Blog Page 26

Top 6 House Selling Tips from Real Estate Agents

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Traditionally, home sellers turn to real estate agents to assist them when marketing their property, arranging showings, and negotiating with the buyer’s agent. This just means that real estate agents are specifically hired for their ability to best appraise one’s house’s value. If you’re interested to know how brokerages find these individuals, you can check this real estate agent recruiting letter guide. In addition, Estate Agents Portsmouth understand what can help make a home sell quickly.

Used with permission from Andrea West Design

However, some individuals prefer a more hands-on approach and opt to do most of the home-selling process on their own. If you choose to handle most of the tasks to sell your home yourself, consider these recommendations from the experts so you can sell your property quickly:

Price Your Property Right

If you want to sell your home fast, you need to price it right. Setting an unrealistically high price for your property with the intention of reducing it later isn’t a good practice in real estate. That’s because buyers and their agents have access to information about the value of homes around your neighborhood. Thus, they know what most properties in the same area are worth before they even view yours. Also, an overpriced home tends to stay on the market longer; even if you cut the price, some buyers might not be convinced. In fact, they may think there’s something wrong with the property.

Used with permission from Andrea West Design

Thus, find out what your home is worth before you post it up for sale. Research recently sold properties that are similar in size, age, condition, and location as yours. Make sure to also review the current real estate market, as this can be a factor when pricing your home. If there are many homes but few buyers, you may have to adjust your home’s price to attract more offers. On the other hand, if there are more buyers than properties up for sale, you have better chances of selling your property at your preferred price.

Clean Your Home

Before you let potential buyers tour your home, be sure it’s clean. It’s one of the best ways to get buyers interested and make an offer. If you have the budget for it, consider hiring a company that can deep clean your entire house. If you’ll do the cleaning yourself, focus on the parts of the house buyers often look at such as the kitchen countertops, inside cabinets, shelves, bathrooms, inside closets, basement, garage, and windows. It also helps to spruce up the exterior of your property because it will be the first thing prospective buyers will see. 

Remove Excess Clutter

Many buyers consider space and storage when purchasing a home. As such, remove any clutter in your home to give customers an idea of how much space they can enjoy. Pack away knickknacks and large furniture in a storage unit to clear the space and help potential buyers envision themselves living there. 

Because many buyers take a closer look at different parts of the home, pay attention to the storage spaces as well. Take half of the contents in your closets and cabinets, then neatly organize what’s left. This can help make your home feel roomier and thus more appealing to buyers.

Used with permission from Andrea West Design

Make Necessary Updates but Keep Them to a Minimum

Quick home updates before putting your house on the market often pay off, especially on areas that look dated. However, remember to keep the improvements to a minimum so you can reduce your costs. Instead of making huge remodeling projects, pick home improvements that are subtle but have an impact on many buyers. For example, a fresh coat of paint on your walls will freshen up the space. You can also replace busted or dated cabinet or door hardware. Remember to fix leaky faucets and clean the grout as well, so your home remains in good condition. 

Hire a Professional Photographer

Many buyers look for homes for sale online. Thus, you need to treat your home listing like a social media post: the images have to be good. If your photos don’t show off the attractive features of your property, prospective buyers might outright reject it even if they don’t visit or go to the open house. In short, if you want to get more buyers to make an offer, you need to invest in high-quality photos.

For this reason, consider hiring a professional photographer to take photos of your home. Request at least 30 photos showcasing the different areas of your home including the property’s interior and exterior. It’s also a good idea to ask for photos under different lighting conditions.

Used with permission from Andrea West Design

Always Be Ready for Showings

Since you never know when a buyer would want to tour your home, it needs to be ready for showing at all times. Don’t leave dishes in the sink and keep your bathrooms sparkling clean. Also, make sure there isn’t any dust accumulating on surfaces and corners.

In addition to your house being always ready, you must be available whenever a potential buyer wants to come over too. This may include evenings and weekends, or whenever a client’s schedule is free to look at houses. If your home is always available for showings or requires little to no notice, more prospective buyers will want to see it. Conversely, if you need 24 hours or longer to prepare, some individuals may opt to skip seeing your home—which is one less prospective buyer.

While real estate agents are experts in their field, you can still choose to sell your property yourself. If you do, check out these tips from professionals. They will help you prepare your home for more buyers’ offers and quickly sell your property. And if there are phases of the home-selling process you need assistance with, consider seeking the advice of a real estate professional. Thanks to Get Broker Kit for consulting.

Advantages Of Buying A New House And Land Package By Hotondo Homes

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House entrance with front yard
Used with permission of Blackband Design

Buying a home is a significant commitment that could be challenging and expensive, depending on your financial condition. A new house and land package by Hotondo Homes can be a wise choice for first-time homeowners or those wishing to invest in their ideal home without spending a fortune. Customers can use it to pay a predetermined price to buy houses and land.

House entrance with front yard
Used with permission of Blackband Design

Hotondo Homes’ house and land packages offer many of the advantages of custom construction without many of the labour-intensive procedures. Additionally, newly built residences in prime locations have the advantage of luring tenants of a better calibre. The following are some factors that make house and land packages excellent investments:

  • Stamp duty savings: Purchase stamp duty represents significant savings for house and land combinations. You will avoid paying around $8,000 in stamp duty on a typical $450,000 house and land bundle. This is because, since the house hasn’t been constructed yet, stamp duty is only assessed on the value of the land component while a new house is being built, not the house and land components.
  • Choose your block and design: When you buy a house and land package, you have the option of selecting the best block and customising the house design to meet both your investment goals and budget while also making it very appealing to tenants. In this approach, you can carefully consider the kind of tenant you want, and then create a house and land package just for them.
Living room with fireplace and dining space
Used with permission of Blackband Design
  • Brand new homes attract better tenants: Landlords want to entice reputable, long-term tenants to their properties. With all of the modern conveniences, new homes have the advantage of being incredibly appealing to tenants and providing a place that they will love and want to stay in for many years. Another advantage of new homes is their ability to command higher rents, which will increase the return on your investment.
  • Depreciation and tax benefits: In a new home, the advantages of depreciation are substantial and shouldn’t be disregarded. Depreciable assets in a new home, such as the building’s construction cost and its fixtures and fittings, can be written off as tax deductions. A new investment home that costs, let’s say, $250,000 with $30,000 in furnishings and fittings will generate almost $16,000 in annual deductions when combined with benefits from claiming for the payment of rates, interest, and rental management.
  • No maintenance: Finally, the fact that new homes require little to no maintenance is still another fantastic advantage. Here in Queensland, a builder’s guarantee that might frequently last 5 years will cover the structure, fasteners, and fixtures. When you consider that one of the major expenses of an investment property is maintenance and upkeep, this is very considerable. A brand-new house will cost less to maintain and hold its value better. Additionally, trustworthy home builders are using better construction methods and higher-quality building materials than ever before, resulting in well-built homes that are also remarkably easy to maintain.
Bedroom with king size bed and wide windows
Used with permission of Blackband Design

House and land packages are fantastic investment choices for several reasons. Firstly, they offer considerable stamp duty savings. Secondly, you get to choose your block and design, and thirdly, they attract better tenants. Finally, they offer depreciation and tax benefits and require little to no maintenance.

Thanks to hotondo.com.au for consulting.

How Much Does It Cost to Stage a Home?

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Designed living room
Used with permission of Breeze Giannasio

Most homeowners find home staging quite counterintuitive for various reasons. However, if you’ve analyzed the real estate market for some time, you’ll appreciate the importance of staging your home. While it may seem like you are spending money on a home you won’t occupy anymore, home staging makes your property attractive to potential buyers and increases its value.

Designed living room
Used with permission of Breeze Giannasio

If you are still uncertain about its benefits, the fact that staged properties sell 88% faster than non-staged homes should be convincing. Staged homes are also sold 20% higher than non-staged homes, which is beneficial, especially if you want to sell your home without a realtor.

What Are the Typical Home Staging Costs?

Before looking at the specific home staging costs, note that expensive properties cost more to stage. As a rule, you should budget between $300 and $600 for the initial design consultation and $500 for every staged room. Below is a breakdown of home staging costs:

1. Initial Home Staging Consultation – $300 to $600

Homeowners are advised to seek professional advice on home design and necessary improvements. You should book an appointment with a home staging expert to thoroughly assess your home before listing it for sale. The professional will make general recommendations on what to do to improve the marketability of your property.

An initial consultation is beneficial to all homeowners, as they can’t evaluate their homes with the much-needed critical eye. While most homeowners think their homes are perfect, some fine details can hurt potential buyers’ first impressions.

2. Home Staging Activities

The condition of your home determines the cost of completing essential home staging activities. While some crucial activities increase property value, homeowners should spend 1 to 2% of property value to prepare their homes for sale. Some essential home staging activities include:

Removing Furniture – $0

Dining space and kitchen with kitchen island, table and chairs
Used with permission of Blackband Design

Removing your furniture is the easiest and cheapest home staging activity to do before listing your home for sale. You should convert your house into a model home before listing. This means only having furniture that shows the size and function of every room. As such, sell, hide, or donate any excesses.

Complete Repairs – $0 to $1000 or More

You shouldn’t list a house with evident repair issues. Repair and home improvement projects costs vary depending on the condition of your home. Some repairs, such as exposed electrical wires, missing baseboards, rusted sinks, broken counters, cracked tiles, and chipped tubs, are deal breakers and hurt property value.

Handyman Services – $30 to $50 Hourly

Part of repair costs arise from the costs of hiring professional services. Some repair services require professional input, even if you are a DIY enthusiast. Professionals best address issues, such as fixing floors, plasterwork, painting, and replacing kitchen counters. You should scrutinize all professionals before hiring them for work. Compare multiple quotes to get favorable rates.

Painting: $0 to $4000 for Labor and $200 to $500 for Supplies

Interior and exterior painting is an important home staging activity that gives your home a new life. The key to increasing property value with painting is choosing neutral colors. Working with professionals can help you with color selection and provide quality services.

Lighting: $0 to $500 for Labor and $200 to $700 for Supplies

Upgrading your lighting has endless benefits. For instance, increasing the number of physical bulbs makes the rooms feel larger. Installing ceiling fixtures, stylish lights, and other lighting upgrades have reasonable ROIs.

 Landscaping Services – $50 to $1000 or More

The backyard does an excellent job of improving your property’s curb appeal. Common landscaping services include lawn mowing, trimming branches and bushes, and planting flowers. The cost widely varies depending on specific garden needs.

Money Saving Tips for Home Staging

Home office with white table, and black chairs
Used with permission of Blackband Design

The following savvy strategies can reduce your overall home staging expenditure:

  • Don’t pay for implementation – Homeowners on a budget can save by consulting a stager only for ideas, then implementing the strategies themselves.
  • Clean up – Decluttering before listing your home makes it attractive to potential buyers. You should box up and spotlessly clean every room. Consider renting a storage unit if you have excess items.
  • Light it naturally – Cleaning the windows and making sure they are widely open allows natural light into the rooms. Adding lamps, mirrors, and other lighting ideas also brightens up the house.
  • Move furniture away from walls – Creating space between your furniture and walls makes it easy for buyers to visualize the flow of every room.
  • Paint it yourself – Painting is an important home staging activity that can rake up significant costs. If you are good at DIY, painting your interior walls can save labor costs.
  •  Use your furniture – You shouldn’t rent staging furniture unless you are selling a vacant home. If your house is furnished, rearrange the furniture to improve its appearance. You should only rent specific pieces to complement what you have.
  • Stage your home virtually – you should consider staging virtually if your house has old furniture or is empty. Virtual staging eliminates the need to buy or rent furniture to sell your home. Professional photo and videographers can add virtual furniture easily.

Is Staging Your Home Worth the Costs?

Living room with staircase and a sofa with pillows
Used with permission of Blackband Design

According to real estate experts and studies, home staging is a significant and worthwhile investment. RESA survey found that 73% of homeowners who invested 1.3% of their property value enjoyed a 7.1% ROI. Similarly, the National Association of Realtors report found that 23% of realtors agree that staging increased their offers by 5% and more.

The same studies also found that staged homes spend less time on the market. Homes with better presentation are more valuable and sell faster. Staging eliminates common hurdles potential buyers face, like color choices, outdated finishes, and unpleasant floor plans.

Endnote

Home staging costs significantly vary depending on your property’s condition and size. However, you can’t doubt its importance in making your property attractive and increasing its value. Even with sufficient resources, you shouldn’t spend a lot on home staging. You should emphasize important features, identify what sells, and focus on making the home usable for potential buyers. Hiring professional home stagers is prudent, especially if your home is in bad shape.

Thanks to firstimpressionhomestaging.com for consulting.

5 Rooftop Patio Design Ideas to Transform Your Outdoor Space

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House and the backyard
Used with permission of Blackband Design

If you’re lucky enough to have a rooftop patio or are considering adding one to your home, designing one that is both functional and stylish can be challenging. In this article, we’ll tell you what to expect and give you five design ideas to get you started.

Prerequisites for a Rooftop Patio

Before you get started on your rooftop patio design, there are a few things you need to take into account.

House and the backyard
Used with permission of Blackband Design

1. Can your rooftop handle the weight?

If you’re planning on adding furniture, a pergola, or anything else that will add weight to your rooftop patio, you need to make sure that it can handle the extra load. Check with a professional to be sure. If your rooftop needs to be reinforced, you may need to hire a roofing contractor Indiana to replace your roof or build a support system.

2. Does your rooftop have a flat area?

If you have a slanted rooftop, you won’t be able to enjoy a rooftop patio without a massive remodel. Even a portion of a flat area is acceptable, but you’ll need to make sure that the space is level so that you can safely put furniture and other items on it.

3. Make sure there is enough ventilation

A major problem that people run into with rooftop patios is that they can get very hot, making them unusable during the summer months. To combat this, make sure there is plenty of ventilation by adding fans or opening up the space to the outdoors.

4. Get a permit

If you live in an urban area, chances are you’ll need a permit to build a rooftop patio. Check with your local zoning office to find out what the requirements are.

5. Plan for maintenance

Rooftop patios can be difficult to maintain, so planning is critical. Make sure you have easy access to the space for cleaning and repairs, and consider using durable materials that will hold up to the elements. In selecting the right outdoor door mats for your patio, make sure to only buy ones that not only make your doorway look great but also ensure your safety. 

Design Ideas for Your Rooftop Patio

Rooftop with garden and chairs
Photo by Morgane Le Breton on Unsplash

1. Create an intimate space with furniture and privacy screens

If you’re looking to create a space for entertaining, consider adding furniture and privacy screens to your rooftop patio. This will give you the feeling of being in an outdoor room and will be more comfortable for your guests. A few great furniture and décor additions to your rooftop patio furniture might be:

  • A sofa or sectional: Adding a sofa or sectional to your rooftop patio will create a comfortable seating area for you and your guests.
  • Outdoor rugs: Rugs can help define the space and add comfort underfoot.
  • Privacy screens: Screens can provide privacy from nosy neighbors and block out unwanted sunlight from the harsh summer sun.
  • A coffee table: If you plan to make use of your rooftop patio for entertaining, a coffee table is a must. It’s the perfect place to set down drinks or appetizers.

You can also add TVs, heaters, and other amenities to make your space more comfortable and inviting.

2. Add a pergola or gazebo

A pergola is an outdoor structure that consists of four posts and a roof. Gazebos are similar but have a solid roof and can be enclosed. Adding a pergola or gazebo to your rooftop patio is a great way to create an intimate space while still being able to enjoy the views. These structures will also provide some much-needed shade that will make your space more comfortable during the hot summer months.

Some pergolas and gazebos cost as low as $500, and if you want to build one yourself, you can save some money on the installation costs. For fancy rooftop gazebos like the one pictured above, you’ll need to shell out thousands of dollars.

3. Incorporate an outdoor kitchen

Terrace with dining space and lounge space
Used with permission of Blackband Design

If you love to entertain, an outdoor kitchen is a great addition to your rooftop patio. This will allow you to cook and serve food without having to go inside, giving your guests a place to congregate. Building an outdoor kitchen will require some planning and preparation. You’ll have to factor in the size of your space, the type of appliances you want to use, and how you’ll get water and power to the area. This buildout will definitely require roof replacements or updates so that everything is up to code and can connect to your kitchen appliances.

4. Add some green with planters and gardens

Adding greenery to your rooftop patio is a great way to create a more inviting and relaxing space. Especially if you plan to use your rooftop deck as a place to unwind, incorporating some plants can help achieve that goal. There are a few things to consider when adding plants to your rooftop patio:

  • Make sure the planters you choose are big enough and have adequate drainage. Overflowing pots and poorly draining soil can cause serious damage to your roof.
  • Choose plants that are drought-tolerant and can survive in high winds.
  • Consider installing a drip irrigation system to help water your plants. This will save you time and effort and cut down on water waste.
Rooftop kitchen and dining space with oven, table and chairs
Used with permission of Blackband Design

You could even plant fruits and vegetables and turn your rooftop into a garden oasis.

5. Create a fun and relaxing space with a hot tub or spa

Who doesn’t love getting in a hot tub or spa after a long day? If you have the space, adding one of these luxurious items to your rooftop patio is a great way to make it feel like a private oasis. You’ll need to factor in the cost of the hot tub or spa itself, the installation costs, and the additional costs of ownership (cleaning, maintenance, and water usage). If you have the space and the budget, a hot tub or spa is a great addition to any rooftop patio.

Endnote

These are just a few ideas to get you started on transforming your outdoor space. With some creativity and elbow grease, you can turn your rooftop patio into the perfect place to relax and entertain guests. Consider investing from a wide selection of floor mats to protect your flooring from the daily wear and tear.

Thanks to dmgexteriors.com for consulting.

How to Use Memes in Your Marketing for Interior Design

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Cabinet in the living room and paintings on the wall above
Photo by Spacejoy on Unsplash

Memes have been around since the dawn of the internet, but they are still powerful marketing tools. A meme is an image with text on it that can be shared and spread quickly across social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. People love to share funny memes because they make them laugh or feel good about themselves.

Memes are a great way to get your message across in an engaging, relatable way. When used correctly, memes can make you look hip and current. While many people use them for fun or just as a joke, they’re also a great tool for marketing—especially when it comes to interior design.

Cabinet in the living room and paintings on the wall above
Photo by Spacejoy on Unsplash

If you want to use memes in your marketing for interior design, here’s how:

Start by building a meme library

When you’re creating memes, it’s important to have a wide variety of images to choose from. This will allow you to create more complex memes that can be shared across multiple social media platforms. Your meme library should include funny images that are relevant to your industry or clients.

Once you have a library of memes, start getting creative. You can use them to advertise your services or simply as a way to connect with potential clients. You can also use them in place of traditional advertisements and post them on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram.

By using memes, you can get more bang for your buck and create a more engaging experience for potential clients. You don’t have to be a professional meme creator to use them effectively. All you need is a library of images and the willingness to experiment with different types of memes.

Use memes to spark engagement on social media

Home office with blue table and cabinet
Used with permission of Massucco Warner

Memes are not only a great way to get a laugh, but they can also help you connect with potential clients. If you’re looking for ways to improve your social media marketing strategy, consider using memes. They’ll help you grow your audience and build brand loyalty while providing an engaging experience that keeps people coming back for more content.

Use memes to build your brand. Memes are a great way to connect with your audience on a more personal level. They can help you build rapport and trust with potential clients, which is especially useful when it comes time for them to consider hiring you.

Using memes in your marketing strategy can also help you build brand awareness. When people share your content on their own social media profiles, they’re exposing their friends to your brand. This is especially useful if those friends are potential clients who might not otherwise have heard of you. You can even use meme-based contests to drive engagement with your audience and increase customer loyalty.

Show off your interior design skills with memes

View of living room from hall
Used with permission of Breeze Giannasio

Memes can be used to showcase your interior design skills in a fun and engaging way. You could create memes that feature some of the more popular trends, such as industrial chic or Scandinavian style. The best way to get started with this strategy is to do some research on what’s trending in the industry right now.

You can even create a meme of your own design and use it to get the attention of other designers. You could also use memes to showcase some of your favorite projects or share tips for how to make specific spaces work better.

If you’re just getting started with memes, it can be a good idea to use a meme maker. You can find one by doing a quick Google search or by asking your social media manager for advice. After that, all you need to do is add text and images to create your own memes!

Create memes that promote your design business

Memes are a great way to promote your design business. If you want to create a meme, it’s important to use one that’s relevant to the industry and that will get people talking about your brand. You can also make memes with specific projects in mind; for instance, if you want to promote an apartment renovation project for a client, post some photos of the finished space on Instagram or Facebook and ask users what they think about it!

You can use memes to promote your design business in a number of different ways. You could create meme-sized versions of your logo and use them as profile pictures on social media sites. You could also create memes and add great music using a music video maker that showcases some of your favorite projects or shares tips for how to make specific spaces work better. If you’re just getting started with memes, it can be a good idea to use an online video editor tool.

This will make it easy for you to create memes quickly, without having to spend a lot of time editing images or searching for the right fonts. You can also use meme generators to see what kinds of memes other design firms are using and then tailor yours accordingly!

Make sure you use the right meme to fit the occasion

Dining space with table, chairs and flowers in a vase on a table
Used with permission of Massucco Warner

If you want to use memes in your marketing strategy, it’s important to know how to use them properly. Remember that memes are meant to be fun and lighthearted; you shouldn’t share a meme if it doesn’t fit the occasion! In most cases, memes should only be used when there’s something positive going on with your business or when someone asks for advice about design-related topics.

By using the right meme for a specific occasion for your interior design marketing strategy, you can make your business more personable and relatable. When you share the right meme with the right audience at the right time, you can increase brand awareness and boost engagement with your audience.

Remember to stay on brand when creating memes for your design business

If you’re looking for ways to increase brand awareness and boost customer engagement, consider using memes in your social media strategy. Memes can be an effective way to share relevant content with your audience while also staying on brand. Make sure that you create or source high-quality memes before sharing them with your followers!

Drinks and decoration on the table
Used with permission of Massucco Warner

The best way to make sure that your brand is represented accurately is to create the meme yourself. If you don’t have the time or resources to create your own memes, consider outsourcing this task. Otherwise, make sure that your designer understands how important it is for each element of a meme to be on brand with your business.

Memes are an effective marketing tool for any business, but they can be especially useful for interior designers because of the visual nature of their work.

Today interior design firms are coming up with new marketing strategies in order to make their firm more recognizable among their competitors. They want their design ideas and concepts to be known more and to result in more clients. Designers have identified the use of memes as one such effective tool.

Thanks to veed.io for consulting.

Pros and cons of connecting Wireless Smart Thermostat

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Living room with coffee table, armchair, couch and firework
Used with permission of Kira David Design

The basic principle of using the thermostat is that it controls the temperature. The thermostat does this by either switching it on or off. Even though it works properly, the problems when you are not at home. It takes time to preheat the house when you come back home. The best way to solve this problem is by installing the tado° wireless smart Thermostat.

Living room with coffee table, armchair, couch and firework
Used with permission of Kira David Design

Wireless smart Thermostats are easy to use and maintain. With its help, you can easily control the temperature due to its smartphone connectivity feature and geofencing, so even if you are not at home, it will lower the room’s temperature. Apart from this, other functions of using the wireless smart thermostat exist. So before starting with the advantages, let’s discuss how it works.

How do the wireless smart thermostats work?

Most wireless smart thermostats work by connecting to the ether cable or Wi-Fi; thus, they connect to the mobile app, which can be viewed on smartphones. With the help of the tado° Home app, you can easily schedule when to turn on the heating or cooling system, and you can easily control the temperature whenever you are at home or away from home.

So, the only thing you need to work with the wireless smart thermostat is a WIFI connection. The wireless thermostats are compatible with both android and IOS devices. Moreover, it’s so easy to use that even a child can operate it.

Benefits of installing the wireless Smart Thermostat

Hall with blue wall and decoration
Used with permission of Kira David Design

The wireless thermostat is the best way to control heating and cooling. With the help of a wireless Thermostat, you can easily control the temperature due to its smartphone connectivity feature and geofencing. These features provide several benefits, such as:

Reduces the power consumption

By installing the tado° wireless smart Thermostat, you can reduce energy consumption by reducing the time when the HVAC is running when you are not at home. That means you can save a lot of money on your electricity bill. 

Control over multiple systems at one time

Wireless smart thermostats are mainly utilized to control the temperature and improve the air quality inside the home.

  • If your house’s humidity is very high, you can add a new Smart Thermostat. A new wireless smart Thermostat will take control of the dehumidifier of the house.
  • Using the air purifier with the smart thermostat could clean the air inside your home. They work together to clean the air as much as possible.

Effectively plan the ventilation and heating

Bright-designed living room
Used with permission of Breeze Giannasio

Some people might find it difficult to install a digital thermostat. In contrast, using the wireless smart thermostat can easily schedule the heating and cooling temperature accordingly.

The wireless smart thermostat works along with the Thermostat sensor, which measures the level of heat produced inside the room. And you will get the temperature details on your smartphone so you can adjust the temperature according to your needs.

Measure the amount of consumption of power

Although the wireless smart thermostat can control the heat produced inside the room. Thus, reducing the cost and energy usage. But it also provides real-time details to the homeowners. And once you get the temperature details on your smartphone, you can adjust the temperature according to your needs.

It also helps you to manage power consumption to save money on the power bill. The heating system’s size and location play an important role in thermostat programming. Apart from this, it gives additional details about the heating system, like the idea of waterproofing and also does weather forecasting.

Putting the wireless smart Thermostat Is A Snap

Even though you do not have to use many cables to install the wireless smart thermostat, setting the wireless thermostat can be a cinch. The most impossible thing to do for using the thermostat setting is to connect the c-wire. Replace the old thermostat with the new wireless smart thermostat. You can also take the help of instructions provided in the tado° app.

Cons of using wireless smart thermostat

View from bedroom with bed and book shelf into hall
Used with permission of Casework

As we have seen multiple advantages of using the wireless thermostat. There are some cons related to it. These are:

It can be expensive

Some people might not be able to afford it as it is expensive. Most wireless thermostats are available for 139 to 199 dollars. Apart from this, you will have to pay an extra 50 euros for installation. If you can install it independently, you do not have to pay even a single penny for the installation. Apart from this, you do not have to pay anything extra. Even if the price is quite high, purchasing a wireless smart Thermostat is worth it.

It’s a hassle to Install the wireless smart thermostat

Installing the wireless smart thermostat is not easy. You might not be able to navigate the right wire, and mounting the valve head is not easy to do. If you forget to connect the wire, it won’t work, and if you connect a different wire instead of the c-wire, it might get a short circuit. The c-wire is used to provide power to the smart thermostat. Hence, it becomes important to connect the wires properly. To make it a hassle-free task, you can take the help of an expert. You can find the instruction book with the wireless smart thermostat kit.

Final words

Even though the wireless smart thermostat may seem very expensive at first, when it comes to your family, it’s the best choice for you. There are multiple benefits of using the wireless smart thermostat, such as reducing power consumption and tracking down the temperature of your home even though you are away from home.

One of the best features of a wireless smart thermostat is the Geofencing feature. Even though no one is there at home, it can lower the temperature, and once someone enters the house, it will start preheating. Not only that, but it also improves the air quality inside the room. So, the number of benefits is far much more than the expenses. The best wireless smart thermostat is from tado°.

Thanks to tado.com for consulting on this post.

Six Things You Need to Know About Deck Tiles

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Patio of the house with chairs
Photo by Greg Rivers on Unsplash

Deck tiles, including elevated deck tiles, are a practical and environmentally friendly flooring choice to spruce up your outdoor living spaces. In addition to enhancing residential properties, deck tiles are a great addition to rental properties like condominiums or Airbnb units due to their straightforward installation procedures, extended lifespans, and low maintenance requirements.

Patio of the house with chairs
Photo by Greg Rivers on Unsplash

Here are some things you need to know about deck tiles before starting your condo renovation.

1. What Are Deck Tiles?

Deck tiles are an attractive, affordable, and environmentally responsible option to cover or resurface an outdoor area. Deck tiles are generally square or rectangular building bricks that may be connected to form any size or shape of the ground-level patio.

This implies that even if you lack the time or resources to construct a whole deck frame from scratch, you may still get the appearance of a lovely composite or wood deck surface. Deck tiles are available in various materials and styles to precisely match your area, including hardwoods, composite tiles, and porcelain pavers.

2. Deck Tiles Are Easy to Install

Some methods make use of deck tiles that snap together and interlock. Others use a straightforward screw-and-washer attaching mechanism to mount onto pedestals. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a novice DIYer, they all share a straightforward, logical installation you can do fast.

3. Doesn’t Require a Flat Surface for Install

Yard with palm trees, table and armchairs
Used with permission of Blackband Design

On uneven or unlevel terrain, pedestal systems with elevated deck tiles can be used to produce a smooth, flat patio surface. You can expand your patio space anywhere thanks to adjustable supports, which may be installed on concrete, stone, or brick on the ground or a rooftop.

4. How Do You Clean Deck Tiles?

Your outdoor tiled flooring is really simple to clean! Use a household brush or vacuum to remove leaves, dirt, or debris. To prevent unwanted scratching, we advise using a daily broom with soft bristles rather than a workshop or garage broom.

Wash the outside decking area with mild dish soap and warm water after rinsing the deck, porch, or patio area with a hose. Dawn or Joy dishwashing liquid is suggested since neither will leave a residue or harm your decking tiles.

Two gallons of clear water and around 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar may also be used to make a homemade deck tile cleaning solution. The outside tiles should be thoroughly cleaned before being softly dried with a clean rag or towel.

5. Things to Consider When Choosing Deck Tiles

Durability should be the main factor. If you’re thinking about using wood outside, tropical woods like teak or ipe will endure the weather well. For decking in a generally humid area, selecting a wood typically utilized for boat and marine applications is especially vital.

House pool and yard
Used with permission of Blackband Design

Another significant component is colour. Find out the wood’s aging potential before making a choice. Some woods will become mellow and rich in colour when exposed to light and the environment. Others will lose their tone and bleach out.

In addition to colour, style is something you should consider. Will you decide to arrange a challenging geometric pattern, a straightforward diagonal pattern, or another mix to produce an original design? Even mixing woods or finishes to create contrast is an option.

Some woods can repel insects. When selecting wood, consider the local wood-boring insects and select a wood resistant to them.

6. Deck Tiles Allow You to Create Various Patterns

Alternating the direction in which your deck tiles are laid will help you produce eye-catching patterns and textures throughout your outdoor space. Installing pieces of a darker hue in some places of your patio may also be used to create a decorative boundary around an outdoor space or to draw attention to a pathway that winds through the patio.

Thanks to designerdeck.com for consulting on this post.

Etiquette for towels in 2022

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Bathroom with laundry washer
Photo by PlanetCare on Unsplash

Everyone has different ways of doing things. The way you manage things around your house tells how you are and are an answer to your personality. Sometimes there are trends that you adopt to make your house look good, and sometimes there are habits that bring the whole place down.

Bathroom with laundry washer
Photo by PlanetCare on Unsplash

When you are a new house owner, you feel alienated by everything you don’t know how to manage. Some bad habits keep lingering, but you leave them behind with time. Some people don’t know how to dry wet towels, so learning about towel etiquette is good for them.  One of these things is towel etiquette people learn with time. Towel etiquettes are being introduced to people worldwide through different channels and means of communication.

7 basic towel etiquettes

There are some basic towel etiquettes that everyone needs to be aware of so that a better experience is provided to those people who come to your home to feel cozy and relaxed and for those who want to go to someone’s place as well. 

Bathroom with bath tub and black curtains
Used with permission of Andrea West Design
  • Impress your guests: If you are hosting a dinner at your place or guests are coming over, you have to make sure that you make a good impression on your guests. You can leave towels for guests in places that are easily accessible and can be found without any inconvenience. Sometimes you will have guests over who use their towels due to skin problems.
  • Manners for guests: When a host is accommodating you, you must ensure that you are also returning the favor in the best way possible. Towels in the bathroom are used for showering, not for drying hands.
  • Let towels be seen: Different towels are used for different purposes. Let the towels used for hand drying be seen, and place a laundry basket nearby so the towels can be disposed of and thrown into the laundry.
  • Wet towels: Wet towels are everyone’s pet peeve. After you shower and dry yourself off, throw your towel in the laundry basket. The last thing you want is the smell of wet towels inside your bathroom. Your host might offer to do the laundry for you, so the last thing you can do is keep your bathroom clean.
  • Paper towel choice: Paper towels are always the better option when choosing between ordinary and paper towels. They provide more safety compared to paper towels and are considered hassle-free. The ease offered by paper towels is enormous, as you can dispose of them after you use them instead of letting them lie in the sink.
Framed double bed with sofa in bedroom
Used with permission of Blackband Design

Bathroom and bedroom etiquette are essentials that every man and woman news to be aware of. Everything sounds a lot, from putting things in the right place to staying organized, which speaks volumes about your personality. Keeping these towel etiquettes in mind might help you maintain your class wherever you go.

Thanks to heatedtowelracks.com for consulting.

Interior Design Mistakes to Avoid When Designing a Dining Room

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Dining room with green chairs and a table
Photo by Spacejoy on Unsplash

Like the kitchen, your dining room does an excellent job of bringing family and friends together. A comfortable, cozy, and inviting dining space encourages dinners, gatherings, and hours of catching up, while a cluttered and cramped dining space is discouraging. As homeowners focus on getting the best dining room design ideas right, they should also be wary of common design mistakes to avoid. From disproportionate furniture to lack of ambiance, below are a few dining room design mistakes to watch out for:

1. Choosing Oversized Furniture

Dining room with green chairs and a table
Photo by Spacejoy on Unsplash

Apart from ensuring that you make quality purchases from Kasala when furnishing your dining room, you should carefully choose furniture size. Resisting the temptation to purchase a dining table you spotted in a magazine, store, or Instagram is difficult. While you can easily purchase what you think suits your dining room, you should make sure it fits right.

Ideally, dining tables and chairs have standard measurements. Most of them are 36 to 40 inches wide and 29 to 31 inches in height. Generally, your dining table shouldn’t touch or come close to the four walls of the dining space. Pick furniture that covers just about the dining area only.

This means you should pick your dining room furniture based on available space. Unfortunately, most homeowners pick extra-large or extra-small dining tables. You should also consider the purpose of the dining set. When planning your dining space, be realistic about your family’s needs. Most people overestimate the size of the dining table required for a formal dining room.

While anticipating frequent family dinners and dinner parties is good, the reality is most people sit in their formal dining rooms countable times. You should choose flexible dining sets that can serve your family regularly and expand to accommodate dining parties.

2. Matching Tables and Chairs

A very coordinated and symmetrically perfect dining space is dull and jarring. The human eye prefers natural and organic layouts to perfectly matched schemes. You shouldn’t pick matching dining sets. Traditionally, homeowners liked matching dining tables and chairs, which is no longer exciting. You should freely mix and match different colors, styles, and materials. Your chairs also shouldn’t necessarily match. You can buy different chairs provided there’s harmony among the pieces. Doing this right creates a visually attractive dining space.

3. Following Trends

Dining space with table, chairs and firework
Used with permission of Blackband Design

While you should keep up with the latest interior design trends for inspiration, you shouldn’t use them religiously. Don’t pick design ideas that don’t suit your personal taste just because they are trending. The sense of urgency that comes with interior design trends can easily wash away.

You should consider every trending design before acting impulsively. Fortunately, predicting how long design trends can last is simple. Following trends is a bad idea, as you might have to change your dining space aesthetics every season. Instead, you should pick trends that align with personal taste.

4. Including Disproportionate Items

Besides choosing oversized furniture, some homeowners also find themselves choosing disproportionate elements for their dining space. Disproportionate items damage the rooms’ sense of scale, regardless of the size of your dining space. Nothing can make your room appear off-balance than a small rug, a massive storage space, and any other disproportionate installation.

Choosing dining furniture, light fixtures, and area rugs on wrong scales is disastrous for your dining space. Large furniture sets make the dining space appear cramped and restricts movement. On the other hand, undersized furniture is problematic as it leaves excessive circulation space.

Your dining room furniture should take maximum advantage of the available space. This means ensuring there’s enough space to move around comfortably. As a rule of thumb, there should be more than 36 to 42-inch space between the walls or sideboard and the dining table. The size of the dining area rug should also depend on the size of the dining set.

5. Wrong Placement of Lighting

Used with permission of Blackband Design

Lighting is an essential component of any dining space. However, poor placement of decorative lighting can damage the ambiance of your dining room. Whether you prefer wall lamps, pendants, or chandeliers, hanging them very low blocks guests from having free conversations. High placement of lights also eliminates the sense of light anchoring the dining space.

Another common mistake homeowners make with lighting is not considering the size and placement of the dining table in relation to the light fixture. This is a common mistake in open dining room concepts, where table placement is flexible. Homeowners can avoid this by ensuring that their dining room furniture is included in the original floor plan.

6. Ignoring Window Treatments

Dining room décor is also very extremely important. One such component is window treatment, which most homeowners don’t think is crucial. Drapes, shutters, and shades not only improve the space’s ambiance but also inject style and personality into the dining space. Besides being a private room for family and friends, choosing the right window treatments creates privacy, especially during soirees and intimate dinners.

7. Not Testing Paint Colors in Multiple Lights

Dining room with big windows, table and chairs
Used with permission of Meg Lonergan

Choosing interior paint is a challenge for most homeowners. Paint colors show significant visual differences at different times of the day and vary by room. This changes the aesthetic of the paint décor throughout. Before choosing the best dining, living, or bedroom paint color, you should conduct a thorough color prep to avoid costly repaints.

Identify specific paint samples, paint white cards or boards and hang them on walls you intend to paint. Observe the color changes throughout the day and night and in natural and electric lights. You’d certainly be surprised at how paint colors change at different times.

Endnote

While designing the dining rooms appears easy, it is a daunting task that requires extensive consideration. Walking into showrooms or placing orders for dining room items you’ve liked online is an easy way to design your home. However, this option lacks curation, personality, and style. The best way to create a unique style is by choosing pieces individually. It may take time, but worth the effort. Consulting interior designers is also prudent.

Thanks to kasala.com for consulting on this post.

Top Considerations When Adding or Updating a Deck

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Front deck of the house
Photo by Point3D Commercial Imaging Ltd. on Unsplash

Adding a deck is inarguably one of the most popular home projects today. Not only does a deck expand your living space, but it also adds an architectural feature and value to your home. As such, the demand for decks is steadily rising among homeowners. However, a lot of decision-making and planning goes into building or updating a deck, from establishing a budget to determining the right size deck, material choices, and more.

Unfortunately, most homeowners don’t know where to start when it comes to building or updating a deck. If it’s your first time building or updating a deck, you should go over important considerations and partner with a reputable contractor like Malone’s Landscape. A professional can help you design and plan your new deck to create the perfect outdoor living space for your specific needs. If you’re looking to add a new deck or update your existing one, here are a few important things to consider to make sure you create a beautiful space that meets your expectations:

1. Consider Deck Placement

Front deck of the house
Photo by Point3D Commercial Imaging Ltd. on Unsplash

The first important consideration when adding a deck is determining the ideal placement in your outdoor areas. The best location to build a deck will depend on how you want it to function. If you want your deck to be an extension of your living area, installing it adjacent to your house will allow for seamless indoor-outdoor flow. This will also allow you access to various rooms of your house, like the kitchen.

On the other hand, if you want to enjoy a stellar outdoor view while on the deck, consider building it farther out in the landscape. If strong winds and the scorching afternoon sun make spending time outdoors unbearable, you may want to install your deck in a more sheltered and shadier location. You may also want to consider privacy from neighbors when deciding the best placement for your deck. If you have an existing deck and its current placement isn’t working, you may want to replace your deck entirely, adding a shade structure or a new layout to suit your unique needs.

2. Check Local Regulations

Apart from determining the best placement for your deck, you need to research your local building codes and regulations. The laws and permit restrictions for residential remodeling projects and structure additions will mostly vary depending on where you reside. These guidelines may influence the design, location, and size of the deck you build. Hence, it’s critically important that you contact your city building department to find out the legal procedures and building codes to follow before getting started on the project. For instance, if you want to build a raised deck, you’ll be required to install stairs and safety railings that comply with safety codes.

Hiring a certified deck designer and builder can save you all the hassle and time since they understand the local codes and regulations and will handle your permit application and design approval. Sometimes updating existing decks may not need a permit, but it’s advisable to confirm with local authorities.

3. Consider the deck’s design

House with porch and outdoor funiture
Used with permission of Alice Lane

Many things can influence the design of your deck, but to get the most out of your deck, ensure its design reflects your activities and interests. Determine how you’ll use the deck as a quiet retreat, an entertainment spot, or a place for dinners and conversations with family and friends. These factors will greatly influence your deck’s design, size, and features. For instance, if you want a place where friends and family can dine comfortably, you should design a large enough deck to accommodate everyone. For dining and lounging, you might consider designing it with different zones.

It’s crucial that you factor in the dimensions for furnishings and amenities into the deck layout and total space. Your deck’s style will also largely depend on your home’s design. While you should tailor your deck’s design to suit its desired purpose and function, it’s also best to ensure it complements your home’s design. To make your deck a seamless extension of your house, ensure its design matches your home’s proportions, lines, and architecture.

4. Select Your Decking Materials

While you may consider choosing cheap decking materials to save money, you may end up spending more on maintenance and sacrificing long-term satisfaction. Consider using high-quality decking materials like composite decking, best known for their durability, less maintenance, and overall aesthetic appeal.

Besides offering greater durability, composite decking is available in various colors, from the trendy gray that mimics weathered redwood to a rich, warm brown that looks like exotic hardwoods. When selecting your deck color, consider the climate and your home’s exterior. For instance, consider choosing medium to dark composite decking colors that blend well with your house if you have a darker home exterior. If you’re unsure which composite decking colors to choose, ordering samples can help determine which color best compliments your exterior design.

You can also choose from the wide selection of materials available for decorative post caps and covers, balusters, and railings. This allows you to create a custom design deck that complements your home while allowing you to enjoy the space for many years without requiring regular maintenance.

5. Budget for Building a Deck

Exterior of a home, entrance door and porch
Used with permission of Ricco Style

The total costs for building or updating your deck will depend on various factors like design, size, and materials you use. You also need to add in the fees for obtaining permits and labor costs if you hire a professional to help design and build your deck. It’s also best to consider any extras and additions you may want to include in your deck, for instance, built-in seating, lighting, and railings.

Endnote

Considering the things mentioned above when adding a new deck or updating an existing one can help you plan, design, and build an outdoor living space that best suits your unique needs. If your budget allows, ensure you choose quality deck furniture pieces that are comfortable, attractive-looking, and weather-resistant for maximum durability and comfort. Alternatively, consider using furniture pieces you already have in your home that you can replace later.

Besides working through these considerations, partnering with an experienced deck designer can help keep your project on track and within your budget. A professional will help propose new design ideas you may not have considered and refine your design to ensure you create an outdoor living space that you’ll love.

Thanks to maloneslandscape.com for consulting.