Steps to Take Before You Can Begin Your Home Renovation Project

Home renovation is helpful in that it enables you to add sale value to your home and also personalize it. When you renovate, you need to know your end goal to know what results to expect. Ensure you know what feeling you need to get from home. Your home is your perfect comfort zone; hence, you need to ensure that you get the perfect home after your renovations.

Know the Scope of the Project

Before you embark on a home renovation project, you must know whether you need to redo the entire home or partial. The decision you make on the home renovation project will guide you on how you have to go about it. You have the option of changing the color of the home and adding other modifications. On the other hand, you can opt to bring the entire home down and redesign it. Hire structural building services to inspect your home to make sure your renovation is realistic and safe. 

Have a Budget

When you need to renovate your home, you must ensure that you have a budget. The reason for having a budget is that most renovation surpasses the budget set in place. If you are DIY, you have to know the materials you will need in the renovation.

When you are using a contractor, you have to ensure that your budget does not exceed what you had in mind. The reason to be keen on the budget is so that you do not overspend. You need to ensure that you have the perfect team that you can work with seamlessly.

Get a Perfect Team

When it comes to any endeavor, a perfect team makes all the tough issues seem simple. You need to ensure that the team that you use is perfect. When you have a cohesive team, you will not have to worry about issues arising.

When you are renovating your home and getting the best team, your efforts will be cut by a huge percentage

Check the Licenses

Before you settle on a contractor, you have to ensure that the company you have selected has all the necessary licenses and warranties. The chosen company having perfect licenses will aid you in avoiding any legal issues.

When the contractor has the warranties needed, you need not worry when your property gets damaged in that they will replace it or pay you for the damages.

You also need to check if the contractor has workmen compensation. Workmen compensation will help you when an employee of the company gets injured while on your property.

Home renovations are large projects that require plenty of planning. With the right steps, you will be sure to stay within your budget and complete your project correctly. 

6 Fun Ways to Turn Your Background Into a Playground

Every parent can attest that play has an essential role in the development of a child’s physical, cognitive, emotional and social wellbeing. It continues to have an enormous impact on how a child sees the bigger picture of life. With constant interaction with the outside world, a child can build confidence and a sense of responsibility for his own actions. Besides, when a child is given the freedom to play, he develops problem-solving skills which are crucial in his growing up years. Moreover, the quality time spent between parents and their children during play is the foundation of a strong family relationship. 

The increase in gadgets, mobile phones and technological devices have recently swayed the young population into spending more time on TV or computer. Unfortunately, many children are now choosing to play with gadgets inside their homes, rather than spending outside in the sun. To provide a balanced lifestyle, it is important to construct a playground in your backyard to help your kids reach their potential. Although there are creative ways to plan your playground project, you should take advantage of installing a Vuly Monkey Bar in your backyard. Furthermore, you can easily hire a local professional for proper installation.

1. Use Old Toys To Bring Life Into Your Backyard

A Playground project does not have to be expensive, instead, you can reuse your kids’ old toys. This will not only save you a large amount of money but will create an already familiar environment for your kids. In addition, your kids will love to see their old toys being used again, instead of stocking them up in the attic or in cardboard boxes.

2.  Recycle Old Construction Materials That Are In Your Home

One way to be creative is to use some old construction materials. However, before reusing them, you need to make sure that they are still in good condition. You don’t want any accidents or hazardous metals to be present in your playground. PVC pipes, metals, woods, and barrels are just some of the things that can be used. In some cases, your neighbors or your local construction company might be generous enough to give you their recyclable materials too.

3. Integrate Nature Into Your Playground Project

Nature has an integral part of a person’s growth development. Integrating nature into your kids’ wellbeing encourages them to protect and preserve nature. There’s nothing more refreshing than seeing big rocks, boulders, sticks, plants and water inside your backyard playground. 

Climbing and running are just two activities that can develop your kids’ physical resilience. Hence, creating balance beams, a rock climbing area, or a stone pathway will encourage your kids to spend more time playing outside. Instead of setting up cemented wall mazes, you can use tall grasses or trees. When you blend nature into your playground, you will see the value of trees and bushes which are useful if you plan to create a mini nature trail.

Furthermore, your kids will certainly love to play with sand and water. Thus, setting up a big sandbox and a little pond or stream will greatly impact their play. Your kids will love to display their creativity by building sandcastles, or anything that catches their imagination.

A hillside with slides in your backyard is an exciting place to be. You will love to see your kids rolling down the hill or just simply going up and down the slides. You may also want to hire a trained professional to install a hillside in your backyard. Getting professional help will ensure the safety of your kids.

4. Install Rubber Tiles For Your Cemented Backyard

If your backyard is fully cemented, you can always choose to install rubber tiles for your play area.  This is a great option if you have toddlers who are quick to run off without you. A good reason for installing rubber tiles is that it eliminates accidents caused by falling off or running. Your first priority is to keep your child safe at the same time, encourage independence. Rubber tiles are also known to be water-resistant. Hence, you won’t have to worry about spilled water or drink. Another important advantage of installing rubber tiles is that they are resistant to molds and stains.  Molds are dangerous because they can be inhaled and can cause fungi infections.

5. Install Hammocks, Hanging Chairs And Playground Tents

When you and your kids are fully exhausted after playing outside, they would want to sit down and relax. Hammocks and hanging chairs are good for children because they stimulate balance and motor skills. Moreover, installing a backyard tent is fun because it allows kids to connect with their surroundings. 

6. Create A Treehouse For Older Kids

 A treehouse is simply captivating for older kids who are starting to develop a sense of independence. As they grow, they start to make their own decisions and take risks. Hence, building a treehouse will stimulate such growth.

Make Your Dusty Old Fireplace Look Modern and New

Fireplaces are intended to be the centerpiece of a home's living space. Unfortunately, when that centerpiece looks outdated and dingy, the entire room and even entire house can suffer. Here are five easy ways to make your dusty old fireplace look modern and new again.

Do a Basic Cleaning

Sometimes all your fireplace needs is a good clean. Soot from log-burning fireplaces is an obvious problem. Clean the firebox of old wood, charcoal, and ash as thoroughly as possible. Wash both sides of the glass door. Finally, vacuum, dust, and wet-wash all exterior surfaces using cleaners designated for wood-burning fireplaces.

"Clean burning" gas and propane leave behind an invisible layer of film that can attract dirt. A thorough wiping with soapy water around the mantle, face, and door will work wonders for your fireplace's appearance.

Deep-Clean the Masonry

If your fireplace's masonry needs a deeper clean, a "paint and peel" masonry cleaner may be in order. You simply brush the cleaner on the brick or tile and let it dry, then peel it off, removing embedded dirt, dust, and soot with it. This is a great way to clean out the natural divots and pits that give masonry its beautiful earthy coziness.

Replace Old Logs

Artificial logs lose their luster over time. The average lifespan of artificial logs is 3-5 years of regular use. Revive your logs by replacing them with vent free gas logs, which come in natural gas or liquid propane versions. You can also find them in a variety of different arrangements and wood styles to best fit your decor.

Update Your Mantle

The mantle of a fireplace can either enhance or diminish the appeal of what lies underneath. By updating your mantle with paint, fresh stain, or an entirely new mantle altogether, you can dramatically improve the modern feel of your old fireplace with minimal cost.

Refinish the Face

Last but not least, consider refinishing the face of your fireplace. Your fireplace face doesn't need to be completely demolished and replaced to modernize it. Simply whitewashing an old brick fireplace face can immediately brighten your room. Or go a step further and install a wood, tile, or stone veneer hearth over an existing face.

These are all easy and fairly inexpensive ways to make your dusty old fireplace look modern and new. Doing one or all of these will revive your living space and provide a sense of overall energy throughout your entire home.

Let the Fun Begin: Tips for Setting up a Craft Room

From scrapbookers to needleworkers, everyone’s craft room will be different, but they all have a few shared needs. When setting up a craft room, the basics include a table or workspace and various places to organize and store supplies. It’s time to create the crafting room of your dreams.

Make the Room Yours

Congratulations on claiming a room just for crafting! Now it is time to put your signature on it. You want your craft room to be comfortable, so set it up in a way that brings out your creativity. It also needs to function well. Choose a color for the walls that inspires you and makes you want to spend time there. A craft room is an opportunity to use colors you may not use in other areas of the home. If the room has carpet, you may want to remove it and choose vinyl flooring for easy clean-up from glues and paints. Throw down a rug that goes well in the space for some added warmth.

Table and Chair

Add a sturdy table where you’ll work on your crafts and a chair that is comfortable enough to sit in for long periods. After all, now that you have a craft room, you won’t want to leave. Be sure the table can take a few stains or scratches—this is not the place for your grandma’s antique heirlooms. Foldable six-foot tables work well.

Shelving

In a room full of crafting supplies, you really cannot have too much shelving. Stick shelves anywhere you can—walls, corners, hanging, and bookshelves. Variations in width and depth are great. Next, fill them up with all your wonderful goodies.

Containers

Just like shelving, gather as many containers as you can, preferably in a variety of shapes and sizes. Jars, baskets, and boxes all work well for many types of craft supplies. Fill them up, and then fill the shelves with containers. Setting up a craft room is so much fun because the result is a room created to create. Enjoy!