How to Upgrade Your New Living Room Space on a Budget

 

When it comes to redesigning the home, most homeowners will want to start with the living room. This is one of the most utilized areas in the house serving as a lounge area for members of the household, an entertainment area for guests, and a play area for kids. It’s no wonder then why we often spend thousands of dollars trying to beautify this area.

If you’ve been meaning to do the same for yours but don’t want to spend a lot, here are smart tips to help you upgrade your living room on a budget.

1. Repaint the walls

Repainting your walls can make a drastic difference in how your living room looks. But, be careful in choosing a color. Evaluate your current space first and see what hues will work best with your decor. You’ll want to compare it with today’s popular colors for interior design as trends are always changing.

It can be a huge commitment to change the color of your walls so don’t hesitate to ask for paint swatches at the hardware store. Maybe even try on colors on a patch of your living room wall so you get a good idea of how it will look like.

2. Replace your old sofa

Your sofa is one of the biggest items in the living room, and it could very well be affecting the appearance of the whole place. If it’s looking old and worn out, it’s time to replace it with a new one. Consider getting a sectional sofa for the whole family as not only is it multipurpose, it also saves you a lot of space. Sectionals can be taken apart with one portion that can be used as a footrest, a table, or even a floating seat for extra guests.

3. Add a large mirror

In the age of social media, who doesn’t want an opportunity to get a selfie in front of a giant mirror? Vanity aside, a large mirror is another great way to upgrade your living room as it creates the illusion of a bigger space. If placed correctly, it can reflect light from the outside bringing more natural light in this area. 

Don’t just get a plain mirror. Since it will be placed in your living room, you’ll want something stylish. There are ones that come with ornate and whimsical frames. If you want the space to look more streamlined, a mirror with simple lines will also do. 

4. Bring in a statement rug

The right sized rug can elevate the feel of your space, making all the furniture look pulled in together. But you don’t want to just get the right size, you want one that will make a statement. There are plenty of patterns and designs you can find in the market from geometric patterns to abstract shapes. Take your time in choosing one here since this will greatly affect how the space looks. 

If you’re overwhelmed by the choices, start by looking at your current decor. The rug can be a supporting element to your already existing decor. Next, you’ll want to think of color. Pops of color are encouraged as this can really freshen up your space, giving it a new feel. Like paint, color trends come and go so do your research on the hottest shades of the moment.

5. Rearrange your furniture

Instead of buying new decor, you may just need to rearrange your existing furniture to upgrade the room’s look. It’s no easy task to move heavy furniture around so consider using a room layout apps that allow you to play with the arrangement of your furniture virtually. The goal is to create more space and allow for easy navigation. You’ll love being in your living room more when you’re able to do this. 

What area of your living room needs changing the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Thinking about a reverse mortgage? Here’s why you should.

Ah, retirement. The time when you can start scaling down and taking things easy. But, as we all know, it’s hard to take things easy if there isn’t enough money to do it with. So how to supplement your retirement income? A reverse home loan, also known as a retirement home loan, is a loan that is designed for the exclusive benefit of senior homeowners, and can play a huge role in creating financial stability during your retirement. You may also wish to consider an individual retirement account (IRA), with more details and information available here https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/ira-vs-401k-which-is-best-for-you/.

It’s based on what your home is worth

When you apply for a reverse home loan, a large part of the process will involve the calculation of your home’s overall value. Your lender will make use of a reverse home loan calculator to assess you situation, based on information about your home’s age, location, condition and more, as well as your own financial position as the homeowner.

A reverse mortgage calculator will also assist you in navigating government regulations and guidelines about this kind of loan. Because you are legally not permitted to take the full value of your house in the form of a loan, the calculation tool will resolve what percentage you may borrow.

It’s a long relationship with your lender

The way a reverse mortgage works is it’s basically a home loan that doesn’t have to be paid back on a monthly basis but instead you’re getting paid by the lender in a “reverse” way, which is one of the most appealing aspect of it. The point is to supplement your finances during retirement, and putting you straight back into a debt trap would defeat the object of the exercise. The loan will remain valid for a long as you live in the home permanently and as your primary residence. If you choose to move out, the outstanding balance of the loan will be due.

How to access your loan funds

When you apply for the loan, you will also have to decide how you would like to receive the money. Your options are to take one large lump sum payment as a once-off, or as a line of credit, which means that you will be able to access the money as you need it, in flexible amounts. Yet another option is to take monthly payments, which is by far the most popular option, as it gives the receiver some form of predictability around their monthly budget.

How do I know if my property qualifies?

There are a few regulations that you will have to comply with when you apply for a reverse mortgage. Firstly, your property also has to be your permanent and primary home, which is to say that you cannot let out the property while having a reverse home loan on it. You will similarly not be able to bond a reverse home loan to a holiday property, or any property where you do not live permanently.

Please also bear in mind that your loan will also factor in aspects like whether or not you still have an existing balance on your current home loan, as that amount will be settled using your newly-granted reverse home loan, before you will be able to access the balance of the funds.

How to Convert Your Attic in a Reading Room

 

Attic conversions are popular with homeowners if it isn’t being used for storage, and they can make wonderful additions to a home. You can do almost anything with an attic, turn it into a nursery, spare bedroom, playroom or study. Whatever you choose to turn it into, an attic conversion is a great way to add value to your property if it’s done right. Although there are plenty of options when it comes to creating a new room in your home, if you’re an avid reader, or someone who is just looking for a place to enjoy some quiet time, why not turn your attic into a reading room? Here’s how you can do it.

Attic Inspection

Before you start any work on your conversion, you will need to have your attic inspected. These checks will determine whether your attic is structurally sound for this kind of home improvement project. In addition to this, you will need to have your attic cleaned and properly insulated before you turn it into your reading room. You can find out more about getting an attic inspection and other attic services online.

Hire a Contractor

Once you have had the all-clear from your attic inspection and have had it properly cleaned and insulated, you can then move on to the next stage. You’re likely going to need the services of a professional contractor to create the right space for your reading room. If you don’t already have a window in your attic, you might want to consider having some installed, as natural light will be much better to read in. You will also need to have walls constructed and plastering services, as well as having quality flooring installed. Engineered rustic white flooring could be a great option as it is high quality and great looking.

Choose Your Color Scheme

This part of the project is where it starts getting a bit more fun. Once you have all the necessary structure of your reading room completed, you can use this blank canvas to create your perfect hideaway. If the attic space is small, you might want to consider lighter colors to make the room feel bigger. Alternatively, if you want to make it feel like an old Victorian style reading room, dark wood, and rich reds would help to achieve this. Whatever your style, let your interior design instincts run wild!

Clever Storage

Thanks to the slanting roof, attics aren’t the best rooms for tall shelves or storage units. You will have to get creative with your bookshelves in your converted reading room to make utilize the space. Consider using old trunks or low shelves to store your favorite books in, or convert the stairs into draws. You could also invest in furniture that has storage built in to help save space.

Comfortable Furniture

Finally, you will need to have a cozy couch or armchair to snuggle down with your favorite book. Again, think about how much space you have to work within your attic before you start purchasing furniture for it. Even a beanbag chair could work well and will fit in any room of the house with ease. You should also buy good lamps for reading on days with grey skies or at night.

Turn your attic into a reader’s paradise by following these useful tips!

8 Ways to Revamp Your Home and Reflect Your Family

A house isn’t really a home until you decorate it and make it your own. It takes months, sometimes,
years of tinkering with spaces before it becomes a space that you and your family can enjoy living in.

This is why you shouldn’t feel pressured to have everything set up in your home right away. Years later,

 you might come across a beautiful rug from your trip --one that you’ve always dreamed about and now
 it’s sitting beautifully beside your bed. Or you might receive a unique vase from a beloved family
 member, and you find that it perfectly suits your living room. There is always something to add to make
 your home reflect your family.


However, if it feels like your space is looking lackluster lately, there are some things you can do to
change that.


1. Add in personal mementos
Fll in dead spaces with your personal favorite items --things that bring you joy whenever you look at
them whether it’s your favorite books, a memorable item from your travels, a postcard from a friend,
your favorite scent. You’ll enjoy your home more when you catch sight of these items.


2. Get rid of the unnecessary
There are things that bring you joy, then there’s those that you feel ambivalent about, or really dislike.
Have a discussion with your family members so they have a say on the items they want to keep. Then
 by the end of it, dedicate a day to getting rid of this stuff. You can put them up for sale or donate them to
 your nearest charity.


3. Vote with your money
Anything that you bring into your home, make sure that it is in line with what you believe in. For example,
 if you’re trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle, only purchase furniture that’s either secondhand or
 has been sourced ethically and made with sustainable materials. You only want to use products that reflect your family’s values. It just feels good to do so and makes domestic living more harmonious.


4. Take on a  DIY project
Dedicate a day in the week to work on the decor that you want in your home. There are plenty of DIY
projects you can work on. You can repaint your dresser, repurpose that extra wood in the garage, or
create a customized piece of furniture from scratch. Take your time on these as you want a finished
product that you’ll want displayed in your home.


5. Grow your own herbs
Take an inventory of the herbs that you often use in cooking and add pots of these in your kitchen. You’ll
 love watching them grow every day and it just feels great grabbing a few sprigs of herbs you need for
 that meal that you’re making.


6. Place flowers in a vase
Not the fake kind, please. The real thing is much, much better. Grab a bouquet of flowers from the
market and place them in a nice vase to put in your living room or kitchen. It instantly spruces up a
 room and will make you smile every time you come by it.


7. Frame pictures and artwork
Do you have a favorite print you’ve always wanted to display? How about some family vacation photos
 you’ve been meaning to get printed out? Now is the time to get them framed and display them on your
 walls. This adds warmth to a space and makes the space truly your family’s.


8. Light up a candle
Find a candle with your favorite scent and one that all your family members love. Light it up every now
and then so that it leaves a nice scent every time you enter a room. Every time you get a whiff of these
 fragrances, it’ll remind you of the cozy home you created with your family. 

Bonus:

Want to spice up your home decor? Try something unique, something you’ve never done before, like

using gorgeous Roman statues or figures. They will add character and a museum vibe to your interior 

decoration. You can top them off with other artworks, like paintings and sculptures, to complete the 

art-gallery look.

Which of these tips do you love the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Is Garden Landscaping Expensive?

A nice aesthetic garden has a delightful ambiance of its own. The green resonates the healthy and
growing aura of your house and gives pleasure to look at. However maintaining a garden is no cheap
task. They are very costly and not every landscaping idea is welcoming to everyone’s budget. If you
haven’t had much of an experience with landscaping or are out of touch with the landscaping rate, we
will fill you in with the most up to date costs to help you become realistic with your landscaping plans.

1. What factors will affect the cost of landscaping?

There are many factors that you must take into account before exploring the cost of your
garden landscaping. 

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• The size of your garden
• The span of the coverage
• Special nurturing for exotic plants
• Type of fertilizers and pesticides used
• Cost of pants and mulches
• Your gardener’s salary

2. How much do gardening services cost?

Gardeners have a lot to do with the size of your garden. On an average for an average sized house
garden; gardening services would range from £15-45 per hour. Another factor that decides the cost of
gardening is the efficiency of a gardener, their level of expertise and their experience. On an average
that would be around £150 - 300 per day for 2-3 hours of gardening every day. Gardening services
include weeding, weed removal, trimming, pruning, lawn clearance, lawn care, lawn mowing etc.

Source: http://azworks.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/landscaping-ideas-with-rocks-beautiful-river-rock-landscaping-ideas-rock-garden-landscaping-with-rocks-garden-landscaping-and-backyard-landscaping-landscaping-ideas-rocks-gravel.jpg

3. How much does garden cleaning cost?

Garden cleaning by a professional will cost you at around £35 -40 per hour.

4. How much does soil irrigation cost?

Most people tend to dismiss the irrigation, but the fact that water costs is not to be ignored. For
£8-10 per hour your garden will remain hydrated.

5. How much does maintaining a turf cost?

Turf maintenance is a chore not everyone has the time for. Hiring a professional to do will cost at
around £14 per square meter.

Source: https://i1.wp.com/www.mrright.in/ideas/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Small-garden-landscaping-ideas.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1

6. How much does bark mulching cost?

To keep your plants warm and well hydrated in summer time, you should consider mulching which has
an approximate cost of £12-38 per cubic meter.

7. How much does new plants cost?

For garden makeover you need plants, however, plants do not have a fixed price. The same plant you
buy on sale will have a massive difference from the plant you buy from a nursery. Plants are also very
dependent upon the area where you choose to do the plantation. The price will range from £30-40 per
square meter.

8. How much does fence installation cost?

Fence installation will cost you £40-50 per meter for close boarded and £50-60 per meter for a closed
board fence.

9. How much does paving cost?

Sandstone paving will cost you £80, while block paving being a slightly cheaper option will cost you
around £70-80.

10. How much does decking cost?

Softwood decking comes in cheap at £70-80 per square meter, while hardwood decking ranging from
£130-160 depending on the type of wood used.

5 Tips To Organize A Small Kitchen

5 Tips To Organize A Small Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most important areas of your house. Because this is where you’ll cook and
prepare meals for your friends and family, it’s vital that you keep this area clean and clutter-free. You don’t
want to serve meals which will only make your family sick, right? Organizing is key for you to enjoy a
clean and sanitary kitchen all year long. The more organized your kitchen is, the safer the area will be for
everyone.

Regardless if you just move to a new house with the help of NYC Moversor if you are living in the same house for years, you need to prioritize the cleanliness of your kitchen.
Here are some tips to help you organize a small kitchen:

1. Purge, purge and purge some more

Every item in your kitchen is your investment. More often than not, you’ve spent a lot of money on buying
your kitchen appliances, cooking ware and utensils. This is especially true if you’re someone who loves to
spend time in their kitchens. However, even if you paid a lot of money in buying these things, it doesn’t
mean that you have to keep all of them. Since you have limited space, it’s important that you dispose of

items that are damaged or no longer in use.

Go through all of your kitchen items and assess which among these are no longer usable. Are you still
using your microwave oven? Does your coffee maker still work? Keeping items that don’t serve its
purpose will only collect dust and take up valuable space.

2. Rethink your walls

When you have a small kitchen, floor space can become an issue. Usually, you’ll only have enough floor
space to accommodate basic kitchen appliances and fixtures. For you to better organize your kitchen,
utilize the walls. Use this area to hang your pots and pants, and other kitchen utensils. You can also invest
in a rack and hang commonly used items.

3. Use all of your cabinets strategically

Most kitchens are built-in with cabinets. While some of these cabinets are seen underneath the sink, others
can be installed above the kitchen counters. If you have limited cabinets in your kitchen, maximize its
function by using risers to create shelves inside your cabinets. These risers are very cheap and can be
bought from any home depot store and even online websites.

4. Use your doors

Aside from investing in risers, improve the functionality of your cabinets by using its doors. Look for
hooks and caddies, and use these to place light items such as sponge and cleaning towels. You can also
place grocery bags in this area. This is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of adding extra storage in your
kitchen.

5. Use clear containers

Going through all of your kitchen cabinets and not finding the food you want to eat can be very frustrating.
Instead of looking forward to a productive day, you’ll be stressed because you can’t find your favorite box
of cereal. To avoid clutter and stress to all of your family members, invest in clear containers. These should
be utilized in placing smaller food items such as flour and sugar. Take the time to label all of these properly
so everyone can find what they’re looking for fast. And because these containers are clear, it’ll be easy for
you to know which items are running low.

Your Consistency Counts

There are actually a lot of ways on how you can organize your kitchen. Aside from the tips presented in
this article, you can ask help from your friends and family or rely on the World Wide Web for more
information. But no matter how you plan on organizing your kitchen, keep in mind that you will only be
successful if you’re consistent with your efforts. Organizing your kitchen for one week and not having the
discipline to store kitchen tools in its proper place will not make your kitchen clutter-free and sanitary. 

How to be a Boss at Renovating Your Own Home

Renovating your own home can seem like a daunting task. Learning how to do some basic DIY, woodwork, and interior decorating is no mean feat, particularly when you’re completing it on your own. While many of us would love to have the budget to hire someone else to do our renovation for us, we don’t always have the budget to do so.

Get creative with paint

It’s no secret that a brand new lick of paint can do wonders for any room. If you’re worried that your bedroom, living room or kitchen is looking a little tired, then it could be time to get out the rollers and drop cloths. If you really want to paint in style, it’s time to get creative. Taking your time to look through swatches and experiment with color could see you creating something truly unique. Pairing deep slate greys with pale yellows or bright creams with vibrant furniture could give you a home that looks as if it belongs in a brochure.

Make the most of small rooms

Small rooms often feel like the most difficult to renovate in many ways. While there’s less space to conquer, you often run the risk of accidentally cluttering the room. There are a few gospel rules when it comes to smaller rooms, and those include:

No dark paint

No busy patterns

No dark curtains

These focus on getting as much light into the room as possible, which is always a wise approach. You can also use clever tricks of the light to make it feel like a much bigger room. Adding mirrors is just one way of doing this, as they give a slight illusion of extra space, as well as bouncing light around the room.

Don’t be afraid of cosmetic changes

Cosmetic changes to a home can include changing the tiles in a room, re-painting a room, or adding wallpaper. While these jobs might require a bit of elbow grease, they are well within most people’s capabilities. There also some unique hacks you can try to spruce up some features in your home. Did you know, for example, that if you unscrew the doorknobs in your house and boil them with baking soda you’ll be able to get rid of any accidental paint spills? Don’t be afraid, either, to switch up some of those smaller features. Purchasing quirky and artistic doorknobs to fit in your home will give it a stylish boutique feel.

Be bold with your front door

It’s surprising how small aspects of a renovation can make it feel like a much bigger one. For example, changing your front door can have a surprisingly large effect on the overall appearance of your abode. If you can’t afford an entirely new front door, then why not paint it? Opting for a bold and vibrant color such as yellow will give your home an immediate sense of character.

Go bargain hunting

As you may have already surmised, renovating can be an expensive project. Cans of paint, new artwork, and new furniture can all come to quite an expensive price. This is where sales become your friend. Bargain hunting for materials way in advance could save you plenty of money. Take trips out to DIY stories and browse through online retailers’ stock until you find the best possible bargain. While there are some features that shouldn’t be scrimped on, items such as paint can be affordably purchased at a much cheaper price with very little consequence.

Leave the tough work to the professionals

If you find yourself wondering if it’s possible to fit a toilet by yourself or maybe do the re-wiring in your kitchen – don’t risk it. Some jobs are best left to professionals, particularly when the condition of your home is at stake. It might end up costing you a fortune to repair the damage caused. By searching “plumbers in my area” online you can find tradespeople to get the big jobs executed successfully.

The easiest way to be a boss at home renovation is to be brave. Get creative with your color use and accept the challenges that learning DIY can bring. While some bigger tasks are best left to professionals (plumbing and wiring, for example) there are still plenty of home improvements you can complete yourself. Start hunting around for inspiration and DIY sales; you never know what you might come up with.