Last updated Dec 19, 2020 | blog
More and more people are deciding to live a minimalist life and move to tiny houses. They seem to be a perfect option for those who want to change their lifestyle to a cheaper and more conscious one. You reduce the number of material objects to the minimum and restrict your living place to nothing beyond functional. They are meant to be eco-friendly as you reduce your carbon footprint and make prospective relocation easy.
Sounds perfect? Not exactly. Tiny houses often mean big problems. Although they seem to be an ideal solution to housing problems, you can face various unexpected challenges while living in one of them. Fortunately, you can remodel your tiny house and make it more accessible for daily living.
Toilet Issues
Tiny houses are problematic when it comes to answering nature’s call. Often, they don’t have a fixed septic system, and living in this little place means long wonders on how to get rid of the disposal. Some are equipped with dry toilets, which, if not cleaned properly, can cause an unpleasant smell in the whole house.
However, it doesn’t mean that tiny houses cannot have plumbing systems. In fact, they are not much different than the regular ones. You can run the pipes into the ground to a section of the yard that irrigates a garden and easily solve your problems regarding plumbing in Chicago or wherever else you end up when traveling with your tiny house.
Temperature
Tiny houses hold temperatures differently than normal-sized houses, and the temperature changes might be unpredictable and rapid. It’s not so easy to maintain the cool in the summer or warmth during winter. Cooling might be easier as you’ll need to find space in the shadowed area and open the windows to make a drought, but keeping the house warm is more challenging.
One of the options you have is installing a central heating system in your tiny house. However, as the surface you need to heat up is significantly smaller, you can think about the alternatives. Installing a wireless thermostat is a greener option, and it’s easier to control the temperature inside the house. Or, you can consider investing in a wood or pellet stove.
Garbage Storage
Tiny houses do not necessarily mean tiny trash, even if you are as zero-waste as possible. Garbage storage and disposal are another complicated matter for tiny house residents as they are not an exception when it comes to getting rid of garbage regularly.
You can compost as much waste as possible. And if you try to produce nothing beyond the biodegradable waste, composting is a great option due to being eco-friendly and giving the waste a second life. You can also keep the garbage in the glass space in your cabinets. After all, living in a tiny house means looking for unusual solutions. Finally, you can think about changing your house design to find a place to store your garbage. On the market, you can find trash cans with wheels that can be held in a ‘dead’ corner of your tiny house.
Organizing Your Space
Downsizing your living space also means downsizing your possessions. You need to get rid of all the unnecessary objects and adjust your house’s space to store them. There is no place for hoarding.
You can remodel your tiny house to make it as functional as possible. Think about furniture that has multiple functions. Some desks can function as dining tables. You can have drawers below your bed. If you live in a tiny house, you need to be as creative as possible when it comes to space. Another option, if you’ve already checked all the stores in searching for multi-functional furniture, is to pay to store your items.
Conclusion
As you see, living in a tiny house is not as perfect as it might seem on the surface. However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t deal with those challenges! Renovation of a tiny house is possible, and if you have a plan and stick to it, your creative solutions might make living in your little space more pleasant and trouble-free.
Think about all of the advantages that tiny houses provide you with, and don’t get discouraged by those problems. Living in them is not for everyone, as you will have to change plenty of your habits and adjust your lifestyle to the space you live in. However, if you still want to leave the consumerist way of living behind – implement those changes and enjoy your new life in a tiny house.
Last updated Dec 19, 2020 | blog
After settling in your new house, there are occasional repairs you will have to eventually make. Having some essential tools can help you work on some easy repairs without hiring a professional. Fill your toolkit with these 4 simple tools every homeowner needs to be prepared for emergencies.
4 Simple Tools Every Homeowner Needs
Maintaining your home requires high-quality tools because you don’t know when you might need them to perform some basic repairs. Here are the tools you should own.
Brad Nailer
This is a powerful tool designed for home improvement projects. It’s also ideal for joining furniture pieces or for your carpentry jobs. This electronic tool can fire18 gauge brads into pieces of wood to secure them. However, the greatest brad nailers are those that tackle different jobs effectively.
Brad nails are invisible on wood surfaces because they have a thin head and are small. Due to their small nature, you won’t have to refill the holes using a wood filler. However, you need to pick the right type of brad nailer to ensure it accommodates nail length.
Claw Hammer
This hammer will help you extract or pound nails into wood. It can also help you hang photos on the wall or dismantle your wooden deck. A hammer with a vinyl or rubber handle is an excellent choice as it offers a comfortable grip and has shock absorption abilities.
However, depending on your apartments’ size and other specifications, you may need to add to your toolbox different types of hammers to handle complex projects. For instance, sledgehammers will allow you to handle certain outdoor projects while rubber mallets are ideal for pounding materials you may not want to dent.
Tape Measure
This is one indispensable tool that you can’t fail to add to your toolkit. You will need it for tasks that require accurate measurements such as measuring furniture and remodeling your home. Models that measure 25 feet are ideal because they can tackle several home improvement projects.
When shopping for one, pay attention to the belt hook, locking mechanism, and the tang. Also, select one designed with acrylic or nylon coated blade for maximum durability. A digital tape measure is a good option since it will help you convert measurements.
Cordless Drill
A battery-powered cordless drill is another essential tool because you won’t have to worry about looking for an outlet before working on your projects. Modern cordless tools also run longer on one charge to allow you to work for an extended period.
You can also use your drill as a powerful screwdriver if you have some driver bits, to tighten hinges, or drive bolts into wall studs. However, remember to fully charge your tool before performing available projects.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Home Improvement Tools
If you tackle household tasks occasionally, you need tools that can handle the tasks. Below are the factors you need to check before buying your preferred tools.
- Safety rating: Safety should be your top concern because unsafe tools can cause severe injuries. To avoid injuries, choose tools equipped with some safety mechanisms.
- Essential features: Decide the features you want and then avoid buying tools with features you may not use to save money.
- Bare tools: Some cordless tools don’t come with a battery. However, there are many tools that use the same battery type, allowing users to buy one battery they can use with other different tools, thus avoiding unnecessary expenses.
- Project type: It’s also important to consider the types of jobs you plan to use with the tool you want to buy. For instance, a heavy-duty tool is suitable if you will be working on large projects.
Conclusion
It’s necessary to buy these tools if you don’t have them in your home to help you carry out repairs during emergencies or when you just want to give your home a simple makeover.
Dec 16, 2020 | blog
Is home maintenance costing you more than you expected? Even with all the routine costs spent on running the house, it can quickly end up looking dated and lackluster. So how do you freshen up your property when the money is tight?
There are actually a whole host of ways you can rehaul your home on a budget. Below, we present five house projects you can try yourself that won’t break the bank.
1) Re-Paint
Having a new coat of paint can really add freshness to your home. If you choose whites and neutral colors, you also increase the saleability of your property immensely. These colors make it much easier for potential buyers to imagine their furniture and belongings in the room, making the proposition much more attractive.
Even if you don’t want to sell your home, neutral colors will make your house look lighter. They will also enhance any features you do have, such as hardwood floors.
2) House Projects on the Exterior
As well as working on the inside of your home, you should also look at the exterior. No one wants to buy a house that looks like it is falling apart, with a dilapidated facade and a messy yard. One easy way to do this is with some gardening.
Clean up the yard and get rid of any junk or old furniture. Dig in and buy some great feature items from this list of plants, then sit back and watch them grow. All of this will add to the curb appeal of your home.
3) Replace Your Doors
Replacing external doors has a number of benefits for your home. Firstly, it increases the look of your home and can improve the home value. The right doors can show it as modern, fresh, and inviting.
If you go for a steel door, you are also increasing security. Opt for a door with a steel frame and vertical and horizontal locking mechanisms. It will also have the added advantage of increasing the energy efficiency in your home.
If you replace a garage door, you can use the existing motorized opener. This will save you a lot of money on a new one and will look great from the outside.
4) Replace Kitchen and Bathroom Fixtures
Replacing a whole kitchen or bathroom can get very expensive and is one of the bigger home improvement projects. However, you can make the upgrade much less expensive by swapping out the fittings and fixtures. Taps, draw knobs, and pulls, along with accessories such as towels and plants can actually make the room look like it has been fully refitted.
5) Install New Flooring
Flooring can totally overhaul the look of a room, and it does not always have to break the bank. If your floor is looking tired and dated, whether it is carpet or wood, then consider doing a refit. You can keep costs down by fitting it yourself or limiting it to one room or floor of the house.
Stick to your Budget
When conducting these house projects, always stick to a budget. That way your costs will not spiral, and if you come in under budget then you may have money for extra projects around the home.
If you enjoyed our handy house projects, then check out the rest of our blog. We have a number of articles on everything from finance to selling your property. Visit us today and let us help you build the perfect home on a budget!
Last updated Feb 9, 2021 | blog
So, Halloween left our houses, Thanksgiving too. It’s time to face the winter and prepare your room for Christmas!
As we all know, Christmas décor floods the world from the start of November and left it only in late January. But the winter is a beautiful season itself! If you’re not a fan of Christmas-only décor in winter – you’re in the right place! We want to introduce you to this list of decorations to change the spirit of our room to a winter one.
As winter is a season when people spend most of the time at home, it’s crucial to make it as cozy as possible. First of all – think about your personal associations with winter. Cold, snow, dark, grey sky? You can neutralize all of this! Or emphasize, if you really like it.
Of course, the radical decision of neutralizing the winter effects is to put plenty of plants in your room and turn it into tropics. You are free to go with it, but it’s winter after all. And you can use in your place the same things you use for your body.
Knitted Blankets
First of all – knitted blanket. It’s a cornerstone of winter coziness. No matter what are you doing – reading, writing your custom term paper, working, or just enjoying the insta-cats. This blanket will warm you and also it will cover your favorite chair or bed as a perfect knitted sweater. Just like you wear!
Great to choose warm light tones and chunky texture, but you go with what makes you feel the best. Also, it’s nice if you can knit one yourself.
Photo by Flora Westbrook from Pexels
Fairy Lights
What’s also makes us feel warm? Our friends and family. And light. You can combine them by using the warm-tone fairy lights with pins for photos. Hang it over your bed or table and add some heart-warming photos of your loved ones (cats are also a good choice).
Photo by Siri from Pexels
Candles
Speaking of light. As almost no one can afford the real fireplace in a flat, you can use the candles instead. One candle or a long row of them – it’s only your choice. You can choose perfumed ones, colored, plain white in a classic candelabra – take what your heart wants and décor allows. Old-fashioned lantern candlesticks can be a great choice too.
Photo by Jessica Lewis from Pexels
Rugs
Of course, it should be a rug! Floors can be cold, especially in the morning, so it’s good to lay a rug under your bed. The classic winter decision is a faux fur rug, but you can go with what you like better.
More Fur!
Faux is preferable. Add warm textile accents to your room. A pile of pillows in thematic pillowcases is a decision. It can be fur pillows to match the rug, some pillows with stitched “winter”, “snow”, and other related text or image on them.
Photo by Tan Danh from Pexels
Snow
What about the mystical shine of ice and snow? It makes winter magical. Hang some snowflakes on the places when the light can easily get them and enjoy the delicate shine.
Winter Bedding
It’s cold outside and you are comfortably lying in your bed… What a charming feeling. To make it more seasonal-appropriate, choose the special bedding for this time of year. Plain with some cardinals, snowflakes, or all-Christmas – it’s just your choice!
Eddie Bauer – Flannel Collection
Some more Décor Ideas
We all know the only bright tree in the winter forest is an evergreen one. Add some branches in vases, pinecones, hang the picture of your last winter skiing, put some dried oranges and cinnamon in a jar to make the tender aroma of mulled wine live in your house.
These ideas are only hints for you and we hope you’ll implement some of them in life!
Dec 3, 2020 | blog
It’s 3 am and you have a big day of work tomorrow—but you haven’t slept a wink. There’s not much worse than insomnia, leaving you tired and grumpy.
However, the solution may be simpler than you think—ditch your old pillows and try out a cervical pillow. These pillows are designed with a special curve, created to support your neck while you sleep.
Can it change your life? We think so! Keep reading to find three ways a cervical pillow can improve your sleep.
1. Support Your Spine and Neck
A chiropractic pillow is an essential item for those who care about supporting their spine and neck while sleeping. We spend around a third of the day sleeping, so it’s important to think about our sleep posture.
A normal pillow tends to go flat over time, losing its puff and leaving us without any support for our necks while we sleep. A cervical pillow, in comparison, is often made of memory foam and will keep its shape for years to come—keeping your neck at a natural and comfortable angle overnight.
You may find that a neck pillow helps ease discomfort, but getting into the routine of doing daily neck stretches can help too.
2. Relieve Tension
Do you find yourself suffering from back pain or neck tension? It’s something many of us struggle with on a regular basis, especially when working in an office and sitting at a computer screen all day.
However, a cervical pillow can help with this. Because it supports your neck and spine, you’re able to rest comfortably overnight, with the weight of your body balanced across the mattress.
Neck tension will be a thing of the past once you upgrade your pillows, so shop here to find the right cervical pillow for your needs.
3. Wake Up More Refreshed
After a night of tossing and turning, it often feels like you haven’t gotten any sleep at all. Some nights, it feels like you just can’t get comfortable, no matter what you do.
This is often caused by uncomfortable pillows that make it hard to relax. With a neck pillow, you’ll find it easier to relax, helping you drift off to sleep faster.
Cervical pillows work for both back and side sleepers, giving you plenty of ways to get comfortable. If you want to improve the quality of your sleep and wake up with more energy, switching up your pillows can help.
Try Out a Cervical Pillow Today
With so many great benefits to sleeping with a cervical pillow, what are you waiting for? Start making bedtime a more enjoyable experience by upgrading your pillows.
Shop online or visit a specialized bedding store to learn more about these pillows and find one that works for you. You’ll only need one, or two for a couple, so they can be more affordable than traditional pillows.
Once you try out your new pillows, you’ll be drifting off to dreamland before you know it!
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Last updated Dec 8, 2020 | blog
The construction industry has changed a lot over the recent past with new technologies, materials, and stylistic preferences. This presents people with more options than ever when it comes to building or redesigning their homes. One of them is hardwood for flooring. Wall-to-wall carpet was popular for years but more homeowners appreciate the look and feel of solid hardwood floors. High-quality hardwood floors have plenty of benefits which make them one of the most preferred building materials for floors.
Different designs
Wood is a natural material and therefore comes with different patterns and colors. If you are looking for diversity, a wooden floor is an ideal way to achieve such diversity. Various woods allow people to choose a pattern that suits their preferences.
Easy to clean
Do you find it hectic to scrub floors with various chemicals or them to be clean? Well, the good news is that a wooden floor will not require you to use such chemicals in the cleaning process. All you need is a dust mop and voila! You will have a clean floor within the shortest time possible. Wooden floors do not accumulate dust particles or mold that can be difficult to clean. Imagine the joy of waking up to dust the floor in a few minutes rather than moving the vacuum cleaner around the house. This is what you will be doing if you use a wooden floor in your house.
Easy to change the design
A lot of people tend to get bored with the design of their house. The best part about wooden floors is that you can change how they look from time to time. All you need is paints, stains, or inlays and you will easily achieve a new look. These are changes that cannot be made on other types f floors, such as tiles. You might be required to peel off the current tiles for you to achieve a new look in the house. This is costlier than buying paints to change the design of a wooden floor.
Requires less maintenance and repair
A wooden floor is known to last for many years without requiring any repairs. You must have walked on wooden floors in buildings that were built many years ago. If you invest in a hardwood floor, you will get value for your money in the long run. Other floors might require frequent repairs for them to last long. If you do not intend to spend much on repairs, then a wooden floor is an ideal option for your house.
Ideal for individuals with allergies
Experts from a Hardwood Installation Company Denver suggest the use of wooden floors in the house that live people with allergies. These floors do not trap dust, fumes, or allow mold to build in them. If you are allergic to any of these, a wooden floor will offer you a comfortable home. This means that you can spend as many hours as you wish indoors.
Given the multiple benefits of wooden floors, it only makes sense that a huge number of people prefer to use them in their houses. If you are looking to save on building expenses, wood is the ideal material to use on your floor.
