Halloween is over and that can only mean one thing: Christmas can’t be far away! That might mean that you want to start thinking about how to decorate your house for the festive season.

Whether you’ve taken inspiration from Christmassy movies like Home Alone and Deck The Halls or prefer something more lowkey or with religious significance, there’s all kinds of fun to be had in making your house sparkle. You can stay simple by adding some decorations or go all out by doing some masonry portland works and adding an outdoor fireplace. It will give off a cozy warmth in the cold weather, and you can use it for entertaining guests.

Take a good look at your home’s exterior

Before making any big plans, go outside and consider what would look good where. Maybe some fairylights would brighten up the corners of your house, perhaps some outdoor light-up reindeers would look magical prancing through your garden or you might even come to the conclusion that an elegant wreath is all your house needs.

Step back from your house too, taking in the driveway, other walkways and the roof. Popular decoration ideas for these areas include adding extra outdoor lighting along the edges of the drive, installing some Christmas trees along other paths and adding icicle lights to the roof for some extra sparkle.

If you’re anything like Home Alone’s Kevin Malone, you won’t want a single inch to be wanting of Christmas cheer.

Consider the added cost

Before buying and installing an entire light show that’ll make your neighbours green with envy, consider first the expenses of having to buy the decorative equipment and the running costs. With rising energy prices heading our way this winter, it’s worth double checking if you can afford an extravagant setup.

If you do decide to go ahead, locate your main power outlet as this will determine where you can have certain decorations and how many it can accommodate.

Affordable ideas for decorating your house

If you want to keep your energy bills to a minimum this Christmas, there’s nothing stopping you from still making your house look the part. Opt for a more homemade, rustic feel with a collection of potted fern trees placed outside your doors, collect some fauna from the forest and make your own wreath or some Christmassy garlands to wrap around door posts. Make an occasion of it, invite friends and family around and make your wreaths together.

Other homemade ideas include wrapping up your front door like a Christmas gift with a giant red bow, decorating your trees with colourful baubles or adding homemade lanterns to your driveway.

Add religious motifs

Christmas is, after all, a religious holiday. If you want to acknowledge this in some way, consider adding a Nativity display or a figurine of baby Jesus somewhere outside your house. Christmas means different things to different people, so let your house express that!

The muslin fabric has been one of the most reliable options for mothers who would want to swaddle their babies in lightweight, breathable material for both safety and comfort reasons. Muslin blankets are usually made from fabrics that are cotton- or bamboo-based that have been finely woven to keep that plush texture. Muslin blankets also get softer with every use due to their composition.

Muslin Blankets Advantages

For moms anywhere, their babies deserve only the best. This only means that finding the perfect blanket to use to swaddle their new bundle of joy is a top priority. Muslin blankets are the best fit to keep babies safe, comfortable, and happy owing to muslin’s gentleness to babies’ skin. It is also lightweight enough to keep babies from suffering from too much heat.

Mothers usually have a lot to think about in the home when the baby is brought home. Choosing the right blanket is important since the baby will be wrapped inside it often. Muslin blankets bring other advantages to consider highly:

• Muslin Blankets are Sleep-soothers

The last thing parents want is to have grumpy babies and keep them from their much-needed sleep. A heavy and uncomfortable blanket is a surefire way to interrupt babies’ much-needed slumber.

Muslin blankets are purposely lighter and softer than most blanket materials that they even promote sleep. It is always an acknowledged thought that babies need to adopt healthy sleep patterns from an early age. Muslin blankets will help parents work towards this encouraging practice. Swaddles and blankets made from muslin can be the closest parents get to recreating that warm and cozy surrounding of a mother’s womb. Muslin blankets are soft to the touch but are calmingly like a firm hug as well. Babies feel secure with muslin blankets.

• Muslin Blankets are Manufactured for Comfort

Muslin blankets have been made from naturally-sourced materials that are woven for complete breathability – allowing body heat to permeate through the muslin fabric without overheating the baby’s body. Muslin blankets are soft and malleable as well such that it does not restrict the baby’s movements. The baby is wrapped securely without constricting blood flow and feeling restricted.

Muslin blankets are a great choice to use for breastfeeding as well. Thicker blankets might cause babies to feel disconnected from their mothers when feeding. Because muslin blankets are naturally lightweight, the warmth of the mother’s body can still be allowed to pass through muslin blankets during breastfeeding. Mothers can also rest assured that muslin blankets allow a close hold of their babies without the worry of the baby slipping from their grasp.

Other Popular Uses for Muslin Blankets

Having discussed the important benefits of muslin and muslin blankets, the following points are about their most common uses.

As mentioned above, muslin blankets provide a safe and snug hold of the baby while still allowing plenty of airflows. Plus, muslin blankets are highly durable and long-lasting. Muslin fabric can withstand multiple washes and does not fall apart easily. It also gets softer with every spin cycle done.

The stability and firm nature of muslin blankets make a great choice for other uses, including:

• Muslin Blankets as Baby Swaddles

Perhaps the most common use for small muslin blankets is for swaddling infants. While the material is easily breathable, it can insulate babies and offer stretchability to both support and comfort because of its fabric construction.

• Muslin Blankets As Is

Even when babies grow older, they could not outgrow muslin that easily. As muslin is a durable material, it can still be used as a blanket for older children. They can provide children and adults the same warmth and breathability as it does babies. Families can also pack the muslin blankets and take it on-the-go into packing bags or backpacks – they do not take up much room anyway.

• Muslin Blankets as Picnic Mats

Because of the durability, flexibility, and portability of muslin blankets, they can be the perfect picnic or outing accessory to take along. It can be placed down on any surface for babies to play, crawl and relax outside the home. It can be on a local part or a friend’s home’s carpet. Muslin blankets can give babies a safe space to play, lounge, or sleep.

• Muslin Blankets as Cover from the Sun

For areas or countries that get plenty of sunlight throughout the year, muslin blankets can be used to shield babies from the harsh rays of the sun in their car seats or strollers while in transit.

• Muslin Blankets as Breastfeeding Covers

Feeding babies in public can be a real challenge for mothers. Bringing along muslin blankets can provide and maintain privacy when breastfeeding babies. Muslin blankets can be draped over the mother’s body and an instant cover-up to feed in public in peace is present.

• Muslin Blankets as Diaper Changing Mats

One may never know when a diaper change is on the way. Having muslin blankets handy at any time keeps parents well-rounded for the unexpected. Babies can simply be laid down on the muslin blankets when it is time for diaper changes regardless of where they may be. Soiled diapers can be swapped with fresh, clean ones with ease.

• Muslin Blankets as Spit-Up Clothes

Burping infants are going to take some tidying up after. A muslin blanket can prove helpful and effective for lessening the clean-up such that babies can spit up on them without worrying about stains and getting messy in the process.

• Muslin Blankets as Playtime Accessories

Muslin blankets are as told – comfortable, warm, and durable. They are effective in cleaning up messes. Apart from these, muslin blankets can also help engage a child’s creativity and imagination. How? Muslin blankets can be used to build tents or tie them around their shoulders and imagine they are superhero capes. Little girls may even want to swaddle their dolls with the muslin blankets perhaps, the same way she was kept safe and comfortable as a baby.

Piece of Reminder about Muslin Blankets

Remember to abide by the guidelines of the AAP or American Academy of Pediatrics when placing soft objects like muslin blankets into the bedding of infant cribs. It is recommended to keep blankets and similar objects away from the infant’s sleep area for the first year of life. This is more so when the baby is left unattended.

Are you thinking of giving your home a visual upgrade? Perhaps you’ve lived there for years and grown tired of its looks, or maybe you’ve just moved in and want to put your own stamp on the place. Either way, there are lots of options that can help transform your humble abode.

Many people are choosing to do just that rather than upping sticks as the average cost of moving soars to around £12,000. You won’t need to spend anywhere near that for many of the options below either.

So if you’re short of ideas, read up on five of the most impactful ways to refresh your home.

Give it a lick of paint

Colour is one of the first things people notice about any room they walk into. It has the power to make a space feel bigger, brighter and more inviting. So if you’re looking to make a big change with minimal effort, then get painting!

Just make sure you choose an appropriate paint type for the room, such as mould-resistant bathroom paint, to keep things looking fresh.

Change the doors

They might not be the obvious choice for a revamp, but doors are still significant features of every room they’re in. If yours are looking worn or out of touch with your interior design, shop around different options such as solid wood, glass panelled and bifold, depending on the area you’re working in.

Don’t forget to invest in some shiny new hinges from suppliers like RS too, and take care with installation to avoid misalignment.

Upgrade the floors

Flooring naturally wears over time, while coloured carpets can soon fade. If your floors are looking a bit dull right now, inject some life with a new material, colour or texture.

Hardwood floors create a classic look while laminates offer a decent, easy-to-clean alternative. Or if you’d prefer to feel carpet underfoot, make sure you invest in good underlay for extra bounce.

Revamp the exterior

Maybe your home just needs a little extra kerb appeal. Everything from its brickwork to the roof, windows and front garden all contribute to your property’s exterior appeal, so target the areas where yours is lacking.

You could feel better by just returning home to a brand-new front door.

Reimagine your outdoor space

The pandemic has seen us rediscover our appreciation for the great outdoors, so the garden is another great area to focus on. Even just neatening up the borders can go a long way – or you could commit to a full renovation.

If you choose the latter option, why not get creative? Garden offices have seen a huge increase in popularity according to Rightmove, for example.

Could any of these options help make you more house-proud?

The problem with removing stubborn limescale is that it can be quite troublesome if you don’t do it properly. You see, this scale is made up of calcium deposits and small pieces of sand. If you don’t remove it properly, it can cause your pipes to become clogged or even blocked completely, leading to serious consequences.

Luckily, there are many tried and tested methods that you can try out to remove limescale from your pipes. In this blog post, we will be discussing some of the most effective ones. So read on to find out more!

What is limescale?

Before we can talk about how to remove limescale from pipes, it’s important to understand what limescale is and its causes. Limescale is essentially a buildup of calcium deposits in your pipes, and it’s caused by hard water. Hard water contains high levels of dissolved minerals such as calcium, and these minerals can happen to deposit on the insides of your pipes.

Over time, this can lead to a buildup of limescale, which can cause your pipes to become clogged or even blocked. Apart from causing blockages, limescale can also lead to other problems, including damage due to corrosion.

How does limescale build up in your pipes?

You may wonder how all of this happens in the first place. Well, there are a couple of reasons why limescale can build up in your pipes.

The first reason is that limescale is a very hard substance, just like its name suggests. And as you might have guessed, limescale is formed when a large amount of calcium and other minerals are dissolved in hard water. And whenever these dissolved minerals come into contact with the inner surfaces of your pipes, they can cause a buildup of limescale over time.

The second reason is that limescale can become even more problematic due to blockages. If a clog forms in your pipes, the pressure will be higher on the inside of the pipes compared to the outside. And because of that, limescale may be forced through any minor cracks or openings on the inner surfaces of your pipes. Mould is another problem that comes along with limescale. It’s extremely important to get rid of mould as it can cause health problems.

You might be calling for a mould removal service again and again but you eliminate it by the roots.

How can you prevent limescale from clogging your pipes?

Now that you know what limescale is and how it can cause blockages let’s take a look at the steps you can take to prevent it from happening in the first place.

The first thing you should do is make sure that your pipes have the right diameter. If you don’t, limescale may be forced through cracks on the inner surfaces of your pipes and cause blockages.

Next, make sure that you install a water softener in your pipes. A water softener is essentially a small machine that filters out any dissolved minerals in hard water and stops them from being deposited on the inner surfaces of your pipes.

And lastly, make sure that you keep your pipes clean. You can do this by running hot water through your pipes regularly or by using a solution of vinegar and salt to remove any limescale on the inner surfaces of your pipes. You can also use a pipe cleaning brush to help remove any clogs and blockages from your pipes.

So now that you know how to prevent limescale from clogging up your pipes, let’s take a look at some of the most effective methods to remove it once and for all.

1. Run hot water through your pipes

The first method on our list is to run hot water through your pipes. This can help flush out any limescale built up over time.

One thing you should keep in mind, though, is that this method can only be used on your main pipes. So if you have any side pipes that may have blocked off due to limescale, then you should use one of the other methods on this list.

You can begin by filling a bucket with hot water and pouring it into your sink. Let the hot water run through your pipes for a good ten minutes, and then run the water for a few minutes afterward. You can repeat this process as many times as you want to flush out any limescale that may be hiding out on the inner surfaces of your pipes.

2. Use a solution of vinegar and salt

Another method you can use to remove limescale from your pipes is a solution of vinegar and salt. This method works best when combined with the first method on our list, but you can also use it as a standalone method.

To begin with, make sure that you’re wearing protective gloves, as you’ll be handling a potent mixture. Then, pour some vinegar and salt into your pipes simultaneously. Let this solution sit in your pipes for at least half an hour, and then run hot water through your pipes to flush out any limescale that may have formed.

While this method can be highly effective if used correctly, it can also cause damage to your pipes. So make sure that you only use this method if you’re sure that your pipes aren’t made of plastic, as it can dissolve the walls of plastic pipes.

3. Use a pipe cleaner

Another effective method that you can use to remove limescale from your pipes is by using a pipe-cleaning brush. These brushes are specifically designed to remove any limescale hiding out on your pipes’ insides.

To begin with, try running a pipe cleaning brush up and down the surface of your pipes. If this doesn’t work, you can use a cloth to wrap around your brush and let it get a firm grip on the limescale that has formed.

While this method can be highly effective, it might only be able to remove some of the limescale. If you’re still seeing deposits on the inner surfaces of your pipes after using this method, then you should try using one of the other methods we’ve mentioned on this list.

In conclusion, limescale is a common problem that plagues many households worldwide. And while it isn’t particularly harmful to your health, it can still cause many plumbing problems if left unchecked.

So if you’re looking for a way to remove limescale from your pipes, then the methods we’ve mentioned here should be enough to eliminate it. Just make sure you use a method that suits the type of pipes you have, and remember to follow the steps outlined in this guide to succeeding.

Winter is a tough time for many people, but it can also be an extremely stressful one for you if you don’t plan ahead. You might be living in a small apartment or house, and you may not have the money to get everything done that you need to keep your home warm during cold months, but below are some simple things you can do to keep your house warm without breaking the bank.

Install a Furnace

Installing a furnace for your home is one of the easiest ways to keep it warm. In fact, it’s so easy that you can install it yourself if you have some basic DIY skills and a good eye for detail. However, it’s advisable to contact a professional HVAC technician at Mister Quik Home Services for instance; they’ll be able to guide you through all parts of the process, give advice about materials needed for installation, and do the actual installation for you. And if you’re looking for a complete consultation check Provincial Heating in Winnipeg, which you can consider a trusted expert. Nevertheless, if you decide to install a furnace for space heating, make sure to order fuel oil in advance. The demand and cost of fuel oil often get high during winter. So, placing your order in advance saves money while ensuring you stay warm throughout the season. You can Learn more from Romeo’s Fuel about heating oil delivery and deals.

It’s also a good idea to get a smart thermostat – it allows you to control the temperature remotely with a phone app and you can program it to adjust the temperature automatically based on when you want it, or even based on what time of day it is.

Consider Insulating Your Walls and Attic

Insulation can be expensive, but it’s worth it to avoid paying higher energy bills associated with heating your home during winter. Insulating your walls and attic reduces heat loss, which improves the efficiency of your heater. It also prevents moisture from entering your house through cracks and gaps in walls or ceilings, which helps you keep cold away.

Insulate Pipes

Check for exposed pipes before starting any work on them; if there are any openings through which cold air could enter your home, close them with fiberglass-reinforced cement, foam, or heat tape. This will prevent drafts from entering heated spaces. A spray foam insulation machine is a device used to dispense and apply foam insulation to various surfaces for the purpose of insulation and air sealing.

Heat Your Rooms Strategically

You can use your space heater to heat a single room, or you can put one in each of the rooms that you use most often. The key is to make sure that you’re using the heater strategically. For example, if you don’t need extra heat in your kitchen or bathroom during winter, then there’s no point in heating that area.

Use Heavy Curtains to Add Warmth

Curtains are a great way to keep the heat in your house and block drafts that can cause you to feel chilly. Heavy curtains will also help keep your home warmer in the winter because they’ll block out cold from entering through windows and prevent the heat that’s already in your house from escaping.

Build a Fireplace

A fireplace is a traditional but stylish way to warm and decorate your house. If you’re planning to build one, consider using firewood from the forest or a local vendor. Fireplaces are expensive to install, but they have an advantage over electric heaters: they use no electricity and emit very little carbon dioxide.

Conclusion

The takeaway is that you should plan for winter in advance. Also, leverage different ways to warm your house; don’t just do the bare minimum. For example, close all the windows and seal cracks with caulk before turning on the heater. Next, sit back and enjoy the cozy warmth of your home!

Redesigning your kitchen can be a fantastic way to freshen up the room and add value to your home. There are a lot of different decisions you need to make during a renovation like this, from the color and material of the countertops, to the style of the seating arrangements. That’s why it can be helpful to have an overarching design theme in mind, such as incorporating Palm countertops, to prevent yourself from feeling overwhelmed and tie the whole kitchen together nicely.
You can then use your theme as a way to guide you on everything from the flooring to the appliances.

Need a little inspiration? Here are five funky kitchen themes to get your creative juices flowing.

1. Coffee shop cool

The casual, friendly atmosphere of a coffee shop is a fantastic option to try and recreate in your home kitchen. Think exposed brickwork, warm colors, coffee-themed wall art, and perhaps even a chalkboard where you can write your grocery list or leave fun messages for your family. Naturally, coffee should take center stage for this theme. Therefore you want to make sure that you have your coffee beans, mugs, and brewing equipment proudly on display!

2. Sleek and minimalist

Cleanliness and functionality are two of the most important factors for a great kitchen, and a minimalist theme nails them both. To achieve this sought-after look, go for a monochromatic color scheme, smooth textures, hidden storage spaces, clean lines, and geometric shapes. This is also a fabulous theme for gadget lovers, as high-tech additions work excellently with the sleek aesthetic. For example, click here to find out more about getting a sink garbage disposal and eliminating food waste from your kitchen.

3. Countryside chic

A rustic country theme is perfect for a kitchen, regardless of whether or not you actually live in a rural area. Aim for a cheerful farmhouse vibe with retro appliances, antique detailing, natural wooden furniture, exposed beams, plenty of different textures, and earthy color tones. For extra atmosphere, you could hang bundles of dried flowers or display some fresh fruit in a bowl on the countertop. This theme is great if you’re hoping to create the feel of a relaxed family kitchen.

4. Bright and colorful

The kitchen should be a happy place, so why not embrace that feeling with a vibrant color scheme? Whether you like cheerful yellow, natural green, calming blue or regal purple, you can design a space that makes you smile every time you walk through the door. It’s best not to go over the top with too many shades, so pick one or two that speak to you and run with them. That includes everything right down to the color of your cups and cutlery!

5. Quirky diner

Another option is to go back in time with a vintage diner style. That could mean red vinyl seating, black and white checkered flooring, and tall stools up at a breakfast bar where you can sip your morning pot of coffee or dig into an indulgent stack of pancakes liberally covered in maple syrup! Complete the look with some old-school artwork, travel memorabilia, neon signs, or any other funky decorations that catch your eye!

Some of us like staying on top of the latest home décor trends, and some of us don’t. That’s just the way it is! However, even if you’re not a furnishing fashionista, you can still live in a timeless, beautiful home.

If you look around your home and feel like it’s tired, dull or outdated, it mightbe time to make a positive change.

Renovate and rejuvenate your property by avoiding the 7 things we’ve listed below. Don’t worry, though, because we offer little tips on what to do instead!

Get rid of old carpeting

Carpeting is a thing of the past – or it soon will be. Not only do carpets collect pollutants, they’re hard to clean and get messy quick! They’re warm, but they’re also expensive to install. Instead, consider modern alternatives like wood or vinyl; attractive, clean, and comfortable to walk on.

Wave goodbye to wooden furniture legs

Wooden furniture legs are wonderfully quaint for a countryside cottage, but don’t always fit well in a contemporary home. Rather than the rustic aesthetic, consider industrial metal furniture legs – they complement a range of different furnishings, and can really elevate the quality of any space.

Forget about complicated lighting

Complicated, confusing light fixtures are no longer as attractive as they once were. Of course, chandeliers remain historically beautiful, but they can date a room by decades! Instead, invest in straightforward glass or metallic fittings for a sleek, sophisticated appearance to your room.

Messy clutter is the worst

A home should look lived in, but unorganised and messy clutter can age your property. Setting aside time to put your messy clutter in order can work wonders in bringing your room up to speed. We highly recommend investing in beautiful baskets or shelving units to hide all your miscellaneous bits-and-bobs!

Lace is so last year

We can recognise the old-school Victorian houses with gorgeous lace curtains from miles away – unfortunately, lace is still pretty Victorian! If you are set on styling lace into your home, consider adding it as a statement piece to translucent drapes. Incorporating light, airy, and lacy décor is one way of updating this outdated style.

Scrap your floral patterns

Floral upholstery should be avoided more often than not, unless you’re deliberately recreating a ‘60s style. Floral patterns were fashionable then, but they’re certainly outdated now! Think about refreshing your floral furniture with modern upholstery options, of which there are millions of contemporary designs and colours to choose from.

Don’t mount too many pictures

Framed pictures can really let your personality and love shine through in your home, but too many of them and mounted pictures become distasteful. If you do want a feature wall full of pictures, it should be well arranged and not cluttered. This ensures your home won’t appear outdated or feel overwhelming.

Our Final Thoughts

You can decorate your home any way you’d like, and décor trends pass by so quickly that it’s hard to keep track of them all! Nevertheless, it’s always lovely to live in a home that doesn’t feel outdated but has a timeless quality you can enjoy for a long time.

The dining table is the preferred gathering place for family and friends in a home, whether for celebrations or chats. A dining table brings the entire family together. The greatest dining room chairs must be purchased in addition to the dining table top and finish because they will comfort your family and visitors.

If you enjoy shopping online, you can buy dining chair online or how many ever you need. You can research each form of a dining chair to determine which is best for your dining area because various varieties are available. If you don’t have time to do your research, read the article below to learn about the multiple types of dining chairs.

Types of dining chairs

1. Parsons chairs

A stylish chair that will fit nicely with any room in your home. The main advantage of this chair is that it complements any type of furniture. The chair’s seats are upholstered, which increases comfort. For the greatest results, use the chair with a glass dining table.

2. Side chairs

A side chair is among the most often used eating chairs. The side chairs typically don’t have arms, making them perfect for compact dining rooms. When not in use, you tuck the chairs under the table

So, side chairs are your best alternative if you’re seeking dining chairs for a tiny space. Your dining area will feel larger if you pair the side chairs with rectangular tables. If the chairs get soiled, cleaning them is simple.

3. Armchairs

An armchair with matching armrests is yet another of the greatest chairs for dining. Your family and friends will be more comfortable in the chair. If you have this table at your dining table, you don’t have to stoop to put your elbows over the table. These chairs allow you to eat and converse comfortably.

4. Folding dining chairs

The greatest choice for affordable dining chairs is a set of folding seats. These chairs are typically utilized as extra dining chairs. They come in a variety of sizes and forms.

5. Windsor chairs

It has a bow-back design and a frame made of a half-circle and thin vertical spindles, rods, or slats. The spindled backs are available in a variety of heights and forms.

The straight legs, which are frequently spindles, are turned out at an angle, and the back of the chair is somewhat curved. Windsor chairs are the perfect option if you want a conventional chair, a country-style setting, or historical furniture.

6. Cross-back chair

The chairs are ideal for a rustic and natural dining space. And it gives your dining room a contemporary appearance. The chair can support greater weight than the other dining chairs because it is built of solid wood. You can use the chairs as accent pieces, making them look basic and tidy. Usually, the back of these chairs is formed like an x.

7. Wingback chairs

Straight backs with panels on either side are standard wingback chairs. These chairs typically come with upholstery, so you may pick the material to go with the design of your dining room. Your dining room will have a refined aspect thanks to these chairs.

8. Queen Anne chairs

In your dining area, Queen Anne chairs are more compact, lightweight, and comfy. Usually, the Victorian era serves as inspiration for these chairs. Queen Anne chairs are distinguished by their intricate back splats, carved accents, ornate scrolls, and cabriole legs. If you desire a formal dining room, you might use these chairs.

You can get these kinds of dining chairs to create a beautiful dining space at home. All of the dining chairs are inexpensively available online. To get the chair at the best price, compare prices at a few different stores.

Purchasing a property is a rather expensive investment to make. However, there is a lot of money to be made in the real estate market, especially if you find a second-hand home with incredible potential. To be successful in this endeavour, you’ll need to be able to see past the wear and tear of an old home.

Whether you’re looking for a run-down property to create the home of your dreams or looking to flip the property to make a profit, this is the article for you. In this blog, we’ll be teaching you seven of the most crucial things to look out for when purchasing your next fixer upper…

Find an Up-and-Coming Neighbourhood

If you don’t mind living in an up-and-coming area, you’ll be able to get much more land for your money. Plus, you’ll get an excellent return upon your initial investment if you secure a property in a location that is increasingly gaining popularity.

Look For Water Damage

Although water damage restoration is possible with the right team of contractors, this process can eat away at your budget. Before you purchase the property, we recommend you get some experts in to evaluate the extent of the damage and whether it is worth your time.

Evaluate the Renovation Costs

Before you close a deal, we recommend that you ask a professional about the costs of your potential renovations. You may envision a number or changes but, if you can’t afford it, you’ll be struggling to complete the project.

Ask About Council Restrictions

Depending on the location of your property and the type of renovations you hope to carry out, you may or may not be required to secure some permits. You can ask local contractors to help you with this part of the renovation, just make sure you agree upon a price beforehand.

Create a Contingency Fund

No matter how well you plan out your renovations, there’s always bound to be a mistake or two along the way. In these scenarios, it’s always best to have a contingency fund that you can rely upon on those rainy days.

Stay Away from Serious Defects

When you’re looking at buying a fixer upper, there will always be plenty of cosmetic defects that you’ll need to deal with. However, if your home has massive structural defects, it’s probably not worth your time.

Don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate

As with all properties in the real estate market, there’s always room for negotiation. Don’t be afraid to negotiate a lower price and snag the best deal possible.

At the end of the day, you’ll need to be incredibly patient and determined with this project. There are bound to be a few unexpected issues along the way, it’s what you make of them that truly counts. Make sure that you are financially and mentally prepared to take on the scope of this project. If you follow through correctly, you’ll be able to reap the benefits.

If you live in a city like London, you are probably living in an older home that needs a bit of TLC. You would expect nothing less than a luxury formal dining room in any of the older residences in the city, so if you are in the process of refurbishing your home, here are five features that are an absolute must in any luxury dining room.

1. Hard Wood Flooring

There is nothing more elegant than wood flooring in any formal dining room. You might like to try antique or reclaimed flooring because it would fit perfectly with the character of a city as old as London. For this, you would probably want to consult with Wood Floor Specialists – London to see exactly what kind of wood would best suit your needs as you undergo refurbishing that formal dining room you so adore.

2. Chandelier or Candelabra

If you have high ceilings, a chandelier would be perfect, but if your ceilings are a bit low, a candelabra for the middle of your dining room table would probably be better. The point is, since candles were traditionally used in older homes, you would need to recreate the effect and either of those options would do well.

3. Wainscoting or Chair Rail

There is a marked difference between wainscoting and chair rail but either or both would be ideal. Wainscoting is meant to line the lower half of the wall, often to help insulate older stone buildings whereas chair rail is wood moulding that is horizontal. If you take the time to view photos of elegant older dining rooms, you will see that they probably all have both wainscoting and chair rail.

4. Elegant Dining Room Table and Chairs

The type of dining room table and chairs you choose are really a personal choice. However, it is vital that you keep with the overall style and era of your home. For this reason, you could choose a solid wood table, quite often made from walnut. Perhaps you might like to go with a glass top table and upholstered chairs. The size is up to you depending on the number of people you will typically seat there at a formal dinner, but it should run lengthwise through the room.

5. Antiqued Sideboard or Buffet

There is one final element of a formal dining room and that would be the addition of an antique sideboard or buffet. This is where you would place foods that are being served at dinner. In between meals, lovely little statues and basins could be placed there for an extra bit of elegance. Stone basins are well suited, so keep that in mind as you are planning your lovely new formal dining room.

From draperies to throw carpets in the room, you will want to add a bit of texture, and this will help you accomplish that. The only thing to remember is that you need to plan everything out well before the actual work begins. In this way, you won’t run into any hang-ups that will delay the finished product.