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Simple home improvement tips

19/1/2022

1 Comment

 
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​You could be looking at moving because your current home doesn’t appear right for you. It’s unappealing, small, shabby and items are broken. Yet, with a little imagination and effort maybe the house can be vastly improved at a relatively modest cost. ​Remodeling Versus Moving How to Decide
In the last few articles we discussed how you could How to make your home feel bigger. We also suggested ways to create more space Simple Ways to Improve Your House Part 1 - Creating More Space. Then we looked at Creating more space in your home with extra storage. In this article we consider more home improvement tips.
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Home improvement ideas

Consider some of these home improvement ideas.
  • Add additional storage and improve the cupboard layout to maximise storage.
  • Lighten and brighten your house. Even change furniture.
  • Install new lights. Choosing lights for your new home
  • Add new cornices.
  • Fit nice skirtings.
  • Change the door and cupboard handles. Even consider a new front door.
  • Fit new carpets.
  • Install new blinds or curtains. Choosing Window Coverings for Your Home
  • Improve and tidy the garden. How to Spruce Up Your Yard for the Holidays?
  • If noise is a problem, improve the soundproofing.
  • Add or improve the outdoor living areas.
  • Fix what’s broken.
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"Many of these home improvement ideas don't cost lots of money or require a great deal of effort."
Many of these home improvement ideas don't cost lots of money or require a great deal of effort. They don't have to be done all at once. Although they do require a plan to coordinate design ideas and detail. And you probably don't want to be installing new carpets before the painting is complete, and possibly new curtains could wait until the painting is complete, unless there is old fittings to be removed that require patching and painting over. So try and have an overall plan in mind and then coordinate what you do depending on your time and budget.
​Over the years we’ve bought several investment properties. To make them more appealing we’ve repainted them in light colours, installed new lights in some rooms, sometimes changed tap and shower fixtures, added ceiling fans, done maintenance, improved the garden by adding a few simple plants and covering the planting areas with mulch, and cleaned the house – all at a relatively small cost and a few days’ work. The houses and apartments immediately looked lighter, brighter and more attractive and we’ve always easily found tenants.

​#homeimprovementtips #homeimprovementideas #homerenovation

Small changes can dramatically improve your home

Understand what you don’t like about your house and why, then see how it can be fixed. Renovations don’t have to be major and involve enormous expense. Even small changes can increase the value of your house and improve your enjoyment of it.

​But, even incorporating some of these ideas into your new house or renovation can improve it immensely. 

What ideas and tips do you have for improving homes

#homerenovationideas #homeimprovement #homereno #houseconstruction
Other Useful Articles:
​
Designing your house for pets
Home renovators do you know if your home contains hazardous materials?
When renovating your home avoid damaging other parts of the house

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​This is an extract from the author's book  'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 2 - Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home' 
​© 2022 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

Want to learn more about designing, renovating and building houses?

Picture
​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

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Why You Should Move Out During a Remodel

11/1/2022

1 Comment

 
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If you are ready to start with a home remodel, you probably think you can stay inside during the renovations. While this may seem like a plausible idea, it is actually considered bad practice. Yes, it is possible to do it, and some people find a way. However, the building works will progress much faster if you move out during the project. There are other valid reasons you should move out during a remodel, and today we will talk about them.
​
Stick around to find out how you can unintentionally disrupt your home renovation by staying in the house.

Stress of living in a house being renovated

​Things that you won't lack during a remodel are noise and chaos. All of that creates large amounts of stress and can be harmful to your health.  Someone who is not used to being inside a home-in-progress will handle everything a lot worse. With that in mind, it is better to move out until the renovation is complete.

10 Tips to Help Couples Survive a Home Renovation Project
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Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

Remodelling homes results in dust and noise

If you are doing a larger renovation project that includes tearing down walls, changing the layout of the heating system, etc., you don't want to be there because of all the dust. For example, basement renovations are an excellent way to improve your home, and there are many new ideas you can try. However, this will generate a lot of dust that will end up in your lungs.

Furthermore, some renovation projects require welding tools or concrete cutting equipment that may produce toxic fumes.
​
Save your health by staying away from your home during all that work.

Disruption to daily living caused by home renovations

If you think, "I am only remodeling one room, why should I leave the house?" - you will make a mistake. Washing dishes, doing the laundry, or eating lunch will look different with construction workers in the house. If you try to clean after them, you will only be annoyed when there is more stuff to clean. You will not have your peace, and your daily activities will be disrupted. Furthermore, you cannot rest during the day because of all the noise.

It is understandable if you don't have anywhere to go. However, if you have that option, it is best to give yourself some space.

Speak with the contractor about home additions you want to make and give them space to complete the project on time. Your presence might cause delays.

Construction work is dangerous

Construction workers use various tools to complete work. These tools are dangerous if not used properly. Furthermore, another danger is that you might trip on the cables or accidentally hurt yourself. If you have children, that is even more dangerous.

When we talk about a home safety checklist during a remodel, the number one item on the list should be to stay away from dangerous tools.

Safety tips when renovating or building a house - part 2
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Image by Capri23auto from Pixabay

You do not want to delay your builder

​This may seem like a piece of false information, but it is true. Once your contractor creates a plan and presents it to you, they have a timeline they need to follow.
​
Your presence in the home will create delays. Instead of working for a full day, they will have to take breaks more often to let you get other things done around the house.
A delayed project is an expensive project. It will take more time to complete the remodel, and you will spend more money to compensate for that time.

Protecting your belongings during a home renovation

Another thing to consider is to move all of your items to a storage unit. The essentials can go with you. You are doing this to prevent any damage to your belongings.
​
Construction workers work all day, focusing on completing the work. They cannot split their focus to move furniture around the house or try to protect the mirrors. You must empty the space so they can work efficiently.

Where to stay while your home is renovated

​We have already mentioned that not everyone has a place to stay during the remodel. If this applies to you, but you still want to move out, here are some alternative living options:
  • Rent a room: you can find cheap rental options, like hostels or motels. This is a recommendation only if the remodel will not take more than a few weeks;
  • Ask a friend: staying at a friend's place is a good option. However, make sure not to overstay your welcome. Make a deal with them, and try to honor it. Let them know the situation, and ask them how they want to handle this. It is a good practice to ask two or three friends so that you have a plan B in case the renovation lasts longer than intended;
  • Stay with your parents or other family members: if you are used to your privacy, living with anyone else may seem too difficult. You need to follow someone else's rules now. Many people find it difficult to move in with their parents after living alone, but that is also an option. Take that time to reconnect with your loved ones, and relive some wonderful memories!

Things to do while renovations are in progress

If you cannot wait for a remodel to be over, find some projects to occupy yourself. One of the more useful ones is to plan how you will decorate your home. You can go window-shopping for some budget-friendly decor and browse the internet to get some ideas. If the remodel was costly, affordable decor could be a good solution to avoid additional expenses. There are a lot of options out there; just do thorough research.
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Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

Move out during a remodel and save yourself a lot of trouble

​As you can see, staying inside during a renovation project may cause many problems. Move out during a remodel and keep your sanity. Once the project is complete, you will move into a new space and be happy about it!
​#homeimprovementtips #homeremodelling #homerenovation #homereno
Other Useful Articles:
​
​​Before employing a building contractor ask these questions
When renovating your home avoid damaging other parts of the house
Waiting To Renovate? Here's the Best Time To Do So

Author

​Author Bio: Jonah Smiles is a blogger and content creator for easymovekw.com. His primary focus is on guides and tutorials for easier relocation and in-house projects.

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Want to learn more about designing, renovating and building houses?

Picture
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​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.
1 Comment

How to make your home feel bigger

5/1/2022

0 Comments

 
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Does your house feel smaller than it is? ​

​Does your house feel small and claustrophobic? We can’t all afford to live in large houses. In fact, many choose small houses, they’re easier to clean and cheaper to run. Houses are shrinking in size in many cities as land and construction costs increase. But we can make small houses appear and feel larger.
​#homerenovationideas #homeimprovementtips ​#smallhouses #tinyhomes
"we can make small houses appear and feel larger."

How you can make your home feel larger

  • As discussed in our article Simple Ways to Improve Your House Part 1 - Creating More Space, we can add storage (Creating more space in your home with extra storage)and reduce the size of furniture. Do you need a large table at the entrance or could a narrow one be equally as good? Could we make do with a smaller dining room table – maybe one that extends when necessary for bigger gatherings?
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"Light reflects and bounces off white making rooms appear larger."
  • Dark walls, carpets, countertops and cupboards make rooms appear smaller. Paint your walls, trim and detailing different shades of white. Light reflects and bounces off white making rooms appear larger.
"Be clever with the way you use space"
  • Even dark furniture makes a room feel full, even cluttered. Have the basics light coloured and then add splashes of bright colour as an accent. 
Case study: We moved lots of furniture from one home to our next home. The house we left had large rooms which were very light and the house had an Italian style, so we had lots of large solid wood furniture. The new house was slightly smaller, it had a modern style, but some parts of the house were dark. The large items of dark wood furniture looked out of place. I bought a can of white paint and painted the bookcases and desk white. The stools in the kitchen got a coat of silver paint. Suddenly the furniture brightened the room and suited the modern style of the house.
  • Consider hanging large mirrors in the entrance, in the main bedroom and in the bathrooms. Careful not to overdo the mirrors though!
  • Be clever with the way you use space. Is there an unused corner, or place under stairs or under washbasins that’s not properly utilised?
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  • Relook at window treatments. Heavy dark curtains protruding into the room take up space and make the room appear smaller. Installing blinds or shutters that sit within the window opening requires less space, it’s neater, and if they are in light colours they help brighten the room. Choosing Window Coverings for Your Home
  • Mount things like the television set on the wall.
  • Use furniture that has additional storage, like beds with drawers under them and tables with shelves underneath.
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  • "Make your outdoor area a secondary living space."
  • Make the outdoors part of your house. If you have a patio or veranda, how does it connect to the house? Doors that open back wide makes the outdoor space feel part of the indoor entertaining area, especially if the floor finish on the veranda is the same (or similar) as the indoor space, or it looks like an internal floor finish. Consider how you can use the veranda more by for instance covering it with a roof, extending it, covering the floor with tiles, installing a ceiling fan for summer and a heater for winter, and perhaps, zip down insect screens or blinds. Not only is the veranda an addition to the indoor space, but with doors wide open it appears as though the house extends out further than it does. Make your outdoor area a secondary living space.
  • Make better use of a balcony in the same way.
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  • Adding skylights can brighten rooms.

Advantages of small houses

We can't all live in large houses. They are often unavailable, or certainly very expensive. But large houses cost more to cool and heat. They require more cleaning. While smaller homes are usually more sustainable, taking less resources to build. It's not necessary to live in a large house if you use the available space wisely. Do you need a large house?

​Small rooms and small houses can be made to appear bigger by installing more storage and using some of the tips above to maximise space and make the rooms appear larger.

What tips do you have to make small houses appear bigger?
 
Happy remodelling and renovating.

#homeconstruction #homeimprovement #homestorage ​
Other Useful Articles:
Are you wasting money or adding value with your home renovation?
​Simple Tips to Make Your Small Home Feel Like A Big Space
7 Tips for Home Renovation on a Budget
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​This is an extract from the author's book  'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 2 - Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home' 
​© 2022 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

Want to learn more about designing, renovating and building houses?

Picture
​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

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    Author

    I’m a construction professional, author of several successful construction management books, and a home owner. I’ve made mistakes in construction management, I’ve seen others make mistakes, but importantly I’ve had multiple successful construction projects and I’ve learned from the mistakes. I want to share these lessons and my knowledge with you.
    'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home' are my latest books. packed with tips and information to ensure your home construction project is a success. Get your copy today from Amazon and other online stores.

    Also available from:
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    and 'An Introduction to Building Houses - Volume 2 Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home' ​
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

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