Page 10 of 17 pages ‹ First < 8 9 10 11 12 > Last ›
Moving in Without Damaging Your New Home
July 30, 2021
Moving in Without Damaging Your New HomeCausing damage to a new home is one of the biggest concerns when moving in. Furniture could scuff up the walls, scratch floors and more. If you are looking for ways to take extra precautions, take a look at these tips and reduce the chances of damaging your beautiful new home. Carrying Large FurnitureThe most expensive pieces of furniture have the potential to cause the most damage if handled improperly during a move. Couches, dining tables and beds need to be carried through doorways carefully, even if it takes a little extra time. Enlist help if needed as opposed to trying to do it all by yourself. If possible, use a trolley or specialized equipment to assist in the moving of these heavy items. Dismantle objects when applicable as well so that smaller pieces can be carried in one at a time. Advance PreparationOne of the biggest mistakes you can make when moving is rushing it. Moving day will run much more smoothly if you take time to prepare things in advance. Clean and dry kitchen appliances before moving them into the home. If they are wet, they will be more slippery which could cause damage to flooring. Pack smaller, more fragile items ahead of time. This includes mirrors, fine china and anything else that is easily breakable. Clear away mats, rugs and general debris before moving so it doesn’t get shuffled around. Protecting Walls and FloorsWalls and flooring can be expensive to repair and it’s a cost you don’t want to accumulate as soon as you move in. Consider using an adhesive plastic covering over the carpet in your home to prevent spills and tears. You can also put a cover over hardwoods to prevent scratches and dents. Hang drop cloths on walls, especially in the more narrow hallways of your home. Wooden boards or bubble wrap could do the trick as well. Avoid costly repairs by taking the necessary precautions on moving day. You can also look into hiring a moving company to assist you if desired.
Read more
Things to Get Rid Of When Downsizing
July 30, 2021
Things to Get Rid Of When DownsizingAre you at a point in your life where it’s time to downsize? Many people are foregoing the larger, more elaborate houses for cozy cottages or ranch-style floor plans. When you have an excess of items, it’s hard to think about downsizing for storage reasons. Here are a few things you should consider getting rid of before moving to a smaller home: ClothesOne of the most common things to think about when decluttering is clothing. This is especially important if you will be moving to a home with smaller closets. Maybe you have a few items that don’t fit anymore and know of a local shelter or charity that could use the donation. Be honest with yourself and admit when it’s time to say goodbye to a piece of clothing and hello to more room in your closet. BooksIt’s easy to collect books quickly, especially if you’re an avid reader. However, the books that have been read one time and are now collecting dust on the shelf may be able to go to a new home. Donate to your local library or a shelter. CDs and DVDsIn this digital age, it’s likely that you haven’t touched a CD or DVD in quite some time. Why let them take up space in your new home? BagsOld purses and totes don’t need to take up more space in your new home. If there’s a bag that isn’t your style anymore or you know someone else that could use it, get it out of your closet and free up that space. Kitchen ItemsDid you grab a new kitchen gadget just because it was on sale, only to use it one time and let it take up precious counter or cabinet space? It’s going to be necessary to utilize that space as much as possible when you end up with a smaller kitchen, so put those unused items out for a yard sale or donation. Same with excessive utensils as well. Knick-knacksSeasonal decor should be stored neatly in the attic, garage or spare room/closet. If you found a little trinket in a “dollar spot” somewhere and it’s just sitting somewhere, maybe you should say goodbye to it. Think about keeping the meaningful and useful decor items that will stand the test of time. Cut your belongings down to a manageable amount before downsizing your home. Not only will you save space on the moving truck, but you’ll have a fresh and clutter-free start in your new home!
Read more
Should My Parents Move In With Me
July 30, 2021
Should My Parents Move In With Me? Are one or both of your parents needing a little bit of extra help these days? Maybe they are adamant about not wanting to go into an assisted living home, or maybe you’d rather keep them out of one yourself. If you are considering becoming a permanent caregiver for a loved one, ask yourself these questions first: RelationshipsIf you live with a significant other and/or have children, have you discussed the potential situation with them? Take into account all of the different ways your lives will change if you allow a parent to move in. How is your relationship with your parent(s)? If it isn’t the healthiest, you should give this extra thought as it could affect the mental health of everyone in the home. What are your needs for privacy? Is your home suitable for a parent to have their own private space where you won’t feel like they are intruding? The HomeWhere will your parent(s) sleep? Will someone have to give up a bedroom and combine with a sibling? Have you considered building additional space onto the home? Will you need to purchase assistive items such as grab bars or ramps? Personal CareAre you comfortable helping a parent with daily activities that they would possibly need in an assisted living facility? Do you have an idea of what to expect long-term as a parent gets older or potential sickness/other conditions increase? FinancialsCount the costs of having your parents live with you. Will there be additional expenses if more help is needed inside the home, such as a home nurse? What will the financial arrangement be as far as “rent” or contribution to food and meals? Time ManagementWill your parents need care during the day while you are at work? Will you have time for yourself? These are just a few of the many factors to consider when evaluating whether or not your parents should move in. Don’t rush into a decision one way or the other, but truly take the time to be sure it is the right choice for all family members involved.
Read more
Wallpaper? Don’t Say No Just Yet
July 30, 2021
Wallpaper? Don’t Say No Just Yet Are you ready for an interior design refresh? Wallpaper has gained momentum in recent years around the decor world. However, you want to make sure you’re making a decision that you’ll enjoy for years since redoing the walls requires an investment of both time and money. Here are some pros and cons to choosing wallpaper. First, wallpaper is great for adding patterns and color. There’s an endless array of options to choose from, so it’s easy to find a pattern that will match your decor. It can also add texture to liven up an otherwise bland space. High-quality wallpaper, when applied properly, has the potential to last well over a decade. There also isn’t as much worry about discoloration as there may be with paint. Wallpaper can also cover minor flaws. A small crack might show through paint, but the pattern and texture of wallpaper would easily mask it. It not only masks flaws, but scents as well. Some wallpapers come in scented varieties to pass a more pleasant aroma throughout the home, whereas fresh paint tends to have a harsher smell. One of the downsides of wallpaper is the removal process. This is why it’s important to be sure that you want to make the change, as removing it is a tedious and exhausting process. It can also be costly if you need to recruit professionals to help get the job done. Another con to wallpaper is the potential to look dated. There are many patterns and colors out there that are on trend for the moment, but come resale time they could be an eyesore. Consider whether your wallpaper will still look good in 15 years before applying it. Peels, chips and tears are something else to consider when looking at wallpaper. Though newer models have been constructed more durably than previous decades, it is still a possibility. Wallpaper isn’t always the worst choice to make when redecorating your walls. If you want something more stylish than a plain paint color and have weighed all of the costs, go for it.
Read more
How to Organize Your Walk-In Closet
July 30, 2021
How to Organize Your Walk-In Closet Is your walk-in closet overwhelming? Now is a great time to organize. Maybe you’ve let things slide for too long and just have piles that you have to dig through or maybe things are scattered all over the place. Either way, take a look at these ideas on maximizing your storage space and minimizing the stress. Double RodsDouble hanging rods help to maximize closet space exponentially. Shorter clothes, such as tops, can be hung on the top bar and longer pants and skirts can hang on the bottom bar. Wire OrganizersWire closet shelves easily add space for folded items such as t-shirts. Since the wire shelves are ventilated, they allow clothes to keep air out and won’t retain humidity or odor. There are also snap-on options to reconfigure as much as you need to. HampersAdd a hamper or two to your walk-in closet. This will make laundry a breeze and will prevent clean clothes being mixed with dirty piles. Instead of throwing clothes on the floor at the end of the day, set them in a hamper that can be taken to the laundry room easily. Divided hampers are great as well to sort colors or sizes. ShoesThe average woman owns 40 pairs of shoes! Luckily, there are various storage options for shoes in walk-in closets and it’s easy to find the one that works best for you and your shoe collection. Efficient routines are made possible by keeping shoes visible, sorted and easy to access. LightingBelieve it or not, the right lighting can make a huge difference in bringing a drab closet to a bright oasis. It helps you to see colors more accurately and gives a crisp feeling to the space. Hang Purses, Scarves and MoreA few shower hooks will do wonders when organizing accessories. Purses, belts, ties and other accessories can be hung on shower hooks to save shelf space that can be used for clothing and shoes. These ideas should get you on the right track to a beautifully organized closet. You’ll feel more peace when things are easily accessible and the cluttered space is cleared.
Read more
Make Any Room Look Better with These 8 Things
July 30, 2021
Make Any Room Look Better with These 8 Things
Do you walk into any room in your home and feel like there’s just something missing? Surprisingly, different pieces of decor and other items can make a huge difference when it comes to the overall atmosphere of your home. Here is a list of 8 different things that will freshen up any space.- House Plants
- Mirrors
- Wall Art
- Lighting
- A New Rug
- Throw Pillows
- Shelving Accessories
- Updated Fixtures
How to Maximize the Natural Light in Your Home
July 30, 2021
How to Maximize the Natural Light in Your Home
Sunlight can affect anyone’s mood exponentially. Now more than ever, it’s important to have a little bit of Vitamin D to boost your happiness and productivity. Getting light into darker rooms can be tough, but makes a world of difference when it is accomplished. Here are a few ways to bring more natural light throughout your home. Mirror EffectShiny surfaces, such as mirrors, make light reflect and bounce around the room. Chandeliers, mirrors, or silver-plated photo frames will all help the natural light reflect in the room and add a decorative touch. Window TreatmentsThick drapes and curtains absorb natural light and prevent it from entering a room. Lighter colors and fabrics will open up the space and brighten it as well. If you prefer energy saving or room darkening curtains, open them up during the day to allow the light to come in. TransparencyAdding a glass door or side window can increase the flow of light that comes into your home. Frosted glass is a great option for privacy while keeping things bright. There are even frosted film sheets available that will work on any budget. Glass tabletops and acrylic chairs are another great way to increase the lighting in a room. They are extremely on trend as well! Paint Color ChoicesDarker walls make it difficult for natural light to travel through, so use paint that complements the use of light instead. A light gray is a classic choice that will match just about any piece of decor as well. Kitchen ContrastsIf you have dark cabinetry in the kitchen, create a stark contrast with light countertop finishes. The lighter color and different texture will break up the solid color of cabinets and help your kitchen feel more open. Light backsplash is another good way to bring in more light. Try a few of these simple changes and increase the positivity in your home. The right lighting makes the biggest difference, so use these tips to help that happen!
Aging in Place Features to Consider
July 30, 2021
Aging in Place Features to Consider
Have you thought about long-term care when you grow older? Or do you have a loved one who owns a home and is facing what to do as they age? There are many reasons someone might want to stay in their own home, and luckily there are features available that could make that possible. The term for staying in your home as you grow older is “aging in place”. Here are a few ideas to help plan for that. Plan AheadIt’s difficult to plan ahead because your needs could easily change. It is definitely important to have an idea of the different types of help you may want or need in the future. Consider whether or not you will need someone to live with you or someone that could come by daily to assist you with minor things. An aide like this could help with tasks such as washing your hair or getting dressed. One-Story Floor PlanOwning a single-level home is essential if you are considering aging in place. Mobility issues may arise in the future, so stairs would be out of the question. If you are in a two-story home, be sure there is an owner’s suite on the bottom level or have one added on. A stair lift can be added too, if necessary. Look for a home that has a flat entrance as well with no steps. Wide OpeningsIn the event that more accessibility is needed in the future, wider doorways and hallways will be beneficial. Many builders include these in certain floor plans already, but you can also have the custom option for them when building. Comfortable FlooringChoose a flooring material that isn’t too tough on the feet and joints. Floors with a rubber base are softer and easier to walk around on, though they can be on the higher end price-wise. Pick something that’s easy to clean as well. Bathroom AccommodationsBathtubs can be harder to get in and out of as you grow older. This is where walk-in showers come in. There are special chairs for showers as well to ease discomfort. If you do have a tub/shower combo, be sure to have grab bars installed to prevent slipping. There are many factors to consider when planning to age in place. These are a few of the top, but be sure to weigh every possibility and decide what’s best for you and your family.
Dealing with Snake Troubles
July 30, 2021
Summertime seems to bring out the snakes. Between the humidity from summer rain, the hot weather and many other factors, it’s fairly common to spot a snake in your yard around this time. If you want to protect your property from a snake visit, here are a few preventative measures to take: Maintaining PropertyAn overgrown yard is the perfect breeding ground and hiding spot for snakes. Not keeping your yard maintained can also attract rodents, which snakes enjoy chasing. Carefully inspect the exterior area of your property to ensure there is no standing water since they love a damp environment. Patch up any cracks or holes you may find as well. If you keep firewood on your property, be sure it is in a sealed container as snakes love woodpiles. Keep the grass cut short so that they have nowhere to hide. Protect Your PropertyThere are a good number of natural items you can easily find to keep snakes deterred from your property. Eliminate food supplies for snakes such as rodents, frogs, birds, or insects. A thorough pest control routine may help keep snakes away in the long run. Mothballs contain naphthalene, an ingredient commonly found in commercial snake repellent products. The smell irritates snakes but does not harm them. You can place mothballs in any cracks or crevices around your property where snakes may be an issue. However, use extreme caution if there are children or pets in the home as they can be toxic for them. Powdered sulfur can be sprinkled around the property to repel snakes. It irritates their scaly skin so they are unlikely to return. It does give off a strong odor, so wear a mask when applying it. Clove and cinnamon oils can be mixed together in a spray bottle and sprayed directly on any snakes you might see to make them slither off. Garlic and onions contain sulfonic acid, another natural repellent. Mix them with rock salt and sprinkle around the property. Snakes dislike the scent that ammonia gives off. Spray it around affected areas to keep them away. These are a few simple options to consider if you are wanting to keep a snake problem under control. You can also contact a local wildlife control agency or exterminator service for professional assistance.
Read more