have design and decor ideas that are clamouring for investment.

Yet not only does poor maintenance damage your insurance policy, it damages your quality of life. If you’re living in a house that is not fit for purpose, it goes without saying that there are changes that need to be made.

There are so many areas of your home that need constant updating, improvement and quality checking. To try and exercise some kind of control over this most fluid of things, below, there’s an A-Z rundown of all those little tasks. Run through it at least once a year, or setup a calender like this: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-set-up-an-annual-home-maintenance-calendar-176043 (or as advised; some things are seasonal). If you do that, then you can be sure that your home is always working as it should be.

A is for Antifreeze

[Photo courtesy of Dmcroof/wikipedia.org]

When winter rolls around, the last thing you need is your gutters freezing and water gathering. That’s no joke: it can lead to gutters collapsing, which is expensive to replace. Try and run antifreeze down your guttering at least once a week.

B is for Boiler

If your boiler is more that four years old, have it serviced annually. If it’s younger and under warranty, check the terms of the warranty. Some require annual services from the off to remain valid.

C is for Cavity Wall Insulation

If your home is not insulated, make it so as a priority. You are likely spending more than you have to on heating bills. If it is, get into the attic and check it annually to ensure there’s no damage.

D is for Drains

[Photo courtesy of CharlesHodgson/flickr.com]

Especially important in fall with the fallen leaves, clear drains out regularly.

E is for Energy Efficiency

Smart Meters can help maintain proper energy efficiency, but there are less hi-tech ways of doing it. Do you turn lights off when you leave a room? Turn off devices rather than putting them on stand-by? You should be, so think over your habits and make changes where necessary.

F is for Flooring

As floors age, they become more susceptible to heat variations. When it’s cold, they will contract, and the expand again when the weather warms up. This can cause cracks and weaken the whole flooring structure, so check every year that a bigger problem isn’t developing.

G is for Gas Central Heating

Along with the boiler servicing mentioned in “B”, there is another step to take to ensure your central heating is working as it should. Bleed radiators with the change of every season to keep them at the top of their game.

H is for Home Invaders

[Photo courtesy of Earth’sbuddy/wikipedia.org]

No, not aliens, though that would be far more entertaining. Move kitchen appliances and check the attic every few months to check for signs of invasive pests. If you see signs of such an invasion, act as quickly as possible to prevent the spread.

I is for Internal Holes

Terrorised by spiders every fall? Wondering how bugs keep getting inside? Mouse problems? The solution to keeping the wildlife outdoors is to check for any holes in walls. A mouse can fit through a hole of less than an inch in diameter, so be thorough.

J is for Jagged Cracks

Vertical wall cracks are usually due to use and stress, rather than structural problems. The ones you need to worry about are jagged, horizontal cracks. Call an engineer the moment you see anything fitting that description.

K is for Kitchen Sink and Waste Disposal

Even if you practice the best methods possible, every sink is prone to blocking. Run a dose of unblocker through the kitchen sink system every six months to prevent any such issues developing.

L is for Limescale

If you live in a hard or well water area, then you will likely suffer from limescale issues. Not only can this tarnish taps, but it can also render your washing machine unusable. You can find some ideas to combat it at https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/aug/23/how-to-remove-limescale

M is for Mildew and Mould

[Photo courtesy of Gil mo/wikipedia.org]

Mildew is the product of a house being too damp. Check corners and edges of window frames for any sign of small black spores. If identified, be ruthless with regards to cleaning. Tea tree oil works well.

N is for Nail Holes

This is only a particular worry if you are planning to sell the house soon! But from an appearance point of view, nail holes in the wall can be unsightly and leave the buyer feeling that they have to patch them up. Even if you’re out of the home by then it can leave residual bad feeling. Any time you remove a nail from a hole, patch it up. Then there’s no need to go around looking, should you ever sell up.

O is for Organisation

Some order to your home maintenance plan is essential. For one, basic reason, there is the fact that some jobs will get in the way of others. For example, would you paint a skirting board before sanding down the wall that is above it? No – that’s just asking for trouble. Order will save time, and extra work.

P is for Preparation

Before the season changes each time, check you have everything you need to survive it. For fall and winter, flooding and freezing are the major hazards. For spring and summer, access to water and sensible shaded areas to be in when outdoors are required.

Q is for Quotes

There will possibly be some jobs around the house that you find yourself struggling with. It’s worth having a go, but you also need to know the things you can’t do, such as http://www.nextavenue.org/home-repair-when-not-do-it-yourself/. If you decide you need to bring in help, get three quotes from different contractors. Don’t just listen to the prices – hear what they say about the job too. Anyone can quote a low price for something they won’t do properly.

R is for Roof

[Photo courtesy of DMahalko/wikipedia.org]

Your roof not only keeps your home dry, but it plays a part in the structural integrity of your home. If you have any leaks or see missing tiles, then bring in the professionals such as www.fergusonroofing.com/metal-roofing/ as soon as possible. It’s not an area to leave to chance.

S is for Smoke Detectors

Make sure they’re working, obviously. Test them by lighting a match underneath and see if they go off. Also, if any are emitting regular “chirp” noises, chances are that they’re on the way out. Replace the batteries once a year, even if they’re showing no sign of running down

T is for Trashcans

Yes, just screams glamor, doesn’t it? But it is essential to check the trash cans and dumpster every once in a while and clean them regularly, ideally with a jet washer. The reason? Well, they may get emptied on a regular basis, but particles cling on. Left to fester for too long, these will rot. Your garbage will become a haven for pests who may then decide to move to the house.

U is for Underneath

Everything above ground level is easy to keep an eye on, as you go through it every day and see it with a keen eye. But in the basement, unless there is a bedroom or living space down there, things can happen unnoticed. Check for water ingress, as this can affect the foundations.

V is for Vanities

One of the most popular bathroom improvements you can make, a vanity makes use of space in a room where there is usually so little. On the larger models, which are enclosed, do make sure you check for any issues in the pipes regularly. Leaks can lead to pooling of stagnant water, which is no-one’s friend.

W is for Windows

Cracks around the outside of a window, or even any minor gap between window and wall, can become a way in for water, and a starting point for mold. Ensure that yours are in order.

X is for eXtremes Of Temperature

We pick the materials that we do for housebuilding because they are durable and hard wearing. But depending on where you live, temperatures over the year can go from below freezing to over 100 Fahrenheit. Things contract when cold and expand when hot. This can cause damage, so look out for cracks outside after a cold snap.

Y is for Yellow

Some white gloss paint, within months of application, can turn yellow on wood. This is believed to be as a consequence of weaker solvents being used in the paint. It’s something to check for if you have recently painted door frames or window sills.

Z is for Zzzzzzzzzz

Okay, maybe a little bit of a cheat. But finally, it is most important to pay attention to the bedrooms and particularly where you lay your head to sleep. This is the most important place to check for nasties like mold. If they are allowed to make their way in, and get close to where you sleep, they can be inhaled and make you very ill. And as sleep is the only time you’re in the same spot for six to eight hours a day, you’re a captive audience. So be careful.

Our homes are definitely our castles. Somewhere to spend time with family and relax so we’re ready to face the world, whatever it throws at us. A home that you feel happy and comfortable in is so important. Are you making the most out of yours? Is the space being used to it’s maximum potential, and does it make you feel happy and inspired? If not, it’s time to fix that.

One option could be a complete refit from a company such as MillionDollarMakeovers.net.au. Alternatively you could pick and choose areas of your home which you want to upgrade. This will make the space functional and beautiful, and will allow you to fully enjoy your home. Here are some of the ways you can make the most of your property.

[Photo courtesy of Mike Birdy/pexels.com]

Add Extra Space

This could be in the form of an extension, a conservatory, a garden room or a loft conversion. If you need more usable space this could be the ideal choice. It could be for a home office, a guest bedroom or studio. Why not make the most of the space on your property and turn it into an additional usable and functional room.

Tackle Repairs

This could be niggly things like a wobbly toilet seat or a leaking tap, or be a case of finishing up half-done projects. Make sure everything works well and looks finished. This will make your home functional and aesthetically pleasing, making it enjoyable to spend time in.

Make The Layout Work For You

If you love hosting dinner parties for friends and family but constantly find yourself running to and from the kitchen all evening, then your current layout isn’t working for you. Consider transforming the space into an open plan area, or changing the doorway to a large arch. The same applies to things like bathrooms. If you have to traipse down long hallways or even up/down stairs to the bathroom during the night, you could consider having an en-suite fitted. Don’t adapt your lifestyle to fit your home. Instead, make your home fit the way you live.

Make it Cozy and Comfortable

Beds, living room furniture, and even garden furniture should all be chosen with the utmost comfort in mind. Having comfortable areas to relax gives you the opportunity to fully enjoy your home. Choose good quality mattresses for beds, and sofas with large, deep seats that you can sit back and lounge on. In the garden, instead of flimsy plastic chairs how about a garden three piece suite or a comfortable swing seat? Since your home is the place to relax, the right furniture will enable you to do this.

Make it Reflect You

Bring in your taste and personality to make it into a space that you really enjoy spending time in. Choose colors that you love, if you’re unsure you could go with neutral decor and bring in color with accessories. Hang artwork that you find beautiful on the walls to inspire you. Find places to display the things you love. Grouping smaller items onto trays is a good way to prevent the space becoming cluttered.

When you find out you are expecting a baby, it’s an amazing time for you and your partner. You are bringing a little one into the world who you will love and adore (well, most of the time). You will have plenty you need to buy for the baby including a crib, a pushchair, and a dozen packs of nappies. You may decide to move home to have more space for the little one. But if you decide to stay where you are, there are several things you should do in your home to make it more suitable for a little baby. After all, there now will be three, not two of you. Here are six home improvements you should make when you are expecting a baby.

[Photo courtesy of AdinaVoicu/pixabay.com]

Create a nursery

One of the first home improvements you should make when you are pregnant is to create a nursery. You will need to look at the current bedrooms in your home and decide which one will now be the nursery. You may need to have a home extension if you don’t currently have space in your home for a new baby. A lot of people convert their attic so that they can have one or two extra rooms. You should get a company out to discuss how much it will cost to convert the loft. Of course, the baby will be in with you for the first few months of its life. But a nursery is essential to hold all their stuff and have the crib and changing unit in there. You may want to use the smallest bedroom as a nursery, and then as they grow, you can move them into a larger bedroom. As we discuss here, it’s a lot of fun decorating the nursery for your baby. You need to choose a great neutral color to decorate the room in that will last for the first year or two. You may need to choose a different carpet now for the room too. Go for a darker color so that any stains don’t show easily. You may want to go for wood flooring so it’s easy to clean.

[Photo courtesy of andremergulhaum/pixabay.com]

Consider changing the heating

Another home improvement you should make when you are pregnant is to consider changing the heating. It’s so important that your home is properly heated when you are having a baby. The baby needs to be able to keep warm in your property so they can stay comfortable. As this feature reveals, you should make sure the baby’s room is between 68 and 72 degrees. Therefore, if your heating isn’t working effectively, you should look into getting a new efficient boiler. You can speak to companies about fitting a boiler, such as from Save Home Heat. A thermostat would be good too so you know exactly what the current temperature is. That way, you will know whether you need to turn it up or down. Getting a new boiler should help you reduce your energy bill which is good when you have to pay out lots for the new baby!

Check the condition of the stairs

An additional home improvement you should make when you are pregnant is you should be checking the condition of the stairs. You need to make sure that the carpet is still fitted correctly so that you and your baby won’t end up hurting yourself. Get a new carpet if it’s getting old and tattered. Make sure the handrail is still secure so you can grab it if you were to fall with the new baby. You will need to get a baby gate to help stop your baby from going down the stairs when they do start learning to walk.

Build more storage

Another home improvement you should make when you are pregnant is to build some more storage in your home. You will need extra space now that the baby is coming. You will need somewhere to put all their belongings. Have a look around the home and decide where you have the space to build more storage. You could look into getting some new cupboards fitted in the kitchen so you can put their bottles in there. You may want to build a cupboard under the stairs so you can put the pushchair in there. You may want to go through your current belongings and get rid of old stuff, so you have more space for your baby’s new belongings.

Upgrade your bathroom  

You should also look into upgrading your bathroom when you are expecting a baby. If the bath in there is not in the best condition, you should have a look into getting a new suite fitted. After all, you will want to bathe your newborn in there, so it needs to be in a good condition. You need to be able to have easy access to it as well. You may want to consider installing an en suite in your master bedroom. That way, you and your partner can have an extra bathroom for use. En suites are great for adding value to a property as well.

[Photo courtesy of midascode/pixabay.com]

Invest in CCTV and check your alarms

Another home improvement you should make when you are pregnant is you need to make the home more secure. You want to prevent anyone from breaking in and stealing anything with your little baby there. You should invest in CCTV which will prevent people from coming into your home. It will also mean you can check who is there before answering the door. You should also make sure you check your fire and carbon monoxide alarm to ensure they are working efficiently. It’s so important to make sure your baby stays safe in your home.

[Photo courtesy of Harrihealey02/en.wikipedia.org]

You will need to read these tips for trying to do home improvement when you are expecting. After all, you don’t want to harm yourself and baby while decorating the home. If you feel unsafe doing a job, it might be best to let your partner do it himself!

If you’re looking for a really great DIY project for your home this year, why not consider giving your spare room a makeover? There are lots of things we can use this space for. If you don’t need to use it as a bedroom, why not consider a big change? Perhaps you have a hobby or interest you’re passionate about. You can use the spare room to provide all the space you need to enjoy your hobby fully. Here are some of my favorite uses for a spare room:

Sewing

If you love to create your own home furnishings, then a sewing room could be a perfect choice. Perhaps you love creating your own fashions? Or maybe you enjoy decorative needlework? There are plenty of different ways to enjoy creating when you have your own sewing room. Start by painting the walls a fairly pale and neutral color. This will help maximize the light in the room.

[Photo courtesy of Harlow Heslop/flickr.com]

You could install a good quality worktop along one wall. This could support your sewing machine or other equipment. If you enjoy quilting, consider a wider width to support the larger fabric as it grows. You can find out more about the best sewing machine for quilting online. Check the size and weight before you build your workstation. Don’t forget you’ll need good lamps around the room. A mannequin could stand in the corner. Full-length mirrors will help you see the fabric from all angles.

Music Room

For the budding musicians around you, a music room could be the perfect use of your spare room. Perhaps you have some beautiful instruments you would like to display or hang on the wall? Before you start this project consider some extra insulation or soundproofing. Larger acoustic instruments like pianos are also incredibly heavy. Check if your floor needs a little reinforcing if your room is on wooden supports.

[Photo courtesy of Miguel Mendez/flickr.com]

To create the perfect practice room for you and your instruments you need good light. Some music stands can be fitted with a sheet music light. Alternatively, consider directional spot lights. If you’re setting up a mini recording studio or a digital workstation, make sure you can stack your equipment safely. You may want to build a custom shelving unit. There may be a lot of cables running across the floor of your room. Try to keep them tidy to avoid a trip hazard.

Art Studio

If you love drawing or painting, why not create a studio for your art? A small workbench may be all you need. Then a simple stool and easel near the best light in the room. Natural light from the window is usually ideal. You might want to install a sink and running water so you can clean your brushes and pallets. A blue roll dispenser can save you fiddling about when you’re in a hurry to wipe something clean.

Photography Studio

If you love taking digital photographs, why not set up a photography studio. A small room like the spare room may be all you need if you love portraits or close-ups. Your lighting equipment may get warm, so consider installing air conditioning. It’s not advisable to take on chemical photography or a dark room in a residential house unless you have the correct ventilation system.

[Photo courtesy of Illusive Photography/flickr.com]

You may need to black out the window from time to time so you can fully manipulate the light. Naturally lit portraits can be visually stunning so make sure you can remove the blind easily. Paint the room brilliant white for maximum light reflection. You can always drape material over walls for a background. Consider installing a cupboard for your equipment and props.

Model Building

If you love crafting and building models, then your spare room could be the ideal spot for your hobby. Make sure you have excellent ventilation and natural air circulating if you use glues or paints. You’ll need a full workbench set up with plenty of lamps to supply the light. Sometimes it’s necessary to heat things up like wire or glues. Choose a surface and a lip area on your workbench for this purpose.

Writer’s Studio

If there is a poet or author inside of you, then you should have your own space to put pen to paper. You’ll need soft, focused light over your writing area. You probably have a love for literature, so install some bookshelves. Then you can surround yourself with all that inspires you. Put a big wall planner up so you can see your working schedule and submission deadlines.

Home Office

If you love your work enough to make it a hobby, then you deserve your very own home office space. A good quality desk and a top of the range computer are ideal. You can have your internet router installed in here, and even a second phone line. Why not add a couple of USB ports to your wall sockets so you can keep all your devices on charge? A wall mounted TV tuned to the news channels can keep you up to date too

Cinema Room

If you’re a movie buff, then a cinema room could be the perfect use for your spare room. You’ll need one wall painted white so you can use a home cinema projector. You can paint the other walls black to help reduce the light in the room as you’re watching the movie. It’s a great way to get really immersed in the film. You will also need to block out the natural light from the window.

[Photo courtesy of gsloan/flickr.com]

Add a reclining sofa and a beer fridge so you have everything you might need. Installing surround sound speakers is easier upstairs than downstairs. You can run the cabling from the attic and through the ceiling. Now all you need to do is lay back and let the movie take you on an epic adventure.

Spare rooms often go to waste in our homes. They get filled with clutter and forgotten about. Bring yours back to life and have fun with a new hobby this year.

Updating your home can seem like a huge job to take on. You may think it will involve a lot of DIY projects and decoration. In fact updating your home can be quite a simple and budget-friendly thing to do. If your home doesn’t require any work and you are happy with the decoration, then it’s all just in the finer details. So if you want to update your home without the need to decorate then here is a quick guide for each of the main rooms in your home.

Kitchen

More often than not the kitchen is the hub of the home. It needs to have the right balance between each functionality. It’s a place to cook in, to relax in and dine. There are quite a few different things you can do to update your kitchen without decorating. Perhaps incorporating a new colour scheme would be a great place to start. You could add a vase of fresh flowers in your chosen colour. Update some of the things on your counter shelf life storage pots. Perhaps adding some shelves to a wall so you can put a few pictures on there or some inspirational messages. Adding a touch of colour to this room is all it will take to give it a new lease of life.

Bathroom

The bathroom is often the trickiest room to spruce up. Without adding a new bathroom suite what can you possibly do? There is quite a bit you can do in fairness. Firstly, much like the kitchen, you could incorporate a bit of colour or a theme to the bathroom. Adding new touches like luxury towels, a new toothbrush holder and cup. Perhaps a fancy soap dispenser. Also, as much as we clean our bathrooms, giving it a once-over with a steam cleaner could just be all it takes to make that bath sparkling once more.

[Photo courtesy of Maureen Didde/flickr.com]

Living space

You could add quite a bit to your living spaces. Personal touches like photo frames with new pictures in could be a great place to start. You could also consider a new rug in a different colour. Adding a new colour will give the impression of a freshly decorated room without the need to do any hard work. Alternatively, by changing some of the lighting you could give off a whole new vibe to the room. Adding a few more lamps or candles could create a different ambiance.

Bedroom

Finally, the bedroom. A place to relax and reflect on the day. Changing this room is a lot easier than you would think. It doesn’t require an expensive purchase like changing your bed. But just by changing the bed linen it could make the room look brand new. You could incorporate a new colour scheme in here to. Perhaps add some candles to give it a more romantic feel. Or by adding some different lighting. Things like fairy lights draped over the head of the bed can make the room feel pretty and styled.

I hope this simple guide give you some inspiration to update your home.

There are so many things you need to think about when it comes to your home. Decorating your property and adding some personality is really important. It helps you enjoy the home much more and gives it a lot of character. Check out these awesome ideas that can help you add some personality to your home.

Mood Wall

Mood walls can often seem a bit gimmicky these days. They come across as the sort of thing you’d expect to have to do as part of an art project. But, in reality, they can be a welcome addition to any home. This is a wall where you can let your personality loose. You can paint the wall whatever color you want. And you can add anything you want in the way of artwork. Mood walls are a fantastic addition to their property and a brilliant way of adding some personal touches to the home.

[Image courtesy of jf28858/pixabay.com]

Frame Pictures

It’s important to have pictures and artwork displayed on the walls. Now, you’ve got your mood wall already, but you also want to have pictures on the other walls. These might be family pictures, or they could be paintings. But, if you want them to be displayed prominently you’ll need some frames. So you should check out Images & Details Framing and pop to their local store to get the right frames. You’ll be surprised by the impact the right frames can have for your pictures and your home.

Change Colors

Believe it or not, the colour scheme is possibly the most important visual aspect of any home. You can tell so much about a property by the colors on show. And, it’s entirely possible to completely transform the entire home just by changing the colour scheme. Have a think about the current color scheme you have in the home. And do what you can to change it to something a bit more captivating. As a rule, you tend to find that the home works best when the colors are vibrant and bright. Sure, you can go with white and magnolia as your primary color. But you shouldn’t be afraid to add splashes of color here and there as well.

Decorate Each Room Differently

Each room in the home serves a different purpose, and represents a different part of your life. So it stands to reason that they should have a different balance and feel to one another. You don’t want all the rooms in your home to look the same. This will result in the place lacking character and coming across as dull. So, the best approach to take is to make sure you decorate each room differently. Try to add some flair and capture the essence of each room when you decorate. This is an excellent way to make your home look as wonderful as possible.

Adding personal touches to your home is the best way to inject some life and personality. Your home is like an extension of you, and you should treat it as such. So, you need to do whatever you can to ensure you make it look and feel amazing. The best way to start off doing this is to make sure you add a personal touch to the place.

What is it that we actually want from our homes? Should they be stark, hygienic areas for hosting a range of valuable antiques, or should they be somewhere you can unwind after a long day at work?

I think they should be the latter. We all need a space that we can relax and our environment can have a large impact on our mood. So here are some ideas for making your home that little bit cosier.

Make Your Entrance Inviting

The entrance is the first thing you’ll see but this typically tends to be a neglected area in the home. Why? People tend to concentrate on the main rooms in the house, but they forget that the tone is set as soon as you walk in. When guests arrive often they’re not treated to a livable space, but somewhere rather shabby and boring.

Having bright and welcoming colours in the entrance hall can really help. As can soft, colourful mats. Pot plants in the hallways can also work a treat for brightening any entrance hall if you have space. Don’t just go for green either. Pick a colour that really complements the style of the room. If it is characterised by light tones, for example, choose a pink or a lavender to add a bit of contrast.

Cut Through Draughty Spaces

[Photo courtesy of Harry Zilber/wikipedia.org]

Each room in your house is a big cavity. And because of the necessities of construction, these are square. But squares do not make your home feel more cosy. You want to find ways to make sure that the eye is drawn through the space. When you enter a room, have a big painting on the opposite wall. This can help.

Also, it can help if your furniture is themed, but not matching. Having different colours, textures and patterns throughout the room can break it up and make it less formal. Just make sure that the different textures work together in a pleasing way.

Finally, don’t try to eliminate space in the centre of the room. This can actually enhance the room’s appeal, rather than make it look stark.

Mix Formal With Informal Furniture

It’s really nice to have a sofa or two for settling down in the evening, as well as a nice coffee table. But you can also mix things up with a foam bag chair. These are great for reading or for people who like to fidget, rather than just settings on their bums. Check out Fombag.com if you want to know more about foam bag chairs.

Eliminate Harsh Lines

Jagged, straight lines can really dull the cosiness of a room. Long straight lines give the room a formal look. It’s hard to escape the idea that you’re at an airport or in some other public space. You certainly don’t feel like you’re somewhere private where you can relax.

Eliminating straight lines is easy. You can introduce things like round rugs and tables. And put decorative lamps in ugly, harsh corners. For more ideas on how to make your home cosier, check out realsimple.com.

It’s a dilemma many of us have faced before. Should we do it ourselves? Or should we let someone else do it? There’s no simple answer to this question. There are many positive things about DIY, and there are many reasons why we should stay away from it. It’s time to weigh up both side of the argument.

For DIY

There is always something really satisfying about completing a DIY project. This is undeniable. Knowing that you’ve been able to make something with your own two hands is a fantastic feeling. And you will be reminded of your achievement whenever you see the finished product in your home. If you’re the kind of person that really likes to challenge yourself, then it’s understandable that you want to take on each and every DIY task.

You can sometimes save money by doing a DIY job too. Of course, it’s important to remember that this is not always the case. Sometimes, people spend so much money on tools and materials that it might have been cheaper just to hire someone to do the work. But in some cases when you already have the right tools, and the materials can be found cheaply, you could save a lot of cash. Many people who have a small budget to work with decide to take on DIY projects all by themselves.

[Image courtesy of stevepb/pixabay.com]

Against DIY

One of the main reasons not to DIY is your lack of skills. Sure, I don’t know what your exact skill level is. But I’m guessing it’s not up to a professional standard. This is the problem for most of us. We’re never going to be able to do the job as well as a real professional could do it. We might be able to scrape through and do a semi-decent job if we spend enough time and money on a job. But is it worth it when you can simply hire someone who could do that work in half the time? The finished product is always going to be better and more secure if it has been done by a pro.

The health and safety argument also has to come into it. Every year many people are injured, and some are even killed as a result of DIY jobs gone wrong. Before you go ahead with any task, you should be aware of the dangers of DIY. Every task is different, so every task presents different dangers and hazards that need to be confronted. If you’re not sure what you’re doing and are worried that you could hurt yourself, it’s probably best to call in the professionals.

Conclusion

The best advice I can give you is to use your common sense. If you make sure that you know what you’re doing and don’t take any unnecessary risks, you might be able to get a good outcome. But if you want the job done to the highest standard and you don’t want to take up your time, letting someone else do it is for the best.

Your home is the place where you live, where you and loved ones can enjoy a peaceful life and leave all your cares outside. That’s not all it is, however. It’s also an asset. The asset that’s probably worth more than any other you own. So treat as an important part of your finances and you might find it helping those finances grow. There are a lot great ways to make a great investment out of your home. Following the tips below will have you piling on the worth in no-one. Even if selling isn’t on your mind, adding value to your home never hurts.

[Image courtesy of Jeremy Levine/flickr.com]

The kitchen

The kitchen is not just the part of the home where we spend a lot of our time cooking, eating and cleaning. It’s the heart of the home when it comes to selling it. There are a lot of different things you can to renovate your kitchen, depending on how much time and effort you put into it. Updating your surfaces to granite gives it a contemporary look that will offend few. Smart storage additions will give more space, always a good idea.

[Image courtesy of Bettina M/wikimedia.org]

The bathroom

The bathroom is the other heart of the home when it comes to selling. It should feel like a place of utmost luxury and relaxation. The bathroom is also the room that can degrade a lot faster than others if we’re not careful. Turn your nightmare bathroom into a place of total relaxation. You’ll add value to the home and love your newly kitted room as well.

[Image courtesy of Michael Coté/flickr.com]

The garden

The exterior of the home is incredibly important to how much worth is attributed to it in the end. There’s a lot you can do to add value to it as well. You can use patios and landings to add more useable space to it. The right floral arrangements and gardening set-ups can give it the pizazz that really brings in the worth. Water features like pools and fountains are always a smart bet, as long as you’re willing to maintain them. If you have the space and money for it all, the services of the right backyard designers could implement them all in one design.

[Image courtesy of Literatirus/wikimedia.org]

The conservatory

The above tips are sure to add value and selling quality to the home. However, there’s nothing quite as reliable to the value of a home than sheer space. One way to add that valuable space is by fitting it on the side of the house. Not only do conservatories add space, but they can add the selling quality in how aesthetically pleasing they are. Conservatories can be used in all kinds of ways, so adding them is rarely a bad idea.

[Image courtesy of Holland And Green Architectural Design/flickr.com]

The loft

The other easy way to add a lot of space to your home, often less expensive than a conservatory, is by converting your loft. Most homes have a near floor’s worth of usable space that is going to waste as storage. Lofts can be converted into bathrooms, offices, bedrooms or whatever you like. If you could do with a bit more utility in the home, the loft could be the answer.