It is no secret that it is harder than ever to get on the property ladder, with soaring house prices and a hugely competitive market. Yet in 2018, the number of first-time buyers is the highest in 12 years. After committing to the biggest investment of their lives, it is not surprising that house buyers are more keen than ever to make sure they can successfully increase the value of their home. Don’t worry, you don’t need to take out a second mortgage to pay for home improvements! Here are 5 tips and tricks to increase the value of your home on a budget. Convert Under-Utilised ... read more
Preparing our home for winter
This is the first winter that we will have spent in this house. Our first winter in our family home. This time last year we were battling a lack of central heating in a rented flat and were limited somewhat on what we could do to make a cosy home. This time around we can do what we want, and need, to ensure that our baby will be coming home to a warm family home next month. Some jobs are bigger than others, but they all contribute towards making sure our house is winter ready and with a new family member on the way it's exactly what we need to crack on and do. Insulation We moved ... read more
The Top 3 Home Styling Trends Which Aren’t Going Anywhere
If you’re looking to give your home a long-lasting makeover, there’s certain styles you’ll want to consider. While many home interior trends change frequently throughout the seasons, others have managed to remain popular for years to come. Here, we’ll look at the top 3 home styling trends which aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. 1. The Scandinavian trend Scandinavian home design is one of the most popular trends of the decade and it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. Based on functionality and minimalism, this design trend is interesting and unique. To achieve the look, you’ll ... read more
Super simple ways to keep your house warm this winter
We all worry if our monthly budgets are going to stretch as far as they need to. And with the colder months of the year almost upon us, thinking about the cost of heating our homes through the winter is a worrying thought. While most householders are being advised to install double glazing, if you rent or simply don’t have the budget to make these huge changes then you can be a little concerned about being at the mercy of your smart meter. You might be already stockpiling logs for your wood burner, or have booked a delivery with emo.ie for your winter oil but what else can you do? Well, ... read more
Bring the Outdoors in This Winter
With the cold weather on its way, getting outdoors and enjoying nature falls to the wayside in favour of cosying up in front of the fire with a mug of hot chocolate laden with fluffy marshmallows. However, sunshine and lush greenery are key to keeping moods high and after a long dark winter, spirits can fall as your levels of fatigue increase. The best way to combat this is to bring some nature indoors and if you are someone that particularly suffers during a dark winter, consider investing in a SAD light which imitates natural daylight and can help keep the increasingly common seasonal ... read more
How not to make your home a target when you’re away
In these days of social media many of us tell everyone where we are most of the time. That's the way it's become. But with stories coming out (ironically, initially as rumours on social media) about insurance companies refusing to pay out on claims because they say someone has advertised that their home has been empty for a while it really does pay to take a sensible approach to home security. The old fashioned phrase "safe as houses" might not always ring true any more, but there are definitely steps that you can take to make your home as safe as possible. Firstly - don't overly ... read more
Living Like A Little Luxury In Your Home
Your home is where your heart is, hopefully. OK, so maybe you hate how the sofa cushions slouch, no matter how much you plump them up. And maybe the kitchen backsplash could do with re-tiling but you just don’t have the time. And the bedroom is a mess...again. But even so, it’s your house, and that makes it your haven. So let’s make it feel like one! There’s a lot of luxurious items you can introduce into your home, and they’re not going to cost you an arm or a leg either. If you don’t believe that, here’s a couple of the best ideas for you to take a look into investing in. ... read more
Easy Ways to Add Way More Value to Your Property Without Breaking the Bank
If you have a property and you are just not happy with the price then you don’t have to put up with this. In fact, there are so many things that you can do to try and boost the value of your property without having to break the bank or your back. Try and Convert the Loft The easiest way for you to get an extra bathroom and even an extra bedroom is for you to try and convert the loft. The main thing that you have to remember here is to make sure that the feel and look of the loft matches in with the rest of the house. If you don’t then it will look like a poor addition and this is the ... read more
Focus In On A Focal Point In Your Living Room
Photo - Pexels If you are planning on decorating your living room anytime soon, you might want to consider adding a focal point. This will be the part of the room that first catches people’s attention when they enter. Their eyes will be drawn to it, and your interior design skills will be shown off in all their glory. Not only that, though, but the focal point can also be the centre of attention when it comes to all the other decor in the room. It gives you a centre to focus all your attention on and to point all your furniture to. Don’t worry if you have never made a focal point ... read more
To Move Or To Improve? That Is The Question
File The age-old debate is back and it isn’t going anywhere soon. Homeowners have struggled with this decision for years. On the one hand, moving is a fresh start and it’s incredibly exciting. On the other, staying is easier, simpler, and less hassle. Oh, and it’s cheaper which is always worth pointing out. #Thrifty. If you’re in the grips of a dilemma, then it can seem as if there are no answers to your prayers. Why hath you forsaken me, God?! He hasn’t. Instead, he’s used this post to guide you through the darkness and into the light. Hallelujah and praise the Lord. Does Size ... read more