Creating a plan is essential before starting the construction of any house. A good floor plan can create a nice flow of space and increase the value of a home. Creating a well-designed layout offers flexibility to your rooms that fit your lifestyle and priorities.

There are essential elements that every designer and homeowners need to consider while planning the layout of a house. Let us check the top considerations while designing a home layout.

Start Simple

You don’t need highly advanced software to start making customized home designs. A pencil and a piece of paper are all you need to create a high-quality design. Make a list of features that you want to have in every room–just get your thoughts out of your mind and on paper. Only rough drawings will help you understand what you want from your home design team.

Consider the future

Homeplansindia

Do you have and expect to have children in the years to come? In many different scenarios, you will need to think of your family members, accommodating grandchildren, grandparents, and accommodating a large family for holiday occasions. Likewise, your custom home layout should include an office or flexible room if you are hoping to move from an office job to running your own business out of your home.

Flow and Function

Imagine how your final design should flow and how your family will work in each space as you and your planner start playing around where different rooms should be located. For example, it is prudent to place bedrooms away from the house’s common areas to reduce noise in sleeping areas. Similarly, if you’re the type of family who likes to meet around the kitchen, you’ll enjoy an open floor plan with a convenient flow between the living room, kitchen, and dining area. This style of layout also enables excellent flow between spaces.

Room Layout

Make sure the bedrooms are far from enjoyable. The entertainment areas, such as dining rooms and living rooms, should not be faced with bathrooms. Many people will like the kitchen opening up to the dining rooms and living rooms so that anyone who cooks can still communicate with guests and keep an eye on the children playing.

Space Size

Think about how many people will be in the space at one time when planning every space or corridor. Is there room for them to move around? Is there room for all the planned activities to fit the furniture? There should be enough space in the rooms to move around after adding furniture and home appliances. Similarly, you should consider outdoor spaces like decks, patios, and gardens.

Form and Function

Realhomes

A design may look perfect on the paper, but it might not feel good after construction. For example, creating a kitchen farther from the front entrance of the side entrance will force you to carry the kitchen items a long way through your home. To ensure the right form and functions for our home, you need to imagine yourself moving in the house in your daily routine. Doing this can help you to determine the functional challenges in the layout.

Find balance

Find the balance between the nuances of architecture and practical considerations. Until falling in love with some magnificent staircase or floor to ceiling windows, think about the safety of children, washing, heating, and cooling bill. It is also essential to allocate sufficient space for furniture. Remember that when you have fewer walls, there is less space where you can place your furniture and hang the artwork. Therefore, you should create a plan by drawing the space for furniture to avoid expensive mistakes.

Hire a Professional home designer

Hiring a professional designer is the best way to make the most out of the available space. A house designer or architect can tell you many designs to include rooms, kitchen, bathrooms, storage space, and outdoor spaces within the available area.

Plan according to existing infrastructure

Your existing infrastructure, including the structural walls, drainage system, and support walls, are hidden. Although it may seem simple to create a new plan and work accordingly, the cost of repositioning the kitchen or bathroom away from the drainage system can be expensive.

Also, the sanitation system is worth considering while planning the layout for your kitchen and bathrooms. If you plan to create or shift your kitchen, take help from a service provider like plumbing company Paddington to synchronize the new draining system with the existing one. Therefore, it is better to work according to your existing infrastructure and avoid spending money and time on changing the layout when it is not necessary.

Plan as you go

A harmonious home layout needs precise planning. Every space is different, and there are nuances that only an experienced professional can identify. However, you should know everything that you want before calling in a home designer as not doing so can risk you to go beyond your budget. Make a list of all the elements you want in your house before calling a professional. Communicate your requirements clearly to the designer to get the perfect plan for your house.

Final Words

These are some essential things to consider while planning a home layout. Knowing your requirements, considering the future, and communicating the same to a professional designer is the key to create the right plan. Following these tips can help individuals and families to build the house of their dreams as per their expectations.

Perhaps you already have all the elegant furniture pieces in place. You’ve already hired a professional to install the HVAC to ensure quality indoor air. And the curtains and Oriental rugs are in placed in the living room and bedroom. But do you think something is still missing? Do you think your home still looks boring despite all the fixtures and decor? If yes, perhaps you’ve missed the lighting.

Quality lighting fixtures, such as the ones from Legrand, can do wonders to your home. Whether you’re trying to pull off a rustic or chic home design, there’s a lighting fixture to suit your preference, especially for different areas of your house.

The Bedroom

Light plays a vital role in helping you fall asleep faster. Yes, natural illumination is a great start. But if you’re living in a heavily populated urban area, letting in natural light also means letting in a lot of noise, which won’t help you get a good sleep. This is when your choice of bedroom lights come into play.

If you’re a minimalist, a simple table lamp will do. Wall sconces are also good picks. But if you want to add more drama to the space, consider having ambient light, such as flush mount ceiling lights and pendant lights.

The Living Area

The living area is the perfect place to hang out with your loved ones, be it for weekend movie nights or mid-week small gatherings. As you’d be doing a lot of family activities here, include a variety of lighting to ensure this area is well-lit. A chandelier or any ceiling-mounted light is a space-efficient main lighting source that’s worth considering. Give the space some accent with floor or table lights, as well as wall sconces and pendant lights. Set these ambient light fixtures near mirrors to reflect and diffuse the light. Doing this can make the space look more spacious and well-lit.

The Garden

The garden is where you can have your daily physical exercise. Or if you have kids, you can convert your garden into a playground. And at night, you can have your dinner under the stars. Choose the right outdoor lighting fixtures to make your garden look elegant during the day and dramatic during the night. Consider equipping your gates with wall lights or post lights. In the middle of your garden, considering having free-standing outdoor lighting. Hanging string lights on tree trunks or branches helps create a fairytale-like ambience in the evening.

Bathroom

Do you consider your nighttime warm showers your stress-relief? If yes, turn your otherwise boring bathroom into a relaxing spa area where you enjoy an aromatic bath. Consider having vertical sconces near your vanity sink or mirror to soften the light. Ceiling-mounted lights are the best options for general illumination. And you can complement this with pendant lights. Diffuse the light to create a sleep-inducing vibe.

Kitchen and Dining Area

Aside from the living area, the dining and kitchen area could also be a perfect bonding place for the family, be it preparing foods or eating together. Hence, be sure to have sufficient lighting for this area. Chandeliers are best for general illumination. Then, you can have wall sconces for additional accent light. Opt for wall-mounted lights as these are space-efficient and safer for kids.

Home Office or Study

It’s inevitable to bring work-related tasks and school paperwork at home, right? With the right lighting fixtures, you can create a home office that’s conducive for productivity. The first thing to remember, though, is to avoid working under the direct glare of the lighting fixtures. This means you need to set up the overhead lamps a little farther from the work table. It’s also good to use upward-shining floor lamps to diffuse the light. Using a lampshade can also protect your eyes from direct glare.

Illumination plays a vital role in making your home cozy and elegant. But you need not worry about where and what lighting fixtures to buy. You can browse online or visit Elektra Lighting and Electrical for the supplies you need. At reputable stores, you also get to enjoy expert assistance, which could help you choose the right products and make some savings.

We’ve all been hearing that Australia is a buyers’ market of late, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take certain steps to increase your home’s value and up the chances of selling it.

Today’s article will be shedding some light on how to increase the value of your home and get it market ready. You can use different avenues ranging from skylight installation to implementing a solid maintenance plan.

Are you ready? Let’s find out how to make sure your home gives you as much bang for your buck as possible.

Focus on Flow

These days, light airy properties that are easy to navigate are all the rage. So the aim should be to create spaces within your house that feel open and spacious, create a feeling of flow & that effortlessly merge one room into another coherently.

How does one do this? It’s rather simple. Knock down non-structural walls, get rid of semi-permanent fixtures and focus on creating a space that nobody could ever dream of calling cramped.

Another easy way to achieve perfect flow is to take two separate rooms and join them together to create one open-plan room. Now, obviously you can’t do this with just any room as there are very valid reasons why bathrooms and kitchens are separate. But lounges and dining rooms? Those could easily be merged to create a single communal area. 

Removing a non-structural wall costs around $100 – $300 dollars depending on how much your handyman charges per hour.

Shine a Light on Natural Light

House hunters and people in general are becoming more conscious of their health & are always looking for ways they can better it. This is one of the reasons why skylight installation is a booming business in Australia right now. Improved eyesight, increased Vitamin D and boosted melatonin production are just a few examples of the health benefits of natural light.

Further to the proven health benefits, skylights also help homeowners to cut down on their heating and cooling bills, create a sense of architectural interest and add to a home’s overall resale value.

What is the typical skylight cost you may be wondering? That depends on a bunch of different factors ranging from the type of skylight you opt for to whether or not you opt for glazing. Including the unit itself a skylight installation usually starts at around $800 and goes all the way up to $3,500.

Is this chump change? By no means. But is this a huge investment into your home’s value? Absolutely.  

Let Landscaping Lend a Hand

One of the best ways to up the value of your home? Improve the outside! Research conducted by the late Professor Mark S. Henry claims that even the smallest of landscaping changes can boost the overall value of your property by 7%.

In a trying market or not, 7% is enormous. So if you’re looking to significantly increase the value of your home, it’s time to put on those gardening gloves and get around to doing any of the following value-boosting landscaping jobs:

• An outdoor entertainment area
• A covered patio
• A plant-filled garden
• A deck
• Water features

Go Green

As citizens of the world become more eco-conscious, green homes are becoming more popular. And not just for the obvious benefit of putting less strain on the environment, but also because it can help reduce the cost of daily life.

You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on greening up your home, especially since you don’t plan on living there for much longer. But any of these small green home tips will be hugely attractive to potential buyers:

• Low-flow water faucets
• Solar panels
• Solar water heater systems
• Upgrade fixed appliances to energy efficient models
• Dimmer switch lighting

If you aren’t sure whether the cost of making your house a green one is worth it or not consider that the bulk of the Australian buyers’ market is comprised of millennials. What is the Australian millennial’s biggest concern? Protecting the environment. Do you see where we’re going with this?

Make Sure Your Home is Maintained

Our best nugget of advice to up the value of your home? Maintain it well and look after it properly. Before investing in any of the above-mentioned tips, make sure that the basics are all covered.

This means making sure your house is properly insulated, its septic system is in perfect working order, all plumbing issues are resolved and that your house’s structural integrity is uncompromised.

Once the foundational maintenance issues are sorted, you can move on to completing smaller tasks that have a big payoff like making sure your lawn is properly maintained, your gutters are clear and your paint isn’t peeling.  

The rule of thumb for calculating how much you should be spending on home maintenance is an average of 1% of the property’s total value, per year.

Final Thoughts

Your home is an investment, and the state of the market shouldn’t be the only thing that controls the ROI on it. Implement any of the tips we’ve outlined for you today and do what you can to up your home’s value & increase your chances of selling it.

When it comes to plumbing problems like running toilets, leaky pipes and blocked drains Melbourne residents know a thing or two. It’s part of life in a busy city that occasionally something goes wrong. What do you do when that happens?

For those short on time, money or confidence it’s best to call in the pros to handle your plumbing woes. But for those who have an abundance of these three things—here’s how to get your hands dirty and fix these three prominent plumbing problems.

Blocked Drains

Blocked drains are the bane of many homeowners’ existence. They’re also one of the most common types of plumbing problems. The common symptoms of a blocked drain include lack of or slow draining, foul odours coming from the drain, raised water levels and gurgling sounds.

Depending on the severity of the blockage, solving the problem of a blocked drain can be easy. Here are a few methods you can try to unblock a minor drain blockage:

• The baking soda and vinegar method: If you’re into natural home cleaners, you’ll know all about how powerful these two common household ingredients are. Mix baking soda and vinegar (a third of a cup each) together & immediately pour the fizzing concoction down the drain. Allow this mixture to work its magic for four to six hours and flush it down with boiling water once the sitting time is up.   
• The boiling water trick: Fill up your kettle with normal tap water to its maximum, boil the water and slowly pour it down the blocked drain. If your blockage is not severe, this should do the trick. 
• The salt and baking soda technique: Combine equal parts baking soda and standard table salt (half a cup each) and pour it down the drain you suspect is blocked. Allow this powder mixture to sit in the drain for 15 minutes, and once the resting time is up, pour boiling hot water down the drain. A chemical reaction will occur that should unblock the drain.

If unblocking your own drains isn’t something you want to spend your precious free time doing, or your blockage is beyond your DIY abilities, let a qualified plumber do this. If you’re looking for a blocked drain plumber Melbourne has plenty of skilled ones for you to choose from.

Running Toilets

In terms of wasted water and money, running toilets can cost you a lot. A faulty flapper and valve problems are the two most common causes of running toilets.

If you’re not familiar with any of those terms, you might want to call a plumber right about now. IF you do know what these terms mean, then you can get to work fixing them straight away.

Replacing a Flapper

Replacing a faulty flapper is fairly easy. All you need to do is switch off the water supply valve, flush the toilet to get rid of the water and unhook the flapper. Replace the flapper with the same make as the old one and follow the instructions for installation on the packaging.

Replacing a Valve

Just like replacing a flapper, replacing a valve is easy. Start by switching off the water supply and flush the toilet to empty the water. If any excess water remains, use a sponge to soak it up. Next, disconnect the water supply line, unscrew the valve locknut and remove the old valve. Use the instructions on the new valve’s packaging to install it, tighten the locknut and voila.

Leaky Pipes

Can you believe that something as seemingly small an issue as leaky pipes wastes up to 9,000 litres of water per year? Water wastage aside, leaky pipes can result in expensive water bills, damaged floors and furniture & turn your home into a damp breeding ground for moisture-loving pests like cockroaches.

A number of things can cause leaky pipes. Here are just a few examples of what commonly causes leaky pipes:

• Broken seals
• Clogged drains
• Corrosion
• Faulty or damaged pipe joints
• Water pressure is too high
• Tree roots
• Loose water connectors
• Extreme shifts in temperatures

While the permanent fixing of leaky pipes is a professional plumber’s domain, there are a few temporary fixes you can make while you wait for your plumber to arrive or if budget is a concern. These temporary fixes include:

• Use epoxy compounds to temporarily patch up the leak on cast iron pipes 
• Use repair sleeves to attend to pinhole repairs
• Use pipe wraps to patch any types of leaks on any types of pipes
• Use rubber pipe connectors for leaks in the middle or on the joint of pipes
• Use pipe clamps for a longer-lasting temporary fix

Final Thoughts

Attending to plumbing problems is not for the faint of heart, but if you feel you have what it takes to tackle any of these common plumbing issues on your own then props to you! If not, remember that there are professionals who know the ins and outs of plumbing systems that are available to help you anytime of the day or night.

Finally! You have an open room in the house that you can use to your advantage. Some men only dream of creating the ultimate man cave, so don’t pass up the opportunity to have your own relaxation room.

Now you can have a room filled with your most treasured items, an entertainment area of your choice and comfortable lounge suites. Take a look at our top seven tips that may give you ideas on how to build your very own man cave.

1. Comfy Seating for the Bar and Lounge

Man caves are all about comfort, so the first aspect to consider is adding the proper seating arrangements such as leather recliner chairs for your lounge or stools for the bar. After all, man caves would be nothing without luxurious lounge suites or the finest looking bar stools.

For your Man Cave Lounge

A recliner chair allows you to sit back and lift your feet up off of the ground so you’re in a comfortable position. But this is for a single person. If you’re expecting to entertain guests perhaps the best choice is to include leather lounges to accommodate more people. Longer lounges can seat three to four guests.

Seating for the Bar

Select bar stools that have a small backrest and soft cushions to sit on, for the ultimate in comfort. You also want the seating to complement your décor so select seating that has the aesthetics that will match the room.

2. What Entertainment Do You Enjoy?

There are so many possibilities when it comes to achieving the ultimate man cave especially when adding elements of entertainment to the room. You may want to add a variety of activities that will entertain you and guests when they visit your space.

Console Gaming

Set up your console to play all your favourite games. If you have guests over you can play co-op games together namely Call of Duty, Gears of War or Halo. Some people have more than one brand of console such as PS4 or Xbox One.

If you have more than one console set them all up and ensure you have the best sound system & TV to create the most excellent gaming experience.

Old School Table Games

Some games aren’t digitalised yet and that’s not a problem: this sort of entertainment is considered the best kind. Old school table games are easy to play and will keep you & your guests entertained for hours. Here’s what you can add to your man cave:

• Chess
• Pool table
• Foosball table
• Air hockey
• Table tennis

Dart Boards

Play a game of darts with a group of people and see who can reach the highest score, or better yet who can hit the bullseye.

Movies Galore

You can either set up a streaming site such as Netflix and Showmax or you can have a display of all your favourite DVDs. As mentioned before a man cave should have top-notch sound systems so you can have a theatrical experience when you watch movies.

3. Creating the Ultimate Décor

Are you a nerd or a sophisticated guy? Whatever your personality type is, now is your chance to create a room with the décor you want. So if you love Star Wars and Marvel, you can line your walls with action figurines and posters from the movies & shows you’re a fan of.

But if you’re an older man that simply wants a streamlined organised room, all you need is the correct accents. A rug with dark colours, wooden coffee tables and liquor cabinets are among some of the accents that will suit your style.

4. A Bathroom is Important

Some men create man caves in attics or basements so these rooms may be located far from the main house bathroom. Perhaps build a small lavatory inside your man cave for convenience.

5. The Bar Area

The bar area may be the focal point of your man cave. If you’re serious about the aesthetics of the room, select the correct materials to build the bar table and shelving for glasses & alcohol. Hardwood such as mahogany or walnut are popular for bar tables and glass is often used for shelving.

The bar should also have a small fridge and freezer for beverages & ice.  

6. Ventilation, Lighting and Space

Man caves are typically located where there is minimal lighting and ventilation. Install an HVAC system to control the temperatures inside the room and ensure you have optimal lighting. Avoid fluorescent lights and opt for yellow bulbs to create a warm atmosphere.

7. Masculine Colours and Finishes

Neutral shades are considered masculine and are often paired with rich dark tones such as burgundy. Warm tones are also popular choices such as tan, beige and dark brown. Consider using these colours for accents and wall finishes.  

Final Thoughts

We hope our seven tips inspired you to create your ultimate personal space. Let us know in the comments section below if you’d like more tips on man cave décor and the type of furniture to use. Or do you have tips for others to create their ideal rooms?

Ziptrak blinds are trusted by many Australian homeowners for outdoor use. Are you wondering why? Keep reading as we give you all the answers you need by discussing their main features and benefits. Who knows? You might realise that you’ve been missing out on an exceptional product all along.

What Makes Ziptrak Blinds Popular?

When it comes to Ziptrack blinds Sydney residents are very much drawn to them—if you’ll forgive the pun. And based on the following features, we admit that their popularity is warranted.

Exceptional Track Guided Design

Probably one of the product’s most invaluable features is its patented track guided design. Not only does this design compliment the modern home set-up, but we love it for its practicality.

Thanks to this design, the blinds are designed to effortlessly glide along the track allowing for hassle free operation.

What’s even better is that this design coupled with the hand lock system allows you to stop your Ziptrak blinds at your preferred height. Do you want them high up or mid-way? This of course will depend on factors such as the prevailing weather.

They allow you to control airflow, sunlight exposure as well as temperature without necessarily disconnecting yourself from nature. You can decide to shut them completely if it’s too windy or open them slightly to let in that cool summer breeze.

Sealed Blinds System

One thing you’ll appreciate about Ziptrak blinds is that they’re designed to completely block out dust particles, making them the ideal pick for those who suffer from dust allergies. This is thanks to the sealed blinds system incorporated in their design. Unlike other types, Ziptrak blinds don’t leave spaces at the bottom when shut.  

They also act as an effective insect barrier to keep those pesky bugs out of your relaxation area. As a result, you don’t have to spray toxic insecticides.

By picking these blinds you’ll enjoy your “me-time” in peace all year round irrespective of the weather and other elements.

Benefits of Ziptrak Blinds

Highly Customisable

Manufacturers of Ziptrak blinds understand that different customers have varying needs. That’s why these blinds aren’t a one-size-fits-all but are instead highly customisable, not to mention adjustable, depending on your individual preferences.

Easy & Safe to Operate

Because of the spring balanced design incorporated, Ziptrak blinds are very easy and safe to operate which is very refreshing. No need to worry about tugging at ropes or chains in an attempt to open and close them as is the case with other blinds.

Aesthetically Pleasing

There’s no denying that Ziptrak blinds add a touch of elegance to any outdoor space. They’re not only loved for their functionality but their cosmetic appeal. By installing them on your patio or alfresco area, you instantly beautify the space.

Addresses Privacy Concerns

Sometimes all you want is to relax on your patio in peace and away from nosy onlookers. Ziptrak blinds will help you achieve this. They provide you with a private and secluded haven of relaxation to enjoy those quiet moments.

You only need to make sure that you pick those that are made of darker colours so that prying eyes can’t see through them.

Extend Your Living Space

Is your current living space small? Do you have a patio? Why not merge these two areas? Installing Ziptrak blinds is a quick and affordable way of extending your indoors to your outdoors—pretty much like adding an extra room to your house. As a result, you fully utilise every space in your home without necessarily breaking the bank.

Easy to Clean

It’s not uncommon for dust particles to accumulate on blinds which makes them high maintenance. Fortunately, that’s something you don’t have to worry about with Ziptrak blinds. They feature smooth edges which are specially designed to minimise dust accumulation. This makes them low maintenance, so you don’t have to spend hours and hours cleaning them.

Known for Being Durable

A durable product is always a consumer favourite. And that’s another reason why Ziptrak blinds are so popular. They’re made of high quality robust materials that are designed to last. These blinds are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions without suffering premature damage. Just make sure that you purchase them from reputable retailers to enjoy such quality and longevity.

Environmentally Friendly

Did you know that the electric motors found within Ziptrak blinds are capable of running on solar power? As such, using these blinds is eco-friendly. Plus, you save on your electricity bills.

Versatile

Finally, we love Ziptrak blinds for their versatility. You can place them almost anywhere you want, be it your balcony or even your outdoor pool that has a roof.

Plus, you have different installation options depending on your preferences. Do you prefer remote controlled blinds? These will make it much easier to operate even from the comfort of your couch.

Still on versatility, you’ll appreciate that Ziptrak blinds are compatible with various operational tools such as a motor, Kedar or spring balance locks.

Are you convinced that Ziptrak blinds are a must have for your home? Based on the above mentioned features and benefits, these blinds are definitely a winner don’t you think?

Leaving your parents’ house and moving into your own place can be an exciting but stressful task. When you move into your first home you have to consider how you’re going to make it comfortable for you to live in.

To make your home comfortable you’ll need furniture that will complement the architecture of your home. Find a furniture store that sells the type of pieces you’re looking for. If you’re an Australian local search for furniture stores Melbourne or other large cities can offer you, to ensure you get a big range to pick from.

Before you search for your ideal furniture stores take a look at these following five items you’ll need for your first home. After reading our article you’ll know exactly what to buy when visiting your furniture shop.  

1. A Comfortable Signature Design Couch

If you want to live in the lap of luxury the first item you need for your home is a beautiful plush couch that you can sink into.

There are many different designs to pick from that cater to different needs. You must decide whether you want a signature couch for its aesthetics or for its comfort.

Do you want something that’s bulky with a lot of cushioning? Or do you want a sophisticated chesterfield sofa? Whatever your style is, ensure that it fits with the décor of your entire lounge so that the sofa doesn’t look out of place.

Another aspect to consider when purchasing your first sofa is the size. The sofa should fit perfectly in your lounge without taking up too much space. Consider how many people it can seat too, so all your guests will have a place to sit when they visit.

When you use Google’s SERPs to find ‘furniture stores near me’, see if the retailer sells a sofa that has luxury fabrics such as velvet. This will add to the sophistication of your house. Perhaps add a few cushions to make your seating even more comfortable.

2. Add a Beautiful Coffee Table to Your Lounge

Coffee tables are convenient and they create a stunning centrepiece to any living space. Here are various designs to pick from:

• Steel and glass table: A coffee table that has a glass surface with a steel frame will work well in bigger contemporary houses. These coffee tables are easy to maintain and they are incredibly durable.
• Wooden tables: Hardwoods such as oak, mahogany, cherry and walnut are used to manufacture coffee tables. Wooden tables look stunning in medium-sized lounges with rustic décor.
• Marble tables: Natural stone coffee tables are typically used for outside patios but you can also place one in your lounge. These tables are perfect for smaller living spaces. The various patterns of marble add a pop of colour to lounges that have predominately neutral tones. 

3. Rustic Chic Cabinets are Popular

If you want to create a warm environment add rustic chic furniture to your home. Rustic chic cabinets are popular amongst the younger generation at the moment. These cabinets are painted in pastel blues or greens with flecks of gold or copper in them. Rustic chic furniture is made to look aged or worn by distressing the surface of the paint.

If you have a French country style home, rustic chic cabinets will look stunning in your kitchen or living room. Add antique accents on the furniture, such as floral steel handles on the cabinet doors for a charming vintage effect.

4. Every Home Should Have a Unit Filled With Books

A bookcase can be an excellent conversation starter when you have guests over, so ensure you have shelves packed with novels.

Perhaps you can create your own book nook so you have a place to put your bookshelf. A book nook is a small section of your home that has a comfy chair and a table where you can sit & relax while you read your favourite novel.

One way to integrate a bookshelf is to suspend it so that it doesn’t take up floor space. However, you should make sure the shelf is low enough so you can reach books easily.

5. A Chest of Drawers for Storage

Every home should have a big chest of drawers for storage. It’s incredibly convenient because you can store anything you like to save space. And if you find the right one it will add aesthetic value too!

Final Thoughts

Have you decided on furniture pieces you’re going to buy for your first home? Well, here’s an extra tip for you. Consider purchasing a sofa bed too. This will help accommodate guests if you want them to sleep over at your house.

Sofa beds are cheaper than standard beds, they’re comfortable and they are light enough to move around. A sofa bed is convenient because it’s used for sleeping or seating arrangements and it’s also aesthetically pleasing.

We hope you’ve established your décor style and you’re able to find the furniture that complements it.

Garage doors play an essential role in safeguarding everyone’s house. Almost eight out of ten homeowners are installing a garage door on their property to increase the safety and protection of their homes. With so many people investing their hard-earned money into a garage door, you might be getting curious about the basic procedure of a sectional garage door installation.

The most important thing you must know is that installations should be completed by an expert. For accurate information about installation and types of garage doors ensure you consult an industry professional or your local garage door association. There’s no harm for you to learn the process, however, it is not recommended as a DIY project.

There are many varieties and styles of doors available in the market and many considerations that go into the installation of a garage door. The installation process will vary depending on the door design and material choices made and your installation will need to follow local Standards and Compliance. The following points will outline the basic process of a sectional garage door installation.

1. Measuring and purchasing a new door

Before removing your old sectional garage door, you will have to measure the dimensions of the existing door so that you can buy a new one according to the measured dimensions. You must know the length, breadth, and height of the door that you are going to buy so that the new door will fit the size of the garage correctly. You will also have to determine the measurements of the backspace and headspace to allow the door mechanism to work.

Once you have determined the dimensions of the space where you are going to install the new door, it’s time for you to proceed to the next step.

2. Removing the previously attached door

Once you have determined the dimensions, it’s time for you to remove the old door. You will need to use a trolley or an opener to do so. You will first have to disconnect the door from the latches and then proceed to remove the door springs. Once you have removed all the springs, you will then have to carefully remove each of the door panels.

Make sure that you are only removing one panel at a time. Don’t try to remove everything all at once as the door may fall onto the ground, damaging both the old door and potentially the house. Once you have unscrewed the hinges, you can remove the panel on each side and detach it carefully from the tracks.

3. Installing the new door

Once you have completely removed the old garage door, it’s time to install the new door. To do this, you must install the door section-by-section so that it becomes easier. The first section includes attaching the rubber weather stripping to the panels. It will form the base of the panel and will ensure that your garage is well insulated and adequately sealed. Once you attach the weather stripping, you can proceed to install the brackets at the bottom of the panel and on both ends.

Once you have installed the brackets, you will have to attach it firmly to the frame of the door. After this, you can place the rollers into the hinges or brackets so that you can keep the panel safe. Utilizing the levelling tool, you will have to ensure that the door is level accurately. If not appropriately placed, the door might not open as expected and errors could occur. The weather stripping will help to ensure there are no gaps between the floor and the door.

4. Installing the remaining door panels

Once you have new door frame and necessary panels installed, it’s then time for you to fix all the remaining door panels. You will have to set the brackets, hinges, and other door panels in the same way that you have followed in the steps mentioned above.

5. Installing tracks and tightening the rollers

Once you have completed all the procedures mentioned above, the final steps include fitting the springs, tracks, and tightening the rollers to complete the installation procedure. Make sure that you don’t tighten the rollers tightly as the door might not move up and down freely.

If you are looking to install a new sectional garage door, it’s highly recommended you get in touch with a garage door professional. This way you can watch them do it correctly for the first time and learn all the procedures practically.

If you are in the market for a great mortgage lender, there are a number of important considerations that you are going to want to make as you start shopping around. Considering options such as your bank and local credit unions, online lenders and more. You will want to do research about rates, down payment requirements, closing costs and so much more.

If you are interested in learning about how to find the best mortgage lender, follow these simple steps!

Make sure your credit is as strong as possible

One fantastic way to make sure that you are getting access to the very best mortgage lender is to strengthen your credit as you prepare to apply for home loans. This means that you should be pulling your credit score and credit reports to see if there are any errors that are lowering your credit or any issues that you can fix in order to improve your credit.

One of the best ways that you can improve your credit is to pay down each of your credit scores below 30 percent of your total credit line. The reason why having a great credit score entering mortgage loan applications is because they serve as a way for lenders to learn about how dependable of a borrower you are.

If you have a great history of taking out loans and paying them back in time, the best mortgage lenders will be more likely to work with you.

Find an Intelligent Mortgage Advisor

This might seem somewhat obvious, but if you are purchasing your very first home, it would be a fantastic idea to work with a great intelligent mortgage advisor to help lead you through the twists and turns of applying for and taking out a mortgage loan. That way, you can feel confident about the decisions you make every single step of the way.

Set your budget

A lot of people talk about the fantasies of landing your dream home, but even more important than landing your dream home is landing your dream mortgage. Getting a great deal on a wonderful home will not only help you financially right now, it will help you for many years to come as you continue to reap more and more benefits out of your great home and home loan.

One great way to make sure that you are getting a great mortgage is to set the budget for your home, what you are looking to pay in terms of a down payment and what you are looking to pay in terms of mortgage payments, insurance costs and more.

Compare and contrast

Another fantastic way to make sure that you are getting the best loan available to you is to do your due diligence when it comes to speaking with a number of different lenders. That way, you will be able to get a great idea of what deals are out there and what you are likely to receive in terms of a loan, rate and more!

Real estate market trends have created the impression that for a house to be up for sale, it has to be in perfect condition. On real estate TV shows, home buyers are modelled as picky, often looking out for flaws with the house.

These trends have made it difficult for people with rundown houses to sell and make a profit. The sellers are discouraged by thinking who would want a property that requires so much work in renovations. It could be the very conspicuous rotting roof, the noisy hinges on the doors to almost every room, or the house is simply outdated.

However, by adjusting your strategy, you can still sell your house in a much simpler and quicker process that will leave you with good money in your pocket. Here are 6 tips on you can sell your house without spending time or money doing repairs and upgrades.

1. Get Rid of the Clutter

It’s virtually impossible to not accumulate junk after spending a few years in a house. However, what most people don’t understand is that clutter can make a house look smaller than it really is.

Remember, you’re selling a rundown house. So, the goal is not to make the place appear brand new, but presentable enough to make a profitable sale. There’s also the fact that no one wants to step into a house that looks disorganized and messy all-round so don’t hesitate to get your hands dirty and do some cleaning up. 

One good way of going about decluttering is doing a garage sale where you can make a bit of money. You could also choose to donate items that are in good conditions such as clothes to charity.

2. Try and Sell to a Cash Home Buyer

A lot of people usually want a quick sale of their property. If you’re wondering, ‘How do I sell my house fast, York’, it has highly professional cash home buyers who can buy your home quickly.

Selling to a cash home buyer is probably the best decision you can make if the state of your house has rendered it unable to sell on the open market. Professional cash home buyers are often willing to buy a rundown property so they can fix it up and sell it when it’s ready for a new homeowner to move in.

Another benefit to selling to cash home buyers is that the buyer does not require approval from the bank. This means that the sale can be bought fast regardless of the condition of the property.

3. List Your House ‘As Is’

Listing your house ‘as is’, or a fixer-upper, is a safe choice you have when there’s simply too much work in repairs to do, or you don’t have the time or money for renovations.  An as-is property is a house that is not ready to house occupants as per the market standard.

However, this option may mean that you’ll not find a buyer right away. This is because most people looking up houses on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) are probably looking for houses they can move into almost immediately.

If you’re going to list your home as a fixer-upper, then make sure you highlight the best features of the house in a bid to emphasize its value. Try and look at it from the perspective of a potential buyer to try and get a picture of what would work for and against you in selling the house.

4. Be Honest About the Possible Drawbacks About Your Home

It’s pretty much straightforward that every house has its strengths and shortcomings. Therefore, you should be upfront and acknowledge any drawbacks that come with your property to potential buyers.

As you prepare your listing, make sure you set up an honest description of your house especially because buyers are aware of just how much deceptive property marketing material can be deceptive. There’s nothing as bad as a prospective buyer getting excited by the online ad of a house only to find disappointment when they do a site visit of the property.

5. Do a Cost Analysis of the House Repairs Needed

For you to make a successful sale of your house, you might want to do a few basic aesthetic repairs. This is important because a few upgrades such as fresh paint could pique the interest of potential buyers who would have otherwise passed on your property during their house hunting.

Bear in mind that some repairs will cost more than others. Therefore, you might want to do a cost analysis as you don’t have to fix everything to sell your house. However, make sure that you reveal everything that is wrong with the house, especially those that are not directly visible.

6. Price Your Property Right

Few things kill a real estate deal faster than overpricing its value. You might have spent a few good years in the house and bear immense sentimental value for it. However, try to avoid factoring in your emotions as you try and come up with a fair price value for your home.

You want to set a competitive price that will motivate buyers to pay a site visit despite the condition of your house. You’ll find that you may even trigger a bidding war which may hike up the profits to where you wanted in the first place, or even more.

Make sure your sale price is defined by the square foot coverage of your property as well as its location. Do online research to find out the standard price of a property like yours. If possible, consult a real estate agent to help you come up with a fair price.

Details Matter If You’re Going to Do It Right

Selling a rundown house can feel overwhelming and hard to do especially if buyers keep bypassing your property. Unfortunately, as a solution, a lot of sellers invest a lot of money on repairing things around the house that a buyer simply will not notice or won’t pay extra money for. 

The key is finding the right audience for your property; someone who does not mind taking it as-is. Cash home buyers present a good target market from where you can start. Alternatively, with the tips highlighted above, you can market your house to potential buyers who would not mind buying your property at the right price.