Now that you have decided to sell your home you may want to do a couple DIY updates to some of the main areas. Two rooms that add value when selling your home are the bathroom and the kitchen. If you want to add maximum value to your sale with some quick and easy DIY’s then a great place to start is the bathroom! If you’re looking to sell your home and want to make some bathroom updates then keep on reading!

GROUT CLEANING

When looking at your bathroom does the grout in the shower and on the flooring appear dark and dirty? If this is the case a great DIY grout cleaning will do the trick for those sad looking tiles. Follow this easy recipe: half a cup of baking soda, a quarter cup of hydrogen peroxide, and one teaspoon of dish soap. Mix the ingredients together until you have a paste. Take an old tooth brush and squish it into the paste and onto the grout. Wait about ten minutes for the paste to settle then wipe it clean! 

RE-CAULKING

The shower and bathtub are areas where caulking can appear moldy despite your best efforts to keep it clean. Caulking is installed where tiling meets countertops and around the tub or shower. Often times caulking is initially installed and isn’t replaced. Ensure that when you remove and replace moldy caulking with water-resistant caulking. Apply the caulking with smooth and even pressure with a damp finger or a small sponge. Let it dry completely before starting up your bath or shower! 

FRESH PAINT

If your walls are scuffed and dirty giving them a fresh coat of paint will completely alter the appearance of your bathroom! If you want to get top dollar for your home, remember you are painting for buyers and not for yourself. Choose a soft neutral colour so that a buyer can picture themselves in the space. The only exception to neutral colors is to highlight an accent wall. Add a patterned wallpaper to a small powder room as long as the rest of the bathroom is kept a neutral colour! 

There is no doubt that the trend to having a minimalistic designed home has been more popular than ever. To achieve this contemporary and sophisticated style use low-maintenance materials when designing your home. For example, concrete has always been a prime material to use for its versatility and durability and this is why concrete polished floors have been a staple design trend in 2021. If you’re looking for a reason to incorporate concrete floors into your home then keep on reading! 

ELEGANT APPEARANCE

Polished concrete floors have a light-reflective property that can vary depending on the home-owners preference. Concrete floors can be finished with a subtle glow or a full-blown gloss. Depending on the amount of shine that is preferred, concrete floors are a suitable option for an industrial looking home or a more modern feel. Regardless of the style you are going for concrete polished floors will complete your renovation and can be incorporated all throughout the home.  

MINIMUM MAINTENANCE

Damaging this type of flooring is virtually impossible. Once your concrete floor is installed you will only have to worry about sweeping and wiping occasional dust and dirt. Any scratches, dents, or chips in the concrete that may have occurred during installation will not negatively affect the appearance of the floors as the polished finish will mask any imperfections. Don’t be afraid to install this type of flooring in any high traffic areas!  

LONG LIFE SPAN

One of the greatest advantages of installing polished concrete floors is that it requires very little maintenance and will last for years. Polished concrete floors are moisture resistant if the installation and sealing is done correctly, making this flooring last a decade! For both the installation and cleaning harsh chemicals aren’t needed for polished concrete floors and if you prefer environmentally friendly products, they can easily be used with this type of flooring. Concrete polished floors have been saved for basements and garages for far too long!  

The City of Vancouver is proposing an upgrade to the existing off-leash dog area in Coopers' Park, located adjacent to the Cambie Street Bridge. The proposed dog park will consist of many new features such as tunnels, ramps, boulders, logs, climbing blocks and agility poles. Resembling a doggie theme park the new dog area will also include water and agility features, a designated digging area, and a separate section for shy unsocial pups.  

The Vancouver Park Board has raised several issues with the existing off-leash dog park. The wide-open area lacks fencing, good lighting and covered areas. Not to mention the pre-existing lawn has been torn apart by rambunctious dogs.  

The upgraded dog park will include synthetic turf specifically designed for dogs. A secure fence will surround the park and there will be a separate area for the pups to do their business. The new design incorporates several designated play zones and seating areas.  

Other improvements coming to the park include a playground, fitness area, and a controversial $645,000 public toilet. The public washroom is set to include an exterior hand washing station and a drinking fountain, installation is planned for Fall 2021.  

The Park Board collected feedback from an online survey for the new dog park which will lead to design revisions Summer 2021. Construction in Coopers' park will commence as early as Winter 2021! 

Often when we think of a modern kitchen, we are prone to imaging shaker style cabinets and marble countertops. A modern kitchen doesn’t have to be defined by this style! There are many different kitchen trends that can involve lots of colour and functional designs. If you are looking to make an update in the kitchen and need some design tips, keep reading for modern yet unique kitchen inspiration! 

SLEEK AND SIMPLISTIC

Reinvent your kitchen design by going simple and sleek. In this design trend choose cabinetry and hardware that blend in together and embody earthy tones. Less is better! Ditch upper cabinets or even use exposed floating shelves for the extra storage. Choose industrial materials when finishing your kitchen instead of traditional elements such as quartz countertops. Tadelakt and micro-cement are textured options that aren’t porous and don’t stain so they are perfect for the counters! 

TWO-TONED

Let your mood inspire your kitchen design and slap some colour in there! You don’t have to go wild and graphic to transform your spac, try experimenting with two-toned cabinetry. Keep the bottom or top half of your cabinets a natural wood while painting the rest a navy blue, hunter green or even gray to add dimension to the space.  If you have an island, take advantage of this separation and paint those lower cabinets a completely different colour! Your space will instantly become more modern and will be the feature in your home!  

GET GROOVY

All good things come back in style! Give your kitchen a 70’s inspired makeover with quirky hardware and pale coloured cabinetry. Play around with different textures and patterns when it comes to your kitchen design. Don’t be afraid to add in beaded doors with loud handles to stray away from the traditional sleek look. Choose a bold stone for your countertops and use it as the backsplash as well! This design may be inspired by the past but it will give your kitchen a modern and polished look!

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! 

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! 

Spend the entire spring and summer months outdoors by adding kitchen functions to your garden space. Outdoor kitchens have become ultra-desirable back yard features. With everyone spending more time at home we need to get creative with the space we have! If you are looking to construct an outdoor kitchen and take your cooking and dinning outdside keep on reading for our design tips! 

FEATURES

An outdoor kitchen can replicate the indoor cooking space you currently have.  The number of features you will want to add to this space will really depend on the budget. A basic design will include a BBQ, a dining table and maybe some counterspace with extra storage. If you are looking to elevate this design try adding a pizza over, a sink, a side burner and even a fridge for the ultimate outdoor kitchen space! 

LAYOUT

Get inspired by the layout of your indoor kitchen or switch up the floor plan of your outdoor kitchen depending on your space. Do you prefer a linear shape? Or an “L” shape? You can even add an island if you’d like! Think about the sizing of your outdoor kitchen in terms of seating and counter space. Your outdoor kitchen will most likely be smaller than it’s indoor equivalent so make sure you are maximizing this space! 

STRUCTURE AND DESIGN

For an outdoor kitchen to be successful you must include waterproof features. You want to design your kitchen countertops and cabinetry with the weather in mind. You also want to make sure you are constructing your outdoor kitchen on a sturdy surface that is non porous and avoids staining. Decided whether or not you want walls in your kitchen design or a roof to protect the cooking area. Lastly, add plants and herbs to complete your outdoor kitchen design! 

As we start to get a glimpse of spring, I am sure we are all eager to get outdoors and get a taste of the sunshine! Try gardening to get your daily dose of vitamin C and to spruce up the outside of your home! We have all the latest gardening trends that 2021 has to offer. If you’re looking forward to the possibility of having a backyard gathering in the near future then keep on reading for our gardening tips! 

DREAMING OF THE COUNTRYSIDE?

Maybe due to the pandemic but there has been a trend to move out of the city and into the country currently. If this move isn’t for you but you want to bring the countryside to your urban city home then this tip will help you do that! Fill your garden and balconies with rustic potted plants and antique accessories as a reminder of that country lifestyle. Create a Zen garden that makes you feel you have escaped from the city and into the countryside! 

THE GARDEN AS AN EXTRA ROOM

Extend your living quarters into the outdoors! When opening your doors and blending the space between your outdoor and indoor living areas the garden becomes an extra room with many purposes. It can be an extension of your living room as an extra seating area. Or an additional play room for the kids. The garden is also often an extension of the kitchen with a BBQ and an outdoor table. However you choose to extend onto your garden terrace take advantage of this extra square footage! 

LIVE OFF THE LAND

A very popular trend that will continue into 2021 is to grow your own produce and herbs! As more people are looking to introduce more vegetables into their diet or committing to veganism fully, growing your own garden has never been more popular! Start off small with easy to grow vegetables, salads and herbs that are suitable for growing in the space you have to offer. The popularity of wall planters and patio containers has risen to cultivate fresh home grown produce!