Home & Garden

Lockdown has been tough on us all. For many of us, working remotely from home will continue to be a reality. That’s why it’s important to make sure you have space set aside for your work environment should the need arise. Doing this will allow you to maximise your productivity as you work from home.

Preparing for that next shift can be daunting. But don’t worry. Below, we’ve highlighted some tips and tricks to help you make your space more productive.

The Right Type Of Flooring

Work requires you to be clear-headed and free to make the most out of your hours. That’s why having the right type of flooring is important. Flooring can help one perceive a room as being larger and more open than it originally is. When deciding on a type of flooring for your office, make sure you choose a type of flooring that is easy to keep clean and low maintenance, like wooden flooring from reliable sources such as this wood flooring Bedfordshire supplier

Try to avoid overly warm flooring such as carpet, or overly cold flooring such as tiling, depending on the local climate.

Lighting The Way To Success

Another key ingredient in managing your space is the lighting. A recent article on the effects of light in the workplace shows that it’s an important factor to consider when planning out your work environment. Eye fatigue and strain are common in most household setups when working for long periods.

Try to make the most of natural lighting, set up in rooms that have good natural sunlight from nearby skylights or windows. Avoid using light fixtures with warm tones and try to find ones with good white and blue light tones, to help keep you awake and focused should you make use of them.

Keep Your Area Clear Of Clutter

As Benjamin Franklin once said: “For every minute spent on organizing, an hour is earned”. Keeping a clean working environment is important. The greater space you have to work with, the more effective you will be in your craft. Keeping your space free of clutter and items helps focus your mind on the task at hand and not on the objects in your area. Clutter can make one feel anxious or frustrated for the simple reason of it being there.

Start by removing the basics. Anything in your environment that you simply do not want around you needs to be moved away and out of sight. Next, try to organize your furnishings away from your workstation and keep enough space around yourself to stay open and focused. Use the area to your advantage, make sure to set up elements such as filing cabinets a slight walking distance away. This helps promote movement during your working hours and helps stimulate the mind.

Now that you have prepared your new home office, your desk is ready, and the files are neat, you can comfortably focus on working from your improved workspace with absolute ease.

 

Cameras and CCTV systems have been gaining popularity over the last few years, with more and more homeowners choosing to install cameras around the house. A CCTV system is the next step up in your home security renovations and it can help to protect your property more effectively.

Although home CCTV systems are useful and a must in many countries, some downsides need to be considered. To understand more about whether you should install a home CCTV system, read these pros and cons first.

Records are Maintained Electronically

When it comes to CCTV systems, the main objective is that you can see everything that is going on around you. Whether you are at home alone or out shopping, you need to know that nothing happened while you were away. You can go back into any recording to watch every minuscule incident and occurrence.

Maintaining records also helps police enforcement and other government agencies. Your cameras may pick up on vital evidence that can be used for a crime that was committed. The records are accessible from any device with an internet connection, and there is no reason to delete any footage because online cloud storage is pretty much unlimited.

Advanced Features and Functionality

The great thing about the technology behind CCTV is that it has advanced to a point where you can see through night-vision lenses, record footage to the cloud, and speak through the system. Most of today’s cameras come with many different features, and the more you are willing to pay, the more functionality you have.

The purpose of CCTV systems is not just to protect your home, but also for you to see what happens around your home and neighbourhood. Many criminals have been caught because a neighbour had a security system with cameras monitoring the street. To buy your very own CCTV system that comes with these features and more, visit powerpointelectrics.co.uk.

Your Privacy and Costs

When you install CCTV cameras, you can choose to set them up either on the outside or inside of the house. You can even place one in every room and along every corner of the house for a full 360-degree view. The issue is that personal privacy is not necessarily guaranteed. Unless the cameras aren’t recording, your every move will be on tape and uploaded to the cloud.

For people who value their privacy indoors, maybe just one or two cameras around the outside of the house will suffice. The cost to install a CCTV system that caters to your needs can also be an expensive experience, especially if your home is relatively large. The thing to remember is that although CCTV systems cannot protect your house from being robbed, they do make criminals stop and rethink their actions.

Installing a home CCTV system is a great way to deter criminals and monitor your home and neighbourhood 24/7. The only real downside is that the initial investment is large and that your privacy is affected. All in all, home CCTV systems offer many more benefits to a home that make it a viable option for home security.

 

Whether you’ve been living in your property for many years or you have just moved in, everyone wants an attractive place to call home. Interior design doesn’t come naturally to everyone and many people struggle to transform four boring walls into an exciting living space. Luckily, with a bit of know-how and a few top tips you can elevate a property without completely renovating it. Here are 4 simple ways to make your home stand out.

A Cozy Fireplace

A crackling fireplace complete with an impressive mantelpiece can conjure up feelings of coziness and warmth, while giving your living space a sense of luxury and grandeur. Fireplaces are typically installed in the living room and treated as the main feature of this space. Alternatively, you can install a fireplace in the bedroom for a romantic and warm atmosphere. Nowadays, you can choose from electric, gas and wood burning varieties depending on your taste. For a selection of fireplaces, visit stonewoods.co.uk.

Eye-Catching Light Fixtures

One of the simplest ways to make a room stand out is by swapping your existing light fixtures with new models. Certain light fixtures can feel dated, especially if you have had your property for many years and they haven’t been replaced since you moved in. The best way to pick a light fixture is by matching the style to the room. Create a statement kitchen look with bold, pendant lights or wow visitors stepping into your home with a shimmering chandelier in the entryway. In addition to attractive fixtures, the light bulb temperature you choose can make a huge difference to the ambiance of a room. As a rule of thumb, bright white bulbs should be placed in rooms where you are most active, such as the kitchen or the home office, while bulbs with a soft white temperature will help make bedrooms and living rooms feel more comfortable and relaxed.

Thought-Provoking Artwork

Displaying artwork in the home is a great way to express your personality and show off your artistic side. Art is personal and completely subjective and so it makes for interesting conversation pieces. They can also act as icebreakers if you enjoy hosting regularly. Artwork, such as sculptures, make magnificent focal pieces as they command a lot of attention. If you are new to art and feel slightly intimidated by standalone pieces, try picking out a painting or a print that speaks to you and display it in a prominent place.

Quirky Furniture

Furniture doesn’t have to solely serve a practical purpose; it can also provide your home with points of interest. A large, antique dining table centered in a dining room can give this space an elegant look, while a collection of plush, velvet armchairs will give your living room a vintage vibe. In addition, the color of your furniture can also have a psychological effect. Blues and greens are excellent for family rooms as these colors can have a peaceful and calming effect. On the other hand, if you want guests to find their voice and mingle, warm oranges and yellows can encourage communication.

Do you or one of the people living in your home require a mobility-friendly environment? Mobility-friendly features have come a long way and are not only useful but quite creative. Today, they can work with the design of your home to look beautiful and ensure everyone can use the space as intended. Whether you have just minor mobility issues or more pronounced ones, there are plenty of ways to address them in the home. Let’s take a look at some of the most important ways you can make your home mobility-friendly.

Focus on the Entryway to the Home

One of the most important updates people can make is to ensure that the entry into their home is functional and safe for all, which means mobility-friendly features. If you currently have stairs that lead to the front door, a re-design may be necessary. You may require a ramp for those in a wheelchair or who find stairs difficult, or an outdoor stairlift.

It may also be necessary to widen the front door if it doesn’t allow for wheelchair access.

Bathroom Updates are a Must

The next area to focus on renovations and updates should be in the bathroom. Without mobility-friendly features, the bathroom may not be very functional, and can even be hazardous. Some of the most useful and popular mobility-friendly updates and features include:

• Mobility-friendly toilets that sit higher
• Detachable shower head to make showering easier
• Lever taps rather than twisting taps
• Walk-in baths to prevent falling
• Wet room showers for those who require a flat surface, ideal for people in wheelchairs
• Non-slip bath mats
• Grab bars
• Change the height of the counter
• Change the height of the towel rack

There are many different features and tweaks you can do in a bathroom that will make it a comfortable room for all to use. You can look into what companies like beautifulbathroom.net are doing.

Is the Kitchen Accessible for All?

And then we have the kitchen, which can likely benefit from updates. Think about food preparation, cooking, and eating. How can you make each of those activities safer and more comfortable for those with mobility challenges? Keep in mind with kitchen updates, they can get pretty expensive depending on how much money you are willing to spend.

Ensure Hallways and Doorways are Clear

Sometimes a major renovation may not be necessary; rather, it is about decluttering spaces to ensure you can move through the home unimpeded. All hallways and doorways should be open and free of clutter so those who require assistance when walking, such as a cane or walker, can move about with ease. If a resident requires a wheelchair, it may be necessary to make more drastic changes, widening doorways, and perhaps opening up hallways.

Ensure the Home Is Functional for All

Living with mobility issues can be challenging, but your home should be a place where you feel comfortable and safe. This means taking the time to invest in mobility-friendly updates and renovations, no matter how minor or major they may be.

 

Sprucing up your living space is always refreshing and is ideal for when you feel the need for a change. There are lots of great places to focus on when you want to redecorate, such as the living room, your bedroom, even a home office. However, if your kitchen needs a makeover, the following options are all great ways to update this space, and there is something to suit every budget on this list.

A Full Remodel

If you have a big budget to play with, the best way to upgrade your kitchen is by going for a full remodel. This option is perfect if your current kitchen is outdated and can help to add value to your property as a result. There are plenty of designs to choose from, so finding the perfect style that reflects your tastes shouldn’t be too much of a challenge, nor should finding one in your price range. For some examples of what’s on offer, look at the designs from this kitchen manufacturers Bolton.

New Cabinets

If you can’t afford a complete remodel, don’t worry. There are still plenty of ways you can make your kitchen feel brand-new. One of the most effective ways to do this is by replacing your kitchen cabinets with new ones. You don’t necessarily have to replace the entire cabinet either unless it’s damaged or you want more space. Instead, you can simply swap the old doors for new ones, which can transform your kitchen’s look.

New Worktops

Another budget-friendly way to update your kitchen is by having new worktops put in. This is worth it if your current worktops have seen better days and have cracks or have warped, as this can be unhygienic as they are harder to clean properly. Wooden worktops look great in country-style kitchens, but granite or stone will be easier to clean and add a luxurious touch.

New Color Scheme

If you’re happy with your worktops, cabinets, etc., why not try a new color scheme instead? Painting the walls in fresh tones will do a lot to change the aesthetics; just make sure the color you do choose matches the other features that you’re not replacing. Neutral tones might be a better choice, as they are timeless and fit well with most designs.

New Floors

Your kitchen floors go through a lot, possibly more than any other room in the house, enduring spills, bleach, and even dropping the odd pot or pan. This is why it’s important to have floors that are durable and easy to clean in your kitchen, so if you have seen better days consider having them replaced. They can also help to change the appearance of your kitchen, and if you are on a tighter budget, you can put down vinyl floors which are the cheaper option. These can come in different patterns, so you can choose a wood, tiled, or stone effect for a better finish.

If you want to update your kitchen, consider the options above and see which ones best suit your budget.