Top Tips For Moving Home

[AD] They say that moving house is up there with the top three most stressful things in life alongside the loss of a loved one, divorce or loosing a job – and I would have to say I agree to a point. Although with a bit of forward thinking and organising a lot of this stress can be alleviated and made into the exciting new adventure it should be.

Moving house puts strain on you both physically and emotionally. The expense of it all, the packing, the trying to fit everything into a tight schedule, along with cutting emotional ties can be overwhelming. But if we sit back and think of the exciting new journey ahead and set a plan to minimise the stress then moving can be turned into a much more positive experience.

Below I have left some of my top tips for getting ready for the big day and I hope they will be of help:

Book Your Removal Firm – The majority of people try to move over a weekend, which means that slots for good removal firms such as The Removal Man – House Removal get booked up well in advance. Different companies offer different packages so you need to make sure that the one you chose fits your specific needs.

Checklists – Start to make a list as soon as the ball starts rolling on your move. The list can start with things that can be done well before your moving date, right up to the big day and beyond.

Declutter – This is one of those things on the list that can be done well before moving day. You will be suprised by how much stuff you have collected over the years and for me getting this sorted is always a huge weight off of my mind.

Start by sorting things that can be sold on selling sites or given to charity and then sort the rest by taking stuff to the dump or even hiring a skip.

Packing – Label, label, label. One of the most infuriating things is moving into a new home and having to root around hundreds of boxes looking for things are they have been randomly packed or not labelled.

Think of each room separately and keep the contents in the boxes solely for that room. As well as labelling it for the said room also add an idea of what each box contains i.e. plates, kids clothes, bathroom accessories.

Sort Paperwork – Make sure that all paperwork is stored in the same, safe place that is easily accessible. Once this is sorted go through everything and make sure all the people such as banks, doctors etc know about your move. It is also a good idea to use the Royal Mail redirection service to make sure nothing gets missed.

We learnt the hard way with this and had a huge credit card bill run up by a new card going to an old address!

Utility Bills – Getting things like this sorted early makes for less of a headache. Making sure that things like broadband providers are booked in to your new adress in plenty of time means you haven’t got to wait to get things going once you are moved in.

Take all your meter readings for gas and electricity so that final bills can be met and you can start a fresh in your new home.

And most importantly of all enjoy it! Embrace the new start, look forward to your new journey and take it all in as you go!

Getting To Know Parquet Flooring

Parquet prevails when it comes to decorative flooring. Parquet flooring, which is made up of small pieces of hardwood placed together in geometric patterns, gives a dramatic design element to any room. Parquet flooring has recently made a comeback, thanks to improved manufacturing techniques that allow consumers to choose from a greater selection of wood species and themes. Continue reading to learn more about parquet flooring and whether or not its striking statement underfoot is suited for you.

What is parquet flooring, and how does it differ from other types of flooring?

It is formed of woodblocks attached to a sub floor to produce geometric designs and is available in both solid and engineered boards. It was first employed in France in the 17th century. A solid floor has the advantage of being able to be rejuvenated by sanding it down and re-oiling or lacquering it. Engineered flooring is more solid and pre-finished, making it ideal for installing underfloor heating. Professional installation is required since parquet requires a flat subfloor (to ensure blocks sit flush).

What kinds of parquet flooring patterns are available?

Traditional herringbone, chevron (frequently seen in Parisian residences), and the more sophisticated Parquet de Versailles and Mansion Weave patterns are all popular. Herringbone and chevron patterns, which are placed using bigger boards and create a bold, modern style that works well in open-plan rooms, are also popular.

Is parquet flooring simple to keep clean?

Yes. Sweep and mop it softly, just like you would a regular wooden floor. To protect it, seal it with strong wax oil or lacquer for a better gloss. Beeswax imparts a rich, mid-gloss sheen. Individual blocks of parquet can be simply removed and replaced if it becomes broken.

What kind of wood should I use for my parquet floors?

Oak is the most common, with colors ranging from golden brown to silvery grey. It can be colored by applying wax or colored lacquer to it. Alternatively, the boards can be fumed with ammonia to give them a smoky base – ‘many floors are treated in this way to give them a smoky base.’ Wenge and walnut are dark woods that lend drama, while pale maple offers a Scandinavian flair. You can also use a variety of woods and add tiles.

What about parquet flooring made from salvaged wood?

Although reclaimed flooring can be less expensive, the cost of cleaning, sanding, and sealing it often outweighs any savings. Original mahogany, sapele, and merbau parquet — no longer milled for environmental reasons – should be sought out.

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The Best Home Improvements To Increase Value

For many of us, home improvement is currently top of our agenda. Wether you have moved to a new house and are keen to put a stamp on it, or you home is simply up for modernisation, there is always something on the to-do list.

Most of us however don’t have the time to do everything at once and have to prioritise carefully. Below are a few things to improve your home’s long term value and appeal.

Fix Your Roof – There is nothing more off-putting than a dodgy roof. The idea of paying out for roofing costs is something that puts off many potential house buyers. Additionally a poor maintained roof will lead to problems such as damp, water damage and heat loss. This is why roofing repairs should be top of your list of home improvements. As with any job requiring the professionals, make sure you get plenty of quotes so you can compare prices.

Add Solar Panels – Once you’ve got the roof repaired and the scaffolding is still up, it’s worth looking at installing solar panels. Not only is it environmentally friendly, it will also future proof your home and save you money on your energy bills. adding solar panels may seem like a lot of hassle, but once they have been installed they are surprisingly low maintenance. Do check online to see if there are any grants available before you start.

Install New Windows – Making sure your windows are up to scratch will not only make sure your home is more energy efficient but will increase its value. There are plenty of other reasons to install new windows in your home too. Older style windows often only provide one or two opening panes, whereas good quality modern windows will come with options to slide, swing or tilt and turn. Choose a design that will suit your needs and complement your homes character and age.

Get A New Front Door – You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but a home will be frequently judged by its front door. Therefore a new front door is a quick and worthwhile improvement to make. Older homes may benefit from a traditional wood style door, but a good quality composite door with a wood grain effect can work just as well. New build homes will often have a standard white uPVC door. Switching this for something modern and stylish will make your home standout from the rest.

Filling Those Walls With Poster Store

[GIFTED] When we moved into our home a few years ago now, one of the things that I fell in love with was the high ceilings. They make each and every room light and airy and create an illusion of lots more space. That being said this also brings with it vast expanses of walls that need filling to make it less clinical and really put our own stamp on it.

Art work as your know can be pricey so I always look for companies that offer good quality, different art at affordable prices; and this is where Poster Store really fits the bill.

Poster Store is an online company that supplies a huge range of Scandinavian inspired posters and frames to compliment your chosen work.

Their prints cover a whole range of interests from photography to modern art, fashion to maps and much more. The variety means that you can find anything to suit any taste or home design.

I was actually really surprised that their collections drew my eye towards black and white prints which is not something I would ordinarily go for…well I did sneak a bit of colour in too!

The coloured print was actually my favourite and it complimented the drinks tray perfectly as there has been a few evenings where I have felt like this after indulging!

My husband always says I don’t consider him when it comes to styling the home and I have to admit it is made up of pretty much all my tastes. So I the dining room I have selected some of his favourite things and made a gorgeous collection of black and white photos.

Lastly was the landing which is still definitely a work in progress. I wanted to keep it more calming as downstairs has a lot going on and anything to help the kids become more restful at bedtime is a bonus.

I absolutely love the simple lines and flowing designs of these pieces and now all I need to add is a few plants for a little bit of colour!

The black frames really make the designs stand out and the quality of them is outstanding.

I always opt for a black frame, but they offer a great range in black, white, silver and gold and also if you like a natural look with a wood finish there are also oak and walnut available. They all come in a range of different sizes to fit the prints perfectly.

The amount of different choices can be a little overwhelming if you don’t have a definite idea in your head, so Poster Store has given lots of hints and tips and inspiration pages that can help you towards picking pieces that are right for you.

So head over and take a look and let me know what you think. If something catches your eye you can save 30% on all posters (excluding Selection posters and frames) until 13th September using code thejoyoffive30

#My Captured Moment:Penshurst Place

  Half term has been and gone and we all had a fantastic week.  One of my favourite trips out of the week was a visit to the fabulous Penshurst Place in Tonbridge. There were so many moments to capture that I simply couldn’t pick just one; so I apologise for the photo spam!! #mycapturedmoment