7 Steps To Take Before Your First Renovation

 

House renovation is a great way to get a ‘new house’ without moving to a different place. But planning your first renovation can be complicated because there are so many elements to consider. You can’t just focus on what you’d like your home to look like, it’s important to remember about the practicality of such changes. To achieve the best possible results, there are a few simple steps you have to take before any work starts.

Consider the location

Depending on the area you live in certain changes, like house extensions, may not be possible. If you are still looking for a new house, which you’ll want to renovate before moving into, it’s also important to consider the neighbourhood when deciding on a purchase. For people planning on removals to Chelsea, going there and having a look at the other buildings in the area may not be a bad choice. It’ll give you an idea of what to expect.

Set a budget

Calculate how much money you are willing to spend on a renovation. Some changes may just be too expensive and will have to be discarded. Focus on the most pressing matters at first, smaller alterations can be implemented further along the line. You should also count in a contingency of around 20%, which will let you avoid stress in case of any unexpected expenses. Knowing exactly how big your budget is will help you plan the renovation.

Plan the changes

When you think about what your dream house would look like, there are definitely elements that are more important to you than others. But your expectations may not always fit in nicely with the rest of the project. Consider what will work within the space you have. A glass stairs design is great for modern interiors, while wood floors will help in achieving a cosy atmosphere. Figure out what you’d like to change, this way, you’ll be able to ask contractors for exact quotes.

Find contractors

Price should never be the deciding factor when choosing a contractor. The cheapest one will not necessarily be bad, but there’s no guarantee that the most expensive one will be the best as well. Try to find good contractors through the recommendations from people you know. If this doesn’t help, at least try to look for reviews online. Renovations can get messy and time-consuming even at the best of times, and hiring inexperienced contractors will not help the matter in any way.

Get the necessary permits

Some parts of your renovation, especially if you plan on changing the structure of the building, may require planning permissions. You need to apply for those before starting any construction works, so make sure to find out what is necessary in your case. If you’re still unsure whether you need one or not, it’s advisable to check with your local authority. Having a house that is listed or located in a Conservation Area can limit your options, but even if you don’t need any permits, you’ll still need to comply with building regulations.

Check the insurance

You may already have your property insured, but does the insurance cover eventual damages sustained during building work? Will your insurance still be valid even if you move out of the house during the renovation? You need to carefully consider all the aspects to avoid unpleasant surprises later on. It may be a good idea to consult a specialist on the matter. Another important thing to check is whether the contractors working on your renovation are insured. Accidents can happen during construction works, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Schedule the renovation

Some parts of your renovation have to be finished before the others can start. It’s especially important in situations when you have hired different contractors to perform different tasks. You’ll need to schedule the works carefully. Make a list of all the changes in the order they have to be completed in. This way you’ll make sure that the whole renovation will go smoothly and you’ll avoid unnecessary damages and additional expenses.

The properly planned renovation will allow you to avoid unpleasant surprises during construction works. If you follow the steps listed above, you’ll get a house that’s, if not perfect, then at least close to your dream one. And after all the building work is done, you’ll be able to focus on the more enjoyable task of decorating your newly acquired space.

Dining Chairs For Sale: An Innovative Way To Refurbish Your Dining Area

From morning breakfast to the gala dinner parties at your place the dining tables and chairs play a key role in instantly sprucing up the feel and ambiance of your party. Hence, you should never compromise on the quality of the dining chairs. Here we will be unfolding the various parameters that you must take into account while you go for the purchase of dining chairs for sale.

A good quality dining chair adds to the dash of elegance to your dining area. You have the option of choosing from rubber wood chairs to a pair of teak wood dining chair to make your dining area look more stylish and appealing.

The online portals have a wide array of dining chairs for sale. These are available at lucrative pricing, thus making it very easy for you to choose the best dining chairs for your kitchen. Well, you can go with the conventional idea of buying a complete set of dining tables and chairs, but if you are one of those who are willing to experiment with the look of the dining area then probably you should invest separately in dining chairs and table. There is a gamut of choices available in the market which give you the leverage of choosing from the variedly designed dining chairs.

The Different Parameters You Should Consider While Buying Dining Chairs

1. Number of chairs

You need to decide how many dining chairs you are looking for. If you have a small dining space, then probably you can switch to two dining chairs or four. But, if you have a large dining space, then probably you should increase the number of counts. This step is important because most of the chairs might become out of stock if they are on sale. So, be an early bird and decide how many chairs you want.

2. Material

This is another factor that you must consider. There are engineered wood chairs, solid wood chairs, metallic ones, foam based and others. Depending on what is the interior of your dining space and the kind of dining table you have, you must choose the dining chairs accordingly. Well, the solid wood dining chairs are the most durable ones, although they may be priced high. But if you get your hands-on dining chairs for sale, then you can get an attractive discount.

3. Price of the chair

Pricing is the deciding factor for many. Since there are a number of online and offline portals selling dining chairs at an attractive price, you can switch to such online platforms. Here you will get a wide array of options available at attractive pricing along with various designs and colours. This will make it easy for you to find the right one. All this will happen in just the click of a button. So, if you are not ready to jump from one shop to another, then you should shift your focus to online shops.

4. Comparative analysis

If you have decided to go for dining chairs for sale, then probably you should start comparing their pricing as well. You never know that you can get your hands on a lucrative deal. This holds especially true in case of online shopping. Amidst all these, you must consider quality as your prime focus.

Concluding points

Dining area is one place where people of the entire family come together to enjoy their meal, so it should be warm, welcoming and comfortable. Good quality dining chairs ensure to give your dining area the touch of elegance and class So, if you too wish to experiment with the look of your dining area, try switching to buying separate dining chairs and consider the above-mentioned points as your key area of consideration.

Short Bio: I am Anna Wrench, a knowledgeable and qualified blogger. Here you can see my skills which give you brief ideas on understanding all the concepts with different themes. I adore writing a blog on many topics, like Home Improvement, Automotive, Business, Health, Lifestyle, Entertainment, Pet, etc.

 

 

Nursery Design Help

Your baby is on the way and you still haven’t finished designing a nursery? There’s no reason for panic, you can have a comfortable and stylish nursery in no time. With just a few trendy and practical ideas, you’ll design a stimulating and chic environment for your new family member.

In with the crib

When designing a nursery, you’ll have a lot of opportunities for DIY projects, improvisation and more affordable details, but the crib should definitely be an investment piece. Don’t hesitate to spend a bit more on a high-quality crib because your little one will be using it for the years to come. You can even find a crib that converts to a toddler bed, which is quite practical solution. You need to ensure that the crib you picked meets all the safety requirements and standards. Additionally, make sure to get a high-quality mattress that will provide your baby’s back with the right support. Afterwards, you can experiment with bedding and design that will fit the general style of the room.

The changing table is next in line

Since you’ll be changing your baby quite frequently, having a changing table will save you a lot of trouble. If you’re buying a freestanding changing table, find a multifunctional one that can be used for storing toys later on. For a small nursery, a changing top is a great solution because it can be attached to any dresser. Once you’ve found a changing table that meets your needs, make sure to equip it with all the essentials like diapers, wipes, lotions, changing pad covers, etc.

Storage to the rescue

Despite their tininess, you’ll realise soon enough that your little person needs lots of stuff. So, unless you want to trip every time you enter the nursery, you need to add plenty of storage. Depending on the size of the room, you have a range of different options, from wall shelves, to closets, to bins and baskets. The most practical solution is opting for multifunctional furniture. For example, you can buy a crib with drawers at the bottom, or a window seat with a storage compartment.

Don’t forget to treat yourself

Since you’ll spend a lot of sleepless nights and days in the nursery, then it’s only fair that you get something for yourself – a comfortable nursery chair. However, you don’t have to stick to a plain design, but choose a chair that will reflect your personal style. For example, Coco Republic offers a lot of comfortable and trendy options, ranging from lounge and reading chairs, to comfy chaise lounges.

Stylish décor

There’s no reason why your baby’s nursery can’t be stylish. There are a lot of nursery trends that all interior design enthusiasts are introducing into their own homes. Nature-inspired décor is extremely popular because it brings a sense of serenity and tranquillity, so you can decorate your nursery with big florals, mountains, cacti, leaves and animals. The hot hues are Greenery, Pantone’s colour of the year, gold rose and a neutral palette of muted tones, while bolder hues can be used for accent details.

When it comes to ideas for using these trends in your nursery, just follow your imagination. You can use these designs for decorative details, introduce them through art, add both style and depth by using soft fabrics, or transform one wall into a work of art.

DIY artwork

Your child’s environment can greatly influence their development, so why not surround them with beautiful and stimulating artwork. And what’s better way to spark your child’s creativity than being creative yourself? Do you want to pass your love for music to your child? Just frame vintage sheet music of your favourite song. You can also transform fabric leftovers into letters and then decorate your kid’s room with alphabet.

In just a few steps, you’ll design a perfect nursery for your baby. All you need to do is pick quality furniture, and use décor trends and imagination to add style to a comfortable room.

Keeping Kids Safe With These Basic Tips – TodaysMama

 

  • It is unlikely your kid is going to be abused by a weirdo at the park (huge sigh of relief).
  • That said, if there is a weirdo at the park, he’s not going to fit the “stranger” model — so stop teaching your kid about strangers! He’s going to come up to your kid and introduce himself. Voila! He ain’t a stranger anymore.
  • Teach your kids about TRICKY PEOPLE, instead. TRICKY PEOPLE are grown-ups who ASK KIDS FOR HELP (no adult needs to ask a kid for help) or TELLS KIDS TO KEEP A SECRET FROM THEIR PARENTS (including, IT’S OKAY TO COME OVER HERE BEHIND THIS TREE WITHOUT ASKING MOM FIRST. Not asking Mom is tantamount to KEEPING A SECRET.)
  • Teach your kids not to DO ANYTHING, or GO ANYWHERE, with ANY ADULTS AT ALL, unless they can ask for your permission first.

See how I said ANY ADULTS AT ALL? That’s because:

  • It’s far more likely your kid is going to be abused by someone they have a relationship with, because most cases of abuse follow long periods of grooming — both of the kid and his or her family.
  • Bad guys groom you and your kids to gauge whether or not you’re paying attention to what they’re doing, and/or to lure you into dropping your guard. Don’t. Kids who bad guys think are flying under their parents’ radars, or kids who seem a little insecure or disconnected from their parents, are the kids who are most at risk.

SO:

  • Be suspicious of gifts that adults in positions of authority give your kids. There’s no reason your son should be coming back from Bar Mitzvah study with a cool new keychain or baseball hat.
  • Be suspicious of teachers who tell you your kid is so special they want to offer him more one-on-one time, or special outings. That teacher who says your kid is into Monet, he wants to take him to a museum next weekend? Say thanks, and take your kid to go see the exhibit yourself.
  • You know that weird adult cousin of yours who’s always out in the yard with the kids, never in the kitchen drinking with the grown-ups? Keep an eye on your kids when he’s around.
  • Oh, and that soccer coach who keeps offering to babysit for free, so you can get some time to yourself? NO ONE WANTS TO BABYSIT YOUR KIDS JUST TO BE NICE.

Read more at: Keeping Kids Safe With These Basic Tips – TodaysMama

Use Black Tea To Clean Your Bathroom Mirror

Your bathroom mirror can take quite a bit of damage over time. There are lots of ways you can approach the mess once it’s there, but you might not have known that black tea can be an effective way of keeping your bathroom clean. For mirrors that are beginning to build up with grime, dip a soft click in brewed black tea and rub it over grime to break it up. The tannins in the tea make it easy to remove and your bathroom will be looking perfect in no time!