A resource for those seeking information on organizing and transforming spaces.

Home Maintenance Ben Soreff Home Maintenance Ben Soreff

Guest Post - 7 Essential Late Summer Home Maintenance Projects

No matter if you live in the northern or southern hemisphere, the seasons go around one by one, each one having different requirements for a comfortable life. Summer is widely the most beloved season because it brings a lot of joy to people—holidays, warm weather, beach, etc.

No matter if you live in the northern or southern hemisphere, the seasons go around one by one, each one having different requirements for a comfortable life. Summer is widely the most beloved season because it brings a lot of joy to people—holidays, warm weather, beach, etc. 

However, this time of frolicking has to end as well. So what kind of maintenance does your home require before it says goodbye to summer and hello to fall and winter? 

Pruning

If you have a lot of greenery in your home, especially bigger items like trees and bushes, it might be smart to give them a nice prune at the end of summer. If you notice any abnormal growth, sick or dead branches and overgrown branches, give them a trim. 

This way, you’ll have a neat garden all through fall and winter and get a clear view of your plants during the spring growth. Plus, you’ll have so much fewer dead leaves to rake if you remove some of them in advance! 

Cleaning the gutters

Gutter cleaning is a super important part of every home maintenance checklist, yet it is a criminally neglected chore by most homeowners. Make sure to clean your gutters twice a year, once in the late summer and once in spring, to remove all the dead leaves, plant debris, dust and animals from the pipes. 

And don’t underestimate this job—arm yourself with a ladder, gloves, tarps, pressure washers and buckets, because it can get messy, especially if you run into an animal nest. But, clean gutters will provide you with healthy landscaping, façade, foundation and fixtures. 

Inspecting the roof

The roof has so much to withstand during winter—rain, snow, high winds, ice, etc.—so make sure it’s ready for these challenges. Do a little inspection of your roof and repair any damaged shingles and patch up any holes. Check the attic for leaks as well. This is a quick and easy job (as long as you stay safe) but it can save you thousands of dollars. 

AC maintenance

Undoubtedly the best time for AC maintenance is the late summer. Most people would think that spring maintenance is the right timemove to prepare the unit for summer, but that’s not really the case. The late summer (end of August to end of September) is optimal for AC maintenance because your unit just finished a heavy workout. 

Also, the parts inside are quite sensitive to elements and you don’t want to open anything up when the weather is too harsh. And lastly, this is the time when you’ll get to choose which air conditioning repair company to see and when because the crowds are completely gone. You’ll gain access to the best of the best and end up with quick and efficient service. 

Furnace maintenance

Here’s a general rule: if your furnace is going to stop working, it’s going to stop working on the coldest day of the year. That’s why it’s crucial to nip the problem in the bud and do your maintenance in August or September. 

This late summer tuneup will help you save money in the long run, but also provide you with the ultimate comfort all throughout winter. Safety will also skyrocket because furnaces can cause serious issues on your property. 

Cleaning of pavers and decks

Proper late summer maintenance involves maintaining your home from top to bottom, so don’t forget the floors. All summer long you’ve been grilling, lounging and having fun on your deck and driveway, so it’s time to repay them with some scrubbing loving. If you have any natural stone around your home, a gentle scrub will remove all the dirt, grime and general wear and tear signs. 

If you leave food stains, oil stains and other dirt on there all through the winter, you will welcome spring with permanent stains. For the best results, use gentle cleansing products with a neutral hP and a soft brush. You can finish with a water-based penetrative sealer for long-term protection. If you see any cracks and holes, take the time to repair them. 

Repainting and washing carpets

If there are some DIY projects you’re planning to do this year, late summer is a perfect time. Why? Well, the temperatures are still warm enough so you can leave the doors open or provide plenty of sun for the carpets to dry. Also, late summer is the off-season for such work so you can get away with good prices and zero crowds. 

There you have it, all the little tasks you should do before the summer is over to have a healthy and comfy home all through the less hospitable seasons. 

Written by Mike Johnston

Read More
Home Ideas Ben Soreff Home Ideas Ben Soreff

How to Organize Your Outdoor Area for Ultimate Summer

When the weather gets warm, it's time to start thinking about making the most of your summer and outdoor space. Regardless of your available space, be it a balcony, a patio or an expansive yard, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors during the summer.

When the weather gets warm, it's time to start thinking about making the most of your summer and outdoor space. Regardless of your available space, be it a balcony, a patio or an expansive yard, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors during the summer.

Access to your vehicle for the season is crucial, whether you are taking advantage of a staycation or traveling for a few weeks. Make sure your vehicle is yours with the help of car shipping companies and services if you decide to travel to enjoy the outdoors to the fullest.

Nevertheless, spending the summer in your own home wouldn't be a horrible idea. There are some excellent ways to improve the atmosphere and make your outdoor space feel more welcoming. 

Maintain Some Cool Furniture

Investing in some quality outdoor furniture for your patio or yard is a great way to make the most of your outdoor space at home. This can be anything from a comfortable patio set to a simple picnic table. Whatever you choose, make sure it is durable and weather-resistant so you can enjoy it for years to come.

When shopping for outdoor furniture, consider how you'll use it most. Do you enjoy entertaining friends for outdoor drinks and music, or are you more likely to soak up the sun with a quiet afternoon in your favorite book?

Experience a Bar Outside

At your upcoming outdoor gathering, this will undoubtedly be a hit. A window can be made into a bar, or you can just add a wheeled cart or easy to grab container with all the necessary items like cups, drinks, ice buckets, and snacks. Another simple thing you can do is to set up a nice table in the corner with everything you need for the bar.

Build a Fire Pit on Your Own

A fire pit is a must if you enjoy grilled pineapple and other barbecued foods. The good thing is that you only need a few supplies and can finish it in just 30 minutes. It's as simple as wanting more S'mores to construct a fire pit with a curved paver patio!

Planning Your Summer Oasis

People say they'll "create a dream oasis" in their yard or patio for years. But creating a space for self-care isn't something many people find the time to complete. It's an easy task to push off for another day, but you'll wonder why you waited when you finally get around to it.

Design your space around what you want to accomplish with it. Do you want a place to entertain or somewhere to relax at the end of the day? What kinds of activities do you want to do in your space? Once you know how you want to use your outdoor area, it'll be much easier to design and start enjoying it.

The possibilities for how to enjoy your outdoor space are endless. You only have to decide where your chosen outdoor space will be and how you want to utilize it. With a little bit of planning, you can organize your outdoor area for the ultimate summer experience.

Read More
Home Organization Ben Soreff Home Organization Ben Soreff

5 Organization Projects to Get Done This Summer

The days are getting longer, the weather is gradually improving, and everyone’s allergies are acting up. It can mean only one thing: summer is upon us.

The days are getting longer, the weather is gradually improving, and everyone’s allergies are acting up. It can mean only one thing: summer is upon us. 

If you’re a sun worshipper, then summer is the best time of year. You get to spend quality time outside in your garden and can finally have fun outside without having to pack multiple layers of waterproof clothing. 

Summer is a great time for fun and relaxation, but it’s also a good time to get on top of organization projects that may have been on the back burner during the long winter months. 

Home Improvement Tools 

When was the last time you truly reorganized your garage or cleaned your home improvement tools? In reality, most people never take the time to clean, repair, and reorganize the home improvement tools that they keep in storage during the winter. 

Failing to organize your home improvement tools can lead to damage and decay, as your clippers, trimmers, and garden forks will likely rust if left in cramped, damp spaces. You can better organize spaces like garages during the summer by: 

  • Adding shelving to raise tools off the floor

  • Using plastic bins with a seal to prevent condensation

  • Adding windows like canopy lights and LED lights 

  • Utilizing hardy storage cabinets to reduce clutter and get more from your space

Organizing your home improvement tools is a perfect job for the summer. You won’t have to work with cold hands and can focus on DIY projects from dawn to dusk. 

Gardening Supplies

During the pandemic, many folks discovered a deep love for gardening. This is hardly surprising, as gardening gives us all a chance to complete simple-yet-rewarding tasks like sewing crops, deadheading flowers, and watering vegetable patches.

But, as any green thumb knows, gardening requires some serious organization. You need to organize everything from your seeds to your shovels to ensure that your plants are happy throughout the warm growing season. 

Building a shed is the best way to organize your garden supplies. You’ll need to choose plans that suit your space and should think of a gardening shed as a workspace and a storage unit. This means you’ll need space to work on things like planting seedlings but should also have deep shelves and a plethora of hooks to keep your tools near at hand. 

When building a shed in the summer, look out for potential leaks and cracks before you call it a job well done. It’s easy to forget the heavy rains that come with the winter and spring seasons, but you don’t want to be standing in a puddle while you try to sew seedlings next spring. 

Outdoor Sports

Playing outdoor sports like tennis, softball, and badminton is a brilliant way to bond with friends and family during the summer. However, you need to stay organized to avoid disasters like rusted rackets or bent bats from ruining the fun. 

You can better organize seasonal sports equipment by utilizing wall and ceiling space that prevents delicate goods like stringed rackets from becoming damaged. While all of your storage should be practical, you can show off your sporty side by hanging your prized possessions like road bikes or surfboards from PVC pipes. Hanging equipment in a safe but prominent location will also help you spot any damage and make repairs before you paddle or peddle out. 

Crafts and Games

Some crafts and games like knitting and board games are best for the winter when the days are short and the weather is poor. If you find that your family is no longer interested in these winter activities during the summer, it might be time to donate to charity. This will help reduce clutter, aid your organizational efforts, and give you a little extra cash to reinvest in summer fun. 

Some of the best summer games involve things like paddling pools, water fights, and simple games like bocce ball or cornhole. But each of these activities takes some organization on your end as a host — you don’t want to discover that you’re missing a ball or have a puncture in your pool when your family and friends are getting ready to play. 

When organizing crafts and games, pay attention to mismatching sets and damaged goods as it’s usually easier to simply replace missing or broken items rather than repair them. Once you have taken stock of your crafts and games, try to keep all the pieces together in the same space by using plastic storage bins that keep everything together and prevent small animals or dampness from ruining the fun. 

Pantry 

There are few summer activities better than throwing a party for your friends and family during the summer. But, before you can become the Gatsby of your neighborhood, you’ll need to ensure that your pantry is well stocked and organized. 

You can organize your pantry this summer by keeping a separate shelf for snacking kids who are enjoying their school-free summer. This will keep little hands from wandering into places they shouldn’t go and free up space in your pantry for cooking ingredients. It’s also worth keeping your stables like pasta and cereals in clear Tupperware, as you’ll go through a surprising amount of day-to-day food supplies when kids and friends are over at your home. 

Conclusion 

The summer should be a carefree season full of good times and memorable experiences. As your household’s Chief Organizing Officer, you can get on top of projects like shed construction or pantry organization early as this will help prevent mishaps down the road and ensure that everyone has a good time this summer.

Read More
Home Ideas Ben Soreff Home Ideas Ben Soreff

How to Prepare for an Outdoor Space Upgrade This Summer

Technological advancements allow us to be entertained and stay “plugged in” virtually anywhere, even outdoors. Because of these new possibilities, people are shifting focus toward upgrading their home’s capacity for outside entertaining. Outdoor living spaces are becoming a new American status symbol with exciting opportunities for luxurious home entertainment experiences in warmer months outside of the comfort of your A/C. With so many choices for upgrading your outdoor space, it is important to make a clear plan of action before diving in. Here are a few considerations to make while drafting a plan to boost your outdoor entertainment game.

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.

Technological advancements allow us to be entertained and stay “plugged in” virtually anywhere, even outdoors. Because of these new possibilities, people are shifting focus toward upgrading their home’s capacity for outside entertaining. Outdoor living spaces are becoming a new American status symbol with exciting opportunities for luxurious home entertainment experiences in warmer months outside of the comfort of your A/C. With so many choices for upgrading your outdoor space with amenities like a wood fired pizza oven, it is important to make a clear plan of action before diving in. Here are a few considerations to make while drafting a plan to boost your outdoor entertainment game.

Create a Plan

Start out by evaluating the type of climate that your outdoor living area will be in. Do you live somewhere that supports using this space all year round, or will you be limited to enjoying your outdoor entertainment in warmer seasons? Also, take into consideration the amount of precipitation and wind you have around your home. With these things in mind, you can decide if you want to create an outdoor space that is open and uncovered or protected by a cover. If a cover is the right choice for you, you’ll also have to decide the type of covering you want. Gazebos, canopies, awnings, pavilions and sun sails are just some of the available options, each offering different features and levels of coverage to meet your protection needs.

While the geographic location of your home is an important factor to keep in mind while creating an outdoor entertainment space, where you decide to set up this space on your property it is equally important. Assessing your current situation will help you plan better for the entire process. The size of your backyard ultimately determines how many features you can add to the space. Whether you already have a pre-existing patio area or if you’ll need to create one will also affect the amount of time and money that is necessary to dedicate to the project. Look at what you do and do not have to gauge the level of focus you’ll need to put toward fixing up those features. For example, you may need to prepare your deck for new features by cleaning and refinishing it. Maybe your yard is uneven and needs to be leveled, or your fence needs to be upgraded to offer more privacy to your new hang out spot. Once you determine how much or how little you’ll need to do to prepare your yard, you’ll need to create a timeline for when you’ll make these upgrades. It may be logical to take advantage of the longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures of the summertime for your outdoor projects.

After you’ve mapped out your space and decided when to begin the project, you can start to create a spending plan. Think about how much money you are willing, and able, to spend on these upgrades. There is a wide range of upgrades that you can make to your backyard and with that comes a range of prices. For smaller projects, paying out of pocket may be manageable. If you are looking at projects with a higher price point that you may not be able to pay out of pocket all at once, it might make sense to look into financing options. The cost of your upgrades as well as your own credit score can help you determine if a personal line of credit or credit card is the right option for you. For those who have available equity in their homes, taking out a home equity line of credit is another payment plan to consider using.

Choosing the Right Features

Outdoor Kitchen

Your outdoor space has endless potential for crafting your ideal home entertaining experience. If you’re a foodie who loves to spend time in the kitchen, and who also wants to enjoy the summer weather, now you can bring your kitchen with you! An outdoor kitchen provides a unique space for you to prepare and enjoy your meals, and offers your guests a dining experience that feels both comfortable and luxurious. The best part is that you can do so while soaking up the sun or enjoying a cool summer breeze. 

It is not new or groundbreaking to have a grill or smoker in your backyard, but you can elevate your outdoor kitchen by adding on a side burner for preparing your sauces, marinades and side dishes. For an even more lavish cooking experience, a wood-fire oven is a great choice. Aside from the better taste it gives to the food cooked in it, this type of oven adds an extra element to the overall aesthetic of your outdoor dining area. A wood-fire oven also promotes fire and temperature control while cooking. Like a wood-fire oven, an outdoor stove with a hood range helps control the heat radiating from the stove, which is especially important in enclosed outdoor spaces and spaces that are close to the home. A feature that adds even more heat control to an outdoor kitchen is a food warming drawer that allows you to keep food warm while other foods finish cooking. This comes in particularly handy when preparing meats that require different cooking times.

Along with controlling the heat in your outdoor kitchen, you can add features to keep cool. An outdoor refrigerator gives quick access to foods that need to be kept cold without taking a trip into the house. For those who like to relax with a cool beverage, consider adding an ice maker to your outside set up, or even a refrigerator reserved exclusively for storing cold drinks. An outdoor kegerator is another great addition to an outdoor living space that duels as a bar area at home. There are a variety of options that fulfill a variety of needs: some can be used to brew cold brew coffee, and there are models that are designed for outdoor use as well as those that need to be covered from the weather. 

Entertainment

Once you’ve decided the facilities you’ll use to prepare meals for your guests, the next step is to find comfortable furniture for dining and hanging out. A good rule of thumb is to take your knowledge of interior design outdoors while keeping in mind the materials you use will need to have more resistance to the natural elements than an indoor furniture set. Depending on the space you’re trying to curate, make decisions about what type of furniture you’ll have. There are many possibilities for furnishing this area with weatherproof options: sofas, chairs, tables, rugs, bar counter and stools, and much more.

After enjoying a meal, you, your family and your guests may want to indulge in a movie. There are options for outdoor televisions on the market, but to upgrade your viewing experience, consider using your space for an outdoor theater. Outdoor theater essentials include projectors, projection screens, and sound systems. And if you prefer to enjoy the natural elements outside of your home, consider adding a firepit area with comfortable seating.

Another way to enhance your outdoor space is by adding water features. You could add a decorative fountain, waterfall or pond to add a decorative element, or you could install functional water features like a pool or hot tub. If you can’t decide between a pool or hot tub, a spillover spa may be a great choice for you. A spillover spa features a hot tub that is connected to and spills over into a pool. Keep in mind that this can potentially be a very luxurious addition—the cost of adding a spillover spa to an existing inground pool can reach up to $60,000 alone. If you don’t have a pool to begin with, this project will run you even more. If you don’t have the room for a whole pool, or just want a more sedentary relaxation center, an outdoor sauna may be a good selection. An outdoor sauna may be the best option for those looking to invest in building their own tranquil escape from reality in the comfort of their backyard.

Taking all of this into account, the sky's the limit when it comes to creating a luxurious outdoor entertainment area. The important takeaway for planning this project is to choose the plan of action that suits your needs. From adding a firepit and a few chairs to creating the ultimate stay-cation backyard resort, find features that satisfy the demands of your lifestyle and start planning!

Read More