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DIY Dos And Don’ts For Every Parent

There’s a door hanging off and walls that need painting. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Most of us have niggling DIY jobs that never get completed. Some of us love taking on household tasks. For others, the thought of getting hammers and spanners out is a nightmare. If you’re a busy parent, the last thing you need is a DIY disaster to contend with. Here are some simple dos and don’ts to keep you and your kids safe.

DIY dos

Do get involved if you have the time and necessary skills

If you enjoy doing DIY, get involved when you can. If you can complete tasks at home, this will save you a lot of money. If you have the time, the enthusiasm and the skills, give those half-done jobs a shot.

Do get everything ready before you begin

Are you guilty of starting jobs and never finishing them? Do you want to tick off the to-do list as quickly as possible? If so, it’s always beneficial to plan ahead. Get everything you need sorted before you start. Don’t begin painting a wall if you haven’t got enough paint or the right brushes. Don’t try and fix the decking outside if you haven’t got suitable screws or a drill to hand.

Do accept offers of help

Has your dad offered to lend a hand? Have you got a brother who’s a DIY whizz? If so, take advantage of their generous offers. Getting help will save you time and effort.

Do know your limits

Are you busy all the time? Do you have limited experience when it comes to DIY? If so, think about whether it’s wise to take on extra responsibilities. If you have a hectic schedule, or you lack confidence in your skills, call a firm like Handyman Connection. There’s no shame in getting the pros to do jobs that are tricky or time-consuming.

DIY

DIY don’ts

Don’t attempt dangerous tasks

If there are jobs that need doing that are dangerous, don’t attempt them yourself. However appealing it may be to save cash, it’s not worth risking your health. Leave tasks, such as wiring, roofing, and plumbing, to the experts.

Don’t ignore professional advice

You may think that you’re a skilled amateur. But the chances are that you haven’t got the same level or expertise or experience as a professional. If you’ve had builders or plumbers in, take their advice on board.

Don’t skimp on safety

Safety should always be a priority. If you’re doing DIY at home, make sure you have the relevant equipment. You should wear goggles and ear defenders when using power tools, for example. Keep harmful chemicals and tools well away from children and pets. Make sure ladders are sturdy, and ask somebody to hold the base for extra support.

goggles

Most us have attempted a DIY job at some point in our lives with varied levels of success. If you are doing renovation work at home, or you’re carrying out a mini makeover, bear these dos and don’ts in mind. Good luck and stay safe!

Always Use Protection: Why Insuring Your Things Makes Sense

insuring your family

Our house, our car and our pets are our biggest investments in life. Let’s not scare ourselves silly here and start totting up how much the children cost! It makes sense to protect the things we invest in, even if we think nothing will happen to the swanky bit of gadgetry we have bought. If you don’t, you’ll only curse yourself when something does go wrong and if you have to pay out to fix it.

Household Items

Perhaps you have just installed some swanky air conditioning to get you through the summer months. Or maybe you have invested in a new washing machine and dishwasher. Or it could be that you have moved into an older house, and you are not sure of the quality of the appliances that are already there. If so, it might be wise to invest in a Home Warranty. This type of warranty covers all the things your home insurance doesn’t. It will secure you against anything from plumbing issues to appliance breakdowns. And also electrical repair to garbage disposal replacement. We don’t like to think that things can go wrong, but if and when they do, it can be costly. If you take up a home warranty deal, you will only pay out a set trade fee and all covered repairs will then be made. Bear in mind that home warranties cover normal wear and tear of appliances and systems in your home. They won’t cover pre-existing problems, damage from pets or cosmetic issues. Do your research and get some quotes on annual fees and call out charges. If you have lots of expensive equipment in your house, then a home warranty is most probably a good call. Better to have peace of mind than be left with a huge leak or broken air-con in the summer.

Your Car

Your car may be used to get you from A-B, or it may be used daily for a long commute and the school run. Regardless, always make sure to take care of your car and protect it. It’s a big investment and bills can be astronomical when things go wrong or if you have an accident. Make sure you have secured a good insurance deal that covers you for accident, theft and fire. Research the best deals around and make sure you have substantial cover for everything. If you are borrowing someone else’s car also make sure you are protected. Also get your car regularly serviced and regularly cleaned. This will give your car more longevity and give it a better resale value if you ever trade it in. Don’t forget to carry your driver’s license at all times, and especially if you are travelling abroad and renting a car too.

Pets

Oh, how we love the very bones of them! Whether you are a cat or dog lover, our pets give us so much joy. It makes sense to get them insured incase they get a serious illness or fall prey to an accident. In the long run, pet insurance far outweighs medical bills, if it comes to that. It’s so much better to be protected than not. Insurance not only covers illness and accidents but also emergencies. Most companies will pay up to 90% of your vet bills which can be a huge burden off your shoulders. Ensure your pets get the best medical care by insuring them against all the ills of the world. After all, they’re one of the family too!

Why People Love to Hate Their Garages

Ah, the garage, the most neglected room in the house. You might not even see it as a room, but just a place that is a pitstop for all the thing that you need to throw away? We do not tend to treat our garages with a lot of love. It’s easier to ignore them. But what a lot of people forget is that with a few simple changes and tweaks, the garage can become a valuable and useful part of the home.

They are cold and dark

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I think that one of the major reasons why people love to hate and neglect their garages is that they are often cold and dark. Its rare to have a window in the garage and most just have a very basic concrete floor, which is practical but not very comfortable. All these things add to the sense that the garage is just a holding ground for storing stuff rather than a room that be can utilize in the normal way. But don’t forget that some people convert their garages into games and family rooms to give the kids more space to play in.

garages-428636_960_720 garage

To complete a successful garage conversion, you will need to deal with a few issues. Firstly check the lighting. If you can install a window, then do so. Otherwise get some natural type lighting to make it more pleasant. Unless you are blocking the door up, you will need to check that it is a tight fit and doesn’t let in any drafts or leaks. The best way to do this is replacing your old garage door. Choose oak garage doors for a more rustic feel or go with gloss metal for a modern touch. It’s a good idea to leave the garage door in place, when you are converting, because it can affect the resale value of your home if you do not.

They are a good dumping ground

Another reason, people love to loathe their garages is because they use them as a dumping ground for all the stuff they haven’t got room for in their house. If your garage looks more like a rubbish dump than an organized outside room, then it’s easy to start to hate it. The solution to this is to get seriously organized.

machine-690190_960_720 Machine

There are lots of ways that you can choose to organize your garage. You can stack labeled plastic boxes around the outer edge, so you have plenty of storage, but the car can still fit in. You can also erect shelves for cardboard boxes. Some neat garage organization ideas I’ve seen on Pinterest include a peg board tool table. This allows you to have all your tools out on display but in a neat and tidy way so they are organized and always to hand when you need them. Another great way of organizing the garage is to use lidded bins like these from Ikea. They are perfect for storing pet food and recycling and can be stacked to create more space.

6 Home Design Problems And How To Fix Them Quickly

Dinner Table

No matter how much time and money you put into your home decor, you’ll notice the one thing that isn’t quite right. Your home could be almost perfect but that one tiny detail nags at you. Here’s how to put it right with the minimum of fuss.

A Room Without A View

While you can control what goes on inside your rooms, it’s not always possible to control the outside view. If a room has a less than desirable view, this can ruin the whole effect. However, you can disguise an unattractive outlook with wood blinds or similar. They can enhance the room and provide a warm and inviting aspect. At the same time, the view outside is obscured.

Bicycle bookshelf

Not Enough Storage Space

If you don’t have enough storage space in your home, it’s likely that items are out on display. This can look cluttered and untidy. There are several steps you can take to reduce this.

The first step is to maximize the space available. Make the most of the whole room. Look for areas that haven’t been utilized. For example, above doors or above kitchen units. Consider adding shelving and storing items that are not needed on a daily basis.

Buy furniture that has several functions. Eg., a coffee table with built-in storage space. Or an ottoman that doubles as extra seating.

Purchase furniture that can be folded away when not in use. This will provide you with functionality when it’s needed and space for the rest of the time.

decor and interior design.

Unsightly Flooring

If your flooring is unsightly or in need of repair, a quick fix is to add a rug. Choose something that complements the room and distracts from the floor underneath. This works well in any room. It can hide old, worn linoleum or disguise a carpet you don’t like.

Messy Shelves

If you room looks messy because of the shelves, there is a simple way to reduce the clutter. Items that are aesthetically pleasing can be kept on display. For the rest, place them in baskets or containers. Opt for stylish designs that match the rooms. Store like items together, to make it easier to locate them. This will also provide you with additional storage space.

food and serving

Disguising Old Counter Tops

If your counter tops are old, and you don’t want to replace the whole unit; there are several options. You could paint the surfaces to change the appearance altogether. Or, you could cover them with vinyl. A simpler solution is to opt for a large chopping board. This will cover the majority of the surface and hide the pattern or texture you don’t like.

tiles

Update Tiles

If you don’t like the tiling but don’t fancy replacing them, update them instead. You can paint over them using a tile paint. Or, you could invest in some tile stickers. This will change the look completely. If it’s the grout that is the issue, you can also buy grout paint. Marks and stains can be covered with a quick coat of paint.
Regardless of your design dilemma, there’s usually a simple fix for it. You don’t have to go to great expense or spend lots of time. Often it’s the simple touches that make the most impact.

Can You Have A Child Friendly And Luxurious Home?

If you family is about to grow, then you might find yourself asking this question. Don’t worry though, the answer is yes. With a few adjustments and a bit of forward planning you can have the luxury you desire, while making sure your home is child friendly.

Baby Proofing

Luxury homes, can often contain valuable furniture and it doesn’t hurt to think about any possible issues that you might have in the future. Go round your home and make a list of anything that might be problematic when Baby begins to crawl. You need to think about things like open plug sockets, furniture with hard edges and anything that looks tempting for them to climb.

child friendly and luxurious home

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Becoming a parent can be expensive, but one one thing that you can’t do without is a quality changing table with raised sides. It’s vital that you know Baby will be safe when you are changing their diaper and that there is no risk of them falling onto the floor.

Keeping it your home

Just because you are about to be parents, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have a luxurious home as well. I think some people give up on high-end living as soon as they have kids because they just don’t want the hassle of trying to keep it all clean and tidy. Contrary to popular belief, children are not Tasmanian Devils and will not destroy every part of your home. Make sure that the kids have specific areas in which to spread their toys out. As they grow, be clear with them that they need to eat meals and snacks at the table. Give them plenty of storage to make sure everything gets put it away at the end of the day. Then you will be able to keep that high-end luxury look as well as having kids.

Space

creating a kid friendly home while adding luxury.

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If this is your first child then, you will probably be ok with space. But if you have lots of kids already, you might be concerned as to where everyone will sleep and play. If that is the case, then you need to consider an extension or renovation. This can provide you with enough room to house all the family comfortably while allowing for everyone to have their areas. Check out sites like milliondollarmakeovers.net.au. You can find some great renovation and extension inspiration there that have a luxury twist.

Luxury touches

It’s true that when you become parents, your priorities do shift, and your child becomes the first thing on your list. It’s a good idea to keep a bit of luxury in your surroundings for you too. Parenthood can be tough, and sometimes you are going to need to retreat, even if it is just for 15 minutes to regain your sanity. That’s why having a luxurious jet bath, reading nook or a balcony are so necessary. Keep these areas as only adult zones. Then you will always have a place of peace to retreat too when things get tough, just make sure one of you is watching the kids!

Everything You Need For A Suitable Family Home

If you’re looking for a home that will be perfect for your family, then you really need to take your time. There are a few things you need to have to ensure your home is as perfect as it can be for the people you love the most. Read on to learn what you need for a suitable family home:

The Right Location

Before you can say you’ve got the perfect family home, you really need to make sure that it’s in the right location. You can change everything about your family home, but you can’t change the location. This means you need to check the crime rate, visit at different times, speak to neighbours and really do your research. The right location will make a huge difference to how happy your family is in the home you’ve chosen.

Sturdy Foundations

Making sure you buy a home with sturdy foundations is absolutely essential. This should be checked over before you buy, so you’re not left with a home that could crumble and fall at any given moment.

Insurance

Insurance will protect your investment and help you if something should go wrong. Of course you need to take more measures to ensure that nothing happens, but if something does end up happening, insurance can protect your money and get you back some of what you’ve lost.

Creating a suitable home

Security And Safety Measures

Safety and security measures will ensure you keep your home as safe and sound as possible. Whether you have a family yet or not, putting these in place will prepare you for any eventuality to come. It’s a good idea to install alarms and things like that, to alert you to any serious goings on. Having reinforced windows and doors is a good idea too. Security screen doors are perfect. What you install and invest in will totally depend on your area and who you’re living with. Just remember that you can never be too careful.

Plenty Of Room For Everyone

You need to make sure there’s enough room in your family home to accommodate your entire family. Bear in mind they will grow, and as they do so they’ll need more space. They’ll also accumulate more things! Make sure you assess how much room each member properly needs so that you’re all comfortable.

The Right Layout

Having the right layout will make your home more practical. It’ll stop accidents from happening, and simply make it more comfortable to live in. You can use apps and things online to come up with a layout, or you can use practices like feng shui to see what you come up with.
Having a suitable family home is essential, whether you have a family or you’re thinking of starting one in the future. Looking out for them now will be one of the best things you decide to do. If you have any tips of your own you want to leave, make sure you put them in the comments section. See you again soon!

Top Tips To Make Cleaning Much Quicker

tips for cleaning

We all know just how much of your time cleaning can eat up. The trouble is, it has to be done, but sometimes there just isn’t the time. As well as trying to make more time to clean the house, what else can you do? The fact is, there are a number of tips and tricks you can use to help clean your house a little faster. Some of them apply only to small and specific items around the home. Others still are more generic, and will make a whole day of cleaning go by much quicker. If you are keen for ways to speed up your cleaning ritual, then read on. Here are some top tips for achieving just that.

Choose A Cloudy Day

Often, we clean when we are in a good mood to do so. And that usually means that it is bright and sunny outside. However, cleaning when it is sunny might actually make the whole process take longer. There are a few reasons for this. One is that you are likely to get tired out faster if it is hot. However, there are also more specific reasons that you should avoid cleaning in the heat. If you are cleaning windows, for example, you should always choose a dry and cloudy day. This is because cleaning them on a sunny day will cause the cleaner to dry onto the windows in unattractive streaks. We all know how awful that can look. Not to mention that it makes the whole job take twice as long.

Use A Robot

So we might not be living in a future paradise yet, but the fact is there are already robots around to help us. Especially when it comes to household chores, these robots might actually be quite welcome. One which you are sure to be able to trust is the vacuum cleaner robot. This makes the job of cleaning the floors so much easier. If you are someone who is tired of always having to vacuum, then this is the solution for you. Using a robot means that you can busy yourself with something else at the same time. This is likely to maybe even double or triple the amount of cleaning you can get done in one day. Take a look at these i Robot vacuum cleaner reviews if this interests you.

organizing tips

Clean Silver Easier
Silver can be famously difficult to get clean. However, there is a little-known method which can make the whole job a lot easier and quicker. Next time you need to polish your silver, consider using baking soda. If you think this sounds like it shouldn’t work, give it a try. First, hand wash your silver items in warm soapy water. Then, pour over a mixture of baking soda and water and let it sit for a few hours. Ideally, you should leave it overnight, just to make sure. However, even after only a few hours you should find that it is as good as new. This is one of those tricks that you will find yourself sharing with everyone.

How To Create An Energy Efficient Home

How To Create an Energy Efficient Home

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As homeowners and parents, we should all try to create a happy and healthy home for our family to live in. But we should also prioritize making our homes as energy efficient as possible too. Energy efficient homes can save more energy and reduce harmful emissions. It’s a fantastic way to help the environment while also saving you money long term. Extra money and a healthier environment is something all families can benefit from. It’s easier than you probably realize to make your home more energy efficient. With even the smallest of changes making a significant impact. Use this guide to create a greener home you all can enjoy.

Check your insulation

During the winter months, you’re going to want your home to conserve as much heat as possible to keep your family warm. If your insulation is not up to standard, you could be losing heat which can affect the environment and your energy bills. You need to check your attic and any other areas in your home where you might have insulation to determine it’s condition. While you can replace your insulation yourself, it’s always better to hire an expert to do it for you to ensure maximum effectiveness.

To make your home even more energy efficient, you could install a wood stove and Sirocco stove fan. This is a greener way of heating your home and is cheaper to run than central heating. But will only be worthwhile if your insulation is up to scratch.

DIY solar panels

Install solar panels

These might seem like a costly addition to your home, but they help to cut down your electricity bills almost instantly. You can have them installed on your roof or in your yard, and they can give you all the power you need and more. They allow you to independently power your home without the need of an electrical supplier. Plus they use a renewable energy resource, which is better for the planet. Do your research into the different styles of panels and invite a solar panel specialist to inspect your home. It may have a high price tag, but the savings it can give you means you’ll see a return in no time.

Switch everything off

Items that you can put on standby can still consume valuable energy and cost you money through small LED lights and clocks. It could be an alarm clock, TV or computer for instance. So you and your family need to get into the habit of switching these devices off at the mains when they are not needed. This could be when you go to sleep at night or when you are at work or school during the day. Lights are another thing you need to switch off too. This will result in small savings that will build up over time and develop into substantial savings in the long run.

With these energy efficient methods, you can keep your home in order while saving money and protecting the environment. Do some research into other ways in which you can save more energy and get your kids involved as much as possible.

How To Plan A Perfect New Bathroom Tips for Success

How To Plan A Perfect Bathroom

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If you’ve moved house or you’re embarking on a spring DIY makeover, the bathroom may be your first port of call. A spacious, functional and attractive bathroom is one of the most important boxes to tick for many homeowners. Here are some simple steps to follow to plan a perfect new bathroom.

Look for inspiration

Even the most creative people may struggle to imagine a different design in an old-fashioned bathroom. Look out for ideas online and visit some showrooms. Read some interior magazines and create a mood board with elements of different looks you like. Once you have an idea of the style you want, you can start think about prices and whether you want to try and do some jobs yourself.

Get in touch with some design and renovation companies

If you see designs you like, get in touch with some interior companies and get some quotes. You can often customize your plans to include elements of different looks and create a unique bathroom for your home. If you’re looking to save money, you can take inspiration from showroom designs and get your toolkit out. Look around salvage yards, antique stalls and yard sales for accessories and fittings at discounted prices. Enlist the help of a plumber to install your tub and the sink and do the rest yourself.

Think about flooring and tiling

Most people choose to have tiles in their bathroom. Look out for bathroom tile trends for 2016 and decide where you want to tile. Floor tiles are very popular, but it’s also increasingly common to have tiles on the walls. If you’re looking for an effortless contemporary look, wall tiles are an excellent option.

New bathroom decor

Maximise the space you have available

When you’re updating your bathroom, you’ll need to think about the space you have available. If you don’t have room for a separate shower and bathtub, you could put a shower over the bath. If you have a large hallway or a spare room, which you don’t use, you could knock through. This may be particularly beneficial if you have children and you want a larger, more open space.

Pay attention to detail

Once you’ve got everything in place, you can bring your bathroom to life with finishing touches. Add a heated towel rail for a cosmopolitan vibe. Invest in an eye-catching vintage mirror to complement a rolltop bath. Opt for stainless steel taps, bins and toothbrush holders to finish off a contemporary wetroom. Inject some color with towel sets and bath mats.

If you dream of retreating to a hot bath in a beautiful bathroom at the end of the day, your dreams could soon be a reality. If you want a new bathroom, there are various options open to you. You can use a design company, and they can take care of the entire renovation. Or you can try and do bits and pieces yourself. This can save you money and enable you to put your unique stamp on the room. Pay attention to detail, and think about ways to increase space.

Disasters That Can Hit Your Home While You’re Away

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It’s never a pleasant topic to discuss what can go wrong when you’re away from home. But each year, thousands of American families go away on holiday or business, only to return to their homes to find problems. And sometimes, those problems can be significant. So what are they, and what can be done about them?

Your Home Burns To The Ground

Lightning regularly strikes homes. And each time it does, there’s a risk it will start a fire. The best solution is to put a lightning rod on the roof, but be warned, you don’t want to do this yourself. A pro will make sure that the rod is appropriately grounded to disperse the energy of a lightning strike.

unexpected disasters that strike when your away

Thieves Break In And Take Your Stuff

The summer is the time when thieves do their best business. Why? Because homeowners are away from their properties and not there to report them to the police.

Thieves will look for signs that your home is empty. So beware of things like unmown grass and mailboxes stuffed full. One solution is to ask a neighbor to empty your mailbox and mow your lawn if you’re going to be away for more than a week.

Also, don’t post anything on social media while you are away. This advertises to criminals that you are away from your home and that they’ll meet no resistance if they break in. Save posting your

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Your Drains Get Blocked

Sometimes tree roots can impede drainage systems. Roots grow around and through the pipes that take waste from your home and can block them. Good sewer drain cleaning companies will check to see whether tree roots are a risk when cleaning out your drains. So next time you have your drains cleaned, have any problem roots removed.

Creatures Move Into Your Home

As far as wildlife is concerned, your house is fair game while you’re away. Creatures will infiltrate your home at any point of weakness they can and start building their nests. Wasps can move in through gaps in your attic. Ants can chew their way through your kitchen door to get at the food in your pantry. Even squirrels can make your roof their home.

A good way to stop the critters from getting in is to use a dense wire mesh over any points of entry. This should stop all but the most determined animals. You can also carry out a visual inspection of the exterior of your property to make sure there are no obvious entry points.

Your Garden Shrivels Up

When you’re on vacation, there’s nobody there to water your garden. If you go away in the summer when it’s dry, you risk coming back to a backyard full of wilted flowers and a brown lawn.

The solution? Some recommend using a piece of rope as a type of wick, transferring water between a reservoir and various pot plants. But the best solution is to use a time sprinkler while you’re away, just to keep the worst effects of drought on your garden in check.

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