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Skipping Stone Design

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Whole House Renovation Checklist: 3 Things You Need to Consider

According to one report, 90% of homeowners are planning to renovate their homes in the near future.

You might be ready to join this 90%, but you may have some questions in terms of how you should approach the task. How do you plan a renovation project? How can you keep costs as low as possible?

Below you’ll find a whole house renovation checklist that’ll help you get the ball rolling on your renovation project. If you don’t like the way your home looks, these tips will help you bring about change.

Let’s begin!

1. Don’t Rush In

Before you renovate your home, it’s a good idea to put some time aside so that you can create a plan.

This plan should detail your renovation goals for each room and what you need to do to hit these goals.

So, suppose that one of your goals is to renovate your bathroom.

Your plan should detail all the individual tasks associated with renovating your bathroom. This might include purchasing tiles, buying paint, or even hiring a plumber.

2. Map out a Budget

You need to spend some time calculating the costs associated with your renovation project.

If you fail to do this, you may end up in a situation where you run out of money halfway through the project.

Budgeting costs ahead of time will also make it easier for you to identify opportunities to save money. For instance, if you know that you need to buy some tiles, you can dedicate a little bit of time each week, looking for deals associated with tiles.

3. How Will You Deal with Waste?

One of the biggest challenges associated with a renovation project is dealing with the resultant waste.

Such waste generally includes all the stuff you’re left with when you’ve gutted out a room so that it can be updated. If you don’t have a proper method for dealing with this waste, you put yourself and other people in danger.

Fortunately, you can deal with this waste by renting out a roll-off container.

There’s even the option of hiring a company that specializes in waste removal. If you’d like to learn more about what it’s like to work with such a company, you can read more here.

Will This Whole House Renovation Checklist Help You?

This post has provided you with a whole house renovation checklist that you can use for future remodeling projects.

Renovating an entire house is a complicated task, and there’s a good chance you’ll come across some unexpected problems. This is something you can’t avoid, and the best thing you can do is to put money aside so that you’re able to deal with these surprises.

Managing a renovation project is probably one of the most stressful things you can do. But if you’re willing to go through this process, there’s no doubt you’ll end up with a beautiful home at the end of it all.

Did you like this post? If you did, make sure you read some of the other content right here on our site!

The Best Light Bulbs You Can Buy for Your Home

The lighting in your home is a key part of your interior design. Good lighting can expand a room and highlight other design choices, while poor lighting can leave your home looking gloomy and small.

Choosing the best light bulbs for each room can help you tie together the design of your entire home. Read on for more information about some of the best types of light bulbs currently on the market.

LEDs Are Some of the Best Light Bulbs

LED light bulbs use very little energy when compared to other types of light bulbs on the market. LEDs come in multiple shades and colors, which can help you customize your interior design.

LEDs even come in different designs. These styles combine the classic retro style of filament bulbs with the practical benefits of LED lights.

Depending on the brand, they can last between 20,000 to 50,000 hours before they burn out. This can save you money in the long run, because in addition to using less energy you’ll have to replace your light bulbs less often.

However, because of their long lifespan and energy efficiency, LEDs tend to be one of the more expensive types of light bulbs you can buy. This means that while they may be a good choice for changing a single outlet or room at a time, outfitting your entire home with LEDs can be cost-prohibitive.

Smart Light Bulbs

The newest addition in the home lighting sector, smart light bulbs hook up to a virtual assistant like Google Home. They can connect to wifi, be placed on a schedule, and can be controlled from your smartphone.

Some smart light bulbs can even connect to your smart TV so that they sync up with the movie or show you are watching. Forget surround sound – think surround lighting!

Of course, smart light bulbs are also quite expensive, usually more than LEDs when you factor in the fact that you’ll need a virtual assistant to make them work.

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb

Also known as CFLs, these types of light bulbs are the midway point between LEDs and old-school incandescent lights. CFLs are much more affordable than LEDs and use about 70 percent less energy when compared to incandescent bulbs.

CFLs are most efficient when you leave them on for at least three minutes because it takes a while for the electricity to flow through the gas in the bulb. This means that CFLs will take a while to reach their full brightness.

In a related note, this means that most CFLs are not dimmable. While some models are available, they are harder to find and come at a higher price point.

Choose the Bulb That Fits Your Home Best

Now that you know the major differences between some of the best light bulbs, you can make an informed decision about which would be the best fit for your home. All three of the above variants fit different niches, and it’s entirely possible to have all three installed in different parts of your home.

For more information about lighting and interior design, check out the Lifestyle section of our blog!

3 Side Gigs to Make Money on the Side

We all would like to have a little extra spending money. It’s hard out there, after all! Wages aren’t what they used to be, and most Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. You can’t be blamed for looking for a way to make a little money on the side.

There are a number of side gigs out there that can be an amazing way to make a little extra cash. There are so many different side hustles, in fact, that it shouldn’t be difficult at all to find something that’s perfectly suited for you.

Read on, and we’ll walk you through our favorite ways to earn extra money.

1. Start Pet Sitting or Dog Walking

Everyone knows that forming a relationship with an animal can be a pure and rewarding experience. Owning a dog can be a lot of money, time and responsibility. But spending a few hours with one once a week– and they PAY you for it? That’s a dream.

It may sound too good to be true, but pet sitting and dog walking can be a great way to make some extra cash. Responsible pet owners are always looking for help taking care of their animals.

They might need someone to check in on their pets while they’re at work, while they go on vacation, or in a variety of other situations. There are even services you can sign up for that can ping you when someone nearby needs their pet checked on or taken for a walk.

2. Rent a Spare Room

Never use that spare bedroom in the back room of your home? You can turn it into extra income. With Airbnb and other such services becoming so massively popular, it doesn’t have to be hard to find someone willing to pay for your room for the weekend.

Of course, you have to be comfortable with the idea of someone being around your house while you’re there (or while you aren’t). But most visitors just need a place to sleep and will be off being tourists or working for most of their stay.

In terms of the work you have to put in compared to the money you get, this one is hard to beat. All you have to do is set up the room nicely with some quilt covers and you should be good to go.

3. Participate in Some Studies

Data is king these days, and you’d be surprised to know how much people are willing to pay just to get your opinion on a number of things. There are a number of research centers where you can register your information and get notified about paid studies in your area.

While you won’t always be selected for studies, it can pay big for your time if you do. Often, a focus group will have you come in for somewhere between one and three hours. In return, you could be handed anywhere from $100 to $300.

Side Gigs to Make Extra Cash

Everyone could use a little extra cash, and the above side gigs can be the perfect low-stress way to do so.

Need more advice? Check out our budget page for more.

Rental Bliss: Tips on How to Pick an Apartment That Suits Your Lifestyle

Interested in renting an apartment? You might find that a good one is hard to come by.

There are more than 20 million apartments situated throughout the country at the moment. But experts are warning that the U.S. needs for almost 5 million new apartments to be built between now and 2030 to keep up with the rising demand for them.

It’s not always easy to track down a great apartment in a city of town, even if you’re very familiar with the area. But by learning how to pick an apartment, you can give yourself an advantage over others searching for apartments and put yourself in a better position to find the right one for your lifestyle.

Check out some useful tips that will help you choose an apartment below.

Look for an Apartment in the Right Location

You’ve no doubt heard the cliche “location, location, location” used time and time again in reference to real estate. But there’s a good reason for that: Location is the most important aspect when shopping around for a home or apartment.

If you absolutely love spending time shopping and eating out in the middle of a big city, the last thing you want to do is rent an apartment on the outskirts of town where you won’t be able to do those things. You need an apartment situated near the places you like to be day in and day out.

Your apartment should also be at least semi-close to school or work so that you don’t have a hard time getting to where you need to be every day. You’re going to make life harder than it has to be by picking an apartment on the wrong side of town.

Consider Which Type of Layout You Like for an Apartment

Do you want an apartment that is one big open space—or would you prefer one that has a bunch of different rooms that each have a specific purpose?

You’re going to want to ask yourself this question before you begin looking at apartments. You can narrow down your options by choosing the type of layout that you like from the very beginning.

Some people don’t mind studio apartments at all. They’re able to use different design tricks to make them feel larger than they are.

Other people need for bedrooms, living rooms, and dining areas to each have their own designated areas. It’s all a matter of personal preference and what you like the most.

Create a List of Amenities That You Need in an Apartment

There are certain apartments that come with hardly any amenities at all. There are others, like these apartments, that seem to have every amenity in the world.

Which amenities do you need to see in the apartment that you rent? Do you want an apartment that has:

  • Furniture already in it?
  • A washer and dryer?
  • A parking spot that comes with it?
  • Internet and cable services included?

You will, of course, have to pay the price for these amenities. But if you consider them to be must-have items for your lifestyle, you won’t mind shelling out a little extra for them.

Check Out Who Lives in Neighboring Apartments

When you’re taking a look at an apartment, you should be prepared to scope out more than just what’s happening inside the apartment. You should also be aware of what’s going on around it and, more specifically, who is living in the apartments that surround it.

If you’re a young person who enjoys having people over and letting loose on the weekends, you might not want to rent an apartment that has nothing but families or older people living in it. If, on the other hand, you’re a middle-aged person who enjoys peace and quiet, an apartment building full of young people might not be ideal.

Try to find out who your neighbors would be if you were to move into an apartment. They could make or break the experience of living in the apartment for you.

Make Sure an Apartment Isn’t Out of Your Price Range

How much can you afford to spend on an apartment every month? This is yet another important question that you should consider prior to starting your search for one.

The average cost of an apartment in your city or town is going to depend on where you’re located. The median cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Wichita, Kansas is under $500, while the median cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Atlanta, Georgia is up over $1,500.

But generally speaking, you should take the same approach to budgeting for an apartment no matter where you live. Crunch the numbers to see what you can afford and resist the urge to talk yourself into renting something out of your price range.

Be Decisive When You Find an Apartment You Love

At some point, you’re going to find an apartment that you love while hunting around for one. It’s going to have the location you want, the layout you’re looking for, and a price that you can afford.

Don’t hesitate to say, “I’ll take it!”

When you’re thinking about how to pick an apartment, it’s very easy to overthink things. You’ll drag your feet at times and hem and haw while trying to make a decision.

If you do this, you could miss out on the perfect apartment for your lifestyle. So be decisive and snatch up an apartment as soon as you know that it’s what you want.

Learn How to Pick an Apartment Before You Begin Looking for One

Many people make the mistake of starting an apartment search without learning how to pick an apartment first. This often makes the process more stressful and challenging than it has to be.

Rather than going in blind and trying to learn how to pick an apartment on the fly, use the tips found here to prepare yourself in advance. You’ll have a much easier time finding an apartment, and you’ll enjoy the experience so much more overall.

Learn more tips for finding great apartments by poking around on our blog and reading through our other articles.

Broken Air Conditioner? 5 Common AC Problems

Not a fan of the heat? You’re not the only one.

After all, it can have serious effects on the body. As your body temperature increases, you may experience headaches, tiredness, or dizziness. There’s also a possibility of dehydration.

Fortunately, there’s an invention that allows us to stay cool even on hot summer days—the air conditioner.

Do you have one at home? Is it not working as well as you want it to? If so, it might be in need of some repairing.

We’ll be going over some of the most common AC problems below. Keep reading to find out what they are!

5 of the Most Common AC Problems

There are a few things to know when it comes to air conditioners. Here are some reasons why yours might not be working properly:

1. Low Refrigerant

Refrigerant allows the AC to remove heat from the air. Without it, there will be no air conditioning.

As it is, however, it’s not uncommon for refrigerant lines to develop leaks. When this happens, you won’t have enough refrigerant to cool the air effectively.

The easiest way to fix this is to hire a repair technician—they’ll be able to identify and fix the leaks for you.

2. Problems With the Fan

An AC consists of two fans—one blows air over the evaporator coil whereas the other blows hot air away from the building. Problems with any of the two can result in poor airflow.

It’s important to fix the issue as soon as possible as it’ll only get worse with time. For example, it can cause the compressor to overheat and fail.

3. Leaking Ducts

Every air conditioner has a ductwork system that’s responsible for distributing cool air. As with the refrigerant lines, however, they can also develop leaks.

More often than not, this is due to holes in the ducts, which may or may not be caused by rodents. As a result, the AC will not be able to distribute cooled air properly.

4. Dirty Condenser Coils

The condenser coil removes heat from the refrigerant by expelling it outdoors. Over time, however, it can be covered with a layer of dirt—this can impede heat transfer.

Put it simply, your air conditioner will have to work harder to expel the air. Left unfixed, this can lead to a system failure.

5. Frozen Evaporator Coils

The evaporator coil is the part of the air conditioner that absorbs heat from the air. If it gets too cold, a layer of ice can develop, which can impact its ability to remove heat.

How can you tell if the coils are frozen? Look to see if there’s any moisture or condensation around the air handler. Turn the AC off if you notice any—that’ll let the ice to thaw.

Fixing Your Air Conditioner

And there we have it—5 of the most common AC problems. Fortunately, most of these issues are fixable so you won’t need to get a new system!

Want to learn more about HVAC systems? Then be sure to check out some of our other blog posts!

How to Clean an Air Conditioner in 6 Easy Steps

Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or anyone else who has an AC unit to worry about, the last thing you want is for your air conditioner to give you problems. We often don’t realize how much we rely on our AC units for comfort until they stop working. When this happens, we’re left in heat or cold until a company can come out to help us.

However, there are some things that you can do to prevent your AC unit from breaking down. Learn how to clean an air conditioner the correct way, and you won’t have to worry too much about it giving you troubles down the road. Once you learn how to clean it well, you can then diagnose small problems before calling in the professionals.

Want to learn how to clean your AC unit properly and avoid future problems? Continue reading below for our guide!

1. Changing the Filter

To begin with, the simplest step that you can take to help keep your AC unit clean and running smoothly is to change the filter each month. To help you remember to do this, try to have a specific day that you change it and stick to that day each month. For example, changing it on the first of each month is a good idea.

If you can remember to do this each month, you’ll take away a lot of future troubles. When the filter isn’t cleaned on a regular basis, it becomes dirty and clogged up. When this happens, your AC unit has to work a lot harder than it normally would.

Changing the air filter each month not only helps your AC unit not work as hard, but it helps lower your electric bill as well. Plus, it’s an inexpensive step that’ll extend the life of your unit and prevent the need for future ac repair.

2. Cleaning the Coils

Your AC unit outdoors has coils or fins that surround it. These coils need to be cleaned as well. The first step in cleaning the coils is to be sure that anything around the coils that could be obstructing it is removed.

When debris is blocking the coils on your unit, the system is forced to work a lot harder than it would normally. To clean the coils, you can take your garden hose and gently spray them off. Be sure not to use a high setting that exerts a lot of force as this could cause damage.

3. Checking the Ductwork

When your AC unit is running, be sure that all windows and doors to your home or building are kept shut. This is true when using the heat or cold air because your unit will be able to regulate the temperature better this way. Then, take a look at the ductwork.

You want to ensure that it’s sealed as it should be. Perform this inspection on a regular basis. If there is an issue with the ductwork, then the cool or hot air will leave the ductwork before being transferred into your home or building.

This forces your unit to work harder and cause possible issues.

4. Removing Debris

Your outside unit is prone to having debris build-up on it. You’ll need to ensure that this debris is removed as often as possible. To do this, you need to remove the fan cage.

Take a screwdriver and remove the fasteners that hold the fan cage onto the unit. Then, lift it up and away from the unit completely. You can now access all of the leaves and other debris that was trapped inside of it.

Use your bare hands to remove it or use a wet/dry vacuum to do the work for you.

5. Cleaning Around the Unit

Aside from cleaning the unit itself, you need to clean the area around the outside unit as well. Any debris that’s around the unit should be raked or swept away. Be sure to remove any tree branches hovering over the unit as well, and keep bushes nearby trimmed.

Your unit needs about 2 feet of a clear path from all sides to work in a proper manner. And when not using the condenser, you can cover the top of the unit to keep debris from falling into it as well. However, be sure not to cover the entire unit or sides of it as this can cause critters to enter for cover or condensation to build.

6. Cleaning the Evaporator Coil and Drain

The last step that you can take to keep your AC unit clean is to clean the evaporator coil and drain. Locate the coil door and remove the screws or tape around it to open it. To start your cleaning, take a soft brush and brush off loose debris from the coils.

Then, you can use a store-bought coil cleaner and spray the coils with it. The cleaner will then drip into the pan below the coils. After it’s done dripping, clean the pan out with warm water and soap and a small amount of bleach if needed.

You can then pour a mix of half bleach and half water down the drain.

Do You Know How to Clean an Air Conditioner?

Knowing how to clean an air conditioner unit is essential when owning a home or building. Be sure to follow these simple steps above to clean your AC unit the correct way. Doing so will be your best bet at keeping your unit running as smoothly as possible, lasting years to come!

Interested in more helpful posts such as this one? Visit us regularly for more.

5 Painting Tricks That Will Have You Painting Like A Pro

A first-class paint job takes time, patience and the right tools. Knowing a few paint tricks can have you painting like a pro in no time.

Are you ready to learn the five painting tricks to getting your paint job done quickly and properly? If you follow these tips, you’ll be surprised at the speed and quality of your work.

Read more to learn how to prepare the room, get prep work done, apply primers, and paint the woodwork, ceilings, and walls.

1. Prepare the Room

Begin by organizing your work so you don’t have to stop. Here are a few tips for preparing the room for painting just like the pros at Spokane House Painting.

  • Remove as much furniture as you can
  • Put any heavy furniture in the center of the room, and cover it with plastic
  • Cover the floor with canvas drop cloths
  • Buy enough primer and paint to finish the job
  • Remove light fixture covers and cover the bases with plastic

Once you’ve completed the room preparations, it’s time to start prepping for painting.

2. Patch and Sand Walls and Woodwork

Check your walls and woodwork for any holes or cracks that need patching. Apply joint compound to any damaged areas. You might need two coats to completely fill holes and cracks.

Once your patches dry, start sanding walls, woodwork and ceiling patches with fine sandpaper to smooth them out.

Next, dull the glossy woodwork using fine sandpaper or deglosser. This gives you better paint adhesion. Also, clean any dirt or oil stains off the walls.

3. Prime Walls and Woodwork

Apply primer to your woodwork and walls to seal any patches you made or if you’re changing the wall color to a lighter shade. The primer seals the wall and improves the bonding of the new paint.

Once the primer dries, you can begin painting the ceiling.

4. Begin Painting the Ceiling and Woodwork

Paint the ceiling first. Begin on the perimeter of the ceiling, cutting in the paint with a paintbrush. Then, roll your first coat of paint on the whole ceiling. When that dries, apply a second coat.

Once your ceiling dries, apply the first coat of trim paint to the woodwork. Blend your brush strokes by gently lifting the bristles upward. If the coverage looks good, you can move on to the wall when it dries.

5. Paint the Walls

Let your woodwork dry overnight and apply painter’s tape around the windows and door frames. Begin painting your walls by cutting into the corners, around the woodwork and the electric boxes with a paintbrush as you paint the room.

Next, begin painting the walls with a roller that’s 9-inches wide and has a three-quarter inch nap. Make sure the wet cut-in paint blends with the rolled areas. Roll from the top to the bottom and from right to left.

Start Painting Like a Pro

Now that you know five painting tricks to paint like a pro, you’re ready to begin your next paint project. Remember, for the best results take the time to organize and prepare a wall for painting.

If you enjoyed this guide on painting tricks, read more educational articles on DIY home projects.

Designing with Large Area Rugs: How to Make them Work in Your Home

While you know that redecorating your home to give it a new feel is a refreshing experience, you likely didn’t know that there are scientifically proven health benefits to doing so.

Redecorating a room helps to improve mental health by giving the person who lives there higher self-esteem and lowering the risks of depression. It also helps people to move forward with the times ensuring they’re not mentally stuck in the past.

One of the biggest factors that makes a room great is an area rug. Since large area rugs are such a prominent feature in any room, there’s no getting around the need to find the perfect one. These central features to any room come in a variety of shapes, styles, and colors that tie the rest of the decor together.

Here, we’re going to give you a few pointers on how to choose a large area rug to go with any room in your home.

Do Your Research

Before deciding on what kind of rug you want to buy for any room in your home, it’s crucial that you do your research. This means that you’ll want to look at images on sites like Pinterest to get home decorating ideas. You can then emulate what you like and make more informed decisions about your rug purchases.

Another important thing to consider is your budget for redecorating your home. It isn’t worth going into debt because you want a ridiculously expensive rug. You’re also going to want to save for other parts of your home decor, so don’t spend all your money on one thing.

Instead, head over to this site and shop for rugs in a variety of styles at an affordable price!

Look at Varying Styles

There is an infinite amount of aesthetics for home decor, and therefore there are an infinite amount of rug types that you can choose from for your home. Some of the most common styles are shag carpets for that 80s groove, soft wool carpets that feel luxurious between your toes, and silk that gives your room an aristocratic feel.

When selecting a style of rug, whether or not you want it to be patterned is also a consideration. Solid color rugs are nice, but why not add a border to it for a multicolor scheme? Also, geometric and oriental rugs make almost any room look alive because of their creative and unique patterns.

Sizes and Shapes

Once you know the aesthetic you’re aiming for, you’ll need to take care of practical concerns regarding the size and shape of your area rug.

Before you can get shopping, get out a tape measure and figure out how much space you have to cover. Be sure that you’re precise with your measurements. A miscalculation of even an inch can look awkward, and you can’t cut part of a rug off.

You’re also going to need to consider the shape of your room when selecting a rug. Unless your space is a perfect rectangle, which is unlikely, then you may have to get creative. You can get multiple area rugs and lay them out across the space if you want to fill the entire floor up!

Consider Your Colors

It’s a scientific fact that color affects our mood. It puts us in specific states of mind, making us associate the space we’re in with certain emotions. This means that choosing the right color area rug is crucial in making your space somewhere you enjoy being.

Of course, everyone is different. We all have our own likes and dislikes, so simply getting an area rug in your favorite color and using varying shades of it for decor is a great way to go!

If you aren’t sure what you want, though, color psychology can help. For a calming, mellow space, blues are likely the right option for you. If you want to feel energized in a space used for productive purposes, yellow’s a great choice.

Decide on Your Decor

A lot of people forget to match different parts of their decor to each other, but this becomes incredibly problematic once the varying items are installed. For example, if you choose a bright pink area rug but fail to remember the forest green lamps you bought earlier, that all will clash pretty badly with your dandelion sofa.

This can also happen with patterns, and a lot of people accidentally mix and match in ways that become a terrible eyesore. If you have opposing patterns or make the room too busy by having too much going on, it can really make the head spin. Be sure that you have a good mix of similar patterns and corresponding colors.

That isn’t to say that you need to make everything exactly the shade of purple. There are productive and gorgeous ways you can mix and match your decor to make each piece both stand out and blend in.

Get Large Area Rugs

While redecorating is always a challenge, it’s also a lot of fun. Choosing an area rug for each room is one of the most fun tasks of all. After all, there’s a lot to explore and a lot of ways they can be used to give your home a fresh feel.

Now that you know how to choose the best large area rugs for every room in your home it’s time to learn more about decorating so you can draw everything together. Check out the “lifestyle” tab on our page to get more tips for living your best life.

Self Storage Tips: What You Should and Shouldn’t Store in Your Unit

Whether you need some extra space temporarily or long-term, renting a storage space is a good solution. However, not every household item is ideal for unit storage.

If you have valuables or sentimental items that you’re considering for storage, it’s necessary to discern whether they are safe in a storage unit. There are some belongings that may need extra packing before they’re put away.

If you’re ready to pack up, make sure to review the important self storage tips listed below.

Don’t Pack Perishables

Perishables are anything that goes bad quickly. This is usually food, but it depends on how it is stored. Canned food is not perishable because it has a long shelf life and is usually allowed in storage units.

These items are not allowed because they can spoil and create bad odors or lead to pest infestation. It will not only be unpleasant for you but can affect other units as well.

Don’t Pack Living Things

It may seem rather obvious that living things don’t fare well in a storage unit, but some new renters are unaware. Whether it’s an animal or a plant, it’s typically not allowed. There have even been cases where people have tried to use storage units as a living space.

Don’t Pack Hazardous Items

Packing hazardous items can endanger everyone. The list of hazardous items may include some things you didn’t realize. For example, flammable or explosive items like gasoline, or even paint, cannot be stored.

This category also includes weapons, illegal goods, and anything toxic. Basically, anything that can harm others.

Websites like this Canadian self storage one will detail what is and is not allowed in their storage units.

Do Pack Household Items

Household items are ideal for a self storage unit. Most general items are perfect for storing away. This includes basic things like shelving, books, furniture, office equipment, and kitchen things.

These items can be stored if you’re moving, have an extra guest staying for a while, or just making a life transition.

Do Pack Seasonal Items

Seasonal items are also perfect for self storage. Anyone with a full household, or a small living space, knows how much room winter clothes can take up. Conversely, you can free up space for winter by packing away your summer clothes at the end of the season.

Do Pack Electronics and Appliances

Although some electronics or appliances may be considered “valuables,” many are relatively cheap. Whether they’re older models, used, or just commonplace, a storage unit can be a good place for the if you’re running out of room at home.

It’s important to note that electronics and appliances fare better in climate-controlled storage units.

More Self Storage Tips

Before you pack up your goods, don’t forget to double-check these crucial self storage tips. Also, make sure to ask your self storage unit company for their particular rules and guidelines. Some companies may vary.

For more useful tips about self storage and beyond, you can check out the “tips” section of our blog.

5 Easy Tips for Fitting Your Interior Design into Your Home Budget

Every year, people spend billions of dollars on decorating and renovating their homes.

If you’re planning to make some changes to yours, you might be worried about the huge impending costs. You don’t have to be. With the right planning and preparation, you can renovate on a budget.

In this post, we’ll give you some easy tips to follow.

How to Keep Your Interior Design Costs Under Control

A beautiful home doesn’t have to break the bank. Read on to find out how to decorate yours on a budget.

1. Make a Wishlist

Start out by making a wishlist for everything you’d want for your home.

Once you have a list of items that you want, rank them in the order of importance to you. It’s inevitable that some of them will have to go, so this will make those decisions easier and less painful.

Then, compare your budget to your wishlist. See what you can afford to keep, and eliminate the things you can’t.

If you skip this step and go straight to planning or shopping, you’ll end up spending far more than you need to.

2. Have a Buffer

Any mortgage broker will tell you that home projects always come with some unexpected costs. There could be extra fees for contractors or other services, or a small maintenance task could turn into a huge remodeling job.

No matter how detailed your budget is, you can’t guarantee that everything will go to plan. That’s why you need to have a buffer in your budget to keep safe.

If you budget for every last penny that you can afford to spend, any extra costs that take you by surprise will throw a wrench in your plans. Instead, allow for an extra 10-20% if possible. That way, you’ll be prepared for anything and everything.

3. Be Strict

It can be easy to get carried away and start spending extra money on things you hadn’t planned for.

When you fall in love with certain furniture or decor, you might end up throwing caution to the wind and forgetting about your budget altogether. To avoid this, refer back to your budget before every purchase to keep yourself in check.

4. Shop Around

Don’t just go for the first thing you see. Shop around and weigh up your options.

When you’re comparing prices, make sure you factor in any extra costs, such as delivery and installation fees. Take the time to check out lots of different suppliers, and you’ll eventually find options that match both your vision and your budget.

5. Reuse and Repurpose

You don’t have to buy everything brand new. You can find some incredible second-hand pieces that will add character to your home.

You could even repurpose old furniture to make new pieces of your own. Either way, you’ll save money.

Get More Easy Tips

At Skipping Stones Design, we’ve got hundreds of easy tips for homeowners. Whether you’re looking to build, decorate, buy or sell your home, we can help you.

See our tips page for more advice on how to make the most of your home.