home design

While you may have had a lot of fun decorating your bedroom, the prospect of decorating a nursery for your child is even more exciting. This is because there are no real rules in how a child’s bedroom should look – meaning that you are really able to use your imagination and experiment. For example, you could even create a nursery that looks as though it was lifted from the pages of a fairytale. 

Photo by Ömürden Cengiz on Unsplash

Here are some top tips for bringing magic to your nursery – creating the perfect space for your baby to grow, develop and play!

• Buy the basics first. When creating a nursery for your child, you must start with the basic furniture first. This way, you ensure you already have everything you need ready and set up for when they arrive. By using sites such as Foryourlittleone, you’ll be able to find everything you need in one place – from Moses baskets to snuggly blankets that will keep them warm all winter. 

• Grab the paintbrush. The first step towards creating the perfect fairytale room for your little one is choosing a colour scheme. During this time, you might want to take colour psychology into consideration. This is a theory that discusses how different colours create different atmospheres while also impacting our mood. For example, if you were to paint the nursery a pale shade of blue, this could help to lower your stress levels. Alternatively, shades such as yellow and orange will create a bright, exciting space for your child to thrive in. 

• Buy some wall stickers to create a mural. Creating your own wall mural is a great way to bring your favourite fairytales from the page to the nursery. However, wall stickers could be the way to go unless you have great artistic skills under your belt and want to try your hand at drawing them yourself. For example, you could purchase stickers of your favorite characters – from dragons to princesses and display them across one wall. 

• Hang photographs and wall art. If you’re looking for something a little more simple than a wall mural, you can bring magic into the room through artwork and photographs instead. For example, you could learn to display special photos in a stunning way or purchase fairytale inspired prints from sites such as Etsy. 

• Hang some fairy lights. Fairy Lights are a no-brainer for creating a fairytale nursery because they add a touch of sparkle wherever they are placed. Furthermore, having fairy lights to look at can actually be a sensory experience that benefits your baby while supporting those who find it difficult to sleep in the dark. 

• Keep clutter to a minimum. Just because Cinderella spent a lot of time cleaning doesn’t mean that you have to -, if you want to create a calming (and hazard free) nursery for your child, you need to ensure that all clutter is kept to the minimum through clever storage options such as shelves, under bed storage or even traditional toy chests.  

From 2000 to 2019, homes all around the UK spent £2.35 billion on home maintenance alone. Indeed, individual household values differ depending on location. However, it shouldn’t matter how much you spend on home maintenance because the benefits far outweigh the cost. This article will discuss why it is essential and what you stand to gain.

1. Saves you money

Waiting for a fault to happen before seeking professional service is usually not the way to go. Routine home maintenance allows the expert to spot early signs of wear and tear before they become major repair works. Comparatively, that saves you money because gradual deterioration of fittings, fixtures, and appliances in the home can spring a real financial surprise on you. Therefore, it is advisable always to have a percentage of your monthly income saved away for such expenses. Moreover, you get to reduce how much you would have used had it been severely damaged.

Usually, routine maintenance checks without fault detection cost between £30 and £80. That is if you decide to use a handyperson. Thankfully, more UK households are practising preventative maintenance. On the other hand, these checks can be done by you if you have some knowledge of what to look out for. However, it is better to seek professional services than do these inspections by yourself.

2. For efficiency reasons

Everything in the home must function as it should, and that is the overall purpose of maintenance. Dust and dirt accumulate gradually and, when left unattended, can cause damage you never imagined could happen. For example, this buildup in your vents and HVAC ducts can result in a reduced function of your home’s ventilation system. Apart from the health reasons that come with it, the buildup clogs tiny spaces in other appliances in the house. Ultimately, you may have to repair or replace it.

Maintenance is a routine thing, and the longer you ignore it, the higher the chances of damage to your home. Apart from the cleanliness aspect, efficiency also refers to your energy consumption at home. When you have faulty or low-performing appliances, they tend to consume more power than they ordinarily should. Sometimes, you may need to contact an electrician to make essential checks. If there are no faults, then it would be time to take another look at your home’s energy usage.

3. Potential of increasing your home’s value

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In the last decade, property buyers have been more circumspect about the houses they invest in. This means several people on the market lookout for specific elements that indicate the ‘health’ of the property. From plumbing to electricals, structural components, and even curb appeal, everything else is scrutinised. 

As long as everything seems on point, your home’s value will automatically be enhanced. It is worth noting that buyers will rigorously negotiate for a downward readjustment of the price when they detect issues with your property. However, because of your attention to home maintenance details, you get to smile and not feel coerced into giving a considerable discount.

It’s autumn, and many of us might think that our time enjoying the outdoors is over for the year. However, just because the weather is a little bit colder doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy your garden for a while, and in fact autumn can be a wonderful time to sit out and enjoy crisp cool air while wrapped in a blanket.

Today we want to take a look at some of the fun ways that you can vamp up your garden this autumn and create a space that you will never want to leave. 

Build an orangery 

One of the first ways that you can vamp up your garden this autumn is by considering installing an orangery. orangeries are very similar to a conservatory and will provide you with a sheltered space to sit in during the colder months that is more connected to the garden than the rest of the house. If your garden is quite big, this is an ideal project for the autumn and it will give you a whole new space in the house to enjoy. 

Create a seating area 

The easiest way to make your garden a more inviting space during the autumn and winter is to create a seating area for yourself and your family to enjoy. You can have a pergola to give yourselves some shelter or you can simply enjoy the space as it is and wrap up in a blanket when you sit out in the winter period. 

Build a bar 

Looking for a new and fun way to spend time in the garden this winter? Build yourself an outdoor bar with an outdoor heater on the roof. You can have all of your drinks and a fridge behind the bar as well as stools for people to sit at and enjoy. This can be a fun project and one that will make your garden into the most fun room of the house! 

Plant winter flowers 

You might assume that all life in the garden will stop after September, but actually there are plenty of plants that are still blooming through the winter and will make your garden look stunning all year long. Consider planting some snowdrops and cyclamen in pots or in the ground, and enjoy watching these delicate flowers light up an otherwise barren garden in the winter. This addition of colour and texture will make all the difference and will improve your garden this winter. 

Install an awning 

If you want to enjoy sitting outside in your patio area but don’t want to be rained on, a great idea would be to install a simple awning that will come out from your kitchen to the patio area. Giving yourself some shelter while still being able to enjoy fresh air is always a good thing and this will be the ideal way for you to spend time outside without getting damp. 

Try some of these different ideas to help you vamp up your garden this autumn and gain the most wonderful outdoor space. 

Your garden is a great source of extra space and can give you and your family an area to enjoy the outdoors without getting too far from home. However, gardens are often underutilised. Some people don’t have the time or energy to do a great deal with their outdoor space, so it goes wasted. 

But your exterior space doesn’t need to go to waste. One wonderful way to use it is by creating an Outdoor Dining Area area fit for all your al fresco dining needs. This is perfect for those family get-togethers where it would otherwise get too crowded. Even better, you don’t necessarily need to dedicate that much time or money.

Select a Dining Area

First things first, you need to figure out where you want to set up for dining. If you have very little outdoor space, then this isn’t going to be a difficult task, but otherwise, it helps to have a specific section of the garden.

There are no rules for this, but there are a few suggestions. At the very least, you will want a relatively flat part of your garden. If you have a yard or paved area, then it’s likely to be flat. Otherwise, many people chose to use some kind of platform, like decking or patio. This provides a natural place to set up, as it’s flat by design.

Most deckings or patios are relatively close to your home, which can come in handy. Whichever one you choose depends on personal preferences. Patios and paved areas are sturdy and fireproof, making them ideal for barbeques. Wooden deckings aren’t fireproof, true, but they don’t get as hot under the sun and some people prefer how they look.

Sun Protection

If you’re planning on sitting outside, you should have a shaded area to protect you from the sun. Trees are a natural shade, but there are plenty of options for gardens without trees or other natural sources of shade.

The simplest option is erecting a shade umbrella, which can slot into some furniture and block out the sun. However, an umbrella might not be big enough for everyone, and there’s always the risk of them getting caught out by the wind.

Another favourite option is the good old gazebo. A gazebo provides excellent shade over a large area, while also protecting you from any rain. Gazebos are still vulnerable to strong winds, however, and most shouldn’t be left outside for extended periods.

Or, you could build what’s known as a pergola. A pergola created from oak, for example, is a versatile, attractive, and permanent solution. You can leave them as they are, or use them as a frame for climbing plants. You can even top them with a shade sail or a roof, for more protection.

Furniture & Decor

Once you have your outdoor dining area set up and ready to go, you just need to add some garden furniture. Find something sturdy, weather-resistant, and attractive.

 While you’re at it, make the area look nice with some decorations and lighting solutions. Consider a heater for those cooler evenings and you’ll hardly want to come inside.

Being blessed with your own garden space is such a great opportunity, as you can use the space to reconnect with the outside world while benefiting from fresh air and quality time with your family. There’s nothing better than sitting around the table to enjoy a little al fresco dining with your nearest and dearest, but when your garden space looks tired and unfit for purpose, it’s unlikely that you feel ready to invite your family over to enjoy your outdoor space. Thankfully, figuring out how you can create the perfect family-friendly garden space doesn’t have to be as difficult (or expensive) as you might initially expect, as there are in fact just a few key tips and tricks that you can make the most of to totally transform your outdoor space in no time at all. So, if you’re interested in finding out more, then simply read on!

Gain Control Over Greenery

If you have any overgrown plant life or knee-high grass that’s taking over your garden space, then your first priority should be to gain back control over your greenery. Having the right equipment is half of the battle, so take some time to source a quality strimmer and lawn mower that can be used together to trim plants back in order to create the largest open space possible. Get rid of overhanging branches, cut unruly hedgerows and be sure to remove any unsightly weeds that you find along the way. Once you’re able to establish order, it’s far easier to maintain it.

Set Specific Sections

Sectioning your garden space up into different areas is a great way to utilise every inch of space, as you can identify a few key activities that you perform outside and ensure that you have the right area or equipment on hand to make the most of it. For example, setting up a spot to dine outside with a big enough dining set and potentially even an outdoor grill is a brilliant way to inspire your family to eat more meals in the garden space. Creating a child-friendly play area that’s made up of slides, swings and other basic equipment is another great idea to pursue, as this can keep your kids occupied for hours on end during the summer. It’s always a good idea to set up a section that’s dedicated to storage, too, as you may find that you need to put some items away to keep them in good condition when the winter weather rolls around.

Make It Safe 

Allowing your children to play in their new garden space without standing at the sidelines to monitor their safety is a hard goal to achieve, but making sure that it is as safe and secure as possible will help you to maintain peace of mind while they have fun outside. Finding a quality timber merchant to build a super strong and sturdy fence to protect the border of your property is always a good idea, as this will mean that your little ones are unable to escape while those on the other side of the fence are unable to gain access. 

You probably spend a lot of time and money on making sure the inside of your home is in good repair, but how much attention do you give to the exterior maintenance of your home? 

Often, people don’t think about it until there’s a problem that needs to be repaired quickly. By this point, the damage can be extensive and the financial costs can really add up. 

Luckily, some regular maintenance will keep everything looking good and working as it should. 

Cleaning your gutters 

Gutters serve an important purpose. They drain rainwater away from your property and prevent it from damaging the walls and waterlogging the ground. Gutters can easily get clogged up with leaves, moss and even birds nests. This can prevent them from being able to drain water properly and become damaged. 

Debris in gutters should also be cleaned away as during the summer months it can dry out and become a fire hazard. Depending on the size of your property, you can either clean the gutters out yourself or call a specialist company such as Gutter Boy Cleaning Sydney to do it for you. 

Unblock drains

In the same way that your gutters can become clogged, so can the drains around your home. If the water can’t drain away, you risk flooding around your home or the gutters backing up and causing leaks and damage to your property. 

Remove any leaves and debris that you can see. Try pouring in some water with a bucket or hose, and see if it drains away quickly. If it doesn’t, use a drain rod or call in a specialist company. 

Fix any damaged windows and doors

Inspect your windows and doors for signs of gaps, cracks and breaks. Damaged windows and doors aren’t just a security risk, they can be terrible for your energy consumption. 

Replace missing or broken roof tiles

A good roof can last for decades, keeping your property warm and dry. But it’s still good practice to check it regularly. Missing and cracked roof tiles can lead to leaks and more extensive damage to your home. You should check your roof before the winter months so that you can have any repairs done before the weather turns. 

It’s also a good idea to check for damage after any storms or heavy downpours. 

Repair walls

Walls can be damaged by weather, age, salt air or plant roots. Look carefully at your walls to see if you can see any damage to the bricks or render. Clear any ventilation air bricks of any debris. 

If it looks as if a wall is being damaged by an underground tree root, then you might need to hire a specialist contractor to remove the tree and the root for you.

Make your electronic gate a smart gate

Turn your existing gate into a smart gate, allowing you to control guest access from anywhere with an app. Open your gate with your phone, no matter where you are. Gate codes are a thing of the past!

Final thoughts

They say that prevention is better than a cure. By performing some regular maintenance on the exterior of your property, you can save yourself from a lot of potentially expensive repair bills which could have been avoided. 

Nobody likes thinking about fixing up their home. In many cases, it means hiring someone to take care of it. Depending on what the problem is, that could be quite expensive. Even worse, you could pay a lot of money for something that only takes a few minutes to address.

To avoid this, it’s worth doing a few home maintenance repairs yourself. If that sounds surprising, it shouldn’t be. You can do quite a few of these yourself. All you’ll need are a few supplies and some basic know-how.

Though you’ll still need to hire professional plumbers and other contractors for some repairs, you can do more than a few yourself.

Home Maintenance Repairs You Can Do Yourself

Replacing A Window Screen

Window screens have been popular for quite some time because of the privacy and style that they can offer. They can be easy to tear or break, however. You shouldn’t need to replace them or hire a professional to fix them.

Removing the screen from the frame and replacing it with a newer one is quite easy. The most difficult aspect of this is cutting the new screen to the right size and putting it in. Thankfully, this will only take a few minutes.

Turning Off The Main Water Supply

While turning off the main water supply isn’t exactly a repair, it’s a significant step in many of them. If you’re getting any kind of water damage, then this will be a necessity. In most cases, you’ll need to do this before fixing a clogged toilet or a sink. Both of these will be quite easy.

In some instances, it might be much more difficult. That could mean hiring a professional plumber. They’ll offer a high-quality leak detecting service that wouldn’t cause any undue damage to your home. Once it’s been found, it’ll be fixed accordingly.

Regardless, turning off the main water supply will be the first step, so you should know how to do this.

Cleaning The Gutters & Spouts

Few people think of their gutters when it comes to home maintenance tasks. They’ll have a much larger impact on your property than you’d expect, however. If they’re not cleaned regularly, water can build up in them and cause damage. That will affect your walls and possibly the roof.

If that’s left to happen, fixing the water damage will be much more expensive than you’d want. Cleaning your gutters and their downspouts will be mandatory. While these wouldn’t exactly be repairs, they can be considered preemptive maintenance tasks.

Armed with a ladder and some cleaning supplies, getting it done shouldn’t be an issue for you.

Wrapping Up

Once you’ve been living in a property for some time, you shouldn’t have much of a problem trying some home maintenance repairs yourself. It’s easy to see why, as it’ll save you a significant amount of money. You shouldn’t have a problem replacing your windows or fixing some other issues.

You might need a helping hand for some of this, as this might help things go faster. Doing them by yourself could take a while, though that depends on the issue. Take things on a case-by-case approach to determine if you can fix them. In many situations, you can.