Home & Garden

Older homes can often feel dated and stuffy, but with a few simple changes, you can give them a modern chic facelift that will make them feel fresh and stylish. The beauty is that most of these changes are easy and inexpensive to do, so you can enjoy a whole new look without breaking the bank.

However, before making any changes, getting a clear vision of your expectations is important. It’ll help you make choices that align with your overall style and taste. Once you have a vision, here are six ways to make older homes look modern chic:

1. Paint the Walls in a Light, Neutral Color

Neutral colors are safe and calming options for walls. They can help brighten a space, making it feel more open and airy. Additionally, painting an older home’s walls in a light neutral color can give it a chic, modern look. It’s the best choice if the home has some traditional features you want to keep while still giving it a fresh new feel.

Alternatively, use limewash, a type of paint made of lime, water, and pigment. It works well on any surface, but most people use it on brick walls because it can give them a stunning appearance. You can use a brush or a roller to apply and it dries quickly, so you won’t have to wait long before you can start using your room.

One of the best things about its versatility because you can apply it on drywall, plaster, or brick. It also comes in many different colors, so you can find one that will match the color scheme of your room. The paint is also environmentally friendly because it has no harmful chemicals and is biodegradable.

2. Hang Modern Artwork or Photographs on the Walls

One of the best ways to make an older home look modern and chic is by hanging modern artwork or photographs on the walls. It can add a personality and style to any room and help brighten a space. Also, hanging modern artwork or photographs can help keep a home updated and stylish.

3. Swap Out Old, Heavy Curtains for Lighter, More Modern Ones

Consider swapping old, heavy curtains for lighter, more modern ones. The relatively cheap and quick, simple changes can significantly impact the appearance. The main benefit of swapping out your curtains is that it will instantly brighten up the space and make it feel more airy and open. In addition, modern curtains boast lighter materials like cotton or linen, which will help to keep the room cooler in the summer months.

4. Update the Furniture to More Contemporary Pieces

Many people think they have to live with outdated furniture when they have an older home. Updating your furniture can make your home look more stylish and elegant and help you feel more modern and current at your home. Additionally, it improves your home’s function and flow.

However, choosing pieces that will complement your home’s overall style and architecture is crucial. You should also ensure that the furniture is functional, has high-quality pieces to last for years, and fits your family’s needs.

5. Change the Light Fixtures to More Modern Ones

Replacing outdated light fixtures with more modern ones is a great way to make an older home look stylish. By doing this, you can completely transform the look and feel of the entire space. Additionally, modern light fixtures are often more energy-efficient than their older counterparts, so you can save money on your energy bills while enhancing the look of your home.

6. Add Some Greenery With Fresh Plants or Flowers

Plants release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, making them an important part of keeping the air in your home healthy. They can also help to purify the air by removing toxins like formaldehyde. Flowers can add a touch of color and brightness to any room, improving your mood by providing a sense of relaxation or cheerfulness. Lastly, plants and flowers are a natural way to decorate your home without using artificial materials, which can be better for the environment and your health.

Closing Thoughts

With the above affordable changes, you can give your older home a modern chic facelift. However, it’s advisable to engage the services of a professional home designer to get the best results. They can help you determine the best way to improve your home’s appearance while staying within your budget. They also have access to many resources, helping you find the perfect furniture, lighting, and accessories to complete your vision.

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Your life may be made more accessible, and your everyday responsibilities are eliminated by contacting a professional cleaning service to clean your house. When you have a busy schedule, you won’t have to worry about fitting everything in.

Furthermore, professional services provide health advantages, including eradicating allergies and getting rid of dust by providing a thorough clean. Since their crew is skilled in the removal of germs, you don’t need to worry about mildew and mold.

So, here are some benefits of house cleaning and sanitizing services.

Cleaning and Sanitizing Areas

When cleaning your home, it’s crucial to keep various surfaces clean. Competent cleaning and sanitizing agencies can assist in guaranteeing infections won’t develop rapidly. Studies show that a professional service helps decrease microbial counts by between 90 and 99.9%, depending on the methods used and the cleaned surfaces.

Although germs may cling to and develop more readily on porous surfaces, non-porous surfaces pose a considerably higher risk of transmitting bacteria and viruses that cause illness. A 2013 study found that non-porous surfaces are more effective in transmitting microorganisms, with the rate of microbial conversion efficiency hitting approximately 80% under optimum circumstances.

Although the efficiency of cleaning and sanitizing surfaces varies based on the cleaning product, techniques, and intensity, it considerably reduces this risk.

Preventing Allergies and Other Health Problems

Maintaining a clean home is especially crucial when a family member is sick. A professional emergency cleaning service will decrease the likelihood of illness by lowering bacterial and virus concentrations on surfaces around the house. Additionally, regular cleaning can help prevent illnesses like COVID from spreading throughout the house.

Millions of people globally experience allergies, a primary source of chronic sickness in the nation. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are frequently used in vacuums by cleaning companies to remove various allergens from homes, thus removing irritants that trigger allergies.

Bathrooms are particularly crucial areas to keep clean in a home. Regular expert cleaning services will ensure they don’t turn into bacterial, mold, and other fungus habitats.

Getting Rid of Pet Odors

In addition to the typical pet allergies, domestic animals frequently have unpleasant odors. These scents can be removed with regular washing and sanitizing.

Professional cleaning services are more likely to pay attention to areas of a home that need extensive cleaning and sanitizing than amateurs do. Amateur cleaners may have challenges due to not knowing how to perfectly clean a specific place or being unable to reach the area.

Safeguarding Your Children

Infants and young children must be safeguarded since they are more prone to contracting numerous diseases. Keeping your house germ-free is the best way to ensure that your kids are safe. Whatever your work schedule demands, you can hire an individual to ensure your house is cleaned regularly.

Choosing the Right Cleaning Equipment

The cleaning and sanitizing chemicals used in the home are a crucial additional component to consider. Professional cleaning services frequently employ cleaning solutions that are especially created to thoroughly clean and sterilize items like appliances, carpets and other floors, granite worktops, wooden materials, and furniture. Professional cleaning services know the types of cleaning agents to avoid using on particular items and how to clean without causing dents or leaving stains. They frequently have recourse to cleaning supplies that are far more powerful. A trustworthy expert will also guide you in maintaining proper hygiene standards.

Energy and Time Savings

Cleaning your house is labor-intensive and requires a lot of time and effort to perform correctly. Professional agencies have created methods that make a thorough home cleaning faster and more effective. Utilizing cleaning services will help reduce labor intensity to maintain a clean and safe house.

Bottom Line

Professional cleaning and sanitizing services ensure that your contoured areas are tidy using certified appliances and staff inspections, which are extremely important. Unskilled individuals could miss the areas that require cleaning, while professional services assure competent teams clean and disinfect any surface. These include walls, carpets, bathrooms, window glass, etc.

Hire competent cleaning and sanitizing services to relieve you of your tedious everyday cleaning responsibilities. Reach them out to ensure you have spotless restrooms, clean areas, and window glass. Instead of choosing cleaning and sanitizing when you’re short on time, you may take a long, soothing warm bath and indulge in cans of beer as they work on your cozy dwelling.

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Your home is where you’re supposed to feel most comfortable. While many people focus greatly on the inside of their homes, too often do they overlook their backyard. Your backyard could be one of the best places in your home if you upgrade it enough. There are many DIY backyard upgrades that you can do that are easy enough to do on your own, without sacrificing results. But what are they?

 

Add a Fire Pit

It may seem like a no-brainer, but adding a fire pit is an easy backyard upgrade that adds a lot of luxury to your yard. A fire pit is great for night-time fires, roasting s’mores, and enjoying the outdoors with those you love most. Not only that but adding a fire pit is easy to do!

To add a fire pit to your backyard, you’ll need to make sure that you have a clearing suitable for it. This means no overhanging trees within 8 to 10 feet above your pit, and at least 6 feet around. This ensures safety while the pit is in use. Once you’ve found the place, you’ll need to collect your materials and build the pit. You may build a fire pit out of brick, stone, or something similar. For the base, you may wish to put a layer of dirt, or stone. This helps prevent the fire from spreading to your grass. Build your pit, and relax, you’ve just added a major upgrade!

Add an Outdoor Porch

Having an outdoor porch is a great way to relax in the summer without the risk of being bit by too many bugs. This is great to help keep animals and other intruders out as well. Many people prefer an outdoor porch for the added layer of safety and comfort. These are great for late-night book reading sessions, family game times, and more.

To build an outdoor porch, you’ll want to create blueprints or buy a kit. You may wish to consult the advice of a professional. Consider having custom tarps made for your porch panels, as they provide a great source of shade, as well as weatherization benefits.

An outdoor porch is great for some added luxury as you relax, especially with the bonus of tarps for shade during the hot summer days.

Add a Gazebo

Adding a gazebo is a great way to spruce up your backyard. By adding a gazebo, you’ll add a place to relax, garden, and even grill. Not only that, but gazebos look great, which only adds to the overall style of your backyard.

Consider purchasing a gazebo already made, or building one with pre-made plans. If you’re crafty enough, you’ll have the option of building a gazebo from scratch. However, this is by far the most time-consuming and hard option. Be sure that you have the skill and the tools to complete the project safely before beginning.

Add a Pool

Pools are a great way to add some extra zest to your backyard. They’re a great way to beat the heat while adding fun and luxury. There are many ways to add a pool, whether by an inflatable, an above-ground, or even an in-ground pool. However, in-ground pools may require special equipment and professional expertise.

For added safety, consider adding a tarp and a safety fence to protect the pool when in use, and when it’s not. If you have children make sure your pool is properly fenced.

Many DIY backyard upgrades will transform your backyard into an oasis of fun and relaxation. From adding a swimming pool to adding a comfortable porch with tarps for shade, and so much more. There’s an upgrade to fit any backyard. You may even consider adding a garden or focusing on your landscaping to help tie it all together! Your backyard is a place to entertain and enjoy. Doing those things gets a lot easier when you spend some time putting in some DIY backyard upgrades!

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The summer months are the time to relax and kick back with friends at the pool or beach. But when temperatures heat up, it’s important to ensure you stay cool. Summer is also when energy bills can skyrocket because your air conditioner will run more than it usually does. Estimates show that up to a third of households’ energy use goes towards keeping the home cool in the summer. Following these simple steps can reduce those bills and save more money.

1. Turn Down the Thermostat in the Summer

If your home is too hot, try turning down your thermostat by a few degrees. If you’re not home during the day, make sure you have a programmable thermostat so it will turn down automatically when you’re gone.

A programmable thermostat is a handy device that controls your home’s temperature without you having to do it manually. The programmable thermostat is the smarter way to maintain the temperature in your home. You can easily set the temperature in your house at night, so it’s cooler when you get up in the morning, and set it back at night when you’re going to bed, so it doesn’t get too warm.

2. Do a Deep Cleaning of Your Air Conditioning Unit

One way to keep your bill low during summer is to clean your AC filter monthly. This can help you save on your energy costs because you’ll notice that your heating and cooling system works more efficiently when it’s kept clean. It would help if you also had the unit serviced by a professional each year to ensure it’s running as efficiently as possible.

3. Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance

Another way to save money is to schedule routine HVAC maintenance with a reputable company. At least twice a year, you should have your ducts and vents cleaned so that the cool air reaches every area of your home. It would help if you also got the unit serviced once a year to fix problems as they arise quickly. Keeping up with these regular maintenance appointments will help ensure your air conditioner runs efficiently for many years.

You can also get emergency furnace repair. However, most of the time, you will find that the problems you have can be solved by regular HVAC maintenance. This includes cleaning or replacing furnace filters and emptying the furnace’s collection box at least once a year.

4. Close the Blinds During the Day

Even if you live in an apartment, you can still control the temperature in your home by closing the blinds during the day. This will help to block out direct sunlight, thereby keeping your home cooler. You should also pull down window shades at night, as this will help keep it cool and dark when you’re ready to sleep.

5. Use Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are a must, especially when it gets a little hot in the late afternoon. They can reduce your cooling costs by up to 40 percent. Fans help circulate the air in your home and keep it moving, so it doesn’t get stale or too hot. They also help evaporate moisture in the air, which helps cool you down. Make sure you have ceiling fans in all bedrooms to enjoy them throughout the house.

6. Use Energy-Efficient Lighting and Appliances

To reduce energy use throughout the year, try switching out your incandescent bulbs for light-emitting diodes (LED). They save money over time because they don’t need to be replaced often, and you’ll also see a distinct drop in your energy bills.

If you’re not cleaning the inside of your dishwasher, you’re wasting money. The same goes for not running your clothes washer properly. Also, if you aren’t drying your dishes properly, it will be more efficient to hand wash them instead of using a dishwasher. By investing in energy-efficient appliances and replacing them with newer models that are more efficient, you’ll save money for years to come.

Conclusion

Following these seven tips will save much money on your energy bills. Make sure to save energy in the summer to enjoy the pool or the beach while keeping your air conditioner running more efficiently. By utilizing these tips and working towards energy efficiency, you can do your part in saving the environment one step at a time.

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If you’re ready to complete a few fun home DIY projects in your spare time, you’ve come to the right place. As if you continue reading you’ll discover DIY tips and inspiration which will help you complete your home DIY projects.

House DIY tips and inspiration:

Use baby oil to get paint off your skin:

If you plan on painting your drawers to give them a new lease of life or painting your walls with a fresh coat of paint, it’s inevitable that you’ll get a bit of paint on your skin. While paint may be notoriously hard to get off your skin, you can easily remove paint from your skin by using baby oil to clean your skin.

Add a couple of drops of vanilla essence to your paint tray:

In order to avoid having to breathe in overbearing paint fumes, it’s a great idea to add a few drops of inexpensive vanilla essence to your paint tray.

Glue the bottom of your paint cans to plastic plates:

If you don’t want to accidentally spill paint onto your floor, it’s a great idea to glue the bottom of your paint cans to plastic plates.

Use double sided tape to fix your rugs to your flooring:

If you’re sick of your rugs slipping and sliding around, there’s a simple solution which you should try out. Simply use double sided tape to fix your rugs to your flooring. As there’s no need to purchase a specific rug gripper to keep your rug firmly in place.

Dunk your craft scissors into hot water before attempting to cut fabric:

If you find it difficult to cleanly cut fabric, there’s a magic solution which you should try out. Simply dunk your craft scissors into hot water for a few seconds before cutting your material and your scissors will glide through your material with ease.

Use a cheap broom to apply a stain to your wood floors:

If you want your wood floors to sparkle like new, you don’t need to purchase a specific stain applicator to evenly stain your wood floors. Instead, simply use a cheap broom to stain your wood floors.

Use shoe polish to buff out any marks on your wood floors or furniture:

If you discover marks on your wood floors or furniture, don’t panic as you’ll be able to easily buff out any marks on wood surfaces using a dark shoe polish. Alternatively, if you don’t have any shoe polish in your home, you can used ground coffee to buff out your unsightly marks instead.

Consider painting your radiators with spray paint:

Instead of trying to hide a radiator turn your radiator into a statement piece of wall art by using inexpensive spray paint to give your radiator a brand new lease on life.

Cover the tips of nails with soap before hammering them into your walls:

To make it a whole lot easier for your nails to glide into your walls, it’s a wise idea to cover the tips of your nails with a bit of liquid soap before hammering them into your walls.

So if you frequently compete home DIY projects, hopefully you found all of the home DIY tips and inspiration listed above useful. Especially if you spend your weekends completing fun DIY projects.

As your home should be your sanctuary, it’s a great idea to look out for new ways to keep your home and garden well maintained. To discover a few clever home and garden tips to test out, simply continue reading.

7 Clever Home and Garden Tips:

Create cleaning and maintenance lists for each room in your house:

In order to ensure that each room of your home is kept in pristine condition, it’s a great idea to create handy cleaning and maintenance lists for each room in your home. For example, you may want to list polishing hard wood floors in your bedroom as a task to complete to keep your bedroom in great condition.

Don’t be afraid to wash your shower curtain in your washing machine:

To avoid your shower curtain from becoming dirty, it’s a wise idea to wash your shower curtain in your washing machine. This is a great tip, if you usually throw your old shower curtains out, in favor of purchasing a brand new shower curtain.

Place a shoe rack next to your front door:

One way to keep your home’s floors in perfect condition is to place a small shoe rack next to the front door of your home. So that your guests will understand that your home has a no shoes policy. This is a particularly great idea if you feel slightly awkward about telling your friends to take their shoes off when they visit your home.

Don’t use generic potting mix:

Generic potting mixes aren’t nutrient rich. So it’s a wise idea to invest in soil which is specific for your needs. As an example you can buy soil which is formulated to help roses thrive or to produce healthy, vegetables.

Make sure that your plants get plenty of sunshine:

If you’re thinking about creating new flowerbeds in your garden, make sure to position your flowerbeds so that they get plenty of natural sunlight each day. Alternatively, if you’re interested in creating your own vegetable garden in order to eat healthier and to save money, also make sure to position your new vegetable garden so that it enjoys as much sun per day as possible. If in doubt, take note of which area in your garden enjoys the sun the longest and which areas are covered in shade by the later afternoon.

Consider planting mini vegetables:

If you want to sample your fresh produce in a short space of time, it’s a great idea to buy seedlings from your local garden center which grow miniature versions of your favorite vegetables. As examples, you may want to purchase seedlings to grow baby carrots, baby beetroot and miniature lettuce.

Find out which vegetables grow well next to each other:

It’s a brilliant idea to find out which vegetables grow well next to each other, to ensure that your vegetable garden thrives. As an example, carrots grow well next to green beans and tomatoes. While corn grows nicely beside cucumbers, pumpkins, peas and green beans.

So if you’re keen to turn your home and garden into your own private sanctuary and enjoy finding new ways to keep your property well maintained, it’s a great idea to test out the tips which are listed above.