Category Archives: home

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Practical Purchases to Consider for Your Home

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When considering home improvements, many of us will focus on aesthetics. This is understandable. Many of us are visual beings and use visual elements of our homes to make the space comfortable and enjoyable for ourselves to spend time in, as well as to show our personality and character to those who visit us. However, while it is important for you to feel that your home looks good, you do need your home to be a practical and functional space too. Our homes are our living spaces, where we complete an array of tasks to keep on top of our day to day lives and to also manage our health and wellbeing. It’s where we sleep, relax, organise ourselves, feed ourselves, bathe ourselves and more. So, what essential purchases could you make to help your home help you with all of these things? Here are some options for you to consider.

The Kitchen

Having a range of functional kitchen appliances can help you to manage your diet and provide yourself with healthy, balanced meals, as well as the occasional treat. There are some appliances that tend to be more crucial or important than others. For example, having a good refrigerator and freezer is essential for being able to store chilled or frozen goods that would be wasted otherwise. Make sure to consider the dimensions of a refrigerator  before buying one to ensure that it can not only fit in your kitchen, but that it is also sufficiently large to store enough food for all the members of your home. Other essential investments include an oven and a washing machine. Luxury additions that aren’t essential, but will make your life easier, include a dishwasher, a tumble dryer, kitchen cabinets and kitchen gadgets like toasters, kettles, blenders, mixers, food processors and more.

Your Living Space

Your living space, whether that’s your lounge, your living room or any other name it may go by, should be where you can kick back and relax. It’s where you should retire after a long day at work, time spent out with friends and family, exercise or any other activity, So, the focus here should be comfort. Make sure that your seating is comfortable and large enough to really lay back in. Whether that’s a sofa, a chair or a whole suite. You may also want to consider comfortable additions such as scatter cushions, blankets, throws and more. If you don’t like the look of all these additions, you can get footrest with storage, sofas with storage or other storage solutions to place them in while they’re not in use.

Your Bathroom

Practical additions to the bathroom include alternative shower heads (so you have more settings and control over your showers), heated towel rails (to warm your towels during the winter months, or to heat the space if there aren’t any radiators in the room) and a range of bath mats and towels to ensure you have a consistent supply when others are being washed.

These are just a few areas of focus to make your home the comfortable and practical haven it should be. Hopefully, some of the suggestions above will get you started out in the right direction!

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Making your home winter ready.

As the summers get hotter and the winters get colder, it’s becoming increasingly important that we take steps to ready our homes to ensure we stay warm and houses are safe when the weather is at its coldest.

There are a few things to consider when prepping your home. There are a ton of online resources to help but I will give a quick rundown here of some of the main things I do. A lot of these things I had no idea about until I moved out of my family home and wish I had been taught about them sooner.

When the weather starts to turn you need to make sure the outside of your house is just as prepared as the inside.
The most simple things you can do when making your home winter/bad weather safe is check all the windows and doors. Making sure there are no drafts will save you from wind blowing through but will also stop the house losing heat and in turn losing you money. Along with this it’s a good idea to clean out your guttering to stop huge ice blocks from forming and potentially causing them to collapse, it’s an easy thing to do and can save a hefty bill if they need replacing.

Check your roof. Roof tiles can loosen throughout the year and this will lead to leaks through the winter. It may be a good idea to get your roof inspected by a professional to make sure there are no areas that need fixing before the colder months.  depending on how bad the weather gets where you live, (you’ll know better than anyone), you may need to go the extra mile and make sure all garden furniture and bikes etc are tied down or secured in a shed or garage to avoid flying furniture getting damaged or hurting someone. If you are new to a city or area and haven’t experienced a winter there yet then you need to make it your job to find out, especially if the area is prone to floods as you will have t take extra precautions for that.

Once you know all of this you should look into getting home insurance and you’ll know what specifically to protect against. A lot of fail to get, or put off, their home insurance and hugely regret it later. It is so important as you are at risk of losing everything.

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Ideally you would have your boiler serviced before winter comes around, that way you can avoid long wait times when everyone is rushing to be seen when its already freezing. You should have your boiler checked regularly and also should be keeping it clean. Many things that can be done to maintain the health of your boiler are things you can do yourself but you should always get your boiler serviced once a year by a professional, Whether its a simple once a year service or a new boiler installation, you need to make sure your boiler is in tip top shape as it is often seen as the heart of your home.

Keeping your heating on a timer is a great way to save money and also ensure your home is warm exactly when it needs to be. The heat and hot water can be off while the household sleeps and are out at work/school and be warm and ready for when you wake or arrive back home. New technology also means you can start up the boiler and heat your home remotely from your mobile phone when you’re on your way home. Imagine for example you are on a short holiday for a week and you don’t want to come home to a freezing house and wait forever for it to heat up this option is a lifesaver. Servicing your boiler will keep your mind at ease and that is priceless.

Whatever steps you take to prepare your home for the winter/bad weather, please also think about any outbuildings you may have especially if you have dogs or livestock that don’t spend all their time in the house. I also have a post about preparing your car for winter too if you would find that helpful.

Feel free to share any tips in the comments that could help someone else.

 

 

 

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Tips on Sprucing up Your Garden

 

Making the most of your garden is a great way to enhance your home’s overall look and feel. If you put some effort into it, it can work as an extra room that can show a little of your personality and add more fun to the space. Fortunately, not everything involves spending a fortune. You can transform your outside space perfectly without the huge price tag. To get you thinking, here are some ideas:

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Use Paint

Paint can be used on a variety of different surfaces, fences, masonry, sheds, and metal railing you may have. Paint can really liven up small garden spaces, such as a patioed area in the middle of a city. It can also cover up neglect and things that have seen better days. You can choose from a wide spectrum of colours to really enhance the look and feel you are going for. You can also go for a wall mural, making it seem as if you are looking out into a rich forest. Alternatively, you could try the more subtle look with decals or stencils. It is amazing how paint can make an area look so much fresher and newer. 

 

Gravel

You can use gravel to liven up the borders, or you could use it to completely cover a particular area. Perhaps you want a seated area, well gravel could be a lot less expensive than laying a patio or installing decking. Gravel comes in so many colours and shapes that you are bound to find something that suits your taste. To avoid weeds, lay a weed membrane underneath, and that’s about it. 

 

Awning

An awning could be attached to the side of your home or to a shed. However, it enables you to create a covered space when the weather is either too hot or a little drizzly, and when it is just right, you can roll it away to enjoy the Sun. This could be a particularly good option for those of you with small outside spaces, so you need a multifaceted and versatile option. 

 

Fire Pit

A fire pit ods a good option for anyone who loves staring into a fire on a nice evening. There are a lot of elegant and attractive metal fire pits on the market, so you have a lot of choices. They can be placed pretty much anywhere you like on gravel or a patio, as they have their own stands. They can transform your outside space into a more social area that anyone can enjoy.

 

Garden ornaments

If you want to make the outside space a little bit special, why not invest in some garden ornaments. There are now so many options, from statues to wooden bridges and metal sculptures. If you are that way inclined, you could even think about making some yourself with scrap metal. It is a great way to jazz up the outside space with a little creative imagination. Outdoor mirrors are also a great choice for anyone with a pasrtiually small garden space. 

 

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7 Annoying Aspects In The Home

Your property should be relaxing, rejuvenating, and all-around beneficial to your life. Alas, that doesn’t always happen. While you may broadly enjoy your home, there’s always the possibility that there are some frustrating elements that derail the peace and serenity that it should bring. After all, homes can be complicated beasts. In this blog, we’re going to run through some of the most common complaints and also offer advice on how you can put them behind you. Once you’ve handled all the issues, you’ll be well on your way to having a home that works for you, not against you!

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Loud Neighbours

Your home might be perfect. But if the homes next to you also have an influence, then you might have a problem. Your home should be a relaxing space away from other people, and that can’t happen if the walls are too thin and you continually hear the goings-on next door. This is an issue that becomes more annoying as time goes on. There are things you can do to put the issue behind you, however. One option is to talk to your neighbours directly; people are pretty understanding about these things. You could also soundproof your room, which is a lot easier than people think. Another ‘external world’ issue could be that people can see into your home too easily when they pass. In that case, some solid curtains will do the trick.

 

DIY Issues

You’ll enjoy your home much more if everything’s watertight and sound. But as every homeowner knows, this isn’t something that you can always rely on. There are always things going wrong or a chore that needs doing. Often we outsource those tricky tasks, like handing the task of cleaning the autumn leaves off your roof to a company like Clean Pro Gutter Cleaning Midlothian. The problem is that many issues aren’t severe enough to make calling a professional worthwhile, using the previous example, it may only be one tiny bit of your roof affected. However you can’t exactly leave these alone — if you have ten minor issues, then you have one big problem. One way to get around this is to look at improving your DIY skills so that you can handle them yourself as and when they materialize. There are plenty of YouTube tutorial videos that’ll help you, or you could even consider taking a course.

 

Too Crowded

Having a crowded home is something that doesn’t seem like a massive problem, but it can have a negative impact if it’s allowed to develop. Our surroundings have a big impact on our overall well being, after all. If your home is cluttered, then your mind will be too. Similarly, if it’s light and airy, then your body and mind will have space to breathe. It’s always worthwhile looking to have a clearout every now and again and also finding ways to make the space look brighter. Could you let more natural light into your home, for instance?

 

Appliances That Won’t Work

Your appliance should help to make your home easier to manage and just generally make your life easier. But that’ll only be the case if they’re working well. If they’re not, then you’ll likely find that you’re getting pretty frustrated. As such, it’s important to stay on top of the maintenance of your appliances; a little bit of TLC will help ensure that they’re always working just as they should be. Remember that it’s nearly always possible to fix appliances, too, no matter what it is. If you have a simpson appliance, for instance, then don’t panic if it stops working — just look for a simpson spare part company, and get what you need. You’ll find that your home is much more relaxing when everything’s working well!

 

Wifi Issues

Having issues with the wifi is annoying everywhere, not just in the house. But it is extra frustrating when you’re at home. So much of daily life revolves around the internet that it can almost seem like nothing works when it’s not working. In this day and age, it’s not something that you should accept. You may need to switch suppliers — or give your current suppliers a stern talking to — to make things work again. If the issue is that the internet doesn’t reach certain parts of the home, then look at investing in a wifi extender.

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It’s An Office

One of the benefits of the coronavirus pandemic was that many people were given the opportunity to work from home. And that’s something that will be likely to stick around into the future, too. However, while this can generally be a good thing, it’s not all positive. If you’re spending all day working, then your home might begin to fall less like a home, more like an office. And who can relax in an office? You can help to up the comfort levels of your house — not to mention, improve your mental well being — by creating a standalone office in your house. If you don’t have a spare room, then carve out a specific workspace, away from the areas where you usually relax and have fun. Also, be sure to have a cut off time. Once you’re past a certain time, it’ll be no more work.

 

Banging Doors 

It’ll be hard to relax in your house if the peace is always interrupted by banging doors. It’s one of those things that drives everyone mad. You could be settling into a relaxing afternoon nap, and then bang, you’re jolted back to life. Not enjoyable! This isn’t an issue that you have to live with, however. There are plenty of things you can do that’ll allow your doors to shut a little more gently. It’s easy enough to install a door closer or attach anti-door slam products. Of course, that might not solve every cause of slammed doors — if you have a moody teenager, then you might just have to accept that it’ll happen from time to time!

 

Conclusion 

Don’t let your home become a cause of your misery. Take action. If there’s a problem that’s severely compromising your happiness while you’re at your house, then get to work on fixing the issue. There really aren’t too many issues that you can’t handle in one way or another, and normally the cost of fixing it is cheaper than people realise, too.

 

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Budget-Friendly Ways To Incorporate Tech in Your Home

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It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of having a cutting-edge smart home, but if you’re on a budget, it can be challenging to incorporate these technologies into your everyday life. This article will give you tips on how to integrate technology into your home without breaking the bank.

Using Energy Saving Equipment

Using energy saving equipment can be a great way to lower your monthly bills. Depending on the types of appliances you have in your home, there are different ways to make them more efficient and effective for reducing energy usage. This is especially important if they use natural resources such as gas or electricity.

The devices you use every day, such as your heating and cooling system, dishwasher, washer machine and dryer, play a significant role in how much energy you consume when using these products. However, it can be costly to run them all the time if they aren’t set up correctly or don’t have features that make them more efficient. Using appliances with the latest technology and features can help you reduce energy usage and costs as well.

Using Simple Smart Items

Smart items are not only for the rich and famous. You can find a lot of smart devices that are budget-friendly and can help you use tech in your home.

Use smart plugs to monitor power consumption, adjust devices on or off from anywhere, and create schedules for lights so that they come on when you need them.

Another great option is smart bulbs like gu10 smart bulb that connects to your smartphone or tablet. You can control it remotely, offer customizable color settings, and save energy compared to traditional light bulbs. With so many options available at different prices – there’s no reason why everyone shouldn’t be able to use tech in the home.

Automating the Systems

In some cases, it is worth considering buying a new home appliance or electronic gadget. In this case, you will undoubtedly automate your system with ease and add more convenience to your life. For example, if you are looking for ways to use technology in the kitchen, you should get an automated coffee maker that can also grind coffee beans. This way, you will save time and money on your routine coffee break.

Heating Systems

Heating systems can be expensive. In fact, for those who are looking to save money on utilities throughout the year, heating is one of the most overspent areas in their home. Fortunately, there are budget-friendly ways to incorporate tech into your heating system so that you don’t have to worry about skyrocketing costs associated with it.

Cleaning

There is no need to buy expensive products if you’re looking for a way to save money when it comes to cleaning your home. There are plenty of ways to clean your home without spending a lot of money.

In terms of appliances, you can get a great deal on a vacuum that will last for years if you do your research. You can also look into getting a steam mop that will cut down on the amount of chemicals necessary to clean the floor around your home.

Lighting

Light bulbs are an excellent place to start. If you’re unsure of the type of bulb that would suit your needs best, talk with an employee at any hardware store or supermarket for advice. They will help you pick out the right lightbulb based on your current lighting situation and space layout. Bulbs now come in different prices and light temperatures, so choosing the right one for your needs is essential.

Conclusion

There are many ways to make your home more efficient and budget-friendly. Technology is a great way to do this but can also be costly if you don’t know what you’re doing.

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The kitchen of my dreams

A little context… Since everything is going crazy in the world I moved from my home in Birmingham back to London where I was born and bred. The one thing that drove my crazy at the old house was the tiny kitchen, it was impossible to cook with more than one person in there at a time and there was no space for a dishwasher or a tumble dryer, two things that I would really love to have in a kitchen. Where I’m living currently is temporary until things calm down a bit but now I have a checklist for what I want in the next place I live. As a fatty that loves to cook, I think a lot about what my dream kitchen would look like. The top three things that are essential to me in a kitchen are as follows;

Space

This is the number one requirement for a kitchen in my opinion, as when you have enough space you can add anything you need. I’m not only talking about floor space however, I want a lot of counter space and a lot of cupboard space too. I want to be able to put away any small appliances that are not in use so the counters will be uncluttered and hold only items that add to the aesthetic. I want enough space to have all the major appliances that I want and still have enough room to be able to move around and cook freely and also be able to entertain guests in the kitchen too. I really like the idea of having my guests be able to come and sit in the kitchen with a drink while I’m cooking and not have them waiting in another room.

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Decor

I’m very into crystals and candles so I would definitely like to have to large crystals/gems/minerals around my kitchen to create the perfect energy for me. If we are talking like legit dream kitchen with no financial constraints then I would go for counter tops made from pink amethyst or rose quartz but since my dream kitchen is a little more realistic I want something that is just beautiful to look at. I know the counters will serve a purpose but that is the area I want to be the most beautiful as so much of it will be seen. There are some absolutely stunning laminate worktops that resemble crystals like howlite and peach moonstone that are amazing cost effective ways to get the look I want without the giant price tag and also some beautiful granite worktops that look like they came straight from the earth, beautiful marbling that just makes the counters look stunning. I can’t be the only one who is obsessed with the way kitchen counters look? I want the worktops to be the show stopper in my kitchen with candles, flowers and crystals dotted around to add to the beauty.

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Light

I want a lot of natural light in my kitchen so huge windows would be amazing, I want to be able to take photos with good lighting and I want light bouncing off my crystals and counter tops. This isn’t always possible so I always want a lot of spot lighting too. I want lights that focus on specific areas of the kitchen. I want isolated lights for the stove area, the sink and maybe one counter top so I can cook in an evening without the whole kitchen being lit up almost like mood lighting. Probably sound silly to a lot of people but this is my dream kitchen after all.

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I’ve obviously thought about this quite a bit but I’m curious what would be number one for other people in their dream kitchen…

Sponsored by http://hcsupplies.co.uk/

 

 

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Things to consider when upsizing your home.

Whether you already feel as though your family has outgrown your home or you’re looking to the future, it can be a good idea to know what to look for when upsizing your home. Buying a new property is a massive decision – not only are you looking to commit to something new financially but you’re committing to selling the home you already live in and have probably created memories in. So, when is the right time to sell and what should you be looking for? Continue reading Things to consider when upsizing your home. →

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Home space makeover on a budget.

There are so many ways to makeover your living room without spending a ton of money. I’m going to give you a few ideas on how to give your living room, or any room in the house for that matter, a glamorous overhaul without breaking the bank. If you are in a rented home and I’m not allowed to paint or drill holes to add photos or artwork there are still many ways to change your space using stick on hooks and wall coverings.

Wall hangings and tapestries are great way to make big changes to a room, you can create a feature wall using large pieces or use smaller pieces to hang like art. Choosing the right colours and patterns are very important as large tapestries draw the eye immediately when entering the room, you can decorate the entire room based around the colours or patterns or theme of the fabric and change that whenever you want to start new.

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Fabric hangings and tapestries can give rooms are very bohemian look and feel and also makes a room feel less cold as fabrics are very warming and this goes for bedding, cushions and throws eccetera. If you’re going to go for a wall hanging tapestry I suggest this is one of the first things you purchase as it sets the tone and colour palette for the whole room.

Just like a wall hangings, bedding has a huge bearing on how your bedroom looks. If it’s the bedroom you are giving the makeover this would be an important thing to consider. The bed is often the largest item in the room so covering it with a fabric definitely draws the eye so choosing bedding is very important as again it helps to set the theme or colour scheme that runs through the bedroom. The bedding tying into the theme/colour scheme of the room will create cohesion. When making over a bedroom on a budget bedding is a great place to start as it is something that will always be in the room. Doing makeovers in my home always makes me feel like I’m adulting.

No matter what room you are working on the floor is the largest surface in the space and definitely requires consideration. I have engineered wood flooring throughout my house with the only carpet being on the stairs. So the floors in every room look great regardless of the decor in the room and it’s allows for low cost customisation using rugs. Choosing a rug or runner to add some more personality to your space makes a big difference but doesn’t have to cost the world and these are some of the things that can be moved around or moved to a different room as and when you fancy a change.

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The most cost effective way to make changes to a room is to switch out smaller decorative accessories. Recently rose gold accessories have been huge in home decor and really add a touch of glam to a room. I personally like white accessories at the moment just because I like clean and simple looking pieces, also it’s very easy to add colour in different ways for example bedding and fabrics. White, gold and black accessories are nice and simple and will fit in any bedroom and if you every decide to change the colour scheme completely these items could still stay.

Accessories can range from plant pots to rugs, cushions, artwork, chair covers, lanterns, pen holders, candles, anything really and they make a room feel more you and will showcase your style and character. All of these things work together so you don’t have to replace any large furniture items to get a brand new room.

Another great way to improve your living space is to update outdoor areas with anything from composite decking, new garden furniture to even something as small as some new flowers or plants. There are so many low cost options to makeover your surroundings.

Do you have a tips to share on ways to change up your space on a budget?

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A touch of luxury

I’m still in the process of decorating my home and I’m looking as the multitude of ways to improve living spaces. There are so many ways in which you can improve your home to suit your needs or the aesthetic you want. As I have written about before HERE one of the ways I like to create a nice open feel to a room is by letting in more light. All throughout all the seasons of the year the outdoors is a beautiful thing to behold so being able to enjoy it whilst in the comfort of your home across an entire wall of a room is just stunning. Bifold doors enable to you to be able to do just that. it makes a wall of windows, bringing the outside in.

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Even when the bi fold doors are shut they make a beautiful wall of glass. They are very classy and allow for so much light to flood into a room. The doors obviously open as much or as little as you want to but when fully open it brings the outside in having such a large open space and is just stunning. It creates almost an entire wall of the outdoors pouring in. A beautiful addition to any room and definitely a focal point of your home interior.

Spending a lot of my time indoors I would really love to have a large window/wall of glass as I love light and airy rooms and in the spring my windows are constantly open. The smell and sounds out the outdoors really adds to the ambiance of a room and I think its just beautiful.

There are a number of places online where you can compare bifold door prices and find a set that will best suit your home. The website boasts that “Our bifold doors come in several configurations to suit any design and installation for your home. These bifold door configurations can also be open in, open out, stack from the left or the right, open in the centre, end or in between.” and “Our bifold doors are made from aluminiun aluminium and glide effortlessly back to reveal a large unobstructed opening, merging the home and garden and letting the light flood in. They can create a lighter, airier living space in which you can enjoy the garden, whatever the weather.”

bf1 The slim profile means you have maximum visibility to the outside when the doors are open yet they are completely weather proof so the outside stays outside when the doors are shut. Even though they provide great access they are very secure and are widely used in commercial and domestic environments. Also bifold doors require a lo t less maintenance than you might think, all they need is regular cleaning with a detergent which is a lot more simple than cleaning multi-pane glass windows and doors.

I personally love the luxury aspect of these types of doors, they really do look gorgeous and add a touch of glamour to any home.

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Decluttering Doesn’t Have To Mean Saying Goodbye

Most of us have heard about the benefits of clearing clutter in our homes. Books like ‘The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up’ by Marie Kondo have bought decluttering into the mainstream. That, and the fact that we’re all jumping on the minimalist wagon. Less is more, and if you want a clear mind, you better have a clean home.

But, it’s possible these methods aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Namely, they focus on giving up the things you love. Call us crazy, but that doesn’t seem like a sure way to a better life. In fact, it seems just the opposite.

That said, the reasoning behind these points is hard to argue with. Too much clutter can get you down. We’ve all walked into a messy room or two and walked straight back out again. We are clean creatures, and we all hate the chaotic feeling of a mess. That’s true whether we admit, or even realise it.

But, instead of focusing on what you can take away from your home, it’s worth considering how to keep the space clear, without getting rid of anything. That way, you achieve the same impact, without having to suffer. For proof it’s possible, we’re going to look at a few of the ways to clear clutter by finding new places for everything you need.

Your television

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In modern homes, television is the focal point of the living room. Though bulkier than in their younger days, most television sets can take up a decent amount of space. Television units are often cumbersome, and we lose a shocking amount of floor space to them. And, lost floor space usually increases feelings of claustrophobia and clutter. That said, if you use your cabinet for storage, this may be the best of two evils.

But, if like most of us your unit is for television wires and box sets only, then it’s time to reconsider. This unit is invading your living room, and it isn’t even serving any practical purpose. So, do away with it. Then, consider investing in a wall bracket on which to display your television. This way, you can keep it as the focal point in your room, while not losing any floor space to the cause. You’d be amazed what a difference this can make.

Your fireplace

Your fireplace is another thing which likely takes up a fair amount of room. If you have an authentic fire, there isn’t much you can do about this. The chances are that the feature is an integral part of your structure. Not to mention that you wouldn’t want to do away with something as stunning as that. But, if you use a gas fireplace instead, you may be wasting much more space than necessary. Old designs were bulky and invasive. The chances are that your fire is either a box design or comes out reasonably far from the wall.

 

Do away with this issue by investing in one of the inbuilt gas log fires offered by companies like Illusion Fires. These options involve building a fireplace into your wall. Thus, you can free up the floor space that would have been used by a freestanding option. Again, the difference will be much more substantial than you might expect. Plus, this way, you’ll have a sleek and stylish design which is about as far from clutter as it’s possible to get.

Your accessories

Many of us enjoy an accessory or two in the home. These are, after all, how we add character and make our mark. But, they’re also the main culprit when it comes to clutter. If you get carried away here, the situation can soon get out of control. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to get rid of pieces you love. It just means you have to find better places to keep them.

House plants are a prime example. While big business at the moment, a large vase can also take up too much floor space. A few of these in one room, and you’ll soon find yourself struggling for space. For one, it’s worth placing these around the house, instead of having them all in one room. It’s also worth putting them above the floor if you can, to reduce the space wasted. You may have realised that there’s a theme here. High up is usually better. So, think about placing your plants on a shelf, or table instead.

Ornaments are another thing worth considering. Again, opt for high up storage solutions. You can put in new shelving units for the purpose if you need. As they’re above floor level, this shouldn’t make any real difference to the feel of the room. Within reason, of course.

The other clutter

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Big stuff aside, there’s usually plenty of other clutter on the floor, including shoes and slippers. The good news is, the high up theory works here, too. Instead of kicking them off and leaving them behind the sofa, why not incorporate a hanging shoe rack on the back of your door? This is a neat way to store something which could otherwise become clutter. It also ensures your floor is as clear and clutter free as possible. Out of sight really can mean out of mind.

And, let’s not forget that many of us clutter our floors in the name of style. Rugs are a prime example of this. Though they look nice, they can make a room appear drastically smaller. So, think twice before leaving a rug in the middle of your floor. Instead, why not find another use for it, which doesn’t compromise your space? Some rugs make fantastic wall hangings, for example. Or, you may just need to reconsider the room in which you display them. A rug in the landing can lead into the larger part of your home, so won’t look so much like clutter. But, a rug in the living room won’t have the same positive impact. Rearrange to make this work for you.