Home Repairs You Should Not Attempt to Do Yourself

In a world of giant hardware stores and endless do-it-yourself shows, it might seem like no home repair is out of the realm of the average weekend warrior. While you can accomplish a lot with some planning and an instructional video, there are limits on where this approach will get you. Knowing these limits ahead of time will ensure that you don't end up with any injuries or property damage and instead get the perfect results that you have in your mind.

Electrical Repairs

Anytime you're in close proximity to electricity, there's a risk of electric shock. Even simple tasks, such as installing a new light fixture, can turn deadly if you don't take the necessary precautions. Hiring a qualified electrician will save you a lot of time and ensure that you don't inadvertently receive a new hairstyle.

Roof Repairs and Installations

While repairing or replacing your roof can technically be a do-it-yourself task, there are a lot of variables involved that make this task better suited to a professional. One main challenge of roofing repair is the pitch of the roof that presents the risk of falling off your roof at any moment. There's also the concern of ensuring that you properly seal around protrusions in your roof so that you don't end up with leaks in your home.

Foundation Repair

If you see cracks in your home's foundation, you'll typically want to hire a professional to take care of the problem. That's because highly specialized tools are often needed to lift your home off of its foundation so that repairs can be made to the concrete. Trying to do this task yourself will almost never turn out well, especially considering the significant weight and forces involved in moving a house.

Re-Fitting Gas Lines

Routing a gas line to a new location seems fairly straightforward, especially if you have basic plumbing experience. The difference, though, is that if you do something wrong when you're working with a gas line, the mistake could result in an explosion. That's why, in many cities, it's illegal for anyone other than a licensed pipefitter to work on gas lines. Therefore, choosing a professional for these types of repairs is a legal issue in addition to the safety concerns that accompany such a task.

Final Thoughts

If you're realizing that the repairs you had in mind might not be the easiest to do yourself, there's still hope for the avid do-it-yourselfer. In many cases, you can perform smaller portions of a task without any worries about causing major damage. By taking care of these portions of the tasks yourself, you can still save money, even when you have to hire a professional to take care of the bulk of the work. Ultimately, it’s worth it in many situations to receive help from an expert that knows how to accomplish the task as safely and effectively as possible.

Revitalize Your Space with These Easy Home Upgrades

Ready to revitalize your space? Whether you love redecoration or your house hasn’t changed in decades, upgrading your house doesn’t have to be complicated. Let’s help your house feel more like a home with these easy home upgrade suggestions.

Small Personalized Touches that Make All the Difference

With home upgrades, we tend to think big, but you don’t have to do a large-scale renovation to make a significant positive impact on how your space feels. Small personalized touches can make all the difference, and it’ll be easier than you think if you can just find what will make your space exemplify your personality. Sometimes, this is as simple as marking the territory directly with the name. For example, the nursery pictured above would be pleasant but basic without the personalized neon sign that instantly elevates the space from generic to one-of-a-kind. 

We recommend that rather than trying to follow trends or match your upgrade to an influencer’s home you love, you focus your upgrades on your own interests, or the combined considerations of all the personalities living in your home. If you’re a sophisticated drinker, you’ll love having upscale barware, but if you usually just pop back a beer when you’re watching the game, you might prefer some homage to your favorite team on or near the TV stand. If your spouse loves baking with your kids, that might be something to factor into your kitchen, from upgrading your pantry area to hold more baking ingredients to buying a bigger cookie jar or cupcake holder. Your house will feel like a home when it feels like you.

Cultivated Decor that You Adore

Especially if you’ve been in a house for a while, it can be easy for stuff to accumulate, especially decorations. But when it comes to decor, it’s much better to have a cultivated selection of choices you adore rather than an overwhelming mess with options you don’t even remember buying. And that holds even with sentimental items: you’ll get more enjoyment out of your space and your decor when you only have one of grandma’s quilt art pieces displayed rather than one for each of her grandchildren. 

This means that you might have to really go through your decorations and consider what you really love and what you really could get by without. And it can really be as easy as recognizing that you don’t have a specific attachment to the landscape painting on your mantelpiece but you’ve always really wanted a historic map of your hometown. “It’s been there for ten years” isn’t a good reason to keep something on the wall unless you want it there. Your wall space is prime real estate. Even moving a picture to the opposite wall can change the feel of a room, so don’t feel like you necessarily need to rush out and buy all new art to upgrade your home.

Sleek Appliances for a Styled Look

A lot of us logically drag our feet about replacing appliances unless absolutely necessary, which makes financial sense. But when you’re looking for easy home upgrades, nothing revitalizes spaces faster than new appliances. It goes without saying that upgraded appliances will be an upgrade, but not just in giving you a double oven that finally heats up on the top and the bottom at the same rate or a washing machine that beeps like it’s supposed to again. Upgraded appliances also affect the space around them. We don’t tend to think of our fridges and TVs as design statement pieces, yet our appliances, for size and importance, do tend to define the room that they’re in. 

That means that with sleek new appliances, you can easily add a styled look to your home without changing anything else. New, matching kitchen appliances that are all white or all silver, for example, could instantly elevate the tone of your space. And don’t be afraid to experiment with less traditional looks for your appliances to find what really suits your style. Maybe you love the vintage mint green toaster or you’re ready for a chic countertop dishwasher, like the one pictured above. Find the style of upgraded appliance that gives your space the feel you want.

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

Finally, take heart. Most of our ideas for easy upgrades to revitalize your space rely on you knowing what you like, which can feel daunting at times. The good news is that there are no hard rules or hard timelines, so you can feel free to experiment with how you want to upgrade your home. And even if you live alone, you don’t have to work on the transition from house to home alone. 
At House to Home Organizing, we can help you get organized and centered on your goals for the space so you’re ready to make those easy upgrades that can make all the difference. Reach out so we can get started today.

Organizing Tips: How to Prevent Jewelry Tangle and Damage

We partnered with a home improvement company. for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

Your jewelry says a lot about you. Your necklace can tell a story about your family heritage, your rings can paint a picture of your social status and your tie pins and cuff links can leave a great first impression. These pieces all deserve love and care, so they stay in top shape for you, your future generations and all those who lay eyes on you. So how do you keep your pieces from tangling and damaging? Here are a few easy organizing ideas for your jewelry:

Create a jewelry drawer

If you’re a fan of minimalism and love to keep all the loose pieces neatly hidden away, then you might consider designating one drawer in your dresser or bathroom cabinet for jewelry. Pick a shallow drawer so you can easily access all your pieces, yet deep enough to find a jewelry drawer organizer. This drawer organizer comes with many different compartments perfect for storing necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings. If you have a lot of pieces that need storing, opt for a deeper drawer and stack two trays on top of each other (one with jewelry you don’t wear as often goes on the bottom naturally).

Store longer pieces on hooks

Probably the easiest solution to long and thin necklaces that tangle easily is to get a few hooks and place them somewhere easy to reach yet away from traffic. These decorative hooks can be placed on the wall, on your door, in your dresser or wherever you find a practical spot. And since they are so cheap and easy to install, you can get as many hooks as you need to keep all your longer necklaces separate and safe from tangling and twisting.

Try a jewelry organizer stand

To prevent loss, tangling, breakage and underuse of your beautiful pieces, grab a stylish organizer tree that sits on your table, dresser or bathroom vanity. These trees are perfect for storing cute cord bracelets and displaying their beauty. These cord pieces are durable, but it’s not a bad idea to offer additional protection by storing them separately on an organizer stand. When it comes to table stands, they come in different sizes and colors, but all of them allow you to easily see all the pieces you own. Plus, the longer pieces can freely hang and not get tangled and creased.

Hang a jewelry pocket organizer

If you’re mainly concerned with tangling and damage and less about the aesthetic appeal of your jewelry display, you can easily gran a ready-made hanging pocket organizer. These things cost around $10 and come equipped with pockets perfect for storing rings, bangles and statement jewelry. They most often come with a hook, so you can easily hang your organizer on the closet door or from a designated rod in your dressing room. Keep in mind that these pocket organizers are not made for storing delicate pieces, but are perfectly practical and safe for chunky necklaces, bracelets and statement rings.

Reuse and repurpose

If you’re a big environmentalist, you don’t want to bring more unnecessary plastic to this world. A simple solution to this problem is to hit a thrift store and use your finds to display and organize your jewelry. For instance, you can grab a vintage picture frame, fit it with a mesh screen and use it to organize your dangly earrings. Antique bowls, teacups and trays can also be used to keep your rings safe. Another great idea for watches and bangles is to grab a few pretty bottles and use them to stack your watches onto them. Add some fairy lights inside the bottle and you have a beautiful piece of decoration that doubles as a jewelry organizer.

Protect your fine pieces

Some jewelry pieces are real investments that are only worn in very special occasions. These pieces deserve to be stored with care, in a special safe. If that’s too much trouble for you, you can grab a few jewelry boxes with soft inside and water- and light-proof lids. This way, your precious pieces will stay protected from humidity, dust and light (sunlight can fade some metals). Stackable plastic jewelry boxes can be used for bulkier pieces that don’t get daily wear, and if you're considering selling any valuable pieces, you might want to have them appraised and sell them to The Alloy Market for a fair price.

Remember that vintage jewelry like engagement rings and statement necklaces or earrings will need extra care due to their age and delicate nature. Regular cleaning and periodic inspections will help ensure that any potential issues are addressed promptly, preserving the beauty and value of such timeless pieces.

These jewelry organizing tricks will not only keep your pieces tangle-free and safe from damage but also prevent clutter in your bedroom. Plus, by neatly displaying them, your jewelry can become an impressive part of your home décor! 

Guest Post - Top 10 Garage Office Organization Tips

Have you recently begun to work from home? You are certainly not alone and this trend is expected to become even more popular in the near future. While there are many benefits associated with a home-based business, we need to keep in mind that creating a functional office could very well determine your overall success. Let's therefore take a quick look at how to transform an everyday garage into a fully functional office. 

Vertical Storage

Most garage-based offices are associated with a limited amount of space. However, you should not be forced to endure a cramped and cluttered environment. Take advantage of vertical shelving to store important everyday items. Wall-mounted cabinetry is another excellent option to consider. 

Make the Most Out of Existing Space

It is also wise to examine the floor plan of your garage. This will enable to you better determine where common items such as office furniture should be placed. It may also be a good idea to invest in space-saving accessories such as tables that can fit into corners alongside overhead storage solutions. 

All About Organization

An organized office is a productive office. Unfortunately, you may be grappling with a small amount of floor space or negotiating with other items (such as a vehicle). It is therefore wise to think outside of the box in terms of how you can remain organized. One interesting suggestion involves investing in a series of pegboards or walls with horizontal grooves. The main takeaway point here is that functionality will determine productivity.

The Grab-and-Go Edge

In terms of convenience, why not purchase a handful of baskets that can be mounted directly to the walls of your garage? These innovative options offer two main benefits. First, they provide a quick and easy way to store smaller accessories such as office stationary. A second advantage involves the fact that it is easy to grab whatever you require within a matter of seconds. 

Keeping Your Vehicle in Mind

Many garage offices will have to be balanced with the presence of a vehicle. How can you ensure that your care remains protected while still carrying out everyday responsibilities? Here are some professional tips and tricks to highlight:

• Use a vehicle cover to prevent unintentional damage.

• Add a gas stabilizer if the car will not be used for 30 days or more.

• Use wheel chocks to prevent the vehicle from accidentally rolling.

• Ensure that moisture and humidity are kept in check (more on this later).

If you have grown attached to your vehicle, be sure to implement the suggestions mentioned above. 

Ventilation Concerns

As mentioned in the previous section, many garages are known for relatively high levels of moisture. Not only can this damage a vehicle, but working within such an environment is far from comfortable. If your garage remains humid throughout the year, invest in a portable dehumidifier. This will help to lower the moisture content of the ambient air. Of course, those with more financial liquidity may also choose to implement an HVAC heating and cooling system. 

Let There Be Light

Office lighting is extremely important and this observation is just as applicable in regard to garage conversions. As the majority of garages do not offer much natural illumination, it is wise to invest in a handful of LED fixtures. Not only will these provide a welcome source of crisp light, but their energy-efficient nature helps to lower electric bills over time. 

Prevent Drafts

Drafts and garages seem to enjoy a hand-in-hand relationship. Unfortunately, this can be quite frustrating if you will be devoting hours to your professional career. Make it a point to search for any air leaks; particularly around windows and the frame of the garage door. Purchasing a do-it-yourself sealant kit will ensure that you remain comfortable; particularly during the colder months of the year. 

A Touch of Security

Every garage should be equipped with a robust security system and this is even more relevant if the space will be used as an office. Here are a handful of modern technologies to consider:

• Heat and motion sensors

• Robust garage door locks

• CCTV cameras

• Biometric scanners (such as fingerprint readers)

Be sure to examine the cost of these methods in order to accommodate your budget. 

Epoxy Flooring

Due to the functional nature of a garage, parquet flooring or carpets may not represent sensible options if it will double as an office. One interesting option is to use an epoxy sealant. Epoxy will provide an effective moisture barrier, it can protect the underlying surface and it is often possible to choose non-slip formulations. The good news is that this material is easy to apply and it will last for years if cared for properly. 

Home-based offices are indeed the wave of the future, so why not take full advantage of an existing garage? Please feel free to refer back to the suggestions mentioned above in order to obtain a bit of much-needed inspiration on occasion. 

Author Bio:

This article was written by Patrick Barry of VRT.ie – The go-to experts in the Car importation field. Be it importing a motor from the UK to Ireland or needing the assistance of a Customs Clearance Agent, VRT is here to help with all of your importation needs.