Home Improvement Trends to Consider When Renovating Your Home

*This post is sponsored by Property Inspection Pros a Baltimore Home and Commercial Inspection Company

Have you followed how the home improvement industry is doing? If you do follow but was not able to take part in the HIRI (Home Improvement Research Institute) summit last 2019, then below are the insights from the experts in home improvement, providing us ideas on the latest trends and what's hot in the market today.

Decrease in Luxury projects

Luxury remodeling is decreasing. High-end flooring, roofing, dimensional lumber, cladding, and even cabinets are facing the most severe headwinds, according to Todd Tomalak with John Burns Real Estate Consulting.

With the decrease in demand for luxurious projects, doors for emerging quality brands in bath and kitchen remodeling open, giving them the chance to be recognized and considered by clients who are opting for a more realistic project. A custom look at a more realistic price is one of the best approaches in the world of renovations nowadays. Features like soft close drawers and doors, organizing accessories, and sizing customization are now available in more affordable yet of quality brands.

         Buyers seek help

Shoppers nowadays don't just ask as to where they can find it but are also interested as to how do they do it when it comes to their home improvement projects.

When it comes to online resources, especially on home remodeling, various sites are offering more information on what to consider when purchasing for accessories or materials needed for your home. Getting more ideas if you are doing the remodeling by yourself is crucial since you need more of it so that you can truly choose the best for your home.

  Shopping via Mobile

Brendan Baby from the Home Depot said that the convenience of shopping using our mobile device grows rapidly and should be considered as one of the main tactics of retail industries.

With just one click after you have scanned all the products and have found the one that you were looking for, you can now add to the cart and finish the transaction by paying electronically without going out. This is a very easy process, yet make sure that the retail store that you are visiting offers quality products. To be sure, check out its customers' feedback, or you may search for the company's reputation online reviews.

Watch for the next generation

Centennials or the Gen Z or iGen is far more different generation as compared to Millennials. They give value to pragmatism and security as they venture into changing the world, as observed by Therese Caruso with the Zeno Group.

Ways to communicate with these generations may be done through the use of social media, mobile app, or websites, knowing that we have a world of innovations when it comes to communication.

         Health over savings emphasis

Millennials mostly consider health benefits as compared to how much they can save whenever they purchased products for their homes. They are much more interested in their health and well-being and are more likely to spend on those since it is beneficial. They choose wellness designs that focus on their overall health. And these improvements are proven to be healthy like in the selection of paints for walls, non-toxic materials for their flooring and cabinetry, faucets that are touchless that reduces germ spread, lighting that improves sleep, installation for water and purification system and many more.

If you are opting to remodel your home, then above mentioned are the trends now. Consider what the experts have said for you to be more updated on the latest and what types are the most considered trend that most people are vying for. Home renovation is fun yet a headache, but after you finish your project, expect a feeling of self-fulfillment since you have arrived in a successful project.

6 Ways to create a relaxing bedroom

After a long and busy day there is nothing better than climbing into bed and Just being able to relax. We sometimes forget that the bedroom isn't just for sleeping but relaxing and unwinding in the evening's before getting some much needed shut eye.

With this in mind I wanted to share with you some ways to make your bedroom more relaxing.

The Bed 

The bed is the most important item in the room and its essential that you have a bed that is right for you. This means not only a comfy matress but also the style of bed you have. Take our double bed, we decided to go for a ottoman bed so that we have more storage for our small home. If you have children who share a room than a bunk beds maybe a suitable option. 

Banish your electricals

Studies show that by not using screens before bed helps you to sleep better! So an hour before you hit the sack step away from the screens and relax doing something else such as reading a book.

Your linen

It’s time to ditch those old, worn sheets and duvet covers . Nothing beats slipping into soft, fresh and clean bedding. I also find I feel more relaxed and happy when I love my bedding.

Scents 

I love to light a beautiful smelling candle in our room or use my diffuser with essential oils to create a calm and relaxing environment. I also like to occasionally use a pillow spary with lavender and chamomile.

Get rid of clutter

Clutter can make you feel stressed and so it's important to have a tidy and clutter free bedroom. This is something that Stuart and I need to really work on.

Adding a personal touch

Whether it's a favourite piece of art work on your wall or a personalised gift from a loved one for example. Adding a personal touch to your room with items you love is a must for a relaxing environment.

*In collaboration with Happy Beds

Update a Kids room with a mural wall

Updating your child's bedroom doesn't have to be a costly job.  In fact it doesn't have to be time consuming either. With Blake's bedroom the walls are a lovely shade of blue and I like that we can jazz up his room with accessories. We have however considered updating his room with a stick and peel mural in a space or dinosaur theme as he seems to be really into those things at the moment but we've just not got around to it. 

Stuart and I have discussed that when we eventually buy our own home I want to stick to one colour on the walls in Blake's room so the room can grow with him. I do however want to leave one wall free so that we can get a mural for him so that he has one feature wall.

There are a great range of wallpaper and children’s wall murals available and I love the idea as  as children's interests change all the time and  it  would mean only one wall would need to change rather than the whole room. There are  some stunning designs out there too giving you the chance to find something that fits well with your child's interests. You don't even need to stop there as you can find designs for all over the home.

You can select wallpaper or murals that paste onto the walls or there are plenty of peel and stick options available too which are ideal if like us you are renting. Wallsauce do so many different stunning themes some of my favourites are pirates, space, sea creatures, fairy castles and there are so many others too.

Wallsauce mural's are all custom made to measure to fit your own walls ideal for  akward shaped or small walls. They are easy to install with full instructions provided. Once you have found your perfect design all you have to do is add your measurements, choose your preferred wallpaper material and then order online its that simple. If you want to there is even the option to print your own image/artwork by uploading the photo onto their website and then just add in the other details like the above.

I think murals are a great way to be creative in your home and children will especially love choosing a theme for their bedroom. It's also a great way to update a room if you are on a budget and don't want to fork out too much. Feature walls and murals are definitely growing in popularity in homes at the moment and I can certainly see why.

*This is a collaborative post 

Shopping at Joules

Joules is a brand I love, there is something about their gorgeous prints especially the florals. Joules sell a wide selection of products from clothing to homewares suitable for men, women and children. 

Whether you want to add something new to your wardrobe or add little finishing touches to your home. You can now do so and save a bit of money as Groupon have these Joules discounts available.

When it comes to shopping with Joules the homeware has to be my favourite section. I love that Joules homeware items are perfect for adding colour and gorgeous prints to the home. 

I've currently got my eye on some of the gorgeous bedding sets which I'm pretty sure my husband would even like such as stripes and checks. This way you can add a bit of Joules to your bedroom especially if you/your partner aren't too keen on florals.

If like me during summer you love to enjoy picnics and dining alfresco Joules have some great outdoor dining accessories. I have a picnic blanket and a cool bag that I got last year which came in so handy for picnics in the park.  I'm planning to pack them when we head on holiday this year as they will be perfect for the beach or for just sitting on eating a yummy BBQ outside near the caravan we will  be  staying in. Joules have such lovely floral and polka dot prints for this year and they also have pretty plates, bowls, beakers etc too.

You may also like to bring a bit of Joules to your kitchen. You can do with stunning printed mugs and textiles. Again you are spoilt for choice when it comes to the different designs such as different floral prints, stripes and more.
With oven gloves, aprons, and tea towels you can find a print that fits your kitchen and style easily.

For me I had to have a mug set from Joules this set from last year is so pretty and my favourite Joules item I own. 




Are you a Joules fan?

Simple Ways To Update Your Rented Home

When it comes to updating a rented home it can be tricky as there is only so much you are able to do. If you are already renting or plan to rent soon here are some ideas of things you can do to update your home. 

Bedding

Choose some gorgeous bedding and cushions. This can give the bedrooms an instant update.

Accessories

New cushions, throws, vases, ornaments, flowers, candles they all can make your rented home feel more personal. 

Blinds

You can change the blinds/curtains  in your home to suit your style as long as you put the ones originally there back up when you move out. VELUX blinds have a wide range of different ones to choose from. For example you may want to use black out blinds in your child/rens bedroom. You can also purchase different colours and designs. 

Wall art 

Most rented homes have the usual magnolia coloured walls which can be boring so putting up art work or family photos is a great idea to make the place more personal and homely. 

We are lucky that some rooms in our home have hangings and we got permission to add a few more. However if you don't than command hooks are the way to go.

Furniture 

If you can afford to upgrade your furniture great, if not than there are a few things you can do: 

- Second hand 

places like freecycle are great as some people are getting rid of great quality items for free. 

Charity shops are also a great place to look to find pieces that aren't as expensive. Also see if family members are getting rid of anything. We recently got a coffee table and TV unit off my sister as her and her boyfriend as they were getting rid of them.

- Upcycle 

You can find loads of ideas online and Pinterest is a great place to start. A lot of our furniture is Ikea and I like the ideas that others use to make their pieces look much different. 

Fun wall Decals

You can purchase a wide range of wall decals they are peel off stickers that can make a wall in your room look more colourful and unique. 

Do you rent? Do you have any more ideas on to update your rented home? 

A quick and easy way to give your child's room a makeover

When it comes to kid's bedrooms their likes and dislikes are always changing and so when it comes to Blake's room we wanted to make it so that it would grow with him and also easy to change. 

That's when the idea of using kids wall stickers came to me as you can get a wide range of designs that are affordable so there is no need to break the bank when it comes to changing the look of your child's bedroom. 

I remember when both my sister and I were little and were always wanting to change our bedroom. I think wall stickers and decals would have been so handy to have. I remember on one occasion my sister wanted the playboy bunny logo on her wall so my Mum spent awhile painting them on for her and adding diamantes. How easier for her it would have been for her if she had got wall stickers or decals instead.  

When it comes to Blake's room in the future I definitely think that wall stickers are going to be the way to go. I'll also use them with any other further children that we may have. Not only will this save us time and money but with renting it wont be a problem either as they just peel off. 

Tenstickers have a  huge selection of children´s wall stickers include animals, vehicles, fairies, funny monsters, height charts and more. All decals are made from high quality vinyl.  You can even design your own and include your child's name on some of them too.

Creating the perfect Hygge home

Hygge (pronounced hue-gah) is a Danish word that is translated simply as cosiness.

When it's cold, wet, dull and dark outside why not give Hygge a go. Hygge is all about creating a nice, warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with people around you.

Baytree interiors have been helping people to personalise their own homes for many years and you can read some of their top tips on creating the perfect Hygge home. 

However here are some of my tips and ways to make your home Hygge: 

Make your space cosy

Think your favorite candles, pillows, soft blankets, rugs on your floor and a roaring fire in the background.

Get yourself cosy

Get into your favorite warm pajamas or your favorite thick and cosy jumper, wear thick comfortable socks or your favorite warm and toasty slippers. 

Enjoy warm and filling foods and drinks

Think porridge for breakfast with your favorite topping, soups, casseroles and stews. 

Think a hot mug of tea, coffee or hot chocolate (don't forget the whipped cream and marshmallows.) 

DIY Spa Day

Invite friends over to your cosy home and enjoy a pamper session or even if you fancy some me time run a hot bath, slap on a face mask and relax.  

Books, films, Music

Curl up with a good book or film or even play some relaxing music.

Indoor picnic

Just because its cold it doesn't mean you have to just live off stews and casseroles. Look up some new recipes, throw down a blanket and enjoy an indoor picnic with a loved one. 

Hygge is all about the simple and comfortable things in life.  It's about the ordinary moments that you sometimes take for granted. It's a feeling that you have from being warm and cosy, its about enjoying and making the most out of what you have.