Home and DIY Projects Archives - Page 2 of 15

Home Outdoor Design Ideas for the Entire Family

5 Mins Read

We spend a lot of time designing and developing the interiors of our home. Usually, even after we have lived in a place for a while, interior design changes are an ongoing process.

However, a lot of us end up neglecting the outdoor of our homes which is not just an equally important space, but also a place where families can come together and spend genuine quality time with each other.

When we say outdoor spaces, we mean your backyards, front porch, terrace, balconies, any open space around your house that is within your overall property.

So if you are ready to have some fun and want projects that can be enjoyed by your entire family, here are some home outdoor design ideas that you and your loved ones can enjoy for years to come.

Build an Aesthetically Designed Garden

Regular readers of Thrive will know how much I love gardening. However, in this instance I am not talking about building a standard garden with some plants here and there.

I am talking about designing a special garden that speaks to you and your family. Depending upon the space you have, you can create a wonderful garden full of different colours, variety of plants and other additions that brings life to the entire backyard.

You could have a small pond created in the middle. You can have one side of the garden dedicated to birdhouses. You can have herbs and healthy living plants on one side. You can allocate different plants as per the colour of their leaves and flowers they produce.

Your garden does not need to be square or circular. You can have plants arranged in various ways to create patterns. The garden can have paved tiles strategically placed all around so you can take a walk whenever you want with beautiful garden lamps along the path.

Your garden can be anything and can have anything. All you have to do is imagine, plan and execute. It does not matter the size. It could simply be a balcony garden. Creating your dream garden is one of the best outdoor design projects you can take up any time of the year.

Also if you are wondering whether the kids will get involved, well if you share your vision and allow them to be part of the creative process, they will definitely be excited about their new garden.

Create a Plunge Pool

Swimming pools are the absolute best for family times together. They are awesome not just for some fun in the water, but also for spending wonderful evenings around the pool, talking, maybe having a barbecue etc.

However, not everyone has the space or budget to build a proper swimming pool in their backyard. For those with limited space, creating a plunge pool is the next best thing.

You can spend quality time lazing around in a plunge pool. You can spend your evenings around your pool regardless of how small it is. If you have kids, then its simply the best. Kids love to play around in a nice, safe plunge pool.

Best part about these small plunge pools is that you can buy readymade ones that need minimal effort during installation. Of course if you have the skill and patience, by all means go ahead and build one on your own.

Waterfalls and Fish Ponds

You could create a nice, soothing waterfall on one side of your backyard. You get nice, readymade waterfalls of all sizes in the market.

Just pick one that speaks to your design tastes and also matches rest of the décor of your outdoor spaces.

Waterfalls can be a great addition to your garden as well. If you love fishes and know how to take care of them, adding a small fish pond at the base of the waterfall is also a good idea. Just ensure the fishes are safe from the water recycler and pump built inside the waterfall.

Add Lighting Decorations

One of the my preferred activities around the house is to create beautiful lighting decoration.

As mentioned above, you can have beautiful garden lamps around your backyard with paved tiling. You can have those amazing chain of LED lights strategically placed around plants and trees in your backyard or even front porch.

You can have lighting for different moods and different times of the year.

Good lighting adds an added dimension to your outdoor space making it much more inviting to spend quality time with the family.

Design or Renovate Your Patio

One of the more elaborate projects you can take up in your outdoor space is to design and build a patio as per your tastes and preferences. If you already have a patio, maybe it is time to renovate or add some new furniture to liven up the space.

Patios can be small with enough space for just a few chairs and a table or can be extravagant with special roof linings, lots of woodwork, barbecue facilities, ovens and sofas and tables enough to accommodate large number of guests.

All you need to do is plan properly and ensure you have the budget for the creation or renovation of your patio.

Final thoughts

Outdoor design projects can be a lot of fun for the entire family. It is not just fun during the building process but is absolutely amazing when utilizing those projects to spend quality time with your loved ones.

So do not waste any more time and get started with your latest family project. Remember, size does not matter, it is what you create with your space that matters.

In Home and DIY Projects

How to Create a Garden in your Small Balcony

5 Mins Read

Gardening is one of the most therapeutic activities you can do in your home. I know so many people who just love spending time in their backyard growing all kinds of plants, flowers, herbs, shrubs etc.

Unfortunately for me, I live in an apartment in a congested city with only a small balcony. While I do dream of living in a home with a large backyard for gardening, I must say transforming my own balcony into a mini garden was one of the best things I did.

If you are wondering how to create a garden in your small balcony, then let me share some tips with you. These are things that I did in my own home.

Go Vertical

When horizontal space is at a premium, it is always best to go vertical.

You get absolutely gorgeous vertical plant stands of all sizes in both online and offline gardening stores.

I suggest to dedicate one side of your wall to your vertical garden. It can be the wall adjoining your home or one of the sides of the balcony. Just remember that depending upon which side of the balcony you are placing your vertical garden, it should not get so high that there is possibility of something tipping over from your balcony to the ground below.

Also the height of your vertical garden should be just enough so that you can still water the plants without having to go up a ladder every day.

You can choose to have one large vertical plant stand or multiple stands to give variety. Remember these stands come with fixed width pot holders. Hence you need to do a bit of planning first considering what type of plants you want in your garden.

Some plants may need larger pots while others can fit into smaller ones. Roots of some plants need width rather than depth in a pot. So keep that in mind as well.

If planned properly, a vertical garden looks breath-taking and will add a lot of oomph to your balcony.

Go Small

When your balcony itself is small, you need to opt for plants that do not take up much of space.

One large plant can end up taking all the space of your balcony. I personally suggest to opt for succulents and other plants that remain fairly small but are equally beautiful to look at.

You have a lot of choices when it comes to small plants. As mentioned already, the succulents family is a great choice. You have small plants that give out oxygen throughout the day like spider plants. You can also choose to plant a variety of herbs in your balcony garden. Herbs usually remain fairly small. However, they look amazing and give out the best fragrance in the garden. Herb plants also help you to live a healthy lifestyle.

The choices are enormous when it comes to small plants. Just plan out the variety you want and get planting.

Use Climbers and Creepers

I just love the look of those creepers that start from the ground but climb all the way over the railing of your balcony.

In fact, climbers and creepers lend a strong character to your balcony garden making it gorgeous both from within and when looked at from the outside.

I still get mesmerized by the images of wonderful alleys with balconies all around with creeper plants and flowers coming out of them, calling out everyone’s attention to their beauty.

You can plant various creepers that have multiple colours on their leaves and have flowers as well. These creepers stick to the sides of your walls and do not take much space even though they add so much volume to any balcony garden.

Use Hanging Pots

If your balcony has a roof, then hanging pots are a great idea.

You can hang pots at a distance of 1.5 feet from each other. You can plant whatever you want in these pots including small creepers that beautifully climb down from the pot on all sides.

Remember to keep some space between each hanging pot so that the plants do not crowd each other and has room to grow. You should be able to see the view outside your balcony when looking through the hanging pots.

Accessorize

Once you know which plants you want for your balcony garden and where you are going to place them, you should look at some garden accessories.

You can think of adding garden stones on one side. I know people who have put a thin layer of artificial grass on their balcony floor. You can add a small garden LED light or place a chair and small table strategically.

Just use your imagination. Adding a bit of accessories to your balcony garden will create a brilliant effect making it look like a much larger space.

Final thoughts

The size of your balcony does not matter. There are lots of options to create beautiful balcony gardens.

What matters is that you do go ahead with the planning and creation as balcony gardens can be a wonderful space to spend your time or just unwind whenever needed.

In Home and DIY Projects

Things To Do Before Buying Your Dream Home

5 Mins Read

For first time home owners, buying your own home is one of the most satisfying things you will ever do in your life. It just feels so gratifying to be in a space that is yours. A real dream come true.

For some, their first home may be mentally rewarding, but they do yearn for something better. When they do find the home of their dreams, most people rush to sign on the property purchase agreement.

Unfortunately though, in this haste to buy our new home, we often end up ignoring certain things that could turn our dream into a complete nightmare.

Regardless of whether you are a first time home buyer or have purchased properties before, there are certain things you need to do to ensure your purchase is indeed something you have always wanted and it does not end up causing a lot of pain.

1) Property inspection

I cannot stress enough how important it is to get professional property inspectors to perform a thorough home inspection before you agree to the sale.

Property inspectors will check your desired home for a long list of issues that usually creep up in various types of houses.

The most important of them is to check for any kind of structural damage. It is vital you know whether the home has any kind of existing structural damage or has the potential for forced renovations in the near future.

If there is a red flag on the property, know that you potentially saved yourself a crazy amount of money and sleepless nights.

Remember you need to get the property checked for a huge number of points and not just major structural damage. The list includes electrical issues, molds, water leakages, ventilation systems, plumbing etc. Each of these issues can cost thousands of dollars in the future.

A thorough property inspection will ensure you are buying a house that is of good-quality and is reliable. It gives you the true cost of the property as you will have an idea of how much you need to spend further besides the sale amount.

2) Check of property taxes and other maintenance costs

Usually when we purchase a home, we calculate our budget based on what is the cost of the property. We plan for a mortgage and the monthly household budget based on the sale price.
However, it is possible a house that you thought was affordable is actually something that goes way beyond your budget.

We should always factor in the house maintenance costs plus the property taxes that you will need to pay each year.

It could be possible the property taxes alone are so high depending upon the location of the house that it will end up causing a huge strain on your general household expenses.

Hence home buying budgets have to depend upon sale price, potential upkeep costs, maintenance costs and property taxes. There could be other charges as well based on whether you are buying a home in a gated community or you are purchasing an apartment.

3) Check for facilities near the house

Most of us do check whether the locality of the house is safe. Families check on whether there are good schools nearby. Others look for good healthcare facilities. Hence safety, education and healthcare are our priorities when purchasing a new home.

Those three points should definitely be on top of your list but you should check for other facilities as well.

This includes checking for connectivity points if you have to travel far for work. Checking whether there are ample number of shops and stores nearby for your basic necessities. Is the area too noisy or a bit too quiet for your liking.

Make a list of things that are important to you and then lookout whether the home you are planning to purchase has access to those facilities.

4) Talk to the neighbours

This is a subjective issue but ideally if possible, you should talk to some of the neighbours before purchasing a property.

Check whether they give you positive vibes or can potentially be a problem. Some may want to live near other families. Others may want peace and quiet while there are those that want lively surroundings. You do not want to end up in a house where your peace is affected thanks to annoying neighbours. Of course what is annoying will defer from person to person.

So if you can, do talk to the people who would live next to you for years to come to know whether the home you are buying can be your peaceful abode.

Final thoughts

Purchasing a home is really exciting. However, please do not rush into it without a thorough understanding of the house, the locality, potential expenses and the facilities and people around you.

This could potentially save you a lot of money and more importantly, save you from heartbreak after buying a home.

In Home and DIY Projects

How to Increase the Life of your HVAC Unit

4 Mins Read

Both heating and cooling solutions have become an essential part of life. Regardless of whether you need HVAC units for commercial or residential purposes, they play an important role in maintaining the optimum temperature for us and our surroundings.

However, these units can be quite expensive and the last thing you want is extensive wear and tear resulting in a complete breakdown.

Ideally, you should maintain these units regularly before the worst case scenario or needing emergency HVAC repair services.

Some of the things you can do on a regular basis to increase the life of your heater or air conditioners are as follows:

1) Regular cleaning

Did you know it is possible that HVAC units can make your home dirtier than before? Yes, this is true considering these units have a number of parts including air filters, ducts, ventilation systems etc where dirt and other particles can accumulate.

As these particles continue to settle in various parts of your HVAC unit, the pressure on the machine starts to go up. It is not just about air quality but about your units ability to heat or cool itself.

Regular cleaning is the number one thing you can do to increase the life of your heater, furnace or cooler. Lets put it this way, if you do not get your HVAC units cleaned regularly, then you are most certainly setting up a date with a repair service.

Now, I understand that cleaning HVAC units is not an easy task and you really need to know how these machines work if cleaning yourself. Hence it is advisable to take the help of professionals for such jobs.

If you feel you have a simple HVAC unit at home and can clean it yourself, please make sure you follow all precautions and guidelines set by the manufacturer. Last thing you want is to accidentally damage a part of your unit and create a large repair bill.

2) Ease the load

Most experts in the field would tell you that although these units are capable of extensive heating or cooling prowess, it is best if you take the load of them whenever possible.

So for air conditioners, you do not always want to keep it at the lowest setting. Increasing the temperature by just 2 degrees Celsius can make a lot of difference. Sometimes you may want to have a fan to provide assist with the air circulation. Fans allow you to set the temperature higher for air conditioners.

Same goes with heaters. If not too cold, adjust the temperature to ease the load on the machine. Whatever you can do to take some load off, will end up increasing your HVAC unit’s lifespan.

3) Keep an eye on voltage and electric fluctuations

This is a point often ignored by most users. HVAC units are ultimately machines powered by electricity. If there is even the slightest power fluctuation or some issue with the wiring, then you will face problems.

Obviously all good HVAC units come with power stabilizers and can take some fluctuation to a certain extent. The commercial grade units come with higher capacity energy stabilizers.

However, you never know when the power unit of the HVAC unit gives out thanks to some sudden power fluctuation. It is advisable to check if power supply in your home or office is stable and if any old wiring needs to be changed, go ahead and do so.

This is something you do not need to do often. Maybe a check every few months or so should be fine unless there were power outages recently in your area.

Final thoughts

HVAC unit repair costs can be quite high. Buying new units would definitely dent any budget. Therefore, you need to ensure you maintain your heating and cooling machines as well as you can.

Simple, regular servicing of air filters, ducts, ventilation systems etc. is enough to keep your unit running nice and smooth. And remember, take the load of your HVAC unit whenever possible. This will not only result in a better lifespan but also lower electricity bills.

In Home and DIY Projects

This Is How It’s Easier Than Ever To Purchase A New Home

3 Mins Read

With more and more new housing being built across the country, it’s becoming easier to purchase a new home. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, or just looking for a new place to live.

There are unique mortgages available to you, as well as programs for lending and grants to get your purchase complete.

Lower Down Payment Demands

With some realtors, you can negotiate fees for down payments. Usually, the demand is 20%, but with some places you’ll be able to offer as little as 5%.

A solid credit score can help in this regard. There are even ways to purchase homes without a down payment.

FHA loans are mortgages that are insured by the Federal Housing Administration. They protect mortgage lenders, allowing them to offer loans with easier credit checks and lower down payments than you’d find traditionally.

These types of loans are popular with first time buyers, due to their flexibility. However, these loans are also available to those on lower-incomes.

In fact, even if you’re eligible for a 0% down payment mortgage, you should consider if it is right for you.

Sometimes, these mortgages can lead to higher interest rates and longer contracts.

Mortgage Lenders Are On Your Side

Due to the increased competitiveness of the real estate market, that has also seen more loan companies compete to get the best rates.

This has led to a more customer-based approach to get the most effective customer service available. The Home Loan Expert are one such innovative company that truly believe in face-to-face customer service.

They are constantly training and studying any new mortgage loan programs that are around. This means they have a variety of different loan options when it comes to buying a new home.

Mortgage lenders understand the constraints and financial impact of the coronavirus. When it comes to credit checks, there’s a lot more flexibility and understanding.

First Time Home Buyer Programs

In the United States, there are multiple programs available that are put in place for buying your first home. There are even ones that can offer grants that don’t need to be paid back. Mostly, they will be based on the property type and how long you plan to live there.

It’s worth looking into what the government can assist you with, as they have a few personalized options.

If you’ve never bought a principal residence before, then you’re eligible.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development go further with their definition. According to them, a first-time homebuyer is also an individual who has never owned a principal residence, even if their spouse has. As well as someone who hasn’t owned a principal residence for a three-year period.

A first-time house buyer maybe able to withdraw from their individual retirement account without incurring the early penalty.

This usually applies to withdrawals before you are 59.5 years old. The maximum amount you are able to withdraw, if applicable to your situation penalty-free, is $10,000.

In Home and DIY Projects

Considerations Before Constructing Office in your Backyard

4 Mins Read

Having an office in your own backyard is what life is all about. No tough commutes. No worries about pandemic related lockdowns. You get the out of house feeling while remaining in your own property. Everything about a backyard office is just perfect.

However, before you can construct your dream office in the backyard, there are a few things you should understand and consider before starting with the build.

1) Local laws and regulations

Most of us do not realize that to construct a commercial property in your backyard, requires permission from local authorities.

While you are building something in your own property, commercial offices or business activities usually require licenses and permissions. This is especially true if you will have staff and customers visiting your office.

Note that here we are not talking about simply creating a garden office with tables and chairs. We are talking about a proper construction that will require building a structure.

Hence the first thing that you should do before constructing a backyard office is to find out about local laws and regulations. Depending upon where you live, there could be various restrictions such as height of the structure, materials used, types of activities allowed etc.

Once you are clear of all legal requirements, you can safely start with the planning and construction of your office.

2) Power supply

Your backyard office will need electricity for running lights, fan or air conditioners, computers and other machines.

You should make a note of everything that will require electric power and then decide what kind of power supply you want for your backyard office.

A lot of people nowadays try for solar power. They install solar panels on the roof of the structure to ensure their office does not consume power from the grid.

However, depending upon the power consumption, solar power may not be enough. In that case your backyard office will need to be connected to the same grid as your home.

Also with solar panels and clean energy, you need permission to activate it at most places.

Hence you can plan what kind of power supply you want and then again look at local permissions required to connect to the grid.

3) Interior layout

In most cases, people will have just the four walls, the flooring and the roof constructed while the interior is an open space.

However, you may want a structure that can accommodate an interior depending upon your specific type of business.

Think if you want specific furniture built or you can make do with an open space which can be utilized however you want in the future.

4) Readymade or built from scratch

Nowadays, you can actually buy readymade sheds that can be simply placed in your backyard by professionals.

If you are good with building things, you can think of constructing the office yourself.

You can have professionals come and build your office or have it constructed at an offsite location.

There are a number of possibilities and you can decide about this based on your budget, skill level and specific requirements of what you want in your office.

5) Dual use

Some people may want to create a backyard office for work during standard working hours. However, they like to also use the space to unwind during the night or during weekends.

Think if you are that type and you want your backyard office for dual use. It is important to think about this before construction as then you can get your dream office built accordingly with provisions for it becoming your relaxation center as well.

6) Ventilation

It is important to plan out windows and good ventilation systems in your backyard office.

This is not just for sunlight and fresh air but it will be good for your office equipment, reducing power bills and in general have a nice, fresh mindset during work.

Final thoughts

If you have a nice backyard with the space for an office, by all means go ahead and build one. It is a dream to be able to have this extra space that is within your property but at the same time is separate from your main house.

If you plan things well, you could have an office that doesn’t just increase productivity but also helps you unwind after work.

In Home and DIY Projects

Simple Things You Can Do To Maintain Kitchen Appliances

4 Mins Read

I think most of us have a number of appliances operating in the kitchen on a regular basis. The most common ones are of course the refrigerator, oven, your gas hob, electric chimney, air fryer etc.

We are so reliant on these appliances every day that just in case there is a malfunction on any of them, it can be quite a nightmare.

If there is a breakdown, usually it is not the appliance repair costs that bother us although it does affect monthly household budgets. It is the hold up and repair time that genuinely gets to us especially when it comes to important appliances like the refrigerator.

So to prevent any potential breaks, here are a few simple tips to maintain your kitchen appliances at their optimum levels.

1) Maintain a cleaning schedule

You do not need to clean daily or even weekly. Most appliances will work efficiently without needing a thorough clean up.

However, you do need to maintain at least a monthly cleaning schedule for all your kitchen appliances.

Most professional repair services will tell you accumulation of dirt, oil grease, food particles etc. affect appliance health over time. In fact, they can cause your appliances to stop functioning completely. In some appliances, small parts can stop functioning if there is too much build-up of foreign substances.

Hence it is advisable to maintain a cleaning schedule where you thoroughly clean your kitchen appliances. Also note it is important to clean both from the inside and the outside. Do not think it is only the insides that need cleaning.

Mind you some appliances may require cleaning more often than others. This includes ovens, air fryers and kitchen stoves. That is because they are being used regularly and are being exposed to high heat cooking more often than other appliances.

You can clean things like refrigerators may be once a month and things like ovens twice a month. It is up to you but do try to clean at least once a month for all appliances.

2) Provide ventilation

Appliances like ovens and refrigerators can get shoved inside specially made cabinets or get enclosed with walls on at least two sides of them.

If the back of the appliance is getting over heated, there are high chances of them breaking down in the near future.

It is important that you provide proper ventilation for your appliances. If you have open kitchens where ovens and refrigerators are not enclosed, then you are relatively safe.

However, if you have walls all over and there is no proper ventilation, do try to have a fan running or move them around once in a while. Make sure your appliances are unplugged when moving them.

3) Just use them

This seems like such a weird thing to say especially as a tip to maintain an appliance. However, many a times we may buy an appliance and not use them for long periods of time. This does result in small parts of the appliances slowly giving away and not working in their optimum condition.

Just try to use your appliances regularly or at least once in a while. Do not let them sit around idle doing nothing. So things like air fryers, ovens, may be even dishwashers should be used once in a while to ensure all their parts are working properly.

Sometimes, appliances just sitting there can also gather dust that affect their overall health.

Hence if you feel it has been a while since you used a particular appliance, try to use it and keep it in proper working condition.

Final thoughts

Appliances have a number of mechanical and electronic parts in them. As with any kind of machine, you cannot avoid some issues creeping up every now and then.

However, if you do manage to keep a proper cleaning schedule, use them regularly and provide proper ventilation, you can avoid snags and glitches increasing the life of your kitchen appliances.

In Home and DIY Projects

Simple Additions to Add Zest to Your Small Terrace

5 Mins Read

Spending a pleasant evening on your own terrace looking out to a gorgeous view, lost in your thoughts is an absolute dream for me. Unfortunately though, most of us are not lucky enough to have a terrace in our homes or apartments.

For those who are fortunate enough to live in homes with terraces, they often end up neglecting the space. The initial euphoria of a terrace soon gets forgotten to the grind of our daily lives and we just do not want to add terrace upkeep to a long list of to-do things.

Just in case you also fall in that category and your terrace has been neglected for a while, here are a few tips to add some much needed life to your special go-to place whenever you need to relax and take your mind off from work or whatever.

1) Heating or Cooling

If you live in a place that can get quite cold, I suggest to get a nice terrace heater. There are several portable heating solutions for terraces available in the market. They look trendy, do not cost a lot and are quite efficient as well.

Take care that you buy a model that is good enough to distribute heat as per your terrace size. Larger terraces may need a more extensive solution but for nice cozy terraces, the portable solutions are just fine.

You also need to take care that your terrace heaters come with protective grills just in case you have children around who may accidently touch the heater.

For those who live in warmer places, a portable air cooler would be a nice addition to your terrace. Something that has a nice fan with adjustable settings.

I just love sitting on a terrace with a gentle breeze blowing over my face. A cooler with a fan can do that regardless how warm it gets where you live.

Ideally the fan on your cooler should not make much noise as otherwise it can get too distracting. A protective grill is again a must to protect children from any potential accident.

2) Create a meditation space

Okay, hear me out on this. It does not matter if you are not into meditation and do not intend to start in the future.

When I say a meditation space, I basically mean a space where you can sit and just be comfortable, taking your mind off anything you want.

So you could simply add an artistic chair and table. You could use some wooden handcrafted seating. Some could actually create a meditation space where you can even sit on the floor. Whatever works for you. Make sure to add some nice pillows, maybe a small blanket or anything else that would make you feel comfortable.

Creating your meditation or comfort space will make you want to spend more time on your terrace and just give out a positive vibe.

3) Add some greenery

Plants are definitely the best way to add some life in your terrace. Depending upon your terrace size and its dimensions, you may want to try out some nice creepers that go around giving a beautiful effect on one side of the terrace.

You could also opt for simple plants on their own individual pots or even together in a garden casing.

Note when it comes to plants, choosing the right plant would firstly depend upon the weather where you live and secondly on how regularly can you water the plant.

Your choices are higher if you can water daily. However, if you are one of those lazy ones or busy ones, you may want to choose plants that do not need watering on a daily basis. There are many plants that need watering only once or twice a week.

4) Lamps and LED lighting to set the mood

I absolutely adore any kind of small open spaces with beautiful lamps just managing to keep a gorgeous glow over the area.

It is my dream to spend evenings, sipping warm tea, sitting on my own comfy place with a gorgeous lamp lighting the space just enough for me to see but not enough to make it too bright.

Playing with lamps and attractive lighting in your terrace will add an amazing charm to the place. In fact, good mood lighting can be so relaxing and it will just transform your terrace to the place you spend most of your time every evening.

Final thoughts

Everything given in this article are actually extremely simple and easy to add to your terrace. However, they make a world of difference in transforming a neglected space to your most beloved place to spend time in your home.

Just make sure that you first clean your terrace well before adding anything to it. Also remember, throw away any unwanted junk. Sometimes removing things is way better than adding things to liven up any space.

In Home and DIY Projects

What Kind of Home Security Solutions Is Right For You

4 Mins Read

It is an unfortunate testament to the times we are living in considering home security products is one of the fastest growing industries in the world.

While we can all dream of living in an utopian world, the reality is that our personal security is threatened on a daily basis regardless of whether we are at home or outside.

Even though we can’t do much about security in public spaces, security in our own homes is something that is in our hands and must be taken seriously.

Traditional vs Modern Home Security Solutions

With incredible growth in home security products, there are a lot of options available to homeowners at the moment. Some of these come under traditional methods while others are considered modern solutions.

When we speak of traditional security, we include things like home security fencing, door locking mechanisms, standard burglar alarms etc.

On the other hand, modern security solutions would include something that is using the latest technology for our safety. This means video camera systems, infrared alarms, digital lock pads, sensor based alarms, app based security systems etc.

So Which Solution Is Right For You?

While you can debate about the effectiveness of traditional or modern security systems, the truth is no one solution is right for you.

Ideally you should be having a combination of solutions that together make for the best possible security system for your home.

Take for example security fencing. It is simple and traditional. If you have the space and budget, you should opt for it. Obviously it alone cannot stop a motivated burglar but it acts as your first line of defence. In fact fences in general have been known to create a psychological impact on a potential housebreaker.

Most intruders or thieves look for opportunities where they can get in and get out with the least amount of resistance. Having an outer fencing installed puts that doubt in someone’s mind about how many barriers they have to cross to enter a house.

After that, you can have a double lock system installed on your doors. A skilful burglar may be able to pick as many locks as your present in front of them. Therefore it is advisable that your double lock system should be one that uses traditional locks along with a digital lock as well.

There are locking systems now where a potential intruder does not realize that there are two distinct locking mechanisms. Even if they are able to pick one of them, the other one kicks in and ensures the door remains locked.

Having cameras around also act as a great deterrent. The recent success of video doorbells with recording facilities is purely due to the fact that most burglars would not want their activities recorded. Disabling these systems are simply too time consuming and the longer it takes for someone to break in to your house, the more likely they will move on and look for another target.

Final Thoughts

If you want foolproof safety or as close to it as possible, remember that you cannot rely on any one single home security solution.

It is always best and advisable to use multiple security systems that combine the advantages of traditional as well as modern security.

Ideally you should look at your budget and then plan a proper security system around the house depending upon the number of accessible points to your house, its layout, outdoor scenario etc.

At the end of the day, most home security solutions are more for our peace of mind to know just in case there was an unwelcome situation, then we have done all we could have to keep our family safe.

In Home and DIY Projects

Interior Design Considerations for Home Office

3 Mins Read

Home offices were already quite popular with entrepreneurs, home based businesses and executives working in corporate houses. However, ever since the pandemic in early 2020, home office requirements have gone through a complete transformation.

For many, home offices have become a necessity rather than a luxury. The concept of work from home is here to stay. Companies, wherever possible, are preferring employees work from home as long as they stay productive.

The keyword here is to stay ‘productive’. With so many people frantically trying to create a conducive work environment at home, home office interior design has become a sought-after service.

It does not matter if you are trying to design your own home office or taking the help of a professional interior designer, there are some things you need to consider before the design process.

1) The mood of your home office

You need to ask yourself, what mood are you trying to set with your new home office design?

Some people in high stress jobs may want something that is relaxing. Some may want a home office space that helps them stay energized. Others would want a modern workspace while some prefer traditional style furniture.

Whatever speaks to you and helps you with your mood while working needs to be reflected in your home office design. So that is the first question you should ask yourself and only after that can you start designing your office.

2) Ventilation and lighting

There have been studies that have shown good ventilation and lots of natural source of light helps with work productivity. However, not all of us are lucky enough to have spaces at home that can provide natural lighting.

Hence while designing your home office, you need to keep in mind the lighting source. If it is natural, then where should your desk be placed. If artificial lighting is more dominant, then what kind of lights will help you focus on your job for a longer period of time.

3) Plants

For me, this is an important consideration. Ideally we should all have plenty of plants around in the workplace. It helps relax your mind and at the same time, provides energy as well.

For those with completely indoor workspaces without natural lighting, should consider having plants that do not need much sunlight.

You may also consider plants that do not need watering daily.

Also the position of your plants matter as they should not be in the way of your work but at the same time easily noticeable for you while working.

4) Furniture and equipment

Some need just a desk and a laptop. Those who create videos from home may want a studio style setup with desktop computers for editing.

Depending upon the type of work and your industry, you may require different equipment in your home office.

You need to plan out your furniture and design of your home office based on the equipment you need for your work. Think ahead and ensure your home office has space for something you may need in the future.

Final thoughts

Home office interior design is not just about aesthetics. It is about functionality as well. It is about creating a space that will increase your productivity, uplift your mood and reduce work stress.

Keep the above points in mind and you will end up with a home office where it would not feel like work but a space where you enjoy spending time.