4 Effective Ways to Safely Store Valuables in Your Home

We all own a few items that we would rather keep out of plain sight—important documents, family heirlooms, expensive jewelry. These possessions can be worth a great deal and pose the highest risk for theft or even weather damage. As such, you should know how to keep these objects organized and stash them away safely so that others can’t find them. Here are some of the best ways to safely store valuables in your home.

Purchase a Safe or Lockbox

One of the most straightforward methods to consider is to purchase a heavy-duty safe or lockbox. These products can keep thieves out by securely locking your possessions behind several layers of quality sheet metal. While it can be a bit expensive, a quality safe ensures that your items are always exactly where you want them to be and only accessible by you.

Utilize Attic Storage

You could also try hiding your precious objects up in your attic space. Attics are a great place to keep anything you aren’t regularly using. From holiday decorations to old clothing, you can tuck a lot of things safely away here. Attics make an effective storage solution because of their accessibility as well. Though many of us dread going up into the attic, fortunately, so do thieves. The harder it is to find the valuables in question, the less likely it is that a thief will attempt to steal them.

Lock Them in Your Storm Shelter

Another noteworthy way to safely store valuables in your home is to keep them in your emergency shelter. These sturdy structures are more than just a place to go during a storm. In fact, modern models have several advanced features—including ample storage space for emergency supplies. Important legal documents and valuables top the list of essentials to keep in this space. This way, you always know where they are if heavy weather should damage your house.

Get Creative With Compartments

For smaller objects that don’t need a larger storage container, you can try placing them in hidden compartments around the house. Steer clear of hiding spots that most people know about, like the key under your welcome mat or envelopes of cash in the back of a drawer. The more creative you get with your hiding places, the better off you’ll be at keeping these valuables inaccessible.

Important Home Updates to Finish Before Winter

Winter is fast approaching, and with it comes cold weather and snow. If you have any unfinished home projects like sealing up your windows or installing storm windows, now is the time to complete them! Here are some of the things that you can do in order to get ready for winter.

Add Insulation

Add insulation to the exterior walls and attic for better heat retention. The added insulation will help keep your home warm so that you aren't using as much energy on heating throughout the winter months. If you have not already done this, it is a good idea to do it before any cold weather sets in. Insulation is fairly inexpensive and easy to install, so it can even be a good DIY project.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Install a programmable thermostat so that you can save energy by being able to lower your home's temperature while you are away or sleeping. This is especially important if you have older heating systems in your home. The main benefits of this update include increased comfort, reduced utility bills, and more consistent temperatures throughout the day and night. There are even smart thermostats that will adjust automatically depending on your family’s typical schedule.

Make Sure Your Roof Is in Good Shape

If you live in an area where it snows often, make sure that your roof is in good shape so that the snow and ice don't cause damage to your home. If there are any weak spots or leaks on the roof, now might be a good time to have them repaired by a professional before winter starts. Don't put this off—contact an independent roofing service to have them look at your roof and make sure it's ready to go for the winter months.

Consider New Energy-Efficient Windows

Before the winter comes, it is a good idea to replace old drafty windows with energy-efficient ones. This will help keep your home warmer so that you don't have to use as much heat during the winter months. Old and drafty windows can also lead to increased utility bills, which means extra money spent on heating throughout the year. If possible, it might be a good idea to replace all of your windows at once so that they are the same and don't stick, close improperly, or have gaps between them.

If you haven’t already done any of the above, it may be a good idea to do so before winter sets in. With these improvements, your home will stay warmer and more comfortable throughout the fall and winter months. You could also save on energy costs by making sure that your heating system is operating efficiently with things like added insulation or a programmable thermostat. This will ultimately make your experience this winter much more relaxing and enjoyable for the entire family.

10 ways to keep your sofa clean

Soft comfortable sofas belong to the category of long-familiar everyday furniture. Finding a house that doesn't have it is almost impossible. This is everyone's favorite furniture that creates comfort and coziness in the house. Reading a book, watching TV, or just drinking a cup of coffee is much more pleasant sitting on your favorite couch. The sofa is the thing that we use every day, so soon the task of cleaning the sofa will appear. This is getting more difficult if you have small kids or pets in the house. So, here are some tips on how to keep the sofa clean.

1. Cover sofas with blankets. 

     This method is used by many. When you cover your sofa with a blanket, the dust is sitting on the blanket, and what you do is just wash this blanket and cover it again. Agree, this is a very useful lifehack for those who don't have time for everyday cleaning or don't have too many guests. Just notice that the blanket should be the color and style which your interior. 

2. Vacuum your sofa.

     This will help you to rid of the dust which is so important. Also vacuum the pillows, if you have one, because they are part of your sofa, and dusty as much as the sofa.  

3. Wash the case of the sofa and pillows.

     If you have kids, you can control every step of them to keep your house clean. The probability of pollution of your sofa is high. So if you can remove the case of your sofa, do it and wash it. Also, don't forget about pillows.

4. Make space for your pets.

     If you have pets, make a place for their sleep. Our pets usually like to sleep on the couch, especially cats. Make some comfortable place for them, it can be on the sofa also, if your sofa is big. And this way you will avoid their fur.

5. Use a lint roller for the hair of your pets. 

     If your pets get used to sleeping on the couch, you probably will have a problem with their fur, especially when the material of your sofa is not leather. So, use a lint roller to remove the fur of the sofa. Do it regularly.

6. Prompt removal of stains.

     It is advisable to prevent the spilled liquid from penetrating deep into the fibers, and therefore the stain should be removed immediately using an absorbent material (paper towels and cotton fabrics absorb well). You do not need to press hard, just the stain will get wet with a cloth in the direction from its edges to the center.

7. Do not use household chemicals.

     If it is not possible to remove the stain with a paper towel, then it is recommended to use salt and baking soda, providing an "absorbing" effect. These products are poured onto the stain and left on for 20-30 minutes, after which they are removed with a vacuum cleaner. This is the method for the "fresh spot".

8. Use a claw frame for your pets.

     Usually, pets like to play, and during the game, they sometimes can damage the soft furniture. Dogs grow the pillows and the cats damage the sofa with claws. So, make a place for them and buy toys, and they can't damage your soft furniture. 

9. Be careful with the sofa before moving. 

     If you decide to move to a new house you need to take the furniture with you or at least sell it. It will be better if you call a moving service. Because either while you are cleaning the home or preparing to move you can seriously damage furniture. So, the professional moving service will help you to avoid these kinds of problems.

10. Change pillows.

     You can change the pillows sometimes. This will make your sofa look new and fresh. Changing the case color of the pillows or changing them at all will be the best way to feel new things in your house and will give the freshness of your sofa.

10 Trends in Kitchens to Watch Out for in 2021

Kitchen trends are ever-changing with the new season or every New Year. There are a variety of unique techniques involved in today’s creative and advanced kitchen designs. However, some designs are still going strong even after so many years. Thus, we’ll be focusing more on what you should opt to make your kitchen appear up-to-date in 2021. 

Here are the 10 trendy kitchen designs that you can take a cue from to deck up your cooking space in 2021: 

1. Dark Kitchens are In

The decade was all about bright, white kitchens. But homeowners seem to have moved away from that trend. This year, people are including more dark colors and designs in their kitchens. From beautiful black countertops to brown or earthy walnut cabinets, there are so many design options available for the dark kitchen trend. 

If you don’t want to change your countertop, you can simply consider making your cabinets dark by painting them in any dark hue of your choice. For this task, you don’t even need a professional. You can easily DIY it with the help of your family and friends. 

2. Add a Dutch Door

Since today’s homeowners want to have trendy and put-together Leicht kitchens, they even look for means to be more functional. One such way is to install a Dutch door in your kitchen. It will instantly transform the look of your whole kitchen, making it feel more practical yet affordable. 

If there is already a Dutch door in your cooking space, you may consider giving it a fresh coat of paint. There is no need to always get rid of stunning vintage features. You can look for interesting ways to keep and update them in your home. 

3. Realign Your Backsplash

When it’s about the backsplash, you can consider removing your boring horizontal subway tile. Instead, go for realigning the backsplash in vertical form for a different look. This vertical realignment will also give a more modern and sleek appearance to your overall interior. It can be done by choosing tiles with a stunning vertical design. 

4. Green Cabinetry 

If you love green, you’ll be happy that this bold color trend has made a comeback in 2021. Even decades ago homeowners used to love adding green to their interior design. This vibrant and classy color can give a refreshing and bold look to any kitchen space. However, the green tones are more subtle and muted these days. But this color family is here to stay for sure. You can think of transforming your dull kitchen interior with green cabinetry for a livelier feel. 

5. Smart Kitchens

Of course, technology is one thing you cannot compromise on in 2021. So, look for adding fancy appliances and gadgets with smart features. You can have a kitchen integrated with technology to perform different functions. From appliances like refrigerators to lighting and faucets, everything can be smart in today’s modern kitchens. 

After all, smart kitchens are a new and evolving aspect of modern design. So many kitchens today are designed to be smart. If you have an old kitchen, you can add smart gadgets, sensors and other devices for more convenience to yourself and your family. 

6. Handleless Design

The new kitchen design trends are all about multitasking and convenience. The new handleless kitchen designs are more convenient with their free-flowing design. It gives a sleeker, streamlined, modern and sophisticated look to the kitchen interior. Besides, viewers’ focus goes to the details of premium details on cabinetry due to its handleless design. Due to its elegant visual appeal and budget-friendliness, this style is quite popular in modern homes. 

7. Add Artwork to Contemporary Kitchen

Have you ever considered adding artwork to your cooking space? If not, try it this year. Look for more frames, pieces of art and portraits to add a color pop to your kitchen. It is also a fun way to add some personality to your kitchen without giving it a complete makeover or spending too much money on renovation. 

8. Add Streamlined Cabinetry

While some people love a nice shaker cabinet, most homeowners today are opting for more streamlined and modern-looking cabinetry. You may expect it to see in more cooking spaces with simple lines and fewer embellishments in 2021. This style is common in open-plan kitchens. 

9. Try Two-Toned Look 

Another kitchen trend to consider for your kitchen in 2021 is a two-toned look. It can be played along with a two-toned color scheme of your cabinet and countertop. Not only will it add dimension to your kitchen but also a splash of bright optimism and visual interest in any kitchen interior. 

10. Maximize Storage

Whether you have a large family or you’ve started baking in 2021, added storage in the kitchen is necessary. So, think of adding an extra cabinet on a wall or in a store next to your kitchen for extra storage. It will help you to keep clutter away from your kitchen while making it appear cleaner and well-maintained.

Conclusion

Are you looking for the latest trends in Leicht kitchens in 2021 to give your dull kitchen an interesting makeover? Do consider the given points to transform your cooking space into a modern and functional area for food preparation, as well as social gatherings.