Elements That Can Make a House Seem More Beautiful

Making your home beautiful is important both from the perspective of quality of life and the resale value of the place. Namely, a luxurious-looking home can be much more valuable than a place with the same square footage in the same neighborhood. Still, does one have to invest so much money to make their home look elegant and luxurious? Of course not. Here are several ways in which you can make a house seem much more beautiful, even on a budget.

1. Crown mold

The first thing you need to consider is using the crown mold as an inexpensive way to make any room look regal. Crown molding is great for open-concept homes, living rooms, dining rooms, and hallways, while some suggest that this can also look quite good in a kitchen. While this element is often associated with something vintage, the truth is that there are a lot of modern interior design trends that use crown mold. Still, for contemporary design, traditional molding, cove molding or transitional molding are much more popular options.

2. Monochrome rooms

There are several reasons to make your rooms monochromatic. First of all, it helps set a theme for the area. It also allows you to choose the right furniture, seeing as how you can narrow down your search to the items that go well in that particular color. Sometimes having too many options to choose from can be quite problematic. Then again, going with light and dark tones of a single color adds more challenge to the project. It pushes your creativity to its limits. Still, it ensures that the place looks elegant no matter what. It’s quite hard to imagine something seeming out of place in a monochrome setting (as long as it’s of the matching color).

3. ceiling-to-floor drapes

Hanging drapery is one of the best ways to control the influx of natural light through the place. It is a great way of organizing the place and erecting physical barriers to restrict the place and create focal points. According to a veteran buyer's agent from Sydney, the natural light in your home is one of the key features when it comes to making a great impression on a potential buyer. Therefore, it’s also pivotal for the resale value of the place. Apart from this, keep in mind that this is a major surface in any room, which is why, thematically, it’s able to replace the need to paint an accent wall. Whether or not the curtains are see-through is up to you.

4. Hardwood and hardwood-like materials

Natural materials are always elegant-looking and hardwood is at the very top of this list. The biggest problem with hardwood is that it’s expensive and if you’re planning to increase the resale value of the place to sell it better, this is not a cost-effective idea. Instead, you should look for hardwood-like materials. Vinyl flooring, laminate, and tiles can be incredibly hardwood-like if you choose the right texture and color. Sure, it’s not the same thing but in some areas of the house, they can be even superior to the original. Both tiles and hardwood are more water-resistant than wood, which makes them better in kitchens and bathrooms.

5. Fresh flowers

This is a method that requires more work and dedication on your part but it’s worth it. Picking some fresh flowers and displaying them in a (carefully selected) vase can completely change one’s perception of the place. First of all, it creates both visual and aromatic refreshments for the area. Second, it shows that someone is investing a tremendous amount of effort into the maintenance of the place, seeing as how these flowers need to be changed every couple of days. Keep in mind that an indicator of great maintenance encourages a potential buyer.

6. Door trim painting

Even if you’re living in an open space area with no doors acting as barriers, it might still be worth your while to paint the door trims. You see, a transition from one area of the place to another needs to be felt as if the place was indeed divided by walls. This helps you get the best of both worlds. Open space gives you a chance to save some room by eliminating the thickness of internal walls but you still want different areas of the floors to act as different rooms. If you have the option, you should achieve this either by placing rugs or painting door trims. The latter is a cheaper option.

7. Pay attention to details

There are so many details around the place that can massively affect the resale value. For instance, the dining chairs, on their own, have the power to impress a visitor and allow the occupant to immerse in the place a lot easier. The organization of the closet is also essential. A lot of people try to cram as many dividers as to increase the functionality but by leaving enough gaps between shelves and hangers, you’re upping the elegance of the area. All in all, improving the aesthetics of your home takes attention to detail.

In conclusion

In the end, you need to keep in mind that increasing value is a subjective thing. So, if you want to find something that will boost the value of your home and its appeal to a potential buyer, you should probably talk to a professional. Getting a quote from a buyer’s agent or a real estate agent can help stir you in the right direction. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a quality-of-life improvement, you can just choose based on your personal preferences.

Aging in Place for Seniors: 10 Changes Your House Needs

According to a survey, 90% of people over the age of 65 prefer to stay in their homes as long as possible, and 80% want to live in their current homes forever. 

Senior citizens nowadays prefer their homes over assisted living facilities. But are their homes ready for this?

Not all houses have all the featured that older people need, so they might need some changes.

In particular, there are 10 features that your house needs to be ready for aging in place:

1. Outdoor and indoor ramps

2. Efficient lighting system

3. Non-slip flooring

4. Smart home technology

5. Handrails

6. Lower sink, kitchen counter, and cabinets

7. Stairlift

8. Smoke alarm system

9. Cooling and heating system

10. Levers

Guest Post - Different Degrees of Clutter vs. Hoarding

It’s not uncommon to have some clutter lingering in different areas of your house. It might be a small collection of things taking up space, like a cluttered attic. Or, it could be a room that looks untidy, filled with items that aren’t in their place or don’t need to be there. 

A little clutter isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Maybe you just haven’t had time to clean, or maybe you’re comfortable with leaving things alone in an attic or basement. 

But, there may also be an underlying psychological effect causing your clutter. If it gets out of hand, that might even lead to hoarding. 

With that in mind, let’s look at why you might be okay with too much clutter, and what to do when it becomes a problem. 

What’s Really Causing Your Clutter? 

Sometimes, clutter comes from indecision. Bringing things into your home and leaving them in a certain place could be the result of not knowing what to do with them. Other times, clutter builds up because you’re not ready to let things go. Maybe they have a sentimental value, or you’re putting too much emotional weight on them. 

If you dig deeper into those causes, you can probably see that there is a psychological attachment. For some, it’s indecision. For others, it might be a fear of letting go of something familiar. Other underlying emotions that can contribute to clutter include: 

• Uncontrolled impulse purchases

• Memories

• Fear of needing something in the future

• Guilt

• Obligation

• Hoping for a change

Unfortunately, too much clutter can also contribute to psychological issues. It can cause stress, make you feel inadequate, and can even distract you from things you’re supposed to focus on.

How to Know When Clutter Becomes Hoarding

If the beginnings of clutter can quickly become a problem, what happens when it gets worse? 

Most people have heard of hoarding, but where is that line crossed between a cluttered home and one that is overflowing with “stuff?”

Hoarding simply takes the psychological effects of clutter to another level. The American Psychiatric Association recognizes Hoarding Disorder as a real problem when someone excessively saves items that would have no value to others. Some of the most common behaviors and signs of this disorder include the inability to get rid of things (even things like food containers or what others might consider trash), and extreme stress or anxiety about throwing anything away. If someone has a buildup of clutter that causes rooms of their home to become unusable/unliveable, it has gone into hoarding territory. 

Everything from stress to OCD, and the factors listed above, can cause someone to become a hoarder. Whatever the case, hoarding can cause a lot of damage to your home. You might start to experience:

• Vermin infestation

• Mold growth

• Plumbing damage

• Pet damage

• Structural damage

Hoarding can cause you to feel anxious about your possessions. You may even realize that you have a problem but aren’t willing to let things go. Because of this, it’s not uncommon for those who hoard their belongings to avoid getting help or the treatment they need. Recognizing the signs, even understanding that your living conditions are unstable because of the extreme clutter, is the first step in getting help for a hoarding problem. 

Clear the Chaos and Build Organized Habits

If you have mild clutter in your home, consider why you might be avoiding it. Cleaning up and creating more space can give you a sense of freedom and take away some of the weight that clutter is causing. Choose to put some things in storage if you can’t let go. Additionally, utilize corners, buy organizers for your items, and use elevation to your advantage by putting things on shelves or tables. 

If your cluttering problem has gotten worse, you may be dealing with Hoarding Disorder. Self-help starts with recognizing you need to make a change, but that isn’t always easy. If necessary, seek support. 

Hoarding is often the result of underlying psychological issues, and a therapist, counselor, or support group can help you to work through those issues. It will be easier for you to manage your thoughts when they do and to start to get rid of the things you don’t need once and for all.

Author Bio: Noah Rue is a freelance writer.

People to Contact When You Want to Remodel Your Home

If you are about to undergo a major remodeling project, your first objective is to assemble your “dream team.” Remodeling is rarely the work of just one person or even just one team of people. From the general contractor to the landscaper, there are several people to contact when you want to remodel your home. Read along to learn who they are and what attributes they should possess.

General Contractor

The general contractor is the person who will turn your vision into a reality. They manage and execute the fine details of the project so that you don’t have to fret so much. For any project that requires several thousand dollars and a few subcontractors, it’s in your best interests to hire a reliable leader. You do not want someone who will rip you off. When you interview for a general contractor, you are looking for someone well-established who has a reputation for completing jobs on time and within the budget.

Interior Designer

Of all the people to contact when you want to remodel your home, interior designers are the most artistically inclined. They balance space, furniture, and wall colors to create a cohesive look in your home that matches your aesthetic sensibilities. When you hire an interior designer, you are looking for a creative professional with an eye for detail and exceptional communication skills. An interior designer should have a portfolio and references. Do not be afraid to ask for these, and be sure to review their portfolio for projects that are comparable to your goals.

Landscaper

The outside of your home is still a factor in your appraisal, and it should not be an afterthought during the remodeling process. A landscaper designs and executes an attractive exterior for your house. When you look for a landscaper and their team, you want to make sure they are certified by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) and have a portfolio of similar projects to show you.

Carpenter

The carpenter is the person who takes on the building projects that go into a renovation. Whether it be stairs, cabinets, railings, or house frameworks, the carpenter is the one to manage it. When you hire a carpenter, you want someone experienced in critical thinking, mechanical equipment, and communication. More than anything, you want a carpenter who can pay attention to the very fine details. When it comes to building codes, miscalculations by only a few inches could create problems in the future.