5 common mistakes to avoid when moving into a new home

5 common mistakes to avoid when moving into a new home

Moving into a new home can be exciting. It provides individuals with an opportunity to explore a new neighborhood and meet new people. However, the entire process of moving out and moving in can be pretty complex and chaotic. As a result, many people make mistakes that cost them more money and lead to hassle. Here are five such mistakes one must try to avoid when moving into a new home. Packing at the last minute One of the most common mistakes individuals make when moving is procrastinating packing. Packing at the last moment can lead to chaos and disorganization. For convenience, individuals should pack early, starting with the rarely used items and gradually moving to the essentials. Beginning early gives one enough time to label the boxes and organize their belongings well. Not hiring professional movers Seeking help from friends and family for moving may seem cost-effective, but it can be more stressful and chaotic. Professional movers can perform this task more efficiently. They transport delicate items using the appropriate equipment and expertise, providing peace of mind. Not keeping a checklist It is easy to misplace or lose items amid the hustle and bustle of moving. Hence, when packing, individuals must keep a checklist.
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4 common packing mistakes to avoid while moving

4 common packing mistakes to avoid while moving

Moving to a new home is an exciting, albeit challenging, process. While many people are attracted to the idea of starting anew in a different place, the actual move requires a fair amount of planning and organizing. To get a head start on one’s move, packing well is crucial. However, many people continue to make packing mistakes during this process. This article sheds light on four common packing mistakes one can avoid while moving. Waiting until the last minute to pack Packing is an art and a science. Beginning this process too late can lead to unnecessary rushing on moving day. It is also likely to be more disorganized, making setting up one’s new home difficult. Ideally, one must start two weeks to a month before the moving day. Begin packing less-used items and wrapping them up properly. Recognize items that are no longer needed and donate them to charity, give them to friends and family, or set up a yard sale for them. This process will help declutter and make space for new things in the house. Mislabeling or not labeling the boxes Labeling the boxes correctly is an essential part of the packing process. Skipping this step or doing a shoddy job can create a lot of confusion and lengthen the unpacking process.
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6 common home lighting mistakes to avoid

6 common home lighting mistakes to avoid

Bad lighting can break the functionality and ambience of a home, while good lighting elevates it. Some common home lighting mistakes can be addressed by simple research and maybe some advice from a professional. It is important to consider the three types of lighting—accent, ambient, and task—when choosing lighting options for the home. Here are six mistakes that are quite common when it comes to choosing home lighting and should be avoided. Installing recessed lighting High ceilings are impressive enough; cramming them with recessed lighting is unnecessary. It tends to make the room look dull and uninviting, not to mention it only serves the purpose of ambient lighting, making it quite non-functional. If creating a warm, cozy, and functional vibe is the agenda, don’t depend on recessed lights alone. Use scones for the walls, floor lamps for corners, and chandeliers or pendant lights for the ceiling to give the room character. Not considering task lighting While ambient and accent lighting add to the allure and feel of the room, task lighting is the more functional aspect of lighting. Illuminating the kitchen or workspace with direct lights, bright enough to avoid shadows or dark spots, is called task lighting. These can be achieved in reading corners by adding floor lamps and pendant lights, and under-cabinet lighting or track lights for kitchen spaces.
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7 easy ways to keep trash bags from slipping

7 easy ways to keep trash bags from slipping

Dealing with a trash bag can be messy and annoying, especially when it bursts at the seams with trash and constantly slips. That said, there are quite a few effective and simple ways, such as using everyday things like rubber bands, binder clips, velcro strips, and hooks, to keep a trash bag from caving in. These tips will help save a lot of time and mess and keep trash bags secured in bins. 1. Try the double knot technique This one does the job well. The double knot technique involves tying an initial knot and securing it with a second one. This simple approach adds an extra layer of reliability, significantly reducing the likelihood of the bag slipping into the trash can. The double knot technique is a quick and foolproof method suitable for everyone. What’s best is that one doesn’t need additional things to secure the bag. 2. Use rubber bands This tip involves positioning a few rubber bands around the top rim of the trash can before securing the bag. The rubber bands add an element of grip, preventing the bag from sliding down the sides of the can. This cost-effective and readily available solution is a go-to for quick fixes.
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5 mistakes to avoid when renting out a vacation home

5 mistakes to avoid when renting out a vacation home

Renting out one’s vacation home is an excellent way to promote tourism while earning some income on the side. Vacation homes in popular tourist sites are usually in demand throughout the year, as people often enjoy brief stays and sleepovers on long weekends or holidays. But while renting out a holiday home, one should take certain measures for safety and to maximize profits. Here are some common mistakes to avoid while renting out a vacation home: Not considering overhead costs Often, landlords overlook additional costs they should be charging visitors and tenants of vacation homes, such as maintenance costs, utility costs, property management fees, and any other unplanned expenses. Maintaining and managing property at vacation sites is not easy, so one needs to ensure that tenants pay all the required dues. Overlooking local rules and regulations Every locality or town has its own set of rules and regulations. For example, there may be different laws regarding move-in and move-out inspection, new tenant processing fees, and security deposits, among others. So, landlords should know and comply with these laws when they let out their property for use. Not estimating the correct price Sometimes, landlords may underestimate the amount that their property deserves.
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3 plumbing mistakes DIYers make and how to fix them

3 plumbing mistakes DIYers make and how to fix them

Plumbing tasks are more challenging than many people would like to admit. Many DIY projects do not go according to plan, especially when done by individuals without experience. When someone tries fixing their home’s pipes and drains for the first time, they tend to make mistakes that can be hard to detect and costly to correct in the long run. This is why people should know the various DIY plumbing mistakes and avoid them. Using liquid drain cleaners instead of tools Many DIYers use liquid drain cleaners in excessive quantities to clear blockages from the kitchen or bathroom sink. While these cleaners may be effective sometimes, one should avoid using them because they can harm metal traps and pipes. There may also come a time when one may have to hire a professional plumber to remove the trap arm and fill it with a corrosive caustic drain cleaner, which is a tougher task than just clearing an obstructed sink. So, instead of making this mistake, one should simply use a snaked or barbed drain cleaning tool to clear blockages from their sink. Wrapping thread tape backward or using the wrong tape Thread tape must be wrapped clockwise around the threads to work correctly.
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6 bathroom remodeling mistakes to avoid

6 bathroom remodeling mistakes to avoid

A bathroom is far from only a place to bathe. Today, users want it to look beautiful and function in a way that can help them relax and unwind after a tiresome day. Therefore, remodeling a bathroom to suit a homeowner’s needs is often as exciting as it gets. However, bathroom renovations are not that simple, and a mistake could be detrimental to the project. On that note, here are six bathroom remodeling mistakes to avoid. Lack of planning Planning before a bathroom renovation project is necessary to ensure the job flows smoothly. Whether installing new lighting structures on the ceiling or a mirror on the wall, one should pre-plan such modifications. This is because there might be plumbing and electrical wires in various places, and drilling into them could lead to damage. Ignoring storage space Storage in a bathroom is necessary as it helps take full advantage of the space available. One should add enough storage space to help hold items like toiletries, cosmetics, towels, and other essentials. Individuals could also install hooks on walls or metal racks to keep towels off the floor. Not setting a budget The budget of any project, including bathroom renovations, is necessary to avoid overspending on various installations.
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4 kitchen remodeling mistakes to avoid

4 kitchen remodeling mistakes to avoid

One of the first things that comes to mind when remodeling a kitchen is the project’s high cost. However, that should not hinder one from the remodeling task. Instead of avoiding the project, one should plan and create a budget to help one stay on track, although budgeting is not the only factor to consider when renovating. With the number of components involved, remodeling mistakes are easier to commit. Some of them to avoid are: Not hiring experienced professionals Renovating one’s own home is like a dream project. However, it is important to acknowledge that one person cannot do it all. Homeowners should recognize their limitations instead of attempting to achieve everything. This is particularly true for tasks such as plumbing and electrical work, which, if done improperly, can cause damage or injuries to the home dwellers and the property. Hiring experienced professionals and ensuring things are done correctly rather than attempting such critical tasks is advisable. Not having a timeline Creating a gorgeous and functional kitchen can take a long time. Some individuals might be working on the project while working full-time, which can cause the DIY project to last longer. However, it is important to have a timeframe in place.
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