Making Your Bedroom Bright And Beautiful For Summer

Summer is here and, with it, a bunch more sunlight, heat, and clear skies. You want to make sure that your home is prepared for summer, made as comfortable as possible, taking advantage of the light while making things comfortable in the heat. There are few places where that is more important than in your own bedroom. Here, we’re going to look at some key changes you might want to make.

bright and sunny bedroom

Brighten it up

A bedroom with a lot of darker decor can look a little pallid and ill-fitting when there’s a lot more light in the room. To that end, you should look at some of the more summery color schemes that you can make use of. They can be bright, bold, and engaging, or you can opt for more airy pastels that create a sense of relaxation, and also work a little better at night.

Open up for more natural light

The natural light that comes streaming in through the windows is going to play a big role in defining the mood of the bedroom throughout the day. If you use it a lot during the day, then you should aim to let more of that light in. Opting for lighter window treatments such as plantation shutters that you can open easily is one of the best ways that you can do that. Keeping the windowsill clear of unnecessary items is a good tip, too.

Cut the clutter

It’s not just your windowsill that you should try to clear up. Clutter becomes a lot more noticeable in the light and can create a lot of unwelcome shadows in the bedroom that make it look even messier than it is. To that end, you should look to declutter the space as best as possible, which can be helped by finding additional storage space. Even a wicker basket under the bed can serve as a great temporary storage place so you don’t leave your clothes on the floor.

Switch out your bedding

Of course, it’s not just about how the room looks and feels. You need to make sure that your bed is ready, as well. Heavy duvets and covers aren’t going to be very conducive to a good night’s sleep. Lighter bedding, including breathable sheets to go beneath you, can help you stay more comfortable and cool throughout those sweltering nights.

Introduce some summer scents

If you have a bouquet of fragrant flowers outside your bedroom, then you can simply crack open your windows to let in some of the smells of summer. However, if that doesn’t work for you (or you have allergies) then you can make your bedroom a much fresher and more inviting place to be by getting some essential oils in there via a diffuser.

Welcome summer into your bedroom while making sure that it’s still comfortable and chill enough to enjoy a night’s sleep in. The tips above are only the beginning, look around to see what other changes you can make.

How To Make Your New Home A Perfect Fit For Your Family

You’re in the process of moving into a new property (or you’ve recently moved in) and you’re probably wondering how you can make your new home fit your family a little better. The chances are that you selected the new property that you live in because it was the right size for your family and set in a good area, but that doesn’t mean that it feels like home just yet. 

The truth is that when you move to somewhere new, it can take a while for your new home to feel like home. It can take time to work out how you’re going to make your new home feel like home and be somewhere that you and your family feel comfortable and at home, but with a few simple steps you can make your new property feel like home (and be a better fit for your family). 

Wondering what these steps are and how you can make your new home feel like a perfect fit for your family? Below is a guide to everything that you need to know about making sure that your new home is a perfect fit for you and your family. 

Volkswagen beatle

Start with unpacking

The first step to making your new home feel like home (and be a good fit for your family) and the best way to do that is to unpack everything. Until you unpack all of your family’s boxes, a new home can feel like a foreign and rather unwelcoming space, so it pays to take the time to unpack everything. 

Once you’ve unpacked everything, work on determining where in your new home each item should go. Don’t be tempted to lay things out exactly like your previous home, instead take the time to think about how you can make the most of the space that your new home offers. 

You might decide to lay your furniture out in the same way as before, or you might opt for a new approach to the decor and design of your home. Either way, make sure that the layout you go for works in the space that you have, and fits yours and your family’s needs. 

Utilize accessories to add a sense of personality 

When it comes to adding personality to your new home, accessories are a real life-saver. The chances are that you have some plans to overhaul and redesign the space over time, but for now, utilizing accessories as a means of adding personality to the space is a great move to make. Honestly, you’d be amazed at how much difference a few well thought out accessories can make to the look and feel of your new space. 

Believe it or not, with a selection of carefully selected accessories, you can transform your new home into somewhere that you – and your family – will love living in and spending time in. You might have big plans for the future, but in the meantime, using accessories to update the tone and style of the space can be a smart move to make. 

When buying accessories, work on a room-by-room basis, carefully selecting matching accessories that fit the space. Then, once you’ve completed one room, move onto the next one, and start selecting accessories for that space. 

Think about practicality

When it comes to feeling comfortable (and content) in your new home, it also pays to think about the practical side of things, and what additions you might need to make to ensure the space feels comfortable and is liveable for you and your family. 

For instance, say there isn’t a good heating system in place, you might want to consider having a home heating installation performed, ensuring that you’re able to keep your home at the right temperature, even throughout the colder months. If you can afford to, you might also want to look at combined heating and cooling systems, so that you can alter the temperature in your home depending on the season. 

Take the time to think about any practicalities that your new home is missing, and work out how you can amend that. The most important thing is that your new home is a functional and practical space for you and your family, and offers everything that is needed for an easy day-to-day life. 

Not sure what else you might need? Take the time to think about all the essentials your previous home had and why they were so helpful for day-to-day life for you and your family. By adding these to your new home, you can ensure that it feels just as comfortable as your old home. 

Get inspiration

Before you can start thinking about any changes you want to make to your new home’s layout and decor, it’s a good idea to take the time to source some inspiration. There are plenty of online resources designed with home inspiration in mind, including various websites and tutorials. A super handy tool for sourcing decor inspiration and ideas is Pinterest, because you can create mood boards and save ideas that appeal to you on them, to return to later. 

Plan out any changes 

It can be helpful to start planning out any changes that you want to make to the property, so that you can see the potential that your new home holds for you and your family. If you’ve got ideas for what you want to do with the space, start by sketching them out or writing them down, so that you can get a better idea of what your aspirations are. 

The next step, when you’re ready, is to consult a designer to discuss your concepts and what your next steps should be to make them a reality. This process might take time, but it’s definitely worthwhile following it, if it means that the end result will be of a higher quality than simply diving straight into making the changes. 

There you have it, a simple guide to how you can make your new home a perfect fir for your family.

Should You Go For A Big Or Local Architectural Business?

redo home

When it comes to business, we are often told that local is the best route to go down. However, it is never as simple as that, and going for a local company is not always the best solution. When it comes to architecture, the industry has very much changed in recent times. The rise of the Internet has meant that architects can reach people all over the country, and so you have many different choices available to you when you need this type of service. So, with that being said, in this blog post, we are going to take a look at the different reasons why you do not need to go to a local company when selecting an architect. 

Team size 

There is only one place to begin when it comes to assessing the difference between local architects and online service providers and nationwide companies, and this is with the number of people that are working for the architectural firm. If you opt for a local architect, there is typically going to be one designer, or maybe two or three at a push. However, if you opt for a bigger firm, you can make the most of a huge team of surveyors, technicians, and designers. There will typically be over 30 members of the team. 

Better industry connections

You also need to consider the fact that nationwide and bigger architectural firms are going to have better connections. After all, working as an architect is a collaborative job in many ways. Architects do not live in a bubble. They need to team up with other types of professionals in order to get the best possible results for the property they are creating. From a concrete driveway contractor to structural engineers; an architect will have relationships with people in all different capacities. This can benefit you, as it ensures you will have access to the people you need to see your designs through to the final build. 

Communication 

Another benefit associated with a bigger, nationwide company is improved communication. This is something a lot of people do not anticipate. They feel that a local architect is going to be there for them more. However, being close enough to pop around for a cup of tea to discuss plans does not mean that they are going to be more attentive. You could be waiting for weeks and weeks for your next meeting if they get another customer on their books. With a bigger business, they are able to manage numerous clients better and they will make the most of innovative software and technology to ensure that you receive the updates you need and are never left in the dark.

Experience

In addition to the benefits that have already been discussed, the experience is another factor to consider. Before you agree to use the services of any type of professional, you should always discover how they have handled projects in the past and you should take a look at some of the work they have carried out. It is going to be much easier to do this when you choose a nationwide firm because they will have a much bigger pool of work for you to look at and assess.

What’s Your Home Lacking? An Honest Look

Homes should provide for all your basic needs. But sometimes, they can fall a little short. While pretty much everyone living in western countries has a kitchen and a bathroom, there are certain things that many of us are missing. 

In this post, we take a look at some items that you’re missing from your home but that can actually make a massive difference in how you live. 

Open Space

clean house

All homes need at least some open space. Unfortunately, many don’t have much of it, particularly those built more than half a century ago. Back then, open-plan living simply wasn’t a part of life. 

The good news is that there are many more ways than ever before to create open space in your home. One possibility is to simply knock through from the kitchen to the living room and create a combined entertainment space. This method is easy, particularly if there are no supporting walls getting in the way.

The alternative is to create an archway in place of the wall. This way, you get the same feeling as an open plan without damaging your building at all. 

If neither of these are options for you, there are still other things that you can do. For instance, you can set up mirrors in your home to make interior spaces feel bigger. Creating a “mirror wall,” for instance, lets you double the size of your rooms. 

You can also try moving furnishings around in your existing spaces to free up floor space. Having too much furniture, for instance, can actually make rooms look and feel more crowded than they need to be. You might have some big rooms in your home but not be using them properly. 

Natural Lighting

Given that many people live in big cities, getting enough natural light into the home can be a challenge. Properties are often overlooked by big city skyscrapers, offices and tower blocks. 

Poorly-lit rooms aren’t great. They can feel cramped and unwelcoming, particularly during the day. 

Fixing natural light issues depends primarily on your circumstances. One idea, put forward by Renewal by Andersen Windows & Doors, is to add bi-folding doors to the rear of the property, particularly if it is south-facing. This way, the whole of the back of your home can be glass, eliminating any potential dark spots. 

If that’s not an option, you can brighten up your home by increasing the size of the windows. Structural engineers will tell you how large they can be without harming the rest of the building. Often by simply increasing the window surface area, you can get dramatically more light into your rooms. 

Of course, you don’t have to rely solely on natural light to brighten dark rooms in today’s world. You can also use lamps and floor lights. 

Lamps are a great option because you can place them anywhere. What’s more, you can get LEDs that cycle throughout the day, mimicking the level of natural light that would otherwise be coming into your home. 

If you decide to use artificial lighting, you’ll want to use a range of lighting sources. Try a combination of sconces, lamps, natural daylight (if that’s an option for you), and table lamps. Don’t just rely on ceiling fixtures. While they are great for illuminating some parts of your rooms, they may also cast shadows. 

Storage

If you’re like most people, the storage spaces in your home simply aren’t spacious enough. You just don’t have enough room to take control of all the clutter. 

Fortunately, there are several ways you can deal with this. First, if you have outdoor space, you can build a shed. A large metal barn will provide you with all the space you need for anything that you don’t have room to keep in the house, plus all your gardening equipment and bicycles. 

Another option is to outsource your storage to a third-party storage company. These provide containers and security guards who will monitor your possessions at all times. They can be expensive, but you get a lot of storage for your money. It can totally transform how you live. 

Hosting a yard sale is another approach. You can sell your extra possessions to reduce the total amount of clutter in the home. You can also host a virtual yard sale by selling possessions online. 

Modern Window Treatments

Take a look at the window treatments in your home. Can you honestly say that they are up to date? 

Don’t worry if not: you still have plenty of options. Think carefully about the type of treatments that you would like in your dwelling.

If your home is next to a busy street, sheer curtains on the ground floor can be a great option. What’s nice about these is that they still allow plenty of light to enter the room during the day, but they also give you privacy too. 

For kitchens and south-facing rooms, blinds and Venetians are a good option. These allow you to calibrate the amount of light that enters your rooms, quickly and easily. 

Full drapes are an option in the bedroom when you want to block out street light at night, but you can also use them in many other rooms. For instance, long, flowing drapes work exceptionally well in luxury living rooms. 

Outdoor Rooms

While they are becoming slightly more common, outdoor rooms remain a rarity. Relatively few people have them. 

However, they offer massive utility. They make it possible to enjoy your garden in more ways than you ever imagined before. 

For instance, during the winter, outdoor rooms can provide warmth and shelter. Many are like gazebos, with open walls but a fixed roof that keeps the rain and sun off. They also come with infrared heaters built into them to maintain your body temperature on cool days. 

Even during the summer, outdoor rooms can encourage you to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Comfortable seating, fire pits and even outdoor food preparation equipment all lure you back into nature. 

A Man Cave

While the majority of your home is geared towards family life, it’s still important to have a man cave – somewhere that the man of the house can go to work on projects.

The good thing about man caves is that, by their nature, they can be out of the way. You could set one up in the basement or even in a garden room adjacent to the main property. Just make sure that you have one: it can make all the difference. 

Cellar

Cellars used to be a commonplace home feature. People used them not just to store wine but also many other types of food. They were a kind of larder before the invention of the refrigerator. 

Now, though, cellars are less mainstream. However, they are still an impressive home feature, and something that many people want. You can use them for all sorts of things, from keeping your wine collection to storing all your Christmas decorations. 

Kids Playroom

In most families, the kids play on the floor in the living room or their bedroom. However, this setup means that children and adults often come into conflict. Kids want to play and set up their toys everywhere while parents just want to relax in a clean and tidy room. 

The solution of course, is a kids’ playroom, but not all homes have one. This is usually a hardfloor room with boxes for toys and, perhaps, a TV. It keeps all of the clutter and mess out of the rest of the house, making things easier to clean up.

5 Interior Design Tips You Can Use to Brighten Up Your Home

If you’re feeling down and in need of a bit of pick-me-up, why not try sprucing up your home’s interior design? A few simple changes can make a difference in brightening up your space. This blog post will discuss five tips that you can use to give your home a fresh look.

brighten up home

1) Incorporate light and airy colors into your space

If you want to create a brighter and more open feel in your home, then you should consider incorporating light and airy colors into your design. For example, try painting your walls in a pale blue or green hue or using furniture and fabrics in similar shades. Not only will this make your space feel more spacious, but it will also help to create a calming atmosphere. If you’re struggling to decide on a color scheme, why not take inspiration from nature? After all, there’s nothing more refreshing than spending time outdoors surrounded by beautiful scenery.

2) Make use of mirrors

Another great way to brighten up your home is to use mirrors. Mirrors reflect light, which can help to create the illusion of a larger and more open space. Plus, they can also be used as decorative elements in their own right. If you want to add a touch of glamor to your space, try hanging a large mirror above your fireplace or placing one in your entryway. You could even use smaller mirrors throughout your home to create a sense of cohesion.

3) Add different textures and patterns

Another way to add interest to your space and make it feel more inviting is to incorporate different textures and patterns. This can be done through fabrics, rugs, wallpaper, or these antique rugs. Mixing and matching different textures will add depth and dimension to your space, making it feel more dynamic. Just be sure not to go overboard – too many patterns can start to look cluttered and chaotic.

4) Add some plants

Last but not least, one of the easiest ways to brighten up your home is to add some plants. Not only do plants help to purify the air, but they also bring a touch of nature into your space. If you don’t have a green thumb, don’t worry – there are plenty of low-maintenance options out there. Succulents and cacti are a great choice for those who want to add some greenery without having to put in too much effort.

5) Get rid of anything that’s no longer serving a purpose

One final tip for brightening up your home is to get rid of anything that’s no longer serving a purpose. This could be old furniture, unused décor items, or even clothes that you no longer wear. Decluttering your space will not only make it look more open and inviting, but it will also help you to feel more organized and in control.

We hope you enjoyed these tips on how to brighten up your home. If you’re looking for more inspiration, be sure to check out more content online. So why wait, with all these great ideas, you can start decorating today.

How to Clean Out Your Home Once a Year

cleaning

Springtime is a great time to clean out your house and get rid of all the clutter that has built up over the past year. It’s also a good time to do some deep cleaning and organize your home so that it is more functional for the coming year. In this blog post, we will provide you with tips on how to clean out your house once a year in an efficient and stress-free manner.

#1 Start by decluttering your home

Get rid of any clothes, shoes, books, or other items that you no longer use or need. Donate these items to a local thrift store or charity. This will not only make your home more organized, but it will also help those in need! If you have trouble letting go of things, try this trick: for every new item that comes into your home, get rid of two old items. This way, your house will always be decluttered, and you won’t have to worry about storage space.

#2 Deep clean your home

Once you have decluttered your home, it’s time to give it a good deep cleaning. Start by dusting all surfaces, vacuuming all carpets and furniture, and mopping all floors. Then, move on to cleaning bathrooms and kitchens. These rooms usually require a bit more elbow grease, but it will be worth it in the end! Finally, don’t forget to clean out any closets or storage spaces as well. This is an excellent opportunity to get rid of any items that you no longer need or use.

#3 Organize your home

Now that your house is decluttered and clean, it’s time to organize it in a way that makes sense for you and your family. Start by creating a system for storing all of your belongings. This could include labeling storage bins, setting up a command center, or even just putting all of your shoes in one place. The key is to find a system that works for you and stick with it! In addition, take this opportunity to create a cleaning schedule for the coming year. This will help you keep on top of the cleaning and make sure that your house always looks its best.

#4 Focus on the exterior as well

It’s essential not to forget about the exterior of your home when you’re doing your annual cleaning! Make sure to sweep all porches and walkways, wash all windows, and trim any bushes or trees. This will help keep your home looking its best, and it will also make it more inviting for guests! Also, be sure to have some pest control specialists come by and secure your home from the outside to ensure any crawlers are kept at bay.

In conclusion, following these tips will help you clean out your house once a year in an efficient and stress-free manner. Just remember to start with decluttering, move on to deep cleaning, and then focus on organization and the exterior of your home. Finally, and most importantly, don’t forget to have fun! After all, this is your chance to start fresh and make your home exactly what you want it to be.

How to Create Your Perfect Kitchen Makeover

remodel

The kitchen is one of the busiest places in a home and certainly one of the most functional. The kitchen is a room where the family can gather to chat about their day and enjoy a meal together, which is just as important as the room’s practical use. As the kitchen gets so much use each day, it is little wonder that it is subjected to lots of wear and tear. If your kitchen is starting to look a bit dated or tired, you may be keen to start making some changes and makeover your kitchen to get it looking back to its best. Starting a kitchen renovation can feel like a daunting prospect, and you may be wondering where to even begin. Read on to discover tips to help you get your kitchen looking great and without spending a fortune:

Set Your Budget

Setting a budget for your kitchen makeover is an excellent way to prevent the costs from escalating out of control. Kitchens are often one of the most expensive rooms to remodel due to the materials used and the need for plumbers and electricians to install appliances and fit sinks and faucets. So, it is essential to include additional costs such as paying for contractors’ labor and any finishing touch accessories you expect to add to your completed kitchen, too. If your kitchen remodel is set to be a big project, it is also helpful to plan a contingency fund. Your contingency fund will ensure that you have the cash available to cover the additional costs if your budget overruns. A contingency fund is usually around 10 percent of the original amount you have budgeted.

Make a Plan

Thinking about how you use your kitchen and where the main changes need to be made is an excellent way to ensure you use your budget wisely. While some people go for a complete kitchen remodel, if you want to prevent waste and ensure you do not overspend, you may choose to improve the kitchen with a partial remodel. A partial remodel involves focusing your attention on the areas of your kitchen you most dislike or are most in need of changing. So, if your appliances are in good working order, you may choose to incorporate these into your new design rather than buy new ones for the sake of it. Kitchen cabinets are another great area you can save money on in your renovation. If the structure of the cabinets is in good working order, you may decide to simply freshen up the outside with a coat of paint in a different color and by updating the door handles and drawer pulls.

Once you have decided what work needs to be carried out, you will have a much better idea of the scale of the project.

Choose Your Style

Your next step is to look around for inspiration. How do you want your refurbished kitchen to look? Are you planning a new kitchen with a luxurious look, or do you prefer a more rustic style? Thinking about exactly how you want your refurbished kitchen to look and the different elements you will need to introduce to make this happen is the best way to ensure the end result lives up to your expectations. You may find it helpful to browse through interior design magazines and to look at online interiors blogs to find inspiration for your new kitchen. This kind of research is not only fun but also a great way to assess which colors and styles work together. So, if you are undecided on quartz countertop colors, it is really helpful to see how other people have incorporated them into their kitchen designs.

Get to Work

Once you have completed all of your planning and have a clear idea of how you want the end result of your kitchen makeover to look, you will be ready to get started on putting your plans into action. If you need contractors to carry out any work on the project, you will likely need to get them scheduled first and then work around their timescales before moving onto other areas of the project. Don’t forget to order any materials you need in advance in case there are supply issues that could delay your progress.

Working through your project in stages and seeing it progress is a fantastic feeling. Once you have done all the hard work, you will simply need to add the finishing touches to complete your perfect makeover.

Moving Into A New Home? 5 Important Things You Need To Do First

DIY

Moving into a new home is pretty much a life-changing experience, as it gives you a sense of a fresh start. Although it’s usually very exciting to move into a new home for the first time, the moving experience can be very stressful. You want to make sure you limit the stress as much as possible. So, congratulations on acquiring your new home, but here are some important things you need to do first before you finally move in.

  • Complete all repair works

Unless you don’t have the luxury of time, it’s best to ensure that you complete every important repair work on the building before you move in. you probably don’t want to deal with the inconvenience of repairing a roof or plumbing work in your bathroom. In contrast, you’ve already packed into your new home. That’s why it’s best to handle them before move-in day. 

It is possible to handle minor touches and external or outdoor repairs after moving, as they might not cause any major inconvenience. 

  • Boost your security

You can’t take security issues for granted, even if your new home is located in a safe neighborhood. The last thing you want is to experience a break-in during your first night in your new home. The first security move you should make is to change every lock in your home. This is especially important if the property has been on the market for long or you’re moving in after previous occupants. You can never be too sure if anyone else still has spare keys to your new home. Also, put other measures in place to secure your home, from burglar-proof upgrades to your home’s fencing

  • Electrical upgrades

If you’re moving into a new home, you’ll probably have every electrical outlet you need already installed. But moving into an older home could mean needing to redo the wiring system. If there are currently no faults with the old wiring system, you might be tempted to consider moving in and upgrading it later. But it is easier to get it done when there’s nothing in the building that serves as an obstruction. Additionally, it wouldn’t be a good idea to wait until something goes faulty before you make your electrical upgrades. 

  • Deal with health hazards

Another important thing worth handling before moving into your new home is health hazards in various forms. From mold infestations to pest issues, you probably already know how dangerous any form of health hazard is. Ordinarily, your safest option will be to avoid purchasing or renting a property that comes with health hazards. But if it’s already too late to change your mind, be sure to hire experts to rid your home of any potential source of health issues. 

  • Tenancy agreement

If you’re renting your new space, you must have every aspect of your tenancy agreement sorted before you move in. ensure that you clearly understand what the terms say and agree. Be sure that it spells out your rights, responsibilities and covers issues of liability, pets, repair works, and so on.