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Helpful Hacks To Keep Your Home In Order

Keeping your home in order can seem nigh on impossible at times, especially when you have a family to take care of too. The helpful hacks in this guide can be used by anybody to keep their home life running as smoothly as possible. See if you can find any tips here that you can use!

Start Kids Off Young

Start your kids off young when it comes to tidying up after themselves and helping you to tidy up. They’ll get into a good habit this way and keeping things clean will come as second nature to them. If you leave it too late, you may need to resort to bribing them just to have them clean their rooms. Having the extra help will be a big help to you, even if they are more of a hindrance as they learn.

Deal With Letters As Soon As You Get Them

Instead of leaving letters so that you forget about them and they end up messy all over the place, deal with them ASAP. Read them and shred them if they are unimportant, or put them in a letter tray if you really need to keep them.

Start Using Vertical Storage Space

Instead of using floor storage space, which will take up valuable space in your home, use vertical space. This will mean you can make the most of your floorspace, which is especially helpful if you have kids and pets. Even if you just want to make your home appear bigger, this tip can work for you.

Home Order

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Know When To Do Something Yourself And When To Get Help

You should know when to do something yourself and when to get professional help. In some cases, calling a professional can be silly when you can fix it easily on your own. However, some things can be more challenging than others. Ben Franklin plumbing recommend always contacting an expert if your repair could be dangerous. Do your research if it isn’t an emergency so you know what to do.

Assess Individual Problems In Your Own Home

Each home has their own individual problems that seem to crop up a lot. Do you always misplace your keys? If so, keep your home in order by putting up a board to hang them on. Small things like this can make your lives go a whole lot smoother.

Purge And Be Ruthless

Each day you should find something that you just don’t use anymore. You can then donate it, sell it, or recycle it. Purge and be ruthless. If you haven’t used something in a while, don’t hoard it for the sake of it. This is especially important if you’re always buying new things!
Have these hacks helped you to keep your home in order? Leave a comment below with your thoughts and any tips of your own. Keeping your home in order doesn’t have to be difficult or take forever. You can easily do it using tips like this. Come back for more helpful tips and advice soon!

Helping Your Child Cope With A Learning Difficulty

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It can be hard to discover that your child has a learning difficulty. Usually, this won’t become apparent until they begin their school career. At that point, you might discover that they are struggling in a certain class or subject. Or, it could be a specific learning issue such as reading, writing or even simply absorbing information. We’re all different, and learning difficulties come in numerous forms. That’s why the first thing you need to do is identify the problem.

Get Your Child Tested

If you think there is a problem with your child learning at school, it could be any number of things. You might automatically assume it’s going to be a learning difficulty. But that’s not always true. If a child is still young, it could be a problem with their eyesight. Rather than a learning difficulty, they are simply struggling to see the information. They might also have an attention difficulty. For instance, a child with ADHD will find a school environment very stressful. You can find out more about ADHD on http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/10-symptoms-adult-adhd. A trained professional will be able to tell you what the issue is and help you develop coping mechanisms.

Train The Brain

There are researchers who believe that you can train a child’s brain to surpass a learning difficulty. This research is still in the early stages of development. But there are websites such as http://www.eatonarrowsmith.com/. You can find out more information about this. The concept is based around the idea that the brain is like any other muscle. If you exercise it and complete the right stretches, it is going to get stronger over time. You can help your child beat a learning difficulty with this type of training.

Work Around The Issue

There are some learning difficulties that can be worked around by getting the child special treatment. For instance, children with dyslexia are often slower at writing and reading than other children. Rather than writing their essays they can dictate them. Either to a professional scribe or to a computer software program. Many schools have these facilities readily available. Resources like this can help even the playing field between these children and the rest of their class.

Outside Of School

If you think that your child is struggling due to a learning difficulty in school, you might encourage them to do extra work outside of school. By doing this, you should be able to keep them at the same level of the class. For instance, the class might be reading a book in English. Your child might be struggling to understand it fully as the class could be reading it too quickly. By encouraging them to work outside of school, they can read at their own pace. This will help them avoid missing out key information.

Other Activities

Finally, it can be difficult for children to realize they have a learning difficulty. They might feel different from other children. To cope with this, it would be beneficial to get them involved in an activity they enjoy. Particularly, if it’s an activity that they excel at. Do this and you should find that their learning difficulty does not weight them down emotionally.

Learning difficulties in children

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The 3 Times When You Need To Take Immediate Action

There are many times when we might delay our response to a certain situation. Sometimes we might want the time to think, do our research, and plan our next move carefully. We may wish to discuss our options with others such as family, friends, and professionals. On an emotional level, we might delay our reaction so that we can clarify our mind and respond appropriately without overreacting. Taking our time to react but without procrastinating is, for the most part, a very wise policy. But what about the times when we need to react quickly? There are some situations when delay is unwise. We need to think quickly and react accordingly. If we are stressed in the heat of the moment or still in shock, it can be hard to react quickly. But it is often these situations that require the most prompt response. Help is at hand. Many situations can require time and thought to react effectively, but there are some when we shouldn’t delay. Read on to discover the three crucial times when you’ve got to act fast and what to do about it.

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Financial Crisis

Our money and financial situation can be one of the most common sources of stress for us. Busy family life can often become expensive and warning signs become difficult to spot amongst the chaos. Financial situations aren’t always easy to fix quickly, but we can still take fast action. If we become aware of a financial problem, there is never any harm on getting more information or assessing your options. On the other hand, there is often harm in delaying a reaction, especially if interest is involved. We should try to face our financial worries however overwhelming they may seem. They are one area of our lives that never will never improve on their own. At the first sign of trouble, we should take action. We should try to assess what has gone wrong and why. We can do our research but we should never feel we have to face a complicated situation alone. There is no shame in seeking help from a financial professional. We are not giving up control. We are actually taking control by seeking reliable advice. Remember to act fast when a financial crisis arises and you can prevent a bad situation from becoming worse.

Plumbing crisis

Plumbing Disaster

A fault in the plumbing at home is very common and may not seem like an issue. Many families may wait until the problem becomes impossible to ignore before they fix it. But this can be a dangerous and expensive attitude. Water damage is one of the most difficult to fix. Its effects can last long after the water itself has gone through damp or undermining foundation and structure. This can make a home unlivable and certainly affects the valuation. Plumbing can be tempting to avoid because of the cost. But by acting fast we will save ourselves the cost of a much more expensive job. We can consult professionals on sites like http://www.pompanobeachplumbers.net/plumbing/ or use our Yellow Pages.

Pain
We all experience some form of pain and discomfort from time to time. More often than not, it is nothing serious. But acting fast doesn’t mean we have to take drastic action like calling an ambulance or going to the emergency room. Acting fast can just mean taking some painkillers or a much needed rest. Research shows that the faster we react to pain, the more likely we are to prevent a serious problem. Being in pain puts a strain on the body and is usually an indication that we are doing something wrong. Listen to your body, react quickly, and you will be able to prevent many injuries.

The Essential Guide To A Big Move With Children

Career commitments can often mean upheaval for your family. Perhaps one of the biggest upheavals is finding out your office is relocating. Making a big move across the country for work isn’t for the faint-hearted. And when children are involved, it can be even more strenuous. So how do you tackle a major move for you and your family?

Start by getting them involved. This will help make the experience a positive one. Take a weekend to visit your new hometown. Perhaps you can check out the property you’re thinking of moving to. Letting the kids see the reality of the situation helps to prevent them letting their imaginations take over. Show them there is nothing to fear. Instead, there is plenty to get excited about.

Essential guide to moving with kids

You can check out the local play parks and even sample the local restaurants in the area. Do a little research to find out what attractions are nearby for your children to enjoy. They may even want to check out the schools. Of course, they will need to say goodbye to friends when they move. Help them to find some appropriate ways to stay in touch.

Packing is a huge job to undertake when you have a family. Start with getting rid of all the clutter. Don’t bring things with you that you’re not likely to need. Next, begin packing up the things you’re not likely to need in the next week or so. You should pack an overnight bag for each of you for your last night in the old house. It keeps everything together for the first night in your new house too. Finally, pack one box with a cup each, a plate each, and all the things for a meal or two.

When you’re checking out moving companies, be sure to pick one that is willing to travel all the way to your new place. You’ll also want to check they are professional. When you have a family, it’s best to leave all the heavy lifting to your removal experts. It also means you can focus on the needs of the children rather than being busy with boxes. If you are moving a substantial distance, your belongings may not arrive until the day after you do.

The first night in a new house can be a scary prospect for the kids. This is especially true if the place is empty at first. Why not all stay in a hotel together? That way you won’t need to worry about making beds or cooking. You’re guaranteed the hot water and power will be on. It may also buy you some time to set up the children’s rooms before they see them. Of course, part of the fun of moving may be for them to do that themselves!

Moving house is a big undertaking. But getting some professional movers, and taking your time to prepare can help. Let the kids make some choices about their new rooms. And help them find the best things about your new town. Enjoy your new home.

4 Steps To The Perfect Homework Space

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Helping your kids to thrive in all areas of life is every parent’s priority. Ensuring that they are able to perform to the best of their ability at school is one of the foremost priorities.

While their school and teachers have a big hand in educating your children, so do you. Once they return home from school, they will have homework. While they might need your help in completing it, there is something else that they need you to provide them with. A homework space, of course.

This space should be functional, and this can be achieved in a number of ways. It should be laid out properly, and lit well, for example. Read on for more, and for five quick steps to making the perfect homework space.

Step 1:

A Quiet Environment

Just as we adults can be distracted, so can children and young people. In fact, perhaps even more so! This is why it is so important that the homework space allows them to focus. You’ll achieve this by limiting the amount of noise they can hear. So that goes for people talking nearby, or the sound of the TV drifting upstairs. Also, limit the amount of technology they have in the room, or they’ll be tempted to play it.

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Step 2:

An Uncluttered Desk

Another distraction comes in the form of a cluttered desk. The space should be bare and simple and only have on it the necessities. Have a computer screen that can easily be moved. That way, if your kid is just working in textbooks, they can focus on these. You can also increase the amount of space by moving it. A pot of pens and highlighters and a glass of water are pretty much everything else you’ll need. Explain to your child or children why having too much on the desk will distract them, too. Otherwise, they might add to the clutter themselves. Every couple of nights, give the desk a wipe down to prevent the spread of germs.

Step 3:

Sufficient Lighting

Our eyes are incredible things, and they work very hard for us. For this reason alone, we need to take great care of them. Of course, you should be taking your child for eye check-ups regularly, especially if they even start to complain of headaches. However, the way to combat this before any issues even occur is with sufficient lighting. Good lighting means that our eyes don’t have to strain to see things clearly. This is why led lights are such a good option, because of how bright they are.

Step 4:

Suitable Storage Solutions

Chances are your kid will have more than just a couple of books! In fact, with so many subjects at play, they could have lots of folders and files. This is why good storage solutions are so important. They keep the important bits of paper and homework close at hand. Plus, by putting them away, it reduces the risk of drink spillages. Oh, and it reduces the chance of the need to give a “the dog ate my homework” excuse too!

12 Tips To Make Life Easier When You’re A Working Mom

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Trying to juggle your responsibilities can be hard. But when you are a working mom, it can be even more stressful. It’s hard to give enough time to work, and to your kids at the same time. As well as trying to look after the house, and spending time with your other half. Here are 12 tips to make your life easier when you’re a working mommy!

Plan meals in advance

Often by the time you get home from work after picking up the kids, you can feel too tired to cook a big dinner. But the kids are hungry and you have to eat. The best way to make your life easier is to plan the meals in advance. That way, you don’t have to stress out trying to find a recipe, and the right ingredients when you get in. Write a list of everything you will need to make the meals for the week before you head to the shops. You could always get home shopping so that you don’t even have to go to the store. You can also prep the ingredients the night before so that they are ready to go when you get in. Try and make meals that might last a day or two so it’s less prepping for you. You could also arrange for the kids to have a filling school meal so they are less hungry when they get home from school!

Hire a cleaner

During the week, you are working, and at the weekend you are spending time with the kids. Therefore, there is not a lot of time for cleaning. You can try and do some in the evening, but if you are finding it hard, it might be time to hire a cleaner. Find a company such as Simply Maid, house cleaning services who will be able to come once or twice a week to help you keep your home tidy. It will make your life easier as you will have more time to do other things.

Ask parents for help

Parents love you and their grandchildren so they are happy to help you out when you are struggling. Ask your mum and dad, or your in-laws, if they would be able to pick up the kids once in awhile. They will be delighted to be able to have your children over for tea maybe once a week, so you don’t have to rush back from work. During the school holidays, ask them if they wouldn’t mind looking after the kids, so you don’t have to try and find somewhere else for them to go.

Find great childcare

Worrying about who is looking after your children can be a common stress for a working mom. If your child is off nursery age, you should check a few nurseries before choosing one which you like. You should be allowed to look around the facilities before deciding to place your kid there. Check the times they are open from and till so you know it will work for your schedule. If you are finding you always have to rush at night, it might be wise to move them to one which is open later. You might choose to get a nanny for your children. As this article says, arrange a playdate with a nanny so you can monitor how they are with the children. If they are older, you may want to find a good club they can go to straight from school so that you don’t have to rush to pick them up. If none of these options appeal to you, your parents may be able to have them after school, which will make you know they are in safe hands.

Cut down on your work hours

If you are finding that you can’t juggle being a mom and working lots of hours, you need to consider whether to cut your hours. Talk to your work about the possibility of reducing your hours. You may be able to work some of the required hours at home, so you can still be around your children. If your employer is not flexible, it might be time to look for another job. After all, your kids have to come first.

Book a vacation

An excellent way to make life easier when you are a working mom is to ensure you are taking a holiday every once in awhile. If you are not giving yourself a break, your work will suffer and you will be too tired to spend time with the kids. Spending time away from everything can help you reevaluate everything in your life. It can mean you go back to work refreshed after your holiday. It also means you can spend time on vacation as a family which is good for your partner and kids.

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Hire a gardener

You can’t be everywhere at once so often when you are a busy mom your house can deteriorate. The garden often gets left as you and your husband don’t have time to sort it. It’s fine during winter but in Spring and Summer, it should be looking good so that you can spend time out there. You may want to hire a gardener who will be able to come once or twice a month to make sure it’s looking pristine. Ask around your friends and family if they know someone who can do it for you.

Get enough sleep

If you want your life to be easier when you’re a working mom, you should be getting enough sleep. If you are exhausted every day, you will not get the kids to nursery or school on time. It results in you being late for work. The day will also drag and you won’t feel motivated. As we talked about previously, make sure you are keeping the room dark enough and go to bed earlier to get more sleep. You will feel much happier and ready for the day ahead when you wake up.

Spend quality time with kids

If you want a happier and easier life, you should be spending more quality time with your children. As much as having a good career is important, you will never get the time back with your kids while they are young. Therefore, you should try and make time for them when you get back after work. Help them with their homework, and take an interest in what’s going on in their lives. You don’t want them to feel like you are not bothered about them, so one of you should attend any parent events you can go too. If they don’t have you to be their influence, they can quickly go off the rails.

Go on date night

Another thing that can deteriorate if you don’t juggle your priorities right is your marriage. Often we don’t have time to spend a lot of time with our husband as we are too busy. As this feature says, you need to remember you are still a person, not just a worker, or a mom. So spend time with your husband on your own and your relationship will improve. Go on dates and let your partner spoil you. Going out together as a couple will help to put the spark back in your relationship, and will remind you why you got together in the first place. In order to keep and maintain your relationship as a busy mom counseling can also be a helpful tool. Here is some helpful information to help. https://www.regain.us

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Don’t worry about others

When you are a working mom, you often get the feelings of guilt of leaving your kids to go to work. When you see other mom’s at the school gates who don’t work, you often worry about what they think of you. And as discussed here, it’s true that other moms can often be quite judgemental and critical. But every family is different, and you may need to work, or feel that it’s the right thing for you. Try and not judge yourself on other moms; nobody is the perfect mom and we’re sure you are doing a great job. Spend less time focusing on others and life will feel much easier.

Keep organised

If you want to make life easier, you need to make sure that you have everything organised. Keep a calendar or journal with notes for any upcoming events that is happening with you, your hubby, and your kids. You can buy a simple diary from sites such as Amazon.com. Keeping a list of upcoming events means you won’t end up double booking yourself when you are supposed to be at a meeting or have a sports day for your children. If you know in advance what’s happening, you can arrange how to get there, or any child care that’s needed. Keep a list of bills that you need to pay so that you don’t get behind on these. It will make life much easier in the long run, as you don’t want to end up getting a loan to cover this.

Try and remember that you are doing a good job and that these simple changes can make life much easier for you.

Tell-Tale Signs You Should Design Your Own Home

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Designing your own home is a contemporary trend that is gaining popularity all over the world. We have become a society that emphasizes and personalizes and to customize objects. This is reflected in our clothing, technology, appearance, and now our homes! Designing your own home is not a decision that should be taken lightly. We should feel confident that we have access to the relevant professionals and expertise. We should also have a strong understanding of our needs and goals, and the financial means to fulfill them. But with everything else in place, designing your own home can be a uniquely challenging and fulfilling experience. If it’s a step you’re considering, pay attention to these tell-tale signs that could mean you’re a great candidate.

You Love To Manage A Project

Designing a house is a massive undertaking. There are many facets, angles, and considerations to make. They will need to be planned for well in advance but may also require spontaneous change. The type of people who design their own homes often love to have a major project on the go. They enjoy planning, budgeting, and considering things in depth. Planning permission, finances and stylistic considerations will all have to be made. The process is really doable for those who will truly enjoy it.

You’re Unsatisfied With What’s On Offer

If you’re feeling uninspired by the housing market and what’s on offer, designing from scratch can be tempting. Perhaps you have specific needs and circumstances in the home. Maybe you have something in mind like a garden, swimming pool, or interior feature that you’re not willing to compromise on. As a house is a major investment of your time, energy, and finances, it makes sense that you don’t want to settle for second best. Many people are happy to make the best of a certain situation. But designing your own home can be a wonderful way to ensure that your own personal specifications are met.

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You Have A Strong Interest in Architecture

Many people undertake designing their own home because of their own passion for buildings and architecture. It is very exciting to them to consider the ways in which their home could be a reflection of their own tastes, history and personality. Southern house plans can be perfect for those fascinated by history and the elegance of older eras, for example. A Beach style house may reflect a carefree, youthful attitude to life. Converted barns or other re purposed buildings can be either historical or contemporary. Many people find designing and building their own home to be the ultimate realization of an interest in architecture.

You Love Originality
For some, ‘original’ and ‘bespoke’ are words that set their imaginations aflame. It conveys something that will be entirely your own and one of a kind. It will be a unique extension of your own tastes and qualities. A home should be a place above all others that we feel we can truly be ourselves. We will feel the most comfortable in a house that truly reflects us. Designing a home can be the perfect way to take full creative control over one of our most significant and meaningful possessions.

Talking To Your ADHD Kid

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Paige McEachren worked for 17 years as a Corporate Communications Manager for world-leading technology and Pharmaceutical companies until she decided in 2015 to leave the workplace and stay at home to help her two kids navigate life. One of those kids has severe ADHD, which ensures she doesn’t get bored or miss being in an office – she doesn’t have the time. When not taking care of her kids (3 of them including her husband), she loves to travel, deals with her conflict of loving to bake and wanting to be healthy, challenges herself to try new things (recently to do a Sprint Triathlon), and hopes at the end of every day the kids are alive (asleep in their beds in their messy rooms) and if at all possible was able to carve out a pieces of the pie for herself, no matter how tiny!

Not ‘That’ Talk. Trust me when I had kids I thought the big ‘Talk’ I would have with my kids would focus on a very different subject and not at 6-years old.

As a mom trying to survive disordered life with my two kids who have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), I have learned a lot over the past years about ADHD, Anxiety, and a whole bunch of other things I never knew I needed to know. One question I get asked from moms going through the same thing is “How do I tell my kid they have ADHD” or “Should I tell my kid they have ADHD”?

My first reaction is don’t be fooled, your kid already knows they are different? My son has severe ADHD. Very early in his life this neurobiological disorder showed us that his brain worked a little differently. With all the signs of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity it quickly became clear to everyone (including him) that he was different. We worked with his Doctor and specialists to determine to what severity ADHD was impacting his social, academic and other functioning and with diagnosis in hand, it was time to have ‘The Talk’ to explain what was going on. For my son, hearing this news was a relief. He knew he was different but never understood why. Our talk offered him a reason as to why and we could begin to deal with it and adapt to school, social relationships and life in general.

Here is what I learned.

Educate yourself: How can you explain something to your child unless you understand it? A bigger part of this is coming to terms with the diagnosis as a parent (this was NOT caused by anything you did). Do a lot of reading and ask questions to find information that relates to your child–there is a wide variety of ADHD combinations of symptoms, severity and co-existing conditions (anxiety, mood, learning disabilities, etc.). There are a wide variety of parent resources online including personal blogs like www.pieceofpie.ca which can offer you insights and lessons learned from other parents.

Remember, it’s no big thing: This is a bit harder to deal with. You have to accept the diagnosis. The reality is you cannot change it, so you may as well make the most and be as helpful (and supportive) as you can. All kids watch and idolize their parents. If you show it’s not big thing, then it will be no big thing to them, just a part of life.

Make it personal: If you do have ADHD (every child with ADHD has a 40% chance at least one parent does, and siblings are more likely too), draw upon your own experiences. Share what you know and what you learned. In our case neither of us did (that we know of), so we used what was in our lives: ‘Daddy has trouble losing weight and has to work harder at it, just like your ADHD means you will need to put in more effort and work harder, no big deal.’

It’s nothing to be ashamed of: Any child’s reaction to being told they are different, no matter what the difference it is, is that they did something wrong. Just like you need to tell yourself, you must clearly and loudly tell them it was NOTHING THEY DID!

ADHD positivity

Show them positive examples that they can succeed in life: I wanted to show my son that because he has ADHD it would not limit him in life. He could still grow up and be anything his heart desired. I searched online and printed photos of successful people with ADHD in a wide variety of careers. My son came home to find his bedroom covered in photos of: Walt Disney, Michael Phelps, Terry Bradshaw, David Blaine, Pete Rose, Richard Branson and singer Adam Levine. We discussed each person (who was just like him) and talked about their careers and how if they can work hard and succeed he could too!

Highlight the positive: This was something I wish I had known about when I first spoke to my son, and since learning we highlight all the time. Having ADHD isn’t all bad. Many people think it denotes a ‘problem’ child or bad parenting and so it has a negative reputation. The reality is there are many positive ADHD traits that make your child special too like creativity, energy, enthusiasm and a natural magnetism that attracts people.

Take it slow: You didn’t understand everything with one conversation and your child doesn’t need to either, especially if they are younger. The important thing is to openly communicate. Some parents might never use the term ‘ADHD’ because they do not want to label their child. Regardless of what we like the reality is if your child has ADHD and attends school they are probably already ‘labelled’ by their classmates. Whether you use the term or not, give them a concrete understanding to help them explain what is happening and strategies to manage the symptoms and challenges ADHD presents.

Be Open: Once you have the talk do not simply forget it and move on. Your child will still be dealing with everything and living with ADHD, it won’t go away because you talked about it. Listen to you child and pay attention to what will help them to understand the role it plays in their lives. Bring it up again in conversation, encourage questions and provide answers that will help them process.

Show love and positivity: Like anyone, too much focus on the negative and problems can cause your child to lose sight of the positive and love. At this point your lives are probably centered on ADHD and whether your child is running around in circles, having a tantrum or having problems focusing, take a deep breath and remember that as frustrated as you are, your child is likely equally frustrated and does not understand what is happening. Above all else, show them LOVE. You are the constant in their ever changing world and you must be their shelter, beacon and support as they navigate their way in their disordered life.

Getting Your Home and Garden Ready for Summer

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Making Your Family Home Functional

A family home should be safe- check! It should also be gorgeously decorated and furnished- check! And of course, it should be a happy place- check!

That cover all of the bases, right? Wrong! A family home should also be functional! Yes, it needs to be all of the things above too. But the fact is, functionality is what allows the other things to happen. A house with a lock that doesn’t work properly can’t be totally safe. A beautiful sofa won’t look right in a room that is laid out all wrong. And can you even be happy in a place where you’re always stubbing your toe because the lights play up? You get the point!

So, before you try and tackle anything else, it’s time to make your family home functional. Whether you’ve been living there for many years, have just moved in or will soon be moving, this guide is for you.

Troubleshoot the irritating issues

If household issues are just irritating, and not dangerous or detrimental, they can go ignored for months. But to do this means avoiding the problem, and in some cases, an annoying problem can actually turn dangerous later. Troubleshooting flickering lights might not be a priority with everything else that is going on in your family life! But it could actually be a problem with the wiring. So, stop putting these things off and fix annoying household problems when they arise.

Making each room fit for purpose

Got a games room that nobody ever wants to play in? A bedroom that you never get any sleep in? Then the rooms in your house are not fit for purpose. Go from room to room and ask yourself ‘what is this room supposed to be for’? Then, look at whether or not it can be used for those tasks. The kitchen is a good example to use here. Your kitchen should have space to create food in, and the amenities you need to do this. If your surfaces are cluttered with mugs and tins, though, you can’t do this. It could well be time for a tidy up!

Think carefully about the layout

One major issue that stops a house from being entirely functional is a poor layout. This is at a house-wide scale, so where each room is in the house, right down to the inside of each room. A good example of a bad room layout is a bathroom that adjoins to a kitchen, or a bedroom that can only be accessed by going through another bedroom. To tackle this, you might have to put some work in. Knocking down walls and putting up walls is often the best way to help this with kind of thing. Luckily, when it comes to the functionality of individual rooms, in terms of their layout, this is much simpler. You might not believe it, but it could just be a case of moving your sofas and chairs around in your living room.

If you are designing your house yourself, it is for the reasons above that getting the floor plan right is so important. Not only will it make the house more functional for you, but it will also make it easier to sell in the future.

Ensuring a functioning home

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