Author: Josie

Cost-effective Home Improvement Must-Haves

Josie

This might be your perfect chance to start home improvement this summer!

Featured image by: Mary Hannah Interiors

 Whether you’ve been dreaming of a newly remodeled patio, painting your front door, or renovating your bathroom for a more relaxed coastal look, you can get all this done by making good use of the time indoors.

However, as much as you are itching to remodel your home, it’s important to note that home improvement projects can easily become bank busters. But the good news is, there are a lot of cost-effective ideas you can explore to get the most out of your remodeling budget. Here are some:

An interior Paint Job

A coat of new fresh paint can dramatically make everything look brand new. Unlike wallpaper, there are a lot of ways to cut corners and get your desired look for less.

While painting, consider doing it yourself. Contrary to what most people think, painting is not difficult at all. Almost everyone can do it independently and successfully without hiring painting experts.

Here are a few tips to help you DIY:

– Start off by making a plan for your desired look. Measure the size of your walls and ceilings and also note down all the necessary tools you require.
– Ensure you protect all interior elements such as sockets, lamps, and light switches using a drop cloth
– Start by painting your ceiling then your walls (not the other way round)
– Avoid taking long breaks in between your painting sessions

A Bathroom Remodel


Photo: via

Bathrooms have always landed a top spot in many home improvement lists. To avoid spending megabucks, consider the following cost-saving tips.

1. Limit the amount of tile in your bathroom

Laying out tile gets expensive when you have a large area to cover. You can limit your tile coverage by only laying it on the floor only instead of the floor and the walls.

2. Avoid spending much on your countertops

Granite countertops, which are a popular trend now, can easily wreck your remodeling budget. Since your bathroom countertop is small, consider spending on a fairly low priced countertop to save some money. You can do this by shopping for secondhand countertops or by choosing less popular colors which are a bit cheaper.

3. Clean the caulk and grout

Though often overlooked, the caulk and grout can easily get unsightly when left for long. By simply cleaning caulk and grout you can freshen up your bathroom inexpensively.

Revamp your Old Floor

Replacing your scratched and worn out floor can easily change the look of your interior. When it comes to flooring the most sought after material is wood. Even though it’s beautiful, wood is quite expensive. Unlike in the past where wooden floors were the only option, there are a lot of beautiful and inexpensive flooring materials now available in the market at a much lower cost. Here are some:

  • Bamboo flooring – bamboo is almost similar to hardwood but a lot cheaper and durable.
  • Laminate flooring- Laminate flooring is a cheap alternative to wood flooring and has so many different varieties to choose from. It is also a smart choice if you have children or pets.
  • Porcelain tiles – Porcelain tiles are less expensive than wood. You can minimize the cost even further by laying the tiles yourself.
  • Cork flooring – Cork flooring is a natural and eco-friendly product that’s easy to install. It is also attractive and easy to clean up.

A Minor Kitchen Remodel


Photo By: Crown Point Cabinetry

Being one of the most utilized spaces, an improved kitchen can add beauty and functionality to your home. Here are some of the ways you can improve your kitchen without spending a lot of money;

1. Avoid replacing your kitchen cabinets – update them

While almost all the focus is always on the kitchen cabinets, you don’t have to spend thousands on new cabinets if the current set in your kitchen is in good shape.

You can do a few simple upgrades such as sanding, re-staining, and repainting to make them look better and up-to-date.

2. Go for budget countertops

You can easily save up on countertops by simply shopping around. Instead of getting your countertops from designers, you can shop at discount granite shops or from home improvement stores to save even more.

3. Work on your lighting

Brighten up your kitchen with new warmer lights. Avoiding overly dim lighting will make your kitchen feel more bright, warmer, and welcoming.

Give your HVAC a Tune-up

HVAC systems are often taken for granted – until they fail. They can cost thousands to repair or replace. It is, therefore, a wise idea to give your HVAC system a tune-up as we head for the summer.

Here are HVAC maintenance ideas to help you keep your HVAC systems working for longer:

1. Change the air filters regularly – most disposable air filters should be replaced every 60-90 days.

2. Keep the AC units clear of any dirt, branches, and debris. A buildup of materials in your AC’s will cause problems in their performance.

3. Get Maintenance from HVAC companies (like Eastern Shore Heating & Air Conditioning). The little repairs can save you the much higher cost of replacing your entire HVAC system in case it breaks down.

You Don’t Have to Break the Bank

Home improvement doesn’t have to cost you thousands. Try out these affordable improvement ideas to spruce up your home’s curb appeal during this lockdown period.

Easy DIY Backyard Projects to Keep You Sane During Quarantine

Josie

Make the most of quarantine with these DIY backyard projects!

Photo By: Better Homes and Gardens

Up until now, our lives have been pretty routine. We’d wake up, go to work or school, socialize with friends, and visit family. We’d host family barbeques, have date night and even go away on vacation. But, now? COVID-19 has thrown a wrench in our day-to-day routines and many of us are stuck at home in quarantine until this passes — or at least is contained.

It’s understandable to get frustrated. It’s understandable if you’re feeling like you need to do something or you’d go crazy. So why not take all of that pent up energy and do something to make your backyard into a relaxing oasis with these DIY projects?

Flex Your Green Thumb

Plants are a fantastic way to add some life to any space, be it inside or out. Now’s the perfect time to transplant your favorite flowers into larger pots so they have more room to grow. Use this time to prune back bushes that have become unruly. You can weed the flower beds, care for the lawn, or start a garden!

Refinish the Deck/Patio

Weather has a nasty way of turning a once beautiful patio or deck into a dingy shadow of what it once was. With summer just a few short weeks away and there’s no clear date when the quarantine will end, why not refinish your outdoor living space? Break out a power washer and revitalize your patio furniture. Restain your deck so it looks brand new. Add some fresh paint to flower pots. You’d be amazed how a little bit of elbow grease can make a huge difference!

Make Easy Repairs

Have you been putting off minor repairs outside? You know, repairs like fixing (or cleaning) the gutters, replacing outdoor light fixtures, or taking down Christmas lights. If you’re thinking about selling your home any time soon, these repairs will be one less reason buyers would have for submitting a offer below asking price. 

Build Something Useful

If you’re pretty handy with power tools, why not build something practical like a new picnic table, put together a swing set for the kids. You could make a fire pit out of cinderblocks if your neighborhood allows it. Of course, if you’re not keen on making anything big, start off small by making a birdhouse or make window planters for flowers. You can even make a raised garden plot!

Start a Compost Pile

Now, this idea may not be for everyone and it will take some time before you can actually use the compost, but a compost pile is a fantastic way to reduce the amount of waste you throw away. It’ll provide you with nutrient dense soil that you can use for potted plants, flower beds, and that raised garden we mentioned. Keep in mind that maintaining your compost pile is going to require getting your hands dirty, but it’ll be worth it in the long run!


Photo By: Edible Columbus

Clean the Plool

Before opening the pool for the summer, take this time to thoroughly clean the pool. You can use the vacuum to clean any debris that may have settled at the bottom of the pool while it was closed for the winter. You can change the filter and run several backwashing cycles. You can scrub the deck, clean the liner or scrub the tiles, depending on what kind of pool you own. By taking the time to thoroughly clean your pool, your weekly maintenance will be that much easier.

A lot of people are feeling the stress of being stuck at home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be productive and make your little corner of the world your own little oasis. Whether you’re repairing creaky doors or re-staining the deck, these little improvements will add little value to your home, but it’ll make you feel like you accomplished something. Plus, once social distancing regulations have been relaxed, you’ll be ready to invite family and friends over and not be ashamed of your unkempt yard.

Instagram’s Dreamiest Home Offices To Inspire Your New “Work from Home” Space

Josie

See these ideas that can help you when setting up your home office!

Featured image by: Elle Decor

The office is an increasingly necessary space in many homes. The number of people working from home is growing, as are the freelancers or freelancers who need a place to organize their papers and carry out their work tasks. The office should be a quiet and reserved place where we can focus and isolate ourselves. But this is not always possible at home. That is why we give you some ideas that can help you when setting up an office at home.

A Quiet Corner in the Home Office

The first thing to keep in mind, whenever possible, is to find a quiet room or corner. The ideal office is located in a somewhat separate room where we can be calm and away from the usual noise so that our concentration is not affected. You can take the help of santa monica interior designer for a better idea as well. But since this is not always possible and your office may have to go in a room such as the living room, bedroom or dining room, the first thing you should consider is that it be as quiet a corner as possible.

Is it better in the bedroom or in the living room? That will depend on our daily routine, on how many people live in our home on the hours you will be working. Think about all this carefully. Taking into account the hours that you will normally use your office, what is the best area to locate it? It may seem obvious to place it in the living room, but the kitchen is a less frequented area and it will give you more peace of mind. It is also important to feel comfortable about it, value all possible options and choose the best one for you.

Next to a Window

If possible, place your table next to a window so that you can see the outside. As long as it is not a very noisy street it will help us develop creativity and we will also have better light. Lighting is always very important when deciding on location. Better lighting will help us work better, especially when it comes to taking advantage of natural light. You can hire best interior design companies to implements your this idea as well.

Choose the Colors Well

Another factor to consider when designing our home office is the colors. The color with which we paint our environment influences our state of mind and our performance. That is why light colors are recommended for an office, although we can also go for some touches of color that will give us energy and dynamism. If you want to know more about which are the best colors to decorate your office? Green and pastel blue colors can also be a great idea when decorating the walls of your home office. They are relaxing colors that remind us of open spaces and that help us to be serene and focused.

The Importance of a Good Chair.

The office chair is very important, since we will spend many hours sitting there. Therefore, it is important that they are comfortable, breathable and fit our needs well. Chairs that are too rigid are not beneficial for our back if we have to spend many hours in them. Despite the fact that in many of the images of home offices we see lounge chairs, we recommend that you look for an office chair if you are going to spend enough hours in it. Your health and your back will thank you.

Storage Space

Another very important point when setting up a home office is storage. An office generates a whole series of material that you do not want to always have on the table, so it is necessary to include at least one drawer unit on or next to the desk. There you will be able to save the items that you use on a daily basis and that you don’t want to be on top of, as well as save the documentation or papers that you need. But in addition you will also need shelves or cabinets to store other types of material that you may need such as books, folders, filing cabinets, etc…

It’s always best to have everything close at hand when you work, so try to position your table near the storage area to save you continuous trips while you’re working and to make your task more fluid. You will surely appreciate it! A good idea is to use the space vertically using shelving on the walls above the work table, if possible and you do not have much space. Otherwise standing racks can also be a good solution.

Take Advantage of the Corners

If you don’t have too much space, making the most of it should be your motto. We can find tables of very different sizes or designed to take advantage of the corners and thus get the most out of the space. So don’t be discouraged if the space is small. Search and you will surely find a suitable solution that will help you create your home office. In small spaces it is always better to bet on light colors in all the elements, including the table so that it feels more spacious.

Don’t Miss a Date

The calendar is one of the elements that we use the most when we are working, to coordinate dates, check when it will be a delivery, etc … That is why it is always good to get a calendar in your home office. Whether desktop or wall-mounted, a calendar with the weeks can never be missing in an office. Don’t forget about him!

Give Importance to Lighting

Lighting is always better if it is natural. So take advantage of natural light as we told you before by placing your table near a window. Also use thin or semi-transparent curtains and light colors that help you lose the minimum of natural light. The orientation of the room is also important in getting the most out of natural light. But if you don’t have enough or you just work in hours when there isn’t enough sunlight … doesn’t forget the lamps. They are a very important element to help us work better, with more energy and without harming our eyesight.

Join the Fashion Mood Board

We have already talked about wood boards. These are the panels that hang near our work table and help us to be inspired and have everything we want to remember in sight. They are a great option so that we do not forget that great idea that occurred to us or to surround ourselves with images that inspire us and encourage our creativity. You can simply hang the images on a wall or on the cork of a lifetime … but if you want to be up to date, join the metal grilles. Metal grids are the solution to protect the wall but at the same time be able to easily hang photos, drawings, newspaper clippings … a simple idea, and a decorative one!

A Closet as an Office?

Another idea that can help us makes the most of the space. And at the same time we will always have everything hidden from the view of unexpected or inopportune visits. We love the idea of ​​using   a closet as an office. If we remove the shelves and partitions from a closet, we will have enough interior space to install a small home office with everything necessary. And with the advantage of being able to hide it at any time, a great idea!

We hope that these ideas help you when creating your home office. And this type of space is increasingly necessary even if you work in an office. There are always times when we will take advantage of this small office.