Minor Home Improvements For A Massive Difference

 Minor-Home-Improvements-For-A-Massive-DifferenceWhen the housing market is booming like it is right now in 2022 you might be in the market for purchasing your very first home, you may have already realized that opting for a smaller property would be a realistic solution, or you may have considered the affordability of homes that need some TLC.

Before purchasing, you should ensure that you are definitely getting the best mortgage deal. A fantastic way to determine your affordability, while gaining real insight into how much your repayments would be is to take advantage of mortgage calculators available from Habito. While the asking price is usually substantially lower on properties that have not been maintained, you may be questioning how you could possibly afford improvements. Luckily, there are quite a few minor improvements that can make the most notable difference.

Update The Lighting

Even though you may not have inspected the lighting situation in the property just yet, you may be quite surprised to discover just how much of a difference correct lighting can make. Not only can you select lighting fixtures in these galleries that double up as charming accent pieces, but you can also easily adjust the atmosphere within your home with your lighting choices. It would be wise to consider energy-efficient options while carefully considering the aesthetic appeal of the fixtures.

Bathroom Touches

Remodeling your bathroom would be quite costly, and somewhat unnecessary considering you could only upgrade small details such as doorknobs, faucets, towel railings and add a few final touches with attractive coordinated decor items. The small changes will, in fact, make a notable difference. However, you should avoid overdoing things in the bathroom as a cluttered space is never pleasing. This means you should opt for a simplistic approach when decorating your bathroom.

A Fresh Coat Of Neutral Paint

Repainting the interior of your home is possibly one of the most cost-effective home improvements that will make a massive difference. You should consider neutral colors and ensure that the color choice for each room will flow effortlessly with the next.

Kitchen Details

As with remodeling a bathroom, you may be dreading the estimated costs of upgrading your kitchen. Although, by taking on the same money-savvy approach and only upgrading details in your kitchen, you won’t have to spend a fortune to improve the area. Splashing out a bit on countertops may be a wise investment; however, you could consider repurposing materials as much as possible to make the project affordable.

Don’t Move With Clutter

Far too many people make the mistake of moving into a new home with too much clutter. Rather than packing up absolutely everything, you should leave behind unnecessary items. You may find that your old curtains would not do your new home justice, which means you should rather leave them behind. It may be a bit tricky to let go of unneeded items on moving day, although, the effort will prove well worth it once you have settled into your new home. Packing with a plan is also a fantastic way to avoid moving with clutter, instead of simply throwing everything into boxes.

On the other hand, if you’re moving to a place like London and you have some stuff you’re not quite ready to let go of you can easily arrange a cheap self-storage unit in London to store the items away in advance. This will take some stress off your mind as moving, in general, is quite a stressful and time-consuming process.

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5 Great Reasons to Build a Pergola in Your Home

5-Great-Reasons-to-Build-a-Pergola-in-Your-HomeAre you finding your home a bit plain, especially when it comes to its surrounding outdoor area? Or perhaps you’ve got a large empty backyard that’s just begging to be filled, but you’re looking to do it in an understated yet elegant manner? If so, then you may want to consider having a pergola built on your property. With many advantages it has and the popularity of outdoor living, building a pergola will help you increase the value of your property, McGuire Property Management & Sales points out.

A pergola is really just a simple metal or wooden structure that consists of pillars and horizontal roof beams, the latter being laid out to form an overhead grid or a series of rows. This overhead element can be left as is, or it can also be covered with a protective canopy or a lattice framework, upon which creeping vines can be trained. When fully grown, these vines can provide shade to the amenities beneath the pergola.

As pergolas have no walls or partitions, they possess an open design that can really bring out the beauty of outdoor living space. Indeed, Melbourne pergolas have become more popular in recent years as homeowners continue to find ways to make their yards more appealing. You, too, can take advantage of the aesthetic and functional benefits that a pergola can give your home. Here’s a quick summary of them.

It provides shade from the hot Australian sun

If you’re finding the weather to be a bit too sunny outside that it’s preventing you from properly appreciating your yard or hosting some guests in your outdoor deck, then a pergola could be the solution you’re looking for. Despite its open and roof-less construction, a pergola can give you protection from the elements with the convenient addition of an optional tarp or canopy. Simply unfurl the canopy on the roof beams, and you’ll have all the shade you need to survive the hot Australian weather in comfort and style.

If you want your shade to be a bit more decorative, then all you need to do is to grow flowering vines on your pergola. Place a lattice framework on the overhead grid or beams, and train the vines to grow all over it. In time, they’ll create a protective canopy that’s not only all-natural but also adds a bit of classic elegance to your backyard’s overall look.

It gives definition and purpose to an otherwise drab part of your yard

Installing a pergola in a specific area in your backyard will give that space the definition it needs to stand out, while still making that area appear to be in harmony with the rest of your yard. You can then furnish that space with more elements to make its purpose more obvious. These amenities can include lounging chairs, a dining table, or a BBQ spit and grill for your very own outdoor barbecue setup. The possibilities are endless, so long as you’ve got a pergola to start things off with.

It adds versatility to your garden

If you’ve converted your backyard into a space full of colourful flowers and lush greenery, then a pergola is a wonderful way to add some versatility to your home garden. For one, you can use the overhead beams as a space to hang potted plants from for a refreshing, hanging garden look. You can also introduce crawling plants and blossoms to the pergola and allow them to grow around and up the structure. This will create a natural roof for your pergola that will shield you from the elements, as well as add a bit of old-world romance to your outdoor garden.

It enhances any outdoor fixtures you may already have

The pergola’s open nature allows it to be a great accompanying fixture to anything you may have already installed in your backyard. For example, it can serve as a lead-in or sheltered passageway for your gazebo, or as a designated lounging and sunbathing area that’s right beside your outdoor pool. It’s very versatile on its own, but a pergola also works well when combined with other architectural or decorative elements.

It helps give your outdoor space some privacy

Finally, building a pergola is also a way to afford yourself some measure of privacy in your own backyard. Besides the optional canopy, you can also hang drapes around the pergola, or surround it with tall plants to create a discreet yet subtle screen between yourself and the world without. This will help keep your nosy neighbors from peering into your business.

A pergola may seem too barebones as an outdoor-enhancing structure, but its quaint simplicity and utilitarian functionality actually make it very versatile. Have one installed today, and enjoy the convenience and style that a pergola can afford your home.
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How to Spray Paint Doors: the best ways to handle an Airless Sprayer

Welcome my fellow renovation enthusiasts. Spray painting isn’t a hard job, the difficult part is to make sure your work has the fine finish touch that every enthusiast aim to achieve. How to Spray Paint Doors: the best ways to handle an Airless Sprayer

Nobody likes a bubbled up and uneven surfaced door, especially us enthusiasts. The sight of them severely grinds our gears to the point of self-destruction.

That’s why I am writing this article to show some tips and tricks on how to professionally spray paint your doors with an airless sprayer. 

Without further ado, let’s begin. 

How to spray paint doors using an Airless Sprayer

What is an airless paint sprayer

An airless paint sprayer pump paint through the hose and allows the painter to spray paint an object with ease. However, unlike conventional paint sprayer, airless sprayers use hydraulic pressure rather than air pressure to atomize the air. It is because of this difference that an airless sprayer has many advantages. 

I know this article is about how to spray paint using an airless sprayer, but it is also important to understand your equipment. Hence I will just briefly mention them here.

Reduce paint waste

The hydraulic system of an airless sprayer pushes the paint out of the hose without the use of atomizing air. That’s why paint is less likely to be impacted by airflow, spraying more than it should and a droplet of paint landing elsewhere rather than the object 

High accuracy

The tip of an airless sprayer can break down the spraying paint into a fan shape. The fan shape is very efficient in ensuring the object can be spray painted evenly as long as it is done properly. Of course, this article will also tell you the proper to spray paint with an airless sprayer, so keep reading! 

Elegant finish

The hydraulic system and the fan-shaped spraying are the main contributory factors to an elegant finish. After the paint dries out, you will be able to see a smooth and perfect finish on the objects without any uneven surface.

Instruction on spray painting 

Step 1

Set up the doors so that they stand up straight with enough space for you to spray paint all sides including the front, the sideway, and the back too. You can do so by hanging them up on a rack, or screwing some gallon paint sticks on the wall and stabilize the door with them. 

Step 2 

Next is the spraying pattern. In order to ensure that the door is painted evenly and further reduce paint wastage, it is highly advisable to follow the spray paint pattern as per the illustration below. 

Start from the top right corner of the door, steadily go down to the bottom right, move to left and go up. Repeat until the one surface is fully painted.  

By the way, when you finish one straight line and moving on the next, remember to overlap the previous by 50%. The reason is that the fap shaped spraying of an airless sprayer produces more paint in the middle and less on the side. So, overlapping 50% of the spraying pattern with each other ensure that the intensity of paint is evenly distributed throughout the surface of a door. 

Step 3 

Painting sides of the door is pretty self-explanatory and intuitive. However, make sure that the center point of the fan-shaped spray pattern is where the sides of the door are getting painted. 

Step 4

Repeat step 2 for the backside of the door and voila that’s one door done easily and efficiently with an airless sprayer.

Important note

Doorknob 

Remember to remove the doorknob before painting your door. Even if you want to paint doorknob too, it is better to do so separately. Otherwise, the spray painting pattern above will be screwed in the area around the doorknob. 

Respirator

Always wear a respirator. If you do not have a respirator, a surgical mask or something to cover your nose is better than nothing. Although, ideally, it is better to use a respirator to be 100% safe. 

Painting multiple doors

If you have multiple doors to paint, line them up standing next to each other in a W shape. Leave adequate space between them so that you can paint the sides too. The tools needed to line them up can be easily found in almost any renovation shop. 

Avoid humid weather

It is better to avoid spray painting your doors during a rainy day. The humidity in the air might mess up the finish of the door when it is drying (bubbly finish). If you are living in a place that is humid throughout the year, get a dehumidifier and close all the doors or windows. 

If you are saving on budget, get a pack of charcoals and place them in the room where you are going to do your spray painting for at least half a day. There are thousands of DIY dehumidifier you can find on the internet so that shouldn’t be a problem. 

Practice first

If this is your first spray painting, you might want to try it out on a piece of cardboard first. Try to familiarize yourself with the feeling of spraying painting and how hard you should press the trigger, as there are paint sprayer’s that allows you to control the output based on the pressure applied on the trigger.

Bottom line

Spray painting isn’t as difficult as some might think once you have got the hang of it. Especially with an airless sprayer, it makes the job even easier. Follow our tips and guide above and you will become a spray painting veteran in no time.  Refresh Your Space

Remember to check out paint sprayers at https://gopaintsprayer.com/ and other related products and stay tuned for more tips and tricks on spray painting. 

Have fun and good luck renovating folks!
[…]
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Renovation Singapore Some General Guidelines for HDB homeowners

Renovation Singapore Some general guidelines for HDB homeownersAs a homeowner, you have specific responsibilities to take care of, right from the time of planning until the end of the renovation work of an HDB flat. Failing to abide by the government rules and regulations can cost you enormous penalties. Hence, the article discusses some critical factors that you need to keep up with while working on the looks of your house.

The permissible hours during which the work can progress

It is crucial to make sure that your contractor or interior designing service provider puts up a renovation notice outside your home until the project gets over. At least two neighbors living next to your flat should also be aware of the same. The renovators need to inform them. And you have to follow this rule even if you do not need any permission for the type of work you intend to carry out. Make sure everyone in your neighborhood gets this information at least three days earlier of the beginning of the renovation. Besides, a few more things need your attention in this regard:

  • Between 9 am and 6 pm, the workers can carry out general renovation tasks. Getting things done on weekdays and Saturdays is not an issue. But you need to avoid public holidays and Sundays. This rule is necessary to implement for the convenience of your neighbors.
  • Only on weekdays, you can execute heavy-duty jobs, such as wall removal or demolition, floor finishing, tile cutting, etc., from 9 am to 5 pm.
  • You need to avoid noisy tasks on Saturdays, Sundays, and almost all the public holidays. Also, DIY activities should not take place before or after 10:30 pm to 7:00 am.

The tools and renovation materials that you can use

The workmen can use only two power tools that have approval from HDB in the process. And the work should wind up in three days. Also, pre-packed materials have permission. But the service provider should be aware of using these things the right way. For example, plaster applies to walls and screed to the floor. Pre-packed building materials refer to readymade mixtures that contain the right amount of necessary ingredients. Just sprinkle some water, and it is ready to use. It makes workers’ job bit more comfortable as they do not have to prepare anything on the site.

The time within which the work needs to complete

As per HDB renovation Singapore directives, no renovation work should consume more than one month in old flats, and more than three months in newly-finished blocks. The rule applies right from the date you get a permit. Also, once the work completes, you need to reach out to your HDB Branch for updating them about the status.

Follow different building rules

HDB flat renovation works also need to be in alignment with the guidelines around floors, walls, kitchen, fall ceiling, door, and gate, etc.

  • You will need a permit if you want to replace your ceramic, terrazzo, homogenous, marble, timber or any other such flooring. The new finish and screed must not be more than 50mm thick.
  • In the case of the walls, you do not need any permission for building a hollow block wall (63mm), or glass block wall (80mm). However, make sure you do not use more than one block of any of these materials. If you need to make an opening in the nonbearing wall between two flats, then you would first need the board’s approval. But you can get gypsum partition done without seeking a nod from the authorizing committee.
  • If you are modifying your kitchen, you can extend it to the service balcony or yard without requiring any green signal from the board. However, you have to see that this work does not need to demolish any walls. Additionally, you do not need any permission for attaching clothes drying hanger to the ceiling of your service yard or kitchen.
  • You can paint your main door and metal grille gate from outside. You can also replace your main metal gates without permission. However, you cannot alter the actual size and shape. So, be careful.
  • Similarly, you do not need to wait for approval for adding a false ceiling to the existing structure of the false ceiling by HDB. Just make sure you do not tamper the joists.

Singapore is strict about renovation work. So, it’s better that you hire an established interior designer or contractor for the job. The service providers should have complete knowledge of how to work on HDB projects. It is also one of the rules that you cannot get this kind of work done by any random contractor. The company should have proper rights and experience in the field. Besides, make sure you go into the specifics of all the guidelines before conducting a renovation exercise to avoid slipups and confusion.
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*This post may contain affiliate links and it is a way for the site to earn advertising fees and I might receive compensation at no additional cost to you if you click on an affiliate link.

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