Easy Family Room Projects: 8 Things You Can Do This Weekend

 Spending time together as a family has never been more important, but even the most imaginative of households are running out of ways to keep everyone occupied. As the winter months draw in, getting outside isn’t always an option- this is where DIY steps in.

Not only are easy home projects perfect for bringing the family together, but they are a welcome way to get creative juices flowing for even the youngest of family members. Who knows? You might even get some stylish home improvements made along the way, which you will cherish in the years to come.

Read on to find out which simple, but fun ideas you can try this weekend.

 

#1 Create your own artwork

 

There is nothing more satisfying than hanging up a new piece of artwork in your home. It’s an even better feeling when you and the family can create something you are proud of. The best part about making your own artwork is that it will mean something to everyone involved; hanging it in your living space will add a splash of warmth and a heartfelt touch to any home.

From finger painting with your youngest to asking your teenager to put their photography skills to the test, there are plenty of options for the whole family to muck in with.

 

#2 Turn your living space into a den

 

Everyone remembers making a den when they were kids. It’s something every child can experience and is the perfect place to relax and watch some movies as a family. Now we are all spending more time indoors, you can create a magical setting perfect for a prince or princess.

Start with a comfortable sofa that is big enough for the whole family, and look at different sofa reviews to make sure you find the right one. Then all you need are some blankets, lots of cushions, and some homemade popcorn to snack on.

 

#3 Get cozy with homemade cushions

 

The modern-day family looks for ways to re-purpose what they have to limit their impact on the planet. We all know that sewing old fabric together can transform scraps into blankets, but what about cushions?

           The best part about this project is that it is versatile; almost everyone can try it. You can cut up old clothes and blankets to sew them together, or you can try knitting your cushion covers from scratch. By using plush fabric- like an old sweater- to stuff the cushion cover, you can also save on buying filling. In just a few, short hours, you’ll have your den decked out for the weekend.

 

#4 Paint a feature wall together

 

Art doesn’t always have to take the form of pottery or paintings. Why not think big by designing a feature wall for the kids’ bedrooms? This is a great way to let the kids unleash their creativity and explore their passions, whilst also giving a refresh to outdated décor.

           If you’re worried about ruining the walls, you can always let the kids transfer their designs onto plain wallpaper before you commit. In any case, make sure you put plenty of old newspaper on the floor to avoid any mess.

 

#5 Make some stylish storage solutions

 

When we think of storage, it doesn’t sound like the most fun way to spend a weekend, but getting the kids involved in making their own nifty storage solutions can encourage creativity and teach your kids to keep their spaces tidy. It’s a win-win DIY idea and can stretch across a few weekends if the kids enjoy it.

           For kids who love experimenting with makeup, there are some easy vanity chest tutorials that you can add your own twist to. Those who spend much of their time on video games can design a comfortable stool that stores all their wires and controllers away when they’re not in use.

 

#6 Design bunk beds

 

Not every family is blessed with lots of space- something every parent wants to give their children. For families who have multiple children in a room, free up some space by designing bunk beds, and give your kids some privacy by adding little curtains above their sleep station. For such a huge room change, this doesn’t have to cost the earth. Some tools, wood, and nails will be all you need to get going.

           Although this may not be a project the kids can get involved with; even if they can’t join in, the outcome will be something they can appreciate for a long time.

 

#7 Craft your own soaps and candles

 

Every parent knows keeping the kids clean is a daily challenge in and of itself. One way to occupy them and make them want to stay squeaky clean is by making your own bathroom soaps. Older kids may also want to try their hand at making scented candles. Soap bars, bubble bath or scented candles, they can refresh any bathroom space and also make the perfect gifts for friends and family.

           One thing to bear in mind is that adding the right essential oils to your soaps and candles will help bring about feelings of relaxation in all who use them. Not only is this ideal for keeping you level during difficult times, but this may also be beneficial for the children who may be going through a difficult time mentally.

 

#8 Plant an indoor vegetable patch

 

In the run-up to winter, it’s always a challenge to keep everyone fit and healthy. Stir up some creativity and fill your plates with nutritious vegetables by planting your own indoor vegetable patch. Using some old plant pots, you can grow everything from squashes to carrots; peas to potatoes. If you have ample outdoor space, make use of this. You could even make your own greenhouse.

           Those without much space can still turn this into a project by using small plant pots to grow herbs and spices in. These usually grow well when placed on windowsills so the sun can reach them.

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.