A New House

Guest Post bt Hubert Dwight

You want your home to look and feel amazing.

After all, it’s where you spend the majority of your downtime.

That’s why it is worth putting some effort into your home design.

With some thought, care and attention, you can transform any room into a paradise in which you love to spend time.

Whether it’s your dining space, living room or bedroom – you want to feel at home, at ease and at peace. A, and interior design can achieve this with a few careful touches.

Bathroom interior design can sometimes get neglected, but this shouldn’t be the case.

There’s no reason your bathroom can’t look fantastic and have you feeling wonderful while bathing or getting ready for a night out.

In this helpful article, we’ll share all about monochrome majesty and how you can style a grey bathroom.

Read on to discover more.

Grey Tiles for a Neutral Palette

Opting for grey bathroom tiles will make sense if you’re going for a monochromatic, neutral feeling in your bathroom.

Grey is a surprisingly versatile colour, with lots of shades available.

Light grey can provide an impression of airy light and a delicate, soft feeling, whereas charcoal or dark grey can provide a more sombre yet gorgeous feeling.

If you’re doing a complete bathroom remodel, it’s worth spending some time to choose what shade of grey you want.

Visit some showrooms or browse online to get inspired.

Consider Wallpaper

While it is not traditionally used in modern bathrooms, some grey-toned wallpaper can add depth, texture and a gorgeous character to an otherwise bland bathroom.

You can opt for a bold, repeating pattern that can create the impression of space in a small bathroom.

If you don’t want a busy aesthetic, limit the wallpaper to a single wall, which you can then complement with paint or tiles on the other three walls.

Create Contrast with Versatile Colours

When using a neutral colour palette, such as grey, you can use accent colours in your other decoration choices to create a bold contrast.

This is particularly useful in a bathroom where you want to create a feeling of warmth and cleanliness.

One excellent way to achieve this contrast is to layer highlighting colours and pretty accessories that will uplift the overall palette.

For instance, having flashes of pink or deep reds, such as a toothbrush holder, plant pots or pieces of art on the wall, is a great choice.

Pair Grey with Natural Wood Tones

The cool grey shades pair excellently with a bathroom’s beauty, warmth and depth of natural timber.

Use wood tones to introduce textured layers, such as with panelled wood walls, a wooden cabinet, a wooden shower mat outside your shower or a timber tissue box on the vanity.

Go Bold with A Dark Grey Feature Wall

One way to make a strong statement in your bathroom is to paint a feature wall a dark charcoal grey or another dark grey tone.

This will create a bold impression and perfectly contrast with the lighter grey or other neutral tones in the room’s palette.

Other colours will appear striking and bright against this dark backdrop.

Bring a Splash of Green with Houseplants

Another excellent design choice for your bathroom is to offset the grey tones with splashes of green provided by house plants.

Some plants thrive in a damp, moist environment such as the bathroom.

Indoor ferns are a great choice, as are bromeliads, spider plants, mother-in-law’s tongue and Rhipsalis.

In addition to looking fabulous, the plants will scrub the air of impurities and generate oxygen in your bathroom.

Use Navy for Strong Contrasting Vibes

A deep, rich navy will spruce up a neutral grey colour scheme.

This will work perfectly if you’re going for a period home aesthetic.

can opt for a navy feature wall or paint some wood panels in a rich navy colour.

Use Mosaic Patterned Tiles

One awesome bathroom design hack for grey-toned rooms is to use grey mosaic tiles for the flooring.

These patterned tiles will look fantastic and provide depth and space to your bathroom.

You can flip this idea with plain grey tiles for your flooring and mosaic-tiled walls.

Use Your Towels to Contrast

Finally, another design hack you can use for grey bathrooms is to choose brightly coloured hand and body towels to introduce splashes of colour.

Rich reds, bright, vibrant yellows, oranges and even forest green can achieve this vibe.

Make sure you stock up on these, so while the used towels are in the wash, you can replace them with fresh, bright, clean ones.

A Grey Bathroom Summary

This helpful article has shared about monochrome majesty and how to style a grey bathroom.

Use this article for inspiration when planning your bathroom remodel or redesign, and prepare to be awed by your sleek new space.

Guest Post by John Guevara

As we spend more time indoors, it’s becoming increasingly important to incorporate elements of nature in our homes.

Biophilic design, a design approach that integrates natural elements into the built environment, has been gaining popularity in recent years for its ability to improve our physical and mental well-being.

One simple way to bring the beauty of nature into your home is through the use of preserved flowers.

These long-lasting flowers offer all the benefits of live plants without maintenance, making them an excellent option for busy homeowners.

In this article, we’ll explore the role of preserved flowers in biophilic design for homes and provide tips on incorporating them into your home decor.

Bringing Home a Floral Aesthetic with Preserved Flowers

Biophilic homes are getting a lot of attention for all the right reasons.

It has beauty, nature, and all the goodness it brings. Preserved flowers offer a unique way to bring the beauty of nature into our homes, and they can play an essential role in biophilic design.

Unlike fresh flowers, preserved flowers have been treated with a unique solution that helps to maintain their shape, colour, and texture over time.

This means that they can last for months or even years, making them a great option for homeowners who want to enjoy the benefits of biophilic design without the hassle of maintaining living plants.

Benefits of Using Preserved Flowers in Biophilic Designs

Using preserved flowers comes with many benefits too.

One of the main benefits of using preserved flowers in home design is their ability to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere.

Research has shown that exposure to natural elements such as plants and flowers can help reduce stress and improve our overall sense of well-being.

Incorporating preserved flowers into a biophilic design is a simple and effective way to bring natural elements into our homes.

There are various ways to incorporate preserved flowers into the biophilic design, depending on the homeowner’s style and the space’s specific needs.

 

One approach is to create a centrepiece using a vase of preserved flowers.

This can be a beautiful addition to a dining table, coffee table, or any other space in the home.

The colours and textures of the preserved flowers can be chosen to complement the existing decor and bring a touch of nature into the space.

 

Another way to incorporate preserved flowers into the biophilic design is to create a wall installation.

This can be done by arranging preserved flowers in a frame or using a pre-made wall panel.

The result is a stunning piece of art that can add colour and texture to any room.

 

If you are fond of smaller pieces, a small vase of preserved flowers in a vase next to the bedside table can help create a sense of calm and bring a bit of nature into your daily life.

Final Words

When incorporating preserved flowers into the biophilic design, choosing high-quality preserved flowers that will last for a long time is important.

Consider only the best Sydney florist when selecting your flowers.

With a little bit of creativity and attention to detail, preserved flowers can play an important role in creating a biophilic home design that is both beautiful and functional.

Guest Post by Hubert Dwight

Homeownership is a dream for many Aussies and families.

Obtaining a home loan is often a critical step in making that dream a reality.

However, simply securing one of the many home loans on offer is not enough.

It’s important to make your home loan work for you in order to maximise its benefits and minimise the associated costs.

If you are looking to get the most out of a new or existing home loan, look no further. Here are 7 ways to make your home loan work for you.

Shop Around For The Best Deal

If you have yet to decide on a home loan, it is always a good idea to spend some time shopping around.

This is because interest rates and loan terms can vary significantly among different lenders, and comparing offers from multiple lenders will help you ensure you’re getting the best possible deal.

Additionally, different lenders may offer special loan programs or incentives, such as first-time homebuyer programs, low down payment options, or other benefits.

By shopping around, you can explore these offerings and potentially find a lender that provides additional advantages that can save you money or make the home-buying process more affordable.

When in doubt, shop around!

Choose Your Loan Type Wisely

When it comes to choosing the right type of loan that works for you, be sure to proceed with caution.

There are several types of home loans available, including fixed-rate loans, variable-rate loans, and government-backed loans.investopedia.com/…s/07/fixed-variable.asp

Each type of loan comes with its own set of pros and cons, so it’s essential to carefully consider your financial situation and long-term goals to select the right loan type that suits your needs.

For example, if you plan to stay in your home for a long time, a fixed-rate loan may be more suitable, as it offers stable monthly payments, whereas an adjustable-rate loan may be better if you plan to sell or refinance your home in the near future.

Maintain A Good Credit Score 

When it comes to making your home loan work for you, your credit score plays an important role in determining your interest rate and loan eligibility.

Lenders use credit scores, which are numerical representations of an individual’s creditworthiness, to assess the risk associated with lending money.

A higher credit score indicates a lower risk borrower, while a lower credit score suggests a higher risk borrower.

With this in mind, borrowers should always aim to maintain a good credit score by paying your bills on time, keeping your credit card balances low, and avoiding unnecessary credit inquiries.

Be Discerning With Your Home Equity 

Have you heard of home equity?

As you pay down your home loan, you build equity in your home, aka the difference between the market value of your home and the remaining balance on your loan.

Many people choose to use their home equity to their advantage by tapping into it for various purposes, such as home improvements, education expenses, or even debt consolidation.

However, it’s essential to use your home equity wisely and consider the long-term implications, as borrowing against your home equity can increase your debt and potentially put your home at risk if you’re unable to repay the borrowed amount.

If you are considering using your home equity, be sure to seek advice from a professional mortgage broker or financial advisor to ensure that you are setting yourself up for success, rather than failure.

Refinance To Take Advantage Of Lower Interest Rates 

It is no secret that interest rates can fluctuate over time, and if you notice that rates have dropped significantly since you obtained your home loan, it may be worth considering refinancing.

Home loan refinancing involves taking out a new loan to pay off your existing loan, and it can potentially lower your monthly payments and save you money on interest costs.

However, refinancing also comes with costs, such as closing fees, so it’s important to carefully evaluate the overall savings before deciding to refinance.

Before considering a home loan refinance, assess your current financial situation — review your credit score, income, expenses, and overall financial goals to determine if refinancing is a viable option for you.

Create A Realistic Budget 

If you’re looking to really make your home loan work for you, you simply cannot go wrong with realistic budgeting.

It’s important to remember that your home loan requires monthly payments, including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance.

Budgeting helps you plan for these payments and ensures that you have the necessary funds available each month to make your mortgage payments on time, avoiding potential late fees or penalties.

Create a budget that includes your monthly mortgage payments along with other housing-related expenses, such as property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs.

Stick to your budget to ensure that you can comfortably afford your mortgage payments without compromising your other financial goals.

Seek Professional Advice

Last but not least, it’s certainly no secret that home loans can be complex, and it’s not always easy for the average person to understand all the intricacies and implications.

When in doubt, always seek professional advice from qualified financial advisors or mortgage brokers.

With years of experience under their belts, these professionals can help you understand the terms and conditions of your loan, evaluate or reevaluate refinancing options, and provide guidance on how to make your home loan work for you in the most beneficial way.

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And there you have it — 7 simple yet effective ways to make your home loan work for you, and not the other way round.

At the end of the day, a home loan is a significant financial commitment, and it’s essential to make it work for you in the best possible way.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to leave them in the comments section below!

Guest Post By Arnold Rogers

The key is to use some simple marketing principles to choose which home improvement projects to undertake, and how to sell these features to prospective buyers.

One great way to do that is with digital marketing, including ads.

This page has everything you need to know, whether you are selling your improved home or selling home improvement products to homeowners.

1. Understand The Market

Owning a home is a personal thing.

When it comes to selling a house, you need to understand what people are looking for.

Although you might love stained glass windows, if they turn off potential buyers, they can lower the value of your home.

To understand the market better, take a look at local real estate listings – especially those in your suburb or neighborhood.

Which listings sell quickly? . . . . Which stays up for years without selling?

What you’ll discover is that some homes fit an average person’s needs better than others.

The more your home suits the needs of the people who are shopping for houses in your area, the quicker it will sell and the higher you can price it.

What kind of home improvement projects are people looking for in your area?

What kind of home improvements or features do you see in listings that sell quickly?

2. Turn Your Home Into a Brand

If you understand what people like most about your home, you can build an identity around it.

For example, a house with a beautiful backyard, swimming pool, and games room is likely to attract a family that loves play and the outdoors.

A minimalistic house in an artsy style might be more attractive to couples without children, or art lovers.

Imagine the kind of person who looks at your house and says “it’s what I’ve always wanted.” This is the person you should try to appeal to.

When deciding on home improvements, ask yourself if it fits with your home’s brand.

Installing a basketball court might be a good decision for a family fun house, but a poor one for a minimalist artsy villa.

Likewise, adding a wine cellar might increase the value of a small upscale home, but might not be a selling point for families.

3. Use Visuals

When it’s time to sell your home, visuals express more than words can.

The improvements you make to your home won’t increase its value unless you can show potential buyers what they look like.

Professional photography and videography can make a big difference.

However, you don’t necessarily need a big budget to use visuals effectively in your listings, especially if you have a good eye for photos.

All you need is a basic camera or even a decent smartphone.

Ensure that all photos are clear and bright, and that video isn’t too shaky or noisy.

Ask other people for feedback on which photos look best in the listing.

4. Fix What’s Broken

Renovating parts of your home that are functional is usually a bad investment.

It might create a better living space, but the cost will outweigh the increase in value.

Instead, focus on renovating or improving the weak points in your home – the areas that turn off potential buyers.

Unfinished areas, exposed insulation or wiring, or stained or damaged areas are prime candidates for renovations.

If you restore these areas, you get a double benefit. You eliminate a drawback and add a benefit.

This can also help you avoid a critical mistake that many home renovators make: pricing themselves out of the market.

If you spend so much on renovating your home that you need to raise the sale price above what most people are willing to pay, you may end up waiting longer to sell or lowering the price and losing money.

5. Use Multiple Marketing Channels

These days, buyers are more discerning than ever and they often need more than a couple of “nudges” to take action on a great deal.

You can reach more potential buyers and give out more “nudges” by being on multiple platforms.

Use every form of marketing at your disposal to sell your home, from social media and word of mouth to real estate listing sites and brokers.

Smart marketers never rely on just one source of traffic.

Tell everyone you know that you’re selling your home, and if some time passes – remind them!

Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone or send an email to someone you think might be interested, especially if you know they are in the market and they appreciate the kind of renovations you have done.

Make Money Improving Your Home

You can undertake home renovations and pass most of the costs along to the next buyer – but only if you know how to market your home effectively.

Following some simple marketing principles can put you ahead of 80% of other sellers on the market.

• • Renovate your home to fit what buyers are looking for
  • Understand your home’s “brand” and selling points
  • Use good photos and videos that illustrate your home’s renovations
  • Renovate your home’s weak points – don’t spend too much improving what already works
  • Use social media, word of mouth, and every platform possible to spread the word

With these tips and the help of digital marketing professionals and realtors, you can leverage home renovations to sell your house faster, and at a higher price.

Guest Post by John Guevara

A fridge is a device that holds the most energy in most homes today, and everyone has a refrigerator that operates for 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

When you have a fridge, you will have to let it work for the whole day to keep your food chilled so that your food doesn’t end up going bad quite fast.

The only drawback that refrigerators typically have is that they consume a lot of electricity, but this should not limit you from going to a fridge since you could reduce the amount of electricity it uses by following specific steps.

When you want to get a refrigerator and are thinking of starting with a small one, you should check on the small refrigerator before you get one for your cottage.

After knowing the price range, the next step is to see how you can preserve energy when you have a refrigerator.

Some of the ways you can use the most limited portion of electricity while having a refrigerator include;

Load the freezer, but give the fridge some air 

Most refrigerators work much better when they are as full as possible.

When your fridge is loaded, it keeps food frozen for an extended period, even if a power outage emerges.

For your fridge to function perfectly, it requires air circulation to retain nourishment at an even temperature.

When you pack your fridge too tightly, it means that some foods will get colder faster compared to other foods, and this may cause food to go bad quicker. 

Substitute food to the appropriate microclimate 

When you have a refrigerator, you must know one rule: hot air soars as cold air sinks.

The following rule is that every fridge has its outstanding weather pattern of frosty breezes.

When stacking your food, ensure it is in the most appropriate territory inside the refrigerator.

For example, a cold spot close to the cold-air inlet is great for foods like meat and poultry but not for lettuce. 

Don’t put hot food in the fridge

Before you leave your food in the refrigerator, make sure it has cooled down first and allow it to cool down naturally.

When you put hot food in the fridge, a lot of electricity will be utilised to cool down your food, but since you want to use less electricity, make sure you place cold food in the fridge. 

Select, grab and close 

When removing food from the fridge don’t leave the door open for too long; when you do this cold air retreats, and more energy is required to lessen the conditions again once you close your door. 

Permit ventilation 

Ensure your fridge-freezer has a lot of space for air to disseminate and keep it away from any external heat sources, including direct sunlight.

If you put too much food on the top and the sides of your fridge, a lot of energy will be used to cool down your food.

Ensure you keep your fridge more apparent, as it uses less electricity when cooling your food. 

Ensure the seals of your fridge are working perfectly 

When you notice condensation outside your refrigerator, it’s time to get new seals.

Leaky door seals cause energy loss in your fridge and freezer.

Doors not fastened well cause the cold air to escape your fridge. 

Conclusion 

The moment you purchase your fridge, whether big or small, make sure you put into consideration the tips listed above so that you can conserve electricity.

If you don’t, you will go over budget on your electricity bill.