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The cold and dark nights of winter might leave you with seasonal blues. The best way to combat the terrible winter mood is by transforming your home into a warm and cosy winter-ready retreat. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can make your space more inviting and comfortable to survive and thrive during the cold winter months.

Add layers and texture.

Add chunky knits, flannel bedding, weighted blankets and throw quilts – these layers of texture will not only keep you warm on the coldest nights of the year but will also add some cosiness to any room.

Install new lights.

Lights play an important role in your home’s ambience. The right light will add warmth to your room and create a cosy feel. At the Handy Squad, we have a highly experienced team of London electricians who can help you install light fixtures, replace light bulbs and many other electrician-related tasks you might require.

Try a new colour palette.

Colours can impact the mood and feel of a room, so choosing your colour palette wisely is very important. According to colour psychology, cool colours such as blue tones are calming and relaxing colours, being ideal for bedrooms to create calmness and reduce stress. Warm neutral paint colours are great for making your space feel cosy all winter. If you need an extra pair of hands, our decorators in London will be happy to help!

If you are renting a property and are looking for non-permanent ways to make your space feel more inviting, we’ve put together some easy and quick ways to add colour into your home in a recent blog post.

Seal windows and doors.

Are you relaxing on your sofa with a nice cup of tea but keep feeling a cold breeze coming from somewhere in the house? It’s time to call the Squad to draughtproof your home. We can figure out where this draught is coming from and seal the culprit, so the cold air stays out and the warm air stays in.

Swap your curtains.

Replace your sheers or lightweight curtains with some heavy drapes or blackout curtains – these will help with insulate your room during the winter plus, are also great to cool off your room when it’s warm outside.

If you need any help with these tasks, don’t hesitate to contact the Handy Squad. Our team can be easily reached on 0800-0-12-12-12. Alternatively, request a free quote by filling our online booking form.

The post How to make your home cosier this winter appeared first on Handy Squad Handyman London | Fast & Reliable London Handyman.

Is your basement sitting empty and unutilized waiting to be transformed and renovated? Or maybe you have a finished basement but want to turn it into a more usable space for the entire family?

Whether you’re thinking about a basement laundry room makeover or turning the basement into an entertainment space for everyone, it all starts with brainstorming ideas.

Keep reading to discover 5 fun and exciting basement renovation ideas you and your family will love.

1. Entertainment Area

The best way to have the rest of your house spotless is to turn the basement into a full-blown entertainment area. We’re thinking cinema room with a projector screen, popcorn station, and a big sectional to fit your entire family.

Don’t forget to add high-quality speakers that you can also use to play music, audiobooks, or videos. Other great ideas for the entertainment area include a minibar with stools, a pool table, video games, and arcade games.

2. Arts and Crafts Room

Whether you have kids who love to DIY or you’re DIY-savvy yourself, the basement is the best space for arts and crafts. This way, you’ll keep the mess away from the main floor and still have plenty of room for creativity and fun.

You can also have two separate areas – one for the kids’ crafts and one for your own so the supplies don’t get mixed up. No matter what hobby you have, basements are the best solution for your creative endeavors.

3. Kid’s Play Area

If you have kids and pets, you know how messy they are in the best way possible. Instead of cleaning up in the main living areas constantly, turn the basement into a dedicated kids’ play area.

This way, the kids can play whenever they want and make all the mess without you worrying about it. You can also set up their homework stations in the basement, along with teepees, bookshelves, and a chalk wall where they can draw and write.

4. Offices and Study Areas

The basement is the best space for offices and study areas – it’s quiet, away from all distractions, and no one will see the mess. If you work from home, make sure you have an office all to yourself that you can close the door on.

You can also remodel the basement to add study and homework areas for the kids. This way, everyone can finish their tasks for the day in a peaceful environment where they can focus.

5. Family Lounge Space

The best basement renovation before and after idea is turning an empty basement into a family lounge space. Having a place to relax, spend time with your loved ones, and have fun shouldn’t be a luxury.

A big comfy sectional along with armchairs, bean bags, and rocking chairs is perfect for watching TV, playing board games, reading books, and even napping.

Create More Usable Space At Home With These Basement Renovation Ideas

These basement renovation ideas will help you get inspired and figure out what to use all that space for. Entertainment area for the entire family? Check. Laundry room slash crafts room? Check.

Ready to turn your basement into a wonderful space that everyone in your family will use and love? Looking for Edmonton basement renovations ?Reach out to us today to learn more about our services and let’s make your basement a place everyone will spend time in.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Discover 10 Winter Snow Removal 

It’s that time of the year, if you live in a colder climate, the snow is already piling up. As you maintain your home and keep busy during the cold months, our craftsmen wanted to share with you our favorite 10 snow removal tips to help you this winter.

Snow Removal Tips

1.   Shovel the driveway first—don’t drive over fresh snow, this will pack down and create a build up of ice.

2.   Mark driveways and sidewalks with stakes.

3.   A snowblower is a sure way to clear snow fast—invest in one if you are unable to shovel your drive yourself or want a convenient approach.

4.   Do not pile snow against your foundation—the build up snow can melt and leak into your foundation/ basement.

5.   Remove snow from flat roofs to prevent moisture, ice, water build-up.

6.   Do not let big icicles develop—this can damage your gutters and home. Remove carefully and often.

7.   Get a good shovel that will last and get the job done without fear of breaking. Do not get a shovel that is too big or long for you to handle easily because this can cause strain to your arms and back and even injury.

8.   Shovel frequently—large build ups of snow are harder to clear and maintain.

9.   Take your time—if you are unused to physical activity or have a hard time shoveling, hire a professional, or take it in steps. Your health and safety should be your first concern.

10.   Use a tarp—cover your vehicle with a drop cloth or canvas tarp to lift and remove with the snow when you need to use your car.

With these 10 tips on snow removal, you will be ready to handle this upcoming winter. Snow removal may feel like a never-ending process, but it is important to keep up with and maintain your home and drive. Avoid ice-build up and take your time with any of these projects to avoid strain or injury. If you need help, reach out to your local handyman to see if your snow can be removed for you.

Contact Handyman Connection

Contact our handymen professionals at Handyman Connection for your next project and quote today. 

The post 10 Winter Snow Removal Tips appeared first on Handyman Connection.

If you’re planning a backyard overhaul, the first place you should start is by creating a budget. Your budget should include the details you’d like to see in your landscape design. An experienced landscaping company can assist you with both the design plan and budget creation.

JPL Earthworks Inc. in Calgary is a full-service landscaping company. They share more about the importance and value of a landscaping budget.

A budget ensures you don’t overspend

Without a firm budget in place, it’s easy to make changes that result in overspending. A landscape professional will help you take inventory of everything that will be involved with your project. Having a clear idea of what you have and what you need makes creating a budget easier.

A landscaper might be able to repurpose a part of your current landscape. They’ll also make a detailed list of materials, supplies, equipment required and estimate labour costs, so you know exactly how much each part of your project will cost. Having this detailed list eliminates mistakes, purchasing the wrong thing, and other issues that can result in overspending.

A budget allows you to splurge on features that add value

A budget will cover important things like drainage, hardscape installation, and sod, but it can also ensure that you reserve money for those value-adding features. Think about the landscape features that you’ll enjoy the most. It might be an outdoor patio set up for lounging, a relaxing water feature, or a rustic firepit area. Knowing how much these high-value features cost will make sure there’s room in your spending to cover it and still finish the rest of your landscape design.

Learn about landscaping ideas that can increase your property value.

Budget for professional landscape design and installation

One of the most expensive mistakes a homeowner can make is attempting to DIY a significant landscape project. While it’s possible to do some of the work yourself, investing in professional services can be valuable. It’s common for DIY landscapers to complete work in pieces, and this often results in a landscape that doesn’t have a good flow or significant costly mistakes. A professional can help you envision the entire yard and design a plan that clearly shows each step in the project to help you achieve the primary goal.

They’ll also ensure you allocate funds to things you might not be aware of. For example, you might not have the correct grade, which will lead to poor drainage issues and flooding. Or, you might accidentally skip a critical step and will have to demolish and rebuild parts of your landscape to fix it.

A budget will allow some wiggle room for additional expenses

You should always include a little room for unforeseen expenses in your landscaping budget. Sometimes an unfortunate surprise will require extra spending. You might also learn about a more expensive feature than the one you chose and want to splurge on it. Having this extra room in the budget allows for these things to get the quality landscaping you want.

Landscapers in Calgary

JPL Earthworks Inc. has established itself as the local leader in Landscaping construction excellence.
After 13 years of serving residential and commercial customers, they are experienced paving stone, retaining wall, and landscape renovation professionals prepared to serve you with their best.

Start planning your landscaping project now. Contact JPL Earthworks for a free estimate!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Bathrooms do a lot to add value and appeal to your home, especially the master bathroom. Blending function with style and some timeless designs will ensure your renovation is a long-lasting investment.

IFIX Facility Maintenance Inc. in Edmonton provides quality and stunning bathroom renovations. They share some design tips when it comes to renovating the master bathroom:

Design for two, but keep it personal

Master bathrooms tend to be used by two people, sometimes at the same time, making layout essential.  That typically means a spacious floor plan and lots of storage. Some designs incorporate a large countertop with two sinks and mirrored cabinets on either side. While that does create a striking balanced look, does it suit your needs? If you’re the only one using the bathroom, or you don’t think two people will be using it at once, a large single sink in the middle of a spacious counter will work too.

Each person who uses the master bathroom will have their own needs and routine. Designing around those needs will guarantee the right layout that suits your needs and daily lifestyle.

Add some timeless elements

If you eventually plan to sell or want to age-in-place, there are a few timeless features for both needs. Large, walk-in showers, for example, make great use of the space and add a spa-like feel. They can be easily used by any age group and customized with glass walls, raindrop showerheads, or in-shower benches. Heated flooring and custom cabinets are other luxury additions that never go out of style. While paint can be changed with ease, these types of designs are added to last.

Create a flow from the bedroom to bathroom

Think of the master bathroom as an extension from the bedroom. When designing the bathroom, you want to keep an element of flow and design consistency. That doesn’t have to mean the same colours and décor, but a few subtle touches go a long way. For example, you can add a feature wall to the bathroom using the same wall colour from the bedroom. Then, customize the rest of the bathroom with its own scheme. For accent colours, use those same tones from the bedroom for hardware finishes or cabinet colours. You can also play with contrasts, like a dark bedroom with a lighter bathroom. Just be sure to use complementary tones, so the transition isn’t too separate.

Bathtubs are personal

Master bathroom designs in blogs and magazines typically show a luxury soaker tub as part of the layout. While that can be appealing to some, don’t feel your bathroom has to have one. A master bathroom design should reflect your lifestyle and bathroom goals. If you love having home spa-days, then a bathtub is a great addition. If you prefer showering, then focus on a spacious walk-in shower design instead. A bathtub can always be added later, so don’t add one unless it’s the right addition for your needs.

Bathroom Renovations in Edmonton

IFIX Facility Maintenance creates timeless and value-boosting bathroom transformations that last for years. Their professionals pride themselves in taking your goals and dreams and making them into realities. For stunning bathroom or master bathroom transformation, leave the work to them.

Contact IFIX Facility Maintenance Inc. today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Adding a deck addition can enhance your outdoor living space. It provides a functional space for relaxing, cooking, dining, and spending time with family.

A deck also adds resale value to your home and has a good return on investment. Remodeling’s most recent cost vs. value report states that a deck addition can recoup 72.1% of its price at resale. Compared to most home renovations, a new deck offers one of the highest returns on investment.

Elite Decking Ltd. in Edmonton is a knowledgeable and experienced deck builder. They share some tips when planning your deck addition:

Plan and book your project early

Snow might be covering your backyard, but it’s not too soon to start planning your spring deck building project. When the first signs of spring arrive, everyone starts thinking about spending more time outside, and deck builders can get booked up fast. Start planning now, so you can have everything in place and your construction project scheduled for the spring. Early planning will ensure you get the most use of your new deck in the warmer months.

Consider your commitment to deck maintenance

When choosing decking materials, consider how involved you want to be in maintaining your deck. If you choose a cedar wood deck, be prepared to spend a little more time maintaining it than a composite deck. Cedar will require staining every 2-3 years to keep it that rich red tone. Otherwise, it will fade into a silvery grey, which some people don’t mind. Elite Decking can advise you on the amount and type of maintenance each deck material will require, so you can make a decision that best suits you.

Create spaces for outdoor living

The best thing about having a deck is that it gives you designated outdoor living space. Decide how you would like to use that space. Would you like to use it for relaxing and require a pergola or other structure to provide shade? Do you want your new deck to include built-in garden boxes for your flowers? Would you like a large, spacious deck to give your children room to play? Do you envision a space for grilling, cooking, and dining? Considering how you want to use your deck will allow your deck builders to create a design that best matches your lifestyle and needs.

For inspiration, check out these deck design ideas that will make your deck a destination.

Deck Builders in Edmonton

Elite Decking Ltd. is an experienced construction company that specializes in decks and fencing. They offer exceptional craftsmanship for every job and believe that attention to detail matters, no matter the project’s size. They’re passionate and knowledgeable about deck construction and can help you choose the right decking material for your needs. If you’re looking for a trustworthy deck builder that guarantees quality and customer satisfaction, you’ll find that with Elite Decking.

Start planning your deck addition today!

Click to Find >>> Deck Builders in Edmonton.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Real hardwood floors are beautiful and timeless. Even flooring that mimics hardwood floors can give you the same look and feel if you are on a tighter budget. Real or a luxury vinyl imitation, hardwood can come in many different designs and colours to customize your home.

Floor Plan Inc. in Edmonton is a professional and full-range flooring company. They share some hardwood floor trends to consider in your home:

Wide planks

No matter the colour you choose, the plank-style plays just as big a role in the overall visuals. Narrow, slim planks are the traditional look, but wide planks are gaining popularity. The look creates fewer seams and creates the illusion of having more floor space. It’s a great way to add some spaciousness to a small bedroom or bathroom. It also highlights more of the natural grains and hardwood patterns, which keeps the aesthetic focus on natural design.

Dark or blended tones are in

Dark colours and shades are starting to return in colour trends, and hardwood is no exception. Instead of light oak floors, darker shades like blacks and dark greys are becoming popular. Dark floors paired against lighter walls and other décor can look stunning. With luxury vinyl hardwood, you also get the option to blend tones. Instead of a pure dark floor, mix in touches of greys and white for a unique floor style you want. The complementary blend helps add some lightness. Even natural shades of brown can be blended for a more earthy result.

Whitewash is also in

Not all homeowners want dark floors, or not all interior décor complements such a bold addition. That’s where the whitewash look is a great alternative. It focuses more on drawing-in cooler tones or light greys, whites, and subtle browns. The result is still just as visually interesting and just as complementary to most interior décor. Like dark floors, it can also come in a high variation to add even more blend of light and slightly darker tones. To get the perfect fit in your home, see what accent colours and shades are in the room. Blues and beiges will pair very well with the cooler grey tones of a light whitewashed floor.

Add some texture

Texturing a floor adds another element of visual interest, but also a physical touch. Even luxury vinyl can have realistic textures applied. Hand-scraped texturing adds waves to the wood pattern that adds a more authentic and custom look. Distressed is another popular look that reveals more wood grain and adds a distinctly rustic effect. Paired with lighter wood and wide planks, it’ll transform your home into a cozy, traditional style.

Flooring Companies in Edmonton

Floor Plan is a company with a flooring solution for every home and lifestyle need. Since 2007, their professionals have provided high-quality flooring solutions and installations. Whether new constructions or a home renovation, they have the right range of hardwood tiles and vinyl flooring for your needs.

Contact Floor Plan Inc. today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Custom cabinets are typically associated with the kitchen, but that doesn’t always have to be the case. Having custom cabinets in the rest of your home offers just as many benefits and design appeal. Bathrooms, bedrooms, and even dining rooms are just a few rooms to consider.

Arbor Valley Cabinet Gallery in Calgary is a professional custom cabinets company. They share some tips and ideas for custom cabinets in the rest of your home:

Open concept dining room

Open layouts are a great way to maximize floor space, add spaciousness, and improve lighting. Pairing colours or décor helps add a uniform feel between any open rooms or dedicated spaces. If you have custom cabinets in the kitchen, continue the look through to the dining room. Use lower-level cabinets with the same design for a subtle, unified look. Many people choose this option over using a credenza for storage in the dining room. Floor cabinets in the dining room offer more storage options and, with a flat surface, adds a space to show off some decor.

Bathroom vanity

Instead of trying to find the right bathroom vanity or stock cabinets for your bathrooms, have cabinets built for you. This way, you can have exactly what you want and it will fit perfectly in the space. You can build to the size of your bathroom, whether large or small. A good bathroom renovation can last for many years and add major value. Pairing custom cabinets can have the same long-lasting benefits and increase your return on investment.

Living room statement piece

Living rooms often have a focal point, like a fireplace or entertainment centre. Custom cabinets, complete with open shelving, can be the focal point in your living room. Use the cabinets for storage and the shelving to display decor. Some homeowners choose a custom built-in piece to use as an entertainment centre, or decide to build floor cabinets with wall shelving surrounding the fireplace. With more storage, there’s less clutter and it still adds visual interest.

Bedroom storage

Master bedrooms or other bedrooms will both benefit from custom cabinets and not just in the closet. If you have large open walls, install low cabinets to fill the space and improve storage. The top can be turned into a benchtop for lounging, and the cabinets used for specific clothing or accessories. Kid’s rooms especially pair well with customized cabinets to display or store books and toys.

A walk-in closet will benefit from custom cabinets that maximize the space and layout of the room. Use glass doors to display jewelry, sliding doors for small clothing, and tall, spacious cabinets to fill the walls. With every space maximized, you’ll enjoy everything looking neat and tidy, and always being organized.

Custom Cabinets in Calgary

Arbor Valley Cabinet Gallery pride themselves on custom cabinets built to reflect their customers’ unique needs. With over 30 years of experience, you can rest assured their professionals know how to provide the perfect match. From kitchen cabinets, entertainment spaces, or any room in your home, their team can help.

 Contact Arbor Valley Cabinet Gallery today! 

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Reliable Home Organization Ideas for Holiday Decorations 

Your lights are up, the decorations are hung, and you can’t believe how you managed to store all your decorations away after cleaning up last year. If you do not have a dedicated space in your home for your holiday decorations, it can be stressful pulling them out and putting them away every year. Here are a few ways your home can be organized to find a special place for those beloved decorations.

Home organization is all about maximizing your space. If you have a cluttered storage room, an unfinished basement, or room in your garage, these are all ideal places you can store your holiday decorations. Places that are unfinished such as your basement or attic can be made into the perfect storage spaces if you hire a handyman to simply add some insulation and drywall to finish up the space. This way, shelves, cabinets, and more can be installed to safely hold your boxes, piles of lights, and more.

When putting away holiday decorations, it’s important to keep them organized so you know where everything is for next year. To begin, make sure you pack everything away in sturdy boxes to avoid any breakage, and purchase packing material, tape, markers, and labels. Label every box such as one for garlands, one for stringed lights, and more. If you have decorations for different holidays it is very important to label which box belongs to which holiday as well.

How you pack away your belongings has a big impact on the home organization of your decorations as well. For example, fragile ornaments will need to be wrapped separately. You may wrap and bag smaller ornaments, so they are not loose in the box, and be sure to not store anything heavy on top of the boxes with fragile items. Lights will need to be wrapped up and to avoid tangles, the best way is to wrap your lights around something whether that is a sturdy piece of cardboard, wood, and more.

Home organization from renovating an unused space in your house, labelling, and sorting your decorations, and packing everything away safely, you and your family will be ready when it comes time to pack your holiday decorations away.

Contact Handyman Connection

Contact our team of craftspeople at Handyman Connection and surrounding areas for your next project and quote today. 

The post Home Organization Ideas for Holiday Decorations appeared first on Handyman Connection.

Two significant factors that deter homeowners from upgrading the kitchen are time and money. It is no secret that kitchen renovations can be expensive. Though they have a high return on investments, you might not have the budget to start. Not to mention being without a kitchen for weeks on end during renovations. It all seems like a significant effort, so you continue to put it off.

Cabinet refinishing in Calgary is the solution to both of those problems. Cabinet refinishing is particularly effective in completely transforming your kitchen without spending excessive amounts of time or money required for a full kitchen renovation.

Cabinet refinishing is faster than a cabinet replacement

Compared to ripping out your old cabinets and installing new ones, the process of cabinet refinishing is fast.

Cabinet refinishing is when you paint, lacquer, or stain your existing cabinets. Calgary cabinet refinishing companies will remove all the doors and drawers from the cabinets. They remove the hardware and the doors and drawer fronts then recoat them separately. Your cabinet boxes, including all exposed panels and facades, are painted the same colour in place. The contractors will put the doors and drawers back on and reinstall the hardware. Read more about how to paint kitchen cabinets.

This process can take far less time than gutting and reinstalling an entire kitchen. Depending on the size of your kitchen, it usually takes 2-3 days. A full cabinet replacement and kitchen remodel can take weeks or even months.

Cabinet refinishing is cost-effective and valuable

If your cabinets are in good shape and you like the kitchen layout, cabinet painting is the most cost-effective option for an upgrade. Cabinet painting alone can cost up to 75 percent less than a full cabinet replacement.

With the money you will save on cabinets, you can upgrade other aspects of your kitchen to complete the remodel. There will be room in your budget to paint the walls, replace your dated countertop, install a modern backsplash, swap hardware, and even install a new sink and faucet. Even by doing these extra upgrades, your kitchen renovation will still be half the cost, or less, than replacing the cabinets. For the most accurate estimate for your kitchen, contact the best painters in Calgary.

Are your cabinets good candidates for cabinet refinishing?

With cabinet refinishing, you are keeping your current cabinets and just giving them a cosmetic lift. That means they must be structurally sound to make it worth it. Water damaged, warped, or cracked cabinet doors will not be a good candidate for cabinet painting. If your cabinet boxes are not sturdy or have damage, you might want to consider a replacement. Solid wood cabinets that are still in good shape make the best candidates for cabinet refinishing. If there are a few bad doors, then those few can be replaced if needed prior to the refinishing.

For more information, or to start on your kitchen renovation, contact Can Do More Painting in Calgary today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com