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3 Tips for Reducing Indoor Air Pollution

Just as you drink pure water, isn't it vital to ensure the air you breathe is also clean? It's common for people to spend up to 75 percent of their time in their homes, and the sources of air pollution in a home can be many.


The variation in chemicals and pollutants can produce a range of negative effects in your home, so take a 2 minute read to find out the best ways to reduce indoor air pollution!


1. Ventilation

Open your windows! Creating circulation is so essential. The recent emphasis on energy conservation has caused homes to be constructed in an air-tight, sealed way; this traps pollutants right in your home.


Ventilation can help remove the pollution, and lung function can be improved by ventilation because it reduces the harmful effects of indoor air pollution.


2. Use Organic, Natural Cleaning Products

For people with issues with their respiratory tract or lungs, like asthma, all-natural cleaning products — especially ones you make yourself — provide one of the best defenses for your health.


Try to replace toxic or chemical-based cleaning products with natural, organic alternatives. You'll find these options at many stores, or you can make these amazing DIY cleaning recipes. Also, the classic combo of vinegar and baking soda works great on drains!


3. Invest in Natural Scents

We all want our homes to smell fresh and clean, but before you grab that fragrant aerosol spray can, think twice!


Instead, use essential oils with a diffuser. Lavender, lemongrass, and tea-tree or orange-blossom oil all work great and don't contain any air-polluting chemicals. You can also dilute oils in distilled water and use them with a spray bottle for a chemical-free home or office spray.

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3 DIY Home Renovations That Give the Best Return

Summer is approaching quickly! ! You might have a lot more time on your hands, and you’re likely spending that time at home. If you are considering the benefits of fixing up your home to make it more appealing to potential buyers, or just to have a nicer place to live in the era of social distancing, you should know that not all DIY home improvement projects will offer homeowners a solid return on their investment. Here are 3 things that you need to know before breaking out the toolkit, read on!


Painting… Your Front Door?


Believe it or not, a super simple project such as just painting your front door can have big returns. Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert, says “A glossy coat of exterior paint can really amp up your curb appeal.” When it comes to the type of paint though, the devil is in the details. Painting your front door black, in particular, could add as much as $6,000 to your home’s sale price, according to Zillow’s research.


Change Your Lighting Fixtures


Another relatively simple change a homeowner can make is to replace light fixtures with smart lights. “Not only are you going to save money on your power bill, but you’re going to sell your home seven days faster,” Pendleton said, citing additional research from Zillow. Change the light bulbs, as well as the lamp shape and size to maximize your returns as well.


Replace Indoor Flooring


There are also cheaper, easier alternatives to major home improvement projects such as replacing the flooring in your home. A Zillow survey found that 87% of real-estate agents suggest cleaning the carpets before listing a home. Many homeowners will switch out the carpet anyway, so rather than investing in installing new, a homeowner can rent a carpet cleaner from their local home improvement store and refresh their carpets in a cost effective manner.


Have these tips helped you pick your next summer DIY project? Let us know below with a comment and tell us what we should blog about next!

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Unique Kitchen Trends of 2021

New trends, technologies and styles are always emerging in the kitchen. As one of the most used rooms in the house you want to make sure this space is up to date with new trends! The kitchen is also often a space that needs a quick revamp every once in a while too. If you are looking to refresh your kitchen with some new 2021 trends then keep on reading!


WOOD BURNING STOVES

Wood burning stoves are becoming increasingly more popular in people’s homes for cooking and heating. These types of stoves use wood as a source of fuel rather than gas or electricity. There are many different styles to choose from when incorporating a wood burning stove into your kitchen. For the

most part these types of stoves give the kitchen a vintage look. The benefits to using a wood burning stove is that the fuel needed is extremely renewable and sustainable. Whether you are using logs, wood chips, or lumber yard waste the materials are widely available and eco-friendly!


LARGE ISLANDS

Many people have been finding more uses for their kitchen island than just holding their daily mail and car keys. Now more than ever the kitchen island is multi-functional doubling as a home office or classroom. Many people have been resorting to a larger style of kitchen islands in order to better utilize their space. Islands are a great way to break up the space in the kitchen and they provide extra countertop and storage. Not to mention they're a great spot to socialize with the family!


WOOD FURNISHINGS

Not only are wood stoves becoming more popular in the kitchen so are wood finishes such as cabinets, chairs, plates and islands. This trend gives the kitchen a warm and cozy vintage feel. Add wood paneling to your kitchen cabinets to neutralize your space or wood chairs for a more natural look. Wooden accessories are not just a trendy addition to your kitchen they are also eco-friendly!

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3 Steps: Living Room Cleaning  Routine

The more time you spend in a space the dirtier it gets! This is especially true for the most loved room in the house – the living room! Think of how much time is spent in your family room or living room and all the surfaces that are touched several times a day by multiple people. Not only does this room need a deep spring clean but it needs to be cleaned on the regular! If you want a quick and easy 3 step routine to tackle that living room mess, then keep on reading! 


WIPE ALL SURFACES

First and foremost, grab an all-purpose cleaner and cloth then spray and wipe all surfaces! Focus on the things you may usually over look such as the door handles and the areas around them too. When you come across a light switch spray your rag and give it a good scrub. Make note of any area that may need a deeper clean for the following steps. The initial clean can be quick so don’t be surprised if you’re moving through the space quickly! 


DEEP CLEAN

Some of your surfaces or areas in your living room may need a bit more attention. For tough stains or built on grime use something a little more tough such as a magic eraser or a scrubbing sponge, anything abrasive. Go back through the space and to the spots you noted in the first step and scrub away any stubborn dirt that wouldn’t wipe away. This step will take a bit more time and muscle power! 


DISINFECT

There is a difference between cleaning and disinfecting! If you used an anti-bacterial cleaner in your first step you still want to go through your space with a disinfectant. Take your wipes or disinfecting spray and give all the surfaces you wiped down in the first step another wipe. Make sure to read the instructions on your particular disinfectant to see on which surfaces and material it is best suited for. Feel free to expand this assignment to the other areas of your home that get touched often! 

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How to: Add Colour in your Home

It's very easy to get stuck in our comfort zones and not want to venture out when it comes to decorating our home. But we all can use a bit of colour in our lives! Colour sets the mood in your home and will alter the energy depending on the shade and hues you choose. Whether you just want a pop of colour here or there or really want to make a statement we have the tips on how to add more colour to your home and life! 


CONSIDER THE SPACE

When adding colour to your home, first think about how you want to use the space. For example, if you are looking to repaint your home office you may want to use pale colours and nothing that is too bright that could potentially be distracting. Also, if you’re someone that gets bored easy you won’t want to paint your space a loud and unconventional colour. Also consider the light levels when adding colour to your space. In a home office you want light to pour into the room therefore you won’t want to choose a dark colour that will soak up the natural light. 


LAYER MUTED COLOURS

If you are scared to make the leap into adding bright and bold colours to your home then opt for muted colours. Whites, greys and beiges can be boring when they take up an entire space, but when layered, muted colours create a comforting and interesting environment. Don’t feel as if you need to slap on vibrant paint to your walls in order to introduce colour to your home. Try mixing different coloured and textured fabrics when decorating to quickly and easily add life. Rusty reds and dark blue tones can be added to any neutral space to liven it up! 


START OFF SMALL

If you are ready to make the leap into bright and vibrant paint colours but don’t know where to start its always best to start off small. Paint a common area like the hallway or bathroom then go from there. Another easy way to add colour to your home in a conservative way is to paint a feature wall. Make a statement in the dining room or living room and paint one of the focus walls a vivacious colour. Even opt for colourful wallpaper to transform your room easily and quickly. We suggest to add a statement colour that matches your existing furniture and accessories! 

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Exterior Design: Choosing a Luxury Entrance Door

First impressions are everything! The front door is the first thing to be seen when entering your home and it is the focal point of the house’s exterior. The front door can say many things about the contents of your home and your style, but it also plays a practical role as the main access point into your property. There are many components to consider when choosing a luxury door for your home and we have summarized them below! 


MATERIAL

When shopping for a new front door a good place to start is to choose the type of material you want it to be composed of. There are several different types of materials that entrance doors could be made of.  Timber doors are a great option as they can be laminated, hardwood or softwood, varnished and much more. Composite doors are also very popular for their timber-like style and they are low maintenance. The door material you choose will affect the insulation, the style, and the security of your home, so choose wisely! 


WINDOW

Once the material has been chosen you want to decide whether or not you would like to include a window in your door. This is an aesthetic that is very popular in entry way doors. Including a window allows natural light to pour into your foyer making your front entrance appear brighter and bigger. Despite the benefits to having a window in your front door the major down sides are the security risk and the loss of heat. To retain insulation and low heating costs choose a double-glazed window if this is the style you want! 


HANDLES

You want the style of your front door to reflect the aesthetic of your home. For example, if the door is for a cottage type home you will want to go with a more traditional timber door. If you are working with a newly constructed home you will want to choose a more modern door. To complete your luxury door design, choose a matching handle. For a traditional timber door, you may have double doors with knobs in the center. Or for a more contemporary look, use a long metal handle. Be inspired by your interior design and the architecture of your home when choosing a luxury front door! 

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Overwhelmed with clutter in the pantry? Follow these three steps!

Let's face it, the pantry is an easy space to forget about and clutter can build up over time. But there is nothing like a lockdown to get you really questioning the organization of your nonperishable goods. We have gathered three key steps to aid in overcoming that pantry clutter. If you are looking on tips to revamp and reorganize that daunting pantry, then keep on reading!  


STEP ONE: CLEAN-OUT UNNECESSARY ITEMS

If you have been avoiding cleaning out your pantry for some time now then chances are there are many items you no longer need or have even expired. Think of what you use most in the kitchen and separate your pantry items according to staples you often cook with and things you no longer reach for. Anything that is unopened can be donated. Anything that has an overdue expiry date or any dinged up/rusted cans can be recycled. Once you have downsized your pantry items the fun part begins! 


STEP TWO: CATEGORIZE AND LABEL CONTAINERS

The key to an organized “picture worthy” pantry is decanting boxes and bags of food into clear containers. Not only does this give your pantry a seamless look it is also more practical to see the contents in the container than the ingredients on the side of a box. Use matching glass or plastic containers to really have a uniform pantry. If there are cooking instructions or ingredients you must keep, cut them out and tape them to the bottom of the containers. Once your goods are in containers invest in a label marker or hand write labels from your local dollar store to distinguish containers.  


STEP THREE: UTILIZE YOUR SPACE WELL

Now that your goods are sorted, categorized, and labelled you can begin filling up your pantry! You want to utilize the space you have to the best of your ability. Add Lazy Susans for smaller items that you have multiples of, such as spices. Add drawers or trays to your shelfing to store canned goods, and to make items in the very back of the shelving more accessible. Use baskets that match your containers to store items such as fruit or individually wrapped granola bars. When all is organized make sure to leave space for items to be added into your pantry and remember to declutter frequently! 

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Self-isolation and social distancing has become the new norm as we do our part to stay safe, healthy and to stop the spread of COVID-19. People everywhere are staying indoors and as much as many of us are appreciating rest and relaxation, it’s bound to happen that people become bored.


Many of us are able to work from home but once we’re done working for the day we often end up binge-watching another Netflix series. 


Here are some mini home projects that will make your space feel brand new:


Source: The Spruce


Paint your kitchen cabinets

 According to the co-founder of Lawson-Fenning, the furniture, and home goods brand designer, Glenn Lawson states one way to brighten and give your kitchen a new feel while on a budget is by painting your cabinets. One of the interior design colours trending this year is muted green or calming blue, maybe it’s time to shake up the kitchen with these soothing and unique colours.



Source: Idecoration


Get your gallery wall up!

I know many of you have saved Instagram and Pinterest posts of gallery walls. This is the time to get on it! There are various ways to create this eye-catching display by having perfect grids, randomized orientation, and/or endless photo combinations. With limitless possibilities, we all have an extreme amount of family photos, art made from kids or art pieces we’ve been inspired by…together you can create a masterpiece.



Source: Wirecutter


Install dimmers

Light dimmers are fairly easy to install and very inexpensive. Being in quarantine at home may not always be the best, so why not add a touch of ambiance? We may be stuck at home but it doesn’t mean we need to suffer from bad lighting too!


Source: Good Housekeeping


Create springtime decor

Spring is here and although we’re going through unique circumstances it doesn’t mean we can’t bring the beauty of the great outdoors inside! Creating a beautiful centerpiece on your coffee table or dining room table by filling it with your favourite books, plants, flowers, fruit or old photos can add a nice springtime touch.

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