by Alejandra | Dec 31, 2021 | Design
Most homeowners carry out major renovations to refurbish their homes before selling them. Renovations tend to help when it comes to creating more space, lessening energy consumption, and preserving the property while at the same time bringing it to the latest technical standards. Therefore, remodeling can be a great undertaking when you want to sell or upgrade your home. But, knowing the specific projects that can improve the value of your home is more important.
The following are some renovation projects to consider:
Curb appeal
This means improving on the things that will please potential home buyers. And while some of these renovation projects might add small value, they will increase the chances of you selling the house. Curb appeal might include landscaping, applying a fresh coat of paint to the exterior, having new fixtures, and cleaning carpets. The best part about improving your home’s curb appeal is that you can do it yourself to save time and money.
Renovate the bathroom
Today, a home with an updated bathroom tends to sell faster than one with an old bathroom. So, when you choose to renovate, consider adding glossy surfaces for a sparkling space that will ease cleaning. Also, if your home has a single bathroom, now will be a good time to add a half bathroom to a living space for guests to improve the value of your home. And to get rid of all the renovation waste, consider Sheridan Skips as they are more convenient.
Replace the garage door
A new garage door can significantly increase the value of your home while at the same time enhancing its curb appeal. Apart from that, a garage door will help increase the energy efficiency in your home. So, inspect the door for signs of wear and tear and replace it.
Upgrade the kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most important areas in a home, as most people think it is the central part where most memories are made. So, if you have an old kitchen with outdated appliances, it might be time for upgrades. There are numerous things you can do to bring your kitchen to the modern-day; from using colors creatively, installing modern appliances to enhancing its functional design.
Replace the siding
The harsh truth is that no potential homebuyer will take a second look at your siding if dangerously damaged or cracked. So, to increase the value of the property and the chances for it to sell, you must replace the siding. However, as an average homeowner, you might have difficulty deciding whether to replace or fix the siding. Replace the siding if you notice signs of water damage and damaged panels.
Window replacement
Windows are something that you can’t hide from potential home buyers or even appraisers. They will notice any problem. Replacing the windows will add value to your home and enhance the curb appeal. Besides, it will enhance the security of your home, reduce noise and improve its energy efficiency.
Bottom Line
Whichever project you are considering, it is crucial to remember that your dwelling is more than a house; it is also your home. And if you are planning to stay there for a long time, it is crucial to incorporate the amenities you need regardless of whether you will sell it in the future or not. So, organize your home renovation project and make sure that they are not strictly in an attempt to boost the value of your home. It should be to increase its energy efficiency, security, and comfort.
by Alejandra | Dec 25, 2021 | Design
You may plan a home makeover before selling it or moving to the new house. It can get tempting as you may decide to skip to the exciting stage where you choose the paint colors and fittings, but there are different things you need to consider before beginning any smooth renovation.
Get Creative With Craft
You can take your time and get your creative hat on as you will also make the most of the supplies lying around your house. It can be a DIY spring wreath or some old birthday cards, and you will get amazed about the things you can create that will give your home the best makeover and be fun during the process.
You can use some of the fun pieces of the wall art and frames to help display your home, or decide to use some leftover fabric that will help create some DIY cushion covers. The items will make a good display look and create a unique and personal look for you. You can also involve your children since this will keep them entertained.
Consider Long-Term Costs Instead of Short Gains
It’s essential to consider the long-term items. At the same time, you can make your makeover because in cases where your addition calls for a clapboard siding, you need to consider saving more in the long run through opening up for the pre-primed and the prepainted variety; it may cost you an extra cent. Still, it can last you long instead of saving half the price you used later.
It would help if you considered this, especially when you want to put your house into real estate or when you’re planning to buy a real estate house because the long-term costs will be there, and you can find more information when you visit the site.
Most factory finishes get applied on some dry woods under controlled conditions like no harsh sun and rain. You can opt for some prefinished claps because the paint is good. After all, it can last for long, and in cases of some occasional mildew spot, you can wash it off.
Take it Light
It’s essential to take it light unless your taste has gotten rooted into the dark ages. It’s good to flood your home with light. In this case, you can go for natural lighting and here, you will need to keep your windows free of some coverings, and if you have some dark rooms, you can install a pale-coloured floor. Also, when you want to deal with the fixtures, you can make a bold approach by having a fancy chandelier instead of having some plain pendants in your kitchen.
Start With Paint
There can be instances where your walls need some fresh paint, and here, you should not start the process by staring at the rows of paint chips at your local hardware store. Instead, there are different major paint brands where you can use photos of your space to apply some colour to your walls virtually. It will give you a chance of seeing how the shades of the paint will be like before heading to the store.
by Alejandra | Dec 20, 2021 | Design
The New Year often comes with the urge to change the space we spend most of the time in. Apart from our living area, this often includes the office. Whether it’s at home or somewhere else, your office needs to be the space where you can do your job the best way possible. It needs to be inspiring, make you more creative and positive, and be the space where you’ll enjoy your time. So, if your current office space is not like that, or you simply need a change – it’s time for a makeover. Here are some office makeover ideas you will love and enjoy turning into reality.
Before you start…
Make sure you have a rough idea of what you want to do with the place. The first thing is to decide what’s appropriate to do. Surely, if you work from home, you can go for any style and idea you find inspiring. However, if you work from an office with other colleagues, you might have to adjust your makeover ideas to look professional and fit in with the rest of the office space. Also, if you’re doing the makeover of the whole office space, make sure it reflects the company’s ideas and style.
Furthermore, be sure to know the budget for this project. Even though makeovers aren’t necessarily expensive, don’t spend more than you should and regret it later. Make a plan and stick to it!
Make a plan for an office makeover.
Make the space unique
The first tip for an office makeover is to bring uniqueness to the space. Don’t let your office look like any other to make sure you and your coworkers feel as you belong there. This means bringing the company’s colors, ideas, and goals into the décor. For example, try to incorporate the company’s colors into the space – combine them with neutrals when painting the walls. Make sure the space reflects the spirit of the business and becomes a unique place for everyone’s ideas and goals.
Remember: if you haven’t picked the main colors yet, research tones suitable for work. Don’t underestimate the power of the right color palette, as it can set the tone and boost productivity and focus.
Colors are important for both living and working spaces.
Create an interesting gallery wall
There’s another way you can use the company’s colors for the office makeover. Pick picture frames in those colors and use them to create a gallery wall. However, don’t use random art or photos you find online. Print the pictures of your coworkers – ones you’ve made at Christmas parties, team-building events, birthdays, and other mutual gatherings. Ensure this wall reminds everyone of the good times you have had at work.
A unique gallery wall can be an interesting addition to your office space.
Bring nature inside
We usually think of desks, LED lights, computers, and other gadgets when we think of an office. However, the global pandemic has reminded us how much we need nature. So why don’t you bring it to the office? Transform your office by using plants, natural elements such as wood and stone and try to ‘mask’ all the technology with the natural pieces. It will surely refresh the space and make it more productive for everyone.
If the space is unsuitable for plants – opt for fake ones or plants that can handle less light and care.
Maximize natural light
Just like plants, humans need natural light to survive. So maybe one of the office makeover projects can be adding as many natural light sources as possible. Remove all the light blockers, move the big furniture away from your windows and maximize the natural light. This will ensure you feel good inside and make the new furniture and décor look better!
Get rid of clutter
Office makeovers are not only about décor. They are also about office decluttering – making the space more efficient and creating a healthier environment for the people who spend time there. One of the tasks in your makeover should be to get rid of all the junk – remove everything that makes the space smaller, messier, and less productive. Old documents that are no longer necessary should either be recycled or digitalized. Unused or broken gadgets, pens that don’t work, etc. – throw away everything or sell the items you no longer need.
Create a relaxing area
If the space allows it, try to divide the room where everyone works from the one where they can relax. Add a cool coffee machine, a few lazy bags, unique, bright-colored pillows, and let everyone know that taking a break is vital for maximum productivity.
Makeover or moving into a new space?
Evaluate the space before you go into any big projects. Taking a closer look can help you realize your current workspace is not worth redoing. Sometimes, finding a new office is the best solution. The relocation process is not something you should worry about if you have someone professional to rely on. The experts from vanexpressnj.com recommend researching the moving companies well before making a decision.
It is essential to trust your office items to a team that has experience with commercial moves, so you can be sure everything is safe.
Take your time with such a decision. Even though moving into a new office may seem challenging, it can be smooth if you’re well-organized. However, this move needs to make sense. Choose a better location, more spacious office, etc. Start making plans in advance and see if moving is a better option than an office makeover.
Article by Sally Norton
Sally is a proud member of Alejandra’s Life team
by Alejandra | Dec 3, 2021 | Design
Nowadays, it seems like life is getting more fast-paced by the day. We seem to live in a world that is full of stress, and we rarely get a moment to ourselves. This is something you need to address, as the negative impact of stress on a person’s health is something that is regularly overlooked. With that being said, read on to discover how a home steam sauna can provide effective stress relief.
No matter whether you feel stressed after a hard day’s work or you are exhausted from looking after the kids all day, a sauna is ideal. In fact, one of the main reasons why people invest in home saunas is stress reduction. There are many medical studies that have proven the negative impact stress has on our health. Did you know that a large proportion of diseases, such as heart disease, are linked to stress?
Stress can make you ill, and it can have a negative impact on your mental wellbeing, which is why it is vital to get yourself out of the slump. You may need to seek anxiety treatment if you feel like you’re anxious, nervous, and stressed all the time. There is no replacement for this. However, making your home more relaxing can certainly help considerably.
Of course, there are so many different reasons why people feel stressed and strained. For some people, it could be because they have had a low testosterone diagnosis. For other people, it could simply be because they have a lot going on at the workplace. Whatever the reason may be, we all need to take the required steps to make sure that our lives are as calm and stress-free as possible. Regular sauna sessions are not going to be the answer to everything, but they can certainly make a big difference and help you to relax and feel at ease, which is why they are well worth considering in terms of making your life more peaceful.
A sauna is an ideal solution for a number of different reasons. Firstly, the head will stimulate the release of endorphins. For those who are unaware, endorphins are the ‘feel-good’ chemicals that naturally occur in the body. The heat can also help to improve circulation and relax the body’s muscles. Aside from this, saunas are relaxing because they provide you with a quiet and warm space where you can just focus on yourself.
Finding The Best Retailer For A Home Sauna
Firstly, when shopping for home saunas, you are advised to go for a company that has a considerable amount of experience in the industry. You want to be safe in the knowledge that they have provided their service many times before and that many people have been happy with the saunas they sell. This is also why it is a good idea to read the feedback that has been left by previous clients. This will give you an honest insight into the company. If you come across a large number of bad comments, you know to focus your attention elsewhere.
Aside from this, you should find a company that is willing to provide you with expert advice. Buying a sauna for the first time can be difficult and this represents a significant investment, which is why a helping hand is always welcome. You also need to assess the brands the company sells. After all, this will have a direct reflection on the level of quality you experience. Does the company provide free delivery? This is often where the prices mount up, so it is advisable to read the delivery policy beforehand.
Final Words On Home Saunas & Their Benefits
As you can see, there are many different benefits that are associated with investing in a home sauna. A lot of people have a tendency to assume that saunas are only for their local health and wellness centers. But this could not be further from the truth.
There are saunas available that are designed for home use, and they are a lot more affordable than a lot of people realize. Of course, you do need to take the time to make sure that the sauna you select is right for you and the goals you are trying to achieve, as there are a lot of different types of saunas on the market today. Also, do make sure that you measure the space correctly as well. The last thing you want is to find out that the sauna you have purchased is not the right size for your home.
by Alejandra | Nov 18, 2021 | Design
Moving into a new office space is an excellent opportunity to rethink your work environment and how you spend your time. A new office offers the chance at creativity, fresh thinking, and productivity. But when moving in, there are a few things that need to be put in place so that you can fully enjoy this change of scenery.
Layout And Design
When moving into a new office, it is crucial to consider layout and design. The best layouts will make you feel more comfortable at work while still keeping efficiency in mind. When designing your space, think about what kind of environment would be most productive for the tasks that need to get done here? You should always keep in mind that having lots of natural sunlight can actually help productivity and mental health.
Adding greenery to your office space is also a great way to ensure that you and your employees feel good throughout the day! Designing an office around workflow, productivity, and whatever makes you feel good is the best way to create a space that people enjoy spending time in.
Break Area
A break area is a great way to keep employees refreshed and focused throughout the day. A break room should be comfortable, warm and inviting. Provide your staff with ample seating, including tables and other areas such as couches or bean bags for them to take those short breaks that are necessary for productivity every once in a while.
There must also be enough electrical outlets available so that employees can now and then take their laptops into this area and work from there should they feel the need to break away from their desktops.
Commercial Office Cleaners
Another thing to think about for your office is commercial office cleaning. It might seem like an unnecessary cost, but it is one that really pays off. Having a clean work environment can help boost morale and increase productivity by making employees feel more comfortable at work.
Everybody works better in a clean and tidy workspace. In addition, having a company that does commercial office cleaning regularly will help maintain this cleanliness and make sure it stays up all year round.
Security System
Having a security system in place is essential for any office space. Whether you have someone at your facility 24/seven or not, having a monitored alarm will help save time and money if anything were to happen. The following are the top four reasons why an alarm system should be installed:
To keep your office equipment and inventory protected. Having an alarm system is essential during the vacation season and over the weekends when the office is vacant.
Ensure employees are kept safe. This is especially important for those who need to work longer hours during the busy season.
A loud alarm siren will deter anyone from trying to break in. Be sure to test this out during the day, so thieves are aware of the alarm system. To help lower insurance costs. For example, buildings with alarm systems often pay less for insurance than ones without.
In conclusion, having all of these in place is a great way to ensure that your office space functions at its best. When moving into any new environment, it’s essential to make sure you have everything set up properly to maximize the benefits and enjoy this change.
by Alejandra | Nov 3, 2021 | Design
What is the current state of your backyard like right now? For some people, it’s going to be relatively well maintained, but not quite as well as it could be. For others, it’s going to be an overgrown nightmare, and for a few people, it’s going to be the perfectly manicured garden they adore.
If you are not falling into the last category, then we’ve got some ideas to take your garden from what it is now to something incredible. Keep reading down below if you would like to find out more about this topic.
Water Feature
The first thing that we are going to look at including is a water feature. Your garden would be the envy of all the others if you have a water feature as a centerpiece here. An example of this would be if you were to add a fountain to your garden. You can buy these online and at various stores, it just takes some looking around to find the right one. Once you have purchased this, you then have the option to install it yourself or pay someone to do it for you. It depends on what you think of your DIY skills and how much faith you have in them. If you’re not confident that you would be able to do this well, then you should always go for the professional option.
Another thing to consider, though it’s not really for the aesthetics of the garden, is water tanks. That’s not to say that there aren’t any stunning tanks, there are so you can find the one that matches the theme you are going for in the garden. Consider this for catching and storing rainwater, as well as a multitude of other uses.
A Flower Paradise
Another thing that you should be thinking about is creating a flower paradise. How many times have you looked in magazines or into other people’s gardens and been jealous of their flower arrangements? Probably a lot more than you would care to admit, and if this does apply to you then you need to create a flower paradise. Somewhere that is colorful and full of all the beautiful flowers that you have always wanted for your garden. It might take you a while to figure out where you want to place everything, but once you have everything planned out, it’s going to look fantastic.
Somewhere Cozy
Lastly, we’re going to recommend that you create a cozy corner of your garden. Add a patio so that you can put some garden furniture down without having to wobble around or sink on the grass. This gives you a lovely place to spend some time in the sun relaxing or have some friends over.
Hopefully, you have found this article helpful, and you now see some of the things that you can do in order to turn your backyard into something incredible. The last thing that you want to do is let your backyard turn into something that resembles a place from one of your nightmares, so it’s up to you to stop this from happening. We wish you the very best of luck.
