Category: Home

The world can be a stressful place, so your home should act as a personal sanctuary. Yet many people find that their houses are chaotic and full of clutter — the opposite of a relaxing space. Everyone craves a customized stress-free zone, but how do you achieve it?

You can start by implementing these three tips.

1. Give Everything a Home

Clutter sometimes seems like it’s never-ending, which can cause anxiety and can trigger guilty feelings. The solution is to clean, declutter and organize, using these two steps.

Creating Zones

Structure offer clarity and direction, which can reduce uncertainty and confusion. If you create zones in your house, it will be easier to decide where objects should go. For example, you might decide that your office is the place to address anything important. From there, you would place important bills, files, and documents into that single room. Likewise, you would put all related items in that space.

To implement this step in your life, walk into each room of your house and determine its purpose. You could give the room a dedicated name or divide it into categories like work, play, and relaxation.

 Prioritizing Storage Solutions

Once you’ve created zones throughout your home, it’s time to organize items and prioritize storage solutions. You can use folders, bags, boxes or baskets — whatever suits your needs — to begin separating items. You’ll then need to assign them a dedicated place in the house.

2. Choose a Cohesive Design

With your home clean and organized, it’s time to take a closer look at your design. Does each room have a similar style? If every room is painted a different color and has mismatched furniture and decor, your house might feel chaotic even when clean.

Think about your personality and lifestyle — what furniture pieces do you appreciate the most? If you don’t have a strong design opinion, you can also look to your home’s character for motivation. When you choose a cohesive design theme, you create a natural flow and balance inside that wasn’t present before.

Popular design styles include:

• Traditional
• Rustic
• Coastal
• Industrial
• Modern
• Eclectic

3. Bring the Outdoors Inside

Some houses truly need a breath of fresh air to begin feeling like a stress-free zone. Here are two ways to bring the outdoors inside.

Natural Light

Natural light makes you feel energized and alive. Sunlight helps to reset your body’s circadian rhythm provides you with a healthy boost of vitamin D. In return, you sleep better and have more energy. To gain more natural light, try using sheer curtains instead of heavy materials. If you’re looking for a massive boost of sunlight, you can install additional windows or skylights throughout your property.

Indoor Plants

Houseplants make people happy and can naturally remove toxins from the air. They look beautiful and may spark a love for gardening you didn’t know existed. Begin with plants that are resilient to boost your confidence and add to your collection over time.

Take It Slow

Using these three tips, you can transform your home into a stress-free environment where you’re happy to spend time. Remember, it’s essential to take it at your own pace. By taking your time with each step, you can enjoy the process rather than adding to your anxiety. Even the most beautiful properties can seem stressful if the individual feels overwhelmed or unhappy. Use your redesigned clutter-free house as a safe space to decompress and prioritize self-care — you’ll have a new appreciation for your home and yourself.

A sturdy roof is a critical part of a house. We may see a roof as the icing on the cake, but it is much more than that. Protection, insulation, and controlled climate come from a roof that is well maintained. Replacing your roof may seem like the only option when that first sign of wear appears, but many times a roof restoration can be to your advantage.

Restoring your roof’s original condition without a complete roof redo has several advantages over roof replacement. Here are some facts about roof restoration over roof replacement.

Economically Feasible

The average cost to replace a roof on a modest house is $11,000 to $12,000. A roof restoration can cost between $1,000 and $4,000. That is a significant price difference when an entire tear-off and replacement is not needed. A roof inspector can provide details on what areas require repair or structural damage that requires considerable work.

More Sustainable and Improved Comfort

A total roof restoration is much more sustainable than a full roof replacement. Besides adding years of life to an existing roof, the amount of refuse that ends up in a landfill is less. Tiles and sheathing are not Eco-friendly and postponing the increased toxic debris is a plus. Your roof may also be allowing outdoor air to seep into your home. Loose tiles, worn eaves, or damage from winds can create the tiniest of tears that will worsen over time. Because heat loss is gradual, you may not notice a difference in comfort. Rising heat bills can point to problems of energy loss.

Added Value to Property

An unattractive roof can bring down your property’s value. By enhancing the appearance of your roof, the market value always increases. Roof restoration involves scrubbing, repairing, replacing, or painting the damaged sections instead of tearing off everything and beginning from scratch. The result can improve the value of your home substantially.

The Time Factor

Besides the roof restoration cost savings, time is also minimalised. Replacing a roof can take weeks of inconvenience and maybe displacement while the work is done. Roof restoration does not involve tearing off all tiles and sheathing. Only areas in need are repaired, and cleaning can make your roof look new. Restoration provides a lesser amount of time with little disruption to a family’s routine.

Increase the Lifespan of an Existing Roof

No one wants to be saddled with a remortgage on their home for a roof replacement. Roofs that are 30 to 40 years old can gain another 5 to 10 years of life from a roof restoration. By watching the deterioration of a roof and catching it before a new roof is needed, the cost can be significantly less.

What To Look For

It’s crucial that you detect warnings of roof deterioration early. There are several signs to look for, especially if your roof is over 15 years old. If you notice that your tiles are damaged or discoloured, this could be the early start to damage shortly. A sagging roof is another telltale sign of underlying damage. Hearing small animals overhead is an indication that there is an opening along the roofline that needs attention.

It is easy to ignore the early signs of a damaged roof. However, taking those first steps in keeping your roof well-maintained by a roof restoration is advantageous in the long run. Replacing a roof is an expensive and lengthy process. For around $200, a qualified roof inspector can come onsite and evaluate your existing roof. This can give you peace of mind and save you thousands of dollars.

These days, due to the Coronavirus, the safest trip you can take is to your backyard and garden. Many people took up gardening and landscaping as a hobby in the past year, trying to grow flowers, veggies, and other plants in their yard to boost relaxation and aesthetic appeal of the space. But no matter how big you go with plants and how cozy you make your furniture, you will never find relaxation unless you work in the privacy of your yard. So to prevent curious eyes from peering in, here are a few privacy ideas for your yard. 

Grow your fence

If you prefer to go all-natural with your privacy screens, opt for hedges. This type of greenery has been a hallmark of privacy landscaping for hundreds of years. Benefits of these plants are that, if secured and planted well, they can reach virtually any height. But hedges also have cons. It takes a lot of money, time, and effort to end up with a high hedgerow. However, if you place it right, even a modest hedge can provide a fair amount of privacy. 

No time? Choose bamboo!

If you’re into exotic plants, don’t hesitate to welcome bamboo to your yard. This plant offers great natural privacy because it can easily grow tall enough to shield your little backyard oasis. Plus, bamboo grows quickly and requires next to zero maintenance. You can plant it in its own planter or use it to fill gaps in the fence or pergola. However, be careful since bamboo is invasive and can easily take over your garden if not planted in beds or strong containers. 

Go classic with wood

Wood fences are common across the world and they are the most classical way to shield your property. They can also do wonders for your yard design. Since you can choose from a variety of different woods (ranging from blond to very dark) and a variety of different styles, every yard can find its match. Additionally, wood is also relatively inexpensive, and with proper construction and maintenance, quite durable. Easy to put up, a wooden fence can be constructed using only basic woodworking knowledge, so a DIY fence is not out of reach. 

Take a modern road

If a classic wooden fence doesn’t match with your minimalist and modern aesthetics, you can choose a different road with materials like Colorbond. Contact an experienced fencing supplier and see whether they offer this type of fencing that provides privacy together with much better sound insulation. If you live by a busy road, this type of fencing will be perfect for your backyard. And yes, Colorbond fencing also comes with additions like lattices and plinths for extra privacy, security, and aesthetic appeal. 

Go with a backyard trellis 

A nice wooden trellis provides any backyard with a solution to its privacy problem. You can go simple or elaborate with your design, order some online or have it custom-built, but you will surely end up with something aesthetically pleasing and effective. A trellis will interrupt sightlines, but also soften the breeze and direct sunlight. Plus, if you have any climbing plants or flowering vines in your garden, they will instantly feel attracted to your construction, climb it and create a focal point in your outdoor living area. 

Install a pergola

If you want some privacy, but don’t want to block your breathtaking backyard views, consider a pergola. These little backyard buildings are perfect for placing atop an elevated deck, and even though they don’t have walls, their various beams and columns will obstruct the sight line for neighbors. And if you hang outdoor curtains around your pergola, you can dictate just how much privacy and element protection you wish to achieve at any given moment (you will be able to use your outdoor space even in winter).

See whether any of these ideas fit your yard and start building to welcome nice weather with open arms. If you boost your yard privacy, expect to spend the entire summer outdoors relaxing, entertaining and enjoying your creation. 

Did you know that 63.4 million American households own dogs? But what happens when those households need to move to a new place? A lot of people move with their pets but should follow some tips to ensure that they are comfortable during the process.

Read on to learn about how to move with a dog using seven tips.

1. Maintain the Same Routine

Knowing how to move with a dog depends on the dog itself. However, one thing all dogs can benefit from is keeping the same routine before and after the move to make them feel more comfortable. This means serving them their meals at the same time as usual, taking daily walks, and giving them the same affection.

Chances are, even when you continue the same routine while packing up your items, your dog will suspect that something is up. They may follow you around suspecting that you might be abandoning them. With affection, you can try to assure them that everything is alright.

After moving into a new place, keeping the same routine you did at the old place is crucial. It may even be a good idea to give them more playtime until they feel at ease in the new spot.

2. Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Just as you may be struggling with stress and anxiety during the move, your pet may be too. Moving with a dog is a lot easier when you help them reduce their anxiety.

You can do this by using natural calming products and exercise. Accessories are ranging from shirts to vests that can help calm a stressed dog. During pet transportation, you may find that essential oils and hemp oil are beneficial.

Exercise helps reduce stress and anxiety in a dog because it releases endorphins. In fact, going on a run with your dog could aid both of you if the stress is overwhelming. Going on long walks will also suffice if you aren’t a runner.

Playing in the backyard for longer than usual can also keep a dog calm. More exercise also means your dog will be exhausted by the end of the day, giving them no time to have stress.

3. Choosing the Right Moving Method

Moving with pets, in general, takes a lot more consideration than moving without them. You may have to choose a different moving method overall because of your furry friend.

Hiring professional movers is one method that makes owners’ life way less stressful. With a professional moving company, you don’t have to lift anything or handle the process on your own. However, having strangers around taking your stuff away may be stressful for your pooch.

Luckily, having someone to do most of the work for you means you can focus your energy on your pets. Dog transportation during a move with a moving company should be completed by the owners.

You could also recruit your family and friends to help you move. This is an inexpensive way to get things done, although it may take longer than expected. It is also a great way to make your dogs more comfortable moving to a new place.

Knowing how to move with a pet during the COVID-19 pandemic is a little different. For example, if you planned on flying to your new destination with your pets, you may need to change your plans. Some airlines have halted air pet transport, read more now.

4. Creating a Checklist

Knowing how to move with a dog requires more than thinking about transportation. Having a new address means updating important records for you and your pet.

Some of the basics include ordering new tags, updating online microchip information, and finding a new vet. Don’t forget to get your pet’s old health records to take with you in case of an emergency.

Most importantly, pack a bag for your dog just as you would for yourself. This should include their food bowls, a blanket, a leash, and their favorite toys. This will help them feel more comfortable during the ride and when you arrive.

Your checklist should also include pet-proofing the new home before you arrive. This could mean something like purchasing gates to prevent your pet from getting out. You also may be required to register your dog in the new city you move to.

5. Introducing the New Home

When you arrive at the new home, let your pet explore the place including the outdoor area. You can use the leash to walk your dog around the entire house and let them sniff around for as long as necessary.

While your dog is exploring the outdoors, check for any dangers you may have missed since the last time you saw the house. It is especially crucial to know if there are any poisonous plants in the yard that your dog may get into.

After the outdoors have been checked by your dog, let them inside. Keeping them on a leash even inside is recommended because it will help them feel less stressed. This way you can guide them through the home one room at a time.

6. Create a Safe Space

You don’t want your pet on a leash constantly in the home. Even when they are still getting familiar with the new place, it is important to let them off the hook.

To keep them comfortable when they are off the leash, create a safe space for them filled with their favorite toys and their comfy dog bed. This lets them know that the new place is safe for relaxing.

7. Settling In

Don’t be alarmed if your dog doesn’t eat or use the restroom enough after the move. It will take them some time to settle in and get back to their normal self. Generally, dogs will get comfortable after just a week of being in their new home.

How to Move With a Dog Explained

If moving is a stressful adventure for you, imagine what your dog is going through. Knowing how to move with a dog depends on the location of the new home and the dog itself. Using this guide can help you get through the basics of moving with your pet.

Keep coming back for more articles with tips about taking care of your pets.

We might be a few weeks behind Halloween, but that does not mean we cannot hang the autumn wreath and light pumpkin spice candles. Mind you; there is more to preparing your home for fall than that.

So, before you go with the fall, fancy, and fun, here are seven things you should do:

Clean Your Gutters

We understand if you are used to your gutters draining gallons of water. However, you would want that water outside instead of flooding your house.

Hence, once the leaves start turning brown and red, that is your cue to clean your gutters.

Other than flooding your interiors, a clogged gutter can be home to pests and vermins. And this can lead to infestations and other health hazards for your family.

Clogged gutters can also damage your home’s foundation. That’s because gutters are designed to collect rainwater and channel it away from vital parts of the house.

Drain Your Outdoor Faucets

Similar to de-clogging your gutter, we suggest that you drain your outdoor faucets if you have any.

As mentioned earlier, the fall is when the weather starts to get cold. This means that water from outdoor faucets will be prone to freezing. When that happens, your faucets might burst, which can lead to a home repair nightmare.

That said, the Citizens Utility Board suggests that you do the following:

Housewives today are no longer the worn-out women with crying babies all over the place. They are not women wearing robes and curlers all day long. These are no longer women who spend half of their time in the kitchen, under the weight of huge pots.

Although modern housewives are not like that at all, they still enjoy spending time in the kitchen. Firstly, this means constant access to various goodies, and secondly, in the kitchen, they create culinary masterpieces that make their husbands and children rush home from school and office. The housewife is the heart of the family, and the kitchen is the warm heart of the house.

However, all this magical home cooking doesn’t exist without modern appliances for baking, frying, and cooking. Therefore, every housewife would like to have everything she needs to create her masterpieces.

The little things most housewives would rather buy:

Large wooden cutting board – you may even need several of these, one for meat, one for fish, others for fruit, etc. Regardless of the number of boards, a separate board for fish is required. Also, pay attention to the wood, it must be of high quality. You can also lightly oil it to prevent various liquids from entering the wood;

Containers for sugar, salt, flour, pepper, baking soda, etc. Besides being really reliable and convenient compared to paper bags, they will also decorate your kitchen. You can buy two sets and mix them;

The fruit basket is a great decoration and a convenient opportunity to keep fresh fruit on the table at any time. People are more likely to eat what they have, so your kids and husband will eat more vitamins if you put them on the table right away;

A skillet pan is a great way to keep pots where you can see them and close at hand.

Cookbook shelf – very useful if you have a lot of books and use them on a regular basis;

Apron and towel rack – what could be worse than wet towels spread all over the kitchen and you never find a clean one? Keep your towels in order.

But if you want to furnish your modern kitchen? If so, multipurpose kitchen appliances can be used. These appliances can help you save space while reducing the number of items. Do not forget to invest in a reputable home warranty plan first though. Repairing and replacing appliances can be expensive but if you live somewhere like Kentucky for example, a home warranty plan from a provider such as First American Home Warranty can help you to save money in the long term.

Here are some essential appliances for a modern kitchen:

Fridge

This is perhaps the most useful appliance in the modern kitchen. Helps to keep food fresh, you can store cooked food that can be eaten after a few days. Since refrigerators come in a variety of sizes, you can find one for even the smallest kitchen.

Therefore, before making this purchase, consider the size of your kitchen and the amount of food you will be storing to gauge the capacity most suitable for your family.

Types of refrigerators:

• Single chamber
• Bicameral
• Three-chamber
• Side by said
• French door

Microwave

The microwave oven allows you to quickly reheat food. Efficient heat distribution ensures that food is heated evenly for several minutes. You can also cook food in the microwave. This device is very durable, easy to use and quite affordable.

Types of microwave ovens by control method:

• Mechanical adjustment
• Button control
• Touch control

Coffee maker

If you are a coffee lover, the programmable coffee maker will help you get your coffee when you need it, making life so much easier. The Programmable Coffee Maker gives you the ability to automatically adjust the coffee brewing process for the night, so you wake up with the attractive aroma of freshly brewed coffee. These coffee makers are equipped with a thermal carafe, the main task of which is to ensure that your coffee stays hot for several hours.

There are the following types of coffee machines:

• The simplest, drip models.
• Complex apparatus of the horn type.
• Capsule-powered machines.
• Geyser models.
• Electric Turks.
• Combined options.

Juicer

These juicers provide one of the easiest ways to include more fruits and vegetables in your diet for a healthier lifestyle. Although expensive juicers use the slowest process, they deliver rich juices with the most enzymes, fiber, and minerals.

Appointment

• Citrus
• For hard fruits and vegetables
• Stone fruit
• Station wagons

Dishwasher

Dishwashers come in a wide variety of sizes, some are so small that they can fit in small spaces, making them ideal for homes with small kitchens. When choosing dishes, be sure to consider the capacity and dimensions of the dishwasher.

Also, be sure to check its specifications, which may include water heater, pump, different cycles, water efficiency, dry cycle. l and energy.

Types of dishwashers:

• Built-in dishwashers
• Compact dishwashers
• Tabletop dishwashers
• Shallow dishwashers
• Narrow dishwashers
• Front-mounted dishwashers
• Dishwashers “3 in 1”

Those who are dedicated to work to provide for their families look forward to the day they can retire and enjoy life. Unfortunately, with retirement comes the lack of money. Most individuals decide it’s beneficial to them to take out a reverse mortgage on their home once they retire.

Before you make such a huge and important commitment, you should make it a point to become familiar with the terminology that you may hear when applying or talking about getting a reverse mortgage. Let me take the time to explain some of it to you.

What Does Reverse Mortgage Mean?

You know how you pay for your mortgage each month to the bank? A reverse mortgage is the opposite of this. You would actually receive a monthly payment from the loan once you are approved for it. It is a long-term solution for your financial woes after retirement. As long as you permanently live in the home you are borrowing against, you should have no problem accessing the money.

How Can I Use My Money?

One of the great things about reverse mortgages is that you can gain access to the money in a variety of ways. One option is to take it out as a line of credit. You will be able to use smaller amounts of money whenever you need it.

Another common method is to take out a single payment. This would mean that you get all of your money in a lump sum. On the other hand, you could opt to split up the payments monthly. They would all be of equal value for as long as you have a valid loan. This is the most common method that people use because it gives them better predictability. It acts as a salary, just like you would have if you were still working.

Let’s Talk About The Reverse Mortgage Calculator

The reverse mortgage calculator is what your lender will use to calculate your financial status, which is based on the value of your home as a whole. They have to do this before they can grant you the loan.

There are several factors that contribute to their final decision such as the age of the home, condition of the home, and its physical location. You cannot borrow the complete value of your home’s equity as per federal law. The reverse mortgage calculator will assist you in determining what percentage of the final value you would be able to receive in the loan.

If you already have a mortgage, you will need to pay that off before you can borrow any of the money you may get from the reverse mortgage loan.

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage

The shorter version of this is HECM. The difference between a home equity conversion mortgage and a regular reverse mortgage is slim. The distinguishable factor that sets them apart is that the HECM is issued by a government agency whereas the reverse mortgage is given to you by a lender, such as a bank. The home equity conversion mortgage comes with government insurance, which is what really sets the two apart from one another.

People are giving their homes a great deal of attention these days. In fact, spending on home improvements surpassed $450 billion last year in the United States alone. Experts expect this figure to grow during the years to come. While home additions, kitchen renovations, and basement and attic transformations are popular projects, many homeowners are focusing on their bathrooms. Updating this space or adding square footage can transform your views of the entire home while increasing property values by a considerable margin.

Developing a Working Relationship with Your Contractor

Though some homeowners take the do-it-yourself route for bathroom renovations, most choose to hire a contractor. Bringing in the professionals helps ensure the job will be done correctly, more quickly, and on par with local building codes. Using the experts also reduces the likelihood of unexpected problems and takes the workload off of your shoulders. That said, it’s important to make sure you and the contractor are on the same page. This means asking bathroom remodeling contractors all the right questions.

1) Are You Licensed, Bonded, and Insured?

By law, contractors must be licensed and bonded. They’re also required to have insurance coverage in case they damage your property or one of their workers is injured on the job. Far too many homeowners assume the contractors they’re considering meet all those prerequisites, but some don’t. This could lead to any number of problems down the road, not the least of which is extensive and costly property damage.

2) Do You Offer Guarantees?

Contractors generally work with networks of suppliers. All the products and materials they get from those suppliers come with warranties and other guarantees, and they’re passed along to customers. At the same time, contractors should offer a guarantee on their workmanship. If the one you’re interviewing doesn’t provide those reassurances, consider looking elsewhere.

3) Can You Show Me Examples of Your Work?

Looking at contractors’ reviews and past projects is essential. This will give you a good idea of their skills, capabilities, and work ethics among other aspects. It’ll also help determine if a specific company is the right one to take on the type of project you have in mind.

4) Who Will Be Completing My Bathroom Renovation?

You wouldn’t allow a complete stranger to come into your home without at least getting a little background information beforehand. It’s important to know your contractor wouldn’t bring just anyone into your home as well. Be sure you know exactly which workers and subcontractors will be working on the project, and find out if background checks are performed on employees before hiring them.

5) Which Permits Will I Need?

Most home renovations require certain permits. If you don’t have them, you could run into quite a few expenses and legal issues down the road. Ask the contractor which permits you’ll need. Also, find out if the contractor takes care of them or you’re responsible for that portion of the process.

6) What Is Included in the Estimate and Contract?

Countless homeowners have proceeded with bathroom remodels only to find themselves paying hundreds or thousands of dollars more than initially expected. Along those same lines, quite a few have enlisted professionals and been stuck with incomplete work and subpar materials. Ask the contractor exactly which expenses are included in the estimate and what the contract covers before allowing him or her to start on your project.

7) What Type of Payment Schedule Do You Have in Place?

In most cases, contractors require a deposit before they’ll begin a project. From there, their payment schedules vary a bit. Some ask for partial payment at some point during the project with the remainder due upon completion. Others don’t accept payment until clients are fully satisfied with their work. Anything more than a ten-percent upfront payment may be a warning sign of a scam, and you don’t want any unexpected surprises to crop up. Be sure you fully understand when and how much you’re expected to pay.

8) How Do You Handle Projects?

This is a complicated question, but you need to cover certain important points when you ask it. Find out when the contractor will show up each morning and how late the team works in the evenings. Do they work Monday through Friday or only on certain days? Will they take extra care to avoid damaging your walls, flooring, fixtures, and other items in the home? Do they take care of the cleanup after the project is complete?

Bottom Line

Getting answers to all these questions helps you better understand how a contractor approaches projects, whether he or she is capable of meeting your expectations, and what your role in the process will be as well as other crucial aspects. In the end, asking the right questions will greatly improve your chances of being happy with the end results. Truly qualified contractors who are dedicated to client satisfaction won’t mind answering your questions and offering in-depth explanations.