How to Make an Old House Feel New Again

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Old houses have so much charm. They offer more in character because they are far different than the modern cookie-cutter houses you see nowadays. Each house is unique, carrying interesting architectural features that make it stand out in its own way. This alone is why so many people flock to older houses. But how can you make an old house feel new again?

One major issue with old houses is the fact that they sometimes feel stale. This is meant to be your dream home, and it’s a turn-off if it even has a stale smell too. They’re old, so it’s entirely excusable, and just as newer houses can easily be redecorated, it’s the same for old houses too. So, here is how you can make your old house look and feel totally refreshed! 

Embrace the timeless design

While it’s tempting to chase trends, consider embracing timeless design elements that will stand the test of time. Classic colors, neutral tones, and traditional architectural details can enhance your home’s character without feeling dated. There’s a fine line between having a home that looks too modern and too retro. There’s a balance, and it’s usually as simple as combining old and new elements. Think of wall trimming, for example. It’s an old trend, but it’s a timeless one because nearly all spaces can work with this. 

The exterior is just as important as the interior

This isn’t about the exterior of the house (although that’s going to count). What this means is that how the house operates and how it functions is going to play a major role.  You need to keep in mind that when it comes to old houses, the foundation is very old, the structure is old, and the roof, the siding, the door knobs, and even the pipes are ancient. 

You’re going to need plumbers, roofers, and other handymen that can help you out. So it’s not always about aesthetics, but it’s protecting the house. It’s about protecting the structure, and so on. So, just keep in mind while the interior design of a house matters, functionality matters most because this impacts the general longevity of this house. 

Take a good hard look at the kitchen

Older kitchens just have a certain style, and they’re totally different than modern-day kitchens. Just think back on what an older kitchen looks like; they usually have dark wood everywhere, the cabinets, countertops, you name it. Also, the floors have this super old appearance to them as well. 

While modern kitchens have this over-the-top white look where everything is marble, the two looks are incredibly distinctive, so why not combine the two? A refresh isn’t always a full kitchen renovation; it can be small, like using adhesives for your countertops. Even switching up the fixtures and finishings can make a huge impact too. 

Be sure to preserve architectural features

This is the lifeblood of an old house. Those unique features that are basically no longer there, that newer homes just lack. Embrace them, let them pop, and do what you can to give them more attention. It’s vital to helping the entire home look better and look more refreshed.

Energy Saving Tips to Lower Your Bill

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Homes are energy hogs. Sadly most are energy intensive and not set up for efficient heating and cooling methods. Although you can upgrade your current home to include more energy efficient features and appliances, that requires a lot of time and money. But there is a better way! You can use multiple energy saving tips to lower your bill that won’t burn a whole in your pocket. So where can you begin?

Service and repair broken appliances

Old, broken, or inadequately maintained appliances will consume more energy to function properly. As such, this puts more pressure on the appliance itself. Not only that, but this energy usage drives up your bills and increases the risk of more damage, or even failure. Carrying out regular service maintenance can minimize damage, lower repair bills, and keep your energy bills down. And it’s a hell of a lot cheaper to schedule regular maintenance than it is to replace an entire appliance because it failed. Things to consider getting checked are:

  • schedule HVAC repairs annually
  • have your dryer vents cleaned periodically
  • get regular roof inspections

These are just a few of the most common things to look out for!

Use Energy Star products – an energy saving tip

Now not every appliance is capable of being salvaged from a repair or regular maintenance. When that happens, you’ll need to invest in something a little more up to date. When you are looking to upgrade your appliances, look for those with the Energy Star Rating. To earn an energy star rating, the appliance must meet a strict set of criteria set out by the US Environmental Protection Agency or the US Department of Energy. This means you can guarantee they are more energy efficient to use, saving you both money and energy!

An easy energy saving tip is to insulate your home and prevent drafts

Insulate your home

You can insulate many parts of your home to help you regulate energy and lower your energy bill. The most common type of insulation is cavity insulation in roofing spaces. While this is a highly effective manner of insulating your home and one of the biggest energy saving tips, it isn’t your only option. You can insulate walls, floors, pipes, tanks, and even ducts. You can also draft-proof windows and doors to eliminate energy, escaping to lower your usage and bills too. A third of your energy is lost through inefficient wall options, so investing in wall insulation can be an excellent investment, along with draft proofing and loft insulation to help you cover as many bases as possible.

Switching to LED Lighting is an easy energy saving tip

Homeowners and renters alike can save over $200 per year by switching from incandescent lighting to energy-saving LED bulbs. LED bulbs are not only better for the environment and consume less energy, but they also last longer. This means you don’t have to worry about replacing them so frequently, making them more economical. For example, the ones that we just switched to in our home are good for 20 years! For someone with tall ceilings like we do, I don’t want to climb up there to constantly change them out. This recommendation is one of the easiest and most common energy saving tip.

Unplugging unused appliances will help you lower your energy bill

Have a “Turn It Off” mindset

If you think that keeping appliances plugged in doesn’t use energy, I’m sorry but you are wrong. Keeping unused appliances plugged in and switched on costs around $165 per year per household. If you find your energy bills are rising and you need to save money and reduce your usage, then ensure all unused outlets are turned off and unused appliances and devices are unplugged. The most common culprit is cell phone chargers. They can commonly be left plugged in and switched on for convenience. Not only does this damage your bank account, but the charger itself.

Lady switching off a light switch as an easy energy saving tip

Use OhmConnect to get rewarded

This tips goes hand in hand with the tip above. There are reward programs for quite literally anything nowadays. Saving energy is no exception to this rule! OhmConnect connects directly to your energy provider, tracks your energy usage, and gives you opportunities through Ohm Hours to get rewarded. Be aware though, not every person has an eligible energy provider to connect.

Ohm Hours happen frequently – especially during the summer. You will be alerted via email and/or text message for these Ohm Hours. In the message, they will tell you the date, time, and how much you could earn by reducing your energy during that time period. You are encouraged to turn off the AC, unplug unused appliances, and use this time to be as off the grid as possible. After a few days, your progress will be recorded and your reward will be given. You can use your rewards to cash out for your favorite brand giftcards or to cash out directly to PayPal. OhmConnect is a great way to save money both by lowering your energy bill and getting rewarded for doing it.

Use these energy saving tips regularly!

To conserve energy and reduce your usage, you can do many different things – from free actions such as turning off appliances to massive home renovations, to updating insulation and buying new appliances. But whatever you do, make sure you are making beneficial changes to see the savings add up!

Easy Bathroom Remodel Suggestions

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If you want to breathe life into your home, then doing an easy bathroom remodel is one of the best ways to do it. Bathrooms are a good place to start because they’re small. This means you can save money on upgrades, but still add value to your home. Even if you only upgrade a little at a time. Of course, you can rip the whole thing out and start again, but it’s not the best idea if you are trying to save some cash. The good news is that with some hard work or the right help from electricians, contractors, or websites like PlumbersStock.com, you can make sure that your bathroom is exactly what you want it to be. So what bathroom remodel ideas should you look at to start?

1. Look at any existing issues first.

This one should be a no-brainer. If your bathroom has a problem, this should be your first priority to fix. There’s no point in replacing flooring if you have a leaking shower or a plumbing issue. If you renovate over a problem, you’ve essentially wasted your money. Because you’ll have to rip out your renovations to fix the underlying issue. That being said, before you start, look around and evaluate everything first. Find and resolve those problems, and move forward from there! Consider modern tapware and plumbing items here because these are going to last you the longest.

white bathroom vanity with plenty of storage

2. Add some storage for easy bathroom remodel.

Bathrooms are notoriously tiny rooms. If you ensure that your bathroom has additional storage, you’re going to end up with a stylish space that is both visually appealing and practical all at the same time. You can do this in a few ways. You can:

  • upgrade your sink vanity to have more drawers or shelving
  • add a shower caddy to keep your shower clear of obstacles
  • place a laundry basket to keep your floor clear of dirty clothes or towels
  • add an additional bathroom caddy that is separate from your vanity to hold clean towels, toilet paper, or other toiletries

Not all of these additions need to be permanent fixtures. However the permanent fixtures will be the ones that add value to your home. Although storage adds monetary value to the space, it’s the value it adds to your peace of mind that is most important. 

3. Update the look.

This one is probably the easiest of your bathroom remodel ideas. The reason being is that more often than not, you won’t need professional help. The best way to update the look of a tired bathroom is a fresh coat of paint. With it being such a small room, you could easily finish a new paint job in a day. Once you have that paint job complete, time to start decorating to match! With lighting, rugs, and artwork, you can update the entire look of your bathroom. These updates can help you bring it up to a more stylish setting or just update an outdated area of your house.

Easy and valuable bathroom remodel suggestions

4. Look to increase the house value.

Renovations will always add value to your home, but bathroom renovations can really help to give it the edge. Bathrooms are one of the most important rooms of the house. Many home buyers look to the bathroom as a determining factor for their home purchase. Is it too small? Is it not functional? Are the fixtures outdated? You can increase the value with better shower pressure or an upgraded flooring material. Even a simple backsplash in the shower can do wonders! You can then add a higher price to the overall sales value if you have it listed on the market. New bathrooms give you something to enjoy, but it is also a great investment.

And easy bathroom remodel suggestion is to replace the shower head

5. Make it more functional.

Functionality can mean a lot of different things. Maybe it means swapping out the shower head for something more updated. Other times it could mean adding in a second sink so that you and your partner can get ready at the same time. Another idea could be to replace your shower curtain with glass to enclose your shower. Doing upgrades like this can ensure that your bathroom adds functionality and is a preferred space to spend time in. If you have a busy household, then you need to renovate to make it functional to suit the whole family. A simple addition of a laundry basket can help make sure that your bathroom’s floor stays relatively neat.

6. Make it more energy efficient.

When you buy a house, you also buy its problems. Furthermore, you also buy its outdated fixtures. An easy bathroom remodel for this area would be to swap out your lightbulbs for LEDs. But for more intense work, you’ll need the right electrician and plumber. They can help make your bathroom a much more energy efficient place. Lean into being more environmentally conscious with timed shower heads and low flow toilets. You can even use water saving fixtures in the bath and sinks, as well as radiant flooring to make the space much more energy efficient.

7. Upgrade your child’s safety.

Kids and bathrooms don’t mix without supervision. One of the best renovations that you can make to get it to the next level is to make your bathroom a child-safe place. With slip resistant floors and shower screens, you can make a point of making the bathroom safer for children. This will ensure that you are offering a better space for a family should they be the ones to buy the house when it’s off the market. 

There are so many easy bathroom remodel suggestions to pursue. But the point is that whatever you want to achieve can be done when you plan it out properly. If you want to sell the house, then you know that the upgrades are going to be an investment. If you are just upgrading for your own use, you have to plan your budget and make a renovation plan that makes you comfortable. Toilet suite upgrades and plumbing upgrades are just the beginning!

Top Interior Design Tips for a Dream Home

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Dream homes are normally ones that you’ve built from scratch. But that usually takes a lot of time, effort, and money. However, You don’t need to go to all of that effort! Buying a home and adding a few things could be enough for this. With a few interior design tips, you shouldn’t have a problem doing exactly that. All you should need are a few practical areas to focus on. With how much more of a dream home you’ll have, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t put the work into it. It should even be quite affordable. They’ll fit into any budget, no matter how tight it is.

Interior Design Tips: 3 Top Picks

1. Know Your Colors & Fabrics

Colors and fabrics interact with each other when you’re putting together your home décor. Make sure this is positive instead of negative. You should spend your time and effort making sure the colors and fabrics you pick actually work with each other. This makes your furniture and décor complement each other instead of clashing. Use these to accessorize your rooms and tie it all together in a nicer-looking way. It’s worth the time and effort you put into it. It usually just means spending a bit of time planning it out in advance and knowing which colors and fabrics you want. Take the rest from there.

2. Make It Your Own

An overlooked interior design tip is to make it your own. It’ll be your dream home, after all, so your own personal preferences dictate what you should and shouldn’t do with your property. As long as you have the space and budget for it, you should go for it. If you want hardwood flooring, for example, go for it. There’s no right or wrong when it comes to your dream home. If you’re dreaming of it, aim to make it a reality.

3. Size Up Furniture

You’ll need to have furniture in your home. Don’t just get the first pieces you like. Make sure they’re actually the right size for whatever room you’ll be putting them in. It’ll avoid you getting anything too big or too small, both of which present problems. Keep proportions in mind before you buy. The larger the room is, the larger your furniture should be, with the opposite also being true. If it’s too large for a room, it makes it feel cluttered and harder to move around in. Make sure you know the right sizes and take some measurements before making any purchases.

Interior Design Tips: Wrapping Up

Nobody finds a dream home that’s exactly what they want it to be. It’ll often involve doing up a property in various ways, but you don’t need to go too grand with this. With the right interior design tips for any budget, it should work out perfect for you. Getting the right sized furniture, focusing on making everything your own, and choosing the right fabrics and colors will help. No matter what kind of budget you’re on, you’ll have your dream home with minimal effort.

Top Notch Tree Care for Your Property

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It’s not new news that trees play a crucial role in our environment. They aren’t just the largest plants on Earth. They also perform vital functions that are essential for protecting our planet, our lifestyles, and maintaining a healthy world. Knowing how to give top notch tree care for your property is essential. It allows you to play a part in reducing deforestation and improving the air quality around your home.

Here are some tips for top notch tree care for trees on your property:

Tip #1 for top notch tree care: Water Correctly

Regardless of their age or establishment, trees still need watering. Young trees and newly planted ones require watering every couple of weeks for the first two years, especially during dry weather. However, if the soil is already wet, avoid watering the trees as it can cause waterlogging and damage the roots. Create a watering schedule based on the time of year and the specific needs of your trees.

Tip #2: Trim Properly

Regular tree trimming is crucial for healthy growth and maintenance. Remove any dead or diseased branches from the moment the tree is planted to allow it to reach its full potential. Pruning can also help control growth and prevent unwanted branches. It’s best to trim your trees in February and avoid doing so during the summer. If you are unsure of how and when to trim your trees, you can book a tree removal and tree trimming service to help you carry this out correctly.

Tip #3: Recognize Diseased Trees

It’s important to be vigilant and identify signs of disease in your trees. Swiftly remove any dead or dying trees to prevent hazards and property damage. Keep an eye out for warning signs such as missing bark or long cracks in the trunk, which can indicate tree distress. Additionally, if your tree is missing leaves during its usual growing season or leaning excessively, it might be a cause for concern. Consulting an arborist can help determine the best course of action for saving the tree or removing it if necessary.

Tip #4: Plant Native Trees or Plants

When it comes to landscaping your property, opting for native tree and plant species can make a significant difference in preserving the environment. Native species are adapted to the local ecosystem, requiring less water, fertilizer, and pesticides. By planting natives, you promote biodiversity, provide habitat for local wildlife, and help restore natural ecosystems. It’s a simple yet powerful way to contribute to the well-being of our planet while beautifying your surroundings. Go native and be an environmental steward.

How to achieve top notch tree care

Caring for trees on your property is vital to help ensure that you’re preserving their good health and giving them the best chance to succeed. Our environment needs every tree, and by paying attention to the tree’s health on your property, you can ensure its good health for many years to come.