HOME DESIGN, home renovation, OUTDOORS

Should You Invest in Solar Panels?

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Solar panels can greatly increase the value of your home. If you are thinking about building a green home based on the principles of sustainability and energy efficiency, you need solar panels.

Installing solar panels so your home can power itself may seem like something out of a science fiction movie, but it is now a feasible and affordable reality for many homeowners.

If you invest in solar panels now, you will end up increasing the equity of your home in the long run while saving yourself money. Read on to find out more.

Invest in Solar Panels for the Long Term

Solar panels are one of those investments that pay off in droves in the long term. As soon as you get them installed, they start saving you money.

This accumulated savings over a long time is what makes them worthwhile. Solar panel costs may seem steep at first, but keep in mind that many states offer to subsidize their installation costs.

There are also some federal tax credits available to help pay for any high initial installation costs. Once you have gotten the panels installed, you only need to do a bit of maintenance on them now and again.

You also need to make sure that you keep your roof in good condition to maintain its structural integrity. Other than that, once you have your solar panel system you are good to go and ready to start saving money. 

Increase Your Home’s Value 

One of the things that prospective homebuyers love is a home with solar panels. This is because they don’t need to go through any of the efforts of getting a system installed, yet they reap all of its benefits.

This is why solar panels increase your home’s equity. If you want to make your home’s value skyrocket, think about installing some solar panels. This is even more true in states where the cost of energy is through the roof.

To determine if going solar is a smart financial choice for you, first, calculate your monthly energy bill. Next, calculate how much a solar panel system will save you. 

Don’t forget to factor in that the system will increase your home’s overall value over time as well. Keep in mind that your only major solar panel cost is a bit of maintenance over time, and the initial installation cost.

If you need help making a thorough cost-benefit analysis, contact Blue Raven Solar to get an estimate on some installation costs for your home. 

Go Solar and Save Money 

If you are looking for a worthy way to help out your financial situation you should invest in solar panels. It is one of the few investments that you can make that will also help save the planet. 

Having an opportunity that benefits you while saving the earth is rare so you should take advantage of them when they come around. Get some solar panels today for your home. Make sure to peruse our site often for other great news.

SHOP OUTDOOR DECOR…

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OUTDOORS

5 Modern Agricultural Techniques

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Humanity has come a long way since its initial forays into agricultural production that defined the shift toward modern civilization. That’s a good thing because there are now billions more people on the planet, and all of them need to be fed. The five modern agricultural techniques described below all play essential roles in improving yields, making it easier for farmers to keep up with seemingly ever-increasing demand.

1. High-Yield Varieties of Seeds

One of the great things about domesticated crops is that they can be manipulated using techniques like selective breeding to bring out their most desirable traits. For most farmers, a high yield potential tops the list. When combined with specialized seed treatments, high-yield varieties of seeds can produce larger, healthier crops that will go on to feed more people. Farmers can find details at empoweringfarmers.com about how to increase their yields using improved seeds and tailored seed treatments.

2. Modern Fertilizers

Not all agricultural land is created equal. In many places, a combination of overuse, soil erosion, and other environmental factors have led to nutrient deficiencies. The good news is, modern agriculture has a solution for that, too. Farmers can apply chemical fertilizers that will provide all the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium required to grow large, healthy crops.

3. Effective Irrigation

Food crops don’t just need nutrients to grow and thrive. They also require access to plenty of water. Modern farmers can’t rely on natural rainfall to ensure that their crops receive a sufficient supply of fresh, clean water. Instead, they install irrigation systems designed to provide field-grown plants with optimal levels of water, even during the driest seasons. A well-designed irrigation system can help farmers save water, as well, by ensuring that each plant gets exactly the right amount of water to minimize runoff.

4. Chemical Pesticides

Pesticides can be defined as any substance that prevents seeds and plants from being attacked by pests or diseases. Chemical pesticides have been shown to be more effective than organic alternatives, and when used correctly and according to the manufacturer’s specifications, they are believed to be safe. It’s now commonplace for farmers to use multiple chemical compounds to control pest attacks throughout their crops’ growth cycles.

5. Multiple Cropping

In areas of the world that have tropical or subtropical climates, modern farmers aren’t stuck working with just one growing season. They have the potential to grow crops to feed the world year-round. It wasn’t always the case that tropical and sub-tropical farmers could use multiple cropping to take full advantage of their areas’ beneficial weather patterns. It’s only the use of the modern agricultural techniques described above that have led to the popularization of this technique.

To harvest multiple crops successfully, farmers need to make sure their plants get everything they need to grow and thrive even when nature can’t provide it. Since most places with arable land have rainy seasons and dry seasons, water capture and irrigation are a must. Similarly, most places see increases in agricultural pests during certain seasons. Pesticides can all but eliminate this problem. Finally, the right seeds and fertilizers can allow farmers to continue using their fields with shorter fallow periods so they can plant them out as soon as the last crop has been harvested.

The Bottom Line

The combined effects of the suite of agricultural developments described above are incredible. They allow modern farmers to provide more food on the same amount of land and even expand their operations into areas that would otherwise not be able to support crops.

DON’T HAVE A GREEN THUMB? SHOP FAUX PLANTS….

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HOME REPAIRS + MAINTENANCE

Is Your Roof Leaking? Here Are 10 Probable Causes

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Recent reports show that there are currently around 140 million homes in America, including apartment buildings, single-family homes, and duplexes. While all those dwellings come in numerous shapes, sizes, and floor plans, they all have a few things in common. For one, they rely on electrical and plumbing systems to keep occupants comfortable and remain up to code. At the same time, they all have roofs in place to help protect their occupants, interiors, and structural components against the elements.

When Roofs Fail

Though roofs are built to hold up to almost anything Mother Nature sends their way, they’re not invulnerable. Over time or due to certain circumstances, they sometimes fail. Companies like roofec precision exteriors are available to help prevent roofing issues and step in to thwart further damage if issues arise. Roofs can develop leaks for any number of reasons, but take a look at a few of the most common causes.

1) Broken or Missing Shingles

One of the most common reasons roofs develop leaks is missing roofing components. These could be shingles, shakes, tiles, or sheets of metal depending on the type of roof you have in place. Those materials are designed to work with other aspects of the roofing structure to keep out moisture. If a portion of them is missing, this leaves a gap through which rain, snow, and condensation can gain entry to your home.

2) Skylights

Skylights are beautiful and functional additions to homes. They improve interior and exterior appearance, allow natural light to flow in, and can increase property values. That being said, they’re also well-known culprits when it comes to roof leaks. If the skylights themselves are cracked or broken from falling debris, the damage is usually obvious. Some less visible reasons they might leak include worn or damaged seals and improper installation. In any of those cases, they become major sources of interior damage.

3) Punctures

Storms can toss a barrage of falling limbs and other debris at your roof. In some cases, those hazards hit the roof with such force that they puncture the roofing materials. They may not penetrate into the attic, but a serious surface wound is all it takes to cause a leak. Punctures may be visible from the ground, or they might not be noticeable at all without an up-close inspection.

4) Damaged Flashings

Flashings are unsung heroes of the roofing world. They’re installed under shingles and along the joints of the roof to provide barriers against wind and moisture. They can crack or warp over time because of extreme temperatures, heavy rains, and high winds. When they do, they leave the joints exposed and open the door for roof leaks.

5) Ice Dams

Ice dams are lengths of ice that form along the edge of a roof or in clogged gutters. They prevent snow and ice melt from draining off the roof properly. In some cases, they can work their way under the edges of roofing materials and cause damage. All this detracts from the effectiveness of the roof and can lead to extensive interior damage if not repaired promptly.

6) Damaged Vent Pipe Covers

All homes are required to have vent pipes in place to prevent air and other gasses from building up the plumbing system. Without them, or if they’re clogged, drains might not drain as well as they should, and potentially dangerous sewer gasses could build up in the home. Since they emerge through the roof, holes have to be cut in the roofing materials to accommodate them. Then, covers are installed where the pipes come through to prevent leaks. If those covers become cracked or worn, though, they don’t work properly and allow leaks to form.

7) Poorly Sealed Valleys

Valleys are the areas where different portions of the roof come together. They’re fitted with seals to help deflect water that runs along them from rain or melting snow and ice. If those seals are damaged or aren’t installed properly, though, they won’t work as they should. Instead of flowing safely along the roof and into the gutters and downspouts, water will seep into the attic through the valleys.

8) Damaged Roof Vents

Roofs are equipped with vents to allow for adequate airflow. Without them, heat and moisture would build up in the attic and cause condensation that would lead to mold growth and other issues. These vents vary in design, but all of them are prime spots for leaks to form. They’re designed to ward off leaks, but they can become worn or damaged and not work as well as they should.

9) Chimney Problems

Chimneys are notorious areas for leaks because so many things can go wrong with them. Damaged caps or crowns, cracks in the stone or brickwork, and damaged flashings around the chimney are only a few of the most common problems in this regard. Figuring out just which issue is the one causing the leak can be difficult, and in many cases, several of them are at work.

10) Time

Not all roof leaks come from storm damage, low-quality materials, or improper installation. Time may heal all wounds, but it doesn’t work the same way for roofs. Be sure to have the roof inspected at least once or twice per year and following major storms to catch problems early and prevent further damage. Still, all roofs need to be replaced at some point.

This varies widely depending on the type of material used. Asphalt shingles can last about 15 to 30 years whereas composite shingles last up to 20 years. Wood shingles can last as long as 25 years, and metal roofing may hold out for 75 years. Clay tiles and slate have been known to last a century or longer under optimal conditions. Keep in mind, the materials underneath the shingles, tiles, shakes, or metal may not last as long as the outer layer.

Keeping Your Roof in Top-Notch Shape

Roof leaks are common problems for homeowners. Some develop gradually due to normal wear and tear while others come from storm damage or poor craftsmanship. Time, alone, may be your roof’s worst enemy. Be sure to keep up with inspections and routine maintenance, and have damage repaired as soon as possible. All this will keep your roof in top-notch shape and help safeguard your home and belongings against damage.

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HOME DECOR, HOME ENTERTAINING

8 Fun and Fresh Home Theater Room Ideas

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Are you getting ready to add a home theater to your abode? Do you want it to be unique and memorable? Are you looking for some popcorn-popping home theater room ideas?

A home theater can give you the same experience as a real movie theater without having to get out of your pajamas. You’ll have front row tickets and no one loud blowing their nose in front of you.

Here are some of our favorite home theater room design tips.

1. Sports Palace

Sports fans will go crazy for a team-themed theater room. Consider hanging your favorite pendants, photos, and framed jerseys while you enjoy the ultimate sporting experience.

Home theater chairs are usually movie recliner chairs that are placed together and have armrests in between. These are a great place to hold your favorite brew while you sit back and watch the game. 

Some sports fans get extra-creative with murals or baseball-diamond carpets. Add a mini-bar and you’ll have the ultimate relaxing and viewing experience.

2. Pool House Palace

Is your pool house not getting used? Consider turning it into a theater party all of your guests can enjoy while the lights twinkle off your pool.

Pool House Designs don’t need to be fancy. Place your large screen on a wall opposite two daybeds or futons. Throw up a few framed posters of your favorite screen icons, and you’ve got the perfect place to watch the magic happen.

Your pool house may already come equipped with a bar or bathroom, so making it a great place to host your friends for a great casual get-together won’t be hard to do.

3. She-Shed Show

Accessory dwelling units are a great place to house your entertainment experience. You can find movie theater seats at antique shops or online. Invest in a projector, sound system, and screen, and you’ve got an escape all of your friends will envy!

Decorate using some splashy or subtle paint color ideas and your favorite movie memorabilia. It’s the perfect place to enjoy your favorite flick away from the pressures of work and family.

4. Basement Family Room

Your basement is one of the most classic places to house an entertainment space. It’s also possible to create a theater in a small basement as long as your screen isn’t too big. 

You’ll want your movie room to be as shielded as possible from distracting noises upstairs. You can soundproof your movie section by adding a second layer of drywall, or by replacing your existing drywall with sound-reducing wallboard. 

It’s also important to know exactly where your audio-visual component rack will be. Your screen, cable box, and streaming box will all operate from the same unit. It needs to be near an electrical outlet and capable of bringing in an Internet source wire.

Your lighting system can be anything from simple track lighting to an elaborate system with dimmers and rope lights. You can add decor like red velvet walls, tiered seating, and even a popcorn maker. Before long, your basement will get transformed into a cinematic wonderland.

5. Science Fiction Fantasy

If your family’s favorite films to get lost in are all out in space, a science fiction hideaway may be the perfect place for screenings. Consider lights that dim and tiny twinkling lights embedded in ceiling tiles. The best colors for these types of rooms are grays and purples that will really enhance the spaceship experience.

6. Rustic Filming

If you have a side room or family room in a farmhouse style, these can be a great place for your home theater. Exposed beams and light woods look great when coupled with comfy leather couches and throw pillows.

A cozy farmhouse theater is a great place to invite guests to, or simply to get the whole family together for the viewing of something heartwarming.

7. Spare Bedroom

Maybe you’ve just bought your first home or you’re living in an empty nest. This could be a great place to create a movie room, although you’ll want to prepare it first.

You’ll need to insulate the room and prewire the sound. Make sure you know where your speakers are going to be so that you can run cables to them. You’ll also want to prewire your video projector and put the wiring in place for any special lighting you’ve got in mind. 

Drywall and appropriate sound barriers will need to get installed. You’ll also need to set up your video and sound systems before bringing in your theater-style seating. Decorating is completely up to you!

8. Sophisticated Theater

Maybe your movie room will be more for business than pleasure. Dark woods, recessed lighting, and leather couches welcome visitors to catch up on the news or hold video conferences.

Decor placed in more business-like theater settings is more subtle. Consider adding black-and-white photos or personal touches like horse-racing or polo memorabilia.

A minibar with leather stools makes this type of room a great place to meet with colleagues like you would in a corner office. And with so much work being remote lately, you may find it’s the perfect place to make professional connections!

Home Theater Room Ideas

Home theater room designs keep evolving as they become more and more popular in individual homes. They can reflect your favorite movies, personality quirks, or house style. With a little creativity, you can find the perfect home theater room ideas to make your entertaining space an amazing escape.

Don’t stop getting smart about home designs now. For more inspiring ideas, read our blog today.

COZY MOVIE NIGHT DECOR….

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HOME DECOR, HOME STYLING

How to Choose the Perfect Rug for Your Room

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Like many things in interior design choosing a rug can seem like a perfectly simple decision. In many ways it is, but like many other pieces a rug can literally make a break the flow, mood and appearance of a room theme.

Of course, practical restraints like budget and cost come into consideration. The perfect rug for your ideal room might be made of organic wool sourced from New Zealand or Scotland. But we can’t all have that luxury.

Unlimited budgets aside, the main points are simply style and size. So, let’s get started.

What Size of Rug is Right for My Room?

The answer to what size of rug do I need really comes down to your preference of how you want to room to look.

The first option is if the rug is going to be the defining style for what the eye sees on the floor. Do you want the main visual on the floor to be the rug? I.e. your furniture sits on it completely? If so then you’re going to want to leave at least 12-18 inches of floor visible from the wall on all four sides. This helps create a nice separation between the wooden flooring underneath and the style of the rug.

The second option is if you only want the front two legs of your major items of furniture to sit on the rug. This is more budget friendly than a ‘whole room’ rug, but still gives the rug a commanding presence in the room’s appearance.

The final option is what is referred to as the ‘no legs’ option where a smaller rug is simply placed in the centre of the room. The only legs touching a rug of this size would be all four legs on your centre piece coffee table. As you would expect this is also the lowest cost option as it uses the least material.

What Style of Rug Should I Choose?

There is obviously no ‘correct’ style of rug, it is completely down to your personal preference. But a rug that you like the look of in isolation might not work with the theme of the rest of your room.

So here are some simple rules to help you get it right:

1 – Know your colour contrasts

In most cases you’re going to want the colour of the rug to contrast with the colour of your furniture. You can look up colour palettes on a number of different interior design blogs to help you get started. But a trend which is in just now and helps demonstrate the concept would be contrasting a grey furniture palette with a mustard rug and cushions.

It’s important to create these visual contrasts to make the room flow correctly and give it an appealing look.

2 – Patterns only belong in one place

If you like the look of a patterned rug, such as a rag rug then you need to make sure that your furniture is not pattered as well. Keep the furniture plain and let the rug do the talking if you want a vibrant and visual patterned rug as a centre piece.

This is an easy mistake to make, because even a subtle imprint pattern on your sofa and chairs for example can really cause a clash and ruin an otherwise carefully constructed room design.

3 – Be careful with texture matching 

Similar to pattern matching you need to be careful on the rug texture as well. If you have a high volume fluffy rug then you need to be careful about what cushions you have on your furniture.

The hard and fast rule would be to match your rug texture with a similar feel on your cushions. For example fluffy rug matched with fluffy cushions. A tight knit firm rug should be matches with smooth cushions.

Final Thoughts…

All in all if you still feel lost you should go to showrooms and take inspiration from displays that you like there. Or if because of current covid restrictions showrooms in your area are close, you can browse Pinterest or Instagram interior design accounts.

More often than not whoever has staged a showroom will get it right and you can copy their design, and the same thing goes for popular social channels.

Good luck!

SHOP AREA RUGS…

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HOME REPAIRS + MAINTENANCE

Should You Repair or Replace Your Current Boiler?

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Buying a new boiler is expensive, and it’s normal to be reluctant about it. There are some cases when your current boiler can still be salvaged, even if it’s showing signs that it’s on its way out. This could give you the extra time needed to cushion the blow and do your research on which boiler type or model you should buy next. However, there are some cases when you’ll have no choice but to replace it or when repairs are not worth it. Let’s take a look at what would be the best decision based on your situation.

Think Boiler Safety

The first thing you have to do is check to see if your current unit is running safely. And, in most cases, old boilers don’t meet new safety requirements. Consult a team like nonpareilsolutions.co.uk to see if your boiler is safe. They will also be able to tell you if it can be repaired safely or if it needs replacing.

It’s important to remember that even after a fix, your unit could still be unsafe, and, in worst cases, you could end up exposing yourself to things like carbon monoxide. Only an engineer will be able to tell you how much life your boiler still has left in it. Only once you’re sure that the boiler is safe can you consider the option of repairing it.

Could You Make Energy Savings by Replacing?

Another thing you have to consider when repairing a boiler is whether you could be making savings by buying a more energy efficient unit. You could eventually end up recuperating the initial cost quickly when you take away the money you would’ve spent on repairs. 

Not only will a new boiler be more energy-efficient, but it will also be better at heating rooms fast. If you already have a modern and efficient unit, however, having it fixed by a registered professional could be the best option.

How Much Will It Cost to Repair?

Another thing you have to consider when having an old boiler repaired is that repairs could end up costing much more on an old unit than on a new one. That’s because some of the parts might be more expensive and harder to find. 

You should also know that there’s the possibility that something will go wrong in the immediate future. So, make sure that you assess your costs and see if replacing would make more sense from a financial standpoint.

You should repair your unit only if the procedure is simple, or if it can be done at a low cost. You also have to make sure that you’ll be able to run it for a long time without worrying about future breakdowns. If you have a new boiler, then chances are it’s still under warranty, which could not only cover you for parts but service as well.

Conclusion

As you can see, deciding between replacing or repairing your boiler doesn’t have to be complicated. Make sure that you look at all the factors cited above and make the right choice.

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BEDROOMS, HOME DECOR

5 Ways to Transform a Boring Bedroom

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Have you been worried about your boring bedroom?

You should always love the decor in your bedroom. It’s the place you spend at least a third of your life, and it’s sure to take a toll on you if you don’t actually like it. 

Maybe you know you want to update your bedroom but aren’t sure of where to start. After all, home improvement can seem like a daunting task, so you may not know the easiest way to breathe some life into your bedroom.

Have a look through these tips. One might resonate with you and be the transformation you need!

1. Pick a Theme

When transforming your bedroom, you could always pick a theme. If your bedroom looks boring, think about something you love.

It can be as simple as a color scheme, or as elaborate as a franchise.

Visionbedding has some great ideas for a country theme if you want to bring a touch of the South to your room!

2. Paint!

Do you think you have a boring bedroom wall? Time to give it a splash of paint!

Sometimes updating your room is as simple as choosing a new color for the walls. It’ll make the whole room feel completely different, even though only one thing has been updated. 

3. Choose Some Great Art

A boring bedroom makeover isn’t complete without some great art.

You don’t have to paint the whole wall; maybe you just need to hang some art up! Think about some styles or images you love, whether it’s nature, wildlife, cityscapes… and find some great art to put up.

It’ll breathe some much-needed life into the room and remind you of all the things you love, hopefully improving your love for the room too!

4. Get New Lighting

If your bedroom looks boring, sometimes new lighting will make a world of difference.

Pick a new lamp for the bedside table, or decorate your bed with some romantic string lights. Some mood lighting can make it feel like an entirely new room, even though you’ve only updated one thing.

Try to make sure the lights are warm and inviting, as cool lights will only make your sleep quality worse when you lie down and try to fall over. 

5. A New Headboard

You don’t need an entirely new bed, but a headboard can make it look like you got one.

Headboards come in a variety of shapes and styles, transforming the look of the place you sleep. If it’s your bed that’s really bothering you but you don’t want to buy a new one, this might be the solution you’ve been searching for. 

Your Boring Bedroom Can Be Easily Transformed!

A boring bedroom isn’t good for anyone. Even though you only sleep there, you want to lie down in a room that’s both comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.

If you’ve been looking for ways to makeover your room, try one of these. You’ll be surprised at the difference it makes. 

For more home improvement tips, check out the rest of our site!

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INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS, KITCHENS

How to Give Your Kitchen a Modern Look

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The kitchen is said to be the most-used room in a home. Many of us gather there for chats, family meals, parties, and cooking, so it must be a room you like the look of and enjoy being in. If your kitchen is looking a bit tired and dated, here are some tips on how to give your kitchen a sleek, modern look. 

Paint it

Nothing cheers up and cleans up a room like a fresh lick of paint. You can paint the walls or, if you are really inspired, paint the kitchen units. The latest trend is to paint the wall cupboards a different color than the base units. Black or navy is very “now” and will give your kitchen an expensive, classy look, especially if you accessorize with gold or rose gold trinkets and utensils. If you don’t want to cast gloom on an already dark kitchen, opt for classic white paint. A white minimalist kitchen always looks clean, spacious, and modern.

Build It In

It is essential for a sleek-looking kitchen that all units are flush with the walls and with each other, and no furniture is sticking out beyond the clean lines. Opt for built-in appliances that are hidden behind doors or give them a built-in look by sealing off all spaces and gaps with gratings or panels. 

Change the Hardware

An inexpensive way to instantly update your kitchen is to replace old wooden cupboard handles with funky new ones. Hardware is available in many different colors and shapes, so look for something modern in polished chrome or even gold. If you can, create a super streamlined look by leaving your doors handleless and furnishing them with push-open fittings. A modern fridge-freezer with stainless steel trim will look like a futuristic machine as it sits snugly beside your units.

Upgrade Appliances

The design of kitchen appliances is continuously evolving. A modern kitchen needs modern devices, so rather than spending money on replacing units, invest in a quality built-in oven or free-standing modern range cooker. Stick to white or stainless steel goods as colored appliances can go out of fashion quickly. 

Accessories can make or break a look. Modern accessories will create a modern look. Clutter does not help create a sleek look, so clear all surfaces and keep worktop adornments to a minimum. Ensure you have plenty of storage in which to hide stuff away from sight. If you are lucky enough to have a walk-in larder or utility room, store small appliances and items you don’t use every day in there.

Accessorize your kitchen

Some geometric ceiling light fittings made from gold or copper wire will provide some color and interest to a monochrome kitchen. Framed abstract prints and wall art can personalize your space so that it isn’t too clinical looking.

Small kitchen appliances like kettles, toasters, and coffee machines are available in futuristic-looking designs, and they can look like works of art sitting on your kitchen worktops.

SHOP KITCHEN FAVORITES…

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home renovation, REAL ESTATE

8 Simple Home Renovations To Boost Your Property Value

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Are you looking to boost your property value or just have the coolest house on the block?

There are plenty of ways to renovate your home that can really amp up your interior style and design whether you’re looking to sell your home or stay in it forever.

Home renovations don’t have to be difficult and overwhelming. There are great small-scale tweaks that you can make to take your home to the next level. What are you going to choose?

Keep reading to learn about a few simple home upgrades and design changes that you can make to boost the value of your home. 

1. Replace Kitchen Appliances

Is your kitchen outdated? How new are your appliances?

Fresh and new appliances can do wonders for a home’s value. After all, when you’re getting ready to move into a new house, wouldn’t you rather have appliances that you know you won’t have to replace in a few years? 

This is a simple task that you can do at home, at least for the stove and refrigerator. If you’re installing or upgrading a dishwasher it’s best to enlist the help of a professional. 

If you choose not to sell, you still have a shiny new set of kitchen appliances that you can cook with!

2. Fix Your Tiling

We don’t pay enough attention to our floors. We grow blind to the things that might be “not quite right” and ignore how dingy tile floors can get over time. 

There are several ways to re-tile a floor and some are easier than others. Tearing up tile is going to be the hardest part.

If you’re going about this the hard way (yet also the best long-term way), remove the tiles that you already have. Then, you’re going to replace them with your new tiles and grout, being careful to cover all blank space. Everything has to be sealed to protect from moisture.

For a simpler route, there are plenty of options for stick-on tiles. They’re beginner-friendly and they aren’t permanent, but they hold up well and they look great. 

They’re also a great choice for a fancy kitchen backsplash! Fresh and clean tiling makes such a huge difference to the aesthetic appeal of your home. 

3. Consider Replacing Carpets

Carpets aren’t as popular as they used to be. They get dirty, they’re hard to clean, they don’t stay fluffy, and they can trap mold. 

More and more people are opting for hardwood all over. That means that if you want more potential buyers, you might want to do the same. 

Replacing the carpet isn’t easy. If you’re lucky, you’ll discover beautiful hardwood underneath your carpet, but don’t count on it. If you haven’t done this before, hire a professional. 

It’s a quick fix that makes a big difference. 

4. Add Some Fans

Have you ever moved into a new home and been disappointed that there are no fans in the rooms? We’ve been there. There’s something calming about the slow rotation of a nice fan.

You can install fans if you don’t already have them. You do need a bit of know-how but it’s still considered a DIY project for anyone who’s handy. 

Whether you want the smooth look of a classic fan or the beachy look of Gulf Coast fans, there’s something for you. Find something that matches the overall “vibe” of your home so your potential buyers get a cohesive and trendy space!

5. Basic Hardware Upgrades

Have you ever sat down and really looked at your handles and doorknobs? 

Probably not, right? You’re used to them. They’re utilitarian in nature and they aren’t meant to be aesthetic. But should they be? 

Having a cohesive style of cabinet handles, door locks, doorknobs, and all of the other metal bits and bobs around your home can make a big difference. They’re also fun to shop for as a bonus. 

This is a time-consuming but easy process once you have your new hardware pieces picked out. Why not give it a try? 

6. Paint Your Cabinets

What good is the new hardware if your cabinets are ugly or scuffed? 

Painting the cabinets is a great way to make your kitchen (with its new appliances) pop. Cabinets often get overlooked, but pay attention! Painting them is way easier than getting new ones installed and you can customize them.

We love the look of clean white cabinets with shiny gold handles, but the coloring is up to you. What do you love?

7. Re-Color Those Walls!

If your walls are looking scuffed and dingy it’s time for a new paint job or wallpaper. You can do this in a few ways.

First, basic painting. This is a DIY project that anyone can do, but it can be time-consuming. It’s best to go for somewhat neutral and agreeable colors to make sure you appeal to the widest audience, but we love a good statement wall in an otherwise neutral room.

You can also try wallpaper. This is extra good on a statement wall. Removable wallpaper allows you to make the statement that you want while also allowing your buyers the ability to remove it if they choose. 

8. Energy-Efficient Upgrades

Going green is in style right now. How green is your home? 

There are eco-friendly options for all over your home and some are easier to install than others. You can opt for a few green electrical items like a greener dishwasher or a green garage door opener. There are solar hot water heaters and large, energy-efficient windows that can keep the house’s carbon footprint low!

You don’t need to install full solar panels (though you can) to have a greener home. 

Which Home Renovations Are You Going to Do?

There are so many fun and easy home renovations that can take your home from drab to fab. Which ones are your favorites? 

Whether you’re new to renovation or you’ve done this all before, there’s something for every homeowner. 

For more posts on renovations, real estate, and more, check out the rest of our site!

 

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home renovation

Top 4 Tips for Property Renovation

top-4-tips-for-property-renovation

Whether you’re renovating a rundown property for yourself to live, or to sell on once your project is complete, it’s essential that you do it right. If you cut corners and don’t make the home a decent place to live, you will not make as much money as you like or live comfortably if you do move into it. A renovation project of this size is a lot to take on, so you must be willing to see it through to the end and be able to afford to make the necessary changes. Here are a few tips to help you plan for this kind of project if this is something you have been considering.

Renovation Budget

You might not have spent a lot of your budget on the property itself when you purchased it, but the surveyor should have been able to give you a good estimate of what all of the work will cost before you finalised a sale. You should also prepare for hidden costs, as often these kinds of projects have unforeseen circumstances that add more to the final bill. Once you know how much you can realistically afford to spend, you can start to think about the most cost-effective materials to use that will still be good quality for the build.

Structural Work

The most important thing to get right when you’re renovating a property is the structural work. If a house has been left empty for an extended period, there is a good chance that it has sustained damage to the roof, windows, brickwork, and possibly the foundations. Again, your surveyor should have included all of this in their report, and you can use that as a reference to what needs to be done to make the property safe to live in. Make sure you’re investing in these areas, as quality structural work is vital.

Interior

Once you know the property is structurally sound, has new windows fitted, etc., you can begin to look at the interior. For things like your bathroom or kitchen, you will need to find a company that specialises in these designs and installation, like granitetransformations.co.uk. You might also want to think about hiring an interior designer if you can, as they will be able to bring your vision for the property to life.

Reliable Team

Even if you’re a builder or a DIY enthusiast, there is no way you can renovate an entire house by yourself! You will need to find a reliable team of contractors, plumbers, electricians, and so on to help you piece together your dream home. If you are planning to make some structural changes to the property, you might need the help of an architect to draw up these plans for you. Take your time to find the right people for the job, get a variety of quotes to compare, and use reviews and recommendations to help you make your decision.

Renovating a property is a big undertaking, but taking the time to plan it properly and with a strong team to work on it, all of the effort will pay off. 

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