Your first home, and perhaps even your next one or two, isn't necessarily the one you want to stay in forever. A starter home that you buy when you're a young couple or still free and single might not be suitable for a growing family. As your family needs space, you might start to think about the best way to give it to them. Many people will immediately think about selling and moving to a bigger home. However, extending or adapting your existing property is another option to consider. Maybe your house feels so much like home that you don't want to leave, but you know it's not quite right for ... read more

Whether you have lived in your home for years on end, or you have just moved into a new place, stale home decor can really affect the way you view your abode. Usually, those of us who have lived in one place for a long time can easily ‘put up’ with an outdated home, without realising that major updates are needed. ‘Decor’ covers everything from the style of the sofa to the colour of the walls, but when people think of redecorating, they often think it’s a large cost. They instantly associate it with hefty bills surrounding ripping up carpets and investing in a new three piece suite. ... read more

It’s harder to get through the day when our houses are in disarray. A straightforward task takes longer because we need to clear a space to work, or we get distracted by all the bits and pieces that are not where they should be. Everyone is guilty of this, at least every so often. There are long-term simple and effective tips for organising your home though, find out what steps you have have missed and how to achieve a tidy home. Storage solutions If you haven’t explored any storage solutions, then you won’t understand their power. Storage containers and flexible tubs just slip into the ... read more

Picture Source Selling a property can be an overwhelming undertaking. You might be eager to move into your new home, but you have to focus on getting the best possible deal for your old one. The bigger your profit, the more money you’ll have to spruce up your own abode. If you want to sell your house for a bigger profit then here are some smart ways to add value to your property. Make it feel larger. There are plenty of ways to give a house the illusion of size. You could declutter or even convert existing space; for example, the attic could become a guest bedroom. Of course, you ... read more

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

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