5 Updates to Your Patio for a More Open Feeling

Everyone wants to add a little extra space to their home or make the space they already have feel bigger, but sometimes it can be hard to know where to start when you have a small outdoor area in the front or back of your house. If you want to expand your patio so it feels more open and inviting, the right adjustments can make a big difference. Here are five ways you can expand your patio so it feels more open and inviting.

Knock Down a Wall

If your patio feels too closed off, consider patio column removal or take down one of the exterior walls to create an open feel. This way, you’ll be able to have a more spacious patio and also create a breezier atmosphere on hot summer days. If you’re not comfortable removing any walls or think it would be too costly or difficult, look for alternative ways to increase airflow through your home to the patio.

Hang Paintings on the Walls

Hanging large paintings outdoors can help brighten your patio space and make it feel larger. Consider paintings that use colors like white, black, and blue to visually make the space seem grander than it is. If you don’t have any large paintings at home, there are many options available at thrift shops or home goods stores.

Hang Plants From the Ceiling

Plants help lower indoor temperatures, make our homes feel more alive, and are also an easy way to make your patio space seem bigger. Consider hanging plants from your patio ceiling to give it an open atmosphere while keeping your outdoor space stylish. Choose plants like long flowing ivies, strings of pearls, and pothos to make the distance between the floor and ceiling seem greater.

Add More Lighting

One of the most fundamental changes to make your patio feel more open is adding more lighting. The reason is simple: people like to feel like they're outdoors, but they also want the comfort of a well-lit room. When your space is dark, it's claustrophobic; when it's well-lit, you can relax and enjoy yourself in a safe and open area.

Consider using globe lights or candle lanterns instead of fluorescent tube lights to discourage bugs while keeping the patio well-lit. Outdoor LED bulbs are also an affordable way to turn any space into a welcoming place.

Incorporate Some Metal and Glass

Both metal and glass are transparent, making them the perfect material to use to give your patio an open, airy feel. Metal or glass can be used to make room dividers, tables, dining areas—basically any element of your patio. Make sure you stick with white or black metal for your pieces to protect them from the sun's rays and keep your furniture looking fresh.

If you’re looking for ways to make your patio feel homier, opening up the space is the way to do it. If your patio doesn’t feel as open as it could be, then it can discourage you from using it as much as you’d like, and make it harder to entertain guests. Keep this information in mind to make your patio feel bigger and more welcoming.

Can You Patch Home Foundation Damage on Your Own?

Cracks in the home foundation are a common problem that can occur from a variety of causes. Simple shifting of the soil beneath the structure can cause thin, hairline cracks that can allow water in and permit insects to invade your interior. Some foundation damage can be done yourself. However, when the damage exceeds a certain amount, you should seek out an experienced foundation contractor to remedy the problem. Here are a few facts you should know about patching damage in your home foundation:

Hairline Cracks in the Foundation

Hairline cracks often occur and are not serious. You can easily cover the crack with concrete and masonry paint if the appearance bothers you.

Moderate Cracks Should Be Patched With Appropriate Material

Cracks that are 1/8 to ¼-inch wide should be covered with an appropriate foundation repair product. A number of different types of products are available. Concrete caulks and sealants are made for this use. Many premixed products are easy to use for the average homeowner. Epoxy products can also be used to prevent moisture intrusion.

Some Cracks You Can Leave Alone

You may notice a small, new crack in the foundation that wasn’t there before. These can be left as they are and simply monitored to determine if they are likely to get worse. One way to keep track of a crack’s progress is to use a pencil to put a small mark at the beginning and the end of the crack. You can check this periodically to determine if the shifting is getting worse and requires patching.

Larger Cracks Need Professional Evaluation

Any foundation crack that is larger than ½-inch long should be evaluated by a foundation contractor. When cracks become this wide, water can easily penetrate into interior spaces and insects have easy access to making a home inside your residence. Although most of these cracks are not serious, you should consult with a professional like Du-West Foundation Repair to ensure it is not a sign of serious foundation issues.

A Bulge in Your Foundation Can Mean Trouble

If you notice your foundation wall has a bulge to it, it could be due to hydrostatic pressure from the soil with heavy clay content. This problem can lead to foundation failure and needs the attention of a foundation professional.

Your foundation serves an important purpose in supporting your home. In addition, unsightly cracks can give your home a bad appearance and can affect its value in the marketplace. You can do minor patches and repairs yourself, but for more serious problems, contact a foundation professional.

Must-Know Downsizing Tips for Your Move to a Smaller Home

If you are looking for downsizing tips for your move to a smaller home, you've come to the right place. Whether you're moving to a condo, apartment, townhouse, or a family home with less square footage, we fully understand how stressful and challenging this process might be. Therefore, we've gathered helpful information to help you prepare and go through this significant transition more easily.

Downsizing tips for your move to a smaller home

Moving to a smaller living space is a major transition that will impact your lifestyle and probably cause a rollercoaster of emotions. To help you deal with it in the easiest way possible, we've prepared useful tips and advice. 

Start preparing early 

A last-minute move is never a good idea. So, as soon as you know that you will be moving to a new home, start preparing both mentally and physically.

Mentally prepare for downsizing to a smaller home

As moving to a smaller home can be a huge change and a stressful experience, it's essential to mentally prepare for what's coming:

• Know why you're downsizing - Whenever you feel overwhelmed and emotional about the change that's awaiting you, remember the reason why you're doing it. Whether you are retired, want to save money, or lower your environmental footprint, let it be your primary motivation to handle the emotional side of the process.

• Focus on the positive sides - Whenever you feel unsure about your decision, a good way to increase your level of excitement is to remember the benefits of downsizing. You wouldn't decide to downsize if it wasn't for your best interests, right? Moving to a smaller place will give you an opportunity to save money, create a healthier home, help the environment or spend less time on maintenance.

Set your budget

There is no question about it - you will indeed be saving money when moving to a smaller home. However, you still need to keep in mind that downsizing comes with expenses, both obvious and hidden ones. 

First of all, think about the potential expenses related to your new home. For example, there could be repairs you need to handle, or property taxes might be higher. Additionally, as you'll be downsizing your living space, you might need to rent storage to keep your excess things. 

You also have to factor in the costs of your relocation. The relocation team from movage-moving.com advised that setting the proper budget for moving can save you a lot of headaches during the process.

Consider the available space

Before packing anything from your old home, consider the available space in your new one. This way, you'll know exactly how much you can pack without the risk of moving into your new home and not having enough space for everything you brought. The key to successful downsizing is always having in mind the square footage you have available.

Declutter

As you'll be moving to a smaller living space, you won't have enough room for all of your things. So to prepare for the move in the best way, you should go through your belongings and declutter.

There are many decluttering methods you can use to make the process quicker and easier. In our opinion, the simplest option is to sort your things into four piles:

• Keep only things you truly need and have space for in your new home.

• Donate or sell anything that's still in good condition but that you don't want to use anymore or can't fit in your new living space.

• Toss or recycle everything that's unusable, broken, or stained. 

• Store the things you want to keep but have no room for in your new home (for example, camping equipment or luggage). 

The most challenging part is probably decluttering your furniture. If something definitely can't fit in your new home, make sure to sell or toss it, depending on its condition. Some pieces of your furniture can be repurposed, so make sure to thoroughly think of ways to use them before putting them for sale.

Many people find it very difficult to declutter their kitchen appliances, especially if they were very expensive. However, if they're collecting dust and not being used regularly, they will only take up room in your new, smaller home. Selling them or donating is probably a better idea.

Maximize the space in your new home

When moving to a smaller home, you want to maximize every square foot of space. Here are some of the options you can consider:

• Wall-mounted storage or floating shelves are a great choice because they don't use any floor space. 

• Think vertically and use the space above the doors for additional storage. You can also order custom closets or shelves that go from floor to ceiling.

• Boost kitchen storage by using simple tricks. For example, you can add hooks to the bottoms of your cabinets to hold mugs. Also, don't forget to use the space above your fridge or the tops of your cabinets. 

• Buying multifunctional furniture can help you save space. For instance, you can buy a Murphy bed or invest in an ottoman with storage space below the seating.

• Think about installing sliding doors as they don't require as much floor space as traditional doors. 

There are also plenty of tricks to make any small space seem bigger. For instance, if you paint the walls in a light color, you will not only make your rooms seem wider, but you'll also liven up your new home. Or you can strategically place mirrors as they can make any room look larger and more open.

Final thoughts

We hope you found our downsizing tips for your move to a smaller home helpful and that we could make this transition easier and simpler for you. Best of luck with your move!

Guest Post - 6 Excellent Organization Tips for Your Kitchen and Dining Areas

An unorganized living space can wreak much havoc into your day-to-day life. Dealing with a messy kitchen and dining area is a nightmare for every busy person since it can make mealtime very stressful. However, you deserve to unwind and enjoy yourself while you eat, be it on your own, with your family, or with guests. If you’d like to cut down on time spent trying to find the utensils in your kitchen and you’d like to impress your guests with the design of your dining room, read on.

Declutter your pantry and other storage areas

If your passion for organizing has been idle for some time, you probably have many things you don’t use, and will never need, lying around your pantry and kitchen shelves. To alleviate the stress when cooking, you need to roll up your sleeves, prepare some boxes and bags and be strict and start decluttering. The spices you got on vacation four years ago – into the trash they go. Check if you have some unopened food that you know you won’t be using and put it in a donation box. Take it to your local charity. They will surely appreciate your kindness!

Use glass containers

Now that you’ve thrown out things you forgot you even had in your kitchen, it’s time to really start organizing. Keeping your food in glass containers will give a more organized, as well as more elegant, look to your kitchen. Whether you're storing leftovers, bulk goods, or spices, glass containers such as jars and canisters will be a great addition to your kitchen. You can also easily tell when you're running out of oats, rice, and other pantry essentials when you use glass, unlike steel and non-transparent plastic containers. Another plus to glass is that it is healthier for you than the plastic option. Glass is easier to clean and it’s less porous. Therefore, it doesn’t absorb bacteria and other germs so your food will last longer.

Store related objects together

Your baking pans and mixer should be stored next to one another in the kitchen. Make a separate section for each category! Your baking essentials should all be kept in the same cupboard, where a shelf dedicated to baking goods such as sugar, flour, vanilla, and baking soda should also be. This is a great way to simplify the kitchen chaos and turn it into a functional cooking haven. Baking gingerbread cookies this Christmas could be an experience you thoroughly enjoy now that you know the location of everything you’ll need.

Display your dinnerware

If you don’t regularly use your fancy dinnerware, there’s no need to keep it in your kitchen with the utensils which get everyday use. A great idea is to move them to your dining room and store them in a cabinet. If you don’t own a hutch, this is a sign to get one. The hutches in which you’ll display your special dinnerware should look timeless, and be sturdy and durable. For example, you can find beautiful and eco-friendly Amish dining furniture that will add a cozy touch to your dining area with their beautifully hand-crafted hutches. Having trendy storage options in your dining room will liven up your eating experience and make your living space more functional.

Clean your kitchen and dining area regularly

It’s easy to lose control of your living area and have it turn into a land of disarray and clutter. This is especially likely to happen if you live with children. The little monsters storm the house, scattering around their belongings every time they enter the room. Your dining room is a place where you gather your whole family for dinner, not a playroom. An effective way to keep your dining area clean is to incorporate tidying up into your nighttime routine. It’s easier to put a couple of misplaced things back to their place before you go to bed than to have a huge clean-up once a month.

Decoration is key

Staying organized is simple when you like the design of your living space. This is why you should put more thought into the décor of your kitchen and dining area. Adding the much-needed warmth to your rooms can be easily achieved by placing soft cushions on your chairs or picking out a seasonal centerpiece for your dining table. Make sure you follow a certain color combination. As a result, your dining room will look gorgeous which will make you more likely to maintain the area’s cleanliness and organization.

Wrapping up

To sum up, if you care about making your kitchen and dining area immaculate, you should get rid of all the clutter prior to organizing. For your kitchen, choose glass containers. Pay attention to the order and way you use your appliances when placing them in their new designated spots. Finally, don’t forget about some gorgeous décor and furniture which will make it easier to maintain spotlessness while making your rooms feel homier.

About the author: Mike Johnston is an experienced blogger and editor with a background in creative writing and digital media. He’s a regular contributor to the ‘Smooth Decorator’ blog and numerous other online publications where he writes primarily about home improvement, interior design, and sustainable living.