4 Steps to Plan for When Completing a Bathroom Remodel

Over the past year, more and more people have been taking on home remodeling projects. The first home improvement project that many people take on is usually the bathroom. This is because it is usually the smallest room in any house so a remodel shouldn't take too long. However, it is important to go into any remodel with a plan.

Create A Plan

The very first thing before you even pick up a tool is to create a game plan. It is important to know exactly what you want to do and how much it is going to cost. The cost of a bathroom model will depend on a lot of different factors. The location of the house, the size of the bathroom, and the type of remodeling all play a huge role in the cost of this home improvement project. Although, it is estimated that the average bathroom remodel will cost around $10,000 according to Home Advisor.

Start on Demos

Demolition is where the job gets fun and a little messy. Some people will do this all on their own, while others may choose to hire professionals. Hiring an electrician or a residential plumber may cut into your budget. Yet, it will be one of the smartest choices you can do if you are not comfortable doing certain tasks by yourself.

Do All of the Installation

After everything has been torn down, it is time to put it back together. Depending on what you are doing, the professionals may take this part as well. If you are just changing out a light fixture or showerhead, then you may be able to do that yourself. Although, if you are wanting a new shower or toilet installed, you would be ahead to invest in a professional.

Add in All of the Final Touches

Once everything is installed, it is time to add in the final touches. You can add candles, fresh towels, and new soap to bring everything together. By making everything in your bathroom one cohesive theme, it will make everything look better and more put together.

Redoing a bathroom is no small project. It will take some time, money, and manpower to get it done. This project will not only transform your bathroom into a comfy, relaxing setting, it will also add equity to your house which will raise the value if you ever decide to sell.

Top 10 Ways to Organize your Outdoor Space for the Best Garden Party

Spring has officially sprung; the nights are getting lighter and the days warmer. Before you know it, it will be summer. Likewise, as the temperature soars you spend more time outdoors. Evenings spend slaving over a hot stove are substituted for blissful barbecues (or maybe a pizza oven if you’re feeling fancy). But, as this time quickly approaches, you want to make sure your garden is ready. Because after all, you want your friends to be green with envy not feeling blue for you and your shabby outdoor space. So, let’s turn shabby into chic with these top 10 ways to organize your outdoor space for the best garden party. 

1. Outdoor furniture

This one may seem straight forward, but a garden party is only as good as your outdoor furniture. What do I mean? Well, what’s the point in having a garden party with no where to sit? Something as simple as a table and chairs can turn a tired garden into a tremendous party. Likewise, a sun lounger or two and even a swing can make a sun trap into a Costa del Garden. It doesn’t even need to be physical seats, having an abundance of cushions or even a scatter of wood chips can help make suitable temporary seating.

2. How about heating? 

Unfortunately, just because your enthusiasm is high, doesn’t mean the temperature will be. When the sun’s out to play, it’s a beautiful day. But, as the sun puts its hat on, a cold evening could spawn. So, why not prepare for the worst and invest in patio heaters or fire pits. That way even as the night comes in, you can stay out. 

3. Cook up a storm 

Again, bring your creature comforts into the sun. Why spend your summer evenings slaving over a stove when you could grill outdoors? Investing in an outdoor BBQ not only makes a great statement piece. But it also enables a great party. Find BBQs boring? How about a pizza oven? 

4. Invest in an outdoor bar

The home is where the heart is, and nothing makes the heart fonder than a good bar. So, why not invest in an outdoor bar space. For instance, my uncle has converted his old shed into an outdoor bar. We’ve spent many an evening there, and made many a saving on the cost of going to the pub.

5. Entertainment

This is quite a vague one, mainly because it’s down to you. Entertainment could be something from an outdoor dart board and a portable speaker. Through to a pool table and a hot tub – the choice is yours.

6. Add lighting

Again, this is down to you, it includes anything from a neon sign and a solar lamp through to fairy lights or lamps. Adding lighting can create a tasteful atmosphere and set the tone for a perfect party. Moreover, it enables you to create features or highlight parts of your garden that you’re proud of. 

7. Color coordinate 

Now, you’re probably thinking I mean simply matching your outdoor furniture, right? Wrong, I’m talking about color blocking your plants and basing your garden around this. What do I mean, well say you selected the colors blue, yellow and red. I’d suggest color blocking them into sections, using one color as a border. Then picking out baskets, features and ornaments in one or more of these colors. Then carrying that theme through to the outdoor cushions etc. Keeping the furniture, a neutral color, such as white, keeps the focus in the right areas, which also makes it easy to change these colors as you please. 

8. Utilize herbs and evening scented flowers

If you’ve invested in a BBQ or a pizza oven, or even a bar – planting herbs outdoors is a great idea. Imagine, whipping up a fresh pizza and decorating it with fresh basil. Or even chopping up fresh mint for the perfect mojito. Moreover, their scent will leave Adam & Eve hungry for more. Likewise, adding evening scented flowers means that as dusk approaches, the scent evokes a party till dawn and is worth the investment. 

9. Add ornaments and/or water features

Again, the most you reap – the more you sow. Investing in ornaments and water features helps create a calming atmosphere. Or helps emphasize a particular strength of your garden.

10. Utilize wood chips

Whether it’s creating temporary seating area, a walkway, or focal point – wood chips are essential. Moreover, they add a slight cushion to a child’s play area or can help in dividing up your garden into different sections. Similarly, if you keep them around a BBQ or fire pit, they make resources to burn. Rather than constantly purchasing chips, why not make your own? Cost effective, eco-friendly & fun, check out these wood chippers and garden shredders here and get chipping today! 

Closet Organization Tips for Large Families

Having a large family is wonderful, and being a member of such means that there is never a dull moment at home. You don't know what being alone is as you are constantly surrounded by people who understand you, support you, care for you, people who love you. And while big households are great for our well-being, not all homes are equipped to deal with so many souls in one place. More precisely, not all of them come with enough closet space for everyone. Luckily, this problem can be solved by turning to certain closet organization tips, the biggest of which is replacing individual wardrobes with one big family closet.

What exactly is a family closet, and how can it make organizing easier?

The idea behind it is quite simple, actually. It involves saying goodbye to ordinary, tiny wardrobes and switching them for a room designed for the whole family to store their garments. Depending on the home's layout and size, the room could even function as a laundry room. Of course, in some instances, the latter isn't possible. If so, setting up a walk-in family closet close by it is highly recommended for added convenience.

But what benefits are there to it? Well, for starters:

• They make putting away clothes a piece of cake as everyone's things are in one place

• Individual clothing items are easier to spot since everything is on display

• It's easy to stay on track with the wardrobe you and your children no longer need

• You can lay out the outfits for tomorrow without making clutter

• The old closets can serve as storage space for other things

With so many advantages to having a one-for-all clothing area, it's no wonder why more and more families are beginning to utilize them. There are various ways to make them work for you, some of which are covered in the following closet organization tips.

Purge first, organize later

Before you begin working on the right organizing system for your closet, get rid of the things you and your loved ones no longer need. Maternity dresses, kids' outgrown clothes, and faded jeans all fit the bill. However, instead of throwing them all away, consider that those less fortunate could benefit from what you consider old rags. With that in mind, a smart way to deal with unnecessary clothes is to divide them into two piles. The first being things you will donate, and the second those you'll dispose of.

Decluttering is definitely one of the simple ways to get more precious space in both the individual closets you'll soon no longer need and the brand-new family one. Additionally, by transferring your clothes into the shared closet, you allow the previous ones to be used as storage for, let's say, toys or appliances.

For better closet organization, switch from racks to shelves

Some moms would say that keeping a large family's closet well organized is a nightmare. But it doesn't have to be. One way to sort out a messy wardrobe and provide room for all the garments is to replace the clothing racks with shelves. Combined with neat folding, these allow you to store a lot more items than you would if you were to hang them on a rack.

Think about the kids while arranging clothes

As far as family closet organization tips go, this one is golden. Before you come up with a system that works for you, bear in mind that you must also develop a system that works for your little ones. Shelves alone will make it easier for children to spot their clothes, especially if you commit to arranging them by color and labeling compartments with your kids' names. Also, you must make sure your kids can actually reach their outfits, so keeping them on lower levels is advisable. Higher shelves should be reserved for you, your significant other, or the things your family uses only on rare occasions.

Find a place for all the particular items

Your shared closet can only remain neat if you find a place for absolutely everything. It's not only clothes that require storing, but also things like shoes, bags, hats, and jewelry. To keep your footwear in check, you can introduce a shoe organizer to the area. You can keep bags on shelves, but, as far as hats and jewelry go, wall-mounted hooks are just the place for them! They'll stay on display, as well as be easy to grab on the go.

Keep the laundry basket in the family closet

This is one of those commonly suggested closet organization tips that are all about convenience. By keeping the laundry basket in the same room as your loved ones' clothes, you simplify the process of doing laundry. Just think about how time-consuming it is to go from room to room to check everybody's drawers (or floor) for dirty garments. With one closet for all, this scenario is a thing of the past. Thanks to it, you'll save both precious time and energy. Plus, if your washer and dryer happen to be nearby, removing the clothing items from them and putting them back in their place will turn into a breeze.

Decorate the shared area for a feel-good vibe

It's not all about creating a clever organizing system for your family home wardrobe but also keeping the room pretty. The goal is to transform it into an area that makes you feel good. Or rather, decorate it with a boutique kind of vibe in mind. This can be accomplished by sprucing up the walls with wallpapers, adding ambient lighting, a comfortable couch, and a full-length mirror. Either way, feel free to experiment in any way you like. Just don't forget to involve the kids in the process!

Final words

While initially meant for large families, these closet organization tips aren't only applicable to them. In fact, it's quite the contrary! Every family can make use of a one-for-all wardrobe. Not only will it provide the additional storage space they may need, but it will also allow for the area to remain tidy. Plus, keeping everything in one place will make finding particular clothing items more manageable than ever before. Sounds good, doesn't it?

How to Decorate a Bedroom on a Budget

Decorating your bedroom to suit your ideal aesthetic is a must for your happiness and mental health, but it can be prohibitively costly. 

No matter the budget, you can achieve your ideal sanctuary by understanding which elements are worth spending money on. Check out our inspirational list below of budget-friendly ways to decorate your bedroom!

1. Make the Wall Decor Yourself

Original artwork and prints for above your bed can run you anywhere from fifty dollars to thousands of dollars, making it one of the least affordable bedroom embellishments you can purchase. If you’re on a tight budget, the solution lies in making your wall decor yourself. 

Canvases of any size can be purchased from your local art supplies store. If you’re artistically inclined, you can hang your latest masterpiece or paint something new with your space’s color scheme in mind. You can also macramé wall art or craft a hanging wall quilt, both of which are relatively simple DIY projects.

Making your decor yourself isn’t just cost-effective—it’s also more meaningful and personal than a canvas print of the Eiffel Tower. It makes your room a little bit more “you,” even if it’s a far cry from professional quality.

2. Put Up Pictures

Posters and collages aren’t just for college dorms. If you truly shudder at the thought of producing artwork, print out or gather some of your favorite photos! 

Make any picture, print, or poster look instantly classier by framing it. Even something as inexpensive as a magazine poster gets a leg up when it has a well-fitting frame with thoughtful positioning in your room. Again, choosing wall imagery that speaks to your personality is what makes your room truly yours. Don’t just hang up any old poster, map, or paper on your wall.

3. Shop Reused or Refurbished Furniture

New furniture is an expensive investment that will eat up your bedroom budget. In the days of fast fashion and brand-new everything, we tend to consider used furniture as a final resort, but that’s neither realistic nor sustainable. 

Truthfully, a well-made piece of furniture can and should last a lifetime. Opting for used furniture helps keep pieces that have plenty of life left out of the landfill, making it a more environmentally-friendly choice. Buying unwanted used furniture can also cost you mere pennies and look far better than the expensive, average-quality furniture you find at big retailers. Plus, combing through online shops or thrift stores for a hidden gem can be fun and rewarding in and of itself.

4. Add Greenery

Never underestimate the power of plants when it comes to transforming your home or bedroom! When you’re struggling to figure out how to fill a space, add greenery. 

There are so many easy indoor plants to choose from. Cacti, including the useful aloe vera plant, are low-maintenance and gorgeous options. Peace lilies need relatively little sunshine and an average amount of watering, and they’re great for air quality. Spider plants are also good for air quality, and they also look beautiful when hanging from your ceiling. All of these plants and more are both budget-friendly and will keep your space looking lively.

5. Choose Lasting Bedding

Yes, you’re on a budget, but if there’s one thing you shouldn’t skimp on, it’s quality bedding. This isn’t to say you have to choose silk sheets made for royalty, but selecting bedding that lasts is going to be the thing that saves you a lot of money in the long run.

If you opt for cheap polyester sheets, you’ll most likely notice a difference in your sleep quality. You’re also going to have to replace the sheets and duvet when they’re inevitably damaged or torn in just a few years. 

The cost may seem like a lot now, but purchasing a duvet and sheet set designed to last for at least ten to twenty years means you have one upfront cost and that’s it. Your bed set will wash easily and look wonderful many years later. 

6. Clean Up Clutter

The number one thing you can do to make your space look neat and decorated is by organizing it. Interior organization skills are what can take a space from “dorm room” to “adult bedroom” in a flash. 

Just remember: everything needs a place. Having piles of clothes or clutter lying around will undo any hard work you’ve done decorating and contribute to a stressful environment. Do your research and consult gurus like Marie Kondo who kindly help you organize by keeping what’s important and tossing what isn’t.