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Winter Home Maintenance Guide for All Homeowners

October 20, 2022
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Winter storms and severe colds can wreak havoc on your home. Iced pipes, snow-covered driveways, and frozen gutters are all potential hazards. If we consider the statistics, winters can cause damage of up to $1 billion per year to US homes.

That’s why all homeowners need to have a winter home maintenance plan. A little preparation can go a long way, whether keeping the interiors warm or the exteriors safe. Here are a few maintenance tips to help you get through winter without bursts and shivers.

  • Seal Your Windows and Doors

Does your home feel draughty? Do you feel uncomfortably cold in winter, despite the heating? Do your energy bills seem higher than they should be?

If so, you probably have leaky windows and doors. These are one of the most common sources of heat loss. And the good news is, they’re also one of the easiest to fix.

To seal your windows and doors, you’ll need to caulk the gaps around them. Use a caulking gun to spread a good amount of caulk around the perimeter of your doors and windows.

For best results, use a high-quality, weatherproof caulk. It will prevent the caulk from cracking or peeling over time.

  • Ensure Your Water Heater is in Working Order

Your water heater works all year round, but it’s especially taxed in the winter. Cold weather can cause the water inside the tank to cool, which means the heater will have to work harder to heat it. It can put a strain on the system, causing it to break down.

To prevent this, bleed your water heater regularly to release any built-up sediment in the tank. It will also enhance the efficiency of the heater. 

It’s important to note that water heater repair is a job best left to professionals. If you’re uncomfortable doing it yourself, hire a water heater repair service to do it for you. They’ll identify potential problems and fix them before they cause severe damage.

  • Maintain Your Heating System

Your heating system will work overtime during the winter, so it’s essential to check it regularly and ensure it’s in good working condition. If you have a furnace, replacing the filter every few months is crucial. A clogged filter will make your furnace work harder and could lead to a fire. 

You must also:

  • Check your thermostat to ensure it is operating properly
  • Tune up the heat pump at peak efficiency
  • Clean the internal vents so the furnace doesn’t overheat
  • Keep the external unit of the heat pump free of snow and ice
  • Inspect your fireplace to ensure there are no cracks in the chimney
  • If you use a wood-burning stove, make certain the flue is open when you’re using it

These are all skilled tasks that require the help of a professional, so don’t hesitate to call in reinforcements if you’re not comfortable doing them yourself.

  • Don’t Neglect Your Gutters

Your gutters keep your home safe from any water damage. Therefore, they must be in good condition. During fall, leaves and other debris can build up in your gutters. Some homeowners also find critters like rodents and birds nesting in their gutters.

All these can accumulate to form a blockage that prevents water from flowing freely. As a result, rain and melting snow can overflow and cause water damage to your home’s exterior and foundation.

So, clean your gutters timely. Use a gutter scoop to take out all the gunk. Next, flush the gutters with a hose to clear any remaining dirt. Installing gutter guards is also a useful preventative method that you can try.

  • Weatherproof Your Exterior Pipes

One of the most common winter home maintenance issues is frozen pipes. When the water inside the pipes freezes, it expands and puts pressure on the pipe walls. It can result in the pipes cracking or even bursting. If this happens, you’ll have a big mess on your hands, which will be expensive to repair.

To avoid this, insulate your exterior pipes with pipe insulation sleeves available at most hardware stores. You can also keep a space heater where your pipes are located or open cabinet doors to allow the heat from your furnace to reach them. You can also seal any cracks or holes around the pipes to prevent cold air from seeping in.

  • Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are a home’s safety system must-haves. These devices help to alert you of a fire or carbon monoxide leak, so you can take action to avoid disaster.

It’s essential to regularly test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace the batteries at least once a year. Also, vacuum the sensors to remove any dust that might prevent them from working correctly.

Since having more than one of these devices in your home is a good idea, ensuring they’re interconnected is also important. That way, if one goes off, they all will.

You can buy interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, or you can purchase a separate interconnecting module.

  • Keep an Eye on Your Roof

From the scorching sun in summer to the icy winds and snow in winter, your roof takes a beating all year long.

So, you must inspect your roof regularly and ensure it’s in good condition.

Look for any missing, cracked, or damaged shingles. If left unchecked, you may have a mold problem.

Also, check the flashing around your chimney and vents to ensure it’s not loose or missing. You can do this by looking for gaps in the sealant. If you see any, reapply caulk or sealant to prevent water from seeping in.

Another potential problem is an ice dam which results from melting snow that refreezes at the edge of your roof, forming a dam that prevents adequate water drainage.

If you have an ice dam, you’ll need to remove it carefully to avoid damaging your roof. You can break it with a shovel or an ice pick. You can also use heat tape to melt the ice dam.

 

Conclusion

Winterizing your home may seem like a lot of work, but it’s certainly not something you can put off until next year. By taking care of these maintenance tasks, you can avoid bigger problems. Plus, you’ll stay warm and cozy all winter long.

Start now so you can enjoy winters without freezing or any repair bills. And don’t forget to grab your supplies of hot chocolate and warm blankets. 

Architectural walkthroughs have been something like science fiction for a long time. But in just a decade and a half, we’ve seen them become legit tools that real estate professionals can use to bring potential buyers closer and more involved in a property. 

 

Since walkthroughs are relatively new, there are a lot of impacts, influences, and features about them to discuss. However, we want to look at it from a single most crucial perspective: how do walkthroughs help lead to sales? 

 

After all, this is the most critical question skeptics have about them. The main benefit of walkthroughs is that they make it easier for potential buyers and help convince them to make purchases. 

They offer an amazing visual experience

Compared to static 3D renders, architectural walkthroughs offer a far more superior visual experience. Instead of having images, this medium is made out of 3D animation. These animations let 3D artists take viewers on a realistic and immersive visual journey

 

Interested parties can see all of the rooms individually and walk from one to another as if they were doing it in real life. The same applies to all the exterior, including pools, gardens, terraces, or patios. All of the elements are presented truthfully with a high level of detail. 

 

In a way, these walkthroughs are starting to look like movie CGI. Of course, there aren’t a lot of explosions going on, but the level of quality is there. On the other hand, artists constantly add new elements and special effects and rethink their approach to create a better visual experience. 

Why is the visual impression so important? 

Visual impression and presentation are highly beneficial if we look at a property like a product you intend to sell. Most consumers today choose products based on visual appeal, which is one of the key factors they consider. 

 

Creating a unique visual experience will help customers distinguish your product. In architecture, 3D walkthroughs can change perceptions of a space, make it more attractive, and give that adrenaline rush to buyers, making them visualize living in or otherwise using that space.

 

Companies like Apple have built themselves on their visual experience and branding. When you combine great animations and useful information that walkthroughs can provide about a property, it’s clear how they can impress customers and bring them closer to a purchase.  

Viewers can learn about space, proportions, and dimensions 

We just mentioned that walkthroughs deliver “useful” information. They’re not just about dazzling viewers for a short time without any long-term usefulness. These visuals have the power to give viewers all of the required information they need about a property. 

 

They can learn about the layout of a property, how many rooms there are, which materials there will be, proportions between different elements, dimensions, how they can furnish the space, and so much more. In other words, potential customers can get a complete picture of the space without missing anything important. 

 

What worries most clients when it comes to walkthroughs is that they won’t get important information that can affect their future decisions. But there’s no need to worry about this, especially if the real estate agent can give additional information about the space and help interested parties understand all of the essentials.  

 

For example, if someone wants to move into a property, they might want to know if there’s room for all their furniture. Walkthroughs can give them accurate information about how big or small a particular space is. 

They tell a great story 

Experienced real estate agents are often great storytellers. The better storytellers they are, the better they are at their jobs. Why? The reason is quite simple. Selling residential real estate isn’t that much about being technical and delivering the right features customers are looking for. 

 

It’s about selling a story about what new owners’ lives will look like after they’ve moved in. 3D animation can also tell a fantastic story while showcasing the design to potential clients. Combining a story, amazing visuals, and technical information can make viewers fall in love with the presentation. 

 

CGI offers a lot of variety when it comes to storytelling. It’s possible to include many camera movements, music, text, voiceovers, special effects, and so much more. In other words, apart from telling a story with the design, the walkthrough itself further gives context to viewers. 

 

Here’s a simple example of how this works. If you want to emphasize the light fixtures or the amount of natural light the space has, 3D artists can easily zoom in on those essential details. When it comes to concepts, people sometimes like to see the step-by-step process of designing. 

 

On the other hand, if it’s vital to showcase the size of a property, you can do it with a flyover walkthrough 360-degree video. That can also let viewers compare the size of the property to the surroundings. These ideas help sell projects more quickly and tell an engaging story. 

They present a property in different/dynamic settings 

Modern customers want only the best. We are long past impulsive purchases when people don’t care much about a particular product’s details. Customers are more informed today, and they have specific needs that showcase their personalities. 

 

A part of 3D visualization, in general, is to give all of the information possible to buyers. Help them understand every single detail of space, potential solutions, different variations, and different settings. That is what walkthroughs can also do effectively.

 

For example, CGI animation walkthroughs can easily show how a space looks when it’s snowing, during the day or night, or in any other situation. 3D artists can even create a quick time-lapse to showcase a property’s transition in a single day cycle. 

 

In other words, this type of content gives you the ability to present to your customers all the details they want to know. Additionally, you can create different walkthroughs for properties that haven’t been built yet. 

 

It’s possible to present different design solutions and ask the clients what they like better. That will help engage them even further and get them involved in the property they’re interested in buying. 

Viewers can understand how the property will fit in with its surroundings 

In most cases, static renders are all about a property’s interior and exterior. There’s no real focus on what’s surrounding that object, how it fits in, and where it stands compared to other buildings. That might matter to some people, and they might like to get to know their street at least before moving in. 

 

That is why virtual tours are a perfect option. It’s easy to take the whole 3D walkthrough around the property and the neighborhood. That gives clients more context about living there and what they will actually see every day. 

 

On top of that, it’s possible to get aerial footage of the surrounding area to give a better perspective. Some 3D artists will also use drone footage to include the actual property within the 3D presentation and provide a highly realistic image of the whole property. 

 

All of this can be genuinely appealing to customers, help them understand where the place is, what surrounds them, how they will function on a day-to-day basis, and more. 

No need for customers to actually see the property 

The main idea behind architectural walkthroughs is to create a medium through which interested parties can learn about a property and buy without physically visiting it. Even though this was initially the goal, it wasn’t quite possible at first. 

The whole industry quickly rejected this idea because it failed initially. But after years of improvement both in technical and creative terms, we can finally say that this is entirely possible today. Customers can buy a property without even visiting thanks to various camera angles, unique details, materials, 360-degree videos, and other superior visuals. 

 

Not only can they buy, but they can make the right buying decision. That is one of the most impactful ways walkthroughs lead to sales. Lots of people are busy and don’t have the time to travel across the country to check out a place. 

 

Instead, they often hire real estate agents that purchase on their behalf. Unfortunately, that isn’t enough. Buyers need to see the property themselves to determine if it has everything they need. 3D walkthroughs let them do this easily from the comforts of their home and spend only about 20 minutes before they can make a decision. 

Easy to showcase all of the essential details 

Before architectural walkthroughs, customers looking to buy a property that hadn’t been built yet had their work cut out for them. The same goes for people who planned on building something from scratch. Here’s why walkthroughs are better presentations.

They’re easier to understand 

As we mentioned, it was all about reading architectural plans or sketches in the past. That might be good enough for architects and people who have experience and knowledge with such documents. But for an average client, that barely means anything. 

 

Of course, they can try and understand the plan, but they won’t be able to get the whole picture. On the other hand, everyone understands videos. There’s no particular skill or knowledge required. 

Easier demonstration 

With 2D architectural plans, the architect or the agent had to play an active role in presenting and explaining the project. Yes, they still have to do this with walkthroughs, but it’s more about filling in the blanks or giving additional explanations that can help people understand important details.

 

This presentation method gives professionals the option to answer questions more quickly and see how the client is reacting along the way. 

Showing the layout 

As we mentioned earlier, 3D presentations move through all rooms and different parts of a property. That makes it super easy for viewers to understand the layout, where everything is located, consider functionality, and how they can use all of the rooms according to their needs. 

Focusing on essential details 

Walkthroughs can be as detailed as necessary. With various camera angles and movements, it’s easy to show all of the details and highlight unique features. The camera can zoom in on smaller design elements to make them more visible. On top of that, voiceovers can give explanations to support what’s being presented. 

Presenting the surrounding area 

2D architecture plans never included the surrounding buildings or houses. Walkthroughs can feature them and help customers understand the scale, proportions, and how the property fits in with its surroundings. 

They can impress clients 

In the end, walkthroughs can be super impressive and leave an unforgettable first impression on the potential buyer. All of the things we mentioned above can have a massive impact on the viewer and make them excited about a specific property. 

 

The whole presentation, visual experience, and amount of information delivered can be crucial in helping someone decide to buy. But on top of this, modern consumers love technology. CGI is all about technology, and it has a particular “cool factor” that can impress potential buyers. 

 

Even some of the most demanding clients will be impressed when your presentation tackles all of the details, answers their questions, and provides an immersive visual experience. 

Conclusion

Telling a coherent story through this medium can reflect in many positive ways including increased sales. Not only are walkthroughs compelling in bringing people on board with a project, but they can also be used for marketing, as portfolio material, showcasing your expertise, and so much more. 

 

The main thing to remember is to find a professional visualization artist that can execute animations according to the latest standards. These presentations can be valuable to architects, construction companies, real estate agents, and other professionals in the field. 

 

boat ride from Makarska is a unique adventure for all ages, and an excellent choice if you’re looking for a place to celebrate your birthday or want to enjoy the blue of the sea.

https://i.imgur.com/MBv1nV2.jpeg

There is a rising demand for speedboats that can sail safely and quickly to popular destinations on the island. At your fingertips are the beautiful beaches of Brac, Hvar, Vis, hidden coves, and gorgeous oases to swim.

This is the reason why you should go on a trip like this.

A boat ride out of Makarska to finish your day off is a great way to do it.

5 Reasons Why You Should Explore Makarska by Boat

Here are five things to be aware of:

  1. Find a place that meets your needs
  2. You can combine several locations
  3. You can have a boat for you and your family and other friends
  4. Skippers can be a valuable source of information
  5. It’s more efficient and comfortable than large tourist boats

It is possible to join a scheduled excursion with fellow guests if you are traveling on your own or in a couple. These tours are compact and can be tailored to meet the requirements of the guests. They allow you to discover the island and its beautiful surroundings without the hassle of crowds.

Rent a boat in Croatia and enjoy the Mediterranean’s distinctive rugged coast, clear blue water, and colorful stone villages while enjoying ideal sailing conditions. Regardless of whether you choose to charter a boat with a skipper to some of the lovely suggested locations or arrange a private excursion, it will undoubtedly be the sailing holiday of your life.

Best Seasons to Rent a Boat in Croatia

The sailing season generally begins in late April and lasts until October, with the highest prices occurring from July to August. For a yacht charter, you may anticipate paying approximately 850€ per day, family cruisers 350€ per day, and speedboats 300€ per day on average. Luxury motorboats with engines of 1080 horsepower may cost up to 2100 euros with skipper services included in the price. On such roomy boats, you can accommodate up to 11 passengers.

Cruise along the Croatian Coast

Things to Consider Before Renting a Boat in Croatia

Choose your departure point

You can embark from one of the major harbors in Croatia — Pula, Zadar, Sukošan, Biograd, Šibenik, Trogir, Split, or Dubrovnik. Whilst Pula happens to be one of the safest harbors in Croatia, many boaters from all over the world depart from the Middle-Dalmatian town Zadar. Its position makes it the ideal starting point for your nautical adventure either you plan to hop around the islands or navigate along the Dalmatian coastline.

Find the best boat rental deals

As a relatively new seaside getaway with increasing popularity, you have a number of options when it comes to Croatian professional charters. Boat rentals are reasonably priced, which makes planning and sailing on the water even more pleasurable.

Make safety your priority

To rent a boat in Croatia, you’ll need to have a license and a VHF certificate. Local harbor authorities may help you take examinations for this radio license. We can provide you with the contact information so that you can do it on the spot before renting a boat.

Cruise along the Croatian Coast

Pick your boat

From luxury prestige yachts to smaller boats — choose your vessel for exploring the coastline. ITAI Boats Zadar – Rent a Boat Zadar, experts in boating knowledge, are amongst the most reliable charters out there. They can offer you a vast range of hand-picked boats, as well as friendly support throughout the booking process.

Check out terms of use

After your boat rental, make sure it covers insurance, required equipment, and cleaning services. The rent seldom includes fuel expenses and other fees for ports.

Enjoy the ride

Zadar is ideally positioned to explore the adjacent islands and other portions of Croatia’s rugged coast. Head to Pula, Split, or Dubrovnik to see some of Croatia’s major attractions, or moor at islands like Pag, Krk, Cres, and Lošinj.

Cruise along the Croatian Coast

Rent a Boat in Zadar

The Zadar archipelago is a unique natural treasure with 89 islands, several islets, and reefs that are only reachable by sea. The Zadar region’s moderate winters and hot summers make it ideal for sailing activities. The clarity of the Adriatic Sea and the pleasant sailing conditions in Zadar make it appealing for those that have just started their sailing endeavors. Also, it is an exciting destination for nature lovers who have a spirit of adventure and want to try some new activities.

Lighting home solutions are essential for ensuring the full comfort and coziness for both the exterior and interior. What’s more, adequate lights can make a fine accessory and improve the overall design of one’s home. In that respect, you shouldn’t neglect this aspect of your home. With the possibility of proper lighting influencing your mood and energy levels, illuminating your home in a proper and personal way is a must for any homeowner. If you lack the ideas, take a look at the following list – you never know where your true inspiration may lie. 

1. Living room lights

Of course, it’s always best to have a lot of natural light, especially in the living room where you spend most of your time during the day. But, for some people and homes, this is not an option. In that respect, it would be wise to have one central ceiling light and several smaller ones in different areas of the room. Smaller dimmer lights that can be adjusted are one of the best solutions in this case. Also, if you value modern and minimalist style, you can always use wall light as a statement piece. There are many ways to decorate and reorganize your space, you just have to find inspiration. On the other hand, if you’re dealing with an open floor plan, floor lamps can also come in handy. They will act as dividers and you can find many interesting designs in the market that would suit your style. If you’re on a budget, make sure to visit garage sales or try some fun DIY projects that can help you make an ordinary floor lamp very interesting and unique.

2. Bedroom lights


When it comes to bedroom lights, things are a little bit different from the living room. In the bedroom you don’t need lights that are too bright. There are some amazing choices if you want to change your lighting – I recently came across a great store that has LED lighting that is soft and can be nicely placed into any bedroom. The Renovator Store is a place where you can find lighting, but also find an amazing inspiration on their blog and learn how to incorporate lighting into your bedroom.  If you like to keep things creative, you can install interesting ceiling lights. These can be smaller in-built lights arranged in certain patterns or a large statement piece. For example, a forest chandelier that cast a shadow similar to trees and branches is very suitable for the calming atmosphere of the bedroom. You can always buy this type of chandelier or make it yourself to save some money. Also, mood lights are more than suitable for bedrooms because they can relax and calm you. Of course, if you’re a big reader, don’t forget to include a lamp on your nightstand or a wall lamp right above your bed. 

3. Bathroom lights

In the case of illuminating your bathroom, you can pretty much go with whatever you find appealing and proportioned to the size of your bathroom. Still, most people opt for wall lamps instead of central ceiling lights since these add an additional touch of décor to the bathroom. Moreover, you can always add LED light strips to the bathroom cabinet so that you can get ready without having to squint. 

4. Kitchen lights


Kitchen is not that difficult to illuminate adequately, but it’s also very important to have a proper lighting solution in this room, especially if you spend time cooking there. In order to avoid eye strain, you can always add self-adhesive strips of LED lights at places where you spend most of your time. Also, the kitchen gets stuffy and full of odors pretty quickly and in that respect you might want to consider a fan ceiling light for sufficient brightness and fresh air all the time. This will help you in creating the most gorgeous kitchen that will be the focal point of your home.

 

5. Outdoor lights

When it comes to illuminating your porch, front yard or backyard, you can always spice things up a little with creative and proper outdoor lighting solutions. If you’re worried about the security of your home, don’t forget about motion sensor lights. Moreover, you can put small lamps along your driveway, use interesting lamp posts for porch fences or strings of LED lights to recreate the starry sky in your own yard. It’s all about what you want to highlight. If you have a beautiful garden and spend your evenings outdoors, you should definitely go for something more personal and unique.

Proper lighting in your home can undoubtedly improve your mood and provide you with enough brightness to go about your daily tasks. What’s more, these lights can create interesting effects and present a work of art themselves. Therefore, take your time to look for the perfect lighting solutions that would not only illuminate your home but your mind as well. 

The moving day is usually very hectic and exciting, but unfortunately, it can also be very stressful – especially when there are unpleasant surprises in the form of broken or damaged furniture items. Delicate things, like artwork, antiques, mirrors, and similar, can’t just be loaded into a truck and driven away; they have to be handled with care. With that in mind, here’s how you can protect your fragile furniture when moving.

Grandfather clock
If you happen to have one of those old grandfather clocks, you probably don’t want to see it broken. After all, their sentimental value is usually much bigger than their financial one. So, to make sure it doesn’t get damaged, remove any weights and pendulums from it, secure any moving parts, and pack it or crate it. Since it’s usually very heavy, make sure there’s enough padding in the box, and you should have nothing to worry about.

Large photos, paintings, and mirrors

The best way to pack larger photos and canvas paintings is to put them face down on a piece of bubble wrap that is about double the width of the painting. Then, tape the bubble wrap around the painting, and pack the painting in a bit bigger box. Of course, you should label every box, so you know which boxes you need to be more careful with. Moreover, when you start loading the boxes onto the moving truck, make sure they are placed standing up; it reduces the chance of damage. Also, if you can, try to put them in between mattresses, sofas, or some other upholstered furniture. The same goes for mirrors, just don’t forget to secure any hardware that goes with the mirror.

Smaller photos and artwork

Smaller artwork should also be wrapped in bubble wrap and secured with some tape. You can pack more items together in medium-size boxes, label the boxes, and put them on top of some softer furniture, so they are safe during transport. Make sure not to pack too many pictures in one box, though; you don’t want it to fall apart while being carried. Keep in mind that the extra space can always be filled in with lighter items, like linen or paper.

Rent a truck

Since you know exactly how fragile your furniture is, what is in which box, and how valuable all those items are, the best would be to rely on the help of professionals and hire a moving company. Sometimes the best thing you can do is to let somebody else handle your delicate items. This would allow you to organize everything else the way you want it, and not worry about anything getting damaged. Just make sure to give appropriate tips to those professionals. After all, they will be caring delicate and probably some pretty expensive stuff.

3D art

3D artwork, like shadow boxes or block letters, are quite popular decorative elements. However, moving them can become a bit tricky. The safest way to do it is by wrapping them in bubble wrap, just like photos, and packing them vertically. You can also add in some pillows, stuffed toys, or some other soft linen, for some extra padding.

China plates

If you have any expensive china plates, the safest way to pack them is by using barrel cartons. The bottom of the carton can be layered with packing peanuts or crumpled paper for some padding. Needless to say, before you place the plates in the box, you should first wrap them all individually. You should place them in the carton sideways, so there’s room for fillers. You can fill in any extra space with more papers, and make sure not to place anything heavy on the carton.

Smaller sculptures

Packing sculptures is always scary since it only takes one wrong step to break them. Moreover, sculptures like swans, elephants, and most animals, have extended parts that are especially vulnerable to being snapped off. In order to protect a sculpture, you need to cover it in plastic wrap first – to protect the finish. Then, wrap the vulnerable parts of the sculpture in bubble wrap. After you’re done with the vulnerable parts, you can wrap the entire sculpture. Once you’re finished with that step, you should end up with an egg shape, which you can then put in a box with some padding.

Larger sculptures

First, you need to know the approximate weight of the sculpture so you can choose an appropriate box. Sometimes, a cardboard box will simply not do, and you’d need a wooden crate instead. If the sculpture is not too heavy (depends on the material it’s made of), you can, perhaps, use a cardboard box – but with a lot of padding. Either way, wooden crates, in general, are a good thing to have. They are sturdy, and they are noticeable, which means that they are less likely to be mishandled. And even if they do, whatever is in them is more likely to survive the moving process.

When it comes to moving, the last thing you want is to start unpacking your things only to find some of your most valuable items damaged or broken beyond repair. So, make sure to pack every fragile item correctly, pay attention to how you stack the boxes in the truck, and they will be safe in your new home in no time.

Kitchen cabinetry remodel can be done any time of the year as fits your schedule. Here’s the truth: the best time for renovation in Bob’s house may not be the best time in Jenny’s tiny home. Meanwhile, Steve lives in a van and uses a hamper as a cabinet. Everybody is different. The best time to remodel your cabinets will have some variance.

This writing will focus on a few general things you want to take into account as you determine when is best to remodel. For example, if you remodel “in season”, you’ve got a better chance of getting the right contracting help and having the job go faster. If you remodel “out of season”, you might get better deals on cabinets, but worse deals on contractors.

When it comes to remodel, for a lot of good reasons, spring tends to initiate projects. There is a lot of walking in and out during renovation. Many different tools must be used, and when the weather is not too hot or cold, it’s ideal to get such work done. When it’s cold contractors track in the snow. When it’s hot, everybody sweats.

Spring And Summer Sweet Spots


For most people, the sweet spot will either be in spring, or after summer. However, because spring also initiates “real estate” season, many want to get the work done before they list.

So with remodeling specifically, your sweet spot may be late August to early October, depending on the seasons where you live and the availability of materials. Summer is usually a fine remodeling time, but it depends on your region. It can get hot. Spring and summer are most popular; hardly anybody remodels in winter.

Co-Opting The Internet

You might want to consider purchasing cabinetry options from the internet. There are always going to be options online which are available when those in brick-and-mortar stores dry up. Also, a physical store will have a selection vastly limited over what’s available through an online outlet. Just to help give you an idea, check out these kitchen cabinets for sale.

Online options also feature the latest innovations in cabinetry. Take Ready To Assemble (RTA) cabinets, for instance. These are ordered online to specification, sent to your location, and then you put them together on your time. So when is the most convenient time for you? It’s going to differ per person. With options like RTA, you just determine what is most sensible.

Property Value Considerations


Then there’s the consideration of property. Where is your property in its lifecycle? Is it a new property, are you on the cusp of selling, did you purchase an as-is home? Depending on the answers to these questions, the time to remodel kitchen cabinets will vary.

If you’re planning to sell, get the remodel finished at least six months in advance. If you just bought an as-is property, you might want to renovate as soon as you get it. If you have a new property, the right time to remodel the kitchen and add new cabinets could be a few years away.

Budgeting is also something that will help you determine the proper time for remodeling. Remember, more money doesn’t always equate to a better investment. If you pour a million dollars into a property in a neighborhood where nobody’s buying, even if it’s worth more, you might never sell; so the investment is wasted unless you want opulence for your own use.

Meanwhile, if you just clean things, repair things, add a lick of paint, and go the cheap route, you could very well create a more valuable property with only minimal investment. You want to make your renovations match your budget, and budget carefully. Consultation can help you spend not too little and not too much—each property has a sweet spot.

Be Flexible

Going the DIY route will generally yield the best results in terms of cost savings, but this isn’t always the case. With any renovation, things tend to go over time and budget; understand that and give yourself a monetary cushion. Start the job when you’ve got a few months where you could have an upended kitchen and it does not disrupt the flow of daily life.

At the end of the day, your best remodeling time will depend on you, and your specific situation. Generally, it’s going to start in spring or autumn owing to the weather and economy, but be advised: a one month job can become three pretty quick, even if you know what you’re doing. So give yourself wiggle room.

A sneak peek into the Beckhams’ home has revealed a look that has swept the members of the design community off their feet. Known for her refined style, Victoria Beckham has managed to capture a true sense of elegance and luxury in her home. Thus, if you’ve always been inspired by Victoria’s style or you’re simply charmed by the lavish appeal of her plush mansion, here’s how you can recreate such a look in your own haven.

Go with a simple look

Victoria

First things first, the luxurious look of the Beckhams’ home doesn’t stem from excessiveness. On the contrary, their beautiful space features a rather simple look that exudes luxury and style. Victoria has opted for a simple design, combining both classic and contemporary design elements. Therefore, if you want a home that captures the elegance of Victoria Beckham’s mansion, you should keep it simple, subtle and sophisticated.

Add a touch of marble

Marble is one of the most prominent materials in the Beckhams’ mansion, so it’s no wonder that their entire home has lavish appeal. This extravagant material is used for a beautiful fireplace, white staircase, Victoria’s bathroom and in other areas in their home. Introducing marble to your own space is definitely the perfect way to recreate the appeal of Victoria’s home. However, if you’re limited by your budget, you can also find some great marble alternatives at a more affordable price.

Accessorise in style

As already mentioned, Victoria isn’t a fan of excessiveness and clutter, so she uses just a few impactful details when accessorising her space. Silver details, such as an elegant bowl, go hand in hand with her understated backdrop. Therefore, you can follow in her footsteps and decorate your sofa with sophisticated silver cushions that will both elevate your home décor and introduce a feeling of cosiness to your space.

Choose an understated colour scheme

color scheme

Mostly, Victoria’s home features an understated, monochromatic colour scheme of whites, off-whites, beiges, soft browns, greys, etc. However, she occasionally uses dark tones to create a striking contrast and break the monotony in her space. For instance, her hallway and staircase feature a soft, creamy white backdrop while the banister stands out with its dark look. She uses this subtle colour scheme beyond her walls, making most of her furniture elegant, white and made of natural materials.

Make your wallpaper textured

Wallpaper is widely used in the Beckhams’s mansion, creating stunning visual appeal. However, for a true touch of elegance, Victoria has chosen to go with textured wallpaper designs. One of the rooms features a stunning silver-toned floral print wallpaper that creates a truly elegant ambience. You can also try out this idea in your home, using it for your entire room or creating a single accent wall.

Invite plenty of light to your home

What makes Victoria Beckham’s home even more inviting and appealing is the amount of natural light that permeates the space. Big windows allow sunlight to illuminate her living space, making it seem airier, more open and welcoming. Some of her home’s slightly darker rooms seem certainly more enjoyable and bigger when brightened up by natural light. Therefore, you should definitely move your curtains to the sides and let floods of light inside, especially in your smaller rooms.

Show off your hardwood floors

hardwood floor

Hardwood floors are definitely one of the most stunning features of the Beckhams’ sanctuary. Such elegant floors give their space a timeless look that will never go out of style. In addition, this flooring option offers high-quality and durability, which makes it the perfect choice since they have a furry family member, Coco. If you’ve been hiding your hardwood floors underneath wall-to-wall carpeting, you should definitely reveal their beauty.

Go matte in the kitchen

The Beckhams’ kitchen is certainly stunning, featuring a sleek, modern look. Cabinets and other furnishings are dark-toned while appliances match the dominant colour scheme with their black matte finish. Yet, the entire arrangement is set against a sleek steel wall, which creates a striking contrast. So, you know what to do – make your kitchen sleek, modern and matte.

The home of Victoria Beckham is certainly a stunning example of luxury that stems from simplicity. Therefore, you should take a page out of her book and design a lush haven by introducing an elegant design that combines both classic and modern features.

It is common for all fashion and home decor trends to come and go, but there will always be certain elements that never fade and go out of style. If you’ve been thinking of redecorating your home lately, consider giving your home a timeless look, something that will stand the test of time but continue to radiate elegance, beauty and serenity in the years to come.

A timeless décor can serve as a perfect background for displaying all the eclectic pieces that you love and here is how you can achieve that in grand style.

Go neutral with colour

It can look truly amazing to play with wall colour or fancy wallpaper, but you can’t really tell how long those patterns and shades will stay pleasing to the eye. Neutral colours never go out of style and remain as constant communicators of freshness and cleanliness. For a timeless and elegant look, stick to neutrals and solids and achieve beauty and balance with flashy accessories.

One trap that many eager homeowners fall into is buying fundamental furniture pieces in a trendy colour of the year. Rather go with colours and patterns that will survive passing trends and add layers with decorative pieces such as lamps, art, throws, pillows, bedding, rugs and tableware.

Be detailed, but don’t overcrowd

As the saying goes – the devil is in the detail –give some extra consideration to choosing those details carefully. Pay attention to lighting and elements that can bounce off light, such as gilded mirrors. They are very classic in style and help balance the natural light.

Use scented candles to uplift the space and create an atmosphere of warmth and harmony. Besides colour, fragrances are also very therapeutic and picking different scents such as lavender, passionfruit, jasmine, lemongrass or vanilla, can help in soothing the nerves and improving mood. Moreover, if you arrange them tastefully in elegant glass containers on a beautiful vintage tray, you’ll have a gorgeous decorative piece to go with the style of your home.

Your only concern should be not to overdo it. Timeless look is all about balance, so less is actually more. Be selective in your choice of decorations, colours and furniture and let the overall look show off each piece.

Mix the old with the new

Timeless décor typically blends old with new and it’s one of the best ways to create interest and add beauty to your space. By mixing pieces from different eras and painting them into a fresh, modern shade, or upholstering a classic piece of furniture into a fabric of intricate pattern, you can create a unique blend and give your own stamp to the design.

Carefully balanced with the contemporary, old, vintage pieces such as armchairs, mirrors, chandeliers and side tables can give any room a lot of charm and appeal.

Illumination is essential

Lighting is an extremely important element of any home and a great ally in designing. It doesn’t only light up the space, but it has the capacity to make a room seem bigger, brighter and more inviting. You can use it cleverly to your advantage and highlight your favourite furniture pieces or artwork. By using light to showcase your minimalist design, you move the focus form the light fixture itself and make a statement of the whole space.

Tone down your furniture

Try to stay away from big, chunky furniture pieces and rather go with toned down, petite elements, as they can have a much more powerful effect in big rooms. Also, pay attention to the practical aspect as well as aesthetical. Smaller and moveable items of furniture won’t give the room a heavy, old-fashioned vibe and will allow you to be more flexible when it comes to the layout. So when you get weary of one set up, you can easily rearrange the furniture and have a fresh new look without spending a dime.

Display your favourite photos

Family photos always give the space a note of warmth and love, but be careful not to go too eclectic by mixing too many textures, colours and shapes of frames. A classic, timeless look is easily achieved with monochromatic or black and white scheme. Choose a wall and make it your gallery that reflects your family’s unique personality.

Finding the best design for your home that will represents your personality and taste is never an easy task. It can also be quitter challenging to find a timeless look that will make you comfortable and be aesthetically pleasing. Hopefully, by incorporating some basic features listed here, you’ll be able to style your home in a way that will stand the test of time.

Ok, let’s spill some tea right at the beginning – Valentine’s Day is definitely not everyone’s favorite holiday. However, those who do love it – love it to the extent of making everyone else around them very much aware that they do. But, jokes aside, this fun little lover’s holiday gives all of us the perfect excuse to romanticize a bit and embellish our homes with some pops of color and other little décor items reminiscent of spring that’s ahead of us.

Now, while hearts, roses and XOXOs can be seen wherever you turn during this time of year, that doesn’t mean that those are the only symbols allowed to be used in Valentine’s Day décor. Au contraire! There are so many beautiful ways you can decorate your home for this holiday, you wouldn’t even believe. Let’s check out some of them.

Décor doesn’t have to be over the top

Newsflash: You don’t have to go crazy with the décor! Actually, more subtle décor pieces will make a bigger impact and look way more stylish and modern. So, instead of painting your entire home in pinks and reds and hanging little Cupids and hearts on your chandelier, consider putting up a single piece of wall art with a romantic theme, or adding just a couple of heart-shaped throw pillows and a soft throw blanket to your sofa.

Pro tip: instead of going for the already-seen red and pink heart-shaped pillows, try to get ones in Live Coral (new Pantone color of the year) and express your style and taste to the max.

Décor doesn’t have to be IN your home

Contrary to popular belief, you really don’t need to limit your Valentine’s Day décor to your home’s interior. If you’re in love and you want the whole world to know, you can romanticize your patio or gazebo! Simply hang some light, sheer curtains, add some fairy lights to create a magical atmosphere, a warm and comfortable blanket is also a must, as well as a couple of tea lights. A nice little vase with some freshly picked flowers is also a detail you can’t go wrong with, and maybe even a nice heart-shaped wicker wreath embellished with some (preferably) fake flowers.

Floral arrangement

In the “Great Gray beast February” we could all use as much spring as we can get our hands on. And what screams “spring” louder than anything else? Flowers, of course. Therefore, put together nice little flower arrangements and scatter them throughout your home to boost the romance (and your mood) and skyrocket love in the air. However, make sure you avoid expensive roses (that have, at this point become a cliché) and go for something out of the ordinary, such as field flowers mixed with Chrysanthemum or place some Hydrangea bloom in a simple, clear round bowl for the maximum touch of romance.

Limit your décor to the bedroom

To really make this holiday extra special, limit your decorating efforts to the master bedroom. Invest some money into luxurious, romantic bedding (again, you can opt for Live Coral for that extra oomph) and a big, warm duvet cover with some romantic floral print. Additionally, get some scented candles to set the mood and even place some fresh flowers in vases on the nightstands. Finally, here as well, you can use fairy lights for some extra magic or even light dimmers if that’s more your thing.

So, as you can see, whether you’re in love or not, you can give your home some pizzazz with these modern Valentine’s Day décor to lift the overall mood and welcome spring with open arms.