Your home environment can play a massive part in how you feel mentally. If you are stressed when you are at home for any reason, it won’t translate well to your attitude, and it can leave you feeling stressed or deflated.
The thing is, your home needn’t be a place you dread to go. It shouldn’t be. It should be your haven. The trick is to identify what you don’t like and how you can change it to change how you feel at home.
What Is The Issue?
Knowing what it is you do not like can give you a place to start when it comes to improving the feel and vibe of your home. It could be that you need a serious declutter. Or the decor isn’t to your taste. Take in each room carefully, look at what you do not like, and write it down to make a plan.
Ask family members what they would want to change to create a home that works for everyone.
Make A Plan
Once you have identified what you want to change, you need to make a realistic plan. If you are decluttering, plan to go room by room and then look at how to clear the clutter. The trick is to remove it the same day, so you aren’t moving the problem from one room to another. Book in for Junk removal, donate to goodwill, family or friends or dispose of non-reusable goods responsibly. If you want to decorate, look at how much time you have to do it and when and what room is more urgent etc. this will give you something to follow when you get started.
Make The Time
For many people, finding the time is a problem. You are simply too busy to make the changes. But if something is worth doing and not doing it makes you unhappy, can you afford not to find the time? Even if you have to find childcare arrangements or book professional services such as a painter or decorator or a cleaning service to deep clean your bathroom.
Maybe you can rearrange the furniture of an evening when the kids are playing, or you can rope them in to help you make the changes. Even if you can only block off one day a month, commit to making the changes and put them in your schedule.
Add Something You Enjoy
If nothing sparks your joy when you arrive home, find something that does. That lamp you have been coveting or something else you have had your eye on. Be it a piece of statement art via adding prints to your walls. Once you have made the changes look to add those finishing touches that make you smile.
Create a space that you love to come home to by committing to making changes to change how you feel about spending time at home, whether it is baby steps every few weeks or going in all at once and changing as much as possible as quickly as possible.
When you own your own home, it can feel as though the upkeep is never-ending. The biggest disasters that come from not maintaining your home as you well as could, however, can be avoided. Taking care of your roof is one of these essential tasks and upgrades to make sure that you maintain good repair. Following these roof maintenance tips can help you to avoid having to pay for expensive damage repairs.
Never walk directly on your roof. Always use a ladder and take plenty of notes as you look around your home to check the roof.
Call a professional to make any checks, if you don’t feel safe doing it yourself. Having a roofer to do the work for you is always the safest and easiest approach.
If you don’t like heights, stand back, and check the roof with binoculars.
If you spot any problem areas, don’t put off dealing with the issue.
Shingles
Shingles are a good indicator of how your roof is doing. If there are shingles missing, and you can see any signs of curling, cupping, or chipped and buckled shingles, you know have a problem that needs an emergency roof repair. These problems mean it is time to call a professional. Granules from your shingles are another sign of trouble. Some granules will naturally come off over time and find their way into your gutters, but if they’re piling up, or your roof is becoming uneven and spotty from the loss of these grains, then your roof is getting near the end of its life. These are red flags for much bigger problems forming and are a sign that your roof is ageing, and you should think about replacing the shingles.
Chimneys And Flashings
Chimneys are another common place for water to get in. Check the flashing and make sure none of it has peeled away, or become dislodged or damaged. Skylights are easy to notice when they’re leaking, as you’ll notice the water getting inside almost immediately. If you can tell where the water is coming from, deal with it immediately. Vents should also be looked over to make sure that no sealant has cracked or peeled away. Any structure that penetrates through your roof and needs to be sealed to prevent leaks should be maintained and checked. These are common weak points in the rook that could let in water.
Eaves And Guttering
Cleaning your gutters is an important task to get done in the spring and fall. If debris can gather in the gutters, it will stop water from getting to your downspouts. It can soak into the roof and cause rot. This kind of damage is very expensive to fix.
If you don’t feel confident about cleaning your gutters yourself, you can hire a roof maintenance professional to do it for you. If you do it yourself, make sure you wear gloves and use proper access equipment. Don’t try to clean gutters with your bare hands. Sweep out leaves and other debris away from the downspout and then rinse the gutters with a high-pressure hose towards the downspout. Remember to dispose of the debris safely and responsibly too.
If you’re a homeowner or someone responsible for looking after a residential property, then you’re obviously going to want to make sure that everything is completely fine and dandy in all departments. The look and function will obviously need to be addressed as nobody wants to live in an ugly and useless place. These kinds of things help out in terms of overall satisfaction but also help with the value of the home. Upgrading your home should be something that you look to do pretty much every single year. If you’re keeping things the way they are for too long, then the value will simply depreciate and you won’t get the best out of it.
Another aspect of home improvement, of course, is the safety and security. If you live in a home that is completely vulnerable in all regards, then it’s not exactly going to be the best possible stay. Your life should be made as simple as possible in this world, and basic security is the bare minimum that you should be targeting. If you’re curious and aren’t really covered as well as you’d like to be, here are a few pointers:
Finally Get An Alarm System
Most modern homes are built with alarm systems in place as it seems pretty silly not to have a very basic defense mechanism like this installed. If you live in a home that has been around for decades, however, you may need to do this manually. If you have an alarm system in place, it lets absolutely everyone in the surrounding area know what’s happening. If people want to break in and enter your property, they’ll have to face very loud consequences. An alarm is pretty much a staple in this day and age.
Install Cameras
The same applies to cameras – people will usually have security cameras outside their homes in 2021. If you don’t then you might want to be as diligent as possible and get these things installed. While it may seem Orwellian, we have to make sure that we are fully covered as there are still so many issues plaguing our society. The front, side, and rear should be covered in order to really maximize what you’re trying to do. It’ll deter criminals from even bothering to cause mischief, let alone catch them in the act. A lot of people have cameras at their front doors and will use them to speak instead of answering the door – this might be useful if you’re this way inclined.
Ensure Your Have A Solid And Secure Front Entryway
This almost goes without saying at this stage, but you’re going to want to make sure that you have a solid front door and overall entryway. If you don’t then it’s going to be much easier for vandals and criminals to take advantage of what you have. Possessing secure front entry doors may seem like such a basic idea, but you’ve probably seen homes that look as though they’re a little worse for wear regarding their first impressions. Make sure that your door and the entrance to the backyard are both looking as though they’re impenetrable.
Get Some Extra Locks And Extra Keys
If you feel as though you’re in a pretty vulnerable position, it might be wise to get more locks or extra padlocks on your doors. If someone bashes the door down, there’s very little you can do, but you can stop people from picking locks by reinforcing them even more. A lot of doors within a home are often left without locks, too, so that might be something to think about. If you feel as though someone might have taken your keys from you, then it would be wise to keep spares somewhere safe, too. Obviously, if someone has your keys, then one of the best options would also be to have the locks changed as quickly as possible.
Let Neighbours Know About Anything That Might Be Going On
If a neighborhood watch situation is created, then it’s obviously going to make your entire domestic life a lot simpler. When each individual keeps themselves to themselves, it makes things a lot less secure. If everyone works together, then we’re all going to feel the benefits of it all. It doesn’t have to be too much effort, but simply keeping everyone abreast of the situation can be such a positive and give everyone a boost. It can also stop each neighbor from being suspicious of one another or having an awkward air about each other.
Do Something About The Foundation If It’s Lacking Somewhat
This is less about the people that could be causing problems and more about the fundamental, natural issues that could be causing problems. When your home has a weak foundation, it could mean things like structural damage and water issues. There will need to be changes if your foundation is a little weak. Make sure things below and above your home are in great condition before moving onto more complex issues.
Make Sure Fences And Gates Are Strong And Resolute
One of the biggest problems that homeowners have is their lack of defense regarding their fences and gating. You should border up your home as much as you are able to. If people literally cannot get to your property, then you’re going to be in a great place regarding your security. Fences around the backyard can be taken advantage of if they’re weak and flimsy. If you have large fences and gates covering you up, you’re going to look a lot more imperious than, say, other homes around you.
Keep The Entire Area Lit For As Long As You Can
If the house is lit up, then people aren’t going to want to cause problems. Bad people like to cause havoc in the dark when nobody can see them, so think about keeping things light for as long as possible. Perhaps you could install porch lights that come on whenever someone sets off the sensor. This idea is so basic yet so effective.
All homeowners need to get in touch with a plumber at least once a year for regular, preventive maintenance. If plumbing issues arise, you might find yourself calling out a plumber on a regular basis! If you have moved to a new area or you are looking to change supplier, finding the right plumber near you might not be easy.
After all, a plumber will enter your home, deal with members of your household, and fix issues with your home’s essential plumbing system. So, it is essential to find the right company to trust. Here are some simple tips to follow to pinpoint the right plumbing company.
Check Licenses and Insurance
If you are calling a plumber to prevent or keep at bay substantial property damage, water issues, or severe plumbing problems, you will want to put your home just in the most expert hands. If you don’t know whether you can trust a certain company, ask them about their licenses, qualifications, and insurance. This might be a simple check to complete, but it will tell you a lot about how the company operates.
Learn More About the Company
Once you are sure that you are putting your home and your plumbing issues in capable hands, it is time to learn more about the company and the people behind it. Unfortunately, scams are still happening, and they often involve contractors that enter your homes, such as electricians and technicians.
Ask your chosen plumber to tell you more about their company, their mission, and vision. While this might not eliminate the risk altogether, only a serious company would have clear values in place.
Check Reviews or Use Referrals
If you have moved to a new community or neighbor, you could find a plumber you can trust by asking your friends, family members, or colleagues about plumbers they know. If they already have positive direct experiences with these contractors, and you trust the person giving you the information, you are likely to be in good hands.
If you don’t know anyone in your new area, you should consider taking advantage of online reviews, the company’s comments, and public feedback. And, don’t just read the testimonials on the company’s site!
Think About Your Budget
Taking your budget into consideration when looking for a new plumber is important. In fact, it is not recommendable to change your plumber often. Instead, you should research the best contractor in the area and stick with the same company for years.
This allows you to find continuity of service and if a problem arises with a new plumbing system, the plumber who installed it will have better chances to know where the priìoblem is and how to solve it. However, to stick with the same company for years, you need to make sure that you can easily afford its services!
Evaluate Accessibility and Location
Issues with your home’s plumbing system are likely to happen at the most inconvenient times. While it might seem a minor detail at first, it is essential that you choose the plumbing company also based on its location. After all, you are likely to need their emergency service at some point!
The winter months will be here before we know it so we need to think about preparing for the winter. This might be the last thing on your mind right now but it is better to be prepared. Here are some quick and easy things that you can do to prepare yourself for the winter months.
If you have the same duvet on your bed all year round, you might want to consider changing it as the season’s change. Having a heavy duvet in the winter can help you to keep warmer at night, and the flip side is a lighter duvet will keep you cooler in the summer. This can be better for your sleep patterns as you can regulate your body temperature better. Also, changing the duvet during the year in this way means that it will need to be washed before it is stored away. This can help reduce the amount of dust and dirt that you get into bed with every night.
The windows
If there is a place that can lose heat, it is the windows. While the best option to help keep the heat in would be to upgrade the windows, the second best thing is to change the curtains. Heavy curtains and window treatments can help to provide an extra layer of installation that will keep the heat in. Not only can this save you money, changing the window dressings can help to change the room and make it nicer.
Service the systems
This one might seem like a real expense but stay with us for a moment. Having your major systems served once a year can help to save you a lot of money in the long run. Your heating system goes through a lot over the winter months so it needs to be in top condition before the first cold snap hits. This rule should be applied to your chimneys if you light the fires, the hot water system and pipes, even the electrics to make sure that nothing can blow out. Safety is key when it comes to these systems so you might need to get a professional in to have a check and make sure that everything is ship-shape.
Stock the freezer
If you are lucky enough to have a big freezer, then now is the time to start stocking up. You don’t need to fill it up in one go but it is best to have a good selection of food stored away. Why? Simply put, the winters are getting worse so we all need to be prepared for heavy snow and the possibility that we might be stuck in our homes a lot. If you don’t have a big freezer, try and make space for one somewhere in your house or garage. And if that isn’t an option, you could build up a tinned food collection that will see you over a few weeks. Beans every night for dinner isn’t ideal but it is better than going hungry.
Upcycling furniture is a great way to get the most out of your old furniture that has had its time. However, when we get our hands on pieces for the first time, enthusiasm can get the better of us and we forget about certain things. Here are some of the most common things that people forget when they start upcycling furniture.
Wood is a very versatile substance and there is not much that can’t be done with it. Normally when wooden furniture is being upcycled, it needs to be prepared first. This requires washing the furniture down, making sure it is dry, and then sanding it a little bit. Depending on what you are planning to do with it, you might need to apply a base coat before putting your first coat of paint on. This entire step can be time-consuming but if you want your furniture to stay looking good, it needs to be done.
A quick word about MDF furniture, it is very hard to upcycle and prep it properly. If you do decide to work with it, be prepared for it to peel after a while.
Hardware
The hardware of your furniture is the handles and knobs that are used. People normally remember these, sometimes an entire project can focus around a set of handles that have been discovered. However, furniture locks and hinges are normally the last things on peoples minds. Sometimes the hinges are fine and you can work away without needing to replace them but it is always worth your while checking that they are ok.
Where to work
From point one alone, it is clear that upcycling furniture is a big job that can take a while, especially if you have a piece that requires a lot of TLC. This is not the type of hobby that you can do in the kitchen when the dinner is cooking, and it needs its own space. If you can, make some space outside in the garage or have a shed for this type of work. You could do it in the room that the furniture is going to end up in too if you have the space and you know it won’t be touched.
Lining
So, you have washed and painted, new handles are on, and it is in the space that you want it in. You open the drawer to put stuff in, and there it is, the bare wood. Lining the drawers might not seem like a big deal but when you have gone to the effort of doing the rest of the unit it can seem like you have forgotten a major part of it. Lining the drawers can be done when you are painting the rest of the unit, there is nothing wrong with painting them too. Or you could line them with paper or self-adhesive plastic.
Upcycling your furniture can be a great pastime. Just remember these points when you are working on your pieces and you will have a beautiful collection of furniture that will last you for years to come.
