Homes and Garden Archives - Page 5 of 5

Want To Teach Your Kids About Recycling? Here’s How To Do It!

There’s no denying that recycling is something that we all try to do. Even in small ways, we want to help divert waste from landfill sites and incinerators. These days, it’s quite easy to recycle a variety of materials. Plus, there are plenty of free recycling centers that one can use.

As a parent, it’s important to set a good example for your kids. One way of doing that, of course, is by promoting recycling. Now, you might think that recycling is a dull subject to talk about with your children. But, you can teach them about it in a fun and engaging way! Here’s how to do so:

Make some personalized recycling bins with your kids

We all know that children love to express their creativity. One way to do that is by creating personalized recycling bins with them. They can paint and decorate them how they want. Letting them take the lead here will encourage them to recycle. How? The answer is simple: you are letting them be responsible for something.

Create bins by category such as paper, plastic and so forth.

Turn recycling into a game

There are many craft projects you and your kids can do with recycled items. Paper and glass are just two examples of recyclable materials you can use for all kinds of projects!

Do some composting

Children love to wander around the garden and help their parents do some gardening. Composting is a way to recycle organic waste and use it to help your plants grow. Your kids can help in that process and find out how it all happens.
If you and your kids want to learn more about recycling, take a look at this infographic:

infographic Credit To Bay Wide Hauling

Top Tips For Creating A Perfect Kitchen

If you’re becoming more and more frustrated with your kitchen, you’re not alone. Many of us have looked around our homes and found things we wish we could change. But kitchens seem to be so permanent. We rarely rip them out and start again. Perhaps there are only one or two things that get on your nerves. Maybe the cupboard handles are impractical? Or the color clashes too much with the furniture? Of course, when you’re fighting for space, a practical kitchen is essential. Here’s how to fix those problems and create the perfect kitchen:

What’s Wrong?

Over the next week, keep a list on the fridge of all the things that annoy you when you’re in the kitchen. There may only be one or two things, or you may need several sheets of paper! Think about how you use the dishwasher, the hob, and the oven. Are they in the best position? What about the sink? Is it as usable as you would like? Perhaps the taps aren’t quite what you’re looking for. Is the room warm enough or cool enough? Do you have space for a breakfast table? Consider what you would love in there, and what you hate in there.

kitchen redecorating

Plan And Design

Now you know what you want and what you don’t want, it’s time to plan a new design for your kitchen. If the layout needs to be changed, measure the room, and create a sketch to illustrate your intentions. You can also find apps that will help you design the kitchen. Have a look through a few kitchen brochures to see what kind of cupboards and worktops suit you best. Pick out some taps and the sink. Maybe you need some new fitted appliances? You can use apps like Pinterest to find great kitchen ideas, and you can also use it as a scrapbook of all the things you would like in your own kitchen.

kitchen upgrades

Suppliers And Fitters

Once you know what you want, it’s time to consider how you’re going to make the change. If you just want different cupboard doors, you may be able to tackle the fitting yourself. But if you’re moving the sink or changing the location of your plumbing, it’s time to find a plumber. If you’re not sure what work may be needed, check out specialist websites like http://www.theplumbinginfo.com/plumbing-expert/ to find out more about your particular plans.

kitchen dreams

What Makes Your Kitchen Perfect For You?

Even if you want to rip it all out and start again, you need to consider more than just a new kitchen. You need to think about your lifestyle and how the kitchen fits into that. A perfect kitchen allows you to use the room in many ways. Think about entertaining. You’ll be feeding the kids too. Where will the children be while you’re making the dinner? Do you want to be able to see what they’re up to with an open plan design? Or do you prefer all your culinary processes to be hidden in a separate room when you’re entertaining? Love your kitchen.

Parental Tips to Keep the Home From Collapsing Around You

Parental Tips To Keep The Home From Collapsing Around You

Attributed Post

As a mom I am, of course, naturally protective of my family life. And that extends to protecting my home from harm as well. There are a lot of ways your home can be at risk, and it’s important to stop it from falling down around you! So, that’s why I suggest you use my tips here to take immediate action and get you off on the right track.

Keep Hubby on a Leash

Home and gardening

All the men will roll their eyes at this one, but all the women will know what I mean! Hubby is great, of course, but he likes to take charge of ALL the home repairs and DIY. Even the areas where he has no clue what he’s doing. And the problem with this is that it can often end up making things worse. You don’t want your husband trying to fix something like the roof or the electrics if he doesn’t know what to do. This may well make everything worse, and could be dangerous as well. So you have to know when to call the experts instead of leaving him to his own devices.

Get the Place Checked Every Six Months

The_Bell_Homestead_National_Historic_Site,_Brantford,_Ontario,_Canada,_incl._Visitor_Ctr,_Henderson_Home,_Carriage_House_and_Dreaming_Place_IMG_0039_09

Home Improvement

It’s your responsibility as a homeowner to make sure your property is safe and secure. And the way to determine this is to make sure you get the place checked over every six months. You need to be aware of any impending issues, and catch them before they get worse. It’s essential to keep the home from collapsing around you! You need to get experts out to check the structure of the home and what the foundations are like. They also need to examine the roof and the walls as well to ensure that everything is perfect at all times.

Make Sure You’re Financially Sound

Home and Family

You absolutely have to make sure you are financially sound so you can cover any costs that might arise. There are a lot of things you need to think about and a lot of costs you’ll need to cover. The home is going to need work in terms of repairs and renovations, and you may even want to extend soon. All this is going to cost you money so you need to do what you can to ensure you and the family are secure financially. This means making savings and cutting back on how much you spend. Set aside an amount of money you can use just for the home, and dip into it whenever you need to.

Deal With Essentials

Handy man and family

There are essential elements of the home that you have to take care of. These are things that need to be addressed right away and shouldn’t be left. An example of this would be a burst water main. Water is so important to your daily life that something as serious as a burst water main needs to be dealt with right away. So visit http://www.beavertonplumbers.net and make sure you hire a plumber immediately. This is not something you want to be trying to deal with on your own. It needs the attention of someone who knows what they’re doing.

Your home is the perfect paradise for you and your family. It’s your special place away from harm and the outside world. And, as the parent you need to do whatever you can to make sure you protect the well-being of the family. This means you have to try to ensure that the home doesn’t collapse around you!

3 Ways You Can Make Gardening Easier

3 Ways You Can Make Gardening Easier

Attribution Post

A lot of people love the idea of a gorgeous garden, but can’t put the work in to achieve it. If this is you, then it’s nothing to be ashamed of! You’ve got to raise your kids, work, and manage the home in a range of other ways. You may be squeezed for time, but that doesn’t mean you have to have an ugly garden. Here are three ways to make the whole job easier on yourself.

gardening

The first thing you might want to consider is cutting out the grass. Lawns, particularly if you live in the south, can be hard to maintain. Too much shade, drought, thatch, and other factors can all lead to a patchy, unsightly lawn. Unless you want to keep your grass at all costs, just get rid of it! It may sound strange, but a lovely garden doesn’t hinge on having a lot of grass. If you’re working with a fairly small patch, then gravel and a few potted plants will be more than adequate. Alternatively, you could have some permeable pavement and artificial turf installed. If you’re finding your lawn hard to care for, stop thinking of it as a necessity.

Gardening

My next tip is not to skip out on your weeding. I know, this post is meant to reduce the amount of work you have to put into your gardening. Hear me out though. If you can become more vigilant with your weeding, it will save you a lot more trouble down the line. Weeds grow, that’s just an inconvenient truth. However, you can still soften the damage they do to your lawn by literally nipping them in the bud. The smaller weeds are, the easier they are to yank out of the ground. Get them while they’re still young, and you’ll also eliminate the risk of them reproducing. You can make your gardening chores so much easier by tackling them earlier than you usually would.

Finally, set up an edge around your flower beds. One of the most common gardening problems moms like you and me face is grass spilling over into flower beds. In the summer, this happens much faster than we’d like. Trimming it all back is a long and tedious task, as I’m sure you’re aware. However, you can save yourself the trouble by setting up a perimeter between your grass and your flowerbeds. Almost any material that isn’t more plant matter will work fine. Large rocks make a nice, natural touch to the borders of the garden. If you really want your barrier to work, you can’t simply place it down on the surface. Add an unseen barrier that’s around six inches deep underneath the surface. This will prevent the roots of grass creeping under and choking your perennials. Flat edging is also a good idea for your barrier. This will allow you to run your lawn mower right around the borders.

These three tips will make your gardening jobs so much easier. Don’t stop there though! There are countless ways you could be making things difficult for yourself.

Effective Ways To Add Value To Your Home On A Budget

If you are thinking of selling your home, you have probably already considered how much it is worth. Possibly the most effective are to carry out home improvements and decorate so that it will look great when potential buyers look round. However, a lot of renovations can be expensive. Don’t despair, though! There is still plenty that can be done on a budget. Here are some excellent tips.

Replace Bulbs

If you have a viewing coming up, quickly go around your home and make sure all the lights are working. If not, your home could appear quite dark, which could put buyers off your house. You can pick lightbulbs up very cheaply at the grocery store, so replacing them isn’t going to dent your bank balance too badly. If there is a bigger issue with your electrics and lighting system, you should call out an electrician to fix it. There are lots of local handymen who will be able to help you out, including On Time Electrical.

Make It Child-Friendly

Your home should be child-friendly, even if you don’t have kids yourself. This will make it very appealing to families and young couples who are planning on having children. If you have a spare room that is just full of clutter, clear it out. Add a bed so that viewers can imagine it as a child’s bedroom. Make sure you tidy all your rooms so that people can see its true potential as they look round. It’s also a good idea to smarten up your garden, as that is something families will be taking particular notice of.

Increase Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is all about how good your property looks from the road. An overgrown front garden full of weeds isn’t the best first impression to give potential buyers. Before anyone comes around for a viewing, get out into the garden and give it a bit of a spruce up. Take a look at the house itself from the curb. Could the window frames do with a lick of paint? These small touches will make all the difference.

Use Mirrors To Create Space

If you hang mirrors in a room, it will instantly create the illusion of space. One of the best places for your mirrors is in the hallway. This will be the first impression buyers will get once inside your home. By hanging a mirror, you will be creating a bright and spacious area that will look great to anyone who steps inside. Think about adding mirrors to small bedrooms too. The master bedroom should be big enough and won’t need mirrors, but little ones can do with all the help they can get. Full-length mirrors in bedrooms will also help viewers use their imagination. They can see everything the bedroom offers and the kind of furniture it will fit into it.

So, as you can see, you don’t need to splash your cash on adding value to your home. Finishing touches will help it sell at a great price!

Getting Your Home and Garden Ready for Summer

[Image Credit]

Spring is a transitional season. We’re moving away from winter and into summer, but we’re not quite there yet. The days are becoming longer, and the garden is beginning to come alive again. These few months before summer begins are an ideal time to make adjustments to your home and garden. The improvements will not only take into account the change in temperature, but also the change in lifestyle.

[Image Credit]

Climate Control

Plan your climate control before the heatwave hits. Excessive heat can make it difficult to function, and it’s sometimes impossible to sleep. A reliable air conditioning system will keep you comfortable and sane during the summer months. Read all the details from Harsters Heating & Air Conditioning to give you an idea of options. There’s nothing better than coming back to a cool, air conditioned home on a hot and sticky day. Many systems offer more than just temperature control. They include air purifiers, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers.

For rooms without air conditioning, think about setting up fans. Overhead fans are ideal for the bedroom. Set them to turn anticlockwise during the summer months. Free-standing fans are also useful. To ensure the circulating air is ice-cold, place a bowl of ice cubes in front of the fan.

Home Textiles

It’s time to take down the thick curtains and throw open the windows. Review home textiles such as curtains, blinds, and cushions. Arrange for your winter textiles to be cleaned and then store them for next winter. Bring out your summer accessories and allow your home to breathe.

Interior Design

When the first rays of sun shine through the window, they can reveal a multitude of issues. If your paintwork is a little tired, this is displayed in all its shabby glory. Marks on the wall and chips become more noticeable. If your home is in need of a lick of paint, spring is a great time to do this.

Decide on whether you are going to put up wallpaper or paint and pull together some samples and charts. Go through home magazines and blogs to find inspiration. If you don’t have the budget or time for a complete overhaul, then focus on feature walls and colorful accents. This will make the room appear cleaner and fresher, without going overboard.

[Image Credit]

Declutter (Don’t Forget the Garden)

Spring is a good time of year to declutter your home and garden. In the summer months, we open the windows and let the light and heat circulate. To make the most of this, ensure your home is free from clutter. Tidy everything away and make sure you repeat this process often.

When decluttering, focus on one room at a time. Set up three bags. One is for rubbish, one is for recycling, and one is for charity. Go through all of your possessions in that room and decide what you are going to keep. Anything that is no longer useful or required will go into one of the three piles. Be ruthless in your choices. There is no point in holding onto items that you are never going to use and are never going to look at.

As you’re going through this process, don’t forget the garden and shed. As the season progresses, it’s likely you’re going to be spending more time out there. And so you want it to look as beautiful as possible.

Get rid of any garden rubbish and dispose of it in the garden waste can. Sort through your shed, tossing out any broken tools or old paint cans, etc. Only keep what is useful. If you have a greenhouse, then tidy that too.

[Image Credit]

Spruce Up Your Garden

Once the garden waste is cleared, spend some time tidying up your garden. Mow the lawns and tidy the edges. Go through your plant beds and remove dead shrubs and weeds. Apply bark chips to prevent the weeds from growing back again.

Give the yard and patio area a good sweep. Pull up any weeds that are growing between the cracks. Use a pressure washer to clean thoroughly. Clean any garden furniture and get it ready for your guests. Remove anything that is broken and can’t be fixed.

If your lawn is a looking a little brown, apply some lawn food. If you have gaps in your flower beds, then take a trip to the garden center and pick out some new blooms. For smaller spaces fill pots and containers.

During the summer months, your garden will become an outdoor room. Treat it accordingly. Apply the same scrutiny you would apply to the rest of the home.

Take out your grill and BBQ and ensure it is all in working order. Give it a good clean to prepare it for the season.

Home Maintenance

The storms and bad weather of the winter months can cause damage to your home. Check the following carefully and make repairs where necessary.

Check your fencing for broken panels. Mend or fix as appropriate. If your fence looks a little patchy with different colored wood from fixes, apply a darker coat of fence paint. This will create a more consistent finish.

Walk around the outside of your home and check the walls for signs of wear. Water stains on the walls could indicate a problem such as a blocked gutter or drain.

If paintwork is peeling on the exterior of your house, give it a lick of paint.

Check gutters are clear.

Check the roof for missing tiles and other signs of damage. A pair of binoculars should suffice for this. Always ask an expert if you notice a problem. The loft can also indicate if there is a problem such as a leak etc. Make sure you check there too.

When you’re checking the roof, make sure you also look at the chimney. Look for cracks, changes in position and other damage. Vegetation growing out of the chimney could indicate a water problem.

Working through this checklist in the spring will ensure your home is ready for the summer months. When the sun comes out, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the results of your hard work.

« Previous Page