Home & Garden

Maintaining your home’s heating and air conditioning unit is important because replacing the unit is never cheap. In theory, your home’s HVAC unit should have a lifetime of 15-20 years. If you care for it properly, you will likely get closer to the 20-year mark.

However, not everyone is skilled in the art of caring for an HVAC unit. If you’re unsure as to how to properly take care of your heating and air conditioning unit, take a moment now to read through a brief look at some helpful tips for proper maintenance.

Call in the professionals for maintenance

There are some things your HVAC unit needs to remain in good working condition that you may not be able (or equipped) to handle on your own. For these tasks, you should call in the professionals to maintain your home’s heating and air conditioning unit.

Keep air filters clean

The air intake vents inside of your home are complemented with a filter that cleans your air of dander and debris before it is pumped back into the home. It’s important to keep your filters clean.

Dirty filters not only muck up your home’s air, but they can really put an extra strain on your HVAC unit. If you have a busy home with animals, change the filters once per month. A slower home environment without pets may only require a filter refresher every three months.

Clean debris from vents

It’s important that you pay attention to the vents inside of your home. The intake and blowing vents should always be kept free of debris and dust buildup.

It’s also key that you don’t block your home’s air vents with furniture or stuff. Keep the vents clean and free-flowing, so your HVAC unit will have no trouble properly heating and cooling your home.

Clean up your outdoor unit

Your HVAC system has an indoor and an outdoor unit. It’s important not to neglect the outdoor element of your system. Built-up dirt, leaves, and other debris on your outdoor unit can stifle the function of your system. The fan in the unit should regularly be cleaned of buildup and debris as well. Watch a short YouTube video to figure out how to easily access your unit’s fan for cleaning.

Keep the condensation line clear

Your air conditioning unit releases excess moisture through the condensation line. If you don’t clean it every once in a while, mold, mildew, and algae could build up in the line.

Blocking the condensation line could mean real trouble for your HVAC system and your home. Take the safe route, and make sure the line is clear every few months.

 

Our lives are entangled around gadgets, and these gadgets find themselves entangled with loads of cables. As irritating as it may be to have these loops of wires, it is the truth of the hour that your electronics get their much-needed fuel via these cords.

Getting rid of them is not an option. However, they can be improved. No, no, we do not mean venturing into the array of electric improvement by yourself, what we mean is decorating them and rather justifying their presence beautifully.

Following are a few helpful tips that would ensure that your cables don’t spoil your look or mood:

1. Organize: The first step towards getting rid of these ugly nests is to organize each strand of those wires you have no idea about. Pick them up and spread them over a table. Try to decode their purpose, origin, and utility. In this process, you would understand if you even need those, to begin with.
2. Label: After you have removed all the ugly wires you do not need, you would have only the wires that are necessary. Now, you must label those wires as per their need. For instance, all the wires that go on the same floor should be separated. You could use DIY labels to name their categories. According to these categories, you can then start binding them or securing them in the right spot. The right spot can be behind the desk, under the carpet, or anywhere your wires can be disguised into a hidden loop.
3. Cable covers: The best way to secure cables is by using cable covers. In the process of binding them, you may break their delicate wires. In the process of pasting them to the wall using adhesives, you may end up making a bigger mess with the paint of the wall. Thus, smart and affordable cable covers are always a better way to go about organizing, labeling, and securing these cords.

You should, however, make sure that your cable covers are flexible and sturdy so that they can retain the natural shape of the wire. At the same time, also keep them stuck, to avail of such good cable covers, you should only consider specialists such as TripSafe cable protectors.

1. Cordless: The best way to get rid of these cables is to go for cordless devices. The more wires you have at your place, the more would be your need and patience to organize them. However, with the advent of wireless TV, phones, etc., if you are up for it, you could get rid of them all, plus give you house this much-needed reinvented look.
2. Hangers: In case you do not want to go through all the above, you could consider changing your cables down the nails strategically dug into your walls for this very purpose. This doesn’t do much to your house’s charm but can hold the wire in place for the time being you are busy. You could also place the nails in a way that they outline the walls, and thus, the wires wouldn’t look so bad. If executed properly, this may look like a silhouette of your house while also restoring the order back into your place with confined cables.

Please note that whatever method you choose to secure your cords in place needs to be on par with your lifestyle. If you have chosen to hide the cords under the floor carpet and you have toddlers at home, this may not be a good idea. With elderlies at home too, you may risk trips and falls with uneven surfaces. We hope you make a wise decision. Stay safe!

One universally common question that crosses the mind of almost every homeowner is ‘how often should I renovate my house?’. If you just bought a house, it calls for a celebration and renovation to make sure that the new property becomes your home. Also, if the quality of your old house is deteriorating, you need to redo the basic fixtures.

Hence, if you have been toying with the idea of revamping your house, but can’t figure out if it is the right time, keep reading. Here we have gathered seven important reasons that you should consider renovating a house.

To Enjoy

They say you should always be happy with the place that you live in and that’s quite necessary to live healthily. However, if your house is not appealing to you, the chances are that you might end up feeling sad. So, even if you have started feeling like the house is now outdated, that should be a strong enough reason to justify various rejuvenation.

Floor needs replacement

Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever, and even the floor that you are standing on comes with an expiry date. If the tile placement on your floor is old and has started showing detachments, a house update should be made. With time, the floor begins developing cracks; if this is effortlessly visible on your floor, we believe it is necessary to replace your flooring.

Efficient Home

New windows, mirror placement, or better security tools are good for increasing the efficiency of a house. Efficient homes are alluring to purchasers too, for when you need to sell the house. In order to get a modern, efficient home, renovation is a big yes! To get the needed help from one of the experts, click here.

Roof Leakage

Whether you have a manor or a small cottage, a leaking roof always destroys the looks and the strengths as well. Improper roofs can directly affect your health, as they are a warm ground for infestations and moulds. There are many reasons why the roof starts leaking; it can be because of broken shingles or roof vents that look like small pipes placed above the exterior layer. Another reason can be because of a rotten roofing system. However, you could easily get that fixed with the help of experts.

Inappropriate Lightings

Though the lighting is usually done once the house is ready, a lot many times they don’t go with aesthetics and the interior of your house. However, redoing the lights and electronic systems of the property can help you. Poorly placed lights or inadequate lighting in the house can also be the reason why it looks inappropriate. So, to make your house attractive and functional, revising your lights is a less time-consuming option.

Dull Or Chipping Paint

One of the most important reasons to refurbish your house is the look of the walls. Dull and chipped walls usually create a depressive and stale look. Factors affecting your walls can be dirt, chemicals or dampness. Just like the roof, the walls too are prone to infestations. Newly painted walls or new wallpapers can contain the freshness of the house for years.

Lack of Storage

A cluttered house is really like a nightmare, isn’t it? Piles of unchecked things lying around is a red flag. However, you could start by creating enough space in the house by getting new cabinets, wardrobes, and cupboards.

A home remodeling task will change how you feel about returning to home.

 

We have all experienced a relaxing weekend away with friends and family by the lake and it was surely something we all remember. Maybe you enjoyed it so much that you are looking at Lake Houses For Sale? The feeling of calmness and being relaxed are widely associated with being by the water and there is no other place that can quite match that feeling. By buying a Lake Home you will have these feelings permanently and no doubt your family and friends will want to come and visit to have a taste of that life too.

Types of Lake Houses For Sale

The Lake Homes you will find for sale come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Some are more rustic in appearance while the range extends to a more refined style home. If you are going for a more refined style rather than rustic, you are likely looking for luxury Lake Homes for sale. While lake homes tend to have a reputation for bare minimum living, there are absolute exceptions. There are many Lake Homes that boast some incredible views, dream amenities, and exceptional craftsmanship. These will really show the true meaning of luxury. By living close to the water there are many opportunities that come with it, for example, you can spend your weekends exploring your water-skiing skills, boating around to your favorite lake destinations, or simply just relaxing with someone you care about, watching the sunset. Whatever life style you are looking to enjoy buying a Lake Home is the first step to living out your dream in comfort and style. Unfortunately living by water can bring up some causes for concern, you need to be sure you look into the property fully before making your final decision.

Using A Real Estate Agent to Help

By using a Real Estate agent that has experience of buying and selling Lake Home Properties will certainly guide you in the right direction. You may think you are being sold a dream but sometimes this can just result in being sold down the water, the complete opposite of what you have dreamt of. An agent will help you to find the perfect property with you, they will discuss any issues that they think may appear and they will also guarantee the value for money with the property. Location is also a vital aspect of where to buy your dream Lake Home, again an agent with knowledge and experience of dealing with properties in the area that you are looking at will certainly give you peace of mind that you are making the right decision.

Buying your dream home will take a bit of patience as it will take lots of time, many different viewings and also a lot of money to find but when you walk into that home that gives you that sense of forever then it will all be worth it. You will look forward to those sunset evening in your perfect home.

 

Utilizing the space in your ceiling to install a loft is a great idea and if you have a loft that requires some love and attention then an upgrade is also a smart plan to add value and space to the home. One key detail which you have to consider when completing a loft is the ladders which will be used to gain access to the loft itself. Contrary to what you may think there are in fact a huge array of loft ladder ideas which you can consider and today we are going to discuss a handful which may inspire you.

Folding Down

One of the most common choices when it comes to loft ladders is getting wooden or metal ladders which collapse and are stored in the loft itself. When the hatch is opened the ladders will open up and cascade down to the floor, allowing you entry to the loft space. This is convenient in terms of space saving and the only thing which you will have to bear in mind is that you have a baton which you can use to open the loft hatch, also that your ladders have resistance so that they don’t tumble out once the hatch is open.

Storage Stairs

If you are looking to maximize the space which you have in the home then storage stairs could be a great idea which will give you access to the loft space and increase the amount of storage which you have in the home. Storage stairs are essentially drawers of varying sizes which are reinforced on the top so that they can take the weight of a human. From ground level they appear to be drawers and cupboards, yet they also have a second use as stairs which take you up to your loft.

Permanent

If your loft is more of a prominent feature of the home rather than a separate space then you may wish to really make it inclusive with permanent stairs which are there for all to see. A set of wooden ladders which are fixed will ensure that the loft becomes bonus space rather than a separate area of the home, which adds to that feeling of spaciousness within the property.

Hidden Staircase

Not everyone likes to make it obvious that they have a loft space and this is why another great option for loft ladder is to have permanent ladders but hidden away. This is easy done by installing a small partition wall which will hide the ladders, there will of course still be access behind the wall which can be used to get up to the loft. In doing this you can keep the loft and the ladders leading up to it something of a secret, which of course gives additional mystery to the space above.

There are many ideas and materials which you ought to consider before you decide which ladders are going to be right for you and for your home.

 

If you’re shopping around for new pieces of furniture, it’s well worth choosing pieces of furniture which are stylish and trendy and functional. To discover a few types of furniture which are well worth purchasing, in order to add a bit of style and functionality to your home.

1. An extendable dining table:

Purchasing an extendable dining table ensures that you’ll be able to host dinner parties, without having to fit a large dining table into your home. As on a day to day basis, you’ll be able to use your dining table, without putting up its extension.

2. Seater sofa beds:

If you enjoy hosting friends and family members, it’s well worth placing a 2 seater sofa bed in your lounge. Especially if you don’t have a spare bedroom. Alternatively, you may want to convert your sofa into a comfortable sofa bed, in order to enjoy cosy movie nights. Better yet, these days sofa beds are extremely chic and come in a wide range of contemporary designs. So you won’t have any trouble finding a sofa bed which suits your personal style.

3. Ottomans:

Not only are ottomans stylish but many ottomans open up to reveal hollow compartments, which you’ll be able to fill with a wide variety of small items. As an example, you may want to place electronic cables and TV remotes inside an ottoman in your lounge. Or you may want to place some of your favorite books inside an ottoman.

You’ll also be able to use your ottoman to put your feet up and to binge watch your favorite Netflix series and you can use an ottoman as a handy side table.

4. A convenient storage bench:

You may want to place a stylish storage bench in your home foyer. So that guests to your home will be able to sit down and take off their shoes. Most storage benches offer room to store small baskets for hampers, which you’ll be able to use to store essentials such as your shoes or wet weather gear.

5. A lift up coffee table:

In order to ensure that your lounge remains well organized and clutter free, invest in a lift up coffee table. As you’ll be able to keep your clutter and miscellaneous items in your lift up coffee table. As examples, you’ll be able to place magazines, books, TV remotes and electronics such as laptops and electronics cables inside your lift up coffee table. You can even place a blanket, for your sofa, in your coffee table. Which you’ll be able to take out on cold, winter evenings.

So if you have visitors who turn up at your home announced, you’ll be able to quickly tidy your lounge and place as many items as you want into your lift up coffee table.

So if you’re looking to give your home a well needed makeover, it’s well worth shopping around for furniture which is both stylish and modern and functional.

6. Hallway tables:

Hallway tables, which are also known as console tables, are narrow tables, which are designed to be used in long hallways or foyers. Hallway tables are perfect for displaying decorative items. As an example, you may want to place your family photos, a scented candle and a vase full of fresh flowers on your hallway table. Alternatively, you may want to place some of the souvenirs which you purchased on your worldwide travels on your hallway table. So that you’ll be able to appreciate them, each time you walk down your hallway.

Some examples of stylish hallway tables that you may be interested in purchasing include modern, glass hallway tables and natural wood hallway tables.

7. Modular storage units:

Modular storage units are cube shaped storage units, which you can stack together. As an example, you may want to push six modular storage units together, in order to create a makeshift bookcase. Or you may want to stack four storage units on top of each other to place your photographs and decorations in. The choice is up to you. Better yet, you’ll be able to purchase more storage units, if you require additional storage space.

8. Beds which feature hidden drawers:

If you’re always running out of room to store your clothes, you’ll be able to make effective use out of your available bedroom space, by purchasing a bed which features handy, hidden drawers. Which you’ll be able to pull out and fill with your clothes. Although, you can also store items such as computer equipment or books in your bed’s hidden drawers.

If you’re a huge fan of modern, futuristic pieces of furniture, opt to purchase a bed which offers touch drawers. Which will ensure that your bed’s drawers are free of ugly handles and look just as stylish as a normal, contemporary bed.

9. Perspex furniture:

If you love a modern build or a trendy inner-city apartment and are looking for eye-catching pieces of furniture that are youthful and fresh, you may be interested in purchasing a few pieces of perspex furniture. As an example, you may want to invest in a chic perspex desk and work chair for your home office. Or you may want to purchase a perspex dining table and chairs for your open plan lounge. While most perspex furniture pieces are clear colored, you can also purchase perspex furniture pieces in bright colors such as yellow, pink and orange.

Images source: https://www.furco.co.uk/

 

There’s nothing like looking through an interior design magazine to make you feel like your home needs a breath of fresh air. Looking at beautiful homes is an inspiring way to think of ways to change your own living space.

However, since not everyone is a trained interior designer, you may not be sure where to begin. Designing your home isn’t an easy task for everyone. When it comes to making your home more beautiful, it comes down to a few basic strategies. Here are some of the best tips for instantly beautifying your home’s interior.

Get Rid Of Clutter

Regardless of how many nice pieces of furniture you have in your home, it won’t matter if they’re covered in clutter. The best way to make your home look magazine ready is to get rid of everything, and anything on your surface is. Don’t be afraid to purge and get rid of things that are taking up space with no purpose. Start in one room and work your way around to the next. Take your time and thoroughly declutter each room one by one. A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t used something for over a year, sell it, or throw it away.

Make Your Bed

We get it, life can get busy, and you don’t always have time to do it all. However, leaving your bed unmade can totally change the way a room feels. Take the time to make your bed and carefully arrange your pillows. As a result, you can transform your bedroom from a mess too uninviting in cozy space. It feels a million times better in the evening to get under the covers of a bed that’s made.

Keep It Minimal

Some people have a tendency to go overboard with their decorating. However, it’s smarter to go minimal if possible. Keep things simple and decrease the amount of stuff you have, particularly if you live in a small space it’s easy to find yourself piling things on top of each other when you accumulate too much stuff.

Use Mirrors

If you live in a small home, you can give it the illusion of being considerably larger by adding mirrors throughout your home; a mirror will add dimensions and make your room look large and spacious.

Add Plants

There’s something about plants that give a room a breath of nature’s essence. Try putting several plants in each room of your house, and you’ll notice that it suddenly and a new perspective. Besides being beautiful plans also clean your air

Making your apartment beautiful doesn’t have to means spending thousands on top of the line furniture. Often it just takes a little creativity and being willing to try new things.

Don’t all of us love a clean and tidy kitchen? But, the amount of effort and time taken to achieve this clean and tidy kitchen? Not so much.

If you consider your kitchen design, there are different parts to it: there’s the kitchen counter, cutlery, cabinets, dishes, and so on. In short, cleaning your kitchen is quite an elaborate task.

“Another thing to add to my chores list?” – If this is what you’re thinking, sadly yes. It’s important to clean your kitchen to protect your family and yourself from potential diseases. However, we are asking you to be smart about it.

There are a few spots that need to be cleaned daily in a kitchen. If you are particular enough to do this, not only will you be able to give your kitchen a tidy appearance, but you will also save a lot of time without any compromise on hygiene. Read on as we tell you more about these spots below.

Spots You Should Clean in Your Kitchen Every Day #1: The Sink

If you are under the impression that your kitchen sink is clean just because you have cleaned your dishes, we got news – the bad kind – for you.

In reality, the task is far from over.

Researchers have found out that a kitchen sink is one of the dirtiest places in your kitchen – actually in your home. Whenever you do the dishes, you leave a layer of bacteria and sticky grease to the walls of the sink. This, in turn, creates a demand for you to clean it pronto.

But don’t you worry; cleaning your kitchen sink is actually easy. For this purpose, you need to buy a good-quality eraser-type sponge to give it a good scrubbing with either vinegar or disinfectant. A good tip would be to use hot water to loosen the grime layer against the walls and then proceed to clean, as it will help you save time.

Spots You Should Clean in Your Kitchen Every Day #2: The Stovetop and the Kitchen Counter

Your stovetop and kitchen counter face the maximum brunt whenever you cook. This is why cleaning the exterior surfaces of your kitchen is something you need to add to your to-do list.

Whether you are making your breakfast or cooking dinner, there might be splatters or spills that attract bacteria and bugs in your home. Also, if you quickly clean spills, scattered crumbs, or any dirt, you won’t have to slave away the next day to clean them. If left overnight, the spilled layer can harden making it difficult to remove it with one swipe.

You can leave the thorough cleaning of your kitchen counter and stuff top once a week, but a basic swipe cannot be avoided. Plus, it is also better to start with a clean kitchen instead of one that looks greasy. This way you will have more motivation to cook.

Spots You Should Clean in Your Kitchen Every Day #3: The Floors and the Cabinets

In this case, you don’t need to clean the entire floor or cabinet. What we are suggesting is spot cleaning.

Whenever you use the kitchen, you are bound to cause spillage of various kinds. You do hence, need to be vigilant in cleaning them as soon as it takes place. Otherwise, the cleaning task will only become more difficult for you in the end.

Whenever you see a stain or spill, get to spot cleaning it with your disinfectant as soon as you can. In fact, in addition to the floors and kitchen cabinets, there might be certain appliances that could benefit from some spot clean treatment as well. This includes your fridge, water filter pitcher, dishwasher, rugs, dining table, and other surfaces as needed. Take a quick look at your kitchen to figure out things that need cleaning.

Spots You Should Clean in Your Kitchen Every Day #4: The Sponge or Washcloth

While your kitchen sponge isn’t necessarily a “spot“, it is most certainly something you should be cleaning every single day.

The fact that almost everything you clean in your kitchen is done using sponges or washcloths already highlights the importance of washing it. After all, it doesn’t make any sense to use a dirty sponge and washcloth to clean something.

To clean your sponge or wash clothes easily, you can either soak it in bleach or vinegar, give it a good wash using a gentle detergent or simply place it in your dishwasher. A new technique has recently emerged where you only need to zap your sponge in the microwave for a quick cleaning as well. Trust us, it works!

Although there are people suggest that sponge cleaning can be considered as ‘a once a week task’, it is recommended that you be more vigilant and clean it on a daily basis.

So, there you go! These are the four spots that could do well with some good ol’ cleaning every day. The other thing that we would also like to discuss is doing your dishes. We know that cleaning your dishes after making your meal can be a task that nobody enjoys. This is also why letting dirty dishes pile up in the sink is quite a common sight.

In addition to being not aesthetically pleasing, the dishes can also become a hotspot for bacteria growth, bad odor, and a point of pest attraction. Hence, instead of leaving them overnight in the sink, load the dishes in the dishwasher, skipping the kitchen sink, and clean them pronto. Try to instill this habit in your family as well, since it’s essential for them to know the importance of a spotless kitchen.

If you are successful in achieving the above, you will always enjoy a clean and sparkling kitchen all day long which is of course, important for hygiene reasons. The only key to achieving this? Immediate and swift action.

A lot of people are renters for decades without ever realizing they could be homeowners. The idea of buying your first home can be overwhelming, and the costs downright frightening, which is why so many people don’t even consider they could be capable of it.

However, the truth is that you may be more ready to own a home than you think. Put your fears aside and take a look at some of the biggest telltale signs that you’re ready to buy your first home.

You Can Fit a Mortgage Into Your Budget

Take a look around at mortgage costs for the type of property that you’d be interested in. You may be surprised to find that some mortgages are only slightly higher than your rent, and you’re actually gaining equity at the same time!

Using a loan calculator is a simple way to see how much of a mortgage you’d be looking at and whether you could afford it.

You’ve Got Some Money In Savings

Although most people need a loan to be able to pay for a house, you’ll still need to put down some money initially. The higher the downpayment, the better that your loan rates will be.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you have to put down as much as 20% of the price of a home, however! Some people pay as little as 3% of the total cost as a downpayment. If you’ve put some money in savings over the years, then you may be surprised to find that it’s plenty to be a homeowner!

You Have a Favorable Credit Score

If you have a credit score over 700, then you have a considerably good chance of qualifying for a loan with a reasonable down payment. If you’ve always paid on time and don’t have a significant amount of credit taken out of your total allowance, then this is a good sign that you’re ready to buy a home!

You Plan On Staying Where You Are

Some people may not be ready to put down roots any time soon, and that’s perfectly fine. However, if you’re the type of person that’s planning on settling down where you live currently, then you are probably ready to buy a house.

Inflatino and home prices are going up, so buying a house where you live can be a fantastic investment in your future.

You’re Planning on Expanding Your Family

Owning a home when you have children is one of the most logical routes. Renting is only draining your bank account and giving you no return on your investment. If you have kids or are anticipating kids in the future, then it’s a huge incentive for buying your first home and cutting your costs.