Tag: tips

Top tips to make your Californian home more eco-friendly this fall

Top tips to make your home more eco-friendly | H is for Home

While it’s good to hear that many people from all four corners of the planet are becoming more eco-aware around their home, simply emptying the recycling bin just isn’t enough. We all want to do our bit to help the environment, as well as save some money at the same time, so if you’re serious about reducing your carbon footprint, making changes to your home should be a priority.

Being aware of how much energy you’re consuming can be a great place to start, meaning you can put measures in place to help you live more environmentally friendly. If you’re in need of some help, here are some useful tips on how to make your Californian home more eco-friendly this fall.

Insulate

Nobody wants to return home to a cold and draughty environment. Your home should be the one place where you feel the most relaxed and comfortable, so if you’re serious about trying to use as little energy as possible, investing in insulation can be a great way to hold in the heat and improve your property’s eco-friendliness. To start with, you should make sure that your roof and walls are insulated, as well as considering double-glazing your windows if they aren’t already. Laying down a rug can also be a stylish and cost-effective way to help keep your home warm, helping to prevent any warm air from escaping through the cracks in the floors.

Cleaning products illustration

Use natural cleaning products

Most home-owners like to ensure their home is kept clean and tidy. When it comes to performing household chores, you may not realize all the harmful chemicals that could be in your cleaning products which are bad for the environment. The last thing you want to do is wash them all into the water supply, so making minor changes and opting for natural products such as bicarbonate of soda and vinegar can not only leave your home sparkling clean, but help you follow a more eco-friendly way of life.

Install solar panels

Solar panels have become increasingly popular, especially for those who want to go greener. One of the main benefits of installing solar panels on your property is that you can save money on your energy bill, meaning you won’t get a nasty shock when the bill comes in at the end of the month. What’s more, as you will have completely clean electricity, you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re doing your best to live as eco-friendly as possible.

If you’re serious about installing solar panels, try to find a reputable company like Semper Solaris. They provide solar panel installation across California and are regarded as the top solar company in the state. They can let you know more about how much solar panels cost, as well as how they work and how they can benefit your property.

Energy-efficient bulb

Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs

Another great way to save on energy is by using the right light bulbs throughout your home. If you’ve been using incandescent bulbs, you may find it best to switch to more efficient ones such as LEDs. Although they’ve been around for a long time, it’s taken a while for people to take notice and come around to the idea of switching to them. Not only do they use less power, they last longer too, making it a no-brainer to make the switch and reduce your energy bill.

Set heating and cooling temperatures correctly

Your freezer and refrigerator are most likely the highest electrical energy consumers in your property, therefore, it’s crucial that you take appropriate action to ensure they are not working harder than they need to. There are various measures that you can take such as making sure you’ve closed the fridge and freezer doors. You may not be aware of it, but even leaving them open for a few seconds can waste a ton of energy.

Unplug sign

Get unplugged

Whether you live by yourself, or with family, it’s likely that you have lots of electronic appliances dotted across your home. Devices such as computers, laptops, CD players and TVs can consume tons of energy when in standby mode, therefore, when you’re heading out for work, or before you hit the hay, make sure that you go around your property to unplug any appliances that are not in use. While it may not seem like a big deal at the time, no one wants to pay extra on their energy bill.

Stop leaks

Make sure that you go around your home to check whether there are any leaks. Making your property as leak-proof as possible can make a huge difference and see your utility bills drop dramatically. If you aren’t sure where to start, you can conduct an energy audit, which gives you a better indication on how much energy you and anyone else in the home is consuming. If you hire a specialist to come out and perform an energy audit, they’ll be able to give you useful tips and techniques to help reduce your utility bills.

Smiling sun illustration

Let the sun in

There are so many benefits that natural light can bring. If you’re prone to keeping the curtains shut, you may not realise the impact it could be having on your energy bills. It’s important that you open your blinds, shutters and curtains which can allow solar energy to seep into your home and brighten it up for the better.

Use appliances efficiently

How you use your appliances can play a major part in how much you’re shelling out for your energy each month. Thankfully, there are lots of useful tips that you can take on board to help cut costs, such as waiting for a full load before switching on the washing machine, dishwasher or tumble dryer. Also, ensure that you clean out the lint filter after every dryer load and air dry your clothes when the weather allows. When it comes to cooking, only preheat your oven when necessary. Making small but subtle changes can help you be more eco-friendly and keep your utility bills down.

Illustration of a house with leaves for a chimney

Clear the air

There are lots of measures that you can take to help create a green and healthy home. Whether it be stopping smoking in the home to stop any nasty chemicals from polluting your property, growing plants indoors, installing a carbon monoxide detector, or doing a radon check (which is a radioactive gas naturally present in soil), making your home as environmentally friendly as possible is important.

Control water usage

If you live with others, it can be all too easy to use excess water without even realising, however, the more you use, the more you’ll have to pay out at the end of the month. To help slash your bills, you may want to consider installing a water displacement device which can help reduce the amount of water that you’re using. Remember, every little helps, so whether it be switching off the tap while you’re brushing your teeth, or limiting your shower time, you’ll be thankful in the long run!

These are just a few of the top tips that can help make your Californian home more eco-friendly this fall.

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4 tips to make painting a room easy every time

4 tips to make painting a room easy every time

When your home is looking a bit tired, the easiest way to freshen it up without spending a lot of money is by giving it a fresh coat of paint. It’s one of those jobs that you can do yourself and it should be easy. Unfortunately, it’s not always as easy as you think it’s going to be and sometimes, you regret getting started in the first place. However, painting can be really easy as long as you know how to do it properly and you use a few small tricks to make things simpler for yourself. Here’s how to take the stress out of painting a room and get it done quickly.

Dust sheet covering a sofa

Move the furniture out

A lot of the time, people move a few things out of the room and then cover the big pieces of furniture with a dust sheet to protect it when they paint. That’s fine and you can do it that way if you like, but that furniture is still in the way when you’re trying to paint and there’s still a chance that it will get damaged. That’s why you should consider renting storage and just moving everything out for a few days until you’re finished. It’s an added cost but it will make life so much easier for you while you paint the room and you can be sure that you get a great finish on the walls.

Applying grey paint to a wall with a roller

Go for slightly darker colours

When you’re picking colours, you might want to consider going for slightly darker colours because they’re more forgiving. You don’t really want to go for beige because it’s a pretty boring colour and it shows up every single tiny mistake that you make, and it gets dirty easily. Your house will look way more interesting and you’ll get a better finish on the paint if you choose a different colour. Just make sure that you don’t go for anything too dark, otherwise, the room can look cramped and gloomy.

A collection of well-used and badly cleaned paint brushes

Buy good brushes and rollers

When you’re doing any home renovation project, you always want to keep the costs low, but don’t make the mistake of going for cheap brushes and rollers. You might save a bit of money but it will make the painting a lot harder than it needs to be. Paint goes on so much better and you get a more even finish with good quality rollers and brushes so it’s worth spending the extra money. As long as you clean them properly straight away and look after them, they’ll last you a long time.

Preparing walls will filler prior to painting

Don’t skip the prep

Sanding off any lumps and bumps and then cleaning the walls properly is a bit of a pain but if you decide to skip this step, it’ll be harder to get a good finish when it comes time to paint. But if you prep the walls properly before you get started, the paint will go on easier and bond to the wall more effectively so painting is easier and you get a better end result.

Follow these simple tips and painting a room doesn’t have to be a chore any more, it’ll be a pleasure.

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The biggest property turn-offs revealed

The biggest property turn-offs revealed

If you’re thinking of putting your house on the market, you may want to have a read of GoCompare’s ‘Top 20 property turn-offs’ before letting potential buyers take a look around.

From the nice-to-haves to the absolute deal-breakers, find out how to make your home buyer-friendly.

20) You may think it’s how your property looks on the inside that matters most, but when first impressions count, it’s just as important to consider the exterior. 31% of people surveyed by GoCompare Home Insurance said that they would be put off by stone cladding, render or pebble dash on exterior walls.

19) A cold house that’s expensive to run isn’t going to appeal to anyone. 37% of respondents said that they wouldn’t want to buy a house with an old boiler or central heating system.

18) You can’t choose your neighbours, unfortunately, which may be an issue for those of you who have students living nearby. 37% of us say that we wouldn’t want to buy a home if there are students renting the property next door.

17) Most of us will do everything we can to get our homes in tip-top shape before putting it on the market. If your DIY skills aren’t up to scratch however, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. 38% of us are put off bad DIY jobs.

16) 39% of us don’t want to live in a house with a small kitchen. If possible, consider opening the kitchen up into your living room. Open-plan living is very popular at the moment and it will make your kitchen feel much bigger.

15) Small rooms are a turn-off for 40% of us. Unless you’re happy to knock walls down and turn two small bedrooms into one bigger one, a simple de-clutter and coming up with clever storage solutions can help. Buying a bed with drawers inside it is one great example of adding storage without compromising on space.

14) 43% of buyers would be put off a home if it was close to a major road or motorway. If you’re worried about external noise, window shutters act as a great sound barrier and can help to keep unwanted noise at bay.

13) 43% of us are put off by a dilapidated neighbouring property.

12) Poor natural light and dark rooms are a turn-off for 43% of us. Again, window shutters installed by a reputable shutter company such as Purely Shutters can really help with this issue. By adjusting the slats, you can let in as much light as you like without compromising on privacy.

11) If you can’t afford to spend much on renovating your house, make your electrics a priority. 46% of people say they’re put off a home with outdated electrics and wiring.

10) Nearly half of us (46%) are turned off by a dirty house. Start with a thorough de-clutter and then get those marigolds out and get scrubbing. If you don’t have the time (or inclination) to do it yourself, hire a professional cleaning company to do it for you.

9) Back to the neighbours again – 48% of us don’t want to see rubbish strewn in neighbouring gardens. If it’s really an issue, try having a friendly word with your neighbours and explain that you have viewings coming up. You may even have to lend a helping hand but it will help to sell your property faster.

8) 51% of us are put off a property that’s not connected to mains gas.

7) 52% of us don’t want a house without a garden. If you have any outside space at all such as a balcony or roof terrace, make it look great so you can really sell on this.

6) if you have any unfinished building work, now is the time to get it done. 53% of buyers don’t want to see half-finished jobs when looking at houses.

5) With our smart phones firmly attached to us at all times, it comes as no surprise that 53% of us don’t want to buy a house in a broadband black-spot.

4) No parking would put off 56% of potential buyers.

3) 59% of us don’t want to see a property in a poor state of repair. This may include rotten window frames and peeling paintwork.

2) If there’s a bad smell lingering around your home, it’s time to address it. 63% of us are put off bad smells including damp, food, cigarettes and pets.

1) Our number one turn-off when looking for a new house to buy is damp stains on walls and ceilings. With 69% of us saying this would stop us buying a home, if there’s only one issue you can afford to fix, make sure it’s this.

Speaking about getting your home ready for potential buyers, Ben Wilson, a spokesperson for GoCompare’s home insurance commented:

‘Buying a home is a major investment and most people are put off by outdated properties or those in a poor state of repair. While dated décor can be remedied easily and relatively cheaply, major flaws from poor maintenance or badly botched DIY can be expensive to put right. In particular, if a property shows evidence of damp – whether it’s a stain or mouldy smell – it’s a warning sign which, depending on the cause, could be costly to repair.’

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Redecorate without redecorating: 5 Quick tips

'Redecorate without redecorating: 5 Quick tips' blog post banner

Bedroom of Marc and Edwina Boase in Brighton taken from their feature on Design*SpongeImage credit: Daniela Exley via Design*Sponge

So, this is the holy grail of all interior design; how to redecorate without actually redecorating. But just in the same way that a new pair of shoes makes Carrie Bradshaw feel like she has a whole new outfit, and the same way that a new supercharger makes Lewis Hamilton feel like he has a brand new car, there are some quick and cost effective ways to help you spruce up your home.

Our sitting room

Cushions and Throws

It’s truly amazing what a few cushions and throws can do for your home. If you want to build up depth and textures in your interior design, make sure you layer, layer… and layer some more. Not enough pennies in the piggy bank for some new fabric? Not to worry. Old curtains, bed sheets and upholstery offcuts can all be recycled to create your new cushion covers. For sewing newbies, here are 3 ways to make a cushion cover.

Orange feature wall in our kitchen

Paint a Feature Wall

An easy way of refreshing the look and feel of a room is to create a new focal point. A feature wall is quick and simple to do: a new lick of paint and you’ll have a whole new space. If you want to save money or you want to be more eco-friendly, you can even make your own home-made paint. Vintage industrial storage drawers in our sitting room

De-Clutter Your Home

Sometimes the quickest way of improving your home décor is to de-clutter and keep it looking clear & tidy. Throw away anything you don’t need, use old materials for recycling / up-cycling projects, and make sure you have ample storage around the house. For a range of storage units, chest of drawers, blanket boxes or display cabinets, visit the Fortune Woods website.

branch being used as a curtain poleImage credit: The Burlap Bag

Update Your Window Furnishings

Windows are key features in every room. You’d be surprised at how a new curtain fabric, a fresh tieback or an imaginative curtain pole makes a world of difference. Visit UKTV to find out how you can make your own curtain tiebacks to save money.

Before & after painted chest of drawersImage credit: I create… with love

Paint Inexpensive Furniture

French colonial, English country cottage, shabby chic, mid century modern; there are so many different interior design looks you can create simply by painting an old piece of furniture. Buy second-hand furniture from a flea market or car boot sale and give it a new lease of life by painting it your desired colour. You can refresh the furniture regularly with a new coat of paint and edit your accessories / cushions to match.

If you do decide to go all out and redecorate, there are a few things you have to take into account. Planning is key and there is likely to be a lot of mess. Organising some skip hire may be beneficial.

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