Tag Archives: home sweet home

Moving House: What To Do Before Settling In

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Moving House: What To Do Before Settling In

Moving into a new home is exciting, but it also can be stressful, to say the least. Between unpacking boxes and figuring out where everything goes, it can feel like there is a whole mountain of tasks ahead before you can truly allow yourself to settle in. But the thing is, moving doesn’t have to be so overwhelming! If you approach it with a little bit of creativity and some smart planning, that new house will feel like home right away:

Just imagine for a second that you are standing in your new living room, boxes surround you on each side and you have no idea where to put anything. All of this stress can be avoided by planning ahead! Measure your new space, sketch out where your furniture will fit, and imagine the flow of each room. It is all about putting together a puzzle, but without the missing pieces. When you walk in on moving day and know exactly where everything belongs, it will feel like you’re already home.

There’s something no one tells you and that is that before you even start unpacking, call in pest control. It is one of the best things you can do. The last thing you want after moving all your stuff is to find out you’ve got unwanted roommates. With the house still empty, it’s the perfect time for a thorough inspection. You’ll prevent any issues down the road and can settle in knowing there won’t be any critters creeping around. It’s a simple step, but it makes a world of difference.

Now, this one’s for the detail-oriented or anyone who’s big on creating a clean and calming space. Have you ever thought about the invisible energy around your home? Walking around with a simple EMF (electromagnetic field) reader can help you spot areas where electronics and wiring might create high energy levels. Why does this matter? Well, too much EMF exposure, especially where you sleep or work, can make some people feel off. It is an easy way to create a more peaceful environment by relocating electronics or even considering shielding devices in high-EMF zones.

Moving is more than just a physical shift, it is an emotional and energetic one, too. Whether you’re into traditional rituals or just want to start fresh in a new home, a house blessing can help bring some good vibes into your new space. Have you ever heard of smudging with sage, or just burning some incense? It works on a principle wherein residual negative energy is cleared out and replaced with as much positive energy as possible. You could also use plants like lavender or rosemary to invite calmness. The aim is to start from scratch so that this new house may feel more like your home.

This is a new beginning of one whole big chapter in your life, so don’t forget to take a moment to pause, take a big breath, and enjoy the process. And before you know it, your new house will feel like the perfect place to call home sweet home.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Picking The Best Location For Your Move

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Picking The Best Location For Your Move

Moving house is stressful enough without then discovering that you have made a terrible mistake with the location you have chosen. With the expense of the move, you will have two choices; either stay put and try to make the most of an uncomfortable situation or put the house up for sale (or contact your letting agent if renting) and start the moving process again.

Of course, we need to clarify what we mean by making a terrible mistake. As examples, you might have moved next door to awful neighbors. The neighborhood could be deemed unsafe because of the local crime rate. And you might discover the location is impractical for your needs. So, if you’re currently thinking about moving, check our previous article on the subject; https://lifewithlilred.com/2017/11/03/looking-for-a-house-savvy-tips-for-your-search/, and then consider the following tips to help you choose the right location.

Commit to research online:

Be specific in your Google search, and try to learn as much information as you can about the location you are considering. Type in ‘things to know about living in (location),’ and you should come up with websites such as this one, https://onthegomoving.com/10-things-to-know-about-living-in-ballard/. In this example, you can find out information on the housing market, cost of living, and many more details on the location in question, so look for the same when you’re searching for info on the area you are considering.

Look at local news sites for the area too, as you will learn a lot this way about crime rates, social problems, community activities, and more. You should also search for crime rates. By visiting sites such as https://www.crimereports.com/, you can quickly and easily look up crime statistics for the various neighborhoods in the location you are thinking about moving into. Social media can also be most helpful as plenty of communities have their own “talk of the town” style pages. This is an excellent way to put feelers out for your new location.

Then, use Google maps or similar, and get an up close and personal look at the neighborhoods in the area. Providing they are up to date; you will get an understanding of the facilities in the area, the cleanliness of the streets, and get an idea of the distance between certain locations, such as the house you are considering and the local shopping mall.

Explore the area on foot and by car:

You can learn a lot of information online, but the best way to discover more about the location is to visit it. Using your car, you can get an overview of what it might be like to live in the neighborhood by driving around the locale. You can also monitor how long it might take to get to your place of work, your children’s school, and any other places of interest.

As you explore different locations, keep in mind that tours might be available in some communities. For example, if you are considering different master planned communities, you might be able to schedule a time to check out the amenities offered like pools or golf courses. You can also get a good feel for a neighborhood by publishing posts seeking recommendations on social media. You don’t want any surprises when you move!

You should also spend some of your time on foot. Without appearing like a prowler, casually spend time near the house you are considering. Listen for any noise from the next door neighbor, such as shouting, music, and barking dogs. Check the state of their property too, as well as that of surrounding properties, as you will get an idea of who lives there by the general upkeep of their houses.

And, look for signs of crime as you’re walking. If you spot a lot of graffiti and other signs of vandalism, you might assume that the area isn’t particularly desirable. Pop into the local police station too and get their professional opinion of the area.

Finally:

When moving home, the location is just as important as the property you will be moving into, so follow our tips when you’re looking to move. Hopefully, you will then make the right choice, and consequently, be very happy for many more years to come.

Featured Image By: Pixnio

Stay Warm This Winter With These Toasty Decor Tips

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Stay Warm This Winter With These Toasty Decor Tips

I am one of those people who are always always cold. So if you are anything like me, then I am sure that you will find this post useful to help keep you nice and warm this winter:

The cold weather will soon be upon us! How are you planning on staying warm at home this winter? Of course, you will always have your heating system available to heat your rooms. But did you know that there are also some other useful decor ideas that can help you stay toasty through the winter. And, no, I’m not just going to tell you to put on an extra jumper and woolly hat! Here are some of the best tips that you should take advantage of to make sure you don’t feel the chill this winter:

Thermal Drapes: Did you know that thermal drapes are a thing? They are a lot thicker and heavier than regular ones. But that doesn’t mean they have to be gray and unattractive. Quite the contrary! You will find that you can find them in a variety of colors and patterns. If you hang them on all of your windows, you will prevent any drafts from cooling down your home. They also help to insulate your rooms and prevent hot air from escaping through the windows. And that will save you a lot on energy bills!

Gas Fireplaces: There are some appliances that you can add to your home to help support the central heating system. For example, gas fireplaces. If you ever feel too cold, even with your heating on, just turn on the fireplace. And if it is ever a bit chilly, but not cold enough to turn on your entire home’s central heating, use the fireplace. What’s more, you can now get a double sided fireplace that can heat two rooms at once.

Get Some Throws: Throws are a great addition to any family living room. They are inexpensive and will add gorgeous bursts of color to your sofas and armchairs. Plus you don’t have to take them away once spring is here and the weather starts to warm up. Simply leave them on the backs of your chairs and sofa. But they are especially great in the winter. Once you start to feel a little chilly, grab a throw and snuggle up into it! It’ll be a great way to get cozy during a movie night!

Scented Candles: Now that autumn is here, the nights will start to get longer and darker. It can be very depressing when you come home to a dark house after a busy day in the office! Thankfully, there is an easy way to brighten things up. Just add some candles to your living room! This is a quick and cheap way to create an atmospheric room. For an extra cozy touch, use scented candles and fill your rooms with autumnal aromas.

Use Festive Decorations Wisely: There are a number of Christmas decorations that can help you seal up gaps and prevent drafts. Buy a Christmas doorjamb that can compliment all of your other decorations. Not only will your door be draft-free, but your home will look exceptionally Christmassy!

Winter is coming! But you don’t have to suffer; especially now you have these toasty decor tips.

Featured Image From: www.pexels.com

I hope everyone is having a fabulous start to their weekend! How do you keep nice and toasty during the cool weather? What is your favorite fall or winter candle scent? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah