Small Tips For Big Results

Multipurpose furniture

One problem that many people find themselves facing in their home is often an issue with space. This is particularly true if you live in a newer house or apartment where the rooms so tend to be on the smaller side. This is where using furniture that is multipurpose can really come into its own. Shelving with a fold out table can be a particularly practical way of creating a work space for those days when you need to work from home. It also gives you the flexibility pack your “office” away at the end of the day. 

Sort out the cables

With so much technology in the home there is a good chance that you have wires trailing all over the place. Whilst these are necessary, they can be rather unsightly. Using a cable organising strip and making sure they are out of the way may seem like an incredibly simple idea. Still, it can have a huge impact on the look of a room. 

Declutter

If you are tired of looking at your house and think that it looks shabby and in need of some updating, it may not be nearly as bad as you think. Clutter can make a room not only feel smaller but also darker and scruffy. Start by having a good sort out. Get rid of anything that is broken or that you no longer want, and don’t keep things for the sake of it. Tidy up your remaining belongings and you can guarantee that this will make a huge difference. 

Add some plants

Adding plants to your home will not only make a huge difference to the look of a room but also has some benefits for your health as well. Studies have shown that indoor plants can help to lower blood pressure and also reduce stress. If you are not “green fingered” then opt for plants that are low maintenance. Those with striking foliage are a good option. Also, consider a couple of different sizes of plant to add variety, remembering to use the rule of three.

Change your colour scheme

Changing the colour of your walls can have a huge impact on the look of your room. Not only will it freshen up the room, but the right shade can make your room seem lighter and more open. For a smaller room, opt for lighter shades and for a room seems cold, look at warmer tones. 

Add a mirror

Finally, consider a staple in the interior design trick book; adding a mirror to any room. This can help to open it out and make it seem brighter and bigger. 

Hopefully, these small tips have inspired you to make the most out of your home, without giving you a huge project to tackle.

The post 6 Small tips that make a huge difference to your home appeared first on Twits Guides.

Preparing meals and home-baking are just two activities that older people may enjoy but how can you ensure that the kitchen remains a safe space for them to continue to do these activities?

1. Invest in appropriate kitchen aids

When the smallest, essential tasks become impossible for someone to do, the impact on their life can be huge. Being unable to open jars, for example, means that the many foods they enjoy, such as jams and other condiments, are no longer part of their diet.

Many kitchen aids can help people use their kitchen better, from inexpensive pieces of equipment that promote grip to utensils that are adapted for better use.

2. Rearrange the kitchen for easier access

Rearranging what is kept in which cupboards can help a great deal in helping stay independent in the kitchen.

For example, rearrange cupboards so that frequently used items are within easy reach. If possible, place lighter items in wall cupboards and heavier items in base cupboards.

Move other pieces of furniture that are in the kitchen into another room, if they are not being used and are cluttering the space.

Streamline kitchen equipment too, especially if there are cupboards of items that are no longer being used. Creating space so that there is more room to be able to manoeuvre items, and move around themselves, can be a great help to maintain independence in the kitchen.

3. Share roles and responsibilities in the kitchen

Sharing roles and responsibilities means that everyone can still enjoy some aspects of being in the kitchen, whether this is preparing easier meals or enjoying baking with some help.

For example, you could part-prepare some meals for an elderly person, which means they could complete the meal at a time that suits them. They may also be able to load the dishwasher, for example, but emptying it and moving around the kitchen to do so could be problematic.

Work through what they can do, what things they need help with and what you can do to make tasks in the kitchen easier for them. Of course, there is nothing better than cooking and baking together either, trying new recipes and cuisines.

4. Adapt the kitchen design

If budget allows, adapting the kitchen so that it is safer and more accessible would be the ultimate means by which older people can continue to use the area safely and stay independent. This could mean lowering worktops or replacing the tap with an easy-to-use mixer tap, as well as other adaptations.

The post 4 Ways To Stay Independent in The Kitchen For Those Getting Older appeared first on Twits Guides.

Natural stone has been used for flooring for thousands of years in public buildings, places of worship, royal residences and grand houses because of its beauty and durability. Typical examples of natural stone are limestone, granite, slate and marble and they are all carved out of rock that has been quarried. Quarrying and then carving the stone is a labour-intensive process that for thousands of years was done by hand. More recently technological advances have meant that the process can be mechanised with the use of advanced tools and the consequence of that is that natural stone tiles have become substantially more affordable. Although there are still traditional craftsmen who cut and polish the stone by hand.

Natural stone quarries, both ancient and modern, exist in many parts of the world from Europe to India, Asia and North America.

How are Natural Stone Tiles Made?

Large sections of rock are first cut from the earth using either explosives or diamond cutting equipment, depending on the type and hardness of the rock and its physical location. These large blocks of rock are then cut into smaller slabs of varying thickness using high-speed saws and the slabs are polished by machines to give different textural surfaces from rustic to ultra-smooth. Each slab is then cut into a range of smaller sizes suitable for wall and floor tiles using special water-cooled saws and given a final polish before being ready for the consumer.

Why Choose Natural Stone?

Natural stone tiles come in a huge range of styles, colours and finishes from sleek, contemporary limestone to classic marble or rustic slate so can suit any type of interior. They are both beautiful and unique because, as a natural material, no two tiles will be identical so your room can have an identity all of its own. The finish is particularly important because it can create a very different look even with the same stone from the same quarry.

Typical Natural Stone Types Used For Tiles

Travertine is a type of limestone with a honeycomb structure and a lot of surface indentations. These dents can be filled with resin for a smooth surface or left unfilled for a textured surface. Colours range from pale creams to dark reddish browns.

Limestone is formed when seashells settle in sediment, which over time hardens to sedimentary rock so fossilised shells are a typical feature. Colours range from cream to golden brown.

Granite is an igneous rock so is a very hard stone making it extremely durable; it comes in an enormous range of rich colours and is commonly used in the home for kitchen worktops as well as flooring.

Marble is familiar to all of us from the ancient classical buildings of Rome and Greece and the many famous Italian sculptures. It comes in a variety of different colours typically with contrasting veining but the darker marbles are not suitable for wet areas because of their porosity.

Slate is composed of clay, quartz and shale and has a rustic appearance due to its natural layered look. Because it is water-resistant it is frequently used for floor tiles but is also used for roof tiles and patio tiles.

Natural Stone Finishes

Polished for a glossy shine which may need regular maintenance to preserve the shine.

Honed for a matt or satin finish which is more resistant to scratching and needs little maintenance.

Acid-washed for an antique look which reveals the crystal structure within the stone and is highly scratch-resistant..

Flamed for a rough texture which is perfect where a non-slip surface is required – created by using a blowtorch on the stone until the surface crystals explode.

Tumbled for a smooth but slightly pitted surface with uneven edges for a raw, natural finish typically used for small tiles and decorative border tiles.

Brushed for a naturally worn look suitable for restoration work in old buildings– created by brushing the tile surface wil metal brushes.

Tile manufacturers now produce porcelain and ceramic tiles with a natural stone effect and also manufactured stone tiles made from natural stone chips suspended in cement or resin but even the best quality porcelain floor tiles can’t quite beat the unique look and feel of natural stone floor tiles.

The post A Guide to Natural Stone Floor Tiles appeared first on Twits Guides.

If you love old houses and DIY projects, then buying a fixer-upper home might be just the right thing for you. Just imagine buying a run-down property, repairing it, investing your time, money, and creativity, and ending up with a beauty worth much more than what you paid for it. But, first things first, there are a few things you need to pay attention to. 

1.     Setting a budget

This is the essential thing. According to The Porch, only 52% of home renovation projects finish on budget, making it difficult to calculate the costs. That’s why you have to make sure you have enough money for the repairs and be realistic about how much you can set aside. Consulting with a home inspector or general contractor might help you figure out how much work is needed, which will, in turn, give you a better understanding of all necessary expenses.

Another important thing you should consider when deciding on a budget is – will you be able to live in the house while it’s under construction? If the answer is yes, you will save on rent, and, more importantly, you will be able to keep an eye on the work. However, while renovating, it’s a wise choice to consider renting a storage unit for your belongings (compare storage prices here). You could put your things in the garage or someplace else, but storage units are one of the popular options since they guarantee the safety and protection of your items.

2.     Getting permits

Always consult your local officials concerning permits and their costs. Upgrading plumbing, electrical installations, tearing down and moving the walls, etc., require a licensed and insured firm to do the work. That is why it’s crucial to once again talk to your architect or contractor about how they will handle the approval process. Building without the proper permits is cheaper, but it might cause difficulties when it comes to selling the house in the future. But be warned – this process can be frustrating, as the inspectors might not give you their permission straight away. 

3.      Identify your DIY skills

DIY home improvement is usually the most cost-effective route. Apart from all the tools and equipment, you will also need a certain level of home repair and DIY renovation experience. If you have the skills to hang cabinets, paint, build decks, replace windows and install shelves, you will be able to save a substantial amount of money.

On the other hand, if you are not the hands-on type and not willing or able to do most of the work on your own, you should probably stay away from buying a fixer-upper home. Remember, hiring someone to do everything will probably cost you a lot more than you’re ready to set aside. 

4.     How much time are you willing to invest?

Another major consideration – how much time will it take? Let’s face it, renovating a fixer-upper can take a considerable amount of both money and time, and it’s more than a slight inconvenience. All those TV shows renovate a house in a one-hour episode, but they don’t talk about how much time it actually takes. It’s one thing to buy a fixer-upper where all the work can be done in no time by investing in minor cosmetic projects, but it’s a totally different thing if your new house has some serious structural issues. The average rehab might take up to five or six months. 

5.      Plan for complications

We’re not going to lie – the process often tends to be exhausting, time-consuming, and unpredictable. Many problems may emerge after buying a fixer-upper house, and guess what? The TV doesn’t tell you anything about that either.

Acknowledging the possibility that things might start going wrong at the worst possible time is imperative. Take the disclosure with a grain of salt; you never know what might be hiding in between the lines. 

Pros and cons of buying a fixer-upper home

If you’re the type of person who likes things shortlisted, here is a list of pros and cons for buying a fixer-upper house and taking on a major renovation project:

PROS

• Lower purchase price;
• Tax savings – less tax is paid on a fixer-upper than a higher-priced move-in ready home;
• Less competition;
• Opportunity to customize your home;
• Quality control;
• Control of where your money goes;
• Increased property value.

CONS

• Going over budget;
• Expensive renovations;
• Unexpected issues;
• Paying rent and mortgage at the same time;
• A long-term project that might take longer than expected.

In conclusion

The bottom line is – there is no perfect fixer-upper. It all depends on your preferences and the willingness to invest time and money. Still, you ought to remember a few things – every house is a story for itself, and almost everything is fixable. Buying a fixer-upper home and renovating it is one of the most fulfilling things you can do. So, enjoy making that fixer-upper a home that is perfect for you.

The post What to know before buying a fixer upper home appeared first on Twits Guides.

Unusually, two Canadians owned and ran the gites complex I was staying at, and on one occasion we were discussing the wonderful furniture in my apartment. The pieces were all huge, solid oak and ornately carved. They told me they had purchased them all in Normandy at various “trocantes”. The concept of a trocante is that sellers can display their furniture, or other household goods, for sale in a huge warehouse and the trocante owner takes a cut of the profit when it is sold. The advantage to the seller is that they know large numbers of buyers are attracted to these warehouses by the range of goods for sale in one place.

Since then I have visited various trocantes on my travels through France. Many times I have been disappointed when I saw a perfect piece of French oak furniture but had no cost-effective means of getting it back to the UK. So now I organise my trips better and make sure I have contact details to hand for cheap shippers who do regular runs to France or cheap van hire for items I can manage to get back to the UK myself. Although trocantes will ship items for you it is almost always prohibitively expensive. Whereas the cost of hiring a van for a long week-end more than makes up for the savings on whatever you buy in France.

And, remember, if you don’t like all that dark wood there are amazing paints around now so it’s not difficult to transform an old piece. I have a beautiful carved wooden double wardrobe in one bedroom – now painted white – that is unique, provides loads of storage and, better yet, it was a bargain.

Here are my 5 favourite trocantes in Northern France where I have always managed to pick up a wonderful gem at a bargain price:

• AMIENS (Rue St Fuscien)
• ROUEN (Le Grand Quevilly)
• LISIEUX (Boulevard Sainte Anne)
• ALENCON  (Rue Bretagne)
• SAINT LÔ (Rue Jules Vallés)

You can find more details of all trocantes in France on these 2 websites:

www.troc.com/en/

www.trocante.fr

The post Trocantes – French Second-hand Furniture appeared first on Twits Guides.

Updated 30 August 2022

When you enter your home, you want to come in to a place that promotes peace and calm after a busy day. Whether you are returning home from work, a school run, or shopping, when you enter a house that has had a good declutter you will find it is easier to relax and enjoy the space that you live in. When your house is untidy and cluttered, it can make you feel on edge as you are surrounded by things that you may not really want and need. Even if you have a cluttered house that is actually tidy (with lots of clever storage units), there is still the dreaded moment of opening the cupboards to try and find something that you are looking for that is buried beneath clutter. One of the key benefits to decluttering your home is to make life less stressful because it becomes easier to find things – there are many ways this can be achieved. Let’s take a look

1. Focus your mind

Firstly, you need to have a focussed mind. It is no good starting on decluttering, only to get sentimental about every item that you come across, as this doesn’t help. There needs to be an end goal in sight, and the reasons you are doing this must be kept at the forefront of your mind. Do you have items in your cupboards that have been packed away and not looked at for years; maybe not since you first moved to your new home? Perhaps you are one of those people that has kept every single workbook that your child has written in from the age of 3 to 18? Or odd pieces of wood that might come in handy one day, or a spare pack of porcelain tiles from when you tiled the bathroom 10 years ago “just in case”. Whatever the reason for decluttering, it is important to take the emotions out of it. Yes, it may be nice that you have all the pieces of artwork that your child has created since the day they picked up a pen; however, if you take a photo of your favourite few on your smart phone they can be stored virtually and the space of a box of artwork freed up. There are actually many apps and services such as Keepy that are set up for just this type of problem. You’ll still be able to look back on all the hard work your kids have put into their schoolwork and pictures for you but that space can be used for more useful current items that need storing, or indeed for items that don’t currently have a place to be stored. When you starting your decluttering mission, remember why you are doing it and if you find yourself wavering, take a break, focus back in and start again or continue tomorrow!

2. Start small

The thought of decluttering the house may seem totally daunting, understandably so. The task ahead isn’t something that is meant to be done in a short space of time. If this task seems like an uphill mountain that is difficult to climb, take it in small steps. Start with ten minutes on a particular shelf in a room. Once you have done that ten minutes, leave it and reward yourself with a cup of tea, or simply the joy that you have started. When you are feeling ready, go back and do it again. This time, if you can for a bit longer, but if not just stick to small ten minute bursts. Before you know it, the whole bookshelf will be done, then the room and slowly the house will be decluttered. This isn’t something to be taken as a quick fix that can be done overnight. Taking your time and completing it purposefully is far more achievable that trying to do the whole house in a day!

3. Make a mess

When you declutter it is useful to start a room at a time. By doing this, you can contain yourself and concentrate on the task at hand. With decluttering you have to expect mess, as you are emptying out cupboards or going through boxes and shelving. This can seem counterproductive, however it is totally necessary. To truly declutter you will first end up making a mess and then as you put stuff away that you are keeping, the tidiness will reappear. If you are working in one room, make sure that you can close the door and leave it when you have reached your limit; but, always go back to it the following day! It isn’t a quick job to properly declutter your house, and accepting that it may take time will help to get it done thoroughly.

4. Be ruthless

Once you have embarked on this mission, you must remember to be ruthless. It is no good spending time and effort on doing this, if you aren’t going to actually declutter what is there. Simply rearranging the clutter so it fits better won’t help. It may be easiest to make piles of things; a keep, throw, sell and charity shop pile could work quite well. If you keep pile doesn’t change drastically in size, then you know you need to get rid of those emotions, refocus and get ruthless! Obviously, getting rid of items you are going to want in the future is not the objective, but carefully considering what is, and isn’t necessary to keep is what you are trying to do. By having a ‘sell’ pile, you can even make some money out of items that are in your home. What may be sat in your home without a purpose could make someone in another home very happy! You may have a wedding present from 25 years ago, that you have never one used or looked at. Whilst it is great to have reminders of your wedding day, that object in the cupboard could make you a bit of petty cash to spend it on something more relevant that you need now.

5. Reorganise what you are keeping

If you have items that should be in the kitchen in the dining room, or items from the lounge in the bedroom then you will never find what you are looking for. Once you have decided what you are keeping, make sure you put all similar items together. Why have plugs and chargers stored in different places and different rooms? If you have a particular place to store all your plugs and chargers (only the ones you currently need, of course), then when you need one for the device you are using you save time and energy going to one central place to locate it. You don’t have to waste your timing moving from room to room, trying to find what you are looking for. By placing items in the room that they belong, and are most used, it means that things don’t get lost and everything that is needed is easy to locate. In addition to this, why not cleverly label each wire and organise your chargers and adaptors properly so they’re easier to pick out when you need them.

6. Get the family involved in the declutter

When decluttering it is important not to just dive headfirst and throw out someone else’s items whilst keeping your own! This could end up in disagreements and obviously isn’t a productive way of decluttering. If you are the main person doing the sorting, after an initial ‘filter’ of items that are going to be kept and removed, you may want to ask your partner or child whether or not it is something they want or need. What may seem like an item destined for a charity shop or the bin may be something that had gone missing the in ‘black hole’ of clutter and could be restored and used again. By getting everyone involved it means that the ownership of everything is shared, as is the ultimate aim of keeping the house clutter free. Kids can find helping out fun, but remember to stick to short bursts with kids as they do get bored easily.

7. Do you really need it?

Once you have gone through items had got your keep pile, the next step is to ask yourself ‘do I really need it?’ Whilst it might be nice to have 50 pairs of shoes, by looking through what you have, you may be able to halve this amount by getting rid of shoes with similar styles or colours. One good tip for clothing is to turn all the hangers around at the start of the year; when you have worn an item and you place it back in the wardrobe turn the hanger around. At the end of the year, you will clearly see which items you have worn, and therefore need. Those items that have been neglected can then go to a charity shop or be sold, as they have no purpose in your home. Similarly, if you open a drawer to find five old mobile phones that you haven’t even switched on for at least a year, then really they don’t need to be there either.

8. So you have decluttered, now what?

Firstly, enjoy your clutter free house. Take your time to look around the rooms, enjoy the spaces you now have, and recognise that the time and effort you have put in has made a big change to your home. Keeping your house clutter free is actually easier than you think. In the process of decluttering, everything will have been put away in a ‘place’ or an appropriate storage unit (compare storage prices here). To keep your house tidy and clutter free you must make sure that everything is returned to this spot once it has been used. It is no good getting an item from one room in the house, using it in another and then not putting it back where it belongs. Otherwise, over time, the mess will build up and clutter will start to reappear.

When you are out shopping if you feel the twinge to buy something for you home ask yourself ‘do I really need this in my decluttered home?’ Remember that extra ornaments mean extra dusting; bringing more items in to your house will mean you need to find space to store it. If you buy some new clothes, shoes or even handbags, think of it as a replacement and get rid of a similar item. This will stop the build-up of possessions in your house and make it much easier to keep on top of it all.

Of course, there are times when it does make sense to buy things you might not immediately need because you can make a huge cost-saving. For example, buying goods out of season when you know you will need them in the coming months makes financial sense. Just make sure you have somewhere to store them until they are needed. For instance, use a garden shed for garden equipment and outdoor furniture or store winter sports equipment in your attic.

With a clutter free house you will find that you have a lot more time on your hands; you won’t be searching for items that were previously buried behind other objects; you won’t spend as much time cleaning and dusting; you won’t be stressing about where to put something you have bought. Reward yourself by inviting friends round to enjoy your home; there is nothing more satisfying than knowing you are living in a clutter free space and sharing that with friends is a great way to keep your motivation levels high for keeping your house like this.

Once you have taken the time to have a full declutter, try and keep on top of it regularly. Don’t let the clutter build up again and if you feel that a room is becoming a designated room for clutter, stop cluttering it and clear it! It is so easy to place items in a room and close the door, but whilst you will forget about it in that moment, it will still be there the next day. Instead, remind yourself of the question ‘do I really need it?’ and if you do, find it a place to be stored. By taking these simple steps your house will be free of all the items you no longer need, and the sense of achievement from doing this will be shared with everyone living in the home. Maintaining a decluttered home is easy to do in small steps if you designate a point in time where you will just reassess the rooms in your house and check for any clutter. Keep looking forward, and remind yourself of how great it felt when you first finished this decluttering mission.

The post How to Declutter your Home – The Ultimate Guide appeared first on Twits Guides.

Spring cleaning is actually a time of excitement for some. For most of us though, it is a soul-sucking activity that we do not look forward to. Are you frowns McGee when it comes to this laborious annual task? Are you often tempted to live amongst trash rather than get the deep-cleaning done?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Even better, it doesn’t have to be this way. Sure, the spring cleaning won’t be the event of your year but with these tips, it could be the tiniest bit fun….

Get Your Friends Involved In Decluttering

Whether you do it in the garden, cheap self storage unit, over video call or anywhere else, decluttering with your friends is a lot of fun. There is no doubt they will want some of your stuff, which instantly reduces how much you have (as long as you don’t take anything of theirs in exchange!). When it comes to tricky decisions about getting rid of things, your friends can help push you to make those decisions, and get rid of even more stuff. For the stuff left behind without a home, there’s always your cheap self storage unit.

Follow Some Fun Youtube Cleaning Videos

There are loads of fun Youtube cleaning videos out there to follow, which can make cleaning into more of an experience, than a task. The key is to find a Youtube cleaning star or *cleanfluencer* you really like, and then get stuck into their tips. Here are some we like:

• Melissa Maker
• Mrs Hinch
• Kathryn Doitonadime
• Megan Hickman
• Becky Rapinchuk

Pop On A Playlist

Is there anything some fun music can’t make better? Wiggle your bum, throw some two steps and get cleaning to your favourite ever songs. Just be sure to do it when the neighbours won’t be watching having a laugh. Alternatively, do it in full view of anybody and make them jealous of the absolutely banging cleaning party you’re having! Bet you’ll see them doing the same next week!

Do It In Bits

If you hate cleaning you will never spend a whole weekend doing up your home. Let’s be honest about it. If you are an avoider, try to break down your tasks into little chunks that are maybe followed by a little treat. You’re essentially training yourself to see that cleaning isn’t that bad in small snacklets and it equals a little treat. No you didn’t already see this kind of training on Caesar Millan Dog Whisperer…

Share It With Your Followers

Why not share your cleaning time with those you love on social media? If you have a few followers who would enjoy a live with you, why not pop it on whilst you’re doing some Spring Cleaning? At the very least you might inspire others to get some cleaning done too, and you can all be miserable about it together!

The tips above can help you to enjoy Spring Cleaning just a little bit more than before. Essentially, maybe it’s just slightly unbearable now, rather than unbearable, yay! It’s worth a try because it needs doing whether you hate it or love it, so if you can love it a little bit more, that’s only going to benefit you during this process.

The post Spring Cleaning – How To Get It Done With A Little Bit Of Fun appeared first on Twits Guides.

A fireplace is a central feature of a room, but over the years it can degrade or simply lack lustre, which is when it needs some TLC.

To help you get this important part of your home looking beautiful, here are some easy ways to fix up your fireplace:

Clean It

Giving a fireplace a really good scrub can instantly bring it back to life. Of course, you’ll have to work specifically with the materials present in your fireplace, but realistically, any material can be cleaned and buffed to look great again, even rusty cast iron.

Give It A Paint

A fireplace surround with faded old tiles, chipped paint or some awful paint colour that was never updated will always look a bit rubbish. Instead, why not give the surround a better look with a quick splash of paint. Just remember to use the appropriate paint for the material you’re painting on and choose a colour that works with the room.

Put A New Fire In

Is it possible to put a working log burner into the fireplace? They are very popular and look stunning in any modern home. If not, could you update the fire itself? Old electric fires can age a fireplace and switching to a cost-effective new one could instantly bring the entire feature up to date.

Add Some Funky Tiles

Geometric tiles or similarly beautiful, new tile patterns on the fireplace can instantly make it a feature. It isn’t the quickest job to do but it is impactful.

Consider A Floating Beam

A floating beam is a piece of wood that sits above a fireplace that has no surround. Some people choose old railway sleepers and other gorgeous pieces of wood for this, which instantly make the beam a beautiful aesthetic feature.

Add Some Cool Accessories

If the fireplace has no real fire in it you should go to town with plants to decorate the space. A mixture of plants that go up and plants that hang down will work really well. In addition, have a rustle around in your storage unit for some wicker accessories. Wicker wood baskets and ornaments are really in fashion at the moment and add a lovely natural feel to a fireplace. If you have some quirky artwork lurking in cheap self storage that could also work really well on your fireplace. The mixture of artwork, plants and candles is popular at the moment with a design style called cottage core or ‘granny chic’.

Give It A Feature Wall Background

A fireplace can sometimes be brought back ‘into’ a room by giving it a feature wall. This is where you paint the wall area of the fireplace – which is usually sticking out from the rest of the room – a colour that stands out and draws attention to that wall. A teal, green/ blue colour looks great with a warm neutral elsewhere. This can be paired with gold accessories, pink, white and woods to bring the entire look together.

The tips above can help you get your fireplace looking beautiful again. By making the most of this feature you can add a central feature to your home interior design that is sure to bring a fresh and interesting aesthetic into any space.

The post How To Fix Up Your Fireplace appeared first on Twits Guides.

Reasons to move in immediately

The remodeling you want to do is minor

A ‘minor’ remodel is one that would not affect your everyday life too much and can be done quickly. If all you want to do is something simple like add timber shutters, change fixtures, paint your façade, paint particular rooms, or something similar, then there is no reason to wait. You can comfortably live in your new home even if such work is in progress. It is also an excellent chance to get some DIY experience since most work is not difficult. This is a perfect way to both save some money and get to know your new home better.

Cannot afford to delay the sale of your old home

You might find yourself in a position of needing to sell your old house. To help pay off the mortgage on your new one or because you moved a considerable distance away. In that case, if you insist on not moving in immediately, you would likely be stuck living in a hotel for a significant amount of time. No matter how short a period, living out of a suitcase is more stressful than you would guess. You can never find your things, you can’t properly organize yourself, and if you have got kids, they will likely quickly get fed up with it and start making trouble. Not to mention how expensive it would be. So, if you do not have a place you can stay for an extended period, it is better to move into your new home first and worry about remodeling later.

Getting to know your new house better

If there is nothing seriously wrong with your home, then you will probably want to put off the remodeling a bit and move in first. After all, the only way to know what you want changed in your new home is to first experience what it is like at the moment. How can you tell if the windows are drafty when it is windy? How can you know whether your roof has a slight leak? All of this would need to be fixed during a remodel. So, if you rush through one, you would miss many minor problems that are not easily noticeable. If adding luxurious touches to your home is all you want to change, it is better to wait until you know the house better. So do not hesitate to move in immediately!

Reasons to postpone your move

The remodeling affects the rooms you need on a daily basis

If you’ve already planned out major remodeling work and paid for the services, it might affect the rooms you need access to. We cannot function properly without a bathroom or a kitchen, for example. And even if you can make do without a bedroom, since you could sleep in the living room, it would still not be a very comfortable way to live. In addition to that, any major remodeling would likely take quite a long time to complete. All of this means that you would be better off postponing your move. Once everything’s done and you’ve had a chance to either clean yourself or hire professionals to do it, you can start your new life in leisure and comfort. Just don’t forget you will need to get your belongings out of the way, so they are not damaged. Finding short-term storage for the duration of your project is an excellent idea (you can compare storage prices here).

You need remodeling, so the house is livable

When thinking about whether you should remodel a home before moving in, the need for extensive repairs will always result in a positive answer. If you’ve bought a fixer-upper, then it’s only expected that you’d need remodeling and repairs before you can move in. Common problems in such houses include faulty wiring, bad plumbing, leaky roofs, and more. Each one of those problems would take a lot of time to fix. However, it can also happen that such serious problems are detected only after you have bought a seemingly perfect house. So, don’t forget to do a house inspection, and it is helpful to have basic know-how before purchasing a fixer-upper.

The remodel would affect your family’s quality of life

Most do not consider the consequences of living in a house under renovation. The noise which such work produces alone is enough of a downside. It can cause migraines and keep you from sleeping in. It can even make it impossible to do any of your work at home. That’s not even mentioning its potential effect on your children’s schoolwork! Then, there is the brick dust and regular dust to worry about. If you or one of your family members have asthma or allergies, it can seriously endanger your health. Finally, there are common hazards of a remodeling sight to take into account. Things such as nails, wood chips, and potentially dangerous tools. You do not want your kids to come in contact with them daily!

Final Words

As we have established, the answer to whether you should remodel a home before moving in depends mainly on your circumstances. This is why it is essential for you to carefully consider whether or not you can push back the remodeling.

The post Should You Remodel a Home Before Moving In? appeared first on Twits Guides.

Update your kitchen

Investing in a kitchen remodel is an excellent way to attract buyers. Some estimates show that you can expect to earn back as much as 60-80% of the money you invested in a kitchen remodel. This is because buyers appreciate it when they do not have to change the electrical installations, piping, and appliances themselves. These renovations require a lot of time and effort to finalize. In other words, most buyers want to move into functioning homes with functioning kitchens.

Consider your renovation budget before you decide to tackle your kitchen. Don’t be discouraged if you do not have the resources to invest in brand new appliances or significant construction work. You can achieve a lot just by making minor improvements. For instance, you can replace the cabinets, the kitchen faucet, or light fixtures. By doing this, you will refresh your kitchen without spending too much money. 

If these basic kitchen renovations exceed your budget, there are still other ways you can update your kitchen. Paint the cabinets in a new color after you refinish the cabinet boxes to make them smooth. You may also consider changing the doors, handles, or drawers. These seemingly small changes should revamp your kitchen and make it more appealing to potential homebuyers.

Renovate the bathroom

Although kitchen renovations improve the overall appeal of your home, your bathroom is also essential. Real estate agents state that you get around 90% return on investment since your bathroom(s) are considered extremely important when properties are marketed. So, if you have to choose between renovating your kitchen or your bathroom – choose the bathroom.

Aside from fixing the piping or any other underlying problems, it would help make surface changes. Retiling the bathroom is a lengthy project but potentially very rewarding. Also, consider changing or re-grouting the bathtub (if you have one). Such bathroom renovations are one of the biggest challenges of renovating an old house, but they will surely add value to your home.

Be sure to change the light fixtures since the appearance of your bathroom heavily depends on them. In addition, something as simple as a new mirror or towel hangers can make a huge difference. Since these home innovations do not require a lot of drilling, they are the best and most versatile bathroom renovation projects that add value to your home. 

Repurpose the attic or basement

Home additions are a great way to add square footage, but they cost a lot to execute. A better way to add value to your home is to repurpose an already existing room such as an attic, basement, garage, or any other room that can be turned into a functional living space, a workout area, a home office, etc. Homebuyers appreciate these kinds of perks since they make the house more roomy and organized. 

However, having too many rooms can sometimes be a disadvantage. Although this may sound unlikely, some buyers might be at a loss about what they might do with so many rooms. This generally occurs as a problem when people try to sell their property. 

Hence, it makes sense to invest in home staging if you think this might be a problem. The key to selling your house at a realistic price is to make an effort to make it more appealing to buyers. So, adding universally appealing furniture and decoration is a great way to make your home more relatable in showings and you won’t have to spend a lot of money either.

Add attic insulation

Speaking of attics, changing the attic insulation is one of the most profitable home renovation projects. New attic insulation adds to the resale value with a 107% cost recoup. The reason why good insulation is so valued is pretty obvious – the future owner’s household bills are reduced significantly when the property has good insulation.

Improve the curb appeal

It is not only the inside of your home that should be the focus of your renovation. Curb appeal also factors into the overall impression potential homebuyers develop. In some cases, the first impression might be the one that helps them decide. 

Furthermore, something as simple as scrubbing the porch or the home’s entryway signals it is well-taken care of. However, larger projects such as adding a new walkway are sure to impress the buyer and make your home stand out in the crowd. 

Changing the front door is a relatively inexpensive way to improve the appearance of the home and ensure safety. We recommend you consider changing the windows as well if they seem rusted or unsafe. 

There are all sorts of renovation projects that add value to your home. Besides these practical home renovation projects, your curb appeal will also benefit from some purely cosmetic improvements. So, for instance, prune shrubs, plant or place a few flower pots, and mow the lawn. Creating a cheery, well-kept atmosphere around your house is a good selling strategy that does not have to cost a lot of money to be successful. 

Meta description: When you set out to do some major or minor remodeling, you should primarily execute those renovation projects that add value to your home. Let’s see what they are.

The post Renovation projects that add value to your home appeared first on Twits Guides.